The sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, though the air had a bit of bite as winter drew near. Egfor sat down near a stream, setting his bow and quiver on the ground beside him. He settled on the ground, back against a tree. He leaned back, the sunlight falling across his form. He closed his eyes for a moment, the wind through the leaves and the bubbling creek lulled him to sleep...
A stag stood in a small forest clearing, leaning down to drink water from a cold, clear creek. He flicked his ears around occasionally as he drink, though relaxed, he was always alert. All was serene... for now.
The snap of a twig resonated somewhere behind. The stag's head shot up, fear coursing through his body. He tensed, swiveling his head around, trying to source the sound, nostrils flaring trying to find any scent of a predator. Then he saw it. A wolf crept out of the bushes on the other side of the creek. The stag quickly backpedaled out of the creek as the wolf advanced.
The wolf suddenly leaped across the creek towards the stag with a low snarl. The stag jumped out of the way, turning to suddenly run, tail held high. The wolf gave chase.
The stag just ran, dodging trees and bushes, leaping lightly over fallen logs. He could feel the wolf's presence behind him, advancing ever closer.
The stag had a realization suddenly; He was Egfor. Egfor was the stag. He ran even harder, not wanting to die like this, feeling his legs tire and his lungs and heart screaming. Still, he pressed on adrenaline and fear fueling him.
He leapt over a log, his antlers snagging on some low branches overhead, stopping the stag abruptly and slamming him into the trunk of a nearby tree. The stag let out a cry, struggling to get free, what once provided safety and sanctuary would now be the death of him.
He stilled as the wolf drew closer, sides heaving and legs trembling from exhaustion and panic. The wolf was entirely white, even it's eyes. It gave off an ethereal glow. As it advanced, it's form changed.
A man with pure white skin, beard and hair, clad entirely in white furs and leathers stepped closer. His eyes bore through Egfor the stag with a chilling, piercing look.Egfor couldn't determine much about the man, though he did notice one eye of the mysterious man was missing.
The strange being lifted a bow and arrow formed from mist and light, drawing it, the point of the arrowhead pointed right at the stags forehead.
Egfor was too scared to even struggle at this point, accepting his fate. The mysterious hunter spoke, his voice was deep and guttural. Harsh yet warm at the same time. He said, "So the hunter has become the hunted. The wheel turns, the cycle continues." The celestial man suddenly fires his bow point blank.
Egfor woke with a start, grasping at his forehead, reaching for an arrow shaft that wasn't there. He lay there, gathering his wits and recollecting his mind for a moment. He takes in his surroundings, a few hours had passed, the sun had moved, leaving the clearing cold and dark now. His eyes catch movement, honing in. He watches a white wolf pick it's way through the bushes away from him. Egfor's heart leapt up into his throat, recalling vividly the terror the stag that was him in his dreams felt.
He sat there, motionless till the wolf was long gone. Finally he picked himself up. He gathered up his bow and arrows. He jumps nimbly over the creek, going to investigate where the wolf was. He crouched, fingers pushing apart vegetation, looking for tracks. He found none. Not far from where the wolf was, he noticed mushrooms though- He hesitates, pulling a bundle of small parchments he acquired from Caldelas for identifying mushrooms and herbs in the area. He mulled over it for a while, before determining they would be safe to it, picking them and putting them carefully in his bag. His hunt wasn't successful today, but at least the man could forage for tonights dinner, he put out a silent thanks to the strange wolf.
