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“Nay! Nay! Don’t kill him!”Sky screamed, waving her hands at a group of warriors as she ran to place herself in front of a massive stag that snorted and pounded the ground with his hoof.

“Get away from him.”

“He will kill you.”

“Are you insane!”

“He’ll make a fine feast.”

“You will not kill him!” Sky commanded with a strength that surprised her.

“What are you doing, woman?” Slayer shouted when he caught sight of Sky shielding a stag from his men, whose arrows were ready to take down the majestic beast.

The stage snorted and held his head high as if warning them off with his impressive set of antlers that could easily spear a person. He let loose with a rougher snort that echoed throughout the surrounding forest, a primal warning that reverberated, deterring anyone from getting too close. The stag’s entire demeanor conveyed a readiness to charge at the slightest provocation and in front of him, dwarfed by the creature, stood his wife bravely yet foolishly defending him.

“What are you doing?” Slayer demanded. “Move away from him.”

“Nay!” she shouted. “Something troubles him. He searches for help.” She turned to face the stag.

Slayer, stunned that she disobeyed him, wanted to rush at her and pull her out of harm’s way, but knew the stag could grow alarmed and lash out at Sky.

All that was presently left to him was to shout, “Stay away!”

Sky took slow steps toward the stag and when their eyes met a silent understanding seemed to pass between them.

“Keep your arrows ready,” Slayer commanded.

Sky’s hand shot up in protest, not taking her eyes off the stage. “Nay! Do not hurt him. He needs help.” She spoke gently to the stag. “I can help you. Show me what troubles you.”

The stag responded with a bob of his head, snorted, turned, and bolted into the woods. Sky, undeterred, followed him, her movements swift and agile.

Slayer shook his head and released several oaths as he ran after her. She had not given a moment’s thought to her own safety. Her only thought was for the stag. He did not bother to call for Ross and his men to follow him. They would do so without being told.

Sky’s speed and agility surprised him. She kept a good pace ahead of him and did not stop until the stag did, not far from the stream. The stag protested when Slayer drew near, pounding the earth with one hoof and snorting.

“Stay back. Your annoyance threatens him,” Sky called out in warning. “He protects his mate. She requires help.”

Slayer could understand the stag’s protest since he was as riled as the magnificent beast in his worry over Sky and the dangerous situation she had placed herself in. He raised his hand to bring his warriors, who were close behind him to an abrupt halt. He could not see what Sky was doing but he did hear the cries of an animal in distress, the stag’s mate, and the reason for his upset.

“Easy love, I am here to help you,” Sky said gently, realizing it was the doe from the other day and she reminded the animal of that. “Remember me? We shared berries off the same bush. I am a friend. You can trust me. I will not harm you.” She continued talking in a soothing tone and with great care crouched down beside the doe. She was in the throes of delivering her fawn but there appeared to be a problem.

Slayer was ready to call out to his wife, not seeing her or hearing any movement but a hand clamped down on his shoulder stopping him.

“I would wait. That stag looks ready to charge,” Ross warned.

Sky’s head finally popped up above the bushes and she rushed a look at Slayer. “His mate is having difficulty delivering their fawn. I am going to help her. I have done it before, worry not and I trust you to not harm the stag.”

She disappeared before Slayer could respond and he did something he never expected he would do. Because it was the wisest thing for him to do or because she placed her trust in him to do so, he could not be sure. But whatever the reason, he ordered his warriors not to harm the stag in a tone that warned of dire punishment if someone thought to disobey him, not that that was likely.

“This will only add to the gossiping tongues,” Ross warned.

Slayer ignored him, though knew he was right. This was not going to help Sky to be accepted by his clan.

Sky kept her mind on the task at hand. She had been lucky to have witnessed several does giving birth and had helped two who had had difficulty, the fawns having twisted during delivery and gotten stuck. That was the problem now.

She kept a soft voice as she stroked the doe’s head. “With a little help your fawn will be born soon.”