Cedar Sweep From the wight lying in the barrow

As she trudged back toward the Copse, Niamh meandreed along the edge of the cedar forest, stopping to take note of a tree where the bark had been stripped and presumably eaten. It was late afternoon and the shadows had grown long as they filtered down through the evergreen forest, sunbeams streaking through gaps in the branches overhead and leaning sideways as though trying to hold the tall trees up. She knew that at this time of day, in a cedar forest, she would likely find traces left behind by a herd of deer- and the fact that they'd already been through, stripping the cedar trees of their bark was a promising sign. 

She wasn't terribly hungry- her apetite had yet to return, but she did have two pups to feed, and felt the need to sink her teeth into flesh and tear it. A deer wouldn't fight back the same way a wolf would, but it would be good enough, plus she'd be able to feed her kids. In neutral territory, she had no idea if she'd find any other wolves to hunt with her- but that wouldn't stop her from tracking the herd down. 

It was relatively easy- they'd begun to move from the forest and out toward Frogspawn Swamp where they might graze in the fading light of day. Niamh watched them from the edge of the forest and began to move along the clearing's edge in hopes of finding a hunting partner- anyone that could possibly help her bring down one of this year's fawns which had, by now, grown to be nearly the height of an adult, but not nearly as robust or strong. It'd make a fine meal, and there were several to choose from. Now all she needed was an assist.

Elfie was a good boy and motivated pupil in so many aspects, but - boy - could he sometimes be annoying. Even Wraen, who seemingly had limitless resources of patience, swore today she was almost able to see the bottom of that well. There was not much water left there. She had taken him out hunting, but either it was not a lucky day or Eljay's son was more irritable than usual (possibly both), he had begun to complain soon after. Did not make any attempt to hunt himself and spoiled Wraen's job as well.

Wraen was on the brink of telling him something nasty, when two things occurred. Distant belows and sound of heavy hooves against the ground caught her attention. Then she spotted the reflection of the unmistakeable gold of Niamh's coat in the distance. "Let's go," she ordered him curtly and without waiting for him to give his mind or ask why, she ran ahead. Soon she had reached her packmate, acknowledged her with a look and waited expectantly for her to reveal the plan.

Growing up was by no means easy. Being a headstrong teenager, who felt as if her knew everything there was to know about the world, did not make things easier either. Though in Wraen's presence he was able to keep his temper within reins, there were days like these, when even that was a great struggle. Especially, when an activity he thoroughly enjoyed, failed to bring forth desired results as quickly and effortlessly as he would have wished to.

He felt keenly that Wraen was less patient with him than usual, which made him even more annoyed, but before the kettle had a chance to boil over, it was - metaphorically speaking - knocked off the stove. He followed Sovereign's lead and soon not only saw Niamh in the distance (which reminded him that he had to act cool and collected in front of his no-nonesense aunt), but also caught sight of deer. His face lit up in anticipation. He had wished for something bigger. And they were going on a hunt. With the capital H.

"

Without turning her head and risking giving away her position, should one of the grazing herbivores spot the movement amongst the dying grasses, Niamh turned an ear as she heard the quiet movements of two wolves closing in on her, and was relieved to find that she recognized the scents as those belonging to Wraen and Elfie. While the latter wouldn't likely be much elp, it was about time he began to learn how to hunt. He and his sister were the oldest two pups in the pack, and they'd need to get trained up as soon as they could, so that they would be an asset in the winter, rather than dead weight. Wraen was a wolf she knew to be sensible and attentive, and would likely excel when given even the least bit of direction. 

"This year's fawns; big enough for a good meal, not experienced or fast enough to be too big a challenge." She said. To Elfie, she indicated. "They've lost their spots by now...But they're about a neck shorter than the adults. See- there," She said, pointing one of them out. They were gawkier than the adults- not as full-bodied or strong, and were fairly narrow-chested still...But for a learning hunt, it'd be one newbie against another. 

"I'll go around. To where that mossy stump is over there. Wraen, you an' Elfie single one out, drive it toward me. Okay?" She asked.

"Sounds like a plan," Wraen agreed readily, watched Niamh take her position and remained, scanning the herd members to see, which one she should single out. She had enough respect for the hooved beasts not to underestimate their ability to flee and to place well-aimed kicks. Younger might mean less-experienced, but by no means stupid. From the moment they were born, they knew, how to flee danger. Any kind. 

None of the youths seemed to be injured or any weaker than the rest, besides there were older animal mixed inbetween. One false movement would scare them all, cause a stampede and if they did not want the risk of being trampled, they would be left to watch them go. Pursuing, however, one animal until exhaustion seemed a more desirable option. Wolves had endurance, patience and time on their side, the deer - did not.

"Alright, Elfie," she addressed the boy, who was already trembling from excitement of the upcoming hunt. "The key here is not to scare them - as long as you will walk calm and appear disinteressed, they will pay no mind to you. Don't make sudden movements, don't try to take them on your own. Even the weakest fawn here is stronger than you and an easily kill you with sharp kick on the forehead," she was exaggerating the danger a little, but the boy needed to understand that this was no joke. 

"You go that way, I will scan this way. Watch, what I am doing and help, when I tell you so," she told the youngster and began padding towards the group.

Elfie listened to his mentor's instructions and nodded after each statement. He was so ready for action, he wanted to prove himself worthy, except the road to the glory was not exactly clear. Not feeling entirely sure, he walked, where he was asked to go, but his stride lacked confidence or certainty. The herd had dispersed over wide area, he could walk easily among them, asting his gaze from one side to the other, but all the while he kept staring at those long, powerful legs and flinch every time he thought that their movement meant that he was going to receive a blow on his head.

He noticed Wraen's intent stare pointed in his direction later than she had probably wished him to attend to it. He stopped and with eyes wide tried to read her body language and, what message she was trying to convey. It was so tempting to cry - I don't understand - but that would scare the herd and the kicks would certainly be raining on his head then. Eventually his mentor gave up on signing and simply began to move. And, when it was finally clear to the boy, what she had meant and what he should be doing, he eased in the action. 

Niamh probably needed to wait for quite a while, but finally a small group consisting of three animals had been separated from the large one and the two wolves - one old and experienced, the other - young and enthusiastic - kept adding and releasing pressure to the animals, just so much to make them move in the desired direction, but not enough to make them flee and realize the danger they were in yet.

Her plan seemed simple enough that she figured even if Elfie went a bit awry with it, Wraen would be able to pitch in and guide him a bit. She nodded to the two wolves, giving the younger of the two a sly wink as she walked away, sensing a bit of nervousness within him- unless it was just anticipation. But whatever it was that he was feeling, Niamh felt it too- it was a rush, and it made the hunt not only something she needed to do, but something she actually enjoyed doing. Of course, for a wolf, Niamh was also the canine equivalent of a foodie, so the advent of any meal put her in brighter spirits than normal. 

She was careful as she made her away from the two other wolves, circling around the herd of deer so that she could get into position. Once or twice a wary head would raise and a dark, cleer eye would glance out over the horizon, but it seemed to pass over her every time, as she froze, her golden fur helping her blend in with the yellowing leaves of autumn. She made her way to her chosen watching spot, and waited for the others to make their move. 

Wraen moved with the prowess and certainty of a skiller hunter, and she could tell that Elfie had his eyes on her, wishing he had the same kind of expertise. She wondered if he wished instead that she'd told him to simply flank Wraen and mirror her movements- but this was more of a challenge, having to use his placement to compliment Wraen's in cutting a few smaller deer away for Niamh to take out. Every now and again she would wince as she sensed something might go wrong, that the two might let a prime target slip and rejoin the herd, but all in all, as the two wolves approached, they brought with them a trio of potential targets. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, she nicknamed them. Then she lunged. 

Two of the deer, the two trailing a bit behind, seemed to see her first, but the one in the lead was surprised and overtaken before it could avoid coming directly into her path. Niamh shot toward it like a greased arrow, her body held low to the ground so she could gain momentum and proximity for a few strides before being noticed and her tactic worked. Once she hit full speed, she was already in pursuit of the one young deer, and she honed in on it, following directly in its path but nearing with every bound she took. She was less tired, of course, and the young fellow was too terrified to perform much for evasive maneuvers. She swept past its bucking haunches and made a few grabs for the deer's throat before she was able to actually make a purchase and clamp down, bringing the deer to a halt with its head cocked sideways as she held on, cutting off its air supply so eventually it would keel over onto its side and into the yellwing grass.

Elfie did not fail Wraen's expectations - he did as he was told and did not improvise. Probably, because it was the first time of doing something like this and the hunting animals were considerably bigger than him as well. The more experienced huntress kept an eye on the boy and managed to communicate without words, what needed to be done. She would later explain to him that hunting was an instinctual thing, where you acted more according to the situation than a pre-set plan. And that there was no room for asking "why". You just went along the flow.

"Come on!" she yelled to the boy, when Niamh had begun the chase and without waiting to see, if her pupil had taken the message. She dashed after the deer and her packmate and caught up with her, when the young animal's flight had been effectively stopped. For how long - time would tell. Wraen grabbed hold on one of the haunches to pull their prey down with her weight.

Elfie arrived at the scene, when Niamh had got a steady hold on the animal's throat and Wraen was busy, attempting to pin the prey down from the other end. This was not exactly, what he had expected, therefore he stood nearby, looking concerned and worried, not knowing, what to do or where to join in. 

A powerful kick from the deer's side, made Wraen release her grip and sent her flying. She landed with a quiet yelp, but was on her feet the next moment, cast an accusing glance in the youths direction and told not to just stand there, but do something. Since there was no time for a detailed answered of "what and where", Elfie mimicked his mentor and took the rather unomfortable hold on the tight skin on the animal's back.

Fortunately, Niamh wasn't left alone with the deer for long, and Wraen came charging in to restrain the animal by grabbing near its hind end- Niamh couldn't see much past the fur of the deer's neck, but she felt the animal jerk and saw past its tawny hide a flash of darker fur that was sent a few feet back, accompanied by the dull thud of hoof on fur. Niamh clenched her jaws tighter, as though to punish the animal for striking out at Wraen, and felt it lurch slightly as Elfie made a grab for the animal's pelt as well. 

Niamh wasn't sure if Elfie would be able to hold on without getting kicked as well- and she had no way of checking on Wraen's well-being while she held onto the deer, but she couldn't very well let the thing go. She wrenched her head to the side, and swung her hips around so that she could align her body with the deer's, and shoved her shoulder into the deer's near shoulder, causing its forelegs to buckle. Still wrenching its neck off to the side at a harsh angle, she continued to put pressure on the deer's shoulder until it was forced off its front feet and onto its knees, making it less likely that it would be able to strike out at Elfie with its hind feet. Slowly, its haunches sank to the ground, but even then, Niamh held on, unwilling to let go until she was absolutely certain the deer wasn't just incapacitated, but dead.

Wraen was a small and tough wolf, but even experienced hunters have their limits of endurance. As more time passed and the deer continued to be alive and there was still a risk of it shaking everyone off and running away, she began to feel weary. From her perspective it was difficult to see, what progress Niamh had, but Elfie had chosen the least suitable position to hold on for long. It would have been a lot better, if they had had more people to help. 

The deer sank to it's knees, this was a good thing, but did not quite mean a finish line and a certain victory. Therefore she renewed the strength of her grip and tried to ignore the signs of tiredness in her limbs and jaws. Not that much later her only wish was that all of this would come to an end.

Excellence comes with practice and in Elfie's future hunts, the boy will have learned to choose a more hand spot to hold on, instead of trying to encase the whole sacrum area in his jaws. It did not take long for him to feel stiffness and tiredness set in and it would take days after this hunt for it to go away completely. He tried to press the bite together, but it just did not happen. 

So, in the end he gave up and let go, sent a brief look in his mentor's direction, and then choosing to go and grab the dorsal part of the deer's slender neck, it was easier to hold onto there. All that was left was for Niamh to finish the job.

Tiredly, Niamh strangled the breath out of the deer, not trusting herself to let go and make an attempt to bleed the creature to death. Elfie's attempt at holding onto the deer was fairly futile, and Wraen also seemed to be tiring, so Niamh simply hung on while the deer slowly weakened under the lack of breath and the weight of Niamh keeping its front end steady until it slacked against the ground, and its eyes stared off into the nothingness it was then released into. She held on a bit longer, breathing in huffs around her tight grip, before she finally let go of the deer's neck, letting its head fall, leaving it hanging by the back of its neck from Elfie's jaws. She sat down then and gave the boy a tired, but brazen grin. 

"Lookit the mighty hunter," She puffed, "And the spoils of his kill," She said. It was a light tease, but was said- albeit breathlessly- in earnest. Elfie had done well during this hunt- meaning that the young lad hadn't completely spooked the deer in the wrong direction and screwed it up. Part of their success was owed to the boy, and she wondered if this was his first time helping with the catch of a large herbivore. She nodded to him. "Good job, kid," She said, finally clarifying that she was, in fact, proud of him for helping them hunt. She turned her head to gaze at Wraen, and found herself chuckling. They were both beat. The last thing she wanted to do was start dragging the deer back right now, given how heavy it was and how tired they were. "What say we lighten the load a bit here before we bring it back toward the Copse?" She asked, licking her lips. She would happily settle in for a mal, and then proceed to drag the remnants of the carcass back once they'd each had a bit to eat. 

..Though it was probably still not the best idea. Because like anyone else, after a good bout of exercise and a good meal- Niamh would want to do nothing else but nap after eating.

Finally, after what had seemed like an eternity, the deer gave up on life and Wraen was able to release her hold and give her jaw joints a rest. They did feel stiff and she did not know, if you could get cramps in temporal muscles, but the cramp-like feeling in the region of her head and forehead gave that impression. 

"Yup, let's eat now," she agreed with Niamh. "We can then leave one of us to guard and call the rest to have a meal here as well. It's not that far from the copse and it is always lighter to bring the meat back inside bellies than dragging it along," she explained her reasoning. Then turned to Elfie: "You can let go of the deer now. It won't run anywhere." She used the same light-teasing tone the other adult had. They had done the job and a little humour could not hurt.