Redtail Rise High Risk, High Reward

the bull was wounded.

they fell back.

blood was hot in the air. thorn caller and the young ones had done a good job of spattering the elk's coat and the churned ground with scarlet.

wolverine grabbed for the high muzzle. this would have been his blow in an easier hunt.

the elk bellowed. it slipped, its leg hanging uselessly now, and slid heavily to one haunch.

augur was upon the back of its neck. between himself and wolverine, the beast's muzzle was pinned while the hunt-lead bit through to white bone.

not yet dead, the elk collapsed, legs flailing in wild revolutions. it was still gravely dangerous, even as it tried to stand in its death throes.

augur circled, though there was time now for another lesson: to dash between the flying hooves and wound for a quicker death.