Peace

ocean's picture
Peace was finally here, possibly for the first time since I awoke again. Complete and total peace reigned over the forest on this Gods given day. Not to say that the darkness was not still lingering. Oh no, it was still here. It seemed so far away that I pushed it to the back of my mind.

Little Bastilion has grown. Then again, I do not believe that he was ever fully “little”. He was always a stag in heart and mind, though I only made his acquaintance right before he was destined to become a stag. He now wears antlers of great proportions, blood red and proud. I feel rather old now, standing next to this new stag.

Either way, my meeting with this...stag of the light gave me great joy. I awake slowly then look up in shock. A stag is sitting on the banks. This stag had the same face as the fawn Bastilion, but he had changed. I sniff him. It is certainly Bastilion, I think to myself. I wear a look of shock on my face, which he notes.

“Bastilion, you have grown. The Gods are working their miracles yet again. Welcome to staghood, my friend,” I say.

I smile and nuzzle the new stag, then invite him on a walk. It is slow going with my wounds, though he stays with me. The forest rustles with the sounds of birds chirping and soft wind.

“The forest seems much changed when looking through the eyes of a stag, does it not?” I smile softly and breathe in the deep scents of a sunlit world.

We walk calmly for a few minutes, until I find a patch of purple flowers. I invite him to sit, but I suppose he wants to keep going. Or perhaps he senses the other deer who comes up to us, moments later.

The deer is skeleton pelted with peacock feathers. Though I am worried, the deer is quite polite. Bastilion also greets them, and they seem happy simply to be around us for awhile. My heart lightens in the bright forest with this funny little deer before us. For the first time, peace is easy. No encroaching darkness. I am able to breathe.

Soon, we are off again. He is following me, slowly, enjoying the forest, it seems. I look ahead and the ruins loom up. I walk to the graves, those of my brothers. Bastilion seems like he is giving me space. I motion to him to come over.

“Bastilion...these are my brothers...” I say to him, quietly. I cannot disguise the sadness on my face. I bow to them one last time before turning back.

I will never forget what happened on that day.

I sigh. My wounds are aching yet again. It is a dull ache, but one that will not allow me to continue any farther today. I nuzzle the proud stag before me.

“Good day, Bastilion of the light. I am afraid I can go no farther. It has been good to walk with you. We shall meet again.”

I lay down and the peace overtakes my body, lulling me to sleep. May many more days greet all stags of the forest.

-The Priest

((In case you were wondering what the scratch + lay down means, it's either "sit with me" or "I'll be right back".))
Pegasicorn's picture

I wasn't sure how to

I wasn't sure how to interpret what the Priest was trying to say, but I did get the "sit with me"/"be right back". I use that combo myself to mean that. =] And I think you read my mind, cuz at some point I was thinking things seemed different since Bast is grown. O.o
I also wondered about him being sad at the Ruins. I somewhat got the idea you trying to get across, but I understand completely now.

---
The Dragonfly Deer's Biography
Pega's Forest Philosophy: "Look for Friends. Let Love find you."
"If you don't like something, tolerate it."
ocean's picture

Ooh, good. ^^ ...That's

Ooh, good. ^^

...That's mildly scary. xDDD

Ahh, glad you've got it. ^^ 'Twas nice to meet Bastilion today.