Post by Hakoda on Nov 11, 2014 18:18:50 GMT
Hakoda had been watching his little brother for most of the afternoon, so he was glad when dusk began to fade into night. Wood was small and would no doubt return to their mother to sleep. He was just about to lay down when his father approached with uneven hoofsteps. Hakoda turned to face his father, ears swiveling forward to listen to whatever might be told to him.
"Hakoda, dear son. You have more than earned your antlers now, and I am growing old." The older Stag stated eloquently. "I will not be able to protect the Herd much longer."
Hakoda's heart sank as his father's death was implied to happen soon. He wanted to deny it, but he knew his father was truthful.
"I think you should be my heir, but I have to make sure you are strong enough to lead. You must prove to me you can be a Lead Stag." With that, the Elder buck lowered his antlers and braced into a Sparring stance.
Hakoda didn't want to hurt his father, but he knew what was expected and lowered his own rack. The two charged eachother in unison, creating a loud crack in the air as their antlers made contact. The rest of the Herd heard the sound, and gathered to observe as the two stag tried to push eachother back. Hakoda wasn't as big, but he was strong in his youth which helped him to shove his father's head away. In the split second of separation he reared up to kick, and the older Stag followed suit. There was more weight behind the older Stag, and Hakoda hit the ground fairly quickly. He didn't have time to think clearly as two sharp forehooves slammed down onto his side. Dazed, the younger Stag flicked his head, catching a foreleg with his antlers and causing his father's balance to fail just long enough for him to get up. Another bang sounded as the two locked antlers again. Hakoda shoved forward, nearly running in place in his effort to put the older Stag on the ground. Finally, he managed, having more stamina. He reared up to slam his own hooves down, but hesitated. He would never hurt family as a leader. Instead, he stepped back and looked away.
"I'm sorry Father."
The older Stag heaved himself up and stepped forward. He looked his son over for a moment, thoughtfully, then lowered his head in a low bow. The rest of the herd that was old enough to know what this meant also bowed their heads. The Lead Stag had yeilded his rank to Hakoda. Hakoda was the Lead Stag now. Saying nothing, the Elder turned and calmly walked away, removing himself from the Herd. He was making the journey to the Golden Meadow, a resting place for dying deer.
"Hakoda, dear son. You have more than earned your antlers now, and I am growing old." The older Stag stated eloquently. "I will not be able to protect the Herd much longer."
Hakoda's heart sank as his father's death was implied to happen soon. He wanted to deny it, but he knew his father was truthful.
"I think you should be my heir, but I have to make sure you are strong enough to lead. You must prove to me you can be a Lead Stag." With that, the Elder buck lowered his antlers and braced into a Sparring stance.
Hakoda didn't want to hurt his father, but he knew what was expected and lowered his own rack. The two charged eachother in unison, creating a loud crack in the air as their antlers made contact. The rest of the Herd heard the sound, and gathered to observe as the two stag tried to push eachother back. Hakoda wasn't as big, but he was strong in his youth which helped him to shove his father's head away. In the split second of separation he reared up to kick, and the older Stag followed suit. There was more weight behind the older Stag, and Hakoda hit the ground fairly quickly. He didn't have time to think clearly as two sharp forehooves slammed down onto his side. Dazed, the younger Stag flicked his head, catching a foreleg with his antlers and causing his father's balance to fail just long enough for him to get up. Another bang sounded as the two locked antlers again. Hakoda shoved forward, nearly running in place in his effort to put the older Stag on the ground. Finally, he managed, having more stamina. He reared up to slam his own hooves down, but hesitated. He would never hurt family as a leader. Instead, he stepped back and looked away.
"I'm sorry Father."
The older Stag heaved himself up and stepped forward. He looked his son over for a moment, thoughtfully, then lowered his head in a low bow. The rest of the herd that was old enough to know what this meant also bowed their heads. The Lead Stag had yeilded his rank to Hakoda. Hakoda was the Lead Stag now. Saying nothing, the Elder turned and calmly walked away, removing himself from the Herd. He was making the journey to the Golden Meadow, a resting place for dying deer.