Buck

The mule deer walked quietly around searching for patches of green grass. His coat shimmered in the sun he felt great. His horns were huge hunters looked for him the told stories of how he got away. He grunted looking for others like him. He found some grass and started to eat keeping an eye out for predators and hunters.

Nhosh

The red deer had sent most of his herd out on patrol, looking for potential dangers and other deer that might join with the herd. But Nhosh was not at all picky about the deer that joined his herd; in fact, the more diverse, the better. He wanted to build up a strong herd that didn't fear humans or predators. His radical ideas had gotten him kicked out of his original home herd.

The stag moved with a sure pace across the vast grassland. On his proud head were a set of almost naked antler beams, each a shy over three feet in length. He had brow tines, but that was it. He should be a royal by now, boasting a full head of tines, but his had never grown in. This deformity gave him a great advantage though. He could use his antlers like a pair of swords, where other deer's antlers only locked with each other during fights and rarely reached past to hit any flesh.

Moving along, browsing here and there, Nhosh eventually came to spot another fellow deer. He paused at first, collecting the buck's scent on the wind. Ah, a mule deer.... He thought. His herd didn't yet have a mule deer in it. He knew this species for their strength. They could nearly outweigh a red deer, although they were shorter and boxy, where red deer were taller and longer, making them look larger, when they weighed nearly the same.

"Hail!" Cried Nhosh in greeting, nodding his long, deadly antlers to Buck. It was getting near the time of the rut, but Nhosh didn't yet feel the fiery need to fight anything yet. For now, he was still easy-going.

Buck

The mulie looked up and saw the deer. Hello friend hows it going? He grinned and looked about making sure it was safe he trotted up to the deer. A red deer huh? Whats your name? Mine's Buck. He waited for a reply.He Also noticied the deer's horns why did they grow like that? He turned away not meaning to be rude.

Nhosh

Nhosh smiled a bit smuggly, though he tried to never be vain. He had to be a fair and respecible leader, or the others would grow to be contemtuous of him. "Fine, fine." He replied confidently to Buck's first question, "Nhosh. It's good to meet a mule deer. Haven't seen too many of your kind around, Buck." The stag pointed out, then noticed how Buck had looked at his rack. He silently relished in it, for they were a great pride to him and had got him where he was today. But he pretended not to notice, and went on to talk with Buck, "I know your kind isn't so herd oriented... but, I've got an offer if you'd like to hear. You know, it's awfully dangerous to be a lone deer in this Valley." Nhosh pointed out with a serious, knowledgeable tone.

Buck

Buck listened then replied. Yes thats true go on. He waited for the deer to continue.

Nhosh

Pleased that the muley was willing to listen, Nhosh went on with his words. "I'd like to invite you to my herd. Now, it's not very big right now, but I'm planning to raise the largest herd in the Valley." The stag paused to let the offer be thought over by Buck, "If you accept, I'm sure you'll find you won't regret it. And there's one more thing...." Once again, the lead paused, not wanting to rush his words, "Most of my herd members aren't what you'd call normal... but all are loyal."

Nhosh

Suddenly the stag wheeled around, his muzzle pointed into the wind with a quivering nose. His ears were also pricked at attention as he thought the sound of his friends drifted to him. Nhosh stamped a hoof into the ground, "I must go, there is a fire at hand." The stag explained as the acrid stench of smoke came more clearly to him. Also, two of his friends seemed to be mingled faintly with the scent. They were in trouble. "My offer is still open to you. My herd is to the east in a narrow valley; you should be able to pick up their scents easily enough." Without further speaking, the stag plunged forward and went racing through the grasses towards a not so distant fire.