NyjerSokar was awake. Night had fallen on the forest and his resting place. He stretched and yawned. Blinking he looked around to the familiar trees. The beech, roan,oak,hazel,ash,chestnut, and so many more. There colours starting to turn as Autum drew near. He raised his head and nosed the night air. Damp, earthy and ......and something new a sharp sent on the tip of his nose then....gone. Shaking his head he put the strange sent to still being half awake.
He stepped out from the over grown ruins in to the trees. The night air was slighly chiled but not unplesant. Letting his instincts guide him. He stopped near a patch ground where someone had scrapped and trampled. He sniffed the ground. The sent of a rabbit and fawn came to his nose.He had no idea what had been happening, but it was clearly nothing bad. He paused and thougt who it might have been. The fawn smelt young. It must be Hazel and her fawn little Mela. Not his but still a fine doe and pretty fawn. He would not be a father for several more years so he had no worries as such. Mela had been the last fawn in the forest to be born and was small for her age.Hazel had mated almost 2 months after the rut. not one knew how her body did it but she had carried her fawn to full term and Mela was prouth of that. Nyjersokar smiled and felt proud that they felt safe in his area. The new rut would soon be in full swing,hazel would not be in season, but it was best for her and Mela to stay hidden till the madness had passed the stags.

He wondered along through the trees following the sent of the hind and fawn. The forest seemed quiet and at ease the wind had picked up a little making weak leaves float down like golden snow. He felt he should check to see how they were both doing. Hazel had lost her mate of that year after the rut. He had been called Whitetip and had won her several times. But this year there was an accident a younger stag took on Whitetip, durring the fight Whitetip pushed the youngster back and it had slipped, it's trestine had slashed in to Whitetips face tearing out one of his eyes. Blinded Whitetip screamed in pain had charge follward, The young stag was trying to get up and as Whitetail had charged. Whitetail was instantly impailed on the young stags antlers. His body bucked upwards unbalancing him in his death throws. The force of the impact of Whitetips body hitting the youngsters antlers had forced it's head back snapping the deers neck. So they had both died entangled and bloodied. Both bodies had danced for a minute or so and then were still.

NyjerSokar shook his head at the memory as he walked on. It had been his first year seeing the stags fight. He vowed never to let it happen to him. It was a lesson to all. Younger stags were told to show resepct and keep clear of the lords as they are know.

Nyjersokars Jounry had taken him furthur north and deeper in to the forest. He weaved his way though the tightnit trees looking for the hind and fawn. The strange sent metalic sent suddly came back and this time it was stronger. NyjerSokar looked around, nostrils flarring trying to pinpoint the sent. Then through his hooves he felt a stamp of alarm from another deer. He moved quickly stopping, listening, feeling, watching for any signs of where the other deer was and why it was stamping.

The darkness was still, the strange metalic smell was stronger now. Nyjersokar's instinct began to pull at him his body wanting him to turn and run, yet his curiosity begging him to go and investigate.
His curious side won and with tentative steps he went foward.

The trees wispered as the brezze pulled them. Some seemed to almost bend down. Nyjersokar paused. turning his head around to see better infront of him. Were they moving against the wind?? Impossible. With a shake of his head he sprang on and picking up speed followed the smell.

He wished he had followed his instict....... The trees opened up in to a small clearing. around him were brambles heavy and dense with autums bounty. This was not the only thing on them. Even in the darkness he could make out other shapes drapped over the plants
Spread across the bushes were the remains of a fawn it's body skined and dismembered. Blood pooled on the ground around the plants. In even in the darkness the remeains stood out.

Something light grey moved to Nyjersokars right, turning he saw what as first seemed a cloud of ash. The ash seemed to be clinging to a doe who was laid on the ground kicking. He went to step to her aid and stopped. Staring in disbalief the does body began to jump and flap on the ground then with a sickeninf ripping sound it began spitting where the ash attached it's self, sounds of tearing filled the clearing, blood jetted from the does arteries as her body was pulled apart. Tendons snapped making her limbs jiggle and dance pulling every which way. Her eyes white staring orbs. Mouth gasping but soundless.

Nyjersokar lost what dignity he had at the sight he did not even register that his feet were now wet. The ash now began to pull away from the does remains and pool in front of him becoming dense and denser, two ember glowing orbs stood out from the mass of ash. Behind it the darkness became heaver bigger.

Unable to scream with fear all he could do was stand there.. Then a sering pain ht his rump. Realising him from the state of fear he screamed turned and ran.
He ran blindly through the forest. his skin burning as trees reached down their bratches grabbing him with each touch he felt more pain. Gasping for air he looked behind him,his legs buckeled and he fell. Darkness filled his world


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