Darkness slowly seeped up the mountain from the lowland valley, insidious fingers creeping along the ripples of gullies over the snow-covered flanks. Most thought night came down from the sky, but in reality it crept up from the lowest areas, slowly raising like a thick, black fog to swallow the higher ground, trees stretching spindly branches upwards to catch the last of the dying light before the night claimed form.
Up on the mountainside, pale fur rippled with the chill breeze, trembling body turned towards the fading glow on the horizon. Another night, another long period of darkness was drawing down on the world. Gracefully furred ears flicked forwards as the lone figure watched the light fade into brilliant streams of colour, until even they faded into the coming shadows. Short tail flicked as long legs stretched out, turning to walk slowly down along the sharp ridge of rock. The doe who had come to these mountains only recently moved smoothly over the deep snow, thickly furred legs well protected against the biting cold though still, a faint shiver ruffled pale, ghostly fur as the wind picked up for intermittent gusts.
Shortly after sunset she reached the rocky outcrop that would be her sanctuary for the night. Slipping between the spurs of rock she wiggled past the entrance to the small gap behind. There was no roof and the snow lay in deep drifts around the base of the old tower, but it blocked the growing winds and would provide adequate shelter if a storm broke over the bare mountain ridge.
