Snow had fallen again. By morning, a thousand peaks lay white, and an inch or so of soft snow covered the monastery's blue tiles. The white mountain path leading downhill stood out starkly.
On a level patch somewhere along the slope, a mound of snow stirred, and a huge, fearsome head rose from it, snow piled on top.
Black Snake had slept so deeply last night that fresh snow had buried him without his noticing.
He remembered that he ought to return to his cave to hibernate.
First he raised his head to get his bearings, then swayed from side to side and leisurely made his way forward.
When the weather was not cold, the snow softened, making it less prone to sliding and easier to travel through. It was ideal for getting around, except that he always left a long, winding trail behind him. Snow made it difficult to conceal his movements.
He slithered to the mountain behind the Azure Cloud Monastery, found his cave, and slipped silently inside.
Halfway in, his body suddenly stopped. An intensely strong medicinal scent washed over him.
It did not matter. The air in the cave did not circulate anyway, and a thread of bitter herbal fragrance actually lent it a little freshness. He instinctively liked it. He slithered inside, passed the piles of nuts and gold, and coiled up in his usual spot.
Within moments, he sank into a deep sleep, drawing one long, slow breath only after a great while.
He breathed the heavy medicinal fragrance filling the cave into his belly as though drinking aged wine.
Black Snake felt that this winter's hibernation was particularly comfortable. His whole body felt gently warm, as though he were basking in the sun.
He did not look into it. Since he did not