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 Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:57 pm
Calm. Calm. She had to stay calm. Dorcheira glanced over to where her new lord stood. With fire in her belly, she turned her head away again. She had tried placing herself in his hooves before; she could understand his fear of Bryce, even his fear of Raven, but personal indignation attacked her aswell. He had called ungrateful, and so implied that he had been generous. Brychan had chased away her 'sister' and her mate, was she supposed to be leaping with joy at the fact he hadn't killed her?
But he had spared Brogan.....
If Dorcheira had gone out into the forest in the dead of winter, her little fawn may not have lived. She had to admit she owed him for that, but for that only.
Dorcheira focused on this one redeeming quality in his leadership and stepped forward quietly. "Brychan, may I speak with you?" she would be polite, but she refused to call him 'lord'. She would never-- never, never, never, hold him in the same regard she had held Fell Lore. She hadn't loved Fell Lore, but the old stag had atleast left Raven in peace.
((I personally don't hate Brychan. But Dorcheira comes pretty close. I know this post contains venom, but it's only IC venom. Please don't take it to heart sweatdrop ))
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:10 pm
Anlach was here... again, and the Lord of this herd stood proudly on his hill before the Home Oak. There had been no challenges to his position thus far, and well... things seemed to be good.
However, when he first caught sight of Dorcheira heading in his direction, he had to suppress a groan. His ears turning back, for he had a good idea why she was coming to see him. Her question was met with a nod, "Of course" was his reply, for she was part of the herd and he would hear her out... although he was growing tired of the same old subject between them.
(( No worries. I know its all IC. ))
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:45 pm
Focus on the good things first, she told herself, don't blow up on him. "First, I need to thank you for allowing me to birth my daughter here." There. She said it. The dreaded 'thank you'. It soothed her to think of Brogan, her little one. Well, not so little anymore. She was a doe now, and trying to get into the Corps. Dorcheira wondered if Brychan knew about that little quirk..... Focus. "And I think I have come up with a fairly good comprimise," she didn't feel she had to tell him what it was about, "IF you are willing to give Raven a chance-- I know I can't hope the same for Bryce-- but there is a small mound far at the edge of the field, sutible for a fox den and well within sight of the home oak. If she could stay there, she would be away from the rest of the herd. And the birthing grounds. Not that she's a danger to younglings, she helped me birth Brogan," Augh. She rambled, too much information. "Not that I intended for that to happen," she quickly added, "There were..... problems. And Raven is good with medicinal herbs. But younglings wouldn't be anywhere near her, and no other deer go there." She was quiet for a moment, "And if you give her that chance to prove herself, you can decide how things are going come fall, I promise to behave. As best I can. And I'll tell you whenever I'm going to visit Bryce."
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:28 pm
A brow lifted at Dorcheira's opening bit.. knowing quite well that she was trying to stay on his good side with such a remark. "No need to thank me for that, you are part of the herd." It was her right to give birth here, after all. However, he knew what she was going to get at.. although the accidental mention that the fox had been around for the birth caused his ears to pin back. Still.. he showed an a great deal of patience.
"Dorcheira..." he said softly, "This whole ordeal is nothing against you nor the fox personally. Its a bit more complicated than that. Whatever I might say... you will still go to see Bryce and the fox whether you have my permission or not, isn't that correct? Even if I allowed this fox to be in the vicinity of the herd.. there's no guarantee that a curious fawn or calf will see her. Even if she won't harm any younglings, other foxes will... and if the younglings become desensitized and think all foxes are good.. what might happen to them?"
Blue eyes turned down towards Dorcheira, "I've already given you my decision, and its for the greater good of the herd. Spring is coming Dorcheira... if you're unhappy here. You do have other options."
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:22 pm
Dorcheira tried her best not to look degected. "Raven had been her since I was a youngling, there has been no increase in fox related deaths since her arrival. Much of the herd seems to believe I'm insane, so they don't let any confusion happen about lera. And if anything, Raven keeps the other foxes at bay- she considers this to be part of her territory. She'd never let another fox anywhere near here unless he was her mate, and she hasn't taken one. Raven would never be a mate to anyone outside the Neime religion anyway, and most gave that up after Sgorr....." she suddenly remembered that Brychan had no idea what that ment, "The foxes of Neime believe that Herne is a fox with a deers hooves and antlers, connecting the two species. That's why a deer kills a fox with his hooves and antlers, for braking the 'Natural Law'. They don't eat deer. There's a lot more to their legends but it's kind of tedious. Raven actually chased off some foxes when I was a young doe. I thought she was going to kill them." Wait. That was it! "In fact, though Raven is almost out of her prime, she's still strong enough to chase away any outsiders. She could be an asset!"
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:31 pm
Brychan's ears pinned back once more as she continued. He was starting to lose his patience... even Brychan had a line... a breaking point.. and she was getting to that point.
"How many times must I tell you 'No?" he then snapped, although certainly not as harsh as he could be. "Do you disrespect me that much that you can't leave well enough alone? You don't even have any proof that this religion even existed... and while she might have never harmed you... there's plenty of deer here that are not you. If I allowed this fox into the herd, I would have the ire of many other deer, then if I didn't. I don't trust it, and neither do I trust you." He snorted and stomped his hoof.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:03 am
"'Well enough'? You chased away my childhood friend! Someone that the herd put up with long before you became lord! How is that well enough?," she was trying her very best to stay calm, and was failing, "As for choices, I don't have them! What's left of my family lives here, I can't abandon them," Dorcheira was tearing with rage, but sucked it up. She would not look weak infront of this... this hypocrite! He who said he loved the herd, considered himself sympathetic, but refused to even try to see things from her point of veiw. Bryce couldn't stay, fine, she couldn't argue with that. But Raven had caused no harm, no panic; hell, Brychan hadn't even realized she was there until that one night. "As for respect, you don't respect me half as much as a mouse! You expect me to respect you when you patronize me? I respect you as a deer, no more, no less."
"I've been a pretty damn good judge of character in the past. Yes, maybe it's because I disregard danger; but I found a kind fox and a Fallen that was good. You don't trust me because you've never given me a chance! If you hate me so much, why don't you just kill me." A few stray tears ran down, but were surely soon absorbed into he black fur.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:04 am
"Put up with it? They likely didn't even know it was there, and if they had.. I can guarantee that things would have been different." His brows furrowed, for he was as frustrated with her as she apparently was with him. Not trying to see things from her end? Well.. she wasn't exactly doing well with seeing things from his end either. Being the leader of an entire herd was a huge responcibility, one she likely couldn't fathom, and sometimes he had to make hard decisions.. decisions that not everyone was going to like.
Brychan snorted at her words, for he knew they were subtle insults. "I never hated you" he said in a calmer voice as he released a sigh. "However, you're going against natural law and the ways of this herd.. and its something I can not ignore. I don't expect you to understand. However, if you can't make any choices.. then perhaps I'll have to make them for you."
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:40 am
Dorcheira was about to snap back at the stag when something caught her eye. As to not obstruct his view of the field, she hadn't stood directly infront or beside him, but she could see behind him. Some calves had strayed from the main group of the herd and where testing their newly grown nubs in mock fights. The was something in the woods; even from this distance it was apparent it was smaller than an outrider, but not by much. "You're having the Corp members patrol behind you?" she asked, squinting, "They're hardly old enough, shouldn't an outrider--" she stepped closer. Where were it's antlers? True, it was far out, but she should still be able to see them. Actually, it was right by Raven's den. Dorcheira was outraged! Raven's den was outside the limits of the herd! Brychan had no right to order some corp to find it! There was a flash of white, a high piched snarled and a deep yelp. Raven wouldn't attack a--- "Brychan! Turn around!" Fighting sounds were erupting from the forest, loud enough to make the calves stop their play. And the 'corp' came into view. Was it a fox? It darwfed Raven, by at least three times. And Raven was losing. "No!" Dorcheira charged down the hill. Could Brychan see? Could the Outriders? The calves, her sister....
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:16 pm
"What are you talking about?" Brychan muttered at the mention of Corps. The stag turned around, wondering what all the commotion was about. Blue eyes blinking as he caught sight of the scene. He stamped a hoof, bellowing into the air, "A wolf!" he shouted, gaining the attention of the Outriders in the immediate vicinity, which was followed by several other bellows and the sound of charging hooves. Brychan lept into action, until a few outriders came into his and Dorcheira's paths, "My Lord, stay back!" Another large Outrider getting in Dorcheira's way, "Its too dangerous!"
Aidan, Brychan's son, was one of the young Corps who had been nearby. He too saw the fox and wolf, eyes wide... but when he saw the Outriders make their charge, he decided to join into the fray. The stags and buck kicking out and boxing their hooves at both the white fox and the wolf, seeing them both as predators and enemies.
"Aidan!" Brychan called out, worried for his son. He was far too young to be fighting with the Outriders, especially against a couple of predators.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:21 pm
Dorcheira tried to weave her way around the outrider without making much progress. The wolf wasn't retreating. "Boys, move!" she shouted at the younglings, causing some to back away. She pushed against her 'protecter', "Let me through! That fox isn't your enemy! Get the wolf!"
Raven was hit by the deer almost as much as she was by the wolf, "Hey! I'm on your side!" she barked, on the off chance some were speakers. A red and black corp was in the fight, "You smell like the starry one. Figures." She lept up and chomped down on the wolf's nose. A metalic taste filled her mouth before she was glancingly knocked on the head by someones hoof. It did the trick, "Uhhh...." she groaned, the wolf was over top her. Where was Dorcheira?
"Waugh!" a brown blurr rammed into the wolf with her chest, and knocking an outrider with her back hoof in clumsiness, "Oh, sorry! Outriders! Get the wolf, it--" The canine's claws scored her shoulder and it's teeth grabbed her maw. Brogan stood over Raven protectively while trying to shake off the wolf. Help! she prayed, Someone help!
"Brogan!" Dorcheira fought to get past, "Let me go! My daughter!" She began to make some progress when she tripped her gaurd, she could only hope Brychan was doing the same. The white fox wearily got up, taking a last feeble (and unproductive) snap at the wolf before succuming to sleep.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:37 pm
Brychan had already gotten past the outriders, ordering them to keep Dorcheira away from the fray, thus while she may have tripped one, there were two more that were in her path once more.
Brychan though, was running in the direction of the commotion. Nostrils flared and teeth bared, he lept past the outriders that were trying to beat back the wolf and fox. With a toss of his antlers, Brychan aimed to knock the fawn out of the way and while she might end up with a few scratches and bruises from getting shoved.. it was better than being dead.
The Lord's hooves now joining in the many to beat the wolf back and to hopefully get it to retreat.. but with the fox passed out... there was no guaranteeing she wouldn't get trampled by the many paniced stags that were desperately trying to save their herd from the ravages of the wolf.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:36 pm
"Back off!" Dorcheira boxed one stag on the nose and kicked the other in the chest. Meh, they'd live; more importantly, their momentary surprise let her slip by. The one she tripped tried to stop her with his antlers and succeeded in giving her a few puncture wounds. That slowed her down, and the other two started to catch up. She feined left, jumped over a brush and pushed forward. "Brogan! Get away!"
The doe crawled forward and curled her forearms around the fox. Stray hooves beat her sides, one hard enough to pop her back and crack a rib. Brogan closed her eyes and prayed to Herne for protection. She'd thank the Lord of the Herd later, when the scratches he gave her stopped bleeding. As the wolf started to back away, so did the Outriders and she had a chance to catch her breath. In her anger she ran around them, and with a good (or lucky) kick, broke the wolf's leg. She was looking for the Corp member who was about her age, and spotted him. "I think the grown-ups can take it from here," she said, not without pride, but she also was hoping she wouldn't be outdone by someone who wasn't much older than her. She waited until she was sure the wolf would be too weak to fight, and then returned to the fox, "Aunt Raven? Are you okay?"
Raven's chest rose and fell unsteadily. She bled from the wounds the wolf had given her, and had broken ribs and a concusion from the deer she'd tried to help. The fox gave an involentary cry of pain when Brogan nosed her chest. She was begining to hear again..... she could feel the ground, her ribs, but she couldn't force her eyes open and she couldn't get up.
Dorcheira stopped beside her daughter, not minding the doe's bleeding shoulder and face getting blood everywhere. "My baby, my baby," she sighed in relief. Brogan swore she was alright, but Raven hadn't gotten away. "Sound for a speaker," Dorcheira said, "We could need one." She looked startled for a moment, as she fully took in the sight of Brogan's face and tried to stop the bleeding.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:11 pm
Brychan was rather displeased as Dorcheira got in his and the outriders way. It would do no good for a hind to get injured.. but atleast the wolf had been making its retreat anyway. He watched as it hobbled off before snorting and turning to see what was left. Their fox was injured, but it was of no concern to him.. thus he ignored Dorcheira's demands for a speaker.
"Is it gone?" Aidan asked as he approached his father, who just nodded, "What about the fox? Should we kill it?" Brychan just shook his head, "There's no need.. I doubt it'll make it anyway." With as much trouble as the fox had caused him with Dorcheira's constant blathering on its behalf, he honestly wouldn't be sad to see it gone. Aidan glanced towards Brogan, frowning, "What do you think you were doing anyway? You could have been killed!" "You could have been as well!" Brychan interjected towards his son, "That was a foolish thing to do.. all three of you." The words meant for Brogan, Dorcheira, and Aidan. "The protection of this herd is left to me and the outriders... trying to be a hero leads to unnessecary deaths." He looked back to Aidan, who's ears were folded back, "Try not to grow up too quickly." The red Corp just sighed and nodded.
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:01 pm
"Uh, excuse me?" Brogan said stepping up to Aiden, "That fox was trying to protect the younglings. Her name's Raven, by the way. You'd kill someone who was trying to help you? And as for me, I knocked that wolf hard--- which knocked it's teeth away from you---"
"Which made it made at you," Dorcheira snapped at her daughter, "Brogan, that was a wolf! Do you know what that means?" Her eyes softened at the sight of her fawn's torn muzzle, "I'll get a speaker myself. Brych can find out what herbs to use on your wounds from Raven."
Brogan bowed her head, but soon remembered her indignation at Aidan, "And I broke it's leg. Where do you get off telling me I was stupid? You rushed in too, and you didn't have a friend to protect. I was protecting Raven and my Mother was trying to help me." She walked in nose to nose with him, and said in a whisper only he could hear, "I bet you didn't even land a blow. I was going to congratulate you on your courage, but seeing as you seem set on getting me in trouble, I won't."
Dorcheira came back with her cousin. He roused Raven and got what he needed to do from her, and got to work right away. The hind looked at her daughter, "You and I are going to have a long talk tonight, young lady."
"But I was trying to help! They almost killed Raven, I had to show them who the real enemy was."
"And following the outriders to break the wolf's leg? What did that have to do with showing them the real enemy?"
Brogan lowered her gaze, "I'm strong enough to help.... Look at him," she nodded to Aidan, "He's only a little older than me. And I bet he doesn't do half as much training as I--"
"I have no authority over him. Only you. You do not fight wolves."
"No, no, don't thank me," Raven muttered, finally pulling herself up, "I quite enjoy risking my life for ingrates." Dorcheira nuzzled her, and asked Brych if she would be okay. He said she'd live.... but he didn't know more than that.
"This is why I don't like her being away from me, she's in so much danger," she murmured, more to her cousin than anyone else. Brych pointed out that Raven had been the one to give a hint to where the wolf was. "That's only good if she lives to tell the message."
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