Phoenix Maplewood A record year for rainfall

OK, everybody!  It's time PHX got things going with new pack activity! Taking place between Jade Fern Grove and Phoenix Maplewood, it'll be a hunt/play session taking place a few hours after the failed pack hunt referenced here: http://wolf-rpg.com/showthread.php?tid=10684

First round will end on Friday, the 29th!

@Saena @Ukko @Laika @Spring @Tavi @Kael @Esaro @Lunar Eclipse @Val @Desna @Nanook

Oh calamity, the hunt had been a disaster. Their efforts had been nothing more than a messy display with no clear direction. Fear filled the air along with the thick perfume of confusion. Limbs splayed in all directions and chaos took hold. It seemed the disorganization that hunger spurred had caused their promising hunt to end in dissapointment and empty stomachs. After their failure, Reek's wolves dispersed back into the packlands with heads hung low and mouths empty,  but Reek remeained at the scene.

The snow, while particularly cold and annoying, carried with it was a valuable blessing.  The scene of the failed hunt was dotted with hoof prints, trailing off in all directions, but ultimately, leading to the place.  The herd would regoup... and so would Reek's pack.  Unwilling to give up, Reek followed one of the trails about a mile south.  He scaled a small hill and looked down at the snow-swept valley.  Three stragglers had yet to convene with the rest of the herd.  Two does and buck. The corners of Reek's mouth twisted into a wire thin grin and he called for all the members of his pack, even his injured mate. This time, they would not fail.

Tavi had pawed Ukko awake, half because of a dream which seemed too real, and half because he had fallen asleep across one of her feet and she needed to wake it up. The dream dissipated quickly enough - leaving her breath heavy for some reason - and she felt the need to run. This was difficult with @Ukko laying so close to her, thus the kicking. After jostling herself free, she slipped from their shared accommodations and made a bee-line for a cache far from the den mouth; it was enough movement to get the blood pumping and remove the ghostly sensation in her limb, so soon enough Tavi was racing about like normal.

The pack hunt had been fun, but it had not gone well for them. It had soured many moods, although Tavi's was not among them. She was simple-minded enough these days to find solace in  her daily routine (although a full belly would've done wonders for her too, considering the season). The girl had just begun to turn around - ready to spring back to Ukko - when a call rose up. Another hunt opportunity? She wheeled around, changing direction whimsically as she sought out Reek and the rest of the pack.

Lunar's ears perked forward and she raised her head from her forelegs. She had just settled in when the alpha's call came. She stood,shaking the leaves from her white fur as she exited the tiny den that she called home. She began to run as fast she could,her limp more visible as she did so. No one had said anything about it yet and for that she was grateful. She reached the clearing,slowing so that her weight was balanced on her toes. She moved through the snow silently moving towards the alpha and gamma. She sniffed the air as she approached the scent of deer was strong. She was excited now,her heart pounding at the thought of hunting. She hadn't been on a pack hunt since White Moon. She stopped once she was beside the other wolves eyeing the deer in fascination. She was careful not to make a sound.

The Gamma's ears pricked in interest. Reek had called. She instantly dropped what she was doing, tail raised in excitement as she pivoted of her heels, shoulders blades rolling beneath her coat as she trotted swiftly through the forest, dodging any trees  that stood in her path. A couple moments had passed before she reached the end of the woods, her silvery white head peering out of the thick foliage. Her blue eyes spotted Tavi, and another white wolf she does not know. With the influx of pack-mates, she had not had time to meet them all. She had not yet met Tavi, but she had heard of her, and assumed that wolf was her. And then of course, there was Reek - the one who made the call.

She stepped out of the bushes, her slender frame slipping easily through the jagged branches. She padded up to the two, the strong scent of large prey filling her nose. She dipped her head to Reek and nodded t Tavi and the white stranger before dropping to a crouch. She crawled up to the ledge, and peered over it to get a good look at the three unsuspecting animals. Her coat aided in keeping her hidden while she already began to devise a plan in her head, tail gently thumping soundlessly on the snow.

She waited for Reek's call however, her eyes trained intently on the three deer. She knew the pack could do with a nice feast. It wouldn't only fill their bellies, but it would also let them get to know each other better.

Spring had been searching the winter land for herbs, but had no luck.  Her ears perked as she heard Reek call the pack.  She stalked through the underbrush.  Seeing Laika, Reek, Luna, and a storm-gray colored female.  Spring dipped her head in greeting.  Then the brown female caught sight of two does and a bull.  Her tail wagged low, excitedly.  Happy to finally get the chance to hunt with her pack.

Spring found herself wondering when the hunt would begin.  Probably soon she hoped.  She kept both eyes locked on the three deer.  Watching their movements and actions.  Trying to understand their formations, how reliable they were on each other, Spring also scanned the deer for any injures.

A call was sounded by the Alpha. Esaro couldn't really guess what it could be about but he was sure that his only choice was to go. It took awhile for him to get there but from the looks of it whatever was going on hasn't started yet. So far he recognized everyone but one of the wolves here and that was the wolf he spent most of his time looking at the moment he got there. Before going to introduce himself he wanted to know what was going on.

After a little look around he noticed a few deer out there, it was at that moment he realized that this was likely a hunt. Seeing them made him nervous already. Being here already meant he was going to take part of the hunt and this would be his very first pack hunt. He wasn't sure if he could be any help here but his greatest worry was that he didn't want to make it harder for the others.

Esaro wasn't feeling confident and it was obvious he was nervous. He never seen a group hunt in action before much less prepared to take part in one. He really had no idea of what to expect or any clue of what he was going to have to do. Could he be useful enough without any kind of preparation or tips. He highly doubted that, It was more likely he was just get in the way.

Desna had been with Reek on the hunt. It had been rather disappointing for her that they hadn't caught a meal but she was also not a quitter. The young female had learned that from Saena. Desna needed a good reason to hunt and it wouldn't always work. That was how life is. She knew that now. The girl had been mostly been there during the chase, so once the pack was coming together Desna instantly moved towards Reek, panting slightly. She followed him to the hill, seeing what he was seeing. She had to smile a bit too. She was not sure if howling was the best idea, it would only alert the deer right? Guess that Reek knew it better so she kept her mouth shut.

Desna watched all the wolves that approached. She only knew Tavi. All the other's were strangers to the girl. The death of her mother had been absorbing her mostly. Desna didn't feel like meeting new wolves and put up a smile for them. She didn't feel bad for doing so, but now the girl had been feeling a bit of a disconnection with the rest of the pack. She just decided that she would stick with Reek, that seemed the right answer. Her focus came back, ready to have another chase through the deep snow.

It was the first time since seeking out Ukko that Saena left the den for longer than it took to find a drink or do her business. The Alpha female was bedraggled, her fur stuck up at all odd angles, and so before heeding her mate's call she took the time to groom flat the errant pieces of fur. There were bits still sticking up on her back and flanks, but there was simply no way to reach them without straining her healing rib, so she left them alone. Good enough, was her new attitude, coupled with a grumpiness that could set the whole world on edge.

She hobbled her way to the meeting spot, careful to heed Reek's advice that she not go prancing around the forest. The light of the sun was bright and, having spent so much time cooped up in the den—not that she had to, she certainly felt a lot better and the pain was manageable, but there was a sort of depression lingering around Saena of late that made it easy to hide away—she had to squint as she moved out onto the open plain. The grove to the sound was as splendid as ever and she felt a chill race down her spine at the memory of what had happened there, and standing between it and her home was her pack.

Nearly all of the members were unfamiliar, but their ranks had swelled considerably. The Alpha female approached with posture high, trying to hide a grimace of pain as her side twinged a protest. None of these newbies knew who she was, presumably, but there was no mistaking her claim to authority in her stance. Still, she did not truly join the group, but went off to the side of Reek a little to seat herself and listen. She couldn't participate, the risk of re-injury was just too high, and that made her hunter's heart ache something fierce, but she had to trust Reek and these new wolves if she was going to return to her responsibilities anytime soon.

Her eyes wandered to Tavi and Desna, whom she did recognize, and she attempted a small smile for the pair of them.

Alright! This post is a mess, but here it is! Round 2!  Be sure to sqeeze a post in before Wednesday, February 3rd! No post order. @Saena @Desna @Esaro @Spring @Laika @Lunar Eclipse @Tavi

One by one, the rest of the pack joined Reek and Desna on the hillside. The turnout was superb, and Reek couldn't help but feel a surge of pride each time another wolf from the maplewood arrived at the rendezvous site. With the final arrival being Reek's injured mate, Saena, Reek saw that it was finally time to get down to business and devise a plan. In total, they were a respectable group of seven strong. This time, they would not fail.

With most of his pack accounted for, Reek's gaze bounced from packmate to packmate as he assessed each member's strengths and weaknesses.  By Reek's own admission, he was not a seasoned hunter, but the gears of a well-oiled and tactical mind began to turn. Each member, like an individual jigsaw puzzle piece, would fit together in a well made plan, thus making failure an impossibility.  Reek took a step foward and barely peeked over the snowey embankment.  "There," he said, pointing out the nearest doe to the group with a sweeping motion of his muzzle. "That's the one."

He turned back to the group and began to address his wolves one by one. "Luna," started Reek, eyeing the recruit he had been most wary about. "You told me you were fast... it's time to prove it.  Take Desna with you and run the doe over this hill." His gaze then swept to Esaro and Tavi. "You two,  I want one of you on each flank to keep the doe on track." he paused to let his orders sink in. If the doe didn't make it over the hill, the hunt would be over before it could even begin.

"Spring... Laika, you two are with me." He motioned to the flatlands that stretched on their end of the hill. "We'll set up down here and stop the doe's course.  Once she has nowhere to go, we all converge together."  Barring divine intervention, the plan would not fail.  "Clear?" he asked after a quick beat.  With that he motioned for his wolves to take their positions, but before taking his place on the plain, Reek turned to his mate and shot her a confident smirk. "You just stand there and look pretty."  With a final chuff to Spring and Laika, Reek went to take his postion and waited for the others so he could give the final signal.

Desna caught Saena's small smile and returned her one with a respectful nod. The girl knew that Saena wasn't a wolf that would pretend to like you, and seeing that she greeted Tavi and her gave Desna a pleased feeling. Maybe Reek had told her about the rabbit she caught for Reek the other day. In doing that Reek also officially have Desna her trade. The young female was proud of herself. Like her mother had wanted she had done what she promised. Being in this pack they had to work hard and it was told to her that they preffered one trade before reaching adulthood. Desna had worked hard displaying her hunting skills and now she was rewarded for it. She turned her attention back to Reek.

After his speech of what to do Desna gave him a determined nod and searched out Luna. Desna didn't know the female but she was going to give her best. She trotted forward and nudged the female to show she was ready for teamwork. With that done Desna moved over the hill, very mindful of the wind. She didn't have the white coat color Luna had but Desna was not going to let her mind talk her down. She might have a disadvantage but maybe she could use her color as an advantage. The girl changed her path, making sure she would be seen later by the deer. Desna's intention was to scare it, and make it run towards the hill where the others were waiting. She let out barks and yowls, pretending to be very ferocious. With that being done it was now up to her and Luna to steer the deer more towards the hill as it was running.

Lunar gave the young wolf,she must be Desna,a nod as she lowered herself crouching as she trotted towards the doe. She was careful to keep downwind of it and to get in a good position to chase it. She responded to Desna's snarls with ones of her own when they got close enough not to lose the deer. She glanced at Desna,making sure she was ready, and then sprung forward after the deer. She kept to its left flank as she chased it,her limp more visible now but not hindering her as she ran it over the hill with Desna.

Tavi returned the smile upon seeing Saena, her tail batting softly; she hadn't seen the woman since the cougar attack, and as she had kept busy, she wasn't aware of Saena's injuries. Reek was swift to point out that Saena would stay put - and for a second Tavi was confused, she looked between the two of them and then to Desna, before shoving her confusion to the back of her mind. She'd been given a job to do.

With a brief glance over Esaro - in part to size them up, figure out who they were - Tavi shifted gears. She scrutinized the area for the doe that they were to target, and then slipped off after it. Hopefully her hunting partner was keeping up with her. All they had to do was flank the thing.

This was going to be fun.

Spring stalked forward to take her position.  The plan seemed easy enough; Luna and Desna would run the deer over the hill, Esaro and the storm gray female, whom Spring did not recognize, would flank each side of the doe to keep it on track,  then herself, Laika and Reek would stop the deer in it’s tracks.  Then everyone would converge together.  The plan sounded easy enough, but in reality Spring knew it would be a hard task to pull off, Spring just hoped Reek’s plan worked, as she stalked into her position, careful to stay out of the doe’s sight, placing quiet paws on the ground.  Spring quickly made it to her position then waited.  Hoping for a very successful hunt.

To Esaro things were moving very fast. The moment most wolves showed up it was instantly time to get into action. Orders were given and everyone started to move, so he moved as well. If he understood correctly he and another member had to flank the deer on both sides. That meant he was going to be on his own and everyone expected him to know exactly what to do. He had plenty to be nervous about, like he didn't know how exactly he was suppose to flank the deer. What did that mean really? Keep on from turning his way?

For a moment he was going to follow Tavi but luckily he realized he was suppose to go the opposite side and quickly shifted to the  way he needed to go. He figured that since she was suppose to flank as well maybe he could copy her movements and speed. Although there was one fatal flaw to trying to mimic her. It meant he wasn't going to pay attention to the target everyone was after. At the very least his copying gave the appearance that he might know what he was doing. But in reality he had no idea of what he was going to need to do. Watching his partner gave him a hope of pulling this off correctly, to his eyes it looks like she knows what she was doing.

Anyone with a keen eye could see that Esaro wasn't paying attention to the deer but on Tavi instead.

Laika sat up in her haunches once Reek had began talking. Yes. The plan was simple. But it was also not simple. So many things could go wrong before Reek, Spring, and herself could reach the deer. Her heart pounded with anxiety as she glanced at the wolves that were to chase and flank the deer. She had no doubt that they would try their best, and for that she was thankful. Reek had a very skilled lot, and with the present wolves, she felt sure their skills would lead them all to full bellies tonight. 

She stalked after Reek, beside Spring and she threw her friend and excited glance, her maw twisting into a lop-sided grin. Her tail was parallel to her spine, sticking straight out behind her like a rigid stick, careful not to make a sound as the trio neared their hideout. She crouched down low, white belly fur soaking in the cold snow melting from her heat. Her blue eyes were the only thing noticeable about her.

They had reached ther spot just in time, for Luna and Desna came tearing out of the trees, targeting the doe Reek had pointed out and had it running toward them. Tavi and Esaro were quick to follow, flanking the deer, but something was off about Esaro. His eyes were fixed on Tavi, not the deer! She growled under her breath at him, her eyes narrowing and silently snapping the words "concentrate on the deer, Esaro!" 

She shifted her weight, muscles tensing and ready to spring into action. Adrenaline began to flow through her veins, pumping her body wth energy. The hunt was controlling her every move and thought. It engulfed her in a wave of eager excitement. The white ear closest to Reek turned on its axis, angling towards the alpha. She awaited his call at her eyes resting upon the terrified die who was now growing nearer by the second.

The proud alpha female nearly rose to protest Reek's decision, but she knew better. Her injuries couldn't handle any further aggravation. Already she would be plagued with permanent aches and pains, something she knew down in her bones whether or not it was spoken aloud. She couldn't afford to truly cripple herself by jostling it more. So she watched the hunters assemble, feeling a strange and empty pang in her breast as the pack wolves took their places. She rose to her paws and limped after them, sure to keep her distance but intent on studying the wolves she had yet to meet. She realized with alarm that it was most of her pack.

Desna peeled off with a stark white female Saena didn't know, and the pair set off to drive the deer into the waiting jaws of the pack. Saena's eyes lingered on Lunar Eclipse briefly, but her focus went primarily to Desna. She had done little supervising of Scarlett's children since their mother's injury, and she was very impressed to see how far Desna had come in so short a time. Not so long ago, the alpha female had been giving her advice on keeping her focus, and now the young woman was hunting with the pack.

Tavi headed off with another newcomer, this one male, and Saena's scrutiny fell on him next. As a skilled hunter herself, she was quick to pick up on his nervous energy. From her distance, Saena couldn't tell immediately that Esaro had no idea what was going on, but she pegged him immediately for the weakest hunter of the lot. No matter; not all wolves were strong hunters, and no doubt Esaro had skills elsewhere, else Reek would not have taken him in.

This left Reek and two unfamiliar females. Saena appraised them from her perch atop a hillock. One had a dusty coat of quicksilver, the other a commonplace hazel-and-black pelt. Both seemed eager and ready. Without knowing any of them, Saena felt pride well in her breast for the Phoenix Maplewood pack, though it was quelled just as quickly by the depressing reminder that she was not running amongst them, not leading the hunt like she ought to, and her mood was quickly subdued.

She seated herself and remained mute to watch the hunt, trying her best to swallow down the rising sensation of uselessness.

Alrighty everyone! Round 3! This will be the kill round, so everybody should be able to pile the doe together in their posts... barring @Saena of course :p.  Round ends Monday, the 8th!

@Desna @Laika @Spring @Esaro @Lunar Eclipse @Tavi

With Reek and the rest of the pack in position, the hunt began with a thunderous clambour of footfalls in the snow. Lunar Eclipse and Desna chased the doe forward while the two untargeted deer ran to safety within the trees. Their target, however, was sufficently kept on track by Esaro and Tavi who lined each flank.

Reek's focus was solely on the doe, who had now been driven into his frame of vision as his packmates ran it over the hill. Esaro's lack of focus went unknoticed by the alpha male, but it was of no matter— the job was done and the doe was on track to fall right into their trap.

Reek surged forward, with Spring and Laika surely on his heels, as soon as the doe came into focus. Their line in the snow would hold, and upon seeing the group of wolves blocking the doe's escape route, she skidded to a stop in the snow. Trapped.

Fear flashed in her eyes as the pack closed in around her. Reek lunged first, jaws outstreched toward the frightened doe's kneck. Soon, the whole pack would be upon her like butcherhouse flies.

Desna tongue was hanging from her mouth since she was running hot from her running through the deep snow. The female had fun with it though, it was clear to see. Her dark body surged forward once the others joined to guide the animal. Desna did notice Esaro's lack of focus seeing that she was running behind him. Instead of scolding him Densa pushed her tired body further closer to Esaro and the deer. She wouldn't take his job from him but she was going to stay in the deer's side vision so she wouldn't dash off to the side because one of their pack members was unfocussed. She knew about this herself after all. When she was hunting alone she still had problems with it, but hunting with the pack made her more at ease, only having to do one or two tasks instead of doing all of them alone.

Reek jumped for the doe's neck and Desna was certain the end was near. She was very careful of the doe's kicking legs and she did try to nip at the prey's belly a bit before backing off. She was just too tired to pay attention to the legs and to the others wolves. She didn't want to be in the way. The scent of blood made her terribly hungry but she knew her place and backed off. Even though she gave 150% of effort she was one to eat last being in the youth tier and not being an alpha pup. She laid down in the snow, panting heavily as she mostly observed the kill that was being made. Hopefully they would leave some tasty bits for her in the end. Seeing that her sisters were no where to be seen she was the one to eat last. It made her even more determined to climb the ranks once she was an adult, all these unknown and new members got to eat before her, how unfair... The teenager's high from the hunt was slowly fading now she remembered her place.

Lunar ran alongside the deer as the wolves in the front line approached. She noticed Esaro watching Tavi more than the deer but ignored it,following Desna as she sped up to keep on the deer's tail. She watched as Reek clashed with the deer who had halted in fear. She side stepped its legs and snapped at its flanks as he ran forward. The kill would be soon. She watched as Desna backed off,remembering she was a pup and not related to Reek thus rank dictated she would eat last. Her ears flattened,this was Desna's home and she was a stranger to the pup. She had never been fond of ranks, she padded over to the pup and settled by her side. She was next to last to eat and decided she would share with Desna when it came her turn to eat. There was no law specifically saying they couldn't share the doe's remains.

She charged along as best she could, the snow being deep but not impenetrable. When the target came in to view, Tavi's head canted to one side then the other - looking for Ukko, before remembering that she wasn't partnered up with him this time. Her gaze sought out the stranger, the newcomer to the pack that Reek had assigned as her hunting buddy. For a moment she couldn't see him - and then things were moving too fast, and Tavi couldn't follow. She chose to focus on the deer instead, and began to herd it in to position. Quickly enough, Esaro came in to view alongside her; they split only when the deer deviated from the path, and without issue, the target remained on its due course - right in to the waiting force of the Maplewood hunting party.

The deer was seconds away, and Reek sprang from the undergrowth, launching himself at the deer's neck. She bunched her muscles and charged just behind him. She lowered her head, preparing to jump. Since Reek had the neck, she'd take the spine, making it easier for the others to kill it. She was a couple feet from the deer, paw pads pounding and kicking up the white powder. 

The does eyes were wide and rolling back in her head with terror. Her head was thrown in the air, and legs tense and stamping about the ground in a frantic attempt to escape. No luck for her. Laika leaped from the snow, sailing through the air and landing on the deer's back. Her bottom half was a bit off, slipping just a bit. She scrambled to regain her balance and sunk her claws into it's beefy shoulders. The deer thrashed, giving a buck, but the white wolf hung on, muscles straining with the effort. 

She had planned it before she jumped. Find the spot where the base of the neck's vertebrae was closest to the skin and strike. The she-wolf did just that, bending her neck, and sinking her pearly whites into the deer's flesh. The taste of blood was enough to get her stomach rumbling and she fought the urge to rip a chunk from the shoulder. 

The deer swayed this way and that, trying her hardest to rid her self of the wolves. Laika held tight, keeping her jaws locked around the spine. Blood trickled down the shoulder and ran down the doe's legs, dampening the grass she stood upon and dying it a deep crimson.

Spring felt the joy of the hunt surge through her pelt like a strong fizz, as the deer realized she was surrounded and a look of fear flashed through her eyes.  Spring saw Reek leap for the doe’s neck.  Spring sprung forward jaws latching onto the deer’s brisket, the female started to pull back still holding onto the flesh, as the skin began to tear and she could taste the doe’s blood on her tongue.

Out of the corner as Spring’s eye, she could see Laika falter in her movements, and Spring tensed up scared for her friend.  Knowing one wrong move could ruin everything or kill you, but Laika got her grip back and Spring let out an inward sigh of relief as her muzzle started turning a crimson scarlet, from the doe’s blood.  

Spring held on to the deer with everything she had, with her now bloodied fangs.  The brown and cream female had a feeling this hunt would soon be over, as the deer currently was surrounded and in Spring’s opinion had a very slight chance of escape.

The entire time Esaro remained focused on Tavi. Any other signal or movement would just fly by his detection including Laika's attempt to get him on track. It was only when his line of sight on Tavi was broken by the passing doe that he started noticing his surroundings. Just being there seem to have been enough to keep the deer to it's destination. Noticing his partner on the move he decided to do the same by copying her actions.

Luckily the deer tried to flee at her side first before his under wise he wouldn't have managed to keep it running towards the others. His heart did rush quite a bit when he noticed the deer aiming to escape on his side. He repeated exactly what he saw and just that managed to work. It was a relief to see the deer back on track.

Although when it came to jumping on it to take it down, he basically stopped. He didn't want to get in the way so he thought it would be better to let everyone else have a go at the doe. Just in case, he stayed near so he would be there if he needed to do something. Once the deer came to a stop, he would just stand there watching everyone who was taking part.

Round 4!  This round will end on the night of Friday the 12th and will be the last "official round" (the thread will continue, but in free-for-all form).

@Saena @Spring @Laika @Desna @Esaro @Lunar Eclipse @Tavi

 

The thick taste of blood filled Reek's mouth as he clamped down even harder on the dying doe's neck. With the pack swarming around at all sides, biting and tearing flesh away from a still fighting beast, it was only a matter of time before she fell to the earth in a lifeless mass. From Reek's position, he couldn't see the life and willingness to fight die away from the terrified doe's eyes, but he assumed their brightness had begun to fade as the doe began to struggle less and less in Reek's tight grip.

With both Spring and Laika now upon her, and Lunar Eclipse nipping at her heels, the doe finally collapsed into the snow. Reek's grip around her windpipe stood strong and as soon as her body met the snow, he tore away, taking with him a sizeable chunk of the doe's throat in the process. The sound of her wheezing breath was soon replaced by the wet gurgle of the blood that now stained the snow a deep scarlet. Undeniably, she was dead; a look of horror etched permananly on her now lifeless face.

Dinner was served.

Immediatly, Reek dismissed his subordinates by posturing himself dominantly and issuing a low warning growl. They would all get their turn, of course, but the first pickings were his and his wife's alone. He beckoned for Saena to join him and quickly tore into the kill once more.

Lunar watched from the sidelines as Reek finally felled the doe. She had backed off as soon as it looked like the doe wouldn't get away. She observed as Reek postures over the deer growling off the lower members. She was careful not to look either of the Alphas in the eyes or seem challenging in any way. Instead she settled in next to Desna where she had laid down. It would be a while before it was her turn.