(Read part one here: http://www.endlessforest.org/community/beginning .)
(Read part two here: http://www.endlessforest.org/community/playground-0 .)

Moonlight filtered through the branches overhead and dappled Karma's already patterned pelt as she stepped lightly into the large mushroom ring. She was not the first to arrive. Across the clearing sat a stag with strange golden antlers and a smooth black face. His dark blue pelt shimmering and glistened as if wet.

"It's about time," he said gruffly as Karma approached. She smiled warmly at her brother, knowing full well he was only grumpy because he hated being away from his beloved pond for so long. Not long ago, Echo had suggested that they hold their meetings upstream at the bridge--to be close to the gods, he had argued--but of course Stella would hear nothing of it.

Stella was there too, pacing restlessly around the ring. The candles on her antlers cast eerie shadows across her orange pelt, and her eyes glinted out from her painted face with frustration. "It's about time is right!" she exclaimed. "How many moons has it been now? I've had the candidates in mind since I was practically a fawn. The forest is full of stags in their prime this season. We couldn't have had more fortunate timing. It benefits nothing to wait. And where is our youngest sister, anyway? Off picking poppies?"

"Not quite," came a muffled reply, and all three deer turned their heads to see Coriander slip into the ring. She dropped a pile of sweet-smelling brush next to her brother. "I didn't mean to keep anyone waiting, but I thought you might like some refreshments."

"Hmph," grunted Stella as she bent to sniff the pile. Echo was already nibbling.

"Don't worry. I just arrived too. However," Karma paused, glancing at her fiery sister, "Stella is right. We have a lot to discuss tonight so I'll get right to it. What have we learned since our last meeting? Has anyone found a suitable herd?"

"From what I've overheard at the water's edge," Echo answered with snort, "it seems to me the deer have gone all silly. All their talk is of games and spell-casting, nothing of substance or caution."

"They'll learn caution soon enough," said Coriander, looking grim. "Karma, I haven't had much luck either. There are so many sweet fawns in my part of the forest, but most of the adults are loners. There aren't any true herds left, it seems. Two deer might meet and play together and sometimes even nap together, but the next day they go their separate ways again. I'm worried we may have trouble this time."

"Does no one listen to me anymore?" Stella cut in. "As I told you, I've already found more fearless and qualified stags than I've seen in ages. This should be a breeze!"

"Just because they're brave, it doesn't mean they have any sense," Echo said coolly. "As usual, you don't think things through, Stella."

Karma saw Stella's body tense up for a retort. "I think you're all right." She looked each of them in the eye before continuing. "I've seen some fine stags and does in the forest lately, but I can't seem to find a good herd, or any herd at all for that matter. It seems the forest has been so peaceful lately that they've forgotten they have any reason to stick together. I think we may have to start from scratch. Stella, when can I meet you to have a look at the candidates you've been eying?"

"There is a tournament planned for two dawns from now. That will be the perfect time for you to see their courage tested!"

"Echo, keep your senses alert in the meantime. I'll visit you the day after the tournament to see if you have any news. Remember not to be too harsh in your judgments. They are still innocent, after all." He grunted but did not speak. "And Coriander, why don't you take a closer look at those fawns you were telling us about? We may need to recruit young this time."

They continued talking long into the night, but the conversation soon drifted away from business. There seemed to be something about the way the moon shone brightly over the treetops, and the soft warmth of the air, and the confident roars of deer bedding down in the distance, that made even these four feel safe and at ease. Of course, Karma knew better than to get too comfortable--there was still much to be done and many hardships to be overcome--but even she couldn't help smiling to herself at the thought that they were one step closer to bringing back the herd...