Cairn

**Cairn**, the brother of Stonecrop and former mate to Rebecca.

Spoiler warningThis article contains detailed information about the *Duncton* series. Please read with caution if you do not want the story spoiled for you!

## History

### Duncton Wood

#### Part One: Duncton Wood

Cairn and Stonecrop are both seen by Rebecca, playing, mock-fighting and having fun. She intervenes and plays with them, flirting and getting to know them, particularly Cairn. After getting to know each other, Stonecrop leaves the scene, asking Rebecca to look after him as he had loved him. Soon, the two were in the binds of love, and eventual mating.

Rune had appeared as he had been looking for Rebecca, scenting the air for her until he found her... along with Cairn. He stretched out his talons with a smile, ready to kill. Showing his face, Rebecca warned Cairn but he laughed at Rune mockingly—the males had swiftly locked in a ferocious battle. Fur on fur, talons on talons, fighting for Rebecca.

Rain began to pour as the fight eased down. Rune was luring Cairn into the Westside and away from Rebecca, hoping Mandrake would deal the killing blow.

#### Part Two: Rebecca

Cairn chased Rune and eventually, common sense gave way as the trees oppressed him. His brother's words rang in his ears, *"Never leave a fight half fought,",* which Cairn took that it was best to kill opponents than let them live and remain a threat. It was true that Rune was not nearly finished with the fight. And then it was, that he turned back to find Rebecca. He had been lost in the woods for hours, trying to find his way to the Pastures. When the rain lifted, his senses cleared and he began to call Rebecca's name, and so it was, that she was gone. He waited in the old burrow and tended to his wounds.

As he made his way to the Pastures, Cairn had found Rebecca, who had been searching for him. She tended to him, and they were together again. However, Mandrake and Rune were on their trail and getting closer and closer. Cairn and Rebecca's time together was almost up. Mandrake appeared at the burrow, lunging his talons as he fought with Cairn, who was protecting Rebecca with his life. Both Cairn and Mandrake were locked together in a combat grapple; the fight had excited Rebecca. It soon became clear that Cairn would not win, and Rebecca begged for him to flee—as she had, Mandrake landed a throttle of fatal blows... Cairn was done for and fled the scene, begging for Stonecrop to come rescue him. Unknowingly, he made his way to the Stone, completely exhausted.

Bracken found him—he was bloodied, his snout and cheek were crushed, his shoulders and flanks ragged red, his left eye torn and blinded and his back legs only good for dragging along. His hind quarters were dotted with the markings of talon thrusts. Bracken came to help him after a while, saying, "It's all right, I will not harm you." The two began to talk, and Cairn told Bracken everything that had happened to him in the fight, and how Mandrake fought and did what he had done to him.

Bracken took him to the Stone clearing and soon Cairn asked Bracken a few questions, like what the Stone was. Bracken sat with him, easing him by talking with Cairn as he was dying. He talked of the Stone, of Rebecca... it was clear that poor Cairn was easing closer to death, and he now began to talk, of Rebecca, of Mandrake and Rune too, but he kept the subject on his mate. It was pain to Cairn that he reflected on his mistakes. As Cairn's final request, he begged Bracken to speak of Rebecca—and so he had. In that, Cairn had found the peace of death.

## Trivia

* Cairn has the same name as a human-made pile of stones, usually erected as landmarks.
* In size, he is bigger than Burrhead, but smaller than Mandrake.
* He is also slimmer than his brother, and a shade lighter.