This, admittedly, would have been a smart time to turn human. If, you know, Kieran had been practiced enough with the art of transformation to maintain his focus while totally panicking. Or had actually done the transformation itself at any point over the last few months.

Instead, he settled for flailing his back legs around ineffectually until he could get back onto his feet, at which point he stood behind Bulba, head down and trying his best to alternate between pointing his antlers toward Flint, Boney, and Aquenda all at once.

For those not versed in poglespeak, they were promptly treated to a lot of this deer saying "Sawsbuck" over and over. For those who were Bulba, it was a slightly more coherent narrative: "Bulba! Thank the Beloved! What in the world is going on here?! Why is everything burning? Tell the Bouffalant I'm not going to be hunted!" He bounced in place agitatedly, stomping hooves kicking up even more leaves. "Has the Realm of the Gods forgotten the forest completely? Bulba, this is crazy! I don't understand anything!"