"You are probably right on that account," Dante replied cheerfully, getting to his paws and performing a quick stretch. He wasn't depending on it but he would need some measure of speed in this. Intimidation would only get him so far. His silver eyes tracked Lasher as he made his way, ensuring that he knew the direction that he should take the herd. He'd hate to lead a stampede that would trample his hunting partner.
Once he had taken in Lasher's heading, he set off at a gentle lope, picking up speed as he traveled down the embankment. By the time the ground leveled he was at a sprint, a nasty snarl building and letting loose with surprising volume from the normally taciturn male. He punctuated this with a few short, sharp barks, aggressively baring his teeth at the deer. He probably looked a right monster, but it did the trick. He watched momentarily as the elk turned from him and fled before putting his attention back on the stag. With another hearty snarl, he faced the massive creature, legs stiff and tail raised. It was a total dominance show and he watched the stag hover between the urge to run and the need to protect the fleeing herd.
Dante continued to growl, staying carefully out of antler's reach but close enough to attack should the stag turn it's attention to Lasher's antics. He would keep it busy long enough for it to either judge the herd far enough and follow or for Lasher to make off with the fawn.
