The Legend of Pardus

Chapter 2: Preparations

Weeks later...
I woke up in a warm leaf, twig, and grass nest, one I had proudly made with my own two paws. It had only been a week, only one storm sprinkled a little a few days ago. I yawned and stretched, letting my body loosen. The normal scent of my cave was different now, filled with more herbs, different bedding materials, and animal scents. There were many sick and wounded animals that had come searching for the protector. (I was surprised how quickly word spread) I had looked over about ten different animals for the past week. I had also gladly figured out how to weave the grasses and leaves together into beds, splints, and a variety of things. Standing up, I yawned again peacefully.

I started with the first thing on my list, checking each animal and providing for any needs they might have. I walked over to a doe I had been caring for since three days prior. She had no more visible signs of her disease, but I could still smell it. I grabbed a few herbs from the back cave and gave her a few, she ate them slowly. A few more days and she would run back to her herd. The next was a mountain lion with a broken leg. He was still asleep when I came over, and I looked at the thick leaf bandage and saw it needed changing. I slowly cut the wrappings off and went to my stash to put a new one on. He was up by the time I had finished. I gave him a little grin, then went to go check the injured boar.
After everyone was checked on, I walked out of the cave to welcome the rising sun's warm rays and feel the cold wind brushing my fur. This was so peaceful, the mountains and rivers cutting through them, the distant call of an eagle flying over the rigid peaks. I wish I was up there, flying free. The thought of legendaries came back to me. Were there really some out there? Were they once real, but hadn't survived? In the distance, I heard a deer call, bringing me back into the present. I looked down in the fields of grasses near the river and spotted a large herd of deer there. My mind clicked, I had received word that a herd wanted to rest in my territory. They had gotten here early.

I turned and made my way down the mountainside, following the trail I had walked many times before. It was an easier route, but I enjoyed having a challenge. I reached the forest and jogged through the cool shade of the trees, squirrels panicking and birds flying off in a gust of wind as I passed them. I reached the river, walking out into the sunlight, making myself seen. the herd of deer were grazing peacefully, many perked up instantly. I walked at a decent pace, making no actions to look dangerous. Some younger deer noticed me and hid behind others, but the leader (who later told me his name was pierra) came right up to me and lowered his head in greeting. I lowered my head in response. The old leader turned and called to his herd,
"He is here to protect us, not hurt us."

The herd trusted their leader, but not entirely me as they walked on grazing the long grass. Pierra walked with me down the riverside, peacefully letting the wind blow against us. The grass parted like waves as we walked. A few pheasants flew up ten feet in front of us, but I was not as interested in as bobcats, who I've seen lunge at them with full force. Pierra started speaking,
"I know we were a bit early than we had told, there were many more risks this year traveling from the north. There are a lot of wolves in that direction"
I glanced into the woods, if there were wolves in my territory, they would know to be stealthy. even if I did search for the scent of a wolf, they might slip by me and attack the herd. I decided to stay near the river, watching for any movement in the trees. I stated back to Pierra,
"I will make sure to keep your herd safe from anything that tries to attack you."

Pierra nodded in thanks, and we walked back to the herd. I began walking in between the herd and the woods. I kept my eye sharp for any signs of wolves or demons, but all I saw were a few squirrels chasing each other around. I looked up at my cave, wondering if I could reach the animals inside if it was attacked. clouds continued to blow overhead, blocking the sun for a few minutes at a time, making the forest seem eere. After a while of pacing the woods, I laid down in shorter grass to catch some sunlight and continue guarding the herd. Some young fawns started cautiously walking up to me, sometimes bolting away and kicking in the air playfully. Eventually, one walked up and sniffed me, closer than the others. She looked up at me and mumbled,
"Um...hi?"