While he had been enjoying the damper weather of Auster, he suddenly found himself traveling north into Boreas. He could feel the hunger strike him as soon as he stepped onto the prairie and noticed a herd of wild asses. They milled about, grazing lazily, without a care in the world. Could he take one down? Would he be too slow? His vermillion gaze watched from from beside a large boulder. Hunkering down, his chin near his paws, he waited. With bated breath, he watched them. Watched their pattern, how they communicated, learning who would be the best one to pick off. Were any injured? Any foals not being minded?

WILDER

Tarnish needed a break from fight training. He felt the pressure clamping down around his neck to perform well at this next raid. A string of losses had done little to help his self-confidence and he found himself making mistake after mistake through his training spars. He needed to vent. He needed violence and a moment to clear his head so he headed to the Algoma Prairie. In many ways it was becoming his second home and he could count on the abundance of prey to satiate his hunger and his mind. If he ever started a pack, this is where he wanted it to be. It was an amusing thought, not that he had any interest in leadership.

He was scouting along when he caught a familiar scent. Tarnish immediately shifted course to find the wolf he'd hunted with a few times before, watching a prey species Tarnish had yet to hunt. His crow flew out ahead of him, dancing in the sky to get the other's attention so as not to cause him to startle. "May I join you?" Tarnish spoke softly.


Raider Brats

Not far from where he watched, around the middle of the herd, a middle-aged mule appeared to hobble when it walked. The front left leg stiff and unbending with each step. It would even make a grumbling noise of distress if Wilder listened close enough. Out of the whole herd, that one appeared to be the best target. Even though the foals were tempting, the moms would be far too protective considering how fresh the foals were. Deciding how he would want to go about taking it down, he is both surprised and unsurprised when a familiar voice pops up beside him. The same companion bird whirls around as well to alert him of their presence.

"You may," Wilder replies, that charming smile on his lips again as he glances at Tarnish. "You see that injured one in the middle? Has a lame leg? That one should the easiest to take down. Bit hard though considering it's in the middle," he pauses, thinking for a moment how best they could get to it. "I think if we just run in real fast, the herd will take off and we can run the lame one down until it falls back from the herd," Wilder nods, looking to Tarnish one for agreement before turning his focus back on the herd.

"Alright, follow my lead," he whispers, that grin still grinning as he suddenly takes off out of their cover. Barreling at full speed toward the herd, he tries not to alert them until he's to the edge of the gathering. A few have noticed, alerting the herd to predators. They begin to take off, but Wilder doesn't relent. Staying at full tilt, he weaves between the mules until he's few away from the lame target.

WILDER

Tarnish was pleased to be accepted into the hunt, eager to try a new flesh and see if these creatures were as tasty as the boar he'd recently been introduced to. The other wolf pointed out an injured mule, but of course it was in the middle of the herd where it was difficult to get to. Go figure. Wilder laid out his plan and Tarnish nodded. Sounded good to him, the naturally weak would fall behind and be easier pickings for the hungry wolves.

"Alright, follow my lead"

Tarnish nodded and followed after the older male. They waited for just a split second before Wilder burst toward the herd. Tarnish kicked off in hot pursuit, diving into the herd with snarls and growls. His teeth snapped at anything in range as urged the mules and asses to panic. A few broke off entirely but they seemed in good shape so he focused on running the bulk of the herd where the injured mule was starting to fall behind. Moment by moment it slipped back until it was a full body length behind the herd. At that moment Tarnish pulled up along its left side, his head twisting out and snagging the left hind leg, right below the knee. The mule stumbled and tried to kick out at him but he maintained his old which kept him out of the range of mule's dangerous kick.


Raider Brats

Thankful for his hunting friend for the day, Wilder grew more excited as the healthy part of the herd drew farther away. Gnashing his teeth together and lunging at any who dared to get in their way, he was unsurprised when the lame ass finally pulled behind enough to be alone. The rest of the herd moved up and over a nearby knoll where they would be safe for now.

Returning his focus back on the lame ass, he hangs back for one step before darting to the right side. As Tarnish grabs ahold of the ass's rear left leg, Wilder twists and goes in for the front right leg. Digging in his teeth for a good hold and yanking his head away, he hears the ass let out a bleating cry. It is full of agony as its legs are rendered useful. With nowhere to go, it begins to thrash, attempting to get them off. It sweeps its head around, bashing him against his neck and shoulder, but he doesn't relent. Not until the ass finally exhausts itself and gives up.

Nearly limp, Wilder finally lets go and watches as the ass drops to the ground. "Care to do the honors?" Wilder with wild eyes points a paw at the ass's throat as his lips begin to widen into a grin.

WILDER

Tarnish could feel his jaw starting to strain but he held on for all he was worth as the wild ass struggled and kicked. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Wilder attack from the other side. Working in tandem the ass soon fell. It tried numerous times to get its legs back beneath it but with each struggle it grew weaker and weaker. Wilder gave Tarnish the option to finish the job and he grinned. Tarnish released his hold on the asses leg and leapt on top of it, claws digging in as his jaws latched around its throat. A very cat-like manner of performing a kill but with his panther paws it worked well for him.

With their prey dead and ready for eating he licked the blood from his maw.


Raider Brats