learning."

He could see Carie nodding approval in the back. She had asked him several times to start training their son. Until now he was too young.

"I would also like to learn more," Young Claris spoke up. My Father has been of great help, but again he and Veron were busy this year."

"There is also my younger sister," Young Bambi said. "Father told me she had been asking all kinds of questions about how to live in the forest."

"One more," said Stabo. "One of the deer that came from over the hill is a large three year old male named Felon. He has said that his herd now has no leader. He saw how Veron and I acted leading our herd. Especially, how we took care of the others that came from his old forest. He asked me if he could learn from us and then go help his herd."

He lost the count of how many he would need to train, but it was more than he liked to teach with just him and help from Balo and Stabo. It would have to do because that was all he had to teach. The winter was no time to start. He needed the grass and other plants to grow muscle and that did not happen in the winter which was fast approaching. There was also a need to start soon. He had to admit to himself he was getting older and soon he might not be able to train anyone.

"Very well, this is what I think we should do. Come the spring we will start. I will teach all of you who want to learn. I will tell you it will be difficult, but we must have more deer ready to become herd leaders or help out the current herd leaders. I rather train deer I know, and other than this Felon, I know all of you. We will then start in the spring. In the meantime Stabo you go back to your forest. There should not be much danger after Man is gone. Soon our antlers will fall out and that will be the end of it until the next Season. I know you do not want this, but for now you are herd leader in that forest."

"What about my Mother," Young Bambi asked.

He did not hesitate, "If your mother wants to come here along with your younger sister that is fine with me. She will be welcomed in this forest for as long as she wants. If she wants to stay there, that is up to your herd leader," he said and looked at Stabo.

"Alana is welcomed to stay where she likes for as long as she likes," Stabo answered immediately.

Young Bambi nodded his appreciation. There was one more thing he wanted to say and he wanted it off his chest.

"There is one thing you must know. During the hunts, I was approached by Sinno, Duro, and some of the new deer. All told me they did not want me to be herd leader. I told them they could challenge me any time they wanted. When Man went into the forest with his dogs, they panicked and led Man and the dogs to the bear's den. The bear's mate was killed there. The bear escaped. The bear killed Sinno and is out looking for Duro's blood. He can have it as far as I care. I want nothing to do with Duro. If I see him I will run him out of the forest. As far as I am concerned he can join Geno in the forest beyond our hill."

The others seemed shocked. "You did not tell me they wanted to challenge you," Balo said. "I would have stomped their tales into the ground."

"If they would challenge me openly and alone, no you will not do that. An individual challenge must be fought by the individual. The only time that has not been done was when Bambi lost his temper with Krono. Other than that I will fight them one on one if that what they want. If they want to come as a group like Tarro and Razor, then yes we stomp their tales. Do not worry. I can take care of Duro. He is neither strong, nor wise, and he is no longer welcomed in this forest."

"He is not welcomed in my forest either," Stabo said showing some anger. "I do not need a deer who will lead Man and his dogs to others. If any of you see him, tell Father or me."

"Is there anything else," he wanted to know.

"Yes," Gena said with a sob, "One more important thing. Who tells my Father about his son?"

He suddenly felt much deflated. Gena was right. Bambi had to know and there were only two of them who should do it: Gena and himself. Gena might have a fawn growing inside her so that was out. Stabo would also want to go if she went and he was needed here. That left only him and he knew the way.

"I will do that," he said calmly. "I will go myself because I do not want any of the doe going. I need Stabo and Balo here to take care of the forests. Besides I have already made the trip."

"And almost died for it," Claris said loudly. "I am carrying no fawn so I will go with you."

"I will go also," Young Bambi said.

"No," said Stabo. "I need you here. You are the only help I have and I might need you if Man stays. In this case I think my Father knows best what to do."

Young Bambi looked disappointed but nodded his head.

When will you go?" Balo asked.

"Tonight, I need to get there and back before the first snow. It is too easy to track a deer in the snow. Also, there are more hungry mouths to feed the deeper into winter we get. I need to get there and get back quickly."

Everyone agreed with him. "Balo, I will leave the forest herd with you. You will be herd leader until I get back," he said.

"I understand, Stranger," he said trying to reassure him.

"It is too late to go anywhere today. I suggest we all stay here and rest. We all have journeys to take tonight.

That day he heard the clanging noise again. He also heard the noise of many Man animals. He could tell Man was leaving the meadow. The hunts were over for this season. As soon as it was darks he and Balo went quickly to their viewing spot and again the Man cave was dark and the small Man caves were gone. They went quickly back to the small clearing.

The others were all in the clearing, Stabo, Gena, and Young Claris lay together with the other side of Stabo lying against his mother. Claris smiled like she was a mother again. He and Claris lay together. Stuben stayed by himself. As soon as the lesser light rose they quickly ate and then all those who lived in the Man path forest departed. He walked with Claris to the edge of his forest.

"I rather have the bear claw me again than do this," he said to Claris.

"I know," she said and nuzzled him. It still made him feel warm inside. As they left he caught a familiar scent near the hill at the edge of the forest. Claris smelled it too. He got suddenly mad.

"Duro," he called out loud. "Come here now!"

The five year old male approached head down and walking reluctantly. He got within five lengths and stopped.

"The bear told me what happened. You lead the dogs to him. His mate is now dead because of you."

"The bear killed Sinno," he stammered out.

"Yes, and he wants your blood also. If I were you I leave this forest and go to the forest far over the hill across the large empty field. Your chances of getting there alive are better than trying to live here. No one wants you here Duro."

He looked at Claris who spat some of her cud on the ground and turned her back on him.

"I have to leave, do not be here when I get back," he said and went on his way leaving Duro struck dumb.

After they had walked out of the forest, Claris looked at him. "Do you think he will go?"

"If he wants to live he will," he said. "Now quiet we can't make much noise while we cross. Try and empty yourself in the stream. Scavengers will not pick up on your scent if you do."

They moved quickly along the stream following it carefully. The air was cold and the night clear. The night light glowed brightly and the lesser light seemed bigger than before. The wind was in his face all night so he could smell nothing ahead of him. He just hoped there was nothing behind him catching his scent. They moved on for all of the night. It was funny he noticed the grass seemed shorter than before. He also noticed none of the funny animals he had seen before. It was quiet, none of the mouse like animals he had heard before were running around. Even the birds were quiet. It was like everything was going to sleep for the winter like the bear. As the first sign of the greater light appeared, they stopped. They found a hill with high grass at the bottom. They both lay together behind the hill and rested in the grass out of site of everyone, he hoped.

It seemed to get colder in the open away from the trees. Both he and Claris snuggled in tight to keep warm. The greater light did not show well that day. Its face was hidden by clouds. The wind also picked up. The hill protected them against most of the wind. They rested there until it was almost night. Then they got up.

"I want to go ahead a little and see how far we have to go," he told Claris

"I will stay here," Claris said.

He moved off quickly going to the next hill. Past that was an open space where he could see Bambi's forest. It looked like they get there in one night. Satisfied he started back as he rounded the corner he saw something that that shocked him. Claris was talking to another deer. She was talking to Duro. With the wind it be useless to try and sneak up on them so he just came out running trying to close the distance as quickly as he could. There was no way he would not be seen. Duro looked at him and then used his rack to push Claris to the ground in front of him. He then fled across the small stream. He went to stop to see about Claris.

"I am fine," she called to him.

He ran hard after Duro. He could leap father than Duro could and slowly closed the distance.

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