Bearclaw Valley a seminar about whether or not deer feel pain or are just sad

Æsilfír whipped her head around to glance fleetingly over her shoulder, but saw no movement on the horizon. The boy protested but she could hardly hear his words over the rush of her breath and thundering of her heart. He was ushered into motion, but not fast enough so she nipped at the air near his hocks to shepherd him into a faster gait. 

”RUN, damnit!” She seethed, snapping her jaws together emphatically. She didn’t have time for his questions. If he continued to stall them, someone would eventually catch up to them. Anyone following their trail wouldn’t be able to tell immediately if she was chasing him or trying to herd him out of the pack to safety, so she didn’t think anyone would be too suspicious. They’d have a margin of time- but not much. 

He said his sister’s name and she snarled. Of course, he wouldn’t want to leave without her- but Indra wasn’t her problem or her responsibility. ”Someone else is gettin’ her out, we’ll find her after- now stop starin’ at me an’ move it!!” She knew it was a lie but she needed him to stop looking over his shoulder and worrying. She’d perhaps been too gentle before- and began to snap at his flank in earnest, intending to pinch the tender flesh there if he didn’t pick up the pace. 

She knew that if they were caught, Abel wouldn’t be the only one whose life was at risk. All she could do was hope that she’d bought them enough time to escape before anyone else realized what was really happening.