The wind pulled at Myra’s mane as she stood on the crest of the sand dune, the sea grasses tickeling at her belly. Turning she looked over her shoulder back toward the Point, she could see Gus standing watching her, he was right where she had left him. They had arrived together at the stretch of beach where when the tide was low allowed for easy passage from the Point to the main part of the island. Gus hadn’t wanted Myra to leave, especially taking their young fawn Seraph with her. Myra however had insisted that she need to leave and that their fawn was old enough to see some of the island. Then of course Gus had insisted to come along. It was harder for Myra to convince him to not come along because she really wanted to bring him herself. However the larger stag would attract a lot of attention in the main herd and this close to rut some of the other stags may wish to challenge him for Myra. No, he would be best to stay on the Point, Myra would be able to pass nearly unseen through the territory of the main heard, even with her unweaned fawn in tow. Finally Gus had relented his one request was that he could escort her to the crossing and make sure she made it safely across. Now she stood opposite him, a thin band of sand was all that still connected them. Myra would have rather stayed on the point but medical herb supplies of the healers were nearly exhausted and Myra needed to gather more, for the fall and the winter. While most of what they used could be found there were a few plants that didn’t grow on the point, and Myra knew right where to find them.

At her side there was the bump of a tiny head, Seraph and learned to headbutt and she learned it was the best way to get her Ma’s attention. Turning Myra grinned at her little fawn. “What is it sweetling?” She said in a soft even voice. “Ma! Why didn’t we bring Daddy? Or Etain? Or Nike?” Seraph asked looking up at Myra with her large brown eyes that reminded Myra so much of Gus.

“Because Daddy has to stay and protect Etain and Nike and all of the other Fawnlings.” Myra answered, hoping that would be enough to answer her fawn’s insatiable curiosity. Which of course it wasn’t.

“But Ma!” Pipped Seraph, “Who will protect us then?”

Myra smiled softly as she answered her little daughter, “ We will have to protect us, by moving swiftly and silently. There are places you need to see and I will show you the way.”

That was enough to sate little Seraph’s curiosity, the little fawn now had her eyes locked fully in front of her not behind. The promise of new places to explore roused her curiosity, Myra just prayed silently that her fawns curiosity didn’t land them both in trouble. Windborne was a harsh place and away from the safety of the herd it was dangerous. Myra herself had spent many years wandering away from the Main herd in search of herbs, she loved to be alone with the wind and the birds where she could think to herself and not be troubled by others. Yet now, with her little fawn at her side she was very aware of the risks she was taking by leaving the safety of the Point herd. The herbs were needed if she was going to help the herd thru the winter and Myra didn’t trust any others to gather herbs for her. So quietly she would lead her fawn away and move across the landscape gathering what she needed. Myra would also visit the Main herd, since she would be in their territory, check in with friends, aid in some healing then slip away again unseen. That way she would still be a valued member of their herd as well even if her heart, and Gus, were at the Point.