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Ianto walked along the path from the house, across the field to the tree line. Jack had been true to his word, not just clearing it but it was paved with cobbles… harking back to Ianto's heritage and every time Ianto walked it he was touched by Jack's care.
He had a backpack, like he did most days when exploring the backblock of his property while the kids were at school. Jack was away on location for a few days, Gray had finally gone back to work so Ianto had the place to himself during the week days. He had no idea how much he owned, he had thought it was to the creek but he now knew, thanks to Jack's digging, that he actually owned past the creek to the far road and from two miles up the base of the mountain to the right of the house to the main road. It was a large area, no wonder Blue wanted to run his horses there. It was essentially a bloody plantation. Several locals had approached Ianto to ask about leasing some of the land for their stock, all surprised when he told them he would honour past agreements without haggling. The town was quickly changing their option of the previously thought stuffy, antisocial man. They all know considered him slightly eccentric and incredibly polite.
Ianto had never known a peace like this. A satisfaction from nature.
This was his thing. His jam. This.
He entered the undergrowth and walked confidently to the creek, then turned to walk towards the maintain. Apparently he owned about … half an acre of it on this side as well but he would never claim it. So beautiful. The babbling water was the only sound, other than the occasional crunch of his feet on the ground, or the dog racing through the underbrush like a mad thing.
After a long wander that didn't seem that long while enjoying the day, Ianto stopped at the base of the waterfall. He let his eyes travel up the pathway as it took a steep rise, turning into stones. Rocks, large felt rocks placed on the top of carved out sections. Whoever made this spent a long time and backbreaking care to create a staircase up the side of the falls.
Ianto slowly ascended, stopping at the top to look at the wonder before him.
The spring was up here, feeing the waterfall and creek below, the water current and not at all fast flowing. Frogs called to one another across the little lake that was formed, flowers and reeds in the water bobbing as the dappled water reflected the sunlight. there was a copse of trees, reaching for the water like a giraffe seeing a drink and Ianto walked that way with confidence, beyond it was a small grass dell.
He settled in the shade with his sketch pad and went to open it then changed his mind, instead lying on the grass to smell the freshness of it, listen to the world talking to itself as clouds meandered overhead.
He must have slept.
He woke to a soft snort and looked up at the sky to find it obscured by a huge head.
WOW
Ianto lay amazed and transfixed as a huge stag stood there looking down at him with interest, lowering it's huge head to sniff at his chest then pull back silently to examine gis face. A sixteen pointer at least. Ianto took the time to count the points as the amazing creature examined his him as well.
Eighteen.
Ianto felt that was rare.
The stag slowly walked to the water's edge and bent one leg as it knelt to drink, the large antlers almost touching the water. Ianto wondered idly if its colour was rare too. I mean … there must be other white deer but he had never see one before.
Snow white.
Its antlers pale and its muzzle pink. Ianto knew it must be albino or something but its eyes were black a night as it raised its head to swing and stare at him again. Then it rose to its full height, almost glowing in the sunlight and it lowered its head, like a bow.
Of course… it could not be. Ianto was being fanciful … it was probably smelling the flowers or something but it felt …it felt … regal.
Then it turned and walked into the trees like there it no big deal and it had to check something somewhere else.
Ianto slowly sat up and stared after the stag with wonder.
"Wow" he whispered to himself "Second time this week. And once last week. Spirit is moving in."
..
.
.
.
Ianto was still thinking about that stag he had named Spirit in his head, his sketches of it he had quickly done afterwards didn't seem right so he went to one of his unfinished tree line paintings and placed it on the easel. Yes.
He started with a steely grey base coat, building with white and creams to recreate the stag in all its glory as it now stands in front of the big tree, in the clearing by the pathway, its head high and nostrils open.
No fear.
Just power.
Ianto worked until the school bus called him downstairs to hungry children and he called it a day with the paint fumes.
Later in bed as the house creaked and settled for the night, he wondered if he had dreamt it.
The snow white stag bowing to him in the dell.
It had been so surreal. Beautiful and … soothing.
He could not wait to tell Jack.
Hopefully he sees the stag again.
Like a good omen.