Duck Lake the long fall

The presence of another escapes her as both eyes remain fixed on the flock. Her targets loaf on the outskirts; perhaps a well-timed strike could catch them off-guard?

Fúyáo's tail twitches impatiently. She has hunted before, yes, but never for survival. Never to fill a hollow, aching belly. Never without a pack.

Amateur impulse drives her hurtling towards the injured female in a flurry of snow as the flock explodes around her with frightened squawks. She scans wildly, but it takes her a moment too long to spot the hen amongst the chaos. For in that moment, she has already taken flight, and Fúyáo's clumsy leap yields her only tail feathers.

Seconds later, the princess stands panting and soaked atop the ice with nothing to show for her efforts.