Chapter Text
Dutch carefully picked his way down the path, back to where he had left The Count to graze hidden from sight. He patted the beast's neck, offering a few muttered words of affection.
Dutch didn't so much as falter as a glorious golden stag rose from its place curled in the grass, stretching as it stood. Watching. Waiting. Its flaxen fur swayed in the slowly dying sunlight, antlers casting strange, twisting shadows against The Count's gleaming hide. Its eyes, bright blue, like Dutch had only seen once before, bore into him, its hoof stamping into the dirt in warning.
Dutch smiled gently, swinging his leg over the saddle and coaxing The Count into a slow walk.
The stag followed, keeping pace.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Dutch said, his voice low and steady, “I— I promise, even if it kills me, I’ll make sure that boy and his family make it. I can at least do that.”
The stag snorted loudly beside him, tossing its head.
“— so you can stop being such a busybody. I can handle it from here. Go rest, you’ve earned it.”
Dutch knew the stag had gone, but couldn’t bear to look at the space it had left behind.
“Happy birthday, Arthur”.