In the Greenwood Again || Hulda

Even now the flourishing green trees brought back memories. Flickers of her first few trips into the green wood. The dare that had nearly cost her her life, a fool she had been when first joining the guard. Now she understood the finer points of fawntaking. It had fairly been beaten into her by her betters, and she thanked them every full moon for that. Had they not been so rigorous she doubted her ability to acquire her currently held position. The dappled doe nodded for the scouts to go ahead, the poison master that had requested they go with them disappeared as silently. Hulda sucked in a long breath, relishing the scent of fresh air. It was the one guilty thing she allowed herself to enjoy.

The freedom of the outside world.

With the groups scattered into the wood, silent and dark as the owls they revered. Hulda waited quietly with the guard escort, giving orders as scouts returned with information for the takers. The doe herself marched into the wood with one of the younger takers. Her paint was all but gone, the smallest mark of gold on her brow and blue around her mouth. The cream taker next to her had small ripples painted on her cheeks, he walked stiffly watching his superior with reverence as she scouted. “There, be silent as the almighty owl, my charge,” A doe lay tucked beneath a bush, a fawn curled under her tail. The lieutenant could smell the fawn was fresh, and from the heavy stench of sweat and blood that the doe was exhausted from her efforts. The younger stag nodded and made his approach, the dapple moved to a position to assist. Ready to pounce and silence the oathbreaker doe should she rouse at Karn’s touch. Getting the fawn’s attention without alerting it’s mother would be the hardest. The cream stag’s nose gently nudged the fawn, again when it didn’t move. Tiny ears flicked and a tiny head appeared from within the fluff. Green eyes lighting on the stag standing so close. Karn bounced away, waiting to see if the fawn would take the bait to play.

After a moment it wiggled to standing and wobbled towards the stag. Hulda swiftly moved to ensure fawn and dam were parted. She watched the doe with contempt, even to this day she still felt the urge to hurt those that had hurt her herd so long ago. Instead she followed the pale stag as he led the fawn away, once a decent distance had been crossed more of the raiding party joined.

Encircling the prize.

The poison master shoved something in the fawn’s mouth, soon after the filthy creature went limp. Karn scooped his prize on his back and carried it into the cave entrance. Placing it with the other two fawns, already under the effects of the sedative.  

Keeping them docile as newly hatched chicks.

“Well done, Fawntakers Karn, Raine and Tesh. You have brought honor to Oakfern with your first hunt,” she said proudly, the hunts had just begun but this was the first time for the three standing before her. The cream colored, Karn, the dark bay Tesh, and graying chestnut, Raine.

They nodded quickly, “Ones such as us could only hope to bring honor to your name by your teachings,” The rose gray doe said softly.

The small group settled in to wait for the others.

The moon’s rapidly waning light as dawn approached brought alarm calls, voices echoing the wood. Hooves clattered loudly as the last of their order retired for the night.

Hulda frowned, listening to the sounds from without the cave. The lieutenant had hoped for a bit longer before their presence was noticed, “We are done for the night, secure the fawn’s and rest until first moonbeam. We will attempt a few more before we return,” The dappled doe retreated to the inner chamber and settled down to rest.

Tomorrow is a new day.