The boy froze when he saw the god.
Behind him in the woods, the rite had already begun. The path up from the circle wound through the trees. That's why he didn't see him until he was nearly upon him.
There, seated on the ground between the two tall stones that mark the head of the path.
Waiting. Watching.
His antlers seemed to touch the trees.
Brown eyes meet green.
The boy wanted to turn and run. He also wanted to stroke the velvet of that muzzle.
The god extends his hand. After a moment, the boy takes it.
The god smiles. Strength to strength.
He nods, and the boy passes around and behind him.
Between the stones.
July 2016