Redtail Rise XLIX

aw but esp @Redsky <3

as they grew, augur made himself available to those who wished to learn sparring or hunting.

today he dragged a living fawn back in bleating steps to the rise's rendezvous, signalling any watching for a small hunt.

and then he released the animal, tongue lolling, and stood free to see if any of the pups would pursue it.

he followed only to keep it from true escape, driving it back with a snap. otherwise, the massive male did not interfere.

Redsky heard what Auger brought back and immediately rushed over. He needed to practice his hunting and this was a great opportunity. The young deer was still mostly alive, albeit injured, which gave him the perfect thing to practice on. He leapt at it, trying to catch it and bring it down by its hindquarters. Once he had a hold on it he put pressure into hits back legs to paralyze it before he went for its neck and bit down hard for the kill.

The fawn slowly stopped moving and bleating and Sky looked up at Auger after it finally stopped moving.

blackfang was first to appear.

the pup, half-grown at this point, did not spare a moment. his fangs were swift, and he gave the fawn no quarter.

the metallic tint of blood was in the air.

augur stepped toward the boy, rumbling in approval. he nosed the young prey and then left it. another would cache it. he would take blackfang beyond to hunt another.

the huntlead followed the ridgeline.

Redsky followed Auger with interest and intent. The boy's senses were maturing with his age and his eyes, ears, and nose were on the ready for any sign of something to hunt

there were few fawns here.

augur led blackfang along the outer edges of the rise. what he found instead was a coyote.

the man raised his head, glancing for blackfang. what did the pup make of the not-so-distant figure?

Sky growled lowly when he saw the coyote. Enemy. His mind shot to. He had never fought something before though, so he stood where he was, tentatively looking up at Auger. He wasn't sure what to do in this situation

the boy reacted well. augur drew him with a rumble.

stay close. stay back.

the likelihood of a coyote waiting to face down a wolf multiple times its size and a boy's eager teeth was slim, but not impossible.

augur loped proudly after the creature. it gave a small cry and scampered across the meadow below.

the huntlead gave chase.

Redsky wasn’t sure if he should follow or wait, but excitement of a chase pumped through him and he knew he was strong and capable at least somewhat, so he followed the hunters lead

they chased. 

augur fell back along the boy, noting his lines, his strengths.

he added a burst of speed, keeping the younger close, and soon snapped for the retreating heels of their enemy.

Sky followed the man's lead. When he snapped towards the targets hind legs, Redsky did too. He tried to latch his jaw onto the fleeing creature to stop it in its tracks and kill it! he had adrenaline pumping through him.

it was not like hunting a stag or boar.

augur kept the boy out of teeth's way as finally the coyote wheeled on them.

his jaws flashed to crush and maim.

the stiff banner of his waving tail encouraged the boy to do the same.

Redsky lunged trying to connect his jaw on the coyotes throat as it was now facing them. Ducking under teeth he latched his jaw on and pulled back with all his strength. The coyote yelped and Redsky ripped the chunk of flesh he was holding free and blood started to pour from the coyote everywhere.

the boy was immediately striking, blood and cries mingling.

augur circled, hackles raised; he was enthused by the protective murderous rage.

broad muzzle pointed for the jugular.

kill. he would help if it was needed.

Redsky nodded at the order and went in again, this time piercing through the flesh and ripping at the coyotes jugular. breaking its airway, the creature quickly lost the ability to breathe and Sky felt it quickly go still.

the coyote, dead.

augur growled a low note of approval.

he nosed at the body, then began to drag it off along the borders where its scent would smear a warning for others.

Redsky helped the older man drag the coyote away from their territory. He was proud of his kill.

at the borders, augur showed the boy where to arrange the body for best effect, then nudged him once.

red woman would be proud.

he returned with her son to the rise.