BONUS CLIVE CHAPTER
Alternative POV
Winter made the forest quiet. It also made nutrition more difficult.
It demanded sacrifices from all creatures.
Gone were the tender shoots of spring, the lily pads of summer, and the delicious leaves of autumn.
Pie remained my first choice, but its availability also declined when the days got short.
So I soldiered on, my consumption limited to bark, twigs, and pine needles. My impressive antlers and robust coat would suffer come springtime mating season if I did not secure salt and other various nutrients.
Thankfully, the humans spread it liberally around the areas they frequented, so I headed toward the pond.
It felt so empty, so desolate. What felt like yesterday, Little Fern had taken her first wobbly steps near this shore. Marsh Queen had insisted I remain several body lengths away to allow the calf independence.
I had disagreed. Young creatures required constant vigilance. Especially Clive’s first calf. She was so small and loved to wander.
Marsh Queen had chastised me for hovering.
Earlier, Healing Female and Friendly Beard had been moving rapidly across the frozen pond using narrow metal foot devices.
Humans were rarely sensible, but I applauded the efforts to rectify their embarrassing physical disadvantages. Not every creature was born with strong legs and hooves.
Healing Female was my favorite human. Predictable, competent, and elevated in status. She tended to the sick and wounded of the human herd. A place, I assumed, of great honor.
She frequently visited my lake after sunset, collecting smooth stones and launching them into the water with impressive strength. She didn’t disturb wildlife and never seemed scared of anything. Since she had arrived, she had become part of the ecosystem.
I failed to understand her throwing ritual. Seemed silly, really. But humans occasionally required strange habits to maintain their emotional equilibrium.
She used to be alone, but recently, Friendly Beard had started hanging around. Probably sniffing around for a mate.
He possessed many admirable qualities. He was quite large, the largest of the Beard Brothers, and enthusiastic. He was never grumpy, but unfortunately, he seemed to have the impulse control of a raccoon.
Healing Female could do better.
Walking through the clearing, I inspected the moon. Oftentimes I wondered if I should set out in search of new territory.
Marsh Queen thought so. The northern wetlands offered quieter winters, fewer roads, fewer humans, and more resources. Better for Little Fern to explore on her own.
Our discussions about this arrangement had been… spirited.
It figured that Clive would pick a mate who constantly challenged and refused to listen.
But my place in this forest was so beautiful. While many moose stayed far away from the humans, I found them fascinating. And entertaining.
My Little Fern had inherited Marsh Queen’s curiosity and my confidence. It was a concerning combination and required constant supervision.
If I wasn’t careful, she’d break into Pie Witch’s diner by spring thaw.
Marsh Queen called this healthy development. I called it a security risk.
Night settled, and I wandered freely. Most humans retreated to their dens in the dark. With their poor night vision and lack of insulating fur, this was a sensible choice.
As I continued my journey, I discovered that Healing Female’s migration vehicle remained near the pond, in the small area near the road.
Curious.
The scent reached me first. Salt. Road salt. Strong, enticing, and filled with the minerals I’d been craving. It wasn’t pie, but it would do.
Trotting toward the vehicle, I caught another scent. Healing Female.
This warranted investigation.
And possibly salt acquisition.
As I approached, the vehicle began to rock rhythmically despite its lack of migration. I became concerned. Was a creature trapped? Sometimes it happened in winter.
Then the strange sounds began, and they all came from the vehicle.
Healing Female was inside. And she sounded distressed.
And Friendly Beard. Was he very tired?
Typical humans, putting their lives in danger by not respecting the hardships of winter.
Now I’d have to rescue them.
I got closer, nosing the glass.
Ooh, salt. I stole a quick lick.
The outside of the vehicle was covered in a dense coating. It was mixed with sand, but it wasn’t so bad.
Healing Female shrieked, startling me.
Friendly Beard made aggressive noises.
Yet neither exited.
Fortunately, the door provided significant salt. I stole another lick while evaluating the human safety situation.
Eventually. I pushed on the migration vehicle. Not too hard, just enough to rock it and get their attention. But I had miscalculated, because Friendly Beard’s distress intensified.
Then Healing Female began to laugh.
Huh. The humans were exhibiting mixed signals.
Healing Female placed her hand on Friendly Beard’s face. He relaxed almost immediately.
Ah. I understood. A bonded pair.
Sweet, but Friendly Beard displayed unusual possessiveness regarding Healing Female. He should watch himself. Females did not enjoy when males tried to exert ownership. I’d learned that lesson the hard way with Marsh Queen.
My position on protecting Little Fern and Marsh Queen, tracking their movements at all times and maintaining constant vigilance, was not appreciated often. Females required independence.
Healing Female was at the top of her species.
He shouldn’t make things unnecessarily complicated for her.
She deserved an excellent mate. She cared for the herd, mended their injuries, collected stones, and sat quietly beneath the stars.
It pleased me that she had found companionship, even if he was exhibiting sub-optimal territorial behaviors presently.
Perhaps it was best for me to step away.
But first, I couldn’t let this road salt go to waste. I focused on my task, and the crystals dissolved on my tongue, triggering a sense of relief. Nutrients acquired. Antlers were safe. For today.
Friendly Beard relaxed and Healing Female smiled.
I supposed the migration vehicle was not in danger after all.
Having gotten my fill, I stepped back into the trees.
Healing Female was safe. Friendly Beard was dramatic but still very large.
Winter in Maine tested every creature differently.
Marsh Queen and Little Fern would be back in the spring. Couldn’t let myself go now.
Salt wasn’t my first choice.
But at least it would keep me alive until pie season.