took off. There was likely no saving one raised to believe Nacht was a true king. He turned back around, only to see a large buck with striped hindquarters and a twisted jaw there.

"Miss me?" he sneered, rearing and striking at Campion's head. He recoiled, but couldn't get away from the battering. He eventually decided to match Braila, rearing up to meet him viciously. He kicked at his enemy's stomack and face, cutting at him. He threw Braila over, rising to end him. Braila rolled out of the way, rearing so swiftly that Campion couldn't match him, and he made the mistake of trying to turn his head to square up. He was met with blunt force to the face, striking his jaw. Something suddenly felt very wrong, very outof place, but Campion didn't have the time to think about it. He reared up and struck at Braila's head, fueled by rage and vengeance, and he fell. Campion didn't pause to see what his work had done, and took off. He saw Nacht heading toward one of the dens.

Nacht ducked in, looking around. The area was very small, and he could feel the thorns scraping at his back and flanks. He crawled further in, only to be stopped by a cougar, blocking his path. "Not today, monster," she growled coldly, flexing her claws.

He sneered. "Today, little cat, I have whatever I want. And that which stands in my way will die." He swung his antler forward, grazing her along the face, and Korin snarled and reared, clawing at him violently. Before long, both parties were utterly ripped apart. Korin's face was ripped and bleeding profusely from several places along the muzzle and over the eyes, and Nacht's neck, wide shoulders, and face were scoured with clawmarks. He pinned his ears back, taking a breath. "Come out, cat. You can join me - have anything you want. What do you get fed here, anyway? Fish maybe? Perhaps bugs? I will have prisoners enough to feed you a life time, if only you'll fight with me," he told Korin, who stood, crouched, silent.

After many long moments, she finally said, quietly, coldly, "Eat dirt, predatory king."

He growled. "So be it."

At that, Korin reared back on her hindquarters, grabbing him around the jawline.

Bambi swung around, slashing and fighting. They had since reached the clearing, and now it was a violent fight to keep the enemies out of the dens and away from the does. He looked around, and did a double take when he saw Korin coming out out one of the dens with great effort. He stopped, seeing a black and silver form being dragged with her. Slowly, all motion seized from the clearing.

Korin had killed Nacht in the run.

------

It was spring. Both herds had been freed, but currently, no prince resided over either, and Bambi had been mulling over the topic, and finally, he had come to a decision.

"Herla." he approached his friend, who turned. "I would like you to go back to my old herd. No one is in charge there, and I think you might do well."
Herla looked surprised, but nodded. "Of course. I've been thinking about it and I want to go back. ...There's some old friends I'd like to see."

Bambi nodded, smiling. "I think that Ronno ought to take the West Pine Herd. He should take Rosehip, too, I think - she's gotten so much better since the war's ended."

Herla nodded, flicking an ear. "Everyone has. We've finally found peace, Bambi. It's over. It's all over."