The Heartwood not this year

"How barbaric," Nab said pleasantly, and then realized how she must sound. "That's terrible about your... harem and your foals, I mean. Pardon me, I've just never met a deer before."

A little flustered, Nab took a moment to gather herself before looking back to the handsome young buck.

"I have some grown children here and there," she answered, smiling wistfully as she thought of all the years past. "Eight in all - or seven? No, eight, I think. I didn't foal last year, or the year before, and I'm not sure I'm going to this year, either. Those locust scared me, though I don't like to admit it. I'm so thankful I didn't have a calf with me - I've never lost one before, you see, and I'm terrified that a plague might come again while I have a little one to care for..."

Oh, I'm rambling again. Dear me, she thought. "But moose are solitary creatures - not like deer with their harems and herds. I normally make it very well on my own."