Shy Deer Steppes Well I’m sorry I thought what I said was true, I was wrong

a cold snap carried through the steppes. every stone, stunted tree, and shrub was coated in wintry frost which glittered coldly against a warmless morning sun. 

shoko moved carefully between the frosted rungs of flatstone. more than once he nearly slipped, his breath rising in sharp exhales each time as he regained his footing.