Haunted Wood lepidus

the antlered one, more intelligent than his skittish counterparts. germanicus, aware now of their disadvantage, drifted futher downstream, returning his attention to the fish as he considered a better approach. 

at length, he looked toward the observer a second time. more direct, the hushgold of his eyes; they had been spotted before, and so in this moment germanicus decided it mattered not if the ruminant looked upon them. gathering his aquatic catches, he deliberately stepped off into the dappled forest. 

with luck, the message of melting into the foliage to regroup would be conveyed; once beyond sight of the great beast, the eaglebound waited, watching the rich hue of the god's coat between browning leaves.