((I'm really sorry about posting so much today. How much do you guys post per day, so I can match that? >>'))

I am a fool. I let my emotions take me away. I am a complete and utter fool.

I let my emotions take away my one love: that of fawns. I let my feelings make me hide from them. They made me run, they made me panic. They will not do it again.

It took a fawn to bring me back. A fawn's persistence...I thank you. You snapped me from my irrational fear, made me see that the Gods need somebody to cleanse the forest. I romped with you, conquered my fears. You made my reality come back. Dear fawn, I will do whatever it takes to cleanse this forest...for you. You and the Gods. When you left, I was sorry to see you go. Someday, I will find you again, fawn.

After you left, fawn, I knew my mission. There had been a dark presence in the Forest for awhile now. I heard war bellows, saw and heard deer. I followed.

However, there was one thing to do first...

Little fawn-ghost. I am sorry. I am afraid of you no longer. Though you are a ghost, you are still a fawn. I will protect you at all costs, little fawn. I swear. That is why I had to find you, one last time. Why I had to apologize. I hope you understand the foolishness of an old deer. Somehow, I know you will...

I followed the trail. It wasn't very hard to see. Crushed grass, scrapes in the earth, so much anger. And blood...Blood. Then I saw it. That deer. The darkness hit me like a wall. I gasped for breath under its pressure. I succumbed...

"You won't hurt her! Not again! I'll kill you, beast! Kill you..."
"...but perhaps you're already dead..."

I came out of my violent trance to see that creature, laying there. Dead or alive, I had no idea. I did not care. The others, braver than I, much braver...were there too. I bowed to each of them, over and over. They had kept the little fawn safe, had chased away the menace. Thank you, brave fighters. You are...more dedicated than I am.

I saw the stag who had troubled me on my second visit to the forest...The one where I had lost me senses. He deserved praise too.

I stopped far off, still worried. He was a violent one. I bowed, over and over. Praise for his hunting. I suppose he must have misunderstood me, for he reared and clawed at me with his hooves. Such anger. I refused to rise to that. I shook my head as the blows landed, scraping down my pelt.

"Don't. I will not fight you. We are on the same side...I will not fight you..."

He began taunting me. I laughed. His taunts...they wouldn't reach me. I bowed again and he walked off. I was bleeding from wounds and suddenly wondering why I hadn't at least backed up. I limped over to the deer who had been with him. I bowed.

"Thank you..."

They were polite, but attached to my harasser. I sighed and walked to the ruins, laying down. I will have to be more diligent. I must set a better example.

-The Priest