SSO Winter Prompts 2020

2. Frost (Canter Ella)

The air felt sharp, the cold changing the smell of the wind. Tintoretto's hooves were the loudest thing on the road, the rest of the night a subdued quiet. Canter Ella kept a lookout, but saw nothing worth investigating as her steed carried her forward.

Winter was approaching quickly this year, and she worried for the farmers desperate to finish their harvests. Any crop left in the field would no doubt rot and be worthless within the next day or two. But after the rush then there would be the celebrations, the feasts, the holidays. The Saints would have their feasts, and the churches would overflow with song and candlelight. It would be a welcome break after the last few hectic days of harvest.

She turned Tintoretto along a canal, scanning for possible criminals using the water to hide their tracks. There were no boats, no one sneaking through the water that she could see. But she could see frost creeping over the surface. That brought a frown to her face. So cold, so early? Perhaps there would be snow for Christmas, it hadn't snowed in Venice for years, and was uncommon. Snow would be beautiful though, a glittering blanket of diamonds over the awe inspiring city and country.

Tintoretto picked up his hooves at her silent instruction, a small change in pressure urging him into a canter. Their reflection glided over the water at their side, distorted by the thin layer of ice that was spreading.

Canter Ella hoped that it would be a white Christmas, and that this wasn't a hint at something nefarious brewing. This was just a cold year with an early frost. Duca Arlecchino was many things, but a wizard of weather was not one of them.

She left out a breath, feeling the cloud tickle her face below her mask. Tintoretto similarly was creating a trail of hot steam until pulling up, stomping and snorting, white billowing before him as he threw his head. The vigilante looked around once more, not for nefarious evil doers but at the beauty around her.

The browning grass was now tinted white, tiny spikes of ice making the previously boring grass glisten in the moonlight. The water grew flat spirals that caught the stars in them, pale fractals capturing the night sky in the dark water.

"It is awe inspiring, is it not?" Canter Ella whispered, Tintoretto's ears flicking back to her. He snorted in response and she laughed, patting his neck.

"We shall dress warmer tomorrow," she promised. With no obvious bandits or criminal activity, Canter Ella guided her horse home, to a warm stall and a good rest.