Dear

"...I think I misread the instructions," said the mage nervously. As the light of the teleportation spell faded, it soon became clear that, yes, he was surrounded by dozens upon dozens of elk. Most simply stared with curiosity, tinged with fear, but one addressed him.

"Almost certainly," said the First Among Elk, whose antlers shone with a gentle, silver light. "Who are you, tresspasser?"

"Uh...Ayo of the Dusts, milord." Ayo hoped that 'milord' was the correct way to address...whoever this was. "I was testing a spell imported from the Empire of Storm, said to unite the caster with someone they hold dear, hoping to find an old friend of mine. Though perhaps that should have been 'deer'." The First Among Elk snorted.

"Far too typical of the Empire's sorcerers. Their language may allow for such confusion, but the Tongue of Magic will not. As for you, we do not allow tresspassers into this realm, but given your lack of ill intent, your punishment shall only be a day's imprisonment instead of a year's. Dismissed." With that, he turned and bounded away, followed by most of the gang. Only two stayed, to ensure that Ayo did not slip away.

----

Later, in elk jail, Ayo sat in the hollowed-out tree trunk that served as their cell.

"Great!" they griped out loud. "Sentenced to a day in elk jail, and I still don't know what happened to Idowu."

"Ayo? Ayo of the goddamn Dusts?" said a voice outside the stump.

"Idowu? They got you too?"

"Well..." Idowu, an elk, came into view.

"...Huh."

"Yeah, I know."

"I mean, this raises several questions and--"

"Yeah, yeah, I know."