Animadverto

Animadverto (Latin): to turn the mind to, take notice of, see, perceive. 

Featuring: Captain Urs 'The Bear' and Letka

Early Spring , year 760 of the New Age

East of the River Swan, Oakfern

Word Count for Letka: 2,068

Word Count for Urs: 2,205

Letka,

She had to admit, some part of her was sad it took this long to get into the act of doing the lessons, but with Oathbreakers and the issue with her father taking up first and forefront, perhaps it was for the best. Far too much going on and not enough Letka to space out to take care of it. It was so hard being her.

Though this right here gave her distance from her mother and that was what they both needed.

Olive couldn’t stand the sight of her right now.. And Letka was unsure how long it would take to make things right again. Or if things could EVER be right again.

She knew she needed to go and locate that ‘tutor’ Urs but she was still feeling a bit sore, so for the moment, she’d allow that little bit of weakness and let her body rest. She knew she was pushing herself to the limit, but nothing could get done unless you applied yourself now could it? The soft sounds of water droplets hitting the floor beside her was a lovely feeling. A relaxing one. Some sense of normalcy in this chaos that was this spring…

At least he hadn’t seen her during that whole fiasco’ that wouldn’t make her want to die at all. A stag like him with the status and power.. it would make her look pitiful. Sad. And Letka was far from allowing anyone to see her pitiful or anything unbecoming that would only tarnish the image she herself wished to project.

Proud, secure, and drop dead sexy… if a few off the top of her head at the moment.

So the doe settled in for a slight nap, just a quick one, then she’d find that stag and make him live up to his promise. He should feel bad for making a lady as precious as her wait!

Urs,

He had not heard from her, or seen her, for a little while. Taking the time to stand in that lone cavern for well over an hour, awaiting her arrival that day. It was strange and seemingly out of character for the flirty doe. 
Why would she not show? Had he done something to upset her? 
Surely the mischievous little miss Letka would not ditch the Captain without proper reasoning.

The captain sighed, picking his way through the tunnels calmly. Urs was a bit worried, having heard of a skirmish in the outer tunnels. An older stag had been killed, but that's all he really knew of the situation so far. Two of his more observant soldiers were asked to take a look at the scene before it was taken away. The guards stationed in the area were quick in cleaning up the mess. Seeing Oakfern blood spilt would only frighten the already skittish herd.

  The Oakfern Guard was an adaptable bunch, strong, clever, brave. They were one of the prides of the herd. 

All for good reason too!
Oakferns were the smallest in size, but the largest in might. There were predators to kill, ancestors to avenge, and fellow fawnlings to keep in line. 
He was proud of the soldiers and Guard, they were exceptionally good at their jobs. One issue arose though. 
Not many were strong with the gift of Galeach.
Sure they could grab some water, throw ice, and boil puddles.. but they were dimming into a shadow  of what they had been. 

~No. They will learn, or they will cease to serve in my ranks.~ It was decided. Special training would be placed for the guard, and any who seek to join. Captain Urs would not allow himself to make the same sloppy mistake as the past Captains. 
He would make this herd stronger than any other. 


A shadow is lurking in the pine forests. Sitting, Waiting. It seeks to devour any and all who cross its path. 

A shiver ran down his spine as Urs thought of the monster. Strong enough to cause one of Oakfern's strongest stags to loose all grips of reality. 
Berach. 
A master in water magic. Devoted to Galeach, yet barely saved from the gaping black jaws of death. 

"Gaelach..." he hissed softly under his breath, "is no one safe?"

Urs had a different mission at the present time though. He had a doe to find, and some lessons to teach. Well, if she was ok that is. The Captain gained some curious looks as he stopped herd members along they way. Most knew of Letka, but not many knew exactly where she lived. An older stag did point out where her mother and father took up residence. Perhaps the daughter would be close by. 

As he grew closer to the far tunnels, more of the fawnlings he encountered knew of the little family. It was not long till he found out where Letka now lived.

Would she appreciate his concern, or would she shoo him away in anger? The captain passed several dens along the way only a few had their residents home. He chewed the inside of his cheek a moment, stepping past the last den before reaching the one Letka was said to live in.

Stopping outside the entrance, he stared down at the floor. It took him a while to make up his mind before opening his mouth and calling down the dark cavern.

"Letka? Are you in there?"

Letka,

She frowned, she could hear a voice…

Someone is here…

If it were a snake she’d be dead.

It’s him.

She made efforts to focus, the voice was male and it wasn’t them, she found herself if she wasn’t careful they would get out of line. No need for that. At least if she were going to go crazy he had to have order. For a second in that delirious moment she had a sudden and rising fear that gripped her very soul…

He wasn’t dead.

Her tangled body shot up like a dart ignoring it’s complaint as she charged, water rising and coming to her defence from a bowl she had set not far away, all she had was one shot, she had to make it count. But when she got to the mouth of her den, it wasn’t desmond she saw---

Urs…

“Oohh shi--” her hooves skidded a bit on the smooth surface of her den’s floor, her teeth grit as she made efforts to stop herself. The water at her side had formed into a spiked cone of ice, aiming to end something she thought she had finished before. Good to know even though things had ended.. not so good,  her thoughts of what she did and had did never wavered. Apparently.. she’d do it again. When she finally stopped she landed rather awkwardly on her rump looking up at the male who had done nothing to her, for the moment, she looked frail, almost childlike.. frightened…

“I-I’m… I’m--”

Panic much?

Hehehehe..

Silly doe.

“S-Sorry..doll.. thought you were someone else.”

Recover, just get up! She righted herself and backed away promptly, her body was screaming at her for the sudden movements she had made.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you around these parts.” She glanced at the ice that still hovered ominously and she dropped it with a pained expression.

“My apologies. I’ve not been myself of late.” She promptly shattered it under hoof and kicked the bits away.

“I must have fallen asleep…” She frowned. “You must think terribly of me Ursy, i didn’t want to stand you up, I promise I didn’t.”

She smiled looking more like herself, aside from the new scars.. it was still Letka, just.. a bit more sore version.

Urs,

He tensed, ears forward as the sounds of a struggle came from within the dark cavern.

"Letka?!" He called again. What was going on?

Urs was about to take a step inside when a dark character came barreling out at him. The glimmer of the ice weapon caught his attention and he immediately reacted, drawing water from behind him to form a shield.

~Letka?!~ he thought and took a step back to keep from having her slide into him.

The sassy doe looked quite bewildered, obviously not expecting the Captain the make a house visit.

She looked so small, like the little ice figurines his mother used to make for him as a fawn.

"It is quite alright Letka, I know it may be a bit out of line for me to show up like this.."

Urs's voice trailed off and the rest of her words faded out from his mind. The stag ignored the discarded cone, walking slowly around her. His eyes took in every scrap every bit of her freshly healing flesh.  

Anger and violence flashed in his eyes a moment. A rare emotion for the gentle giant to demonstrate.

Every muscle under his white adorned pelt tensed. The captain's chest rumbled with that of a deep growl.

"Who?"

The word came softly, but firmly.

Why did he care so much? She was a herd member of course it was his duty to protect them but seeing her scars...

"Letka, who did...this?"

His dark tail lashed side to side, the air around it making a hissing sound from the quick movements. It was whip-like.

His shoulders squared and head low enough to keep his face eye level to the shorter doe.

Two brown orbs pierced her own, never once glancing away.

All confusion of her missed magic lesson was gone.

Someone was going to pay dearly, if they were attainable.

Letka,

“Ah.. No, doll, you visit is very much welcomed..” She tried to laugh it off, but he had already narrowed her down like cornered mouse.

His posture from friendly went on defence when he looked upon her… not how she wished for things to come to light.

“No need for who, lovely, it’s been and done--” but he didn’t let up, asking again, now bringing his eyes even with her own.

Every part of her told her to look away, but she didn’t.

Her chest swelled and she sighed with a clever little smile playing at her lips, forced, but there. “Ursy, dear, is this you worrying for me? I’m flattered.” she knew in some part if she avoided questioning.. he was damning herself…

She always considered herself a loyal doe, she’d never do anything to rock or harm her herd. Only for the better, she had to believe that. But here the Captain had come calling, sweet thing knew no better, he was just being a good stag, she could never fault him for it. In fact she’d be offended if he hadn’t looked for her. The problem was…

Her confession could very well damn her. But what did she feel it pressing against her throat, as if daring to be set free. That truth. That bloody, disgusting truth…

She decided to… tread very..very carefully.

“Look at you.. giving me those looks.. gunna scare little ol’ me.” She teased.

“Like an anaconda with a fawn, you won’t let it go.. hm?” She smirked and shook her head.

“Not here… Save me from the indignity, I have enough talk without looking weaker than I need. Or more guilty than I should.”

She said softly moving past him with her movements looking stiff, but she was moving strongly. She wasn’t going to give him anything to pity, not when her body alone was hard to look at.

“I must admit, I’m a bit hurt… I guess I’m not as pretty as before.” She barked out a laugh. “If not my pride you have a lovely way of striking my vanity with expert precision.”

Urs,

Her forced smile made his expression soften. Perhaps he should not snap at her so.

“Of course I worry…” his deep voice murmured.  The large stag stepped beside her, looking down at the ren doe with concern.

“I worry for you, and I wish you would tell me who has hurt you so.” he felt himself starting to get huffy but he calmed the furry before it could build once more.

Urs offered his own strained smile, being as friendly as ever. She was hiding something that much was clear. To see the sassy miss Letka withdrawing so was, different to say the least. Out of character and it caused his imagination to wander.

~Was she being threatened?

Was someone going to come back and finish what they started? 

Was it from a scat with an Oathbreaker? 

Surely not one of the the fleeing Half Bloods…~

The captain’s gaze drifted over her back and up her arching neck. They reached those large round ears before finally resting on her pretty face.

“Scars could never take away from your divine beauty.”

There was no sarcasm or taunting. He meant every word.

“For Galeach’s sake though, enough mind games. What happened?” he asked more gently than before.

Letka,

She was waiting for the sarcasm, something, but the large stag gave her none, just.. strangely genuine concern. She glanced at him quietly as he followed her, his words were soft, but still urgent.

Again, he wouldn’t let it go.

Once they had some distance and were heading down a quiet tunnel that she broke her silence on the matter at hand, if only gently at first. But of course, she had to start at the good part, “Divine beauty?”

She paused looking at him now with an honest to goodness smile, “My dear Ursy-bear.. you know how to get a doe to talk now don’t you? When did you become so suave? You been practicing on pretty does in my absence? I’m certainly jealous.”

But she’d give him what he wanted, only because he was being sweet.

“I had a spat with my father.” She said honestly. “He had plans for me and expectations I was unable to reach or appreciate.” tossed her mane with a sigh.

“I’m sorry to disappoint that it’s nothing… huge.” She smirked tightly her almond eyes leveling his gaze with her own.

“My father simply wanted a stag.” She laughed, it was bitter her tail lashing heavily. “It was a mere squabble, nothing to fret over. Things are sorted, everything is fine.”

He had his duty to Oakfern, and her actions upon her father no matter what he did to her a week prior did not give her just cause. A confession.. that she did not give. Just that she had a spat. Nothing more. She wanted away from the subject. You could be a pretty doe all you liked, it didn’t save you with something like this.

“Now, to moonpool? Oh even to the River Swan? I’m sure the pools there are lovely right about now.”

Urs,

His pelt grew warm as she brought attention to his boldness. Urs had not realized how ‘suave’ he was acting until she brought it up. The stag scurried around within his mind to keep from withdrawing once more.

“A moment of boldness I suppose.” He smirked, glad to see her smile once more.

“I practice a large range of skills, but flirting with other does is not one.”

Was that a wink? a Twinkle of his eye.. perhaps.

The caves were dark, the glowing of paint and moss could play tricks on your sight.

The captain’s ears swiveled forward and his attention was solely hers. “Quite a spat,” he almost whispered, thinking of the scars that covered her. Several were still healing up.

The subject was clearly upsetting her, and she did not want to speak of it more. That was fine, Urs had what he needed.

The Identity of her ‘attacker.’

He would investigate upon this matter. It was not very common for two Oakferns to injure one another so fiercely. Not without a bigger issue looming overhead.  

Letka’s words seeped into his mind, pulling him from his planning. Urs’s head lifted and he looked at her before ahead to the tunnel they traveled. “I believe Swan would be a better place. Less distraction, and less herd members to interrupt.”

A tiny smile danced across his lips.

~I love the herd, and answering any concerns they may have...but sometimes a guy needs a little more social and a little less work.~ he thought to himself.

Letka,

He was a curious stag, had spots of boldness mixed with a bit of adorable shyness.

She supposed even the battle hardened had spots of squishy softness. She looked amused as he continued, it was dark… but he might have winked at her? Oh Ursy-darling, bold indeed.

“So only flirting with me then? Here I figured I was too much for you sweet stag of mine.” She mused, how curious indeed, he was rather open now with his flirtation. To say this pleased her was an understatement, it put the slightly bitter doe in much better spirits to be sure.

She sighed at the spat comment, “Yes, you should know of me, so you must know of my family, we are loud and unafraid to show our feelings. We are such a demanding and bratty bunch.” She coo’ed.

“I didn’t fall far from the proverbial tree, so to speak. When we fight, we fight hard.”

She did infact wink at him with a cute little bounce of her rump for effect as she felt all the more pleased with things and continued on.

It was so easy to put her in good spirits. Say she was pretty and her little icy and vain heart melted and she was wrapped around your hoof, fishing for more compliments.

More so with that last part.

”Ohhhhhhh Ursy~! You wish to covet me all for yourself?” She teased and slowed enough so they were side by side.. her body pressed to his like glue.

“You're making me rather warm.” she gave a light bounce and nipped his ear lightly for effect.

“River swan it is then.” She preened delightedly, while still rather sore, she was less focused on that and more on the attention she was getting.

“I’m sure I have you all wrong, it’s just so I can pay attention to the lessons, right?” She nudged him before looking devious, “That is however unless you were thinking of something different, I don’t mind mixing business and pleasure.” She groomed the side of his neck pointedly, if she could have purred, she would have.

Urs,

Urs grinned, glancing at her. Maybe it was the fact that they had been introduced now, that personality was not such a cultural shock, or that she had not caught him off guard emotionally.

Yes. That was it. He better understood the character and knew somewhat on the actions to expect from her.

"Is that what this is? Flirting?" He chuckled lightly, speaking of his lack in experience.

"Actually, you are quite a pleasant fawnling to be around when that pretty smile isn't turned upside down. Oh, and I suppose when you are not so busy hunting stags.."

~Hunting them down and knowing how to make them squirm.~

Urs's ears flickered to her as she spoke of her family. "It sounds as though you all are very passionate lot.”

His side grew warm as she pressed herself to him. Maybe it was just her body heat, or maybe it was the pleasant tingle under his skin.

Her delightful little rump gave another bounce as she playfully nipped his ear. “Hey now!” he chirped and gave his own jump. A light chuckle erupted from his chest.

The large stag threw her a smile before breathing a sigh of content. He watched her weave her way back over to his side, moving with the grace of an owl.

“Oh yes, It is much easier to teach when there is not an audience of loud spectators.”

Urs replied, his mouth opened to address her suggestion of mixing the two matters, but it clamped back shut as her dainty muzzle nestled up to his neck.

The pleasure from her grooming made his breath catch and an electric zap fill his body.

~What is the crazy doe doing to me?~ he moaned inwardly.

He turned his head to look at her, clearing his throat. “Uh well. It.. err. It is always a pleasure to..to teach.” he stuttered softly.

Letka,

“I just can’t help that doll, if I stop hunting down stags I’d be a very sad, sad doe.” She pouted, if only for show, it was hard to have a bad mood around this stag for some reason.

“I admit I have a terrible habit of making myself look a bad fawn, but I promise you keep getting closer and you’ll learn… -“ She preened and felt herself almost prance..

“I am also drop dead fabulous.” She teased.

“Sorry, I have no counter for the bad other than I can be really good at it.” The doe laughed.

She snorted, rather… loud despite herself. “We are. Been that way a long time.” She sighed, but it was a relaxed one. The walk was nice, all of it was a nice change of pace, nothing but talk, play if you wanted to call it that. She felt as good as a foal, no worries no real cares, it was a startling, but wonderful feeling.

She knew she had him tongue tied, funny how a little bit of attention will have a stag all in a tizzy. “It’s a pleasure to learn, Ursy.” She coo’d and for a second just enjoyed the closeness of their bodies walking side by side. The strength that rolled off of him wasn’t just in his ability in magic.. but it was his sheer size. She could feel his muscles working beside her ..sort of lean form. It was a pleasant and calming feeling, safe even.

Though Letka voicing her  actual concerns or feelings took a lot more than a charming smile.

“What do we have on the menu Ursy-doll? Aside from that adorable look on your face I’m sure there is more too it.” She teased softly, the sound of their hooves hitting the rather hard surface of the tunnels resounded throughout the tunnels, then again, they weren't trying to be stealthy. The tunnel was becoming more and more damp with moisture, the river was close, the soft sounds of lapping waves seemed to welcome them with gentle greeting.

“Unless this is just a watch type of thing? I don’t mind giving a bit of a performance for a handsome stag.” She smirked.

Urs,

The sooty fawnling watched her with one eye as they walked, his pelt tingling from the light brushing of her side. A light chuckle erupted from his chest as he watched the sassy doe prance.

”Fabulous indeed.”

His eyes glowed warm as his face settled to a smile.

This doe was very pleasant company indeed. Perhaps he should seek her out a bit more often than not.
Her teasing was welcomed and embraced. "Mmm, well.... I er. I could not let you have too much of my fun side. Captains are to be boring and serious after all. " 
The corners of Urs's muzzle pulled upwards into a smile. "Besides, you may end up enjoying my company too much. Then I would never be able to escape you, now could I?"

“I believe a sort of ‘see and do’ would be best fit. After we test the extent of your magic. Soon we will be able to press the boundaries a bit further.” 

Upon reaching the cavern, Urs stopped and turned. His tail swished as he looked back at her. Not a single soul was in sight. A peaceful calm filled the room. It was quiet. The only sounds now were the gentle churning of the Swan River, and the soft breaths of the two fawnlings. 
~A perfect place to do some training.~ 
Magic was a talent of the focused, not so much of the physically strong. He imagined that no matter the herd, magic started from inside the body. Perhaps the heart for some and the mind for others. Urs had not thought too much about it. Only that all of the talents were risky in unskilled hooves. Death was not an uncommon fate for those who overstepped their limits. 
To force it would cause the magic to bite back, dragging its master into insanity, death, or even strip its self from the user entirely. 
Fearing the powers though, was no better. A fawnling weak of the heart and mind would try to summon their talents, only to loose control and injure others. 

No. 
Magic had to be respected. Especially Water. 
Water was not solid and motionless like rock. It did not burn up its fuel and choke its self. Nor hiss away at the gust of an opposing breeze. It could not corrupt its user, driving them into dark madness. 

Water was life and death.
It controlled all. 
No water, no plants
No water, no storm clouds 
Water could quench the hottest of fires
and only a mouth full was needed to drown a witch.

Calling out to the river, he pulled out a pillar, willing it to separate from the dark ribbon.
The liquid protested, sloshing about in its cylinder form.
It was a large amount, taller than any Oakfern, even himself.

“You are a strong doe Letka, and I know you have been practicing of course. I will help you become stronger, but in order to do so, I cannot go easy on you. 

I hope you understand.” 

Hooves firmly planted upon the stony floor, the Captain raised his head and watched her only a moment.
“Let us see the magic you already possess.” 

Suddenly the pillar burst, sending multiple balls of water at her, and the training began