Fern had spent the morning begging Rudy to go on a hunt with her. Sure, he had quickly agreed but the gray girl loves to see the way he gets flustered when she continues to plead. The pair have worked their way to the large forest filled with thousands of years old oak trees. Fern been told of a herd roaming near these parts and she quickly picks up their scent. It is different from any prey they have hunted before and excitement zips through her chest. Staying downwind, the duo closes the distance to the herd of long-necked okapi. The creatures are too large for the two wolves to try and take down adult but Fern spies a younger one near the outskirts of the herd.

Pointing it out, Fern says, “I could herd that one toward that group trees.” Paw shifts to a set of trees wrapped in thick ivy, a perfect spot for a wolf to hide. Dropping her paw, she looks to Rudyard and says, “I will be the chaser if you will be the ambush one.” A smile rests on her lips as she waits to hear what Rudy will say.


"Fern Lark"

Rudy had made a habit of hunting primarily in the evenings but Fern had wanted to go in the morning this time.  It probably had to do with Art getting her up early for all that sword-fighting practice.  Rudy was doomed to forever be with those who preferred being active early in the day.  Not that Rudy really minded but Fern seemed to so intent to want to beg that Rudy’s first response had been to yawn and close his eyes as if to go back to sleep.

Hunting was always fun and as ever once Rudy decided he was really awake it was like switching straight from night to day.  One moment tired and lazy and the next he’s up and springing along with no in-between state.  The motley wolf let Fern lead the way as this was clearly her hunt.  She was the student so she got to do the work until it was his moment to join in.

Rudy grins when he finally spots what they are hunting, an old memory coming to his mind.  It was the first large prey animal he had caught on his own.  Of course, after the pride in killing it part had come the part where some coyotes had thought to steal it from the younger and much more tired Rudy.  The child he’d been had used up all his energy taking down one prey but had refused to leave it to the coyotes.  Good ol’ Art.  Reddy had found his brother and they had fought back to back.

Rudy nodded at Fern’s assessment, “Alright, I’ll meet you and lunch over there then.” Rudy wanted to add in a ‘be careful’ aware of the power in the okapi’s legs but he didn’t.  Rudy was going to hold his tongue and let the student prove she’d been training hard.  Rudy knew she had been but this time almost the entire hunt was put on her.  Fern was a lot more skilled in fighting and hunting than the wolf he’d first met who just dreamed of these skills. “I love you,” he whispered then turned to head towards his hiding spot with a backward grin, aiming to get the last word end before she got a chance.

Rudy made his way to the tree cluster, getting the younger Okapi in his sights before remaining still, eyes twitching to watch Fern.

Rudyard Carpathius

The motley boy had tried to fall back asleep when Fern had awoken him at the crack of nine. She had let him sleep in! A little. When Rudy closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, the gray girl jumped on their bed until she realized it was no use. That is when she had flopped on top of him and started to roll and thrash until he finally opened those golden eyes. She had leaped off the bed, grabbed her sword and run for the stairs, ready to start the hunt. Today, this is her hunt and the gray girl can’t wait to show Rudy what she has learned!

They find the okapi group and Fern delivers her ideas, Rudy nodding in agreement. His words pull a smile to her light lips and, as the motley wolf turns to leave for the ambush spot, the gray girl’s ears pick up the soft whisper of ‘I love you’. The smile turns to a smirk and she gives her head a soft shake at his retreating form. Rudy wants the last word here? That’s fine, she’ll give it to him. Besides, she needs to lull him into a sense of security before she springs the news of their wedding on him. The smirk grows as turns her head back to the young okapi.

Slowly, cautiously, Fern moves toward the target. She stays downwind and makes sure to pick the taller patches of undergrowth, not only to hide her but the sword strapped across her back. When she is as close as she dares to get, the gray girl hunkers down and flicks her eyes over to Rudy in the cluster of trees. Counting to three in her head, Fern dips her skull and bursts from the brush, growling threateningly. She is a spring wound up and let loose; light paws race across the distance, the startled large animals spooking and turning to run. Teeth flash as she snaps at the air, driving the younger prey animal away from the herd and toward the ambush spot.

Long legs kick back toward her and Fern dances away, moving, herding the okapi onward to its waiting death while working to avoid injury. Heart thunders with excitement as the racket of hooves and startled noises drown out the cries of the separated youth. The ambush spot draws near.


"Fern Lark"

Rudy makes his way to the trees that Fern had picked out.  Dang Art and his early hour habits he was passing on to Fern.  Hunting was fun though and hunting with Fern was even better.  What were the odds of ever-changing Fern’s hours to the ones he preferred?  Rudy got to his spot in the tree’s staying down low and out of the Oakpi’s view, also where his scent wouldn’t be picked up in the wind.

Rudy watches Fern go after the prey, waiting patiently, inwardly telling Fern to avoid the animal’s kicks even as he reminds himself Fern wasn’t going to let herself get hurt that easily.  Rudy smiled as she did her job well. It was getting close.  One more stride.  Rudy lunged out of the hiding spot, teeth clamping into its leg, teeth crushing down on the bone and pulling back to make the strange-looking creature off balance.  The opening was there for Fern to aim for the vitals.  Regardless, the damage to its leg meant the Okapi was dead sooner or later.  They had already won.

Rudyard Carpathius

The chaos that Fern has created when she started to chase the young okapi serves its purpose, the clatter of hooves and loud cries of alarm drown out the separated youth’s weaker cries for help. She dodges kicks while moving it toward the ambush spot, the cluster of trees she had pointed out to Rudy drawing closer and closer… The motley gray form of Rudyard lunges out from the hiding spot and his teeth strike true, griping a leg and pulling the creature off balance. Surprise and Rudy’s attack work against the stunned young okapi and it stumbles. Fern is there, rushing forward toward the creature’s neck and lunging up to grab hold. It screams in fear and falls to its side as the gray girl opens its throat. Hot blood gushes out with each weakening heart beat until it finally stills.

Tongue darts out to lick away the errant blood on her lips as Fern looks to Rudy. Tossing him a wink, she jokes, “Not bad hotshot! Now, you get to carry it back to the castle.” She stifles a laugh as she watches his features, waiting for the moment he realizes just how big this thing is.


"Fern Lark"