Redtail Rise In the Falling of Feathers

They’d barely begun their scent work when something burst out of a swatch of longer grass. Masquerade quickly recovered from her startle and reared, jaws snapping at the tailfeathers of the fleeing pheasant. She didn’t actually expect to catch it, though her aim was true enough that her teeth snagged the broad sword of its tail.

Gravity did the rest of the work for her. As Masque dropped back onto all fours, she yanked the bird down with her. Its barred wings kept beating frantically, making it very difficult for the Caru to manage her grip. As loose feathers drifted in the air around them, the fine pinions slipped between her fangs and the creature freed itself.

She could only spring after it again and hope that perhaps Sky was close at hand to do the same.