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Once giant deer reached their full growth, though their bones no longer enlarged, the enors increased in height and breadth with each season Support of such huge racks required the deer to develop htly over ti antlers, and to evolve a distinctive hump on their withers where ether It was a genetic manifestation of the species Even the feh smaller, hump Such enoraceros seem small, and those males that sported immense racks had heads that appeared disproportionately petite

While the leaders were discussing tactics, the disguises were taken out, then Joharran and several others passed around skin bags of grease Ayla crinkled her nose in distaste at the smell

“It’s s of the deer, and mixed with fat from just above the tail,” Jondalar told her “It covers our scent in case the wind shifts suddenly”

Ayla nodded and began sreasy roin While Jondalar was putting on his deer disguise, Ayla struggled with hers

“Let me show

you,” Kareja said She was already in hers

Ayla sratefully as the wo with a deer head still attached She picked up the antlers that were fastened to a separate headpiece, though she didn’t understand what the extra wooden parts were for

“This is heavy!” Ayla said, surprised at the weight when she put on the antler headwear

“And they’re s to think you are competition,” Kareja said

“How does it stay balanced when youto shift the antlers to a better position

“That’s what these are for,” Kareja said, using the wooden supports to prop up the ungainly headdress

“No wonder thenecks,” Ayla said “They need s up”

The hunters aproached with the wind blowing in their faces, which carried the human scent away from the deer’s sensitive noses They stopped when they could see the ani leaves of loing brush

“Watch them,” Jondalar said softly “See how they eat for a while, then look up? Then theyto copy their motions Take a few steps toward theh you were a deer who had just seen some juicy new leaves and stopped to take a bite Then look up Stand perfectly still while you are looking up Don’t look at hi, and don’tat you

“Noe’re going to spread out in the same pattern they make We want theet close to theht as ht behind your antlers while you move, and don’t move too fast,” he explained