Prophecy

The Prophecy is what the Herla believe will save then from evil times. It details Rannoch's fate throughout the novel, describing him as an incarnation of Herne.

It is first mentioned when Brechin approaches Blindweed telling a story of Starbuck and Herne's Antlers. The fawns ask him to recite the prophecy, which Captain Brechin approves. After the prophecy is told, a fawn named Lychen deeply questions by the meaning of the words.

Prophecy
When the Lore is bruised and broken,

Shattered like a blasted tree,

Then shall Herne be justly woken,

Born to set the Herla free.

On his brow a leaf of oaken,

Changeling child shall be his fate.

Understanding words strange spoken,

Chased by anger, fear, and hate.

He shall flee o'er hill and heather,

And shall go where no deer can,

Knowing secrets dark to Lera.

Till his need shall summon man.

Air, water, earth, and fire,

All shall ease his bitter pain,

Till the elements conspire,

To restore the Island Chain.

First the High Land grass shall flower,

As he quests through wind and snow,

Then he breaks an ancient power,

And returns to face his foe.

When the Lord of Lies upbraids him,

Then his wrath shall cloak the sun,

And the Herla's foe shall aid him

To confront the evil one.

Sacrifice shall be his meaning,

He the darkest secret learn,

Truths of beast and man revealing,

Touching on the heart of Herne.

Fawn of moonlight ever after,

So shall all the Herla sing.

For his days shall herald laughter,

Born a healer and a king.

Interpretation
When Rannoch is first born, Blindweed sees the oaken leaf on his forehead and knows that he is the one in the prophecy. Then Eloin switches Bracken's dead fawn with hers to keep Rannoch alive, making him a 'changeling child'.

Rannoch also shows he can understand 'words strange spoken', animals besides Herla. He first understood an Owl, then a family of Badgers, then a Raven who told him about the bridge. He later communicates to the injured Wolf by the waterfall.

The same Wolf repays his debt by leading a pack of wolves, the 'Herla foe', in the final battle against Sgorr.