Dawnlark Plains XXXVIII

this was exhilarating.
the boys seemed to take direction well. it felt like having little brothers, and he was impressed by how (etienne, wasn't it?) darted at the great shapes with open fearlessness.
however, if anyone got hurt, it would be his fault, and so the bjern stepped up to give direction. their portion of the herd, breaking under the onslaught, was beginning to turn and run. "keep back from their hooves!" the young hunter shouted over the cacophony.
he snapped at the haunch of one animal, then another, eyes darting to keep watch over the wolves who followed him as they sought to stampede the left flank of the herd across the terrain, far from the others.

the longer the hunt went on, the more mireille was aware of how dangerous it was here, and how easily someone could be hurt or killed. she tried to keep @Theo close to her at least, keeping back a scold or a shout for etienne. he was only doing what they had came to do! but her worry mounted, followed by relief when she was able to see land and sky between them again.
she ran forward when ancelin did, snarling at straining heels to encourage the ruminants' departure. and like the hunt-lead, she took looked around for her young relatives as they all ran.

Theo nodded when Ancelin responded and he started after the other young man, going to the left to drive the group away

Lilia kept her form low, so that she might draw less attention to herself and so that she could keep her gaze transfixed on the pair of bison that had been targeted and then shielded. Around her, hooves thundered on the dry ground, and wolves snarled and snapped. She heard the heavy breathing of the animals that regarded them with defiance, though when a few broke away and began to run, the others followed. With two groups of wolves pressuring the bulk of the bison to move away, those surrounding the mother and her new calf became fewer and fewer- leaving an opportunity for the hunters to strike. 

The calf would be abandoned for the time being- Augur signaled and Lilia moved to obey, moving in swiftly to edge herself between the mother and another bison who'd begun to flee in the same direction, foolishly moving on an angle to get closer to their target so it would not be alone. Lilia snarled and sprinted toward the narrowing space between the two. The second one lowed at her and showed the whites of its eyes in panic as it veered away from their target and off toward one of the other groups of bison as they fled. 

From there, Lilia dropped back to the bison's flank, keeping several feet away to avoid a stray kick. From there, she could maintain her pace, and continue to put pressure on the bison to keep moving forward. At this pace, she felt it would tire soon, especially having given birth a short time ago.

Eti did his best for he was an obedient beast. He ignored the tremor in his chest and stomach and instead focused on what he must do for his family.

The youth Ancelin (was it) yelled to stay away from hooves and Eti had learned that the hard way once before and these hooves were bigger. So stay away he did.

But he forced himself to keep pace and keep driving. He was not a large wolf by any means, but he could do this for matant Mireille and Theo and Suzu.

Bite, claw, snarl, back up. He turned it into a pattern he could remember, and he turned as the beasts turned.

None of the youngsters tried to get closer, for which Masque was grateful. Perhaps they had a healthy fear of and respect for the bison. It made them think of their first hunt, when they’d cowered before the elk. They’d come a long way since then, though Masquerade was still of the mind that pups shouldn’t join a hunt until they were older, at least six months of age.

The calf’s frightened bawl scattered the Caru’s thoughts. They glanced at the hunting party, then shifted their gaze to the pups, watching for their reactions. Their tail waved as they licked their chops, already imagining the taste and texture of fresh veal.

we'll say final round! no posting order <3

the cow was tiring.

the pursuit had sapped what little strength was left to her. the scent of birth still clung to her flanks.

augur reared and grabbed for the massive snout.

his teeth scored, slipped. held.

with all his might he sought to force her down, seeing that she slowed and cried a muffled sound.

blood now; biting deeper; holding the animal's head so that her throat was exposed for another redtail wolf.

and when it was over, augur paced and howled, and called back those who had run.

first meat, to wealda, to himself, and then he signalled all of the others, and the seaside wolves to eat alongside them.

allies, even if hierarchy was kept.

Theo noticed an opening but kept to his job of herding/chasing the herd away. He didn't break formation even when his instinct wanted him to lunge at the beast

[mature=gore]The hooves of the fleeing beasts beat a decrescendo as they herd was swept away from the lone cow. Lowing and exhausted, she fled no more, standing on splayed legs as she sought to keep each of the circling wolves in sight. They moved in such a way, around her, that kept her eyes scanning and wild, making bluff charges to draw her attention at just the right moment- and when the cow turned its dark amber eyes toward Lilia, Augur struck- and grabbed the great, shaggy beast by her muzzle. 

There, his teeth would sink deep, and while she seemed to sense the coming of the end, she struggled to remain upright now that her neck was outstretched. Lilia saw an opportunity and seized it, flashing forward like a glinting dirk; a small, keen thing that slashed and set free a steaming stream of blood that spouted fiercely at first, before it slowed to a drizzle as the beast slouched. She looked up, to see if Relic or Lycabas had gone to dispatch the calf, now that the cow was down.

Lilia pulled back, her coat glistening with blood that dropped from the tips of her bristly guard hairs. She looked upon the kill proudly- but knew to hang back, and allow the leaders to eat first. A gesture from Augur would welcome her in, eventually, and alongside the others she would feast upon their spoils.

Referencing Lycabas since he is no longer active.

The hunt was thrilling. Relic rushed along, blood pumping through his veins. Strong jaws snapped, clipping shallow wounds in the hide of the bison cow. While Augur and Lilia inflicted heavier damage. She tired and her calf fell behind. Exposed.

As it's mother fell to her demise at the jaws of his teammates, he doubled back. A deep bark towards Lycabas, urging him to follow. Without waiting to see if the other male had taken up his cue, he was on the calf in seconds. Such a soft, easy target. It cried out, wailed in panic. Not understanding the end that was upon it. Shoving it to the ground, he wrapped his jaws around it's throat. With a quick twist and a crunch, Relic delivered a merciful end to it's short life.

Both packs would eat well today.

Not only did the primary hunting group bring down the mother, Relic and his partner managed to capture the calf too. Masquerade’s tail waved and they yipped to draw the pups’ attention to this latter display. That was their big brother out there, providing a spectacular hunting demonstration.

After the leaders fed, Masque guided their younger siblings forward to join the feast. Because there were strangers—despite hunting together, the Caru didn’t know these Sapphique wolves—afoot, they remained quite close to the youngsters. In fact, they only relaxed somewhat when they came closer to the Wealda. Nobody would ever dare mess with Avicus or her brood.

After filling their own belly, Masquerade stepped back to check on the children and their mother, brow furrowing slightly. Was Avicus favoring her left hind leg? The Caru’s primary responsibility right now was tending to the pups, though they made a note to check in with the Wealda as soon as the feast was over, see if perhaps they should summon Ashlar.

The sharper stones and branches had torn up Etiennes paw pads. Only because he wasn't used to runnig so hard and dodging and weaving as he had.

There was pride to him, but he stayed from the meal until he was signaled and then only taking what he needed to fill hia belly he'd settle in the sun somewhere and letvthe day pass by to the sounds of allies and family filling their bellies.