Cedar Sweep Western Red Cedar

A silverred huntress disrupts the shadows of the sweep. Her pursuit of her prey draws his eye and subconsciously Hawthornn prepares to run in tandem, as he was once taught to. He's already completed a stride before it occurs to him that they were strangers. So he slows and stalks from the shadows. His body low and movements quick, eyes firmly focused on the silver huntress and her quarry.

Her intentions are unknown to him, thus her barbaric incapacitation of the rabbit is heavily scrutinized. She was an inept huntress with such poor form.

A wry smile tugged at his lip. His father would surely think the same. His old man's voice crept into his mind.

Rabbits are swift animals, with powerful legs. They are strong enough to break their own backs. Mind their claws, Hawthornn. They can blind you if you are careless.

Goldenrod eyes honed in on the battered rabbit. Poor form or not, she still captured her prey.

His stomach growled enviously. A dark cloud of frustration formed in his mind.

Hawthornn was not raised to be a thief, and he prided himself too much to start. But something about the silver huntress's hunt gnawed at him. Sure, he was hungry; it was likely his stomach.

With a steadying breath, Hawthornn's gaze turn analytical. In seconds the source of the offense was identified.

Why didn't you kill it?

The jealous anger that laced his voice surprised him, but Hawthornn waited for her answer.