I Slaughtered This Horse Last Tuesday

A cooler than average morning lay hushed in early dawnlight, the sun barely visible between the horizon and thickly clouded sky. Eilan was alert and awake. He'd decided that today he was finally going to catch the dam rabbit that had been taunting him ever since he'd arrived at Donostrea. He'd seen Glacier's tactics of digging after the rabbit but the chilled ground was not going to make that an ideal way to hunt. He was going to have to use stealth, cunning and agility if he was going to be successful.

Eilan slipped from his den and started off toward the hunting grounds of the prairie, breath spilling from his parted lips in a soft cloud of fog. Most everyone was still asleep and he secretly hoped that the rabbits themselves would be a bit slow to get going this morning. Pausing to sniff at the ground he failed to find anything worth noting and decided to rely on his eyes. There'd been a light dusting of snow the other day and prints were certain to have been left if he just kept his eyes peeled.

Trotting deeper into the prairie he soon spied what he was looking for, a mess of rabbit tracks weaving in and around each other. Messy little bunny trails probably meant to throw off an ermine's nose but the wolf had far keener eyesight than the ermine. Course the rabbits were sure to be getting dressed in their winter pelts now that it was the end of autumn but there was still a fair chance he'd find some earthen one's standing out from the snow. Eilan examined the trails, eyes searching for any that might pass near the rabbit's den before he took up his position downwind, crouching low and quiet in the thick dead grass. The sun was just beginning to peer through the clouds sending rays of golden light shimmer across the snow covered ground.

Green eyes peered ahead, fixing on the small, brown shape that emerged cautiously from it's den, little nose heaving in hurried breath, long ears twitching every which way. It was a lesson in patience. Every fiber in Eilan's body wanted him to bolt right for the rabbit but with the little rodent so close to its den he didn't dare spook it right back in. For what seemed like agonizing hours but was probably only minutes Eilan watched the rabbit flit about, chewing on the last remnants of fall foliage. Inch by inch, foot by foot he waited until he felt his quarry was far enough away.

Cautiously Eilan chanced a few steps forward, freezing the instant those round eyes started looking around. They repeated the dance, a step, muscles freezing, the frantic sniffing and sensing until moment by moment Eilan feared he was going to lose his opportunity. It had been several seconds and the rabbit was still searching for him rather than returning to it's meal. It was now or never. His prey knew he was here even if it didn't know exactly where. Wiry legs tensed then uncoiled as the youth sprang forward, lashing his front right leg in an effort to trip the rabbit as it sprang away but the move would fail and the chase was on.

Weaving and turning, his tongue lolling out as he took in as much breath as his lungs would hold, his powerful legs pushing him relentlessly after his prey, diving to cut the creature off as it tried to turn for the den. It scampered to his let and he dove after it, keen eyes keeping the rabbits position in mind with its trails. Shit! Suddenly it spun right, heading straight toward the den. No, no no! Limbs coiled tightly, launching him forward his back bending like a spring as he devoured the distance between him and his prey his right foreleg lashing out once more to trip up the rabbits hind legs and sending it sputtering into the snow. Eilan would not let up his assault his jaws diving onto the creatures neck and with a few good shakes from his powerful grip he succeeding in smothering the life from his victim. Nostrils flaring in an effort to catch his breath, Eilan was hesitant to set his prey down, almost certain it was going to spring back to life and get away from but slowly he did. Letting his breakfast rest on the ground for a minute as he took in deep gulps of air, his chest heaving from the exertion.

It took a few moments for his success to dawn on him. He stared at the bloodied, lifeless body of the rabbit for his tail started wagging violently and he jumped to his feet, howling in triumph. He did it! He did it! He caught his first prey all by himself Oh…. he couldn't wait to tell his dad! Wouldn't his father be so proud? Snatching the rabbit up in his jaws he pranced back toward the den site intent on showing everyone what he just managed to accomplish.

"Speech"