Drifting in Snow

The blizzard was buffeting Valos' cloak so badly, he thought it would rip. He pulled it closer around himself to calm the madly flapping robe. Meanwhile, snow was building on the back of his Uxibeast as it trod though two meter high drifts of snow. He brushed it off and the snow blew straight into his face just as his mount stumbled. The jolt shifted everything on his saddle and nearly threw Valos into the snow. The Uxibeast continued as if nothing had happened.
 
"Intolerable." he thought as he wiped his visor clean and readjusted himself. "What reasonably sane sentient would ever want to live on a frozen ice block as this?!?"
 
He could not feel the cold, his newest creation saw to that. It was ingenious really, to construct something so simple, so refined, yet it protected him from nearly all environmental conditions. It was not as elegant as he liked, but that could be remedied in the future. And to think the Empire wanted to snuff out the Force and its adherents across the Galaxy.
 
"Madness." Valos said aloud.
 
"You ok Valos?" came a questioning remark from a rider either ahead or behind him. The blizzard was all but drowning out sound.
 
"I am fine." Valos loudly replied. "I am just expounding upon the brilliant weather we are having today."
 
A distant and hollow laugh came and then the roar of the blizzard drowned out any more sound.
 
He could sense his companions in the storm, they were not enjoying it either. In fact, the conditions were having a noticeable effect on their overall health. If they stayed out here for more than a couple of days, they would be in real trouble.
 
Kathirra stopped her mount ahead. The other uxibeasts in line stopped as well. Darkness was coming and it was time to set up camp. Dismounting, Valos trudged through the tracks of his beast and grabbed his survival gear from the saddle. He pulled out a shovel and began to remove a large amount of snow near his Uxibeast. The beast itself dropped to its knees and made a grunting keening sound. Another uxibeast plodded up next to it and dropped down beside it.
 
"Smart. They share their body heat." Valos thought. He patted his mount and began to set up his shelter next to it as well. After the shelter was erected, he ignited his fusion stove. The heat reflected off the walls of the shelter and out toward the Uxibeast. The Uxibeast turned its head toward Valos, looking at him with one of its large dull eyes. It grunted in appreciation and shimmied closer to the warmth of the stove.
 
"Not too close" Valos stated while putting a hand on the beast.
 
Once his shelter was up and warm, he put a pot on. While that was beginning to boil, Valos trudged out amongst his companions. He could feel the force flowing around them, could feel their life force weakening ever so slightly. He gently reached out, and gave them a bit of strength. He did not say anything to them, nor did he indicate what he did. He did not ask their permission either. While a seemingly kind gesture, Valos also intended all of them to live. He had no intention of trying to trudge through this storm alone if one or all of his companions succumbed to the cold.
 
"Balance in all things."
 
Valos returned to his shelter and poured the gently boiling water into his waiting mug of tea. Its warmth spread through him giving him renewed vigor.
 
Sitting in contemplation, listening to storm outside his shelter, the beauty of his surroundings slowly dawned on him as he looked out upon the windswept drifts of snow reflecting the light from his lantern.
 
"Madness indeed." Valos smiled.
 
Turning toward their destination, Valos could feel the familiar tug of destiny. His smile faltered.