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 Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:40 am
 The young deer had traveled far; it was evident in his messy coat, muddy legs, and drooping, exhausted weaving back and forth through the undergrowth. He couldn't stop. Not yet. If he stopped, it might catch up to him. It was always close by, hovering just beyond his line of sight, and he would turn his head as quickly as he could but there was never anything there. Of course there wasn't.
He stumbled over a root hidden in the fallen leaves and collapsed. He was almost too tired to get up. Couldn't he just lie here? Couldn't he... just... rest...
"N-no!" He lurched upward again and shook his head so hard that it hurt. Can't stop, can't stop. He forged ahead, trying to jog to keep himself awake, and ahead.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:48 am
 It was a rather ordinary day... if a day could be ordinary with the approach of Anlach. Many of the stags were getting restless, and Brychan was no exception, really. But while he had been keeping an eye on a few interesting hinds, he was newly Captain... and had duties to tend to. Like keeping some of the outriders from getting too rambunctious just yet. Brychan was currently walking the ridge that overlooked the herd, keeping an eye and ear out for anything out of the ordinary. He paused at one overlook, and surveyed the herd below. A faint sigh escaping him. Just as he was about to continue, the starry pelted stag flicked an ear. He thought he heard something... a distressed voice perhaps? It might be nothing, but he went to check it out anyway. Moving in the direction he thought he heard it, he was cautious. "Hello?" he called out. For surely if someone was in trouble, they would yell again if they heard him.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:56 am
He heard a voice through the haze in his head, and trembled with a frenzy of fear and relief. If there was someone else there, then maybe the... it... would stay away. But maybe the voice was just a part of it. He couldn't tell yet. With his concentration divided he didn't notice a low branch sticking out in his path.
"Aah!" The branch scraped against his neck and he yelped, stumbling sideways. Well, it was all lost now. The owner of the voice, whatever it was, must have heard that. And he was too tired. Too tired. He slumped down. "Over here," he called out piteously. He was going to be destroyed, or he was going to be saved. Either way it would be over.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:06 pm
Brychan's pace sped up as he heard the voice again, both a yelp and a call. He followed the sound of the voice, which sounded rather young. It wasn't long until he came upon the calf. The Outrider blinking in confusion and looking around as he seemed to be alone. Slowly he approached to stand above him.
The calf was no older than his own son, and he had to wonder what happened to him. The fellow didn't look familiar, plus he was dirty and obviously tired. "Are you alright?" he asked gently, trying to see if the calf had any sort of injuries.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:32 pm
Antlers above reassured him. At least it was a deer, not something worse. "I'm okay," he replied, twitching his legs but deciding that he would stay on the ground for the moment. Seemed like it might be advantageous. He blinked heavily at the dark stag. "Who are you? Are you nice?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 4:44 pm
Brychan breathed a sigh of relief as the calf told him he was okay. He chuckled lightly at the questions he then asked, "I'm Brychan... there's a herd nearby.. I'm one of the outriders, and I'd like to think I'm nice. What about you? You're not from here are you?"
He then bent down, nudging the calf with his nose in an effort to get him to stand. "This isn't a safe place to rest, but I can take you somewhere that is."
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:06 pm
He shook his head. "I'm from... um... there." He indicated the direction with a muddled gesture and shivered. "Better here, much better," he mumbled, "Much, much." As his mumbling became incoherent his head swayed and his eyes closed. Then he jerked upright at Brychan's nudge. "Oh mmmyeah... Okay." The calf found his hooves and got his legs in line after some groggy fumbling. "Where's a safe place?" he asked.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:24 pm
When the calf got up, it was then that Brychan noticed the strange oak leaf shaped splotch on his rump. How... very strange. But he didn't let it distract him for long. "This way..." the stag motioning for the calf to follow, "Lets get you cleaned up too." Plus some food and water would probably do him some good. Brychan leading the strange calf back in the direction of the herd.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:58 pm
Maybe the young deer had never learned not to trust strangers, for he didn't hesitate to follow this unfamiliar outrider wherever he was leading; it was more likely he was too drained to think about it. Being in someone's company again was nice. He watched the ground, following the stag with his other senses.
After a few moments, the calf discovered another question. "How did you get your antlers s-sso..." He was interrupted with a yawn, then continued, "...so big?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:08 pm
Brychan chuckled at the question, turning his blue gaze down towards the calf for a moment as they walked. "I guess Herne blessed me. They just grew this way. Looks like you've got your own pair coming in too. Maybe they'll be just as big."
He continued to lead the calf more towards the herd, but eventually stopped next to a stream that was familiar to him. It was near the area where he had stood with his harem last Anlach. "We're in a safer area now... you should eat and drink, and get yourself cleaned up. If you need any help, just ask." He wondered about the calf.. Where had he come from? Where were his parents? But those questions could wait, seeing to his needs were more important.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:59 pm
"I hope so," he said, tossing his head, proud that someone had noticed the stubby antlers. "I bet they will."
At the stream the calf stretched his neck down to touch the water with his nose, testing it. A tremor shot along his spine and flicked off of his tail at the cold. He sniffed and licked the water from his nose, feeling more awake, and proceeded to drink in great, noisy slurps. When he had his fill he went on to clean his fur carefully, paying special attention to the leaf-shaped mark on his back. Then he set about grazing. "I like it here," he cheerfully said between mouthfuls. "Is this where you live? Where's your herd?"
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:05 am
Brychan smiled at the young calf, amused greatly by the pride he had in his little antlers. Just like any young calf would have.
The outrider stood guard as the youngster drank, cleaned himself, then started to graze. An ear turning at the question, "I'm glad you like it." He then motioned with his snout, "They're just beyond the treeline. Infact, I have a son that's just about your age. Perhaps you would like to meet him?" He was sure that Islwyn would like another little buck to be friends with. "What's your name, by the way?" Having just realized that the calf had never said.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:29 am
In the middle of nodding at the idea of meeting another his age, the calf halted, eyes widening. He seemed to shrink into himself. Finally he swallowed and said, "Haven't got a name." His head stayed low and he rocked from side to side as he shifted his weight. "No name, no name... What's your son's name?" The question was obviously trying to be a subtle subject change, but its subtlety failed.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:35 am
Brychan blinked in quiet shock as the calf admitted that he had no name. His ears tilting back as he wondered what this little fellow had been through in his short life, already. "Your parents didn't name you?" he asked, not being sure what to make of that. He sighed... "I suppose that'll have to change."
"My son? His name is Islwyn, and I also have a daughter, Tempest. You can meet her as well, if you like." After all Tempest was trying to catch the eye of other males, but this guy was still a bit young for that. Even if not much younger than her.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:07 am
Whew... crisis averted. The best way to keep the darkness at bay is to pretend that it doesn't exist. The calf lifted his head and relaxed. Scrunching up his nose he tried out the names. "Tempest and Issillin. Is... lin? No, no wait, sorry!" He giggled. "Islwyn. And Tempest. Are there other ones my age in your herd too?" Maybe he could find a way to stay in this herd, if things went well. He might not have to think about what was behind him ever again.
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