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There was a time in every Herla's life when something extraordinary happened. Sometimes it was an adventure. Other times meeting a new friend or discovering something new. Or perhaps even meeting that special someone and settling down. Each had his or hers own destiny. Abided not by some winding road another had made, but with the fate they themselves had created. Yet, this fate would not be shown until the time came. Who knows, many that fate was right around the next sandbank?

It was true Ahote had always believed such things, his mother the ever caring yet hopefully mare she was. She would tell them stories of how they should follow their hearts and not to let fear get in the way. Much as it had happened to herself. Having meet their father, only to be breed by him and then left. Leaving her to raise three young Herla's into adulthood. She had not been a bad mother, but did always seem to have a weakness with in her. With no mate to protect herself and her children, it did not come as a surprise that her eldest, and only son, had stepped up as protector to their small herd.

Ahote had never once shown fear in his life. Every since he was a fawn, the male had pushed boundaries, faced dangers, and come out victorious every time. His stance was always composed, seeming more as if a prince rather than a b*****d son. His looks seemed cold and stand offish, always clipped with others and to the point. Many called him ' The Enduring Red' due to his attitude and protectiveness of his mother and sisters. Willing to endure any being or element to see to their safety.

But what many did not know was of the softness with in his heart. Only his mother and sisters have seen the blazing fire turn into a warm and caring ember. How hr would speak kindly and with understanding towards his two younger sisters, offering support for their distressed mother. It was a content life, full of the same routine and feelings. But was this to last forever?

Such a question was running through the fully grown Male Herla's head as he patrolled the boundaries he and his family had established. By no means were they hostile towards other Herla, but there were other such dangers they needed to be aware of while they lived here in the Delta. His cloak shifted with each step of his long strong legs, toned from the routine runs he would take with his sisters or the occasional male friend. Other females besides his mother and sisters never have really interested him. Sure a fee tried to make friend with him, but he always gave them anything else besides directions or the time. He had no time for girls.

Still so young and anti-social towards other, he did not quite understand the concept yet of females. Hopefully one day it would get through that thick head of his.

Ahote stopped at the Willow River, bending his head to lap at the fresh mountain water. Well, it was not quite clean, but good enough for his kind. His eyes stayed open, keeping an eye open for any danger. When none presented themselves, the red Herla straightened himself back up and went on his way.

On his way back towards where he and his family bedded, Ahote stopped at a bed of blooming roses. Giving a rare, very small, smile, he bent down to smell them and nudged the petals softly with his nose. His mother had given him the very seeds this had grown from. She adored many flowers, and just as so sis her children. Ahote had quickly taken to roses, adoring their beauty yet sharp pricks. True he had breed the thorns now from them, but he still adored to see wild ones. Using the tip of his hood, he placed abit more soil on the plants. Using the advantage of the delta to be able to grow them so big and beautifully. Fakes ones adorned his body though, unable to even think of uprooting one of his 'Children'. They smelt like the flowers, but able to stand the wear and tear of his many runs through the thickets.

His stomach gave a growl, making the male Herla remember he had not eaten this morning. Wishing his children a good-bye, Ahote went off to find a good place to graze upon.

Ahote traveled back along a smaller stream as he looked for a nice spot to graze upon the grass. He knew of a small place not far from where he was. One of the perks of being born in this place. His eyes stayed peeled for any Ghavilas, knowing that despite their massive size they were quick and sneaky. The male herla stopped in his tracks as he heard a loud splash come from up stream. Frowning, Ahote wondered just what that could be?

With swift strides, he walked silently over the soft ground. Taking care not to step on any twigs. As he got closer, it was obviously not a Ghavilas by the way it splashed. More as if a young fawn rather then an agile predator or weary adult. The male gave a soft snort of annoyance, thinking this must have been a young one to go splashing so loudly as it did. Practically ringing the dinner bell for any hungry predator for a half a mile. Coming to the forest's edge, Ahote stood there as he stares at a very odd sight.

The Herla that lived around here were all relevantly short furred like himself, a few having fur on their hooves but never this much. She was caked in mud and clay, eating on cattails as she sat there practically by the edge. He wondered how she would look without all that mud, for right now she looked like one heck of a mess.

"Yes, but you on the other hand need a good scrubbing miss." Ahote spoke up, making what one could be a joke sound very blunt and obvious. He walked a little closer to the strange new Herla, head tilted ever so slightly as he tried to male head or tails of this.

"If I might be so bold to ask, aren't you sort of a long way from home? We don't get many Herla's with fur down here." True he had heard of great wooly Herla's that lived in the mountains. Able to tolerate freezing levels of cold and snow. They would have lots of fur, but was this one? She had allot of fur yes, but not enough to be considered 'wooly'.

Ahote gave a puzzled look as the female dropped her cattail, scrambling back as if approached by some dangerous beast. Well, keep that up and she was bound to meet the threats in these parts. Looking up and down the river, he waded into the water where patches of cattails grew. More skilled at eating the watery treats, the male snapped their stems and motioned for the female to follow him out. Walking a few feet from the edge, he placed them down on a patch of grass as so they would not become dirty.

"Very well, if that is what you believe. Just reframe from making too much noise in or near the water. The Ghavilas are nasty in these parts." He gave her a fair warning, unsure if she knew yet of the dangers that lived in the delta. It was then a new sight caught his eye. A silver bell hanging from her neck, rattling with each move she made. Was she trying to get herself eaten? Then, that was when he remembered his manners. Standing up straight and ears perked forward, he placed one leg forward and bowed his head. His brown draping rustling as he did.

"Excuse my rudeness, my name is Ahote. It's a pleasure to meet you miss...?" Said male trailed off, coming back up and awaiting her answer. If there was one thing his mother would leave him with, it would be how to be polite. Sure he believed her to be an idiot, but Ahote was was quite good at keeping things like that to himself.

Ahote watched as the female cloped her way out, shaking the dirt as she did. Hopefully it would come out. If not, he was sure they could find a way to. He smiled as she said her name was Collete. It was a pretty name, but odd for these parts. She must have defiantly not been from around here.

"Yes, I would advise you stay away from them unless you wish to lose a limb." The male joked, but in all seriousness was warning her. They were dangerous things. "Are you from the mountains by chance?" he asked with a curious tone. Having never left the delta and swamps, he knew not what lay beyond the mountains. They looked cold and harsh, yet weren't the deltas as much?