Ouroboros Spine which I must do

For @Rodyn

Since his lesson with @Valiant, the young hunter's confidence had grown tremendously. Where once he may have hesitated or backed out, he found he could now be decisive in his approach.

Most mornings he would rise bright and early now, slipping from @Raindrop's watchful gaze to search for the day's prey. More often than not it was his usual rodents, grabbed from the dewey grass or on occasion dug out from a burrow.. when he managed to track them down, he would now return home with birds big - or moreso medium, and small.

In all his time out and about, he was yet to see an ungulate.. until now. Stood some distance away, Ludovic eyed a female mule deer and her fawn with wide-eyed wonder. He had understood from speaking to older wolves that most hooved animals seemed to prefer coming out at dawn and dusk, which was likely why he hadn't seen them so close until now. The deer and her fawn, who was old enough to have lost his spots, were both much too big and likely too fast for Ludovic to handle.. but it didn't stop him from looking.

He was far too nervous to move. He could tell from their twitching ears and the eyes that never seemed to still.. if he made the slightest move, the quietest noise, they would run off.

Rodyn with years of study tracked the two quietly. They hadn't even know he was there. He saw the wide eyed youngster and slipped around them and made sure the wind didnt blow his scent.

Majestic aren't they. He whispered at the boys shoulder knowing he'd probably scare him, but realizing to late.

At the sound of words next to his shoulder Ludo flinched, though thankfully for the sake of Rodyn's hunt, he didn't make a noise. The Beta was unfamiliar to Ludovic, but the scent of Moonglow heavy on his pelt was enough to make the boy comfortable.

I've never seen them this close. He admitted, lowering his voice to a whisper. ..Sorry, am I spoiling a hunt? He hadn't meant to - in fact he hadn't realized anyone was nearby, most likely in thanks to Rodyn's skill. Had Ludo known he was there any sooner, the deer likely would have known too.

Rosyn felt bad he had scared the boy. He dipp3d his head, gaze warm.

sorry I'm Rodyn

A shake of his head. No i was just tracking them. I try not to take mother and babe unless we are desperate. I just track the herd.

Ludovic couldn't help but smile when the wolf, Rodyn, appeared so friendly. My name is Ludovic.

He had never heard of someone tracking herds, leaving him to ask What's the point of that? While he didn't intend for the question to come off as rude in the least, he was genuinely confused.

Nice to meet you Ludovic. a tilt of his ear and he gazed at the deer.

So when the time comes we can hunt them. Gotta make sure they stay healthy, reproduce and so forth so we don't think out the herd too much.

That did make sense. Maybe Ludo would start trying to track the herds too, then.

So.. you are a hunter then? He eyed Rodyn, a coy smile crossing his muzzle. I guess I though it was just the chasing part.. I have a lot to learn. But, maybe the learning was the fun part.

I want to be a great hunter someday, so I can thank Ajei for letting me stay here. Even at his age, he knew that could be asking a lot. Having another mouth to feed was always a big ask, especially when they couldn't consistently privide for themself.

Rodyn Shifted and settled. I track herds all over the wilds. I have been a hunter for a long time. Star hunter in moonglow for now and time before. It is a noble way to make a living in my opinion.

His voice quiet. But the reverence with which he felt about hunting could be felt in every syllable.

I can help you learn if you'd like. I love hunting. It is like breathing to me. If I could not hunt I fear I may die of sadness.

Ludo couldn't help his thumping tail when the offer was made. If you're willing to teach, I'm willing to learn. He promised.

If Rodyn was as good of a hunter as he said, then he was surely a worthy teacher. Not that Ludovic was one to turn anyone away, anyways. He respected his elders in a way that told him to accept whatever they may be willing to teach.

Do you have time today, or do you need to keep tracking your deer?

Rodyn smiled at the thump of the youth's tail. And a soft pain tightened his chest. As he remembered his son's had thumped their tails like that. Now both gone from his sight, perhaps even from this world. But he hoped not.

I am always willing to teach. It is the youth that will someday take up the mantle.

Rodyn chuckled softly. Of course I Do. What would you like to hunt?

Ludovic took a moment to consider.

I could smell a hare on my way here.. I think there's a burrow somewhere close by. He suggested.

He would never admit it, but Ludo found hares.. a bit terrifying. They were larger and meaner than rabbits, but the ears did make for a good chew. Besides, what better time to face his fear than now?

Rodyn sat in the silence as the youth thought of the best way to answer his question. It was nice to wait and jus tlisten to the world. His gaze on the deer as they grazed.

A nod of autumn furred head. There is quiet a few. Hares aren't so bad to catch. There's a few ways. You can go to a den mouth and yell at them and they run the other way. Or you can catch one as they hop home. Which would you prever to do?

He stood then and shook the silence from his shoulders. IT was time to move. and Ludo would be the leader in this. Rodyn was just here to help and teach and ease.

I'd rather not stick my head in the den. He admitted with a soft laugh.

Opening his mouth somewhat to take in the surrounding scents, he wasn't surprised when that of a hare met his nose. The young hunter was quick to head off. His feet were kept light just as Valiant had taught.

It was a bit exciting to have so many wolves to hunt alongside now. Moonglow felt alive, and he knew it was easing his aching heart.

Rodyn knew there were multiple hares around. He could smell them and he knew these lands well. They weren't far and they were lazy and numerous in number.

You do well to keep the lightness to your step, but do you know how to feel for all the vibrations under the ground too? Rodyn shifted and gently used his claws to dig into the ground, sifting and shifting. Allowing vibrations to come up from below. Ear's twitching and nose up in the wind he was silent.