They walked out into the courtyard together, the bright, white glare of the snow hitting them instantly. Julian squinted, his breath turning to a plume of white mist in the air.
Lucius was there, bundled in so many layers of wool and fur that he looked like a small, round bear.
He was already patting down a mound of snow, trying to shape it into something that looked vaguely like a horse. When he saw Julian and Alaric, his eyes lit up. He couldn't speak, but he waved his gloved hands wildly, pointing at his creation.
Julian laughed and ran over, sinking into the knee-deep snow. "Is that a horse, Lucius? Or is it a mountain goat?"
Lucius scowled playfully, shaking his head. He held up his slate, which he had been keeping dry under his cloak. [It's a Jaguar,]he had written in a messy, hurried script. [Like Father.]
Alaric let out a booming laugh and knelt beside the boy, his large hands easily scooping up a massive pile of snow to help reinforce the base.
