Sheepeater Cliff death is only the end if you assume the story is about you

Most of their journey is in silence. It isn’t necessarily comfortably, or terribly uncomfortable, as they do not know each other that well. Most of their interaction is direction based, alternating shifts of sleep when needed, and hunting with or for one another. Thuringwethil finds trust in rauna, something she has not been able to do with an outsider in a long time, and she is content in his presence that if something were to go wrong, he’ll be able to back her up. The first day or two is a little rough with tension and anxiety but the weather has warmed up (not by much), but enough to make the travel not so rough. The skies are cloudy, threatening them with the warning of snow, but for now they continue on while the ground is clear of anything but frost.

The area they’ve managed to stop in isn’t necessarily familiar but she feels they are making progress. @Étoille assures her they are going in the right direction, at least.

For the time being, she separates from her companion. Halfway to their destination should make it easier to close the last bit of distance but something overwhelms her. She’d never been an anxious wolf until the last year, working through her anxieties more than addressing them and perhaps putting her in positions she should never be in. In fact, having a mate does this constantly. Still, she ignores it and the words of those from her home, and continues on. She’d taken Wildfire as her mate, had made a promise, and she needs to uphold it. This time without putting Drageda in anymore danger by compromising their numbers and taking one wolf instead of numerous keeps them strong on the coast, while she is capable of taking care of herself.

Overhead, she can hear the clacking of horns against one another, but she pays them little mind. The scent of blood crosses her nose and hesitantly she continues going. One look over her shoulder indicates she is still alone, with Étoille resting or hunting for himself. Thuringwethil finds the carcass of a sheep on the ground, a large bird having taken perch upon him, but she does not advance. The eagle is far bigger than most birds she is used to seeing with a beak and talons clearly made for danger. Instead of pursuing and attempting to chase off the bird (if her companion were here, perhaps together they’d succeed) and she simply waits in the position as a scavenger instead.

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As last time, Étoille remains relatively silent unless Heda presses him for directions. It is a slightly less awkward trip without the large group - and the titan feels more comfortably intergrated into the fabric of Drageda. He even knows a little of its history now, courtesy of Ajatar. It is still a little awkward, given the personal nature of the trip.

Truthfully Étoille does not handle these sorts of things well. Perhaps because he himself has no experience with romance, having never had a partner. He's come close - the faces of two beautiful white-furred women flash before his eyes - but that is not the same as experiencing the intimacy of courtship. The titan does not mind his single status - he has never felt the itch for the warmth of a woman by his side (or a man, for that matter). Interior as he is, he cannot be bothered.

Well. Heda's relationship problems (?) are none of his business. He wakes up from his nap quite alone and after stretching out, moves to find the dark-coated leader. Her scent trails after the scent of blood and he is intrigued to find the sheep and the eagle when he comes up beside her, slowly and carefully with a low-rumbled chuff so as not to startle her or alert the bird. Heda does not seem to be interested in going afer the bird, so he glances at her, curious to see if she has a plan.

For a while, Thuringwethil stares at the bird. She doesn’t know how long it’ll take him to eat, or how much he can eat, but certainly he can’t devour the entire sheep. If neither she nor Étoille have to hunt, it will make their time easier. A sheep is big enough for the both of them if there’s enough left after it’s been picked apart. Content, for the time being, she lowers her rear to the ground and continues to wait, up until she hears a low chuff of her companion coming up beside her.

Slowly, she turns to look at him, but her attention moves right back to the kill. She sits in silence for a while longer, the eagle picking his head up and looking in their direction. He similarly stares back at them, though doesn’t seemed fazed by their presence.

“We could chase it off,” she says and glances up the ridge a little, wondering if there were others. If more of the same bird came along, there wouldn’t be any left. “Or wait.”

Thuringwethil licks her lips, saliva pooling in her mouth. She doesn’t want to wait any more than she has to and she’s willing to take the risk if the brute is. With the help of a second wolf, they could be successful, but she doesn’t make a move forward until she knows what they’ll be doing.

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Heda addresses him - the titan nods once, his almost-black eyes following the sharp curve of the bird's beak. It is an impressively sized animal and surely dangerous, but between him and Heda, Étoille is confident in their ability to take it on. "I believe we can take it on," he says, straightening up slightly and looking to the dark-furred woman. The Rauna's idea of a plan is to launch forward and use their bulk to their advantage, but he assumes Heda will have slightly more finesse.

dice roll says bird flies away

Étoille makes the call easily, deciding between the two of them they can get rid of the bird. They are large individually, giving the bird challenger should he retaliate, but between the two of them there’s enough confidence he can’t take both of them. Thuringwethil nods her head once in understanding, shifting her weight to take a step forward. She isn’t aware they are on the same page, either, as far as plans. She doesn’t have the experience with bird to properly try and take it down—especially one as large and graceful as this—so simply scaring it into flying away temporarily is all they really need to do.

Thuringwethil steps to one side, zeroing in on the bird from two sizes may offer help, and she gives him one inviting swing of her nose before she launches, hopefully with him in tow. As they approach quickly, it isn’t long before the bird gives them his attention. His wings span out and he makes an unearthly sound from his beak, but ultimately chooses to take flight with a grace she’s never seen before. Slate eyes follow the ascension into the sky, slowing her gait as they take over the kill.

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Heda nods and steps forward. Étoille falls into position beside her, his steps light despite his massive size, letting her take the lead. They bare down on the bird - and it takes off, letting loose an ear-piercing screech. That is the easiest outcome, and Étoille supposes not long ago he would have been pleased. Now, though, he feels a slight sting of disappointment at the lack of challenge. Growth is an odd thing.

Well. 

The kill is theirs. The Rauna defers to Heda as they fall into it, joining only after she has eaten first. It is, if nothing else, an auspicious sign on this hopefully short trip.

Thuringwethil waits until the bird disappears before she moves again turning to Étoille a moment later and following his lead to the kill. It was easier than she expected it to be but she shrugs it off, takes it as good fortune, and moves along. The sheep is big enough for both of them to eat without having to wait on one another but Thuringwethil does break apart the stomach further and taking what her stomach allows.

When they’ve both taken what they wanted and stepped away, leaving what little is left behind for the birds, they continue on their trek to Redhawk Caldera.

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