Wycliff

The red deer made her way across the snow-laden grasses, keeping her eyes alert for any sign of the two yearlings. She was worried about them, for they hadn't shown up at the Home Herd with the rest of the deer. As she searched about, Wycliff also waited for Arcane and the others to arrive and help her.

Arcane

The red deer hind made her way after Wycliff, all senses alert for danger or the yearlings. She had heard they had been gone for a while and had met the apir and so felt she had to join the search party to see them home safely. She joined the lead in her search, trying to find anything that could lead them to the fawns.

Thorn

The yearling doe had become increasingly thin and lonely since she lost track of her herd. She was wandering alone, as she had been for about a week now. Her ribs were quite visable, and although it would have been common sense to eat the grass, Thorn had been to hysterical to think straight and her weak body was finding it increasingly difficult to digest food and wasn't runnning as it should. There were a couple of scratches on the fawn, one quite deep one that ran across her side, she had caught it on a thick brmble bush, the spikes sticking deep into her side, and in her frenzy to escape she had made it worse by tugging at it, causing the bramble thorn to cut horizontally about 10 centimeters, almost the length of her body. She was crying weakly to anyone that could hear when she picked up the scent of other deer. Swinging her frail body round to head in that direction, she walked on about 5 more paces before collapsing in a heap of exhaustion. She let out a feeble call to the hinds before her head hit the ground and she became unconcious, the various infections she had in the cuts taking over her already weak form.

Wycliff & Others

Sprinting towards the two was a group of six deer. Cinnamon, Ravenhoof, Hederas, Breen, Cardice, Furlock, and Nettle. The two stags, both without antlers at the time, went along as back up, even though they were as defensless as the hinds.

Cinnamon and Wycliff greeted each other, "Velvire and Orchid will be here soon." Wycliff nodded at this news, then began to move again, trying to find any sign of the two yearlings, or the missing stag, Thallir. After a bit of searching, she heard a faint call and saw a stir of movement ahead. Cardice flagged her white tail in the air, showing her alarm and uncertainty. Breen shuffled closer to Furlock, a bit fearfully. Wycliff, however, stepped forward with Ravenhoof, Cinnamon, and Hederas to investigate the noise. They thought it sounded like a deer, but they hadn't caught the noise very well.

As the group drew closer, Wycliff snorted. She could smell infection. What ever this was, it was sickly and hurt. The hind moved closer still, her ears and head pricked forward as she took slow, cautious steps in the manner of a timid deer. When her eyes finally fell upon the thinned form of Thorn, she gave a cry and rushed forward. At once, the rest of the hinds and stags came forward.

"Thorn!" Wycliff cried again, arching her neck down and nudging the yearling. She wrinkled her nose at first, at the stench of the infection. With no practical way to move Thorn to safety, the hind did what she could to help. Laying down beside Thorn to offer her warmth in the bitter winter weather, she began to lick at the wounds, trying to clean them. Hederas and Breen joined in, laying next to the wounded yearling and trying to clean her wounds.

The rest of the hinds and stags stood on alert, knowing they were terribly vulnerable to attack right now. A predator could easily pick up on the sick scent of Thorn. And a group of frightened hinds and antler-less stags didn't make the best sort of defense.

Arcane

As the sound echoed like a whisper across the priaire, she too, like the others became un-nerved. Slowly she shuffled forwards with Wycliff, eyes wide and ears alert. At the lead's cry, Arcane darted forwards with the other to see the sickly fawn and her heart sank. Her poor mother would be in agony with hurt and helplessness. She stood around the small cluster of the fawn and the hinds that lay beside her offering what little protection she could.

Orchid

Orchid came dashing towards the group, then slowed as they all seemed worried by something. Coming cautiously forward, the hind set her eyes on Thorn, and she gave a start. "My little Thorn!" The red deer cried and nestled down next to the unconscious yearling. Thorn was actually her fawn, but she had adopted her during the summer. "Oh, please wake up!" Orchid begged, nudging Thorn and licking her.

Thorn

The yearling slipped back into conciousness when she became surrounded by warmth. Her ears moved around to hear hooves and voices. She recognised them as Wycliffs and various other hinds from the herd. Slowly she opened her eyes, her vision slightly blurred. She let out a small cry, her head still on the ground. The infections stung as they were washed and she sttempted to kick out trying to make the pain stop, but all that happened was that her leg shufled about a millimeter before stopping again.
She heard her mother voice amoung the ringing and silence. She gathered up some energy and squeaked.
Mom...
Her eyes closed again but she didn't fall unconcious, she simply was dazed and her vision swam so she thought it best to close her eyes.

Sweetbrier

The gray fox had scented the group of deer, and was eager to teach Mac about them. Although she could never hope to attack and bring down any adult deer, a very week yearling could be a possibility for the vulpin.

Having no where to hide herself in the flattened, snow-covered prairie area, Sweetbrier simple padded towards the group, and stopped a few yards away from them. She could smell the infection of the yearling and her mouth began to water. Yet, with all those hinds and stags about, she couldn't attack Thorn. Standing alert but casual-like, the vixen looked back to see if Mac had followed.

Mac

Mac Troted up next to Brier smilling his tail wagged

Wycliff & Others

Wycliff stood quickly, scenting fox on the air. She glanced to Orchid, "Try to get her to stand. We can't afford to wait here much longer." The hind looked around until she saw Sweetbrier and Mac approach. Snorting and stomping her hooves into the snow, Wycliff made a rush at the two, ready to stomp them into the ground. She knew they weren't a danger to her, but to Thorn they could be.

Arcane

At the scent of the predators, Arcane's head shot up, her ears were pointed and her eyes wide. When Wyclif rushed for the fox and the dog, Arcane followed and half-reared, attempting for her hooves to come down on top of the pair, in either an attmept to scare them off, or indeed to hurt or kill them to protect Thorn.

Mac

Mac Scampered away from the flayling hoves with a yip "Brier lets get out of here." he yips scared. he stops a few feet away waiting for brier.

Orchid

The hind's eyes lit up with fear and anger when she spotted the two little predators. But seeing how the others were dealing with the problem, Orchid focused on Thorn. "Thorn, can you hear me?" She whispered, trying to hide the worry in her voice, "You must try to get up. We need to get you to safety." Almost hesitantly, she looked to Wycliff, "Should we.... take her to the woodland lady...?" Orchid knew of the animosities that her herd had for humans, and wasn't sure if the woodland lady was trusted or not.

Sweetbrier

She gave a yip in alarm, scrambling away from the charging hinds. "I agree! Lets head back home!" The fox replied. Giving a quick glance back to the deer, she turned and sprinted for the Aspen Grove terra.

Thorn

The yearlings eyelids flickered as she opened her eyes again. She put as much effort as she could in and eventually clambered to stand. Panting and wincing, the fawn looked up at Orchid her eyes watering.

It-it hurts mom, It hurt-s al-ot...

Tears brimmed her eyes but the tiny doe saw the fox and the dog disappear and was gratefult to the whole group, If they hadn't come when they did, she would be dead by now. She slowly put one hoof in front of the other in a desperate attempt to reach saftey. After a few steps she stopped.

Whe-re are w-we going...

Wycliff & Others

Wycliff felt panic rise up in her. Fear. Run. RUN Instincts screamed at her, wanting her to flee now that the scent of predator swarmed her sensative nose. But another instinct was revolting this flight response. Thorn's voice, so weak and small. The desire to protect the young one drove out her want to protect herself. Wycliff stepped a few steps away from the group, her eyes casted in the direction of the Woodland Farm. "We must go to the woodland lady. She will offer protection and healing for Thorn." The hind began to grow more certain of herself, after the brief spell of fear started to wash away. "Nettle, Cardice, and Arcane will head with me to the Woodland Farm. Breen, Orchid, and Ravenhoof will travel with Thorn. Cinnamon and Furlock will bring up the rear. That way, we can serve as scouts and make sure the way is clear for Thorn." Wycliff explained. She, Nettle, and Cardice headed out first, making their way to the Woodland Farm.