Phoenix Maplewood genesis

The scent of grouse led SuzU beyond Rivenwood’s borders, and out into neutral territory. She found hunting inland very difficult- rabbits were too fast, mice too agile, squirrels could climb trees…And while grouse could fly, she found occasionally lucked out in catching them on the ground, close to a nest. 

She stole close to a group of them, pecking at spruce nettles on the ground. She had to cover as much distance at a creep as she could, knowing that she was not good at sprinting. For a wolf as stout as she, she was careful on her feet and quiet- and when she finally pushed herself forward to close the distance, all but one of the grouse leapt into flight. 

The last one rose, but then fluttered back to the ground, uttering a muted, wailing sound. Its wings lightly spread, it dragged its feathers on the ground and continued on foot. Suzu knew the act meant that the grouse had a nest nearby, and chose to prowl rather than pursuing the mother grouse with her “wounded wing” act. 

She watched it, noting how it reacted as she scouted the area. When it fussed and came closer, hoping to grab her attention, she knew she was on the right path. 

The bird fluttered off when Suzu found the nest- and six eggs- camouflaged by a pile of twigs and dead leaves. 

She wouldn’t be able to bring them back whole, for Heda and Druid- but she could regurgitate the meal. She liked this arrangement more than bringing back a kill anyway- this way, she actually got to taste it and eat it before bringing it back up later. 

She ate the eggs, shells and all. By the texture, she assumed the eggs would have hatched soon- but they were delicious just as they were, and it would mean more meat for the mothers and pups later. 

She sniffed around in the area to see if any others had laid a clutch nearby, but instead caught the scent of a wolf, and wolf’s blood. Warily, she proceeded at a slow pace, wondering if she might find the wolf alive or dead.