Sea Lion Shores Spoils of Sea

For any who wants to join in the hunt! Or even if thry just wanted to go on a trip and sit on the sidelines and watch.

 

Aiolos had shared words with his wife, that he had spoken to Sakhmet of the idea of going to the Sea Lion Shores with whatever hunters wished to be a part. Aiolos would show them the path through the open plains and meadow, but it would be @Rodyn which led the hunt. If First hunter needed support with this new hunting, Aiolos would be there to guide.  

Kukutux confirmed, Sakhmet had mentioned it to her too and spoke of the hunt to her son as well. And with Vaire and Samani making plans to move, going on hmtje venture to the coast now seemed the perfect opportunity. 

Aiolos called out to all who wished to come- to First and Second Hunters, Rodyn and @Kivaluk. To @Sakhmet and @Kukutux, too young @Mojag- to all who wished to walk the coast! And then they would be off. 

Their trail would be from the Chimera Fields to the Pasture, a path he had taken time and time again when he was a part of the island, visiting allies in Neverwinter Forest and Moonspear. Ahead lie pale sands, many salt water pools and a horde of sea lion, smelling and loud. They grunted out as they warmed in the late afternoon sun.

Rodyn followed behind Aiolos pride in his chest at the honor the man had given him. The honors and the absolute love and friendship that was all of Moonglow. He would miss them. He didn't regret where his life was taking him, or that he and Samani would be together elsewhere. It was just a new chapter and they were still apart of Moonglow, expanding the that had raised samani and the one that had taken him in.

As they neared the sea lion shores and he could hear them calling. He had never been so happy to have been taught something ahead of time.

I have hunted these once before. We keep them from the water, and watch it's teeth, right?

he wished to double check with the patriarch of Moonglow.

moontide would take form.

kukutux was saddened for the departure of her daughters and yet she was filled with delight to know that they would find their own path, as sialuk had done.

she walked beside him, greeting firsthunter as he came up.

it was good to be in the salt air! it was good to see the ocean again! kukutux gleamed with a smile but for now was content to be quiet, shoulders settled in a wrap of glossy black foxfur.

shikoba would come to travel with her village, wondering about the magical beasts that the salt water had to offer them on this glorious trek. she had wondered if her son or husband would take part in such a ritual -- perhaps if they didn't, she would.

the sun was warm upon her back and shikoba would come to enjoy the feeling of the sand beneath her once more. it did not burn as the desert did, though shikoba sometimes thinks she has lost feeling in her pads years ago from being burned by the scorching heat of the desert. for now, she breathes in the breeze and looks towards the others with curiosity.

kivaluk was called, along with others.

a hunt!

though the ironheart and stonestomach remain ever symptoms of tulukiri's death to the young natigvik, kingullimik is eager to focus upon things to help make him forget.

hunting. patrolling.

quietly searching for any signs of his father despite that his mother appears to have found new happiness with kukutux and aiolos.

they have not spoken of it but kivaluk is smart and can sense change in sakhmet when he sees her.

a small twist of his gut is given though, thinking that this trip was meant to be for him and sakhmet alone but that it did not happen like that. he didn't begrudge her her happiness but he cannot help the lashing sting of ...jealousy? that he feels all the same.

for now, he sets these ugly things away to focus on their quarry: seals; waiting for word that the hunt would begin.

First and Second hunter were among them, ensuring their sucess. The young men having grown to be strong hunters. His wife had joined them and the Star of Moonglow. A powerful group, the five of them. 

Yes Rodyn, thats correct. Their teeth are not as dangerous as a walrus' tusks, but they have a nasty bite and their flippers give quite a smack...! He says with a smirk and pow laughter. This would be their last hunt together as all members of Moonglow. Soon, Rodyn and Samani would go to form what would be Moontide. And on the very plateau Aiolos once lived on, no less! 

They are slow, but strong and very heavy. He loud whispers to the group. We move around them and block their escape to Sea. His eyes cast to Rodyn then, and Kivaluk, ready to move as they did.

Rodyn nodded and offered a smile to the patriarch of Moonglow. Who he had deep respect for. Kivaluk would take his place as First hunter, when he left. And it hurt, but it also came back full circle. For the youth's father was once first hunter. He would be first hunter in their new pack lands.

He moved and headed slinkily towards the outside of the creature eyes on the seals. He had caught sight of one who had a tear in their flipper. It would be slightly easier than the others. It looked healthy otherwise. Jaw tense, he went into a perfect stalk and moved forward, keeping a weather eye on all other parties.

He would make sure all were in position before attacking. Once he saw that. He burst forth with a growl and a snarl, hearding the seal of his choice away from the water, watching his back and front for any others.

shikoba, kivaluk, aiolos, rodyn, herself.

the scar upon her shoulder wanted the hunting blood once more.

kukutux readied herself, ears taking in the advice of the speaking men.

it had been a long while since she had hunted seal, and yet her figure remembered.

when sivullik moved, moonwoman accompanied him, stalking around to cut the seal off from the waves.

when he lunged, kukutux too snapped, teeth silent but scouring.

slow but strong.

an assessing look towards the closest seal to him; affirming how their bulk would be both advantage and disadvantage.

first hunter launches himself with a snarl, taking the lead. ajakuluk second.

kivaluk is the third, focusing upon the quarry: the one with a damaged flipper rodyn has begun to circle. a closeby seal — making what has to be the most horrendous noise kivaluk has never heard — diverts and heads for rodyn.

kivaluk intercepts with a continuous rumbling growl in his throat and snap of his teeth that forces the brave seal to back off. he finds his spot in the mayhem, helping to herd but watching rodyn and kukutux's backs.

shikoba would come to join the young second hunter to be watchful of the other seals that screamed their horrendous cries as they all made for the water as a form of escape. she would make room for the more experienced seal hunters to make their pick as she comes to drive the others into the ocean.

a handful would come to turn and attempt to strike at her with their flippers as she drove them into the ocean. though, star hunter was quick enough to move away and allow the rest of the group to make their escape. she would stay behind to ensure nothing would come to sneak up from the water. 

while she considered herself strong, these beasts seemingly towered over her at times. she knew better than to be arrogant. she now watches and joins the group around the single seal the first hunter has picked. and any time she feared that something swam up from the depths, she would come to spin and shriek her own horrible note of warning.

a battle cry that promised blood should her family be tampered with!

The sea lions got wind of the wolves and noticed they were not just passing through - they were here to cause trouble. 

The sounds of their honking grew louder and large meaty bodies slammed into one another as they hobbled away from the wolves and began to arch around, toppling over one another for who would make it to the sea first. They didn't seem the brightest of creature, but their strength was in their heavy weight and their number. 

Rodyn, large and heavy, Kukutux, slight and swift. They both teamed together around the back of one sea lion, cutting it off from the waters. Shikoba herded the rest to the water and out of the way. Kivaluk watched Rodyn and Kukutux back in case some of the herd got snappy at one of them for being too close as they made their way out. 

Aiolos stayed in front of their target, going in to bite at it whenever it turned its head and try and get Kukutux and Rodyn away from him. Back and forth, they struck, then Aiolos. There would need to be many cuts before the beast fell.

So much at once, but Rodyn trusted the wolves behind him and he trusted his own skill and with that he would lunge and retreat, circling again. Never staying in one spot and not giving the she seal a chance at scouring flesh from him.

Blood was falling from multiple wounds on the creature, Rodyn's claws and teeth were strained. The skin was hard at times to grasp, so shallow cuts were also made, but they were wearing it down, he saw that. Aiolos was in front, Kukutux weaving and tearing like Rodyn. He worried for Sun Man, but only momentarily he knew the older male had probably more skill and time than he ever had.

They would finally wear these creature down. Though who gave it the last bite, was still up to the stars and the sea.

shikoba joined kivaluk.

rodyn and she bled the creature with quick, darting bites.

a muscular flipper batted hard against her side and kukutux leapt back, careful of the children within. she licked red from her teeth and tongue while she searched for another opening, eyes flicking to her sun man.

shikoba was skillful! all of them were true hunters of moonglow.

aiolos kept the great beast's attention. the duck struck hard again, this time hauling backwards on the blubbery flesh.

curiosity nags at kivaluk to divert his attention, to see how rodyn, aiolos and kukutux fared with their target but the herd he and shikoba herded back towards the ocean was chaos. barking — from wolves and seals alike! — and the pushing of their strangely shaped and furless bodies as they struggled between retreat and retaliation.

he ignores that intrusive thought to look away.

to lose focus for a moment might mean injury.

already, his muzzle stung from a headbutt from one of them. a snarl and a snap of teeth; the strange salty sea taste mixing with metallic tasting blood sends the briefly brave beast back into the greedy waves of the sea.

the seals wailed like crying sirens as the waves swept them up. their mighty screams could be heard form miles where Moonglow first spilled saltwater blood. but this was the thrill of the hunt, this is what made wolves!

by now the beach had been firmly considered clear from the others, though some few final quick inspections proved this theory to be proven for shikoba. now she would come to join her family, hoping to see the young boy join in for this final strike of the beast. a quick bark to his direction, an invitation as if to say "we've done our part, now let's help them!"

now she would come to join the circle of the great hunters and watch for their strategy. she'd lunge when it came to her turn, feeling the newest sensation of the blubber within her jaws. the taste of blood was strong, and now they must work together in hopes to bring him down!

Kivaluk is headbutt. Kukutux smacked into the side with a flipper. Aiolos dives his head down as their target jerks its head up, causing Aiolos open jaws to smack shut as the creature's head connects with Aiolos chin. He now tastes the blood of the sea lion and blood of himself. Only one would die this day, however and it would be none of Moonglow. 

Shikoba joins then as Aiolos licks the dripping blood from his maw. He strikes for the back of the sea beast's head and jerks it back, hoping to give Kivaluk open opportunity to take a fatal hold. Kivaluk would show himself as First Hunter now.

Rodyn stuck near Aiolos on the other side. Trying to give Kivaluk more room to maneuver. He realizes what the older male is trying to do and is in full support of it. After all. He was giving up his role. A feeling that was bittersweet. He was very proud of his status. He just hoped it didn't make Aiolos think less of him for leaving so soon after receiving it.

sorry for the wait!

as the others closed in, kukutux melted backward.

she had taken a harsh blow; she would not risk another.

carefully moonwoman circled, pinning the animal further down its body until the death throes ended and their mouths were all stained in blood.

and her eyes were upon kivaluk.

it is his kill, he realizes as the others draw back.

it happens fast but adrenaline helps to slow the world, giving kivaluk's brain time to rapid fire response.

the initiation of second hunter to first?

he does not ponder it long, or much at all.

instead, he follows the instinctual nature of his body, trusting his muscles as he lunges, jaw agape and then locked upon the beasts' thick throat.

it takes more force than he is used to, to push past thick fat protecting it. and it is a struggle, until the massive body slackens and death arrives upon swift wings to claim their prey.

metallic and salty taste of it's blood lingers upon kivaluk's tongue as he draws back, letting the lifeless body fall to the sands; his sides heaving as he seeks to catch his breath as adrenaline begins to wane.

the final wail of the beast before he fell to the jaws of the proven kivaluk.

and there is no hiding the sense of pride shikoba feels within herself when she looks towards the boy. he was on a quick path to becoming a man under the guidance of his elders of the village. with heart-pounding adrenaline flowing through her veins, shikoba releases a victorious war cry.

moonglow had made their kill upon the borders of the ocean.

Kivaluk does well, making a bite which is both suffocating and bleeds out the sea creature much faster. When it slumps to the ground, Aiolos backs up and sits, panting heavy to catch his breath as the others. 

Then, Aiolos yowls out over the sands as Shikoba. A cry of victory for both Kivaluk and the five of them still as pack. They could eat their fill of the sea lion and then rest before heading back home carrying as much as they could.

Rodyn too gave a throaty cry and dipped his head in respect to Kivaluk. He was first hunter now. Rodyn no longer carried the title. It was a bittersweet moment. But he look3d forward to what his life now held and he had no doubt kivaluk would do well..

last for me! <3

a shout for kivaluk!

for their victory.

she would help to butcher and to carry. the fat of such creatures would keep frozen. she would taste it in chunks as a treat once she birthed again.

and the skin would make a fine soft leather.

she sang as she worked.