Redtail Rise legacy, family

attn @Redd or anyone who wants to hunt!

Now that her season had passed and she was back to the hunt, New Snow sought to find good prey for the pack to take down together. Presently she followed a trail that wove through the Rise. They had traversed nearly the whole span of it, and by midday New Snow had too. But the scent was growing stronger, and New Snow had confidence that she would find them by nightfall if not when the sun was first beginning to crawl up the horizon. 

Her nose hovered over old scat, determining many things from it. And she darted to other things left behind to learn more. 

And then with a huff she was again on her way, her gait a confident hunters strut when on the trail of something—but nothing more.

Redd continued to hunt and, in trying to integrate once more with a pack long separated from, missed no opportunity to hunt in pairs or groups.  Hunting was a simpler thing; it required only action and few words, if any.  

She fell in step easily beside New Snow, relaxed in the presence of the other, and began to mirror her search.  

On a trail already, she could immediately tell.  Redd’s tail arched eagerly, playfully, as she whuffed her pleasure.  Then, intent, she too began to follow, weaving in and out of nearness to New Snow and keeping silent as possible.  They would likely be drawing near soon.

New Snows posture eased upon sight of Redd, and diverting from her tracking from a moment she ducked low and happily greeted the woman that was Wealda. Her tail waved behind her in greeting as she bounced happily around the she-wolf. It mattered not to New Snow that she had ever been away, ever been a part of anything other than the Rise. So were many leaders that came into their positions—the season that was here could change much. 

Redd could be a complete stranger to her, to the Rise, and New Snow still would have accepted her in the way that it had been earned. But Redd was no stranger to her,  nor her heart. The girl was as wild as her own daughters, and seemed to understand her best in this way for that. 

New Snow was happy to exchange scents—proud to wear Redds. And when they fell back on the trail, there was an extra bounce in her step. New Snow whuffed as many hours it might take take to find the herd, but was nonplussed; this was what they were made for, after all, and she knew Redd was more than capable.

New Snow communicated patience and Redd realized the trail was not as fresh as she first estimated.  She eased her stalking some, though still did not grow careless.  If they crossed a more recent hunt in the process they could always shift in goals; the herd would still be there when food was won.

Redd would never find out that Augur had sired her, but innately, she found comfort in the hunt family.  They understood many of her ways in a manner others found difficult, not only communication, but thoughts and feelings.  Though their children were slow to trust, she did not fear that this applied to hunt lead and his mate.  The two seemed content in the rise for the moment.  She feared the winter less as a result.

It was not only for the Rise that she sought their steadying presence.  Selfishly, perhaps, she clung to the family she loved.

Redd whuffled quietly in response, acceptance and eagerness, before playfully nipping at the fur of her shoulders and bounding alongside.  The trail was clear and straight, broken snow only occasionally interrupted with the crossing of a stream or the introduction of a passing intersection.  At one point large hooves broke it, and the scent of moose filled her nose… but she did not divert, and knew that hunt wife would not either.  There was no point in pursuing such dangerous prey when the herd offered a far simpler hunt.

Should be picking it up pace wise! Finally have a few days off coming up, sorry for my delay!

 

There were many trails they two came across as they progressed, though the moose also gave New Snow pause. She had no intent to change their course, but it was good information to know its health and how recently it had passed through. It was a male, and her nose indicated that the creature was in its prime. It would not benefit them to go after this particular beast any time soon and so New Snow stepped away to mouth at the soft snow, hydrating some. Remnants of the powdery stuff clung to her chin, but as they moved along it became snowmelt and dribbled off. 

She caught up to the Wealda quickly enough, lengthening her stride and nipping happily at her superior. There was fondness in her gaze as she looked upon her, tail swinging in loose and happy arcs behind her. They had covered much ground, and only had a little more to go from here. 

And several miles later, there was fresher scat abundant in the area they had last bedded. New Snow sniffed at the grooves in the snow left behind by their bodies, and pawed at the earth to leave the scent of Redtail there. This herd belonged to, and would be hunted by, members of the Rise. The Ulfr looked to see if the Wealda had found anything of note, and moved to sniff at whatever thing she was.

i have also been terribly slow, so no worries at all (clearly!).  I’m fine to wrap this at any time since it’s gotten old, but I also don’t mind finishing it out

Redd too ignored the moose, noting its location and little else.  Ulfhedinn would choose the targets he willed, but most with sense would balk to challenge a moose when alternatives were presented.  Only in the right circumstances, and with the full teeth of the pack, was such prey feasible.

The affection in New Snow was palpable, welcome, and struck Redd with the sudden memory of other such hunts with her own mother.  Wealda.  She still felt the title was not truly hers to wear.  The sudden nostalgic sorrow that gripped her was a surprise, but none of it escaped her core.  This was neither the time nor the place.  And the memories were not unwelcome.

A herd.  She marked the traces similarly, then looked to the east, spying distant shapes upon the air.  Large, uncircling, yet low and unpatterned.  Redd looked to New Snow, then let a quiet chuff expell, a question lingering in it.  There?

She guessed they would find water, and with it, a flock to target.  Two such birds would not feed many, but with luck they could isolate a first catch and return with four.  She hoped for a larger lake.