The long cold night was drawing to a close, the sun was spreading a harsh light but no warmth over the frozen landscape, it was time for the threesome to move on. After many months together the three had a close relationship forged by mutual respect for each other. Alcander leaped on to Syam’s back, wrapping his fingers into the thick silken mane. Syam snorted softly and took off with a mighty leap. At first Aderes was a little taken back at the speed of the departures but after all the months of hard exercise he was now running easily next to Alcander and Syam. Aderes’s muscles responded to the fast pace and he felt wonderful, so alive again, like a young tiger hunting the wild deer that lived in his far away land. Aderes sighed as he remembered his life before he was captured and tamed by Kael, Alcander’s father. The long warm nights sleeping curled next to his siblings, the hunting lessons from his mother and the thrill of his first solo kill. That was long ago and so far away but Aderes spirit still longed for the freedom of the wild, he hoped that one day he would be able to lay in the sun with his mate, his children playing about him. He knew that his time on this earth was almost half over and the time for mating and cubs would soon be a dream. His thoughts came to an abrupt end as Syam came to a stop, snow shining like diamonds, spraying into the air. Below them was a beautiful verdant valley, the grass was green, a river sparked in the warm sunlight as it burbled over the smooth rocks beneath its silvery surface. Birds darted in and out of the trees dotted about this summery landscape. As Alcander slid from Syam broad back, he turned his head and their eyes met and Alcander knew that this was the end of the journey for Syam. The voice on the wind had told him, all those months ago that Syam would leave at the end of snow, it was now obvious to Alcander that ‘End Of Snow’ was a place not a season. Syam looked Alcander in the eye, his noble dark eye filled with emotion; he bowed his proud head and neighed softly, pawing the snow at his feet, paying homage to Alcander. With that he turned, his eyes meeting that of Aderes, and look of mutual understanding passed between them. Tossing his long mane, he spun swiftly around and galloped away, he was soon lost to sight; no trace of his presence was left, not even a hoof print! I hope you are not getting bored with the non-adventures of Alcander and Aderes:-) Thank you for paying a visit and for taking a peek and if you are kind enough to leave a small comment (or a big one!)Thanx for that too!! Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last upload, I really appreciate them so much my sweet Rendo friends:-) Hugs Sylvia PS.....I hope to be paying your galleries a visit tomorrow so keep that kettle on the boil and the cookie jar handy!!!