The Tracks I Tread Are Cold

Éldi was settling in well to Avalon. He was pleased to see that even his old den was available for reoccupation. It took a little bit of cleaning and the slaying of one irate badger but soon he had his den back in order, or at least in order enough for the time being. Being a southern summer he was fine having the cool dirt to lay in but come winter he'd want to have a fur for his bed. Already familiar with the prey of the area Éldi started keeping track of their movements and the state of the species moving through the area.

This morning he caught the scent of an elk which he soon deemed to be injured and that made it a perfect target for the wolves of Avalon. He tipped back his head and called for his fellows. It was time to engage in a hunt.

I wish you could see me for something more than the things I'm confined and condemned to be

Stjarna bounded through the range with not much on her mind but finding something interesting to hunt. She had been going after the squirrels in the tree above her but it just wasn't panning out the way she wanted. Despite having claws to get up the main trunk of the tree she was too big to follow the squirrels out onto the smaller limbs and then they'd race along and bounce off the branches into another tree. Too hard to follow.

Star's ears perked up as she heard Éldi call for hunters. Oh heck yea, she was going to get in on this. She kicked up grass, bounding through the range until she skidded to a stop in front of the hunter."I can help!" she declared. She was young, true, but she was almost six months old. He said it himself she was old enough to start participating in pack hunts and Álarr had given her his blessing.


Speech

It is a wonderful summer day in the Range and Merlin is happily sunbathing in the tall grass when a summons from one of the packs more experienced hunters’ rings through the air. Immediately the boy rolls onto his stomach and stands, always ready and willing to learn new things and he definitely does not want to miss out on this. Looping across the open expense, it does not take him long to find the form of the older hunter who had called and the pup he had helped at the border.

Angling himself toward the younger girl, he comes to a stop beside her and offers a small nudge to her shoulder and wink in way of greeting. A bright smile is offered to both of them as Merlin softly and excitedly asks, “What are we hunting?” If he had been thinking, the boy might have realized that he could simply scent the air and find the answer for himself but, since this is his first official hunt with his pack, the excitement has kind of… made him forget all his lessons.

No matter, this was going to be fun!


"Merlin Destruction"

The prospect of a group hunt was something that always intrigued Jay, especially when it came to working together with her fellow Avalon wolves. It'd been a bit now since she stretched her legs during a good hunt, so as soon as she heard Éldi's call she made to react to it, long legs carrying her quickly over the Range toward the hunters that had gathered there. Jay caught wind of her brother's scent before she arrived, which only put another little burst of speed into her step.

The scent of prey always seemed to linger around The Range - these were solid hunting grounds no matter what you were looking for, so Jay's guess as to what they might be hunting today was as good as anyone else's. Panting softly, though not without a wide smile, Jay loped up to the group and made a beeline for Merlin. Flopping hard on the ground beside him, she waits for Éldi to give them instruction. Until then she was content to lounge under the summer sun, grateful for its warmth on this temperate day.

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The Tracks I Tread Are Cold

Éldi was pleased to see a trio of younglings answer his call. After all, Corbie had mentioned there were several of the younger pack wolves interested in hunting and he was glad to pass on some of his experience before his inevitable passing. "Greetings young hunters. My name is Éldi and today we'll be hunting elk. There's an injured doe down the way, near the creek. This will be a simple hunt. She can't run for long. We'll stalk forward and then when I give the signal we drive her across the creek, let the terrain weary her then take her down." It should be simple and straight forward, no laying in wait, no traps, just running down their prey.

With a nod he slunk off into the tall grasses of the range, down toward the creek. The air was perfectly calm, nary a breeze in the air. He could see the ears of the injured quarry bedded down in the grasses, about 20 feet from the creek. He settled in, looking up to his raven to let him know the young were in position and then he sprang forward with a loud growl, heading down toward the target.

I wish you could see me for something more than the things I'm confined and condemned to be

Stjarna grinned at the other young wolves that arrived. She recognized the boy that had helped save her from the bear and she smiled broadly at him before dipping her head to the other girl in greeting. She settled in and listened as the older hunter laid out their plan, stating that they were going after an elk cow. She'd never gone after such big prey before! She was the youngest but she could certainly help out in driving prey and chasing it even if she could not make the kill shot herself. Nay, she probably didn't dare try to actually cause any damage to the prey being so small but she could run and she could chase.

With a grin she trotted off through the grasses after the older hunter down toward the creek. As she got close she stalked lower even though she really needn't have being so small. When the time came to chase she popped out of the grass and dove toward the doe, barking her shrill call and trying to sound as fierce as she could.


Speech

Merlin grins broadly at the girl and, when his sister, Jay, arrives, the boy joyfully wags his tail. The older male speaks up, introducing himself as Éldi and lays out a plan and the fawn-hued boy listens with in polite excitement. Giving him a firm nod, the boy falls in with the hunters as they slink through the tall grasses, approaching the unsuspecting elk with hardly a sound as they go. They all settle for a moment, coiling muscles and preparing for the chase to is soon to come. Excitement swells around the youth as he tunes into his fellow wolves, hearing their breath and the soft rustle of grass around them as they wait.

Éldi suddenly springs up, racing down to where the elk waits and Merlin is fast behind as Stjarna barks shrilly. The wounded elk’s head shoots up above the grass line and watches as it stumbles to its hooves. He adds his own growls and barks to the mix, causing as much chaos as he can to frighten prey and, hopefully, cause it make mistakes. Moving toward the elk’s right side, he snaps at the beast’s right rear hoof and is forced to apply his brakes as that same hoof is suddenly aimed at his head.

Falling behind the group for a moment, Merlin quickly recovers from his shock and rejoins them, glancing over Éldi for direction. This is his first hunt after all!


"Merlin Destruction"

Éldi explained they'd be hunting elk, which made Jay perk up even more. Hunting small prey was fine and all, but while they had the numbers gathered together they may as well take down something more challenging, and the yearling was definitely up for the challenge. She nodded agreement to the plan, which was to take down one of the injured doe. Without hesitating she fell in line with the rest of the group as they headed through the field toward their target. She too already felt adrenaline beginning to course through her veins at the mere prospect of such a hunt before they even got started. She had to remind herself to stay focused and not get overly excited, lest she get distracted.

The younger wolves moved together, Jay keeping up with the rest, pushing off fast toward the bedded doe. Using her speed to keep up, she reacts accordingly, letting out a cascade of barks to add to the group's force. She slowed as Merlin drew a bit too close to the doe, narrowly avoiding being kicked in the head. She felt her heart beating hard as she took tried to slow her pace, just for a second to make sure he was okay before diving back in. It wasn't long before they were close on her heels, Jay lunging forward to aim a bite on one of her legs, coming up just a bit short though. Maybe next time she'd get it...

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The Tracks I Tread Are Cold

Éldi snapped his jaws as he got close but injured though she was the doe leapt awkwardly to her feet and bolted, adrenaline pushing her forward. She raced along the shore line, the wolves in hot pursuit. Éldi grinned at the sound of the pups barking and giving chase. It felt so long ago but he could remember his own excitement at hunting as a wee lad. He glanced back in time to see Merlin just avoid a hoof. Oop, he better give them all a heads up. "Careful! She'll still kick. Get to her right side, lets push her to the creek." He put on a burst of speed until he was racing along side her. Éldi twisted his head over, snapping his fangs. Between him and the pups the doe started to panic, suddenly leaping into a shallower portion of the creek.

The motion slowed her up enough that went Éldi leapt into the water he was easily able to catch up with her. She stumbled and he leapt for her throat, jaws fastening around as she struggled in the water until finally the wolves had their meal.

I wish you could see me for something more than the things I'm confined and condemned to be

Stjarna loved the rush of running, of racing through the terrain after her prey. She scrambled over the brush, trying not to trip as she brought up the rear. She wasn't getting super close but that was ok, she still felt like she was helping and Éldi had already instructed her to hang back a bit being the youngest. She noted his calling, making a mental note to avoid the hind legs as she raced up toward the right side of the doe, barking and snarling. She left room between herself and the doe for one of the older youths to get a shot at their quarry. Star knew she was too little to do much worthwhile damage so instead she focused on playing a support role. As the doe leapt into the water Star followed after. As Éldi got the throat she leapt for the right shoulder, digging in with her claws and teeth.



Speech

Éldi warned them to be careful, and she gave a half-nod of acknowledgment, surely not noticeable by how they were all moving and focused on the target. The way her heart was beating hard made it difficult to focus on being careful versus taking a more aggressive approach to the whole hunt, especially as they zeroed in on their target. He moved to the right side as instructed, running hard as she made to flee, the group beginning to push her toward the creek.

Once she moved into the water Éldi launched to bring his jaws around her throat. Wanting to help bring her down, especially as Stjarna made room for them, Jay made a final burst forward and clamped her jaws around one of the doe's forelegs. The force would keep her from kicking and pulling away as she was brought down at last.

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