He trotted across the plains, eyes scanning the herds through the late evening gloom. The unusual seasons weather had been hard on the prey animals, but he thought just maybe, if they had enough warm days, the toughest might make it through winter if nothing else happened. Cai snorted softly, shaking his head. Something would happen, it always did. For now, he had one or two less than healthy bison in mind that he’d spotted. Best to cull them and leave what graze remained to the stronger animals. Chrystaloria drifted to land on his armor-clad back, and he paused to look over his shoulder at his friend. She clicked her beak and said softly, “The two you mentioned are on the northwest edge of the herd. One looks worse than the other since yesterday.” Cairo nodded, murmuring, “Thanks Chrys” before tipping his muzzle to the sky and howling for the hunters of the pack, tone suggesting that the hunt was for a larger prey animal. As he sat to wait for the others, he examined the sharpened bear claws on his bracers, nodding in satisfaction that they hadn’t dulled too much. Then his eyes lifted to scan the plains again. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn had been fiddling with an idea of containment for small livestock when Cairo’s call for a hunt came. The yearling dropped what he was doing, ears perked with excitement as he took off at a quick trot, ink black coat flaring under his movements. He spotted the Sentinel and came to plop down beside Cai, nudging the older male with his shoulder, grinning as he scanned the plains as well, wondering who’d be hunting with them today. Drachen, maybe? Probably Aslaug. Maybe Fidelias would join in. The boy, now yearling, too, was quiet and reserved, but he had the sense that Fidelias did like hunting at least. “What’re we hunting?” He turned back to Cairo, tail sweeping the ground as he waited to hear the man’s answer. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He had made up his mind that he was going to go for a hunt earlier that morning, aiming for smaller prey like hares or even a small deer but just as he was about to set out on his self proclaimed mission, a howl caused him to stop in his tracks and his dark ears to perk on top of his head. Cairo was calling a hunt! Drachen's lips parted in a small but warm smile as he turned and made his way towards the call. Drachen enjoyed the man's company and he would not pass up a chance to hunt with the Sentinel when given the chance. It wasn't long before his long dark legs carried him swiftly to the group of two gathered, Cairo who made the call and also Ardyn, who Drachen was also fond of. "Good day Cairo and Ardyn. I hope all is well with you both." The Vaekhal male rumbled warmly in his hushed tones with excitement burning brightly in his oceanic blue eyes. As usual Cairo was cladded in his armor and Drachen couldn't help but silently admire it, longing to make his own one day but for know his focus was on providing the pack with food with this lengthy winter chill. Swiftly and with near feline grace, the black and tan male reclined to his haunches and swept his tail to curl around to his side and out of the way. Judging by the way the other hunters were waiting, Drachen assumed that it would be something big they would be taking down but Drachen still turned his dark face and patiently waited for Cairo to answer Ardyn's question. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Domari Xanilov

Day by day Dómari was getting better. He was finally able to walk easily and even run since having one of his legs broken in a hunting accident. He was still embarassed that a bison had fallen on him but there was nothing he could do about it except to get back up and try again. He'd started taking short patrols and as he was about to start his patrol for the day he heard Cairo calling the hunters together for a hunt. At first Dómari hesitated. Was he ready? Deciding he'd have to get back to hunting at some point he headed to the source of the call to see that Ardyn and Drachen had already arrived. He grinned gently. "Hope I'm not too late. Doing a lot better today." Walk ---- "Speak" ----  "Hear" ---- Think

Naturally, the first to arrive was Ardyn, and Cairo grinned, nudging the yearling’s shoulder with his own, marveling at how big the boy was, and how much room he clearly still had left to grow. He was already taller than Cairo himself, and h could only hope the boy got all his growing done when it was supposed to be done and that he wouldn’t get hit with a three-inch growth spurt at two like Cai had. With luck, we’ll have at least one bison to process at the end of the hunt.” Drachen was next, and Cairo answered the man’s friendly greeting with one of his own, “Glad to hunt with you today, Drachen, and I’m good. I hope you like bison, because that’s what’s on the menu. Hey, Domari.” That last came as Domari arrived, and he glanced over the leg Domari’d broken, remembering his own days of broken legs and long weeks of healing. He’d have to keep one eye on the older man, though he knew Dom was capable. Once greetings had been exchanged, he scanned the plains, but Aslaug was surprisingly absent. However, they had enough paws here that he merely noted the absence and turned to the males, laying out the plan. “Alright. I’ve been keeping an eye on a pair of bison in the local herds that have been looking unwell. Taliesyn has been walking among the herds for a better look and says at least one has a lung sickness by the sound and smell of it, so should be the weaker of the two. It’s the larger one, though, so it should feed the pack for months.” He tilted his head to glance back at Chrystal as he went on, smiling, “Chrys has told me that the two are currently both at the northwestern edge of the herd, so the plan is to cut them out from the herd. Domari, Drachen, I’d like you to get them spooked in the right direction. Ardyn and I will be tucked in the tall grass about a hundred feet ahead. Drachen, if Enzi is willing, she can keep an eye on Ardyn and myself and let you and Domari know when we’re in position. Chrystal can fill in as messenger as well.” He looked between each set of eyes, lips twitching in a faint smile as he realized that almost all of them were some shade of blue, and Ardyn’s fiery eye in his mismatched gaze stood out, and added, “Once Ardyn and I have begun to latch on to the bison, you two should join in. Hopefully the herd doesn’t decide to join in the fight. With luck, we should be eating well.” He rose as Chrystal pushed off and drifted into the evening air, though he waited to see if anyone had a question before he padded at a brisk walk toward the herds, slowly enough to make conversation until it was time to peel off from the group with Ardyn. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn’s tail swept the ground, flaring in a show of excitement as Cairo greeted him with a nudge. “Bison? That sounds like fun.” Drachen arrived soon enough, and Ardyn grinned in greeting, adding, “I’m doing great, you?” Domari was a bit of a surprise to see, but Ardyn grinned at the older man with his usual affection. Domari was as dedicated to Valhalla as Cairo was, and though he’d aged and recently broken a leg – while, ironically, hunting a bison – Ardyn was pretty sure he was healed enough to hunt. At least, he’d heard Paladin mention that he thought Domari could return to duties as long as he was careful enough. He was a bit surprised not to see Aslaug trotting up, but he supposed you couldn’t make it to every hunt, so when Cairo began laying out the plan of action, Ardyn bent his head forward, listening, eyes flicking toward the shadowy herd. Evening was falling, and he was glad to be wearing his cloak—it would mask most of his glowing coat from the bison herd. He rose to follow Cairo, though his ears and eyes turned to see if the other two males had anything to add, interested to hear – and learn – what they might have to say or point out. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

As he approached the other wolves, he was greeted warmly and he rumbled in reply"I'm very well, excited for a hunt" with a small chuckle. Soon they were joined by another, Domari, a male that Drachen had met before and heard that he had suffered an unfortunate injury. The black and tan male did not miss the looks of slight concern that both Cairo and Ardyn gave the monochrome male, even he glanced over the male, but Drachen had faith that Domari knew himself and his limits. Drachen returned his deep blue eyes to Cairo as he began laying down the plan and assigning him and Domari as the chasers while Cairo and Ardyn launched an attack once the target was driven to them. Drachen then nodded in agreement when Cairo asked if Enzi would be willing to help, the red tailed hawk who had landed on his shoulder while Cairo was laying out the plan fluffed her feathers and set a golden eye on the brown wolf "Of course Cairo." she replied before returning to the skies. Then finally they were off, Drachen following the group and falling into step with Domari. Though he had only hunted with the other male once Drachen was still glad to see the wolf up and moving around again after his injury. "Glad to have you back." Drachen said to the other male with a small but happy smile. He was only supposed to be in Valhalla for the winter season to help hunt but he had been truly happy here for what felt like the first time in his life and the time flew by. Before he knew it, it was now nearly the middle of sumer. In that time he had grown fond of many of those who called Valhalla home. Finally it was time to begin the hunt and Drachen looked at Domari to see if he was ready and then to Cairo and Ardyn. "See you at dinner" he rumbled with a confident smirk and then turned to head in the direction where they planned to begin the hunt. As he moved his whole energy changed from reserved happiness to a stealthy predator, his movements becoming much more graceful and precise, his paw steps becoming nearly silent on the cold ground below. He made sure to keep in pace with Domari to keep things coordinated and once they reached the outskirts of the herd, Drachen stopped and crouched on his belly in the tall grass. Thankfully there was still enough light to clearly observe the herd and he soon spotted the two bison that Taliesyn had told Cairo about. "There, those two" he spoke softly, subtly motioning with his muzzle towards the two bison standing away from the herd, their movement slower than the rest. Drachen then turned his blue gaze towards the sky, scanning the orange and navy expanse for Enzi. A smile danced on his lips for a moment once he spotted her doing lazy circles in the sky as she rode the air currents high above. Even from here, he could see could see her circles slowly drift as she followed Cairo and Ardyn. He watched his companion intently until she circled in place a few times before the hawk turned into the wind in hovered in place for a few moments. She then dove towards the ground and swooped back up, a clear signal that the others where in place. The Vaekhal male released a soft breath and turned his dark face to Domari and asked "It's time, are you ready?" Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Domari Xanilov

Dómari listened intently as Cairo laid out their target of a sickly bison. A lung disease made for a promising target and it was hardly surprising after this long cold winter. The lack of food had weakened many prey animals and those that huddled together, like bison, quickly spread disease among their fellows. Cairo laid out the plan and Dómari nodded as he was given instructions to help scare their target toward the wolves that would be lying in waiting. He was up for that task and eager to give his legs a real workout after being cooped up in his den for so long. Drachen looked to him and he nodded once more. "Sounds good to me, let's do this!" Dómari padded after the younger man, moving slow and quietly both to avoid prematurely disturbing the bison and to get a better feel for how his leg would perform. The muscles were stiff but the joints felt good. As long as he didn't over do it he'd be fine. Dómari crouched down in the grasses next to Drachen, eyes scanning the herd as the younger wolf pointed out the targets. "Yea, that's them alright." He eyed the older bull, noting how it held its head quite a bit lower than the others in the herd. It lingered on the outskirts, clearly struggling to keep up. Dómari nodded. "I am, let's get this party started!" His legs coiled beneath him before he burst forward, barreling toward the back of the herd, his eyes fixed on the weaker animals. The sudden appearance of the wolves startled the bison and they started to run, heading toward those laying in wait. Dómari accelerated. They'd need to cut off their target from the herd and encourage it to go toward the wolves in wait while at the same time urging the rest of the herd to scatter off. Driving a full stampede toward their friends was extremely dangerous. He'd learned that the hard way. Walk ---- "Speak" ----  "Hear" ---- Think

With the others’ agreement with the plan, Cai peeled off with Ardyn, slipping along a deer path in the tall grass, Chrystal acting as his eyes, hovering over the target pair of bison to give the Sentinel a mark to circle around. When he settled into the chosen ambush point, he nodded to Ardyn, gesturing for the younger wolf to move off to a point five or ten feet away, near a boulder. Dusk was beginning to settle in, but he noted Ardyn had flipped the hood of his cloak up to cover his head, and shield the light of his fur from the herds. Cai, glancing up and scanning, found Enzi and nodded to signal they were ready as Chrystal dipped her wings in a tip-tip motion, gliding silently to resettle over the bison. The thunder of alarmed hooves trembled through his paws, and he flashed a quick grin to Ardyn as he readied himself, and as Chrystal, keeping abreast with the chosen bison from above, gave a screeching hiss, Cairo barked softly to Ardyn and leapt from cover as the bison, thankfully the larger, sicker one, came into sight, mouth open, nose running, wheezing with effort. The bull gave a growling low of surprise and pain as Cairo slammed into its shaggy shoulder from the side, jaws latching onto the side of the beast’s neck with a growl and trusting Ardyn to do his part on the other side. The other two would likely catch up to help bring the beast down and put it to rest. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn nodded as the older wolves agreed to the plan, and as he trotted quietly after Cairo, he hopped on one forepaw to flip the hood of his cloak over his head, the cloth covering his ember-like black fur. His tail, unfortunately, would have to stay in the open. Maybe next time he had a hunt he’d wrap the long hair in cloth or something and braid it. Cairo took his place, and Ardyn followed the silent nod and settled, ready, into the spot, watching the pale form of the barn owl in the sky as the signal was sent. The rumble under his paws was exhilarating, and he repressed a quiver, drawing and releasing a breath until Cairo barked and launched. Ardyn leapt from the cover of the boulder, pushing off and sinking his claws into the bull’s side, opposite of Cairo, and clambering toward the shaggy hump of the bull’s withers, though he was quickly shunted down toward the bison’s beady-eyed head with its curved horns. Quickly, he adjusted, grunting as he let his weight drop to one side, clinging with his front toes around the bison’s head and horns as the hulking beast staggered at the sudden imbalance in his front end, nearly going down. Nearly. One good hit or two, and we’ll have him, surely. He hoped so, because he didn't like the idea of losing his grip and falling under the bull's sharp hooves and fury-- it was already trying to sling him off its head. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Drachen let out a small chuckle at Domari's response and quickly followed the monochrome male as the older wolf began the chase. After a quick glance to make sure his hunting partner was moving good on his newly healed leg, Drachen sprinted forward so that he was running along side the sick bull, snapping and growling to scare the massive creature in the right direction. The other bison had the sense to stay away from them but Drachen still nipped a few who had come too close to them and their target in an effort to keep them away. It seemed like seconds had passed before the bull ran into the planned area and his blue eyes caught sight of Cairo charging in to slam into the beast with Ardyn appearing a second later. The massive yearling almost had enough weight to completely knock the bull off its hooves when the glowing male latching on to the creature. Drachen didn't have time to marvel at the sight of it, he had a job to do. The black and tan male dug his paws harder into the ground and closed the space between him and their prey and clamped his jaws around the bison's flailing hock. He growled agains the sudden jolt of his neck as the bison kicked out in response to the pain but in the end it only worked in his favor as his teeth cut deeper into meat and tendons. To aid to the damage the panicked bison was doing on its own, Drachen shook his head back and forth until he felt the tendon pop as he finally severed it, the leg now useless and he had to jump out of the way as the creature stumbled and nearly landed on him. The Vaekhal male growled in excitement as their hunt was nearly over and food would be brought back to the pack. He lunged again and this time sinking his canines into the bison's rump on the side he had ruined the bull's leg to weaken the massive animal further while his packmates finished the job Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Domari Xanilov

Dómari raced along, sending dirt and grass flying as he zeroed in on the target. He snapped and bit at the hind legs, keeping the pressure on to drive the bison towards the wolves lying in wait. He worked more strategically this time, trying to keep his exuberance in check. He'd gotten too excited last time and put himself in danger and that was what had resulted in his broken leg. Still, it was hard to keep himself in check. He loved the feeling of running, the excitement of the hunt. Soon the bison was in position. Cairo and Ardyn struck the bull, as did Drachen and Dómari collided with the beast not a moment later, sinking his fangs into the other leg, just above the knee. Flailing, the bison struggled to get away but with four large wolves on it and its hind legs held fast it couldn't make any forward progress. Walk ---- "Speak" ----  "Hear" ---- Think

With the hits from the other three, the bull was dragged to a stop, though it tried its hardest to keep running. Feeling it weakening, Cairo released his hold and dropped, lunging back in immediately to slash the sharpened tips of the bear claws on his bracers across the backs of the bull’s nearest foreleg, just above the knee, severing a tendon. The bull shifted its weight to its other front leg, but with the mounting injuries, the bison’s balance was severely compromised, and Cairo sought to lung forward and latch his jaws on the bull’s shaggy neck, hauling toward himself and pulling the bison onto the injured leg, which buckled, bringing the bull to one knee. Cairo used the opening and released the hold on the neck again, slamming his jaws shut on the bull’s throat. His teeth were nothing compared to Ardyn’s but the bear claws he jammed into the fresh wound and sliced down with were perfect for the job of making a kill. Blood sprayed his muzzle, some surging up one of his nostrils, which was rather unpleasant, as the bear claws ripped open the jugular and, satisfied the killing blow was dealt, Cairo released his grip again and clamped his jaws shut on the lower shoulder, holding the bull steady while the wound bled out. Finally, the bison toppled, and he heard a yip from Ardyn as the yearling jumped free of being crushed, and the bull paddled, slowing growing still until he finally breathed a last wet breath. The Sentinel stepped back, huffing out a breath before giving the other three a tongue-lolling grin of approval. “Good hunt, guys. Domari, it’s great to have you back in the hunting force.” He nudged the older man with his shoulder and regarded the huge mound of dead bison before them. “Who’s ready to do some skinning and butchering?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

The bison bull was outmatched, and as the other three wolves dealt their blows, and the bull toppled at last, Ardyn scrambled to jump free of the beast before it could land on him. There were a few moments while the bison expired, but at the end, Ardyn grinned at Cairo’s praise, glancing at the other two, tail torching behind him before he perked up at Cairo’s next words. Ardyn nodded, a paw lifting into the air in a voluntary motion before he padded to the bison, using his claws to start the cut down the middle of the bison’s belly from jaw to anus. Skinning was pleasant, if bloody, methodical work, and something he enjoyed. Done just right, they’d have a hide with very little to scrape off, and with few holes beyond those made during the hunt. “So who wants to claim the hide? I’m sure once it’s cleaned of the blood and tanned with the hair on it’d make a great den liner or heavy cloak, or a rug…” So many possibilities. Or they could donate it to the armor-crafting materials for a thick, hardened cured hide that could turn teeth of opponents. He glanced up from the cuts he was making up the insides of each leg to see what the others thought, tail wagging slowly. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

They worked together in perfect harmony and moments later the bison died from Cairo's slash to the jugular, the beast finally falling still. Drachen released his hold on the bull's rump, his tan lips parting in a small smile as Cairo's near puppy like happiness infected him. Nodding in agreement when the Sentinel then welcomed Domari back, also glad to have the older male back to help them hunt. The attention then shifted to their kill and to the next round of work which was to skin the bison so that they could use it later. He flicked his eyes to the sky and found Enzi's form coming in fast and the bird dropped a knife he had made a few days ago before she landed. "Thank you Enzi" he rumbled and quickly set to using his teeth to gently strap it to his paw after he had settled down beside the bison. This would be the first time that he used his small little creation and he hoped it worked before he tried to find someway to carry it on his body to that Enzi didn't have to retrieve it for him, even though she insisted that she did not mind. After giving a few last minute tugs on the small leather straps that held the stone knife to the underside of his paw, Drachen set to work, sitting on his haunches while his empty paw pushed back the skin that Ardyn had already cut and used his knife cladded paw to cut back the skin from the meat. He was starting to become much better in his skinning skills and it took him less time to remove his section of the skin though he was still obviously slower than the others. He did not mind, though, he wanted to make sure that his work was good and did not ruin the hide by rushing to keep up with the others. His tan lips pulled back in a happy smirk as his sharpened stone knife was working perfectly but he still made mental notes of where it could be improved. The Vaekhal male was so focused on his work that he almost missed Ardyn's questions and his blue eyes flicked up to the younger male. He wanted to claim the hide for himself to try and make some armor but the younger wolves he saw some time ago popped up in his mind. "What about giving it to the younger pups? Its still has been quite chilly, maybe they could take use of it to keep them warm?" Drachen suggested with an arched brow, glancing at the others before returning back to his work. Ultimately he would leave the decision up to the other males since they had been in the pack much longer than he and would be better suited to know where it would be needed the most. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Domari Xanilov

Dómari held on tightly, letting his weight both shift and pull down, seeking to let gravity help him until at last the bison was down. He slowly let go, panting heavily before stepping away. Licking the blood off his fangs he looked over to Cairo as well as the others. Dómari grinned and nodded. "It's good to be back." Cairo mentioned skinning and butchering. Dómari eyed the position of the sun for a moment before turning his attention back to the conversation. He already had a bison hide lining his den and felt it would best go to someone else. At Drachen's suggestion he nodded eagerly. "Yes, I think that is a wonderful idea Drachen. You could even split it up into pieces to give each their own little blanket if desired." Dómari glanced at the sun again before turning back to the group. "I'll leave you three to it. Its my turn to patrol, but call if you need anything." With that he headed toward his starting point. -exit- Walk ---- "Speak" ----  "Hear" ---- Think

Cairo moved to hold a leg out of the way as the other three talked over what uses could be made for the skin, and as Domari headed off to patrol, Cairo adjusted his grip to a foreleg, freeing his mouth to call after the man cheerfully, “I think Caelia’s with you; say hi to her for me—I’m on the southwest of the moor after this is all squared away. Drachen you and Ardyn are with me on that patrol by the way. Once we’ve had an hour after this to rest, I’ll meet you there.” Turning to the subject at hand, he moved to the next leg, remarking, “I get the feeling those kids won’t be anything to sneeze at for size. We could tan this and set it aside for them to try their paws at armorcrafting, too. Plus, there is still that other bull. Another hunt for another day, eh?” He grinned at Drachen, adding as an aside, “Care to spar myself and Caelia in a day or two? I’ve been meaning to drag her into some roughhousing, and I think she’ll like the challenge of a three-way fight or back-to-back spars.” He bent and slid a claw along the hide, slicing neatly at it and parting skin from flesh in tandem with Ardyn, whose dexterous paws were perfect for the work at hand. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn was mostly focused on the skinning process as the men talked, though he absorbed the opinions and suggestions, grinning. “Hard to believe they’re already yearlings.” He shifted the bison with a shove of his shoulder, nodding as Cairo lifted the leg he was working around higher as Domari padded off. His tongue poked between his teeth as he worked, down to the medial line and out over the belly, fisting his paw and using it to punch forward and pry the skin from the flesh, nicking with a claw where he met more resistance than was wise to push against. “I’d love to get in on that spar, make it a four-way or back-to-back… it sounds fun.” His sabers flashed in a grin as he pulled back the hide and prepared to roll the bison onto its other side, still in the hide for now, preparing to start the other side with the other two’s help. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Drachen looked up from his work as Domari left for his patrol to flash the other male a friendly smile and a nod before turning his attention to Cairo as he stated that Drachen was to patrol with him and Ardyn. “Sounds good, I’ll see you there.” The Vaekhal male rumbled, working a little bit faster on skinning the beast. His ears perked up and he paused mid-cut as Cairo invited him to a sparring match with another wolf who’s name he remembered but could not place a face to the name. It didn’t matter though, Drachen was always up for a good spar and a two on one sounded fun. A bright grin pulled at his dark lips as his deep blue eyes gleamed in interest. "I would love too. Just name the time and place and I’ll be there" The Black and Tan male rumbled looking between Cairo and Ardyn before returning back to his work, moving on to the next section. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Cairo nodded cheerfully as the other two spoke favorably of a melee, bicolored tail wagging jauntily before he moved to pull the bison’s hide back for the other two as Ardyn employed his curled forepaw in parting hide from flesh, nodding approval at the boy as he helped nick the tougher membranes. “When do you think Aerie will raid? I haven’t seen very much life over there.” He helped roll the bison onto its side to better reach it, helping pull the hide back for the other two to reach farther and farther back on the beast’s carcass. The impending raid from their neighbors hung over Valhalla’s heads, and he wondered when Eligos would strike. He had no doubt Valhalla would fight hard, though winning was never a given. You only really knew for sure that a victory was secured after the battle was over and it was your pack standing over the defeated invaders… or at least those knocked fully unconscious. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think