Brechin

**Brechin,** also known as **Captain Brechin**, is a red deer and a captain of the Outriders in the Home Herd.

## Appearance

Brechin is a red deer with thick fur that looks russet and gold in the dying sunlight. He has a pair of huge  ragged antlers rearing into the sky like coral or the branches of a winter oak. His antlers are defined as royal, with twelve spikes or tines. They have two brow tines flayed out like curved daggers. Above them, the bez tines are slightly smaller, and further up the beams, the trez tines rise larger again, before the antlers flower into high cups.  He has a series of cuts and wounds on his sides and haunches from innumerable battles, and a livid scar running from the bottom of his neck to the base of his spine.

NOTE: On page 3, Brechin's antlers are described to be covered in downy gray summer velvet. This state of his antlers is not permanent, as they would shed the velvet.

## Summary

Brechin is a captain of the Outriders in the Home Herd. He is experienced, a veteran of countless battles, and climbed the ranks of the herd due to his sight, smell, and sense. He is said to be the greatest fighter in the herd. He is a proud and very respected Outrider, and a soldier who prefers not to get involved with the politics of the herd. However as Sgorr begins trying to control the Outriders, and the Draila is formed, Brechin begins openly opposing Drail and Sgorr's changes.

He is unusually fond of one of his hinds, Eloin, and is concerned about her being the last to give birth. He is summoned to an unexpected council meeting, where Drail announces he will be abolishing Anlach, and reveals he has lured Brechin into a trap to defeat the Outriders. Brechin sends Bandach to warn Eloin and his calf, fearing what will happen to them when he is gone. Brechin fights bravely for his life, but is killed by eleven Draila on a hill by the Home Oak.

## Story

Brechin is grazing in the meadow. He is noted to have spent many years in the Corps, experienced, and a veteran of countless battles. His sight, smell, and sense took him very quickly up the ranks of the herd. He suddenly detects he's being watched and angrily demands the spy show himself. He relaxes a bit when Bandach presents himself. The youngster promises he is not spying, but brings a message from Drail; that he has summoned the council to meet at Larn. Brechin initially refuses to go, but aware of the consequences that might await Bandach for the message, tells him to give Drail his apologies and that he'll come when he can.

Brechin goes to the Home Valley, where he observes the herd. He spots a hind who was in his harem two seasons before, and one of his own calves, whose first head of antlers are coming in. Brechin does not even know his name, but notes that it's only right for them to be distant while the calf is with his mother. When he carries his second or third head of antlers, Brechin notes he'll get to know him properly and start teaching him the ways of the Outrider. Brechin feels a powerful protective instinct as he sees his fellow Outriders; Greyneck, Crinnan, and Tarn.  He greets Straloch and Spey, who were unaware of any council meeting, confirming Brechin's suspicions. He asks them to stay and keep watch, and then observes Corps members heading to the Home Oak. He sadly states that Drail and Sgorr are only breeding hatred, cruelty, and fear in the herd.

He then goes to see Eloin, who is expected to give birth soon. She mated with Brechin late the previous winter. Her pregnancy is unusually long, and she is one of the last hinds to drop her fawn. Brechin knows this is dangerous for both her and the fawn. His concern and affection toward Eloin confuse him, as red deer often separate after mating. Brechin's strength and prowess won him seven hinds last autumn, though he is especially fond of Eloin. Non-traditionally, he did not need to win her in The Rut. Occasionally a brave hind will attempt to choose a mate for herself. Eloin padded up to Brechin, and without even lowering her head, touched the base of both his antlers with her muzzle. He simply nuzzled her in return and walked away together. All agreed that their mating was made by Herne.

Brechin licks Eloin to awake her, urging her to rest and be strong. Eloin informs him that she will be the last to calve. When he tells her of the council meeting, she urges him to be careful, aware of Drail's jealousy. Brechin promises he will, and when he returns, won't leave her until she has calved. As he leaves, he asks Bhreac to watch Eloin.

Brechin is noted to be the greatest fighter in the Home Herd. He never had any ambitions towards the lordship of the herd, but recently has been pushed further and further to challenging Drail’s authority. He distrusted Sgorr from the outset, could see he was clever and immediately opposed his entry into the herd.  He is a soldier and an outrider first and prefers not to get involved in the politics of the Home Herd. Only when Sgorr sought control of the Outriders too did Brechin show open opposition. With the other captains he fought to stop Drail forcing members of the Draila on the Outriders. Drail responded by sending the outriders to roam further and further afield on increasingly dangerous and unnecessary scouting expeditions. The Outriders had lost 6 members since the spring. One taken by wolves, 3 killed by men, 2 vanished without a trace, including Brechin’s brother, Whitefoot.

When Brechin nears the Home Oak, he finds Blindweed telling the story of Starbuck and the stolen antlers to some fawns. He remembers spending many cold nights sitting at Blindweed's feet, listening to the stories. Brechin listens to the story and The Prophecy. When Lychen asks Brechin if the Prophecy is true, Brechin responds that there is more truth in Blindweed's stories than in many hearts of stags. After the fawns leave, Brechin and Blindweed gravely discuss the changes in the low lands, and how important the Lore is. Brechin is glad to have seen him, for tonight it is the Lore he will need.

When Brechin reaches the Home Oak, he is met by Narl and three other Draila. They exchange greetings with little respect, and Narl tells him Lord Drail has something to tell him. Brechin would have charged Narl if not for his desire to know what the meeting is about, and rushes past the Draila. Below the Home Oak, Drail is displeased with him for arriving late to a Council Meeting. Brechin points out that a meeting can only take place when all Outrider captains are present. Sgorr says he can represent the other captains, as they see him as their Lord, to which Brechin responds that they are equals.

Drail is angry with Brechin's disrespect and announces that he will be abolishing Anlach. Brechin is shocked and in disbelief, and argues that they can't, it is against all the laws of Herne. He calls Sgorr a fool and urges the younger stags to listen to him, that Drail has gone mad. Suddenly lines of Draila surround Brechin. He shouts that the Outriders will never accept this. Sgorr says that Lord Drail was coming on to that, as the Draila begin attacking the Outriders.

Brechin fights his way to higher ground, where Bandach appears to help fight for the Outriders. Ten or Twelve Draila race toward them, and while Bandach wants to fight, knowing they mean to kill Brechin, Brechin tells him to go warn Eloin, fearing what Sgorr will do to his calf, and Drail will try to take Eloin when he is gone. Bandach protests, but then agrees. He wishes that Herne be with him, and Brechin returns the words.

On the hill, Brechin is circled by eleven stags, Narl at the front most. Bandach watches Brechin fight for his life, five times fighting off the circle, but on the sixth charge, two Draila succeed in impaling his haunches and flanks. Brechin falls to the ground and tries to stagger to his feet, but his head drops, and he lets out a last bellow of pain before he dies.

Drail goes to Brechin's body and hooks his antlers with his, lifting his head off the ground. He then turns and kicks Brechin, snapping one of his antlers in half. As Salen dies, knowing the other Outriders are dead, he asks about Brechin, and Bandach hesitates before lying that he saw Brechin escape over the hills. Salen is sighs, stating he knew they'd never take Brechin, and feels there is at least some hope.

## Trivia

* Brechin's bloodline is said to run strongly in the herd. One of his fawns, a male, is seen with his mother.

#### References

1. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 5
2. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 5
3. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 3
4. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 3
5. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 11
6. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 98
7. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 8
8. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 16
9. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 36
10. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 26
11. ↑ Fire Bringer, pg 3
12. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 4
13. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 1-7
14. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 8
15. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 9-10
16. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 11
17. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 14-16
18. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 16
19. ↑ Fire Bringer, pages 21-27
20. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 8