Haunted Wood lepidus

attn: deorwine wolves, but AW for anyone else who wants to join <3

he was along the river, fishing shad from the ankle-deep waters. germanicus would have preferred to hunt the unguarded herd of does he had seen in his patrol, but the clan had made clear their lack of acceptance for him. they did not trust the soldier, nor he them; therefore they could not hunt together.

he had caught two already, and as the sun moved higher and shone its bright face upon the river's surface, the greystone man hauled back to the bank for a rest and a meal.

The sun glimmered on that day, shining down and warming the russet hues of the stag’s pelt as he passed through the grassy straights toward the river. He had ventured for several hours and had grown somewhat weary beneath the burning of the summer light. The scent of does had brought his attention toward the wood and the creatures that might have dwelled within. The reek of the predator was not quite as strong in this portion of the forest. The prince bent his head to graze for a moment. Rohan plucked at the moist greenery at his hooves before the shift in wind pulled his shrewd eyes back up.
 
The water that ran through that area seemed to have found another visitor. As the stag approached the edge and drank, his vision was drawn to a soaked greyscale figure that had emerged from the stream with a few fish. When the wolf had made his space on the edge of the water with his catch, Rohan crossed the stream and stood on the other side with a guarded glance toward the hunter.

dripping chin tensed at the plod of a mighty beast, a great-antlered figure that looked sidelong at him. germanicus felt no urge to speak toward the animal, only shifted in a slight deference to their outmatched meet. he was no fool; challenging such a large ruminant would mean injury or death.

but he was curious in regard to the intellect of the other's eye, and held the stare as long as he was able, ears thrust forward and throat silent, fish forgotten for the present.

The fanged beast met his gaze. For a moment, the stag held the gaze of the wolf with his own. He did not show the fear that bubbled in his belly. The royal creature could only prove his courage in that way - by holding the sights of this creature. After several seconds, Rohan could not help the flutter of his ears to catch the noises that came from behind him. He did not wish to be caught by surprise if this wolf sought more than fish. He had not scented many others, but he had been wrong before. 

Without breaking his gaze from the other, Rohan dipped his crown to drink. When he lifted it again, water drizzling from his chin, he maintained the guarded stare. Usually the hunters were prideful. They had spoken to him before. This one did not seem interested. So, Rohan passed to the other side of the water and changed his course. Stepping with confidence so that he could keep the wolf in his sight, and pass to the green grass beyond.

edited because I accidentally put elk instead of deer.. rip

Rejuvenated paws carried the brown wolf through the eerie wood, floating in stride like a ghost as he trotted. His purpose was still only that of exploration, as he'd already acquired enough of a meal the day prior to satisfy him for a while. What was left of it, a hoard of bones with juicy marrow, was buried in a nondescript location that (hopefully) wouldn't be easy for others to find. Still, the smell of a deer captured his interest. He wondered if a herd was around here and if there was he'd like to keep tabs on them... Just in case.

His pace slowed when the scent of another wolf passed him along with it. One single wolf, and a stag?... hmm... Green eyes sought out a higher rock jutting from the ground and he turned towards it, leaping on it and scouting from his new vantage point. Sure enough, in the distance he could see a large antlered beast staring down a wolf across the river. Laying with his belly pressed on the flat stone beneath him he let his paws and snout hang from the edge, silently observing.

the eaglebound entertained no foolish notions of challenging this horned inimicus. it was not a fight he would be able to put paid, and it was not one he wished. the offerings of the water would be enough for the clan he followed.

but it was the appearance of another, his own kind, that snapped the sharp daffodil stare to attention. an earth-cloaked man with a pair of watchful eyes. germanicus returned the seeking expression, tilting his head sidelong toward the passing beast as if to suggest a hunt. the stranger was welcome to decline, however; he would only go on to collect a pair of fish more before he returned to the group.

The shift in the beast's gaze... 

Rohan caught that long before the scent of the other wolf. The stag swung his head, gaze squinting with dangerous precision. Was the drab creature with corn colored eyes hunting in a group? The deer was quick to dart between them with his dark gaze. He did not know well enough if they were working together. The proud creature did not think it was worth the risk to find out. 

Patient and stalwart, the deer of the Elderwood held his ground with taut muscles..

Henryk's head lifted at the suggestion but he questioned whether he was reading the gaze correctly. It sunk back and froze when the stag seemed to spot him laying on his rock... No doubt the tension in it would be heightened.

Was the grey other really suggesting they take on this beast? A hunt with another he'd not turn down so easily, but the risk that was now posed by the large ungulate spotting him left them at a disadvantage... Still, he was curious as to what the other wolf had in mind. Perhaps they could disorient it in some way... Possibly? But how to communicate that from afar?

The umber man's response was a gentle cock of the head, also peering towards the beast. If the grey one had an idea, he'd try his best to perceive it. And if the beast decided tensions were too high and fled, he wouldn't mind taking up the offer in some other sort of way. 

the antlered one, more intelligent than his skittish counterparts. germanicus, aware now of their disadvantage, drifted futher downstream, returning his attention to the fish as he considered a better approach. 

at length, he looked toward the observer a second time. more direct, the hushgold of his eyes; they had been spotted before, and so in this moment germanicus decided it mattered not if the ruminant looked upon them. gathering his aquatic catches, he deliberately stepped off into the dappled forest. 

with luck, the message of melting into the foliage to regroup would be conveyed; once beyond sight of the great beast, the eaglebound waited, watching the rich hue of the god's coat between browning leaves.