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There was at least one of Brychan’s hinds there. Telyn’s ear flicked as she heard his familiar bark and the gray hind stood up trying to look graceful about it. She felt it was proper for a Lord’s hind to be graceful. While she liked being up to date on rumors---or, at least, the ones dealing with her or her stag---she hadn’t heard the news just yet.

Looking over at Brychan, Telyn tried to find any clues as to the outcome of the match. She should have watched it, she knew, but… well, she didn’t want to insinuate that she wasn’t taken. Leaving the little territory that Brychan had marked out would hint at that, wouldn’t it? Oh, and she was just feeling lazy. That was probably the most important thing today.

Hmm… well, the starry stag seemed as if he had won. He wasn’t looking at all depressed or scratched up, as far as Telyn could see. So, he had won then. Telyn held her head high and greeted her stag with a friendly nudge to the shoulder.

“Hello, Brychan. How did the match go?”

“That’s great, Brycha—wait, you lost?” Telyn started to speak without really listening to the stag’s words. Slowly, his admission of defeat filtered into her brain. He had LOST? How had he lost?! She had given him a pep talk and everything! Pep talks always won the challenges! That was the entire reason for pep talks. Or, at least, they always won in stories… Telyn pointedly reminded herself that this was real life and not just a story. It was oddly annoying how often she had to do that.

Stifling her disappointment, she smiled at Brychan anyway. How dare he lose after her pep talk?! Didn’t he know how difficult it was to give that pep talk and act almost lovey-dovey with him? In public?! Still, no matter how disappointed she was, she was prepared to bet that he was feeling even worse.

“That’s still great, Brychan,” she said stubbornly, refusing to admit that she had been expecting him to win. “There are plenty more Anlachs to come.”

She couldn't hide it from him, Brychan knew that Telyn was disappointed. He saw it in her eyes.. and the way she moved. Telyn was a lot of things.. but she was not a very good liar. Still.. he smiled despite it all, glad to hear her words... and that of Rhomae's as she approached.

"I'm sorry... I let you down" he said softly to the grey hind. His demeanor a bit melancholy now, despite his determination to do better next time. "I am glad to hear that" were his words spoken to Rhomae, an affectionate lick given to her nose. He appreciated their support, and knew he would need it in the future just as much as he needed it now. A little boost in confidenece and just a bit of ego stroking could go a long way with a stag.

"Fell Lore is a strong stag... Waoki was right. I do need to grow more." He snorted and stomped a hoof, "However, I learned a lot from the fight... before this time next year, I'll get myself to Captain." There was no ifs with that.. he would work hard and push himself higher in the ranks and earn the respect of those in the herd. All the while, learning and preparing himself for the next Anlach.

“You didn’t let any of us down, Brychan, not at all!” Even with her horrible lying skills, Telyn still felt compelled to say this. Sure, she was a little disappointed, but it wasn’t as if he had failed completely or anything. “Rhomae is right. You’ll win next time. You’re healthy and you weren’t hur…” she paused and looked over the stag with a bit more concern as she considered her last words.

“You haven’t been hurt, have you?” He didn’t look hurt at all, but looks could be deceiving. She nosed him again, as if that could somehow prove that he was perfectly fine and safe. At the sound of another herla approaching, Telyn looked over her shoulder to see Loreena’s arrival. Out of respect for the favorite, she shifted slightly, to allow the red hind to be closest to Brychan. She didn’t have a lot of respect for Loreena, but she had enough for that.

give a moment to Telyn, nodding her head thankfully as she moved to let Loreena approach Brychan.
it didn't take long for her to learn the truth from his expression.
though it did not need he was hurt physically nor did not confidence, and good nature take a beating from this either. but there was disappointment, something, she was sure he would learn to ignore or forget in time.

ears still lowered respectfully, she smiled back at him.
"I am glad you are safe" she said softly, remembering the last time he had gotten into a duel, he had bled that time.
touching her nose against his for a moment, satisfied with his condition, she turned back to look at Telyn, stepping back to allow the gray Hind to step forward again. though remaining in the group, watching there brave, strong stag, shining even in his defeat.

It was a relief to hear that Brychan was unhurt, and an even bigger relief to know that Fell Lore apparently didn’t hold anything against the other stag for the challenge. Then again, why would he? Challenging was what stags did at this time of year. She took her place once more as Loreena moved back, slightly bothered by the lack of words that passed between the pair. She supposed that she ought to feel moved by the way that Brychan and Loreena knew each other so well that there was no need for words, but… well… she wasn’t. Couples ought to talk more, she felt.

But, she wouldn’t say anything. This was their business, not hers. She followed Rhomae’s gaze towards the hill, suddenly considering the other hind’s question. It certainly was odd… it was probably simply because Fell Lore was getting older and more easily tired. Speaking of more easily tired, Telyn herself had found that her energy had been running oddly low lately.

“It is a little unusual… but, perhaps to be expected. Fell Lore is getting on in years.”

she was still very much shaken from the shock she had gotten earlier, and sad that Brychan had lost. she had hoped so much for him to become Lord this Anlach. the other two Hind seemed to speak everything she was thinking herself. leaving her to stand there in silence, watching Brychan and her Herem sisters carefully.

her ears never perked up, remaining flatted against her head in consern. glancing over at Rhomae as Brychan and Telyn exchanged words, she attempted to smile, only to make it look somewhat forced.