Redsand Canyon paganus

this forest had no name.

germanicus paused to examine a tangle of mossy roots. underpaw the ground was wet with snow-soaked leaves. but the absence of snow was pronounced, despite the chill of the air.

the untitled stream burbled merrily between its steep banks.

germanicus stepped down to drink, head lifting after a moment to search for any woodland creatures that might have come down from the colder mountains. it was time for mereo to hunt.

Hope you don't mind me just swiping your open threads. ^o^ <3

Arsenio trailed after the scent of the Roman, pausing here and there to sniff at something curious he had found. The redstone figure had found himself comfortable with the canyon and its stretch of surrounding land. It felt better to be in the mountains than it did to be on the lone mesa.

Trotting until he had closed the distance between himself at the silver-muzzled man, Arsenio offered him a small nudge to his shoulder. The blue of his eyes followed the burbling waters. It looked to be the perfect place for prey.

Sniffing around at the earth, the Greek tried to pull up any aroma of prey. The world around them smelled of winter chill and damp foliage. When he turned to look to Germanicus, Arsenio expected that he might take the lead.

never! <3

germanicus was not alone for a long while.

arsenio soon appeared. the two men stood in the silent coldweald for a moment. 

for this time they would not be imperator and auxillary. it was a privilege only the red wolf had earned. he moved smoothly shoulder to shoulder with his companion, eventually falling upon a single hoofmark in the frozen dirt.

she was a doe with an uneven gait. the eagle followed along the stream.

The redstone figure kept pace with the silvered hunter. His glacial eyes traced the paths and the lines of the trees that filled the area. Arsenio could only imagine how full of prey that area would be when springtime arrived. He made a note in his mind to return with Tamar when the sunlight had cleared away the snow.

Germanicus had found a trail. The mercenary stopped to sniff at the hoof prints in the muck. The Roman had a good eye. Arsenio looked to the man with a small nod. He was ready to pursue their target – into the lush. A smile swept the mercenary’s features.

germanicus looked back at arsenio. their time together was easy and knowing. he increased his speed. the marking had not been old.

a longer trot carried them to where the doe had bedded down in the middle of daylight. her limp was worsening. she was alone. perhaps she knew that she was being pursued.

he tested the nest with a forepaw. the grass was warm. tufts of white fur indicated where she had briefly lain.

onward then, pressing through the unknown forest until her ears stood silhouetted against the edge of a clearing.

The redstone wolf kept close to Germanicus. He trotted along easily as the Imperator followed their target with a sharp nose and sharper eyes. Arsenio sniffed at the remnants of the doe as they found her bedding place. There was interest in the blue of his gaze. Hunger pulled at his stomach, spurring his instincts to follow the path that had been left for them.

Germanicus was skilled with his tracking. The Greek watched the back of the Imperator with interest.

As the grey-muzzled man increased their speed, Arsenio followed dutifully. He stepped only a few paces away from the other man. Their small hunting excursion would prove fruitful, the Greek did not doubt. The warmth of the doe’s bedding had been sign enough. She would be found, and they would bring her down with their fangs.

Arsenio hastened. A hunter’s prowl found his figure.

the redstone wolf moved quickly.

germanicus matched his pace.

in time he cut to the left. the eagle meant to encircle. his smooth confidence placed immediate faith in arsenio's ability to understand his movement.

and when he was close enough the imperator struck harsh and true.

Arsenio followed the movements of his hunting partner. He mirrored Germanicus, branching out so that the doe did not have a means of turning to flee without being met with sharp fangs and a threatening growl.

The Roman found purchase in his attack. The Greek charged in to meet him, aiming a snap of his teeth for the hind limb of the deer.

caught as she was in the teeth of two wolves, suddenly and without the strength of one leg, the doe did not have a long fight to offer.

germanicus stepped back. the imperator panted a moment, splashed with blood. "mereo feasts tonight!" he said exuberantly in a rare show of excitement for himself.

their success was that of the pack as well.

Arsenio was breathing heavily by the time they had drawn the life from the doe, and it ceased to thrash for freedom. He drew his gaze up to the Roman with a smile and a panting tongue. The two of them made a fine pair of soldiers and hunters, he thought. It was good to run alongside the grey-muzzled figure.

Mereo is deserving of a little celebration, the mercenary remarked with a small chuckle. The outpost in the canyon had worked hard to build its numbers and set a foundation. Arsenio could not think of a better way to reward the soldiers for their diligence and their respect.

fading! <3

the two hunters dragged their catch to the edge of the forest.

there germanicus called for assistance and the kill was taken to the commons, where it was summarily butchered, devoured, and cached.

mereo was deserving. mereo was strong.

Arsenio helped to carry the weight of the kill back to the wolves of Mereo. He helped the Imperator work to prepare the meats and store the remaining stocks.

The wolves of Mereo ate well that night. Arsenio was pleased to share in the company of those who had gathered around them.