Dawn had barely begun to poke its head over the horizon when Inga returned to the densite, washed up and ready to begin the day only to find that the camp was rather quiet.  Too quiet.  Either everyone was out and about or there were still some sleepyheads!  No, no, no now that would not do.  With winter around the corner it was time to start filling their stores for the winter and the elder woman would see the young men and women of Yfir start their day with a hearty meal!  But nothing was free and if they wanted to eat they'd have to work for a few hours first.  The deer seemed to be active in the forest, filling their own bellies and fattening up nice and plump for the colder months.  Inga licked her lips.  Yes, she could taste the veal now!

Marching into the middle of the densite Inga threw back her head and howled for her fellow packmates to come and gather for a hunt.  She might be a bit old but she was a sturdy and stout woman and could at least lead and direct a hunt if she could not deliver the killing blow.  

"Speech"

If y'all could post by October 30 that'd be awesome!

LORD, I AM CLIMBING HIGH MOUNTAINS TRYING TO GET HOME Trying to get home...   Lyndvarr had been up for nearly an hour before Inga's call startled him from his drifting thoughts. It had been a joy to reunite with his old caretaker, to hear her wisdom regarding the death of his mother and her words gave him strength. Yet, it had been strange to see her again. When they'd parted ways it was under the assumption that they'd never see each other again. However, it was his mother that most consumed his thoughts and he gazed out his den at the dawn sky and wondered what it was like in Valhalla. He'd heard snippets from stories, just basic things. Lynvarr wanted to know what the day to day was like. Was it like down here or did they feast all the time? Auöra had been such a quiet soul, he couldn't quite see her feasting away day after day. Inga's loud howl mere feet away from his den caused Lyndvarr's fur to stand on end as he scrambled to his feet, his heart racing as he took a couple of deep breaths. Inga was not normally a loud soul but boy when she wanted to trumpet her voice to the sky she sure had a powerful instrument. Strong, low and every bit as solid as the legs she was standing on. Lyndvarr smoothed out his coat before emerging from his den. "Good morning Inga, how are you faring today?"

The densite became alive with noise, of a call to a hunt. The woman would open her bicolored eyes with little hesitation, the mixed hues shining with eagerness. This was the sort of thing she was waiting for. Action. Be it in battle or of the hunt it mattered not, only that it occurred. The cross marked femme would rise, glancing about her den at the things she'd collected to make it more homely. Dried moss and leaves, as well as sprigs of mint to make it smell nice. Ahhh it was a wonderful place to call home. Bernadette would exit the den she claimed for herself to see two other wolves that fine autumn day. One, an older woman, was the one who called them. The other, a young male, would get a second glance before Berny would set her mind to business. She'd tip her head to the elder, speaking in a kind tone. "Damn fine day for a hunt, hmm? Oh! And a good morning to you both." Bernadette would give a small smile to both wolves, tail giving a small flick back and forth. Oh yes, she was ready.

A group hunt sounded absolutely thrilling right now, and it was being led by Inga, an older woman that he knew little of. What he did know, was that he felt as though she was a kindred spirit in a sense - though he hadn't interacted with her directly.  Her call roused him quickly from sleep. He'd always been a light sleeper, and the call would waken him easily. Without waiting for long, he would push himself to all fours and begin to creep from his den, eyeing the sun that had barely begun to peek below the horizon.
 
Feeling quite alert despite having woken up so recently, he ambled his way to the clearing, wearing a cheeky grin. "Oy," he would greet them gleefully, nodding to Inga and then Lyndvarr, and finally turning to eye a wolf who was unfamiliar to him.. they smelled faintly of Yfir but obviously had not been in the pack very long. He tilted his one seeing eye to Bernadette, his grin widening, accentuating the scar that spread up and across his eye. "Good morning to you, ladies.. and - you,"  he would gesture light-heartedly to Lyndvarr. "What sort of meal have the gods planned for us today, do you think, Inga?" His animated emerald gaze fixed on the older woman curiously.

Katja listened with approval as Inga's voice called together the hunters of the pack. Yfir's karls and thralls would be expected to join in, of course, though if that thrall of Laufey's was still sulking instead of making herself useful Katja might need to get herself involved in that mess. Gods knew there was enough to worry about with winter coming than a thrall who wouldn't even do her job. She herself had finished a patrol a short time before, her rest interrupted by the call, but she rose with alacrity to answer it. Being the alpha didn't mean she had to work less, it meant she had to work more and be involved in every aspect of the pack, and feeding the pack the most important aspect for her to concentrate on even over protecting the borders. A starving wolf made a poor warrior after all, and she had other fighters to guard the borders Arriving to the group she swept cool eyes over them. Not many had gathered yet, only a handful of wolves and not even the full contingent of karls. Kassander was still in Abaven working off his debt to Bass Destruction, and Hypnos forcibly ejected from the pack when he'd made his disloyalty clear, but she would have expected more of her pack to have been quicker to appear. Four able bodied wolves, plus Inga to guide them. They could take an elk if they were careful, or a caribou if they moved their hunt off pack lands, but perhaps it would be best to allocate their sparse resources toward ambushing one of the abundant white-tail bucks that browsed the wooded areas. Well - she would leave that decision to Inga as the hunt's leader. It would be a good test of her knowledge, and a good way to bring some of their pack together. She moved to take a seat silently, back from the edges of the group where she could better observe them, to wait for Inga's directions. OOC: Remember the new OOC rules and that all Karls must complete at least one hunt in a season, including Hirdhmadhr and Hirdha, and that thralls must participate in ALL pack hunts! If you have a Karl or thrall you only have until the 30th to get them posted in enough time to guarantee a hunt for the character for the season, otherwise you'll have to take your chances hoping there's another completed hunt before winter. "Talk" "You" Think

Packs were dumb. Pack hunts were dumb. Drugs were definitely dumb in a dumb situation. Hani chewed her herbs as she walked, grumbling. Ooooh, what do the gods have in store for today, Hani wondered sarcastically. Gods were dumb. The pale, scrawny woman could use a meal, but she wasn't too keen on hunting with others or being around too many others or being a thrall or anything associated with the pack called Yfir. She stayed because her son was here and one day, one day, he would see that they had lied to him, taken him away and lied to him. She would convince him, she was just biding her time. Coming into the group, Hani regarded Kapra with a loose tug at the corners of her maw as she chewed the bitter herbs. Other than that, she remained neutral, ignoring anyone in her sight.

His eyes snapped wide opened as a howl jolted the brute from his sleep. Immediately they narrowed into irritated slits. It was way too fucking early for such nonsense and he was not happy to have been startled awake. With an irritable growl Laufey got to his paws and dutifully sulked off in the direction of the howler. As he went he barked out a command for Stori to follow; his participation was required too. By the time he reached the gathering Laufey's mood was somewhat better. He wasn't much of a morning person and waking was always a chore. Without a word he seated himself and waited for orders to be handed out.

NOW THERE'S GREEN LIGHT IN MY EYES And my lover on my mind.. Hárekr growled at the ruckus in the middle of the densite. What was that dam woman thinking being so noisy, didn't she realize some wolves stayed up all night on patrol? He flipped over on his back, stretching lightly and taking his time though as grumpy as he was at having being woken he had to admit that a nice large breakfast sounded really good to him and starting the morning with some violence would do him good. Stretching once more Hárekr rolled back to his feet and slipped out of the den to join the growing crowd. "God morgen!" he chirped to everyone the grouse quickly being silenced by his sunnier disposition. He spied the woman slave, Hani and pranced over to her reaching out to try and lick her cheek before skirting away, just to be a pain. Such a grumpy little maiden!

Inga was pleased to see that Lyndvarr was one of the first to arrive but less pleased to see that he had indeed been lounging in his day.  She'd have expected him to have morning chores.  The elder dipped her head though in greeting. "Good morning Lyndvarr, I am well."  She was glad to see him, it was a shame his sister Lærke was still ill, she imagined that Warja might be helping tend the girl while the others hunted.  She made note to bring them both food after the hunt.  The next to arrive was an unusually pelted woman and Inga would again dip her head in greeting.  She believed this femme was called Bernadette.  Kaprasíus was the next to arrive as she would grin at the viking man.  "Nothing too fancy this morning, Stallari, a good hearty meal of white-tail deer if Ullr leads me correctly." She'd had the lucky to stumble upon a fresh deer trail while she'd been searching for a stream with which to wash up for the day.  Katja was next to arrive, as silent and watchful as Heimdall.

The slave girl, Hani arrived next, sour and grumbling but that was somewhat to be expected.  Inga eyed the herbs in the woman's mouth curiously but said nothing, only offering the woman a nod of greeting.  The last to arrive were Laufey and Hárekr.  The larger male arrived silent and stern while the smaller would immediately set to causing trouble, reaching over to try and lick the slave girls cheeks.  Inga's hackles raised.  "Hárekr!  Please do not distract your packmates, slaves or otherwise.  I would like everyone's focus to be on the hunt and the slaying of prey." While the man might have been in the pack longer than she had Inga was used to throwing around her experience as authority and as far as she knew Hani belonged to Laufey, not Hárekr and she did not want to see an incident rise out of the bi-colored mans actions.

"Thank you all for coming, God morgen!  For those that do not know me I am Inga Ballari.  As I walked the lands of Yfir this morning I came upon a deer trail, freshly travelled.  I have offered prayers to Ullr, a god of great prowess in the hunt, for guidance and I believe it is on this trail we will find success.  When we find them I will give the call to charge.  Everyone rush the deer and get the prey running, it is only then we can accurately select a target.  I will select the target and give you the following instructions on the run so be ready, be alert.  Now come, let us start!"  Inga turned on her heels and took off toward the stream near which she'd found the trail, she quickly picked it up and began to travel along the narrow trail, swerving to avoid stepping in a fresh pile of deer droppings.

Soon they arrived near a shallow valley where the stream cut through the land.  Deer were grazing on both sides, pawing and digging at the ground to devour the last bits of green as well as dropped seeds.  This years fawns were almost adult size and while inexperienced it still might be best to pick an older or injured target if they could find one.  Inga crouched down, signaling the others to follow and began slinking forward, pausing every so often when the lead buck would look up startled.  She wanted to close some of the distance first so that she could better analyze the prey.  When she felt they were as close as they dared get she barked out a swift command for the chase to begin, hanging back to analyze the prey while the younger wolves got them running.

"Speech"

Next due date is the end of the day November 6th!  Skip Lyndvarr, I have to leave tonight and go ahead and post whenever, the order is not important yet and I will likely give out a new one when the action starts.  Thanks guys!

The small group grew quickly, as Katja followed close behind him. Soon Laufey and his thrall were there as well, the woman who'd given him some of her herbs. They shared one thing in common.. and probably one thing alone. Amongst his packmates, he shifted from the more childlike, amusing demeanor he'd worn around Hani into something far more presentable. His gaze shifted to Hárekr, who'd taken a brief interest in Laufey's thrall, and finally to Inga once more as she began to speak.

He found himself grinning as she spoke of Ullr, who would guide them on this hunt. They would be tracking deer. There was little in the way of instructions, which he appreciated; there wasn't much needing to be said. They would rush then, and Inga would choose a target, likely one of the weaker of the herd. Quickly he followed at Inga's heels, feeling his attention zero in on their task at hand. His body crouched as they moved quickly, nostrils flaring as they trailed after the scent of the herd.

When Inga barked, he took off. He was not the youngest or fastest, but he could keep up - and the sudden adrenaline that rushed through him didn't hurt either. Quickly he would rush forward with the others, beginning to chase down the group of deer as they began to run and scatter in a panic.

Hani chewed her herbs. She ignored everyone else. The male that came up to her, she ignored him. The one that spoke, she ignored her. Whenever the group started to move, Hani followed, chewing her herbs. She was always chewing her herbs. The deer were ahead. The leader girl went out. They waited. Hani waited. She came out, barked a command, and the wolf- the one who had taken her drugs- jumped forward. Hani dove in. The deer scattered. Hani continued to run, testing the targets. Eventually one would give out and they would be instructed towards it. Hani ran, but she waited. Hani always waited.

Bernadette would wait in silence as more arrived. She knew not their names, but she would come to know them soon enough she was sure. These were her new brethren and sisters. They would be the ones to lead her on a path of glory. She would stand with these vikings on that path, and together they would reign supreme over this land. It was only a matter of time before things got heated up, and when they did Berny would be ready. She would not be a weak link among her fellows. It would seem that their target today would be white-tail. She would follow after the group, feeling her heartbeat increase once the prey was in sight. She’d rush forward, though not ahead of the pack. No, she was waiting for the singling of their target, of their chosen prey. The deer would scatter, and the femme would keep her wits about her. No one wanted to be trampled or kicked after all. Waiting for Inga, she kept up her pace.

NOW THERE'S GREEN LIGHT IN MY EYES And my lover on my mind.. Hárekr grinned in mock apology at Inga as she scolded him. Ahh come now, the slave hadn't even reacted, obviously she liked the attention…. actually no…. she was part cow he was convinced of that. He surprised a giggle as he watched her chew her cud like some bovine prey. He hoped she was at least nice to fuck because he couldn't imagine Laufey would keep her around for much else. Well hopefully she could at least run at the prey instead of staring ahead like a glazed over goat. Well… he supposed if the hunt failed they could always eat her instead if she was really more cow than wolf. Grinning the bi-colored male pranced along with a spring in his step until the time came to get serious as the wolves began to close in on their prey. Grin faded, the jester quickly replaced with the hunter, as Hárekr's focus zeroed in on the deer. Inga barked and Hárekr was off like a shot. His limbs beat into the ground as he snarled, the deer panicking before their charge. He kept his ears open as he waited for the old woman to pick their target, his fangs snapping at the beasts. Run, run, run!

Katja kept her eyes on the pack as they filtered in, making note of their interactions, making note of the mood. It was not a good one, some wolves irritable and snappish and others dull and unresponsive. The thrall had appeared, but she chewed constantly at some wad of herbs in her cheeks and while she didn't appear to be acting outright hostile towards pack members it seemed more a product of her complete self-absorption than any sort of subservience towards her betters. There was a certain dullness to her every movement that Katja found distasteful - it smacked of drugs and laziness.

Inga was quick to take the young wolves in hand as they appeared, and gave her orders for them without an excess of quibbling on the matter. Katja remained at an objective distance as the hunters approached the herd, with them but slightly apart from them, drifting on a yaw toward the outside of the group so that she could watch them as she loped along with them. Inga's concern was for the hunt; Katja's was for the pack. A bark signaled a flurry of motion, and the viking-alpha put on a burst of speed, swinging around the outside of the herd like a sheepdog to drive them in the same direction rather than allowing them to scatter needlessly before the elder woman could deduce a target. She kept her ears flicked back, awaiting the hunt-leader's order, listening for the individual pawsteps of her pack.

LORD, I AM CLIMBING HIGH MOUNTAINS TRYING TO GET HOME Trying to get home...   Lyndvarr would wait patiently as the rest of the pack filtered in, dipping his head in greeting briefly to his aunt. He felt excited to participate in a hunt with his packmates but at the same time… Lynd shifted from paw to paw and glanced at Katja. He was nervous to be showing his skills in front of his aunt for his skills were mostly in fighting and healing. That said, Inga had been his nanny for a fair part of his life and she was a hunting enthusiast so he had a grasp of the basics. The hunt would start quickly and silently. Lynd would follow the others, seeking to move as quietly as he could, thankful for the snow that helped silence the autumn debris that would have certainly made much more of a racket. When Inga barked out the go ahead Lyndvarr sprang into motion, his eyes taking in the movements of his pack members. He saw his Aunt go to one side of the herd to try and round them back in and instinctively he went to the other side, his young, strong legs pumping furiously to cover the distance. He lost some, the quicker ones escaping out of his range but that was just as well, they weren't the prey the wolves were seeking. Growling Lynd did his best to spook some of the whitetail back into the center of the throng.

In all honesty Laufey hadn't given the thrall Hani much thought lately. She'd escaped his attention as he entered the meeting place and if not for the antics of his packmate he might have overlooked her altogether. As callous as it was, she no longer interested him. She'd had his son and cared for him in ways he could not, and now, with that done, she was no longer a concern of his. The woman belonged to Yfir and that was that. Standing, Laufey shook off the last of his drowsiness and took off after his packmates. He moved at a lazy, ground eating pace, but didn't exert himself. He was big and he was heavy; he couldn't afford to use up all of his energy in the beginning. For now he'd hang back and herd from the fringes, letting the lighter wolves race among the deer and assess as he worked to keep the herd from splintering.

Sharp gaze focused on the herd as she ran, searching, analyzing the health of the deer that fled before the ravenous vikings.  As the deer hit the river the herd began to splinter dramatically.  The stronger and healthier deer would surge through the stream while the weaker would struggle, the water doing some of the work of tiring out the prey but it also meant that the wolves would have to do their own swimming.  Well… who heard of a viking that couldn't manage a little water? "Onward my fellow Yfirians!  We will feast this day!"  Inga spied the target, an elderly cow hesitating just at the river's edge.  It smelt of fear and weakness. "There!  About 50 feet to the left of that willow tree, that old cow, that's the target.  Bernadette, Lyndvarr, Hani get on it's left flank.  Katja, Hárekr to the right.  I and Lauefy will bring up the rear.  Tear, rip, subdue this prey!  Kaprasíus the killing blow is yours."  

Orders giving she dove for the back, one of the most dangerous positions but she had enough experience to handle the hooves than the younger members and she was certain Laufey's size and strength would be an asset in this position.  Between wolves and water it was no surprise to see the cow suddenly leap into the river, it's legs pumping furious as it hit the river.  Inga's brow furrowed.  While it would be harder for the doe to kick out at the wolves and cause them injury it would also be difficult to drag a corpse out of the water. "Kapra, go ahead and cross, once the doe is partway out of the river kill it."

Leaping into the water herself Inga's short, but powerful legs beat against the current as she came up near the doe's left hip, her fangs lunging forward and tearing into the flesh, spilling blood as the doe bleated and kicked, surging toward the other shore.

"Speech"

Next round due the end of the day Nov 13th.  I figure we'll have them struggle with the prey this round then next round we can have the kill shot so at the moment order doesn't matter.  Keep it up guys, we're almost there!

EDIT:  New deadline is noon, Nov. 18th.  Since this seems to be a bit of a rough week for several members and this hunt will be counting for winter rather than fall (so no need to rush like mad) I'm tacking on 5 more days to reply.  I will be posting Inga the evening of the 18th.

EDIT 2  *shakes Yfirians*  Ok, last extension will be for Saturday at noon central time and then I'm posting Inga regardless if anyone else has posted or not.  I will not be pestering individuals to post.  Nyx feel free to play the deer and have Kapra make the kill shot whenever you like.  We'll just assume they managed to drive the deer where they want.  Also checked and for points we only need 3 rounds so come on ITS THE LAST ROUND DONT PISS OUT ON ME NOW!!

Hani let her mind run numb and dull. She let the words turn to action. Her body pumped and worked. She didn't feel it. The water splashed as she moved into the river. She didn't feel it. She was to go at its left flank. She did. She came around it, fangs bared. If no one else was going, she would. Hani tucked her medicinals into her cheek. She lunged, her teeth sinking into the left flank of the doe. Blood spilled over her tongue and mixed with her herbs. She held her drip, blocking off her throat as the blood spilled in her maw, strong, warm, and metallic. She felt it. She tasted it. Hani bit down harder, not wanting to let loose of her catch.

NOW THERE'S GREEN LIGHT IN MY EYES And my lover on my mind.. Hárekr was so caught up in his chasing that he almost missed the call that a target had been chosen. Oh lovely, they had a winner! Bi-colored gaze darted quickly about the herd before they focused on the elderly doe that would be feeding the throng of Yfirans. Háre loped towards the doe, quickly following Inga's instructions as he dove for the doe's right side just as she leapt into the river. Hárekr didn't even hesitate as he leapt in after the creature, legs pumping furiously as he pulled up along the does right side, fangs latching behind the doe's right shoulder as she bleated and struggled. Hárekr swiftly tried to pull his forelimbs onto the doe to steady himself but as the doe shifted violently he found his legs and fangs loosing grip as the doe started to surge out of the water. Dammit!

LORD, I AM CLIMBING HIGH MOUNTAINS TRYING TO GET HOME Trying to get home...   Lyndvarr worked to keep up with the rest of the pack but he found himself struggling as several deer managed to slip past him. He silently prayed that these faster animals weren't what Inga was eyeing. While he had been partially raised by the aging huntress the truth was that hunting simply wasn't one of his strong points. Panting he switched directions, closing in on the does left side as it plunged into the water. A decent swimmer, Lyndvarr quickly sprang in after her but he wasn't quite sure what to do now that he was in the water so he took a cue from Háre and Hani and started snapping at the doe, fangs ripping into the the exact center of the does left side, blood spilling into his mouth. The work of him and the slave helped slow the doe's attempted exit of the river, causing her to flop half onto the back and half off, kicking madly to try and dislodge the wolves.