
The thirdling braced himself against the first chill of autumn. The gaining of another tine, he knew, came with a penance, and soon he would be obligated to meet with the Eldest Deer, as he had done in all his years previous. Musing a little, Mordecai paused to consider his obligation; what event could bring that prehistoric beast to return, time and time again, so that they might feel fear? He could only wonder.