Fishblight Mire i knew what it meant to be afraid

the adults followed on dryer land, but merrick did not move forward toward the stag until nunataq had rejoined them, regarding her with a brief look of encouragement despite her fall. she would soon forget it, he expected; his sister was never one to let such small things interfere with what she wanted to do. before them, the mired animal thrashed, his eyes rolling wildly; merrick chose this moment to slip forward, worrying its unguarded flank with a flash of his teeth.
a bloodstain bloomed along the stag's flesh. he gave a great bellow, lowering antlers toward the pale gannet, but whatever charge it may have made was impeded by the sucking mud.
and so merrick darted again, this time snapping toward the place behind one of their quarry's forelegs. setting his jaws, he dragged backward with all his might, grip breaking only when the stag swung its head of knives toward the boy with a snort of pained anger.