Duck Lake I am an arms dealer; fitting you with weapons in the form of words.

He was happy with her quick approval of his plan, and gave her a curt nod and a fleeting smile before breaking away, eyes fixed on the herd. They began to scatter as they saw him, crying out, but his focus was solely on the old doe. Their gazes met for an instant, and then she began to hobble away, trying to follow the rest of her family as they fled.

Shale increased his pace, long legs stretching out over the ground in hot pursuit. He took a chance, running alongside the doe and then cutting in front of her, gritting his teeth and waiting for the impact of hooves and bony legs. It didn't come--the doe darted sideways, his plan succeeding (for once). Like a herding dog, the gray male circled round her, trying to send her Brynn's way.

Finally, more or less, she was running toward where the other lay in wait; she'd indicated that she would hide near the trees, and the doe was taking a zig-zag route in that direction. Shale nipped boldly at her flanks, and her tail twitched in response, the old lady letting out a furious bleat. He was fast enough to overtake her, but perhaps not strong enough to take her down himself.

"Ready?" he called out to Brynn, preparing himself to pounce.