Lord of the forest

Hunters on the prowl

A little episode of just playfulness, with the baby fawns gamboling mischievously and the birds chirping melodiously in sweet chorus, the Deer Boy beheld as the golden sun cast its warm embrace over the forest. On lips that danced and twinkled with laughter, and in doe-shaped eyes also full of mischief, he skipped in the dappled sunlight. The grace of dancing poured into each movement amidst all the beauty of woods. He teased at the birds and babies with the light touch of his antlers, reaching up and up like boughs. The playful melody of the forest came to an end abruptly with the jarring echo of gunshots from the east border. His heart missing a beat, the boy froze-his senses on high alert. His eyes grew wide as he whirled his head around until he shook his head harshly and stopped fully. He flicked his delicate ears and listened intently, his gaze darting toward the muffled danger sounds.

He heard another round of shots and quickly herded the group of fawns behind one of the great oaks, whispering sweet nothings into the ears as the fawns shuffled together for comfort, the birds hovering beneath as if thinking they could be that wall of protection.

With only a snap of his fingers, a wave of green mist, and the assurance that the animals were safe, Galen reappeared, worry striking his face as he galloped toward the boy. "My lord did you hear that! We must make haste!" The Elk urged the young lord as he heaved him onto his back and quickly sped off into the forest. Soon enough, the trees enfolded them, heading to the east. Both of the creatures flinched as the third wave of shots disturbed the forest further. Groups of animals could be seen running past the pair, bowing as they went, but both of them could never forget the terror in their eyes.

As they were almost at the edge of the forest, the boy's heart was racing in expectation; his doe eyes combed the clearing up front. Then, among the swirling mists, he saw a figure unlike anything that had ever entered his eyes before.

It was a handsome-looking man, with great stature; he stood at the edge of the forest, towering above everything else that surrounded him. He had flexing muscles under his taut skin; his raven-black hair cascaded around his shoulders like a waterfall of shadows, and in his bearing, he radiated strength and power.

Down his left arm etched cool, regal tattoos that drew patterns, which appeared to dance into life with every movement. A small smirk played upon his lips as his piercing gaze met that of the boy; in his eyes, surprise flickered for an instant before it hardened into steely resolve.

At his back, a party of men stood at attention, guns still loaded and primed, faces masked in grim determination. Yet, despite that tension hanging in the air, the Deer Boy felt something more beneath the surface-a glimmer of uncertainty, perhaps, or a flicker of doubt.

Her green mossy eyes locked with his black onyx ones, and that smile the mysterious man wore seemed to grow wider as the boy's grip tightened around Galen's fur. This the elk noted, as the animal took a large step back, wanting only to seep into the dense walls of the forest that now, faced with these hunters, held so much appeal.

The action, however, seemed to further the man's hunger, as he clicked his fingers; the sound cut through the thick tension like a butter knife. There was a man who stepped forward slowly, dressed in a dark suit which hugged his body, carefully handing the mysterious man a black box.