Bambi's Forest

Herla sat, staring at the ground in front of him, at the edge of the clearing, listening as the does and bucks mourned the losses. He could not join them, for he knew none of them. It almost was worth lamenting in itself to him: He was without feeling. He hated the fact that all he could think about was the light air above his head, the splintered bases that once held his proud antlers.

But now it was gone. All gone.

Suddenly, a much more terrifying, fearful thought hit him, jolting through his stomach into his chest.

How would he fight? They needed Herla. How could he just abandon them? He clenched his jaw. No. He would not let this stop him. He would find a way to go on. He would find a way. What else could he do? His loyalty compelled him not to let this go.

He would find a way.

 Trar's Herd

Vervain limped amongst the ranks of injured bucks, taken aback. He had expected an easy win, just as they all had expected - they didn't think the other herd would be trained or expecting the attack, but they had both. These two elements had, admittedly, thrown Trar's army off. But Vervain, still scheming for a higher rank, knew what to do. He'd seen Clovar let Herla go.

That was his leverage.

Vervain limped over to Trar, then lowered his head respectfully. "Overlord Trar," Vervain greeted him. "I have... unsettling... news."
"Yes?" Trar turned sharply, irritated that his raid had failed. "What is it?"

"I noted something in the battle," Vervain told him. "Clovar allowed Herla to turn and attack another soldier without even considering stopping him."

"What!?" Trar snapped, his eyes blazing. "Is this true!? Bring me witnesses!"

Vervain nodded, and turned and seeked out three other bucks who he knew also saw it - they were called Stormsummer, Red, and Alistare - and brought them forward. "Is it true that Clovar allowed Herla to go free?" Trar asked coldly, sounding quietly enraged.

"Yes," Alistare spoke up, being a very brave if not reckless buck. "We all saw it." suddenly he hesitated. "Sir, what are we to do with him?"
"Only what's fit for a traitor," snarled Trar. "We execute him."

Ronno

Ronno wandered slowly to the flat rock with Gobo. The smaller buck looked terrified - Ronno didn't blame him. He wanted to join the monsters who were about to kill a good buck, and they all knew it. Word spread quickly about Clovar, and many bucks had resolved to not go at all if they could avoid it. However Ronno knew that Gobo had no choice and though he didn't want to watch such a kind spirit die, he wanted to be with Gobo to comfort him. And, y' know, keep 'im out of trouble, Ronno thought sourly.

Eventually, after much self-imposed delay, they reached the place. Trar stood strong and clear against the sky, his terrible head rising up. Something seemed deeply off, and Ronno realized that Nacht was at the bottom of the rock, not up for the execution. However four or five bucks sat behind Trar, along with Clovar. "Brothers, does, and fawns," Trar barked out clearly. He certainly had an influencial voice. "Today you've gathered to witness what should occur if any deer in this herd decides it wise to allow an enemy to run free, attempt to leave, or give away information about our plans."

Plans? Ronno shiveredsuddenly. He knew that they were at war but this sounded far too threatening for his likes. As if something was going on inside the herd.

"The five bucks behind me shall fight Clovar the ever-loyal," Trar's tone was very mocking and cold at the end of his statement. "Should Clovar survive, we will simply escort him to the gorge. We'll see how it goes from there." The menace in the buck's very posture was terrifying to Ronno. How could this be happening? He wondered briefly if he would be up there next, alongside Gobo for their plan.

"Begin."

Trar leaped down, watching as the five bucks lunged upon Clovar, who barely had the time to brace himself. Despite clearly knowing the overwhelming odds, the buck reared, spun, thrashed and gored mercilessly. Ronno could swear he saw one buck caught in the eye. However, five to one was too much. Before too long Clovar's feet were knocked out from under him and he fell.

Ronno turned away. He did not want to see wha happened next.

Bambi's Forest

Calemvir laid down, panting still. He remembered one such fight that was even half as bad as what he had just gone through. A buck called Eclipse... Night Eclipse. Fifteen points... but no, they'd truely only been six. He laid his head dow, sighing. That was over now. He was here alone and safe... Well, as safe as he could be with at least fifty bucks out for his blood.

He licked at his leg, which hurt tremedously. After awhile he noticed Rosehip had stood up from her mate's body and slowly made her way to Herla. His ears slowly rotating forward, Calemvir listened.

"Hello," Rosehip greeted the buck, who rose his head, jumping almost. Clearly Herla had not heard her coming.

"Good evening, miss," Herla replied, trying to regain his composure. "I cannot express how sorry I am."

"And I you," Rosehip replied. Her quiet voice was rather pleasant and warm for being in such an awful situation. "You've lost what a buck prides the most."
"Oh," Herla shook his head. "I can think of one buck who's seen worse." He glanced at Campion. "And then you - I lost my antlers, but you lost your love. I'd be far too frivolous to compare the two, wouldn't I?"

Rosehip was silent. Finally, she spoke. "Yes," she said, "The buck who I loved died today... and the pain is unbearable. I must say that this is not something I expected. I am not sure, truthfully, that I may ever love another buck. Nevermore will love touch my heart." Her voice broke to a whisper of pure pain. Herla swallowed his pride, standing up, and folded his head over her neck comfortingly. He clearly could think of nothing to say.

And what could he say, possibly? Calemvir thought. Her mate was dead. It wasn't as if "I'm Sorry" would bring him back. Calemvir knew the feeling well. Though he knew Herla was at a loss, and could by no means know the doe's pain. Calemvir, on the other antler, did. And thinking upon it now, it was a cold, painful feeling.

Trar's Forest

"That was terrible!" Gobo shouted. Ronno flinched.

Trar and Nacht swung around. "Who said that!?" Snarled Nacht, looking incredibly enraged.

"I did," Ronno heard his own voice and horror sliced through his fur in complete shock. He was taking the blame for Gobo. He was about to die.

"Well, then, why don't you see if you can stand up to the others then?" sneered Trar, who looked very much amused in a wicked, terrible way. "Go on."

Dumb with fear, Ronno slowly walked up onto the rock, barely knowing what was happening. Suddenly three bucks crashed down on him - Ronno had not even seen them coming. They gored his sides terribly, and pain froze the buck. He thrashed his head about, catching them once or twice in the face or sides, but ultimately, he was lost. He dropped, his head crashing into the stone. His eyes were closed and his mind blank.

"Take the two bodies to the edge of the moor," Trar said. "We don't need them here."

Gobo stared. This was his fault. He was frozen as a few bucks took the two bodies to the moors.

Later that night, he bedded down in the moonlight, but could not sleep. He finally stood, running toward the moor. He had to get out. He had to. This was all his fault, and he couldn't live there in Trar's herd anymore. He darted across the moors, having torn through a most painful, thorny part of the forest full of wolves - a place no deer dared go, thus no patrols stayed there.

In the moonlight, the buck was gone.