They'd met at the battlefield as Coran was passing through in search of information relating to his sisters. He hadn't had much luck but the conversation he'd had with the Avalon man and his charge had been pleasant. The man didn't have any information but promised to ask his alphess and find a way to pass along the information should he find anything out and Coran was grateful for that. The charge, a girl named Stjarna, had expressed an interest in hunting and so today Coran was taking her out for a hunting lesson.

A herd of caribou grazed amongst the pine trees of the Sparse Pines and they'd make an excellent subject for today's lesson. Coran settled a good distance away so as not to startle their prey and so he could speak with the girl. "Those animals are called caribou. Like many large prey they can be dangerous to take down if you attack a healthy one so we look for sick or injured animals. Can you spot one that might be a good target?"

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

Stjarna could hardly stop her tail from wagging in excitement as she tagged along after Coran for a hunting lesson. Truth be told she was also nervous. They hadn't known the man for very long and while he seemed nice she didn't want to upset him or make herself out to be an idiot. Álarr had become something of a safety blanket as of late and she wasn't sure how she felt being separated from him, even for a short lesson.

Her worry soon gave way to wonder when she laid eyes on the caribou. There were so many of them and they were so cool looking! She listened as Coran spoke then swallowed sharply as he asked her to pick out an injured or sick one. Oh boy… ok… uhhh… she scanned the herd for what fell like hours even though it was only a few minutes. "There's one toward the back of the herd, just to the left of that broken pine tree. There's a lot of snot coming out of its nose." She could see the strands of mucus glistening in the sunlight as it stretched out of the caribou's nostrils. The poor creature trying to lick it up to stay clean.


Speech

Marrow

Marrow wandered incessantly, she just couldn't bring herself to stay in any territory more than a night or two. This constant movement had its downsides, for one she was expending a lot of energy and for another she wasn't staying long enough to really get a feel for prey movements and that was leading to some less than stellar hunting. It had been four days since she'd eaten anything and having lived mostly off small prey she did not have the stores of meat for the activity she was trying to maintain.

When she caught the scent of caribou she immediately followed it. It was unlikely she'd be able to catch anything by herself but perhaps there was something to scavenge? Oh… now hold on. That's when she spied an older man and a wee pup. She didn't care about the pup, she focused on the man, hoping to weasel her way into a hunt and her first substantial meal in over a week. "Hey there, are you hunting those caribou? Can I help in exchange for food?"

Killing things was easy. Killing things that ran in a million different directions though... that wasn't as easy. Taiga could do it, but if there was a way to expend less energy, then the massive feline would do just that. A trio of canines were hunkered down in the pines, whispering amongst themselves. It was evident by the way that they inspected the looming herd of caribou that a hunt was about to take place.

"Might I offer my services?" The cave lioness rumbled softly from her place behind them. She half expected them to jump out of their skins. A lot of wolves did when approached by the big cat. Her pink nose pointed towards the herd. "If you run the herd towards me, I guarantee I can take down more than one." If she didn't have to waste her energy on a chase, then she could use that energy to make multiple kills. Ruby eyes rested on the trio, but she waited for the eldest to answer her.

"Taiga"

Coran waited patiently as the girl searched the herd, her little eyes darting back and forth between the different animals. He didn't rush her, this part took time and it was important to have a good grasp of the situation before rushing in. Eventually she pointed out a sick caribou toward the back of the herd near a broken pine tree. He nodded. "Yes, good job. That one will be an excellent target." Before he could lay out a plan of attack a pale white yearling approached and asked if she could help in exchange for food. He instantly recognized her as the yearling he'd helped out against a lion. He nodded. "Yes, certainly. There will more than we can eat."

The fourth arrival was quite unexpected and Coran was certain he audibly gasped. It was a lioness, the biggest one he'd ever seen in his life. It made the lion they fought look like a mere cub. He swallowed nervously but tried not to show any fear. The lioness seemed friendly enough and was interested in helping with the hunt so he saw no reason she couldn't be included. Coran nodded. "Certainly, and that sounds like a plan to me. We're targeting the sick one near that broken pine tree, toward the back of the herd. If you can place yourself near the tree we can heard it toward you."

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

Stjarna grinned as Coran acknowledged her selection as a good one and agreed it would be their target. She scooted down into the grass, prepping herself to start a very long stalk toward the caribou when a familiar femme appeared, the bone white yearling she'd sparred on the battlefield. Shortly after they were joined by a giant lion. "Hi!" Stjarna popped up out of the grass with a cheerful hello as she recognized the cat that had been digging in the knolls. Stjarna reached up and pawed at Coran's leg. "She knows how to trap all the things."

A plan was eventually laid, they would try and herd the caribou toward the lioness and she'd take the caribou down. Between the four of them it was likely they could get more than one despite Coran's focus on the sickly one.


Speech

Marrow

Marrow's tail started to wag as she was accepted into the hunting group. She couldn't wait to have a fresh warm meal and she fidgeted as she waited for the man to lay out the hunting plan. However, before he could a huge lion appeared to join them. Marrow's fur stood on end, hackles raised and her tail tucked as her ears went back. She was ready dart at the first sign of a threat but it seemed the lion truly meant to join them and not eat them. Still, she was leery and scooted over to the other side of Coran, peering over his shoulders at the large cat. The pup seemed to be unbothered and that made Marrow feel a little better about the situation.

The lioness was used to wolves fearing her so she paid no mind to the pale one bristling and hiding behind its elder. The blue marked pup received a rumble of recognition and a smile though. When she exclaimed that Taiga knew how to trap all kinds of things, the feline chuckled softly. Ah... she loved children.

A plan was agreed upon and the feline parted ways from the canines. Silently, she made her way around the herd and to the opposite side of the clearing. Rounded ears turned this way and that as she tracked the sounds of the caribou. When she was in place, Ruby eyes searched the foliage on the opposite side of the clearing and she nodded once to let the trio know that she was ready.

"Taiga"

Moments later the plan was in motion. Coran quietly watched the tiger slink off through the trees, her bi-colored coat helping her blend in well with the dark pines and patches of snow. Once the great cat was in position he nodded to the other two and started stalking forward, moving carefully to get into position as well as trying to avoid spooking the herd early. He wanted to be sure they had a clear path of attack for the sick caribou and an early stampede could limit their ability to get to the creature.

The caribou started to lift their heads more frequently, clearly concerned that something was out there. This would have to do. Coran burst forth from the trees with a snarl. The caribou immediately started to run, the clicking of their knees echoing across the pines. He ignored all of them but the target. That was the main goal and whoever else was swept up in the panic. His fangs nipped at the heels of the injured one, driving it toward the broken pine tree. There were already a few headed in that direction.

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

Stjarna fidgeted, eager to get started but she kept quiet as the large feline got into position. Then it was time to stalk. Slinking down into the grass she followed along after the older male. She worked hard to keep herself low, uncertain if her bright coloring could be seen by the caribou or not. Many animals couldn't see the full spectrum of color of her coat but every so often one could. As such she made sure to scoot from pine tree to pine tree to stay as out of the realm of site as possible.

when Coran sprang for the caribou Stjarna followed suit, letting out a whoop of excitement as she dove for the injured one. It was a little dicey at first as she nearly got stepped on. However, soon she had the rhythm of the herd and was following close behind their target.


Speech

Marrow

Marrow was starting to get the hang of stalking. It had taken some doing. Usually she was so eager to get to the chase she often gave herself away but this time she moved carefully and deliberately. She kept low, keeping to the few patches of snow that remained beneath the shadows of the pines. This way she could better hide herself.

Thankfully she didn't have to wait long for the chase to begin. Coran started them off and soon all three were chasing after a small group of caribou. The group was headed toward the broken pine, the sickly one starting to slow. Marrow snapped at its heels. At one point her fangs grazed one of its hind legs, causing it to stumble but still it kept going. Almost there!

Gods above...
Taiga watched as the trio of wolves began chasing the herd. As the blue marked pup almost got trampled, Taiga damn near threw the whole ambush to rush out and save her. Thankfully, the girl regained her footing and found the rhythm of the hunt. She'd damn near given the lioness a heart attack.

Hunkered down within the pines, Taiga waited, muscles bunched and ready to spring. She allowed the first batch of caribou to fly past since the older wolf had been eager to take out the sickly beast at the back. The fearful lowing of the ungulates was deafening and Taiga tucked her ears against the onslaught of sound.

Finally, the caribou in question rushed through the opening and that was when Taiga pounced. Hind paws planted on earth and she rocketed forward, her big body slamming into the old caribou. A quick bite to the throat put the beast out of its misery. As an afterthought, one massive paw swept out, claws grabbing onto the hind leg of a big buck. The caribou squealed but was soon silenced as the massive feline was upon it. Two should be enough. One for the wolves and one for her.

"Taiga"