I woke today with the birch forest's sunshine on my pelt. Sweet wisps of golden wheat tickled my nose, urging me to wake and listen...
"Yes," I whispered back, and I walked... or limped, as my leg still ached from the trip of yesterday...

Beautiful grasses... Waft gently... Take the wind's rustles and bend to throw them further...



I soon came to the edge of the birches and wheat. The border between dark moist earth and sandy soft soil was clear, and I paused; the old Forest had little places to hide...
I was afraid... As I so often were, and am.
Silly...

I took hesitant steps out into the shade, noticing a large group of deer that stood upon the Hill of the Gods. I could hear voices, and laughter.
I wish... I could laugh like them...
I watched from the crook of an oak, silently selfish in my desires.
They were loud... They seemed to be enjoying their antics, and as I watched, I could see spells pass between them in a flurry of golden lights.

What is it... to "enjoy"... like them?...

Suddenly from behind me sounded the beat of light hooves. I spun, fearful, to gaze upon the eager fawn that raced up to me. I yelped in fright and scuttled as briskly as I could with my injured leg, and as it still pained me, I stopped to look behind me...

The fawn had trotted away, quite dejectedly. I felt a pang; "I'm sorry..." I whispered, and began to limp back into the birches. Perhaps it was best for me to stay away from any I could hurt...

To my surprise I heard the same hoofbeats yet again; the same fawn was dashing up to me, even faster than before!
I began to run, even if it stabbed needles into my leg. "Please..." I sobbed, "Please don't chase me..."
But the fawn, determined, refused to stop.
I am sure it meant no harm... I am sure it only wanted... to... to play... But... the sudden running... The fiery determination in it...

I kept on running.

A stag joined the fawn, a stag without a name. He was faster than the fawn, and even leapt playfully closer. No voice escaped me now; I needed all my breath to flee.

We ran across half of the Forest...

My leg muscle felt like it was ripping when at last they broke away, distracted by the doe named Twenty-One, beside the Idol. I collapsed, within the comforting light of the birches again, and lay there, gasping from both lack of breath and the pain that lanced through my leg.
Some blueberries clustered near my head. I nibbled on their sweet flesh and was thankful to the doe.

Sometime later, when the pain was simply a dull throb, I struggled upright and limped slowly away from the activity near the Idol. I headed towards a pictogram I recognized... that of the lady Poltergeist, whom I had heard of many a time...
I was curious of this mystical doe... She was sitting, silent, between two small trees, warmed by a sun-spot. She was very beautiful.

I thought to mayhaps greet her, from afar... But the approaching of deer, here and there, always drove me away...
When I at last was able to approach the sun-spot, the lady was gone.
I limped again into the tall soft grasses of the birch forest, disappointed.

Wisps of gentle wheat... Ruffle my fur and smooth it to a sweet shine...



My eyes brightened when I scented a familiar deer. Eagerly, I limped towards the figure laying beside a large grey stone. His pelt and antlers were of the Dead, and his mask was the whistling butterfly's, though he was always silent.
I curtsied, calling out a quiet "Hello..." And he stood up, bowing in reply. We approached each other, and I nuzzled him gently in greeting, smiling slightly as he nuzzled me back.

It is beautiful... It is always beautiful...

We stood quietly for a moment, staring out into the landscape of rustling grass-waves. Soon, however, he began to walk, and I followed...
We traveled through more rows of waving wheat until we came to a high hill, overlooking a breath-taking view of the birch forest. I breathed a sigh of awe, and we sat side-by-side as the sun warmly basked our faces.



I glanced over at him. His silent company I always welcomed; he never spoke but he always had a quiet aura of understanding about him...
I pondered his pictogram; it was thin, vertical, delicate. Two lines through a curving swirl... Like a curling wisp of wheat...

"I shall call you Wisp," I murmured. He glanced over at me, a small smile hidden behind his mask.

I wish I knew your real name...

At last, after more walks and peaceful moments, he bowed sorrowfully, miming his leave. Saddened, I nodded in understanding, and we nuzzled in farewell. I watched him leave, curled up and fading.
I lay over the spot he had been; it was still warm. I, too, took my leave, tucking my head to my side... Quickly came the sleep to take me away.

I wish I knew who you were...


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