The deer master stands tall and calm, antlers gleaming in the filtered light. His apprentice, a young, wide-eyed deer, watches in silent anticipation. "Pay close attention, apprentice. What you learn today will serve you well," he instructs, his tone both grave and instructive.
The deer master gathers the blue dust and stands before the cages. "Observe how nature can be both weapon and shield," he murmurs, gently blowing the dust into the wolves’ faces. Almost instantly, the wolves' snarls fade, replaced by placid, vacant stares.
"We must move swiftly," the master says, urgency in his voice. Together, the two deer work quickly, shaving the wolves’ coarse fur and tying them securely to a sturdy iron spit set over a prepared fire pit.
The deer master begins to lecture his apprentice in a low, focused voice. "The secret is in the basting. Keep the herbs fresh and the heat steady. This is how you achieve tenderness," he explains, turning the spit with measured precision. The wolves’ struggles grow feeble as the heat envelops them.
"You did well today. Remember, mastery comes not only from skill, but from understanding the balance of power in the wild," the master deer says, carving slices for his apprentice. The young deer nods, savoring the meal, the lessons of the day lingering on his tongue.
"One day, you will teach others as I have taught you," the master deer says quietly, his silhouette noble against the night. The apprentice feels the weight of wisdom passed down, ready to embrace the legacy of the forest.
