The snow cloud slowly grew closer. Vined and Duke Sant stepped forward with small, careful steps.
Both men had soft smiles on their faces, but their eyes stayed fixed on the white shape moving through the falling snow.
The cloud came nearer and nearer. Now they could see it was not just snow.
A white horse was running fast toward them.
The horse's coat was so white that it mixed perfectly with the snow all around.
Because of this, it looked even faster, like a flash of light cutting through the storm.
Vined watched without blinking. His lips moved a little.
"He has grown…" he muttered in a low voice.
A sharp pain of regret appeared in his eyes. He looked down for a moment, then quickly looked up again.
Duke Sant noticed. He put a warm hand on Vined's back and patted it gently.
"What did you expect?" he said in a kind voice.
"Time does not wait." He gave one more pat, then both men stood still and waited.
