March Under the Starlight

After taking off the scarf that was getting in the way, they called for everyone to switch on their flashlights and head into the pasture.

The moment they pushed open the pasture gate, their faces and ears practically froze.

Looking up, they saw stars glittering in the night sky.

The lights still had not come back on.

Even so, if it felt inconvenient, the flashlights could still provide about as much illumination as they normally had during nighttime pasture inspections.

They started with the mares.

This was a smaller herd made up of retired mares and first-time mothers, including Atalanta.

At the very center of the herd stood a bay horse, continuously letting out soft neighs to soothe her companions.

Atalanta, who had been worried sick before, was also safe beside her. Other than a few minor scrapes around her lower legs, she was in much better spirits than expected.

Though she had been following right behind Dober almost every step of the way since earlier, clinging to the retired senior mare like an unweaned foal.

"Thanks, Dober."

As they spoke, they shone the flashlight toward the center of the herd.

For once, Dober did not show her usual rejection. She merely kept making soft snorting sounds, calming the others in her own way.

With her help, the inspection on this side went quite smoothly.

Then came the other mothers.

They did not know whether to call them carefree or admire their composure in being able to eat as usual under these circumstances.

In any case, Sakuya stood out among the herd, calmly lowering her head to search for grass beneath the snow.

When they offered her the mint candy originally meant to calm her down, the bay mare wore a delighted expression that practically said, "Is this a winter