I awoke to the pittering of rain upon leaf and bough. I raised my head, a slight smile on my face; I liked the rain... My fur seemed suited to it, for the drops simply slipped away, rarely soaking in, and it soothed my injured limb as I stretched...

Glistening drops... Cling to the spider's web, adorned by a widow...

I sat there awhile, in the sweet-swelling rain, pondering and thinking...
I missed Paavo and Shyla dearly. I wonder where they could be... My heart ached for them both.
And then there was the stag, Hania... Silly that I'd called him Wisp. It was only because of others that I'd found out who he was... But I was strangely glad. Hania. A good name...
And Birrmagnur... The good sir. How wise he was! He was strong, too... But... he could never replace Paavo...

I finally raised myself from the ground, perking my ears to listen. To my surprise, many were about at this rainy hour... Sir Birrmagnur, Aegle, and the doe named Chantico...
First I will seek out Chantico, I decided. I am sure she is lonely... She hates for so many to approach her...



I stayed with her a while, but soon I heard Birrmagnur call to me... and I was obliged to go to him. Remorsefully I told Chantico not to follow me; I knew that where I would go, there would be plenty of deer... and she would dislike that, I knew...

"I'm sorry," I whispered as I left her, and she watched me go sorrowfully. It's for your own good...

On my way to find Birrmagnur, I passed by the Ruins, and there was my good friend Aegle.
But good friend or not, I was hesitant to approach her, for there were other deer with her... I stayed behind an oak, waiting for her to approach...



And approach she did... But behind her followed the other deer, along with one like an orca. Frightened, I cowered, and the orca-pelted deer ran up, taunted me, ran about me...
N-no... Don't! I...
Then Sir Birrmagnur appeared... and even some fawns... It seemed I had appeared in the middle of some skirmish...
Too many deer. So much... confusion... anger... And overwhelmed, I fled, regardless of my pained leg.

After some time, I slowed, and noticed the scent of Hania.
Hania. Always silent, always understanding.
I limped towards him.

I heard Birrmagnur following me quietly behind, and I did not mind. It was comforting, in fact.

And there was Hania, within the wheat, wet and heavy from the rain...



We exchanged greetings, and I sensed Birrmagnur bow, then leave quietly. For some reason, I felt grateful of this action...

"Hania..." I said quietly. "That is your name... right?"
I saw him nod slightly, and I gave a weak little smile.
"I'm s-sorry for calling you such a silly name like W-wisp..." Curse my stammer!
Hania was silent, as expected, but there was something forgiving in his silence, and I was relieved.

Misting birches... Always welcoming... Golden rays now turned blue by rain...



Curious now of what had happened with Aegle, Magnur, and the others, I limped towards their scents, Hania close behind. There, I saw something curious...



The skirmish has escalated, it seemed. A white doe, which I now knew was called Iendoe, was cowering in terror from the beastly orca-deer. Birrmagnur and, to my surprise, Aegle, were protecting her as best as they could, but still the orca-deer persisted, and to my horror I saw them begin to run about... towards me!

I shrieked in terror, and half stumbled, half ran away, unable to flee quickly due to the pain.

Pitter, patter...

Shatter.





At last it all stopped. I ventured far...

Deep into the birches...

...And sat, simply resting. Soon Sir Birrmagnur approached, and we both rested, even as he tried to hide his shoulder wound.
"Thank you..." I murmured. "I'm sorry you h-had to get h-hurt..."



Realizing I had left Hania behind in my panic to flee, I ventured again to where he lay in tall grass.
Alas, soon enough he had to take his leave...



When I returned to Birrmagnur, he lay asleep, and I continued to find Aegle.
I found her again at the ruins, and we nuzzled, glad of the peace at last. She invited me to sit between the pillars, and I obliged...



When Birrmagnur arrived, awakened, dear Aegle had to say her goodbyes, and sorrowfully we watched her fade into sleep...
Sir Magnur then asked me to follow, and curious, I did. We came to a pleasant patch of violets, bright and lively in the rain, and he bowed and began to dance. To dance... I hadn't, for a long while.
So I tried. But it always brought back memories... So many memories... He smiled and encouraged, but it was too painful, and I shook my head sadly and refused.

"I can't," I said weakly, and he understood, though disappointed.

Again I scented Hania upon the moist wind. Sir Magnur noticed, too, and he urged me on. I curtsied thanks, and limped on, glancing behind me even as I went...

Within the Blue Bowl I saw him, leaping about so joyfully. It surprised me to see him run about so vigorously; I felt a small smile creep across my face at seeing him so cheerful.
He noticed me watching soon enough, and with an amazed stagger, he bowed. I bowed, too, and then we sat, together, overlooking the Blue Bowl...

Why do you cry, dear Sky? Your tears drip down off of the shining blue grass...



And then... We stood, and I felt the drowsiness coming, the foreshadowing of my farewell. I signified it, whispering "Goodbye...", and he hanged his head in understanding.
As if from a dream our necks touched in a gentle nuzzle... Golden light emanated from our touch and I felt a slight blush come to my face, even as I laid down...

No one needs to cry...


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