Autumnal Bounty [Valhalla Pack Hunt]

It wasn’t a member of Valhalla that showed up first – though his arrival was prompt, indeed. The Spirit smiled warmly at the male, muzzle dipping respectfully as she responded, “Welcome to our hunt, Benedict. Valhalla welcomes Abaven’s help. I’ll provide you with a means to carry back your share for yourself and Abaven, should we be successful. I am Aurielle Adravendi, Spirit – or alpha – of Valhalla. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

And then there was a lull. As the minutes slid by, she frowned, head turned away to mask the expression from her guest.

She had almost decided to press on with just the two of them when, at last, the pack began to arrive. Artur was first, and she returned his nod with one of her own and a soft, “Well done, Artur.”

Justice was next, and Aurielle grinned at the older woman’s nonchalant query, smiling at Viviane and murmuring, “Good morning, Viviane. How are you?”, her voice warm. Out of all of the siblings, Viviane was the sweetest, her innocent a shining star among a jaded world. If only such innocence could last forever.

A surprise came in the form of Red, and as the large male greeted her, ‘Rielle smiled warmly, head dipping in welcome as she responded in kind, agreeing, “Welcome, Red. It is that, indeed.”

A surprise followed Red—Laisren. Her uncle’s activity had been so lacking in reflection to his high rank as Predator. No hunts had been called since his installment. No lessons for their young members. She’d had a hard time even finding his scent. She gave him a hard look that said she would be speaking with him after the hunt, and it would not be a pleasant chat.

Geoff was next, and she smiled gently at the young male, nodding and greeting him with, “Hello, Geoffrey, how are you this morning?”

Several more moments passed, and she was almost about to start laying out the plan of the day, when Cairo arrived, and her eyes flicked wide with slight surprise to see her father and Paladin following after the boy. Cairo’s apology was accepted as she said easily, “No, no; it’s good that you thought to get the carrying equipment. Our prey isn’t too far off – just in the lake – but anything to make the process easier is a boon.”

Her eyes turned to her father, looking him over and nodding as he stated his words. His knowledge would be a wonderful advantage, one she hadn’t been expecting to have on this hunt. Their eyes locked, and he doused the kindling spark of hope that his arrival at the hunt meant that her mother was rousing by giving a near-imperceptible shake of his head, clearly knowing what she was thinking. Solveiga would not rise.

She masked the stab of pain in her heart by turning to Paladin and giving him her attention as he announced his plans for a healer’s base beyond the hunt, her eyes flicking to Viviane and Geoff. They had looked the least enthused and confident, and this would be a good learning experience. She knew of a good rise above the lake—out of reach of the action, she hoped, and close enough that the two yearlings could still watch the hunt and learn from observation, as well as the plans Aurielle would lay out once she was absolutely certain everyone had come that was going to show up.

Her eyes drifted to the Moorland, searching for movement in the mists—a dark shape, or a light-colored frame. Caelia, she saw, had just arrived while her head was turned, and she gave her a smile, before her eyes lifted away, seeking and not finding the inky black-based frame of her twin.

It had been long enough, and as her custom stated, only hunters were truly mandatory. As it stood, they had more than enough, she thought, to bring down at least one moose today. So, she straightened her shoulders and directed her gaze to the gathered wolves.

Firstly, she addressed Benedict and Red, greeting for the pack at large, “Thank you, Benedict of Abaven, and Red, for joining us on this hunt. I welcome your assistance, and you are welcome to a share of the kill if we find success, this day.”

Her eyes swept the group at large as she announced, “Our target today are a moose cow and her calves. These calves are old enough to cause trouble, but the real danger will be if the cow draws a bull. She’s not quite into estrus, but she’s already calling for a bull. Now. Paladin, as he said, will set up a camp with the transportation supplies and will be available to heal anyone who gets hurt. Viviane, Geoffrey, it’s up to you whether you wish to participate in the hunt itself or stay back with Paladin and watch the hunt. Either way, you’ll learn quite a bit.”

Her eyes turned to Benedict, Red, Artur, Caelia, Justice, Laisren, Regulus, and Cairo. “They are located in Wolfpaw Lake, and my hope is to surround them, perhaps cut off one of the calves, or the cow, and bring it down. If we can take two of them, all the better, and we will have more meat to store away for the winter.”

She rose to her paws, moving to take some of the travois supplies herself and nodding to the implements before she moved to take point of the group. “It’s a bit of a walk, and I feel that plans will be clearer when the playing field is laid out before you. If you would all gather some of the bags and supplies and follow me, I’ll lead you to them.”

Once the supplies had been gathered, she surveyed the group before setting out at an easy trot – brisk, but slow enough not to tire her father or anyone else. They moose would still be there, and they’d looked content with their location.

It was a good hour before they came upon a rise that looked down upon the lake. The moose were there, alright, still browsing and feeding on water plants.

Her eyes scanned the surrounding area, and she was glad not to see any sign of a bull, though even from here she could hear the calls of the cow. She nodded to the group to edge forward enough to get a good view as she settled onto her belly to keep a lower profile on the horizon.

In a low, soft voice, she laid out her initial plans.

“Our strongest wolves will be the ones who deliver the attack. I would like you to stay at the haunches of whichever moose ends up getting cut out from the trio—if it’s the cow, then we’ve got a challenge, but with a good reward if we win out over her. Avoid her front end, try to slash her hind legs to immobilize her. Wait until the moose if cut out from the group and in the shallows of the lake. Be swift in your attacks, don’t hang around to get kicked or trampled. Once you’ve dealt the first blow, the coursers will take the next, and we will alternate until the prey is down.”

Her eyes shifted to Benedict and Red as she added, “You two may choose whether you will be the coursers that cut them out and drive the target into the water, or the ones who help bring it down, as I’m not familiar with your strengths.”

Her head turned to Paladin as she said, “This is where you will set up camp. We’re downwind here and you’ll have a good view of the hunt and some forewarning of any wounded that will need your skills.”

She turned her eyes to the rest of the group, nodding toward Caelia and Artur. She knew Gwen’s children generally hunted together, and she wanted to help them be as comfortable as possible in their first big pack hunt.

“Caelia, Artur, I’d like you to go with Laisren to the north side of the lake and circle around. He’s experienced. Let him take point and watch him. Once you find a good position, and the other teams are in place, Artur and Laisren should take the first strike, and let Caelia strike third."

Her eyes shifted to Cairo. “I’d like you to go with Justice and Regulus around the southern edge of the lake. Da,” she added as an aside to her father, “You’ve likely the most experience of anyone I know on hunting large deer with few wolves. I’d like you to take point as long as you’re able. Justice, once you’re in a good position, you and Regulus strike first out of your trio, then let Cairo get in a bite while you spot him.”

She settled lower against the ground, eyes shifting to Geoff and Viviane. “If you choose to stay back here to set up for after the kill, or to tend any injured hunters, that’s fine. You’re playing one of the most important parts of a hunt by mending anyone who gets hurt. In fact, you can also keep an eye out for any incoming threats that we in the hunt might not see coming. If you see a bull moose or another predator coming, howl as loudly as you can. Let us know.”

Her eyes shifted to sweep around the group before she asked the group at large, “Does anyone have any questions or alternative ideas? I’m open to them. Red, Benedict, do you have any ideas or preferences which team or role you would like to take?” Perhaps the group might have a more effective plan.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think