bovidaeloony

Jasper's mother had always been a bit of an odd duck. She loosely spent time with a number of large herds but never became a real core member. It wasn't until Jasper was older that he learned some of her beliefs weren't common among Rukaan. After heeding the call of the Runewood, Jasper had journeyed south and joined the Esplanade herd. It wasn't a strong attachment, but it felt right enough. Adele was there, and the pragmatic doe had become the closest friend in his life. His loyalty really lay with Adele and not with Esplanade or the unicorns and their constant conflicts, but no one ever asked so he supposed it didn't matter. The Esplanade herd found Jasper to be a bit of an odd duck too. He didn't act very stag-like, being quiet and prone to daydreaming with a lazy smile on his face. He didn't puff and bluster and start fights, or get territorial. And he spent a great amount of time down by the river or the shore when their unicorn overlords didn't have him running around after

Robin and Gentry found themselves on the road again. Gentry needed to confront one of his suppliers about a decrease in the quality of product he was being sent in a manner that allowed for more nuance and negotiation than a strongly worded letter. Robin was taking advantage of the many holidays afforded to him by the academic calendar and was tagging along. You never knew, it could be an opportunity for research. He'd brought Eikitre along, just in case. The stag had proven valuable as not just a carrier of their excess bags but also a great traveling companion and occasional guard dog. This time they were headed east, through some swampy terrain. The road was really more of a trail- beaten by those who came this way but not leveled or patrolled or suitable for wagon traffic. Robin and Eikitre were served well by their light frames and hooves, while Gentry mired in the slightest bit of mud. Robin could see his impulse to never complain clashing with his impulse to always look his

"What are you doing here?" Svardagi barked at the moose. Like before, she was standing a ways off and pointedly ignoring him. Munching on twigs. Just existing. She was hard to ignore. She was a giant. Svardagi had to acknowledge that she wasn't actually doing anything that should bother him. She just kept being where he happened to be. He didn't expect a response and he didn't get one. Sighing, he looked up at Yggdrasil. The massive world tree had seen better days. Her normally colorful bark was turning grey and dry. Her limbs sagged and dropped their leaves. Winter cold was seeping the life from her. "I don't have time to deal with you," Svardagi told the moose. "I have to go look for my father." Harald had set out some time ago to investigate Yggdrasil's condition and he hadn't come back. Svardagi wasn't worried, really- his sire could take care of himself and was a born wanderer- but he was also worried about the tree. "Eikthyrnir was the guardian of the doors of Valhalla