Amidst the icy grip of winter in the Polar Sound, Aresenn stood tall against the rugged terrain- his crimson coat standing out against the frosted landscape. The valley was a canvas of white and gray, with ridgelines capped in snow towering in the distance and frosty trees lining the horizon. The air was sharp and biting, carrying the scent of pine and snow, while the distant sound of flowing water echoed through the valley. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the snow-covered ground, Aresenn's voice rang out through the frigid air. His summons carried with the breeze to any of those who might be nearby, beckoning the Syndicate hunters to gather around him. With determination etched onto his features, Aresenn stood with purpose as he scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze. Watching. Waiting to see just who would show.

"Aresenn Praetor"

Too fucking cold. All of it's too fucking cold. Iscariot's hackles up, if only in an effort to preserve some of the body heat that attempted to cling to her shoulders. Even with a coat on, it's not enough. Inhospitable climate would only try to kill her what, three seasons out of the year? Fine. A call cracked the cold air, Riot's gaze narrowing to the sound. At least it's something that'll put her mind to good use, perhaps if she's busy she won't dwell on the cold. Moving to the source of the call, gathering where she's beckoned. Gaze fixing on the red man with little more than a nod, as she burrows deeper into the coat she's borrowed from Kaino.

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Ezekiel is… bored. Not the kind of bored one gets from tasks or from being tired; no, the young man finds himself bored with life. El, his dearest sister, has been fawning over other men and the jealousy that he feels at being second fiddle to another, has darkened his mood. Aresenn’s call has him quirking a brow in curiosity and he is quick to move and intercept him. The sun is falling behind the horizon and the shadows are growing long as he detaches from the shadows, silently stalking up to the fire-kissed form. Without a word, he joins the other male  and the purple woman and he dips his head in greeting to them both as he comes to a stop near them and waits to see what they will be hunting tonight.


"Ezekiel Saxe"

He’d commanded the hunters of the pack to work on perfecting their skill, as he’d need to promote someone to lead hunter by the winter. And winter had enveloped The Sound quicker than the other regions, given they were in the northern territories. The icy grip was relentless, plunging this domain in a frosty canvas, submerging most of the foliage beneath a veil of white. Tsk. He needed capable hunters now more than ever; keeping the pack fed during this season would be a challenge.

So when Aresenn summoned the hunters to a lesson, Sephiran was both pleased and perplexed. Were they not capable of honing their skills on their own? Growling, the Sultan pulls himself out of his den, following Aresenn’s call until he finds a small group gathering around his Emir. As he strides forward, he exudes an aura of malevolence and power, commanding attention with his presence, as he finds a large boulder to perch upon and watch the lesson unfold. He will not be a participant, but instead, a spectator, as he means to analyze his hunters to identify any weaknesses in his ranks.  

"Sephiran Saxe"

Well, Riot was making herself right at home, eh? As Kai came to join the lesson, the bob-tailed fae noted her smaller sibling curled up in the very coat that Kaino had rescued her in. She didn't mind, of course, it was simply amusing to see just how quickly the pair shifted back into their old ways. Kaino joined the group, thumping down beside Iscariot and making sure to jostle the coat thief in the process. The cold didn't bother her nearly as much as it bothered Riot. Kai sprawled out on her belly, hind legs extended. Her luxurious bunny tail swished back and forth lightly as she gave Aresenn her full attention. "Speech"

Oh? Azoula was intrigued, having peeled herself away from Laney who was still recovering from her encounter with the Sultan. Aresenn, the crowned Emir, was summoning the pack to him with the intent of teaching them a hunting lesson. She found it a bit ironic, seeing she was the best huntress in the pack. Why wouldn’t she be? An apex predator in a group of dogs. The smirk that curled her lips was questionable; was she amused by their inability to excel in the art? Or was she intrigued by the thought of spilling blood with her fellow pack mates?

Licking Laney on the head and departing from the Sidi dens, Azoula stalks towards the call with predatory ease, her movements calculated and feline, as she emerges from the winter wasteland to join the gathering group. She’s the last to arrive, and even Sephiran has graced them with his presence. Stopping to bow, she offers her respects before turning to Aresenn, waiting to see what he has in store for them.  

"Azoula Davati"

Aresenn observed the assembled hunters with a sense of satisfaction, nodding in acknowledgment as each one joined the gathering. With the arrival of Azoula, the group was now complete- or as complete as it was going to get, and he turned his attention to the task at hand. "Today, we are going to hone our tracking skills." he began, his voice carrying across the crisp winter air.

He gestured towards the snow-covered ground beneath them, the pristine white canvas marred only by the faintest of tracks left behind by passing animals. "Take a moment to observe the snow," he instructed, his gaze sweeping over the hunters. "Snow does make it fairly simple to spot tracks- and makes it a little easier to detect subtle differences.” Aresenn crouched down, his paw gently brushing against the surface of the snow as he pointed out the intricate details. "Look for clues in the tracks," he continued. "The size and shape can tell us about the animal's species, while the depth and spacing can indicate its weight, speed, and direction of travel."

"Aresenn Praetor"

Several wolves appear, Sephiran among them with the tigress bringing up the rear. With their Sultan looming over them, Aresenn talks about honing their tracking skills and Ezekiel quietly listens. Their gazes are directed down to the snow and the young man’s duel-toned eyes sweep the soft powder, searching for tracks.

Cloven hooves catch his attention and the call of an elk from nearby tell him that the prey is in the area. Moving to inspect them, nose moves down to the powder, pulling in the scent of a male, healthy and in his prime without a missed step in its tracks.

Looking to Aresenn, Zeke calls him over and says, “Male elk. Healthy, average weight, moving slowly without fear of nearby predators. Heading toward the north.” Paw lifts to point out the direction then arches a brow, ready for the fiery man to give him feedback.


"Ezekiel Saxe"

Silver and smoke ears shifted, catching Aresenn's words as he spoke of hunting and the usefulness of tracking in the snow. Kai was well aware of this already, but a refresher course was never a bad thing. The red man spoke of the ease of seeing tracks and whatnot in the snow. "And tracking blood is so easy in the snow," she added. Mint and ice eyes cut to Sephiran. He always looked so grumpy. So upset about everything. He was going to get wrinkles for sure. Kai lifted a paw, wiggling her toes at the Sultan in greeting. She was a brat and a tease and everyone knew it. Kai made no efforts to hide it. "Speech"

Slipping back to themselves, it's the normal that Iscariot can hold herself to. It's the only normal she's been allotted, and she won't pass that up. A smirk and a grin as she noses Kaino's face, shoulder resting on her sister. As the lesson begins, Iscariot's focus slips back to Arsenn. Gaze narrowing against the harsh light against the sun, but listening all the same. It's a lesson the girl has already put into play this season, but a lesson all the same. She'd do her best not to look bored, gaze sharp as she scans the expanse of snow before them. This wouldn't be the only set of tracks in the area, no. The bounty hunter by trade, Iscariot's gaze is quick to pass the sets of wolf tracks. Peering past them, she draws to a set of tracks. Round, with four toes and four claws. Smear marks on either side, and what looked like the drag of quills, too. "Porcupine, here. Running that way," Riot jerked her head north. "Disappear fifty paces on, so likely went up a tree." She pauses, thinking for a moment. "No following tracks, if it was being chased then it's probably by a bird of prey."

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Tracking skills hmm? Azoula felt she was an expert in that already, but perhaps this male had something to offer her. He’d motion towards the snow, asking them to observe it and Azoula did. After Aresenn placed a paw in the snow, she did the same, only, she extended her retractable claws to show their length in the pattern she left behind. The others were looking for prey tracks nearby, Zeke having found an elk trail and Riot, a porcupine. She made a practical observation, which earned a smirk from the tigress.

“Don’t mistake my paws for another feline predator.” She chimes in, warning the group not to come after her by mistake, thinking she was an intruder. “Look for four toe pads arranged in a semi-circular pattern, with equal spacing between each print.”  She moved in powerful strides, grace and confidence always accompanying her movement, which explained the characteristic spacing between each print.

Turning to Aresenn, she wonders what he will tell them next.  

"Azoula Davati"

Aresenn's sharp, discerning gaze swept over the hunters, taking in their focused expressions and attentive postures. He was pleased with their engagement and attention to detail, nodding approvingly at their observations.

"Well done," he began, his deep voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "Tracking is not just about following a trail, but also about understanding the behavior and habits of our prey. As hunters, we must be patient and observant," Aresenn continued, his words laced with wisdom. "Always looking for signs and clues that will lead us to our quarry." The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and fresh snow.

"Now, let us continue to track the elk," Aresenn declared confidently. "Remember, we must move quietly and stay downwind to avoid alerting them to our presence." His eyes gleamed with determination as he led the group in a silent pursuit of their prey.

"Aresenn Praetor"

Each wolf made some observation and Kai listened. A standard, straight forward lesson. Use common sense. Don't be a dummy. Find the things. Kill the things. Eat the things. As Aresenn instructed that they should all go follow the elk, Kaino rose to her paws. The svelte woman gave her body a little shake, ridding it of clinging snow. With one glance towards her sister, she started off after the red brute. Who didn't love an impromptu field trip, eh? "Speech"

After each wolf looked at her paw print and committed it to memory, she’d shift her attention back to Aresenn. He’d give pointers on understanding the habits of prey, the importance of being observant, and using that observation to discover clues. Nodding her head, she agrees with him; being a skilled hunter requires a lot of patience and critical thinking. Finding a track and rushing after prey wasn’t the best course of action; there was a lot more to it than that. At least, if you wanted to be a successful hunter.

He’d instructed them to track the elk, and Kaino was quick to jump to her paws, ready to hunt them down. Azoula smirked at the fae, entrained by her determination. Following suit, the tigress saunters after the group of wolves, allowing them to take the lead and enjoying the scenery as they go.

"Speech"

Eyes rove over each wolf, and tigress, as they give their own observations and Zeke nods to each one in turn. Aresenn compliments them, reminding them that tracking isn’t just about following a trail and the dark male nods in agreement. There is a lot that can be read in the trail and it is important to keep track of them. Then, they decide to track after the elk he had found signs of and the male is quick to fall in line, stalking after the red form with practiced steps. With a dip of his head at the warning, Ezekiel carefully follows after Aresenn, remaining alert and testing the wind every now and then as, with hardly a sound, the group tracks their prey.


"Ezekiel Saxe"

Tongue flicking across her nose to wet it, Iscariot refocuses on the elk. Tracking the direction of the wind carefully, tracing it with a deep curiosity. Seeking. The stark winter breezes did a good job carrying scent, and they needed to stay tucked carefully down wind. Her head remains high, trying to track the direction of the winds. Moving as soundlessly as she can over the ground, heeding the reminder. Rocking carefully on the edges of her feet, disturbing as little of the snow as possible. The hunters? They're the hunters. Iscariot wouldn't risk becoming prey, either. Reminders for the hunter hang keen in the part of the mind that knows she's undersized, okay?

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