|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:51 pm
The gentle crunch of snow beneath the heavy steps of a large creature crackled through the thin evening air. Wisps of breath escaped the creatures muzzle, wafting away like tendrils of smoke after a candle's life was so swiftly expired. The pink nose caressed the air, sniffing lightly. Petrified pines and clean snow was the scents the magnificent creature pulled forth. Steely blue eyes stared off into the distance, hoping, wishing in some odd fashion that he was able to converse and partake in the company of another one of his kind. Leiknir wasn't as sociable as they come, after all, though reindeer were known to travel in large herds it was not uncommon for them to live separate for most of the year to only join during Anlach like the red deer.
He spotted not a soul...not yet at least. Lowering his eyes he lifted a black hoof and started to dig at the snow hoping to reach the sweet parched grasses below. Spring would be upon them soon and beneath the heavy layer of sparkling crystalline power was the start of something new.
Leiknir, as he was titled, found nothing and pouted. His proud antlers almost seemed to droop along with his attitude before he raised his head once more and flicked his tail in silent optimism. The search would only fruit as long as it was tended to properly and that was exactly what he intended upon doing. Though he was a recent member of the herd of Artali Isjaki he had great ambition. His goal...top dog, alpha male, lead bull and if that was not to be within his reach he would not settle for anything less than Captain. Now he only had to find more of his kind in order to progress further.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:04 am
 There was one lone figure out about... a weary outrider with dampened spirits. A collar of bells arond his neck and a broken antler. He looked rather pitiful with a few healing scars, particularly a nasty one on his shoulder. He limped with each movement, eyes downcast and not full of spunk and pride like they had been before. It was Dasher, the herd's fastest and likely one of the most arrogant. However, something seemed rather different about him. With his wounded shoulder, he could not run. The antlers were the pride of any bull, and one of his was broken. Although when they finally shed and regrew, it was likely they would be back to normal again, but in the mean time... he was a sorry sight. He seemed to be paying little attention and thus didn't notice the other bull, although he probably should have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:50 pm
The steely eyes locked on the sauntering male but not before his large ears pinpointed him out from a short distance and listened to him carefully. His movement was slow, erratic as though he were limping and finally when their eyes met he understood why. The silver creature stayed his distance for a short period of time. Though he had longed for company, he was weary at first not at all ignorant enough to prance up and introduce himself like an adolescent that didn't know any better. And the outrider's condition also was enough to bring about suspicion.
That did not mean he would neglect him. It was quite contrary in fact and soon he was moving quickly toward the taupe bull. Leiknir's eyes were large, attentive and darted over the injuries the lone figure bore.
"Sir!" he called from a distance until he closed the gap, standing a few feet away. He shook his head as though understanding the pain once he saw the brunt of the bull's injuries.
"Are you in need of any assistance?" he asked quickly, "You're banged up pretty good."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:40 pm
It was in an animal's nature to hide injury and illness, for if you showed weakness.. you were bound to end up eaten. Dasher didn't want to die, obviously... thus he was trying to mask his pain, although it was difficult. He couldn't hide the limp very well though and he was feeling ill. Little did he know that his wound was becoming infected.
Eyes lifted weakly to catch sight of the other male, and he was silent for some time. "Unless you have the ability to heal.. I don't think there's anything that can be done." Which was true... the only thing that could help him was for his wound to heal. And this happened in the middle of winter... when food is most scarce... the worst time possible. Dasher heaved a sigh, "Donner is probably enjoying this" he muttered to himself. The old goat likely basking in the fact that Dasher had pretty much been silenced by his injuries. Anlach was upon them, but he didn't have the strength to participate. It would be easy for one of the bulls to steal Dancer from him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:07 pm
Leiknir shook his head and winced slightly having come to realize the severity of the festering wounds knowing well enough that they were causing a great deal of pain. It was not a marvel however that the noble creature was holding back the display of pain, after all he knew the laws of the wild just as well as he and knew what would come of such an open display. The wolves would be on him in no time.
In fact he was surprised he wasn't being trailed yet. The silver reindeer again shook his head. "I wish I had some sort of forte in the art of healing but I do know of some herbs that may at least slake your pain," he answered, "The only problem is finding them in the snow. This isn't the time of the year they grow either." This was quite the conundrum and a deathly one at that. Dasher was one of the members of his herd and a vital character within it; without him they would be short an Outrider. And what of Dancer? Though Leiknir was looking to form his own harem he had the decency enough not to consider stealing away the injured bull's cow not feeling it would be a just fight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:14 pm
He was fortunate that the wolves hadn't found him yet. But how long that fortune would last... well.. only time would tell. His hope was fading as his injury grew worse. The swelling and stiffness in his leg only growing, and it wouldn't be long before he likely wouldn't be able to hide his condition any longer.
Dasher sighed at the other bull's words and nodded. Winter was the worst time of year to be injured. And Dancer... he hoped she wasn't worrying too much about him. She was likely with their two grown daughters. Even if something did happen to him, atleast he wouldn't die without having passed on his genes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:42 pm
"Hmm..." he muttered looking over the deer before glancing away pondering their few options. There wasn't much they could accomplish this time of the year and it was rather pitiful that he knew not how to help his fellow Outrider. Certainly there was a solution he was overlooking.
"I think we should try and find more herd members. Certainly someone will know how to properly assist you," he told the crestfallen reindeer, "Lean on my shoulder if you need to." He doubted Dasher would take the offer knowing it wasn't at all very prideful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:46 am
Dasher's brows furrowed a bit and he shook his head, "No... the smell of blood could lead wolves right into the herd" he muttered, and he didn't want any harm to come to them, especially his own family. It would be better for him to die alone than take others with him.
"Besides.. Donner will probably happy to see me gone" he intoned bitterly. The fact that the two of them didn't get along was a pretty well known fact. They both had different ideas about how the herd should be run, and Dasher didn't really acknowledge Donner as the real leader of the herd even though many others did.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:19 pm
The lanky stag frowned, not at all appreciating the hopelessness found in Dasher's voice. It was as if he expected to die right then and there. This disturbed the bull who was thoroughly lively and could not understand the concept of giving up hope. "So what if he'll be pleased," he answered him, tossing his head discomforted, "Are you going to let him? Are you telling me you're giving up here? Do you honestly think I'll just let you lay down and die here like some kind of worm?"
Leiknir was sure this was not the intention of the other bull, but he wasn't about to ask questions. Instead taking a more forward approach was more of his style; and he found it helped achieve things faster anyway so it wasn't such a bad approach.
"If wolves follow I'll fight them off myself...I'm taking you back to the herd."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
