Neverwinter Forest Find a shade tree and a honey hole

@Solharr

---

The dense morning mist clung to the forest floor as Luhtar padded quietly through the trees, his heavy frame moving with as much lightness as he could muster. He had awoke with a pep in his step, eager to find something to fill the bellies of the Pack. His wet nostrils twitched and his ears swiveled as he tried to pick up on the soft sounds and scents that hinted at any movement. With the passing days, every leaf, every scent had become familiar to him now; Forneskja had quickly become something like home.

Like any good home, they needed a good meal.

Eventually, he came upon where the herds often gathered, and he slowed, pausing in the shade of a tree. The broken light that managed to penetrate the thick canopies cast him in fragmented light, hueing the silver and ginger of his thick, burly coat. It was hard to miss Sólhárr, who stood still within the shrubs ahead, muscles taut and eyes fixed ahead. A quiet boof parted from Luhtar's lips to make the other aware of his presence.

He slipped into position just behind Sólhárr, his eyes tracking the distant movement of the herd.

sólhárr’s ear flicked back at the low sound, acknowledging luhtar without turning. there was no need for words; northerners knew the language of the hunt, the quiet discipline that bound them to purpose. he felt luhtar’s presence slip into position, steady and focused, and allowed himself a faint nod of approval.

the herd was gathered ahead, their numbers swelling with the season, antlers locking and bodies moving with primal energy. the scent of rut was thick in the misty morning air, drawing the bucks into bolder displays—a perfect opportunity for predators as well.

his eyes fixed on a younger buck on the outskirts of the herd, slightly separated from the others. sólhárr shifted his weight, signaling intent with the barest motion of his shoulder. it was an unspoken directive, a call for luhtar to follow his lead. they would work together as they always had, moving with the rhythm that only those bred for this knew, letting instinct and trust guide them.

forneskja will eat well tonight, he thought, the quiet satisfaction stirring as he prepared to make the first move. elska would eat well.

Luhtar’s ears flicked in silent response, his muscles coiling as he watched Sólhárr’s subtle cues. Cut from the very same cloth, it was easy for Luhtar to attune himself to Sólhárr. The slight shift toward the young buck was all Luhtar needed. He moved through the brush, skirting a few paces to the side, prepared to flank and guide the creature into Sólhárr’s path.

Naturally, Luhtar wasn't much of a runner. But his Hárkonungr was the more experienced of the two in using his teeth and nails. Luhtar fell in step beside him, his large form surprisingly silent upon the damp earth. Through the thick brush, they crept forward, and excitement pooled in Luhtar's chest. The herd was yet oblivious to their approach.

Just as the young buck nearest to the approaching wolves lifted its head, catching some faint hint of their scent, Luhtar surged forward, muscles flexing with controlled force as he threw himself into the buck’s path to safety. His paws skidded viciously against the moist earth, sending mud flying up in a large plume. It scattered against his flanks and he only narrowly avoided contact with the buck's pointed antlers. "Skítr!"

His teeth grazed the two-toe's hindquarter, an attempt to steer him into the awaiting jaws of Sólhárr.

sólhárr’s eyes narrowed as he saw luhtar’s approach falter, catching only the buck’s flank. for a heartbeat, he felt the thrill of the challenge intensify; they’d have to adjust, but that was the way of the hunt. a single slip could cost them, and sólhárr was not about to lose his prize.

without hesitation, he corrected the approach, surging forward as the buck’s head twisted in panic. his jaws found the soft, vulnerable underpart of its neck, clamping down with unrelenting force. the animal struggled, hooves kicking wildly, and sólhárr felt the sharp jab of one against his abdomen—a pain he bore with silent grit, pressing his weight downward until he could feel the buck weakening beneath him.

now, all he needed was luhtar's competence to thrust his weight atop the fiery buck. then, they would have dinner tonight. then, they'd be kings.

The flash of frustration in Luhtar's eyes gave away to focus, his nose snarling up with a rumbling snarl. A challenge for the cornered buck, who quickly began to panic the moment he saw the ginger flash of Sólhárr’s pelt. He surged forward, mustering to cover as much ground as possible, aiming to catch up to the fleeing buck.

Luckily, Sólhárr had quickly corrected Luhtar's misstep. The adrenaline pooling in the large wolf's body was what kept him moving, jaws unhinging in preparation to swallow a fatty chunk of the buck's back thigh between his teeth. He slowed down just in time to prevent as much collision as possible, avoiding the risk of slamming Sólhárr off of the felled beast. It writhed upon the ground, kicking; knees pressing into the ground to push itself back up.

Just as the buck nearly managed back to his feet, fighting against the iron grip Sólhárr had on him, Luhtar's chest came crashing into his backside. He dug his paws into the earth below, bracing against the wild thrashing of the two-toe. His muscles coiled and burned, but he held steady, giving his head a violent jerk to tear a wound in the buck and bleed him faster.

Each shift and kick gradually lost intensity until, finally, the creature stilled, its energy spent. Luhtar wanted to collapse into the ground beside it, but he stumbled up to his towering height, inhaling greedy gulps of the crisp, cold autumn air. A look was exchanged between the two wolves before Luhtar laughed, trying to fight down the urge to wrap the other in a bear hug. "No beast is a match for us." He growled out, a victorious pride dripping from his voice.

with a final heave, he forced the creature down, the buck’s body collapsing under their combined strength. sólhárr released his grip for a moment to catch his breath, the scent of blood thick in the air. his gaze met luhtar’s, a glint of fierce pride there despite the narrow miss.

he felt the buck’s final struggle weaken beneath their combined weight, each thrash fading as the life drained from it. his chest heaved, breath fogging in the crisp autumn air, but he held steady, ensuring the beast was truly subdued. only when it stilled completely did he release his grip, stepping back just enough. 

better footing next time, brother, he rumbled, a hint of teasing beneath the words as he nudged luhtar with a shoulder. for now, let’s get this home. forneskja feasts tonight.

Luhtar grunted in response, catching his breath as he felt the buck go still beneath their combined weight. He felt a flicker of awkwardness at Sólhárr’s teasing words, his ears twitching as he let out a sheepish chuckle. He wasn’t used to the easy camaraderie, the way Sólhárr was supportive rather than competitive. For a moment, he fumbled for a response and so he settled on an awkward smile.

“Yeah, yeah.” He grumbled out a small laugh, giving the wolf a playful cold shoulder.

He bent to grip the buck’s scruff, casting a look toward the direction of where they'd come. Luhtar planted his paws and heaved, feeling the strain ripple through his shoulders and down his spine. It was only alleviated when Sólhárr joined in, allowing the two to drag their kill back with ease.

His breaths fogged in the crisp air as they trudged forwards, tugging the kill over the gnarled roots of their forest home. Already, his stomach grumbled with hunger. The quicker they got back to the rest of the Pack, the sooner Luhtar would get to have his share of the buck.

sólhárr caught luhtar’s sheepish chuckle, amusement lighting his own eyes as he leaned in, giving his companion a hearty shove in response to the playful cold shoulder. it was good to see luhtar relax, to watch the quiet awkwardness give way to shared laughter and ease. there was strength in camaraderie like this, and sólhárr was glad to see his packmate settle into it.

don’t go grumbling now, he teased, catching the look luhtar cast toward the direction of their dens. plenty of meat on this one to fill even that bottomless stomach of yours. sólhárr bent down, his teeth sinking into the thick scruff of the buck, and he felt the familiar strain in his shoulders as they began the trek home.

the scent of fresh blood and earth filled his lungs as they pulled the heavy carcass over roots and fallen leaves, the forest floor damp beneath their paws. beside him, luhtar’s determined breaths fogged in the chill air, their work in sync, each step drawing them closer to the warmth and the waiting hunger of their pack.

fade in your next?

The forest gradually gave way to the familiar clearing where the others gathered. Luhtar’s breaths came steady but strained, the weight of their catch heavy upon his sore muscles.

The scent of blood surrounded him from all directions. If not from the wound his teeth buried into, then from what dribbled from the mouth and torn throat of the buck. It was a scent that never failed to excite him.

As they neared the edge of the clearing, Luhtar glanced over, catching a glimpse of Sólhárr. Ahead, the pack began to stir, eager shapes moving within the brambled forest, bellies grumbling.

They would feast tonight.

They would hail their king tonight.