While the rest of the deer held back, Legend walked cautiously towards the house. Kneeling down, he tilted his body to the side, letting Jack slide off his back. Just then, he heard an array of barking and spotted a group of wolves on the opposite end of the yard. "Alright dog, you'll get help soon. But for my sake, I'm getting out of here!" He whispered, knowing the wolves would see him as a snack.
The deer withdrew deeper into the woods but didn't leave yet. They'd stick around long enough to be sure that the African Wild Dog got help.
With no clue as to what was happening to his father or the rest of the stags back home, Legend stood at the edge of the timber line as the two humans approached. He was torn between fear and curiosity to see them. Big, dark eyes looked over Aralyn and Nadeem while his mother urged him to come deeper into the woods and away from the two-leggers. "Hang on a sec, mom..." Legend replied distractedly, thinking he was hidden by the branches of trees.
Nadeem could easily see the yearling stag, but did not look directly at him. "It's amazing how animals know this is a place to find help." He pointed out, "And... this behavior they are displaying... no one has ever documented such things!" Nadeem seemed quite excited and enthusiastic about it all, but quickly dropped his tone when he realized he may be speaking a bit too much. "I'm sorry, maybe I should focus on the task at hand?" Nadeem offered with a bit of a laugh before getting serious. "Now, where in the world did a fellow like this come from..." He questioned, crouching down near Jack. "An African Wild Dog, here in the Valley? He's far from home." The canine looked too ill to pose a threat to Nadeem, so he began to search the little canine over, trying to find the source of what ailed him.
A deer dance, invitation to peace
war staring you in the face, dressed in black
with a helmet, fierce
trained and appropriate for the malcontents
for the disproportioned malcontents.
The little boy smiled, it'll all be well
The little boy smiled, it'll all be well
Jack was ready to give up, until he saw the humans. After living at the zoo for so long, he knew that most humans were good.
Min followed her friend and the deer with fear in her eyes.
Her eyes were soft and gentle on the Wild Dog, and she knelt down beside him. Never mind that he could attack and kill her, no no, she didn't care. Resting a hand upon his side, she murmered softly This needs to be stitched up. Hands still soft, her eyes roamed the rest of his body checking everything. Besides a few stitches, the male would be fine. She slid her back pack from her shoulder. But she was fading in and out, the bullet wound to her abdomen was beginning to take its toll on the girl. She sat back, her hand resting on the wound then slid her bag over to Nadeem. Lets see your skills, pretty boy. She murmered. Her black hoodie hid the blood, but it was beginning to soak into her hand, and across her pale fingers.
Unlike Nadeem, who hadn't, as of yet, noticed Aralyn's wound, Freya had watched it all. She had wondered... four she had been certain that Conan's father had fired five shots at Aralyn, and only four were in Conan's anatomy. Where had the fifth gone? But her attentive chocolate eyes caught Aralyn's hand moving toward her side as she sat back, and so she fished a small sealed bottle out of her pack and came quietly over to the gathered group, motions slow so as not to scare the canines.
She squatted down beside Aralyn on the opposite side of Nadeem and used a little slight of hand to deposit the small bottle in Aralyn's bloodied hand where Nadeem wouldn't be able to see it. This way, Aralyn could preserve her pride and tend to her wound when she pleased. It was the same ointment she had used on Conan's bullet wounds, but with an additional herb mixed in to numb the area and reduce pain.
Her lips came softly up beside Aralyn's ear, voice coming in a murmur under her breath that only Aralyn would hear. It is my belief that your brother would not have shot a man just to have you bleed to death, khenemset. Yes, she had been there, too. She had seen it all from the trees near Ethan's, gazing through the window.
She looked up when she had finished murmuring to Aralyn, eyeing Nadeem with the practiced eye of a warrior. Then, her mouth came back down to Aralyn's ear, still the same soft murmur. When you are done... perhaps your new friend might help us get your brother inside. I can't lift him by myself, you're in no shape to help, and I don't trust that man as far as I can throw him. By "that man", she of course meant Conan's father. It was an idea, for Nadeem looked fit enough for the job.
That done, she crawled slowly back a little before rising, moving slowly away from the group. Let Nadeem do his work, she thought. Then, he could help her get Conan inside.
The dainty feminine canine followed along behind the deer, as they gently brought Jack to the place where he'd be saved. She hung back a ways, piercing hazel eyes watching her friend, but also wary of the humans. A bit anxious, the little african paced a bit, moving closer to Jack as the three humans gathered around him. Joli stood just outside their circle, behind the one named 'Aralyn.' Her gaze darted from Jack to each of the humans, then back to Jack. He had to be alright! The people hadn't noticed her, and she was grateful. But as the girl touched Jack's soft fur, the little female couldn't help the little yip that left her vocals. Startled at her own sound, she took a few graceful steps back, over-sized ears pricked, watching the humans with anxiety. She just wanted Jack to be healed....
Jack heard a familiar voice and lifted his head to see his friend. "Joli..." He said weakly. He was quite happy to see her there. He had never met a better friend than her. "I'm sorry I got us into this." He rested his head on the ground, but kept watching Joli.
Joli was delighted to hear Jack's voice, and she darted into the circle on her tiny little paws, giving him a quick lick on the nose. "Oh Jack. It's fine... you're all that matters now." She said softly, pretty hazel eyes watching her buddy as he lay there, so very vulnerable. She wouldn't let anyone or anything hurt him...
Jack smiled. "You're the best friend I've ever had." He said, then closed his eyes. "I don't think I'll ever try to catch a sheep again..." He was glad to have her there. He could do without the humans towering over him, though.
The corner of his mouth tugged up in a partial grin when she spoke to him. Her personality was an intruiging one, for as short a time as he had known her. "I haven't been called that in a long time." Nadeem added with a slight laugh before shifting a look to the approach of the other girl. He was about to say something, introduce himself, but Freya seemed intent to keep her words private with Aralyn. Respecting that, Nadeem focused on Jack.
"You appear to have a friend?" The man commented as he took out another jar and filled a syringe up with a sedative. Another Wild Dog! As he had with Fajebin, Nadeem injected the drug in the dog's shoulder. When Jack was out, Nadeem tended to the various wounds. He was careful to clean the wound to the abdomen, and stitch the skin together. Bandages were applied, and Jack was repaired. It would take some time to heal, but barring any infections or future fights, he should heal well.
Nadeem looked to Aralyn again, having not yet noticed the wound she had. He did, however, spot the blood on her hands, but assumed it must be from an animal she had helped. Still, there was a bit of concern. After a moment's hesitation, he questioned, "I don't mean to be nosey, but is everything alright?"
Legend was fascinated with how the humans 'magically' healed the dog's wounds. "Mom, you ought to see this! I don't know why dad doesn't like humans... they seem pretty cool!"
"Legend, we have to go! We've been gone for too long now..." Wycliff whispered sharply, but still could not get her son to leave the edge of the timberline.
Jack was in a deep sleep while Nadeem healed his wounds. A while after, however, he woke up and looked at the humans and animals around him. He was accustomed to humans. He liked them a lot, as long as they were good to him. And these humans were good to him. He stayed on the ground, but wagged his tail as a way of thanking the human.
Min, too, liked humans. Not as much as Jack, though. She still knew how to be good to them. She reached out her long neck and nudged Nadeem, as she did with her keepers so many times before. She looked back at Jack. "Not to be rude, but I hope you've learned your lesson." She said solemnly.
Jack nodded and rolled his eyes, then looked at Joli. "Thank you. Now let's get out of here." He rested on the ground for a while more, then stood up. He fell over at first and the wounds were still painful, but he got back up again. Min supported him with her long legs. He stood there for a while to get accustomed to standing again. "I'm ready when you are." He said to Joli.
Min looked at the group of deer. "Thank you very much." She said. "Jack may have been dead without you. If there is anything I can do for you, please ask."
"You are more than welcome, friend...." The lead hind was suddenly cut off.
"Wycliff! Wycliff!" An urgent bark peirced the air as the sound of drumming hooves crashed through the underbrush, "Wycliff!"
The group of deer whirled around, tense and alert as a yearling white-tail came rushing towards them. It was Quell, son of Solange and Petal. "Wycliff!" He panted, badly out of breath. A few marks of blood lined his side where Bloodbath had managed to bite him, but he was otherwise alright, "The herd... it's been... ambushed! By the pack... at the... Ruins!" He said at last, sides heaving for air, "The hinds... and yearlings... sent to Altan's." Quell lowered his head for a moment, sucking in a few giant breaths before he went on, " Zuk... he's trying to warn the... others. We're suppose to meet... at Zaquaim's. To hide."
The three yearling hinds pressed together as their half brother Legend stood protectively near them. Wycliff was stunned for a moment, but spoke, "How many?"
Quell looked up at the lead, wondering if she meant 'how many dead' or 'how many attacking'. He didn't know either very well, but by the pained cries while he was fleeing... he could very well guess they were all goners. "There were alot... dozens of them. Wolves, big cats, a bear... and... and a horse." Quell lowered his head, almost ashamed to say it. Betrayed by one so close to them. A fellow plant-eater.
If not for the fur lining her petite face, Wycliff would have looked a shade paler as fear and apprehension took her. "We must go to Zaquaim's then. Min, if you and your..." She looked uncertainly to the two dogs, but they were small, and besides, her herd had been helped by canines in the past, "..friends need a place to stay, you can come with us."
Legend drew back slightly, "I've got to help dad! Mom, we can't just leave them!" He protested with a snort, stomping a hoof to the ground.
Wycliff nuzzled her son, "Legend, you are but a yearling. Besides, your sisters need you." Reluctantly, the son of Nhosh lowered his head and followed his mother and three sisters as they headed for the Prairie Falls terra.
Jack swung his head around. "I'm going to help." He said, flinching when he shifted his weight. "If I'm going to live in the valley, I have to help. Besides, I have to repay you." He looked at Joli. "You coming?"
"Jack! You're still healing! Don't offer more than you have to give!" Min exclaimed. Jack had a way of making stupid mistakes, as he had done many times before. Yet, he led his little group of zoo-escapees. "If you fight, I'm fighting too. Don't be afraid if we all die!" She waited for his response.
"Oh, Min...I can fight! I will! I won't let those wolves get away with picking on these deer! Remember when the cats got into your exhibit? You couldn't run, so you fought! Remember? It's the same thing!" Jack said in a strong voice. "Now you can stay or you can fight, but I'll be better off with you." He nodded to Joli, then ran off in the direction of the deer herd.