The Tale rests below… Care to listen?
Firefly – Noise in the Forest…
When I walked back to where Lycha was, I was greeted by the golden-furred doe pacing in a tight circle with a worried look on her face. I blinked in surprise and walked up to her. She turned her head as she caught scent of me and relief crossed her face, followed by an interrogation.
“Where had you gone?” Her voice had a slight shake to it. My head moved back and my ears pinned behind my head, feeling offended. Did she need to know everything I was doing? Like a fawn straying too far from it’s mother’s side? I took an indignant step back from her and gave a snort. Lycha seemed to understand I was not happy with her reaction.
The golden-brown doe ducked her head apologetically. “I… became worried. You had left while I slept and I believed it was because you were not going to come back.” She looked up with sheepish eyes. “I had hoped that after you became well we could stay together rather than parting ways. Whenever I have met deer lately they would always chase me off. I can see why now.” She flicked her ears at the direction of where the rotten remains probably still lie. “I am surprised I have not been attached thus far.”
A jolt of understanding ran through me and I narrowed my eyes at the doe. Was that the reason she had for helping me? She saw what was killing all the deer and decided I could protect her, since I was now in debt thanks to her helping me heal. Lycha looked startled at my sudden glare, then dropped her eyes shamefully.
“To answer the question that is blatantly obvious in your eyes: yes, I did help with the idea of using you as some sort of protection.” At her confession I stomped my hoof, my anger as obvious as my question. Lycha cared only for herself! If I had been some scrawny deer who looked like it couldn’t protect leaves from a caterpillar, I would’ve died that day. She took a step back to avoid getting hit; her little eyes a bit wider than before. “But,” She said quickly. I stared at her, waiting for what she’d say next.
“But,” She said again. “Although I did think of us traveling together, it had not crossed my mind while I saved you; only after. Even if you have no intention of staying with me I do not regret risking my life to save another. If there was something I could do to help, how could I stand back and watch?”
My gaze turned away from the doe’s eyes and I stared into the never-ending trees. Her last sentence made me think of the stag that died all that time ago. He called out for help. I could have done something. Lead the Nameless away from him or even just try to kill them all myself. I was only a few paces away and I stood back and watched. Shameful regret washed through me.
I suddenly remembered something else. My glance quickly turned back to Lycha. My jaw opened but I stopped myself, holding my tongue.
The golden doe picked up on my hesitation and frowned. “With the way things are in the forest recently, a lack of information could hasten your death. I believe, for now, it is best to think of your state in the present and not of the future, which is impossible to predict.”
I hesitated. Never in my life had I spoken words. Mooing, bellowing, those I have done, but my voice has never been used to say the words I thought.
“H-how,” I broke off. My voice cracked due to lack of use. I coughed and started again. “How did you beat the Nameless?” At first Lycha tips her head to the side and I realize she may have a different name for the deer that attacked me. Before I could explain what I meant, she seemed to pick up what I was thinking.
“Nameless are the deer that had attacked you, yes?” She asked. I nodded in reply. “When you had been knocked out the… Nameless began to attack one another. One of the much smaller ones hid in the bushes farther away, a stag I believe. Once there was only one left the hiding deer revealed itself and attacked the one that seemed victorious. The small buck was fresh and not at all tired from any excess fighting, so despite its small size, it came out as the victor.”
Lycha paused for a moment before beginning again. “However, after the final fight, the small buck was tired. His companion did not go down without a fight. That is probably the only reason I was able to defeat it. It took me long to defeat it, however.” Her eyes grew clouded. “I observed that all the Nameless had literally ripped each other apart. I’m not sure why it was done this way but I don’t think it was because they enjoyed the battles.” A shiver visibly ran down the golden deer’s spine. “It took me quit a while to kill it as it had killed the others.”
Worry flashed through Lycha's grayish-green eyes and I touched my nose to her head. “You had to finish it to save me. I am sure the Gods will forgive you for doing such a thing. Thank you.” Relief washed over the doe's face.
With my question answered, she asked a question of her own. “So what is your choice? Will we travel together or separate?”
I think for a moment. The downside was that we would be more noticeable than if we were alone. Nameless would probably find us more easily. However… if we were together, other deer might start to regroup as well. And with two, one could keep watch while the other sleeps. I tipped my head thoughtfully. I did break the Law of Silence but that did not mean I felt comfortable speaking. Lycha could pass on what they knew to deer who would listen and it might be the start of the Nameless’ downfall.
Giving Lycha a smile I say, “We can travel together.” I quickly add. “But not because I feel like I’m in your debt!”
Lycha gives a small prance to show her delight. “Of course not!” She grinned.
I give a small sighing chuckle. “It is nice to meet you Lycha,” I say. “My name is Firefly.”
Calusa – The Dying Rose…
The storm pelted down harsh drops of rain. The doe stared at her reflection in the shivering water. Shock and disbelieving disgust ran fresh through her mind. For seasons upon seasons she searched the forests’ magics. Learned of hidden things and secret ways. Learned so much she herself could be seen as a God. In the Pond’s ripples, Calusa could see her memories of moments before.
She finally achieved what she had wanted. She had become a God. Strange and mysterious things happened all around her and her friends followed with blissful faces. Two-legged creatures danced around with the deer and flowers exploded in the air. This is what it is like? Calusa thought. This is how it feels to be a God. The blue-shinned doe grin from ear to pointy ear. I am a God.
But only moments had gone by when the sky began to darken faster than possible. The curious sights the doe created where stopped and a feeling of unease rushed through the forest. Doe, stag, and fawn all froze in fear then ran as the wind whirled around them. Calusa too moved to run with them but roots sprouted from the ground to tangle her ankles. Fear exploded through her chest as the doe whipped her head from side to side, trying to find the source of the sudden storm. She did not expect what she saw.
The two Great Deer stood on a hill. Though the wind chaotically blasted around them they were not swayed. They looked at Calusa with angry eyes. These cannot be the Twin Gods! The doe stared at them with wide eyes. They did not look magnificent as they did before. They looked frightening.
Before the Gods changed each time Calusa blinked. Now, no matter how many times her eyes opened and closed, their figures were covered with shadows. Their unforgiving eyes narrowed and both gave a great roar. The sound caused Calusa to drop to the floor in fear and she felt her chest vibrate with the noise. Calusa’s eyes suddenly snapped open.
Then the doe felt something being ripped out from her. She looked down at her chest and saw that a golden orb was tearing from her fur. She gave a silent shriek and prepared to run, but the vines had wrapped around her torso and locked her in place. The black deer mindlessly struggled, fear motivating her every action. Another tug and the strange ball of light was ripped away from Calusa.
Time seemed to stop at that moment. The doe looked at the strange golden light floating in front of her. She forgot of the ordeal and all her thoughts were placed on the object in front of her. It is new to me, she thought, but feels somehow nostalgic. What is this?
Before she could find out, the glowing orb shook. Once again Calusa felt her heart pound against her ribs. The ball of light’s shuddering grew more violent until it suddenly burst. Like shattering ice, its pieces flew everywhere until none could see anything left of it. The doe was still. With the golden light’s shattering she felt something fall away from her.
Calusa looked to the ground and saw strange black water pooling around her. Lightning crackled from the storm and in the puddle she could see a blue shine. Trembling, the doe stood, the vines that tangled her withered and died, releasing her from their grasp. The doe did not know what drove her, but she walked away and towards the Pond; the Twin Gods watching her leave.
She walked on unsure legs. Around her the eyes of deer and small creatures watched her stagger through the now-pouring rain. As she reached the ever-flowing pond, she fell into the water and stared. Her face was flat like the two-legged creatures she had once seen. The prongs on her head were no longer dark, but light brown and wooden-looking. Dismay struck through the doe as she studied her fur. Its once iridescent shine was gone. Brown fur replaced what was once blue and black. She turned her head to see if her reflection was false. To see if the shivering pond played tricks on her eyes.
It didn’t.
The doe, still confused and scared, curled at the waters edge and cried.
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Prologue/Chapter 1
Chapter 2 and 3
Chapter 4 and 5
(You are reading chapters 6 and 7)
Yes,Yes,Yes!!! The next
And honey you should see me in a crown.
*tackle hugs* Thank you Aly!
-tackle hugs back- Your
And honey you should see me in a crown.
I'd read it.
What would it be about
And honey you should see me in a crown.
I gtg for dance. Bye Twi!
And honey you should see me in a crown.
Whatever comes to your head,
We shoud, we should! See ya
My sis said a story with
And honey you should see me in a crown.
That's fine. Who said deer
Okay, I need a title! I've
And honey you should see me in a crown.
Lol "Airherd" looks like
And honey you should see me in a crown.
Nyah. @_@ I dun know how to
You don't have to spurt out your story right away though. :3 I like it better when I mull it over for a while.
Lol, I had to reread Airherd a few times before I finally realized it wasn't Airhead.
Maybe I should think of a
And honey you should see me in a crown.