Sambar Deer in Dover Forest

It began as rhythmic thumping, slowly growing louder and nearer. Reports from the advance sentries had reached the herd. But there was barely any time to understand the message before it was drowned out by the very subject of the message — a distant rumbling that appeared to be drawing closer.

They had known that this day would come, of course. The agreement had been for the herd to have use of the Dover Glen for ninety nine years, and this was the final day.

All members of the herd had grown up in the Glen. The ground was cool and soft under their hooves, and the cool breeze flowing through the vegetation had a hint of trampled grass and soil.

From the occasional sightings and skirmishes over the years, the herd had some knowledge of the human tribe. The members of the tribe appeared to spend much of their time building and staying in large concrete forests, and it seemed inevitable that the Glen would be assimilated into the concrete landscape.

The rumbling grew louder. By now, most of the herd had retreated eastwards, away from the rumbling. There was no other choice. Only a handful of sentries remained discreetly hidden in the glade, looking forlornly at their surroundings, and both brave and curious enough to hope to catch a glimpse of the arriving tribe.

The rumbling was almost upon them when it abruptly stopped. The sentries hesitantly lifted their heads, vegetation still clinging to their antlers. Nothing. There was nothing in sight, and nothing within earshot either.

They crept forward towards the source of the earlier rumbling. Nothing either. The tribe had not shown, or had been thwarted in some way.

Subsequent reports would confirm the latter. For reasons unknown, all tribe activity had ground to a halt and there was no trace of any tribe members. Although the concrete forests continued to stand, the loud noises of construction or the rumbling of tribal activity had ceased. The herd returned to the Glen with mixed feelings of relief and trepidation — what had happened? Would it happen again? And what changes were to come?