Of the assembled deer, seventeen were stags aging from 1 year to 10 years of age.

Fourty-four hinds made up the other portion of the herd, consisting of females aged 1 year of age to 21. The eldest in the group were Currant at 18, Dranti at 15, Hajara at 20, Jewelweed at 19, Juniper at 16, Skyling at 13, Thalma at 21, and Vlar at 17.

Thirty new fawns had been born to the herd since their capture. Among the males born were Nightshade, Meditun, Eilik, Dandelion, Dipper, Hazel, Quaim, Wolf Eye, Diadem, Imperial, Jive, Malor, Vint, Tansil, Kintanese, and Zanfire. Among the females were Bria, Velvel, Arctic Fire, Flamelith, Vigdis, Silver Tail, Ivory, Metially, SwiftWater, Pricarri, Heather, Diamis, SplinterFur, and Oakberry. Several were hybridized. It would take a bit of testing to pick out the prominent fawns from the weaker ones.

The cheetah made forth into the herd lands, moving past the bears that so eagerly guarded them. Moving through the gate she walked to the group and smiled upon the prominent feast as well as the potential warriors. Of course, warriors that would never know their kin was being eaten. "Attention deer herd. We have seen that your children are growing and very prominent to be the next generation of Warriors for the Shadow Haunters. We have a little program we are going to have to put you into first." She said as Ghoul and Sacrifice made their ways up to her. Hazard and Temptation came up as well, just to observe.

Rasheetah continued "We need three seperate groups, the three eldest deer to move into one corner of the pin for analysis. The older fawns please step in another corner for age analysis and questions. Young please seperate into male and female groups for your friendly competitions."

As the groups were inticed to do as they were told, Rasheetah turned to the others and explained a few things. Whispering so only the hunters could hear. "The three oldest hinds are to come with us. Ghoul, Onslaught, question the oldest group of fawns for their thoughts on us. If they have any doubts on the Haunters, tell them they are coming with us to the "Big Pen" Explain to them that the big pen is a large open field with non trees and but a small pond to drink from. It is no fun to go there. Remember only after they have their doubts, -inform- them they are going to the Big Pen, No questions asked." With that she gave a nod and began to approach the hopefully divided young.

Ghoul moved off toward the older young, looking back for his brothers follow. And Sacrifice made her way to the elder deer.

Rasheetah approached and gave the children a humber bow of the head. "Hello children, my name is Rasheetah, I will eventually learn of your names, but now is not the time. The time now is to begin to decide who will be the stronger to move on to the Warrior herds, who will stay here and breed for the strong next generation, and who will move to the "Big Pen".

First- The Big Pen is a really boring place for young to go. A retirement for the old Stags and Hinds when they are done with their breeding ages and wish only for quiet and solitude. There is but a single tree, when it rains, you will get wet. To put it short. While you are young. Big Pen is not a good place to end up. And as punishment for losing the race, you will spend a year at the big pen." She said then waited for them to understand. Now, the two groups will start at one fence. She pointed to one fence far away. "And face to that rock." She pointed to a rock that was three football fields from the fence. "I will sit upon the rock when I thrash my tail you will run. Run as fast as you can for as long as you can. The last three from each group will meet with me to head to the Big Pen. The rest of you will rest up for the next challenge next week." She said then motioned for them to make their way to the fence. "Don't tire yourself out on the way there. Stay in your groups, and wait for my command.

As those moved over Sacrifice moved up to the three eldest hinds. Her dark hungry eyes hotly raking over them. "You know what is to come. You've known it since the day you breathed your first breath. You are to move to the Big Pen and wait for your day. But go with strength and not fear for you have served the world well, and the world has served you with life. Mother Gaia has given you much and you must give back to her, it is the way of the living. We will give you a while to recollect on your life. You will stay in the pen for a month or so. Then Gaia will take you back with open arms. The journey is long, but in the end, your mother will embrace you like she did the first day you stood on your own. Remember that." She said, calmly, she was not trying to frighten them, just remind them that this was the purpose they were born. They were born to be destroyed, such as everything else in the world. "Mind you, I will die with the same cruelty as you. At the jaws of a hunter. But my hunter will not need me as food. They will let me rot. To let my soul remain earth bound until the last of my flesh has dessolved, at least you go in Honor. I would rather be killed and eaten than killed and rotten." She said, true emotion coming from her, for she knew an animals death was to be dictated by another. And wolves did not eat wolves.

Ghoul moved upon his group. Looking to Onslaught. "We are here to ask you a simple question. What are your sights of the Haunters. We must know because we have been hearing rumors among the more... corrupt adults. We need to know what they have told you of us. Please." He said, eyes full of ginger spice. Looking intently on each and looking for signs of belief among those who spoke out. If they doubted the Haunters, they were to be taken away.

Finally, when all the young did as told. Rasheetah sat hugh upon the large rock with her tail firmly out to her right. Keen eyes watching the group that was far away. As she spotted that all were ready and waiting, her tail gave a quick thrash to her left side, the single to "go".

The older stags, crippled and weary still, could do little in defense of their herd. Their wounds had healed more or less, but their limbs were crippled and they were no longer fit for running or fighting. On top of this, their newly grown antlers were still velvetine and weren't quite hard enough to do much damage to their captors. And so, with resentful, brooding eyes, they watched in silence as the Haunters came and gave out orders.

The older hinds who fit into none of the three assigned groups, remained back with the stags. As much as they hated giving up their fawns, they knew that it would only cause trouble to try and stop them. Despite rampant fear and obvious mistrust of the Haunters, most of the hinds had resolved to the feeling that their fawns might get a better life if they cooperated.

Thalma stepped boldly out from the group, her old eyes looking back upon her fellow hinds before she limped towards the desginated corner. For the other hinds, there was distention. Jewelweed, a grey-muzzled Whitetail, was shying back from the group, muttering frightened words. Hajara, the second oldest in the herd, tried to comfort her friend, but Jewel was beyond that. When it seemed that they would have to drag Jewelweed to the corner, a fourth doe stepped forward. With a faint smile to the terrified whitetail, Currant took her place and joined Hajara as they met up with Thalma in the corner.

Together, the three old hinds stood shoulder to shoulder, facing down the wolf that spoke of their end. "The work of Imre shuns any likeness to the two-leggers." Thalma repied pointedly, head held high as she recited the laws of their own god and gave a spiteful glare to the fences that entrapped them. "When the Great Day comes, he will destroy your pack along with the two-leggers!"

Currant shuffled her hooves anxiously, hoping that the elder hind hadn't said too much. Religion in the herd was greatly split, and even for an old-timer like herself, she only half-believed the lore of Imre. Mother Gaia was one she found more truth in.

The new fawns of the year split up into their groups, awed by the sight of such a strange creature. When she spoke of the 'Big Pen', many of the younglings murmured in alarm, though they had no inkling of what it meant to be sent there. Not about to step out of line, the two groups filed off towards the rock, with the hinds on one side and the stags on the other. And when the signal was given, they were off.

The race was close at first, but as they neared the end of the run, the laggers were quickly pointed out. Dipper, a pale-spotted fallow, was the very last in the stag group. Not far ahead of him was Quaim, a small whitetail. And close to him was Tansil, a brightly colored Red deer. The three losers reluctantly grouped together as the other males playfully jested them, not fully understanding the seriousness of the situation. "I beat you!" Taunted Hazel, half brother to Dipper. The brother stuck his tongue out, "So! It's only cause I didn't feel like running fast." Dipper defened himself, obviously lying.

Among the hinds, Diamis, a Red-Whittail hybrid was the last to finish. Vigdis, a whitetail, and Bria, and fallow-whitetail cross, were the other two losers. Not so boisterous as the males, the three gloomily joined the male loosers as they placed themselves in front of Rasheetah and waited expectantly for what may be next.

Twenty-six 1 and 2 year olds formed the group that was being questioned for defectors. Of them, their expressions were varied - some fearful, some calm, some curious, and a few.... angry. Icefell, a whitetail hybrid was the first to speak out, "Some of us question why you are so weak as to confine your 'prey' like the lowly humans do." Standing beside her, Dag snorted in agreement, while most of the others looked on in awe that she would dare speak out. Truth be told, there were a few that saw the Haunters in a better light than most. The others weren't so foolish as to turn themselves in though.

Following closely behind Rasheetah and Sacrifice was Onslaught, in sync with Ghoul as they entered the deer pen. His icey yellow eyes scanned over the hooves creatures, and an amused smirk flickered across his face. Once orders had been assigned, he followed his brother towards the fawns, placing a humble but neutral expression on his face. He listened and watched in silence as multiple emotions rippled through the group. Icefell's comment surprised him, and he shot a look at Ghoul as if to say 'Got a mouth on it, that one'. He looked right into the eyes of Icefell, shaking his head slightly in disagreement. "This is for your own safety. You see without these fences predators who have ill intentions could come in and hurt you, and your dad's wouldn't be able to protect you as they aren't very well. We do not wish any of you any harm, what good would that do us? No, this is for your benefit." He then began to look over the gathered young, "So, Are there any other views of us, Be they good or bad?" He then looked over to Ghoul once more, prompting him to say something else that could help.

Enshalla followed the group to the deer herd. She sat on the other side of the fence and waited until she was given orders. She would gladly help out when help is needed. Just looking at the deer made her hungry.

Sacrifice had been there when the group was first captured, looking over the older deer with a truthful look. “Then, until that day, Imre has been offering you to hunters just as trees bear their fruit for prey. You cannot deny the fate life has bestowed upon you, no matter who you believe in. Gaia is my mother Imre is your father, together they rule but offer all the same. Life, and death, and I would hope you would be old enough to take that into thought.” She said with a strong brow. Not raising her voice, not lowering it to a hiss. She simply spoke it as if teaching the deer.

As the races finished she nodded to the group. “Follow” She said then turned and made way for the gate. Leading the hinds toward it. There Hazard and Tempation began to gather to help corral them and lead them; each of the pups giving a nod to the tigress. “I think we are going to lead them to the temple. There aren’t enough of us to carry them all.” Hazard said, even as a growing pup, he was learning the ways quickly.

Rasheetah watched and smiled to the winners, bowing her head to the top three males and females. “You have won this round: you are looking promising for being our Warrior Stags, Warrior Breeders You will be the most well respected deer in the land if you win. And I don’t mean just for the rest of plant eaters and deer. But even the most vile meat eaters will grow to respect your every move.” She said, trying to feed their ego. Then she turned to the disappointed losers. “Now, now, it’ll only be for a year and then you will return with the rest of your family. cheer up.” She said with a smile, and then nodded for them to follow. Leading them up to the gate with the elder hinds.

Ghoul was still new at this, but his emotions had been trained to keep under wraps. “You are not our prey. You are but simple breeders to create the next generation of fighters. Look over there.” He said then pointed to the winning stags. “They have the potential to join us in times of war: To fight along side us and be respected by all in the land. And who would be more respected than their own parents. That is why you are still here. It is a give and take situation. Learn this: life is all give and take. We give you the protection you need from those who hunt you, and in return your strongest stags will help us in times of war. Breeding females only have to stay and eat and play and socialize with no fears for their life. You are safe here, we aren’t to harm you in any way.” His expression softened, tail swaying a bit for comfort. “Don’t be afraid, who truly assumes we are the bad guys? I would like to show your our style of living. Our own pups shall be treated just as you are treated. And we hold our defenseless in high regards for the potential they posses, each and every one of you posses greatness, strength, a structure that could balance the whole world in favor to you.” He spoke, trying to entice the non-believers to follow him.

He watched for the littlest of movement in uneasiness. Pulling out all those who revealed they had some doubt. Then spoke with them gently so the others wont hear. “Come with me, I must show you a sight you will love. It was constructed and abandoned by alligators but make the land look beautiful. It is where we live, I want to show you that we are not bad creatures; I promise this to you. And when you realize we are not, I will give you a treat. We have been told where the rest of your herd is and plan on moving you there in small groups so that you wont be a big target. We hear they miss you but we have yet to come into contact with them. Only our birds have spotted them.” He said, trying to persuade them with family. Then moving over to the gate he began to try and file those selected out.

Quickly they were greeted by Hazard and Temptation with wagging tails and smiles. “Hello My name is Hazard.” “And mine is Temptation, what is your names?” The adolescents asked the six losers playfully. Knowing they had to part-take in the act for this thing to work.

As the group started off they actually headed straight for the Ruins, though would not enter the vicinity. The deer would not enter the land alive.

Head held high still, Thalma refused to give into the teaching. "Blasphemy" She snorted, though followed after the wolf. Currant and Hajara kept quiet as they filed after Sacrifice, secretly worried for the eldest hind. They could only hope the Haunters would be merciful in their killings, despite her rebellion.

Of the defectors, five in all were escorted out. Dag, Valence, and Northcrest of the stags, and Icefell and Lavender of the hinds. The other defectors that may be in the group were either too wise to speak their thoughts, or to frightened. "Alligators? You really are a mix-up bunch." Icefell replied with disdain giving a disgusted shake of her head. Northcrest stood near Valence, looking hesitantly to Ice as she continued to run her mouth. He wanted to keep her quite for her own safety, but felt that speaking out was too risky at the moment. Resolved to keeping his own mouth shut, he traveled with the group of five as they headed out of the pen.

Nightshade, Wolf Eye, Diadem, Arctic Fire, SplinterFur, and SwiftWater were among the top six of racing group, and happily soaked in the praise that was given to them, while the losers followed Rasheetah out, slightly encouraged by her words. When they were greeted by the wolves outside of the pen, the six losers quickly lightened up, and each gave out their names enthusiastically. Apparently not noticing the forlorn, apprehensive look of the elder hinds, or the less than happy personas of the older fawns, the younger ones talked happily on their way to the Ruins.