Frozen Sands

(https://youtu.be/bIZIzdsOPxA?si=KmqGGZ5bUzmmMAPA) Something has happened in the San Palomino desert. Snow blankets the sands in quantities never seen before. The town of Appaloosa has been suffocated into silence under a blanket of snow, and ice. What crops could survive the desert have long since died. Supplies begin to dwindle, and the town has begun to ration what's left. Worse yet, train tracks all across the desert have iced over so badly, trains cannot safely use them. Leaving caravans of wagons as the only way to re-supply the town. Even then, the journey is perilous. Some caravans return to Ponyville missing a few members. Others never return. Some never even make it to Appaloosa. Frequent blizzards change the landscape often, making navigation a difficult task. Families huddle in their wooden homes, hoping to keep warm, and avoid starvation.  A few preliminary tests from a wizard who got stuck in the town during a visit has brought dire results. Firstly, the wizard can decidedly state that the source of the snow is magical in nature. However, he cannot discern an exact source. Worse yet, the snow is filled with arcane energy that is harmful if ingested. Victims suffer from a disease that withers their body from the inside. At first, they will feel cold, and be unable to stay warm. Then, their skin will turn an icy blue. Afterwards, some report snow leaving from the mouths, and noses of victims. In the end, the victim's body withers away into snow. Adding to the frozen hellscape that has blanketed the San Palomino.  Dusty can't be sure exactly what time it is when he set out today. With the ever present, dark gray clouds overhead, it's difficult to tell the time without a properly set clock. Atop his mount, Dusty exits the town. The wizard rides behind him in the saddle. Both men wrapped in heavy winter coats, and headwear. Dusty's mount whines in protest of having to go out into the cold, but he re-assures her with a few soft pats on the coat surrounding her body. "C'mon girl. We gotta get tah tha bottom of this, 'fer people freeze tah death." She wickers in response, but continues forward.  From within the town, Dusk Patrolman Misty Steps watches as the Dawn Ranger, and Wizard disappear into the snow. He sends up a silent prayer to King Artemis that they return with any news. Or, that they simply return at all.