Moonspear filling me with wonder for all that is

arcturus' head was down when a bronze flash flew through the air - in a second he was bowled aside, and watched in a mixture of horror and surprise as it flung itself towards revui. its long limbs worked with a spider-like fury, slapping down with hardened cloven hooves -- it took the dark cub a moment to recollect his wits and recognize their assailant.

normally it was the other way around - they assailed deer -- arcturus was rightly confused by the doe's unusual belligerence, but he swung into the fray all the same.

with a growl he was flanking his embattled brother. the doe was furious and quick, while he was somewhat baffled and slow- more than once his advances were rebuffed by the quick slap of a hoof. each time he pulled himself up from the earth, and came again.

he was tiring, but revui's energy seemed to seep into him: with a desperate drive, arcturus braved the stronghold of buffeting hooves and and lunged for the doe's flank. he was soundly whacked, but his proximity prevented too much damage, and his teeth clutched the soft fur along the doe's ribcage.

renewed by this small victory, arcturus doggedly held on -- unaware of the young sweet-faced fawn nearby that the doe was protecting with her life.