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 Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 4:47 pm
Bryce clung to the fringes of the Fire Bringer Herd's territory. Hoping, waiting for a chance to see his beloved, Dorcheira. Oh, if only he were alive again; he'd be a worthy mate, able to join her herd, and possiblily, a father. Now what was he? An outcast among his own? A shamed sgorrla killed by Sgorr for showing compassion? Hardly a deer at all. He was a monster, and he was alone.
Or perhaps not.
The cruch of dead leaves, the rustle of disturbed brush. He turned.
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 4:50 pm
The ever faithful Outrider was patroling once more, when a strange scent had caught his attention. It was in that direction that Brychan headed, just beyond the visible reaches of the herd. Was it wolf? No... it was deer, and yet it was strange at the same time. Something that the starry pelted stag had never encountered before.
He moved cautiously through the underbrush, all senses alert and not knowing what to expect. Brychan may be a seasoned Outrider, but he was far from invicible. If there was danger, he would have to bolt and warn the others as quickly as possible. He had hinds and offspring to look out for, especially.
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:07 pm
He was restless.
It had been peaceful for a long time -- much too long for the big, brawny, battle-scarred stag's taste. He stalked the borders of the Firebringer herd's territory with a ruthless fervor, almost hoping for a disturbance on which he could pounce.
When he smelled something in the air that didn't belong, he immediately honed in on it. It was easy to follow. He didn't even listen to the fear tingling in his spine. Now was not the time for fear. Now was the time to protect his herd. And, if he could, take out some of this excess energy on a trespasser.
But this was no ordinary trespasser. At the sight of the unearthly black stag he felt the fear quicken distantly, as if it was a breeze on his back, not coming from himself. He smiled grimly.
Maybe there would be a fight after all.
"I should tell you to get out of here," he said gruffly. "This is not your territory. But if I said that, then you might actually do it." Stretching his neck with a cracking sound and lowering his antlers, Spartacus grinned. "It's been far too long since I've gotten to hurl something out by force."
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:46 am
Bryce was sick with terror, he had been found. But he couldn't leave, not now; this was the arranged meeting spot. If he left, Dorcheira would not know were to find him. And if she traveled to the land of the Fallen, she may die.
"I bid you no ill," he said, trying to keep the quiver out of his voice,"And I would do you little sport. My antlers have long since gone back; my kind are immortal, not invencible."
His ears picked up slow, steady movement in the brush. He feared for his love. Don't be Dorcheira, he prayed, Oh, Herne, if you've any mercy at all, don't let it be Dorcheira!
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:30 am
It wasn't long before Brychan came onto the scene, blue eyes wide at what he saw. The black stag having his attention for the most part.
"What in Herne's name is that?" he spoke aloud, truely stunned and somewhat terrified at the half dead beast before him. It was a deer, there was no mistake about that.. but its flesh hung off it precariously and its bones were clearly visible in some places.
However, an ear flicked at Spartacus' clearly aggressive intentions. They didn't know what this thing was capable of... and immortal? Surely that could not be possible.
"Spartacus.. stand down. If it does not wish to fight then there is no need." The stag from his heard was unmistakable... he was easy to identify thus Brychan knew of him.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:26 pm
"Immortal?" he said incredulously. "You look downright decrepit to me. Immortal... Ha! Might have to put that to the test."
The arrival of another stag earned a sulky glance from Spartacus. At least it was a normal deer. But with Brychan -- a do-gooder if there ever was one -- watching the scene, he couldn't very well attack a deer that was thus far innocent, if rather creepy.
He lifted his head and snorted with barely suppressed frustration, a dark look on his face.
"I know what it is," Spartacus replied to the earlier question. "It's a trespasser. And it's probably diseased. Look at it, rotting off its bones." He shifted, his muscles betraying his desire to gore the thing right then and there. This was no time for fear, and he suspected that it was fear that caused Brychan to be cautious. "We should get rid of it."
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:48 pm
Byce considered himself to be a pretty paciant stag, but being called an 'it' was a tad frusturating.
"My name is Bryce. I am not diseased, but one of the Fallen," he sighed, "Perhaps I am tresspassing, but I mean harm to none. As for being decrepit," he turned to Spartacus,"That I am. I've told you my antlers have gone back, would it please you to kill something that could not defend itself?" He looked to Brychan,"You've shown mercy, Dark-Pelted one, and thus I owe you dearly," Bryce bowed his head,"I am in your homeland, and so I submit to your law."
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:51 pm
Brychan didn't really know what to think. Half of him wanted to drive the thing out, as Spartacus did... the other half wanted to show it mercy. But honestly.. this half dead deer was a grotesque sight. Brows furrowed and blue eyes glared in the direction of the other 'normal' stag.
"I thought you said you were immortal" Brychan responded to Bryce skepticly, as if he clearly didn't believe it. "I don't know who or what the Fallen are.. but that name fits you. I suggest you go back to them and not come here again." Merciful he may be.. but he did have the best intention of the herd on his mind.
A glance was given to Spartacus as if to say.. 'happy'? He was trying to get rid of him.. it.. whatever.. just in a more civil fashion. He didn't want Bryce here any more than he did.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:21 pm
The scars on Spartacus' face were creased as he laughed lazily. "Yes, you owe him a great debt -- he just saved your defenseless immortal hide." The sight of the corpse thing bowing to Brychan caused some of his blood lust to evaporate into amusement.
He strutted in a semi-circle around Bryce, his eyes steady on the Fallen stag while the Merciful Dark-Pelted One dispensed his justice. That was more like it. Not all that exciting, but at least it showed some backbone.
"Good advice," he said to the stranger, with a nod at Brychan. "But don't worry. If you're too thick to take it, I'm sure I can come up with some advice of my own."
The scraping of the ground with his hoof might have been a tad too much, but Spartacus was not much interested in subtlety.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:33 pm
"I am immortal, and as such it would be rather inconvient to spend the rest of my existance with my head in one place and my body in another. That is immortality," by honor, he did owe Brychan, but the stags' words stung. Expecially those of this Spartacus fellow. And go back to what? The 'herd' that either ignored or tormented him? The slowly healing gores on his flank showed their treatment.
Spartacus's latest comments were a bit too much. Still, he spoke calmly and without threat,"Aye, the Dark-Pelted One has shown kindness. You show nothing but murderous intent toward someone weaker. The gashes in my hide come from those who think and act like you: my herd. To you, Blood-Luster, I owe nothing."
Byce looked to Brychan,"You have given an order, and I must obey."
Blood from his said wounds spattering the ground, he turned his back to Spartacus and begain to walk away.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:56 pm
Brychan hadn't seen the marks until they were pointed out. After all.. half this creature's flesh was missing, and he had to wonder just where that blood came from. Despite the seemingly kind and peaceful intent of the half dead deer, Brychan couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he felt in Bryce's presense. It just wasn't natural... that Fallen one, and he really had no place among them. He could feel the fur on his spine standing on end involuntarily.
A sideglance was given in Spartacus' direction as Bryce spoke to him, and while he would not say so aloud.. he agreed with Bryce's comments. Yet, he was somewhat surprised as he took Brychan's 'order' so easily and backed off. Still.. something bothered him. "Hold up a moment, just why were you loitering here anyway? Surely you knew there was a herd nearby?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:35 am
Bryce halted an turned around,"Yes. I once belonged to this herd when Sgorr brainwashed the minds of my generation. I did not, and still don't, know how much time passed while I was 'dead'. I had hoped to catch a glimpce of Rannoch, the savior of those who lived long enough to see his return. But I do not beleive he is alive anymore."
He couldn't say that he now came to visit Dorchiera, her herd disliked her enough without the added note of loving a Fallen.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:06 pm
The accusations didn't bother Spartacus. After all, he considered it his job to show murderous intent to those who were in his herd's land when they were not supposed to be. Showing weakness only gave an opponent confidence, he believed, and that was not something an outrider should give.
But Brychan was still standing there, and Bryce was actually obeying him, so Spartacus thought it best not to go discussing his defensive strategies.
He'd have to let off steam later. Maybe challenge some uppity stag to a duel for fun. When Brychan glanced at him he happened to catch it, and he made a rumbling sound deep in his chest that might have been a laugh, might have been a growl.
But then the deer carcass started talking about Sgorr and Rannoch. He laughed audibly. "This is too much. You came from the past, did you? Back from the dead? We're not stupid." His stance aggressive and his eyes blazing, he glared at Bryce. "You're trying my patience. What are you really doing here?
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 6:32 pm
Brychan's ears went back and a frown creased his muzzle. "Rannoch.. Sgorr.. I haven't heard those names spoken since I heard them in stories as a calf. They're long since dead."
He wanted to roll his eyes at Spartacus' ignorance. As disbelieving as the story was.. there was one point. "Look at him, Spartacus. Do you honestly think a deer of his... state... should actually be walking and talking?" His voice showing his impatience with the other stag. After all... Bryce was a rotting carcass... it shouldn't be doing anything but attracting vultures.
Another look to Bryce, "Even if you did belong to this herd at one time... you don't belong among the living." Brychan's voice softened a bit, "You have my sympathy, but you would do little more than scare the hinds and younglings." Surely, if this Bryce was reasonable, he would understand.
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