Dawnlark Plains XXXVIII

Already very self-aware, Suzu looked up briefly when she heard what sounded like a snort- only to see a wiry girl staring at her with a mean gaze that would soon enough be blocked from view by one of their newest additions to the pack. 

Suzu waved her tail and flattened her ears to show her appreciation to Raelle, though when Ancelin spoke to her, she froze. His reassurance was hard to believe, given it came from a wolf whose face was covered in scars. He seemed confident, though, and she felt both pleased and flustered to receive his attention. 

She looked to Raelle, a girl of her own age (finally!) and raised her eyebrows. What did she make of him? Was he just trying to show off? 

Instructions were shown by a man from the Rise, as he selected wolves from his own party first, and then divided up the others. A target had apparently been chosen, but to Suzu, they all looked so terrifying she wasn’t sure she could tell them apart. 

She gave Ancelin a mortified look when he suggested that the animals might come at them. Dodge back? Exactly how agile did he think she was going to be when faced by a charging bison?! 

She thought of the blood, and felt queasy. 

She was to hold a line with Wing, Raelle, and someone she didn’t recognize from the Rise. She was too overwhelmed to even offer Redd a hopeful grin, and moved to linger close to Raelle, her posture low and slinking. She’d move, but only when the others did. 

Ancelin was bold and even when faced by the defensive tactics of the bison he persisted. Once the animals began moving, she knew they were to chase their section of the herd away. 

Suzu made an attempt, darting forward with a bluff charge, only to find herself chased back by a protective cow that pulled out of the crowd to stomp after her for a few paces before returning to the herd. 

Out of breath, she ducked behind Raelle and Redd again, hoping one of them might take up the initiative.