All part of the plan I just made up
08-16-2019, 05:27 PM
Long shadows danced along the arid ground as the coyote female trailed after her large companion. She moved at a smooth trot to keep up with the wolf's longer strides. The tough grass patches that sprouted throughout the rocky terrain had become yellowed and crunchy under paw as autumn settled upon the lands. Her messy coat was already beginning to thicken for the oncoming winter, visibly uneven in places. An ephemeral puff of vapor drifted lazily from her parted muzzle, the tip her her tongue quivering with each step. Her pinprick pupils swiveled towards the wolf.
She was surprised that he'd accepted her proposal, even more so that he hadn't made any attempt on her life. Although her experience with wolves was but one; the brute having torn off most of her tail over a stolen rat. Exxon conceded, it was a deserved result, not that she'd learned from the experience. The coyote figured that a missing tail would offer less to sink one's teeth into. She remained on edge when the dire was near, generally keeping him within eye shot. Deciding it would be best to keep a respectable distance, the scrawny coyote flitted just out of his reach at all times. Occasionally she would disappear from his view to roll in some foul scent concealing stench that caught her fancy, but she'd track him down again pretty easily.
Exxon was inexperienced at hunting large prey, having roamed unaccompanied for most of her life. he typically sough out smaller meals, like hare or fowl. Though she found it easier and less energy consuming to steal. She'd beheld the aggression of rams before, they were huge and generally unafraid of a lone coyote. Of course she'd be skeptical when the stranger claimed he could take one down. Of course Exxon planned to assist were she was able, but having her bones mashed to paste certainly didn't appeal to her. She had just began to notice the chill of snow against her bare pads as the hefty male spoke.
"Pines...Right! Gotcha! If they're as nasty as you say, it should be easy peezy!" The coyote replied, nodding with vigorous enthusiasm, as she turned a swift glance to the evergreens outlined by the setting sun. Throwing her muzzle high, she let the musky ram scent flow into her nostrils with the breeze. "Be ready for 'em, big guy!" Exxon called over her shoulder as she bolted towards the ridge.
She traveled quickly, yet carefully, as she avoided loose stones. Unfamiliar with the area, her spindly legs carried her along lightly. She smelled nothing but ram, but she was prepared for a larger predator to leap on her back. Luckily nothing seemed to be after her hide, not at the moment at least. Before even catching sight of the sheep, the ashen canine heard them. A repeated thud echoed throughout the range as she neared the top of the ridge, finally catching a glimpse of her quarry. It was a small bachelor herd of three rams, with the two youngest sparring as the older male foraged nearby. Their horns had not yet formed the magnificent spirals of their older companion. Exxon kept low on the modest peak, blending with slate chunks as she observed the herd, figuring out her plan of attack.
Kicking a few loose stones down to alert them of her presence, she began her approach. It was important not to spook them with a surprise attack, they'd most likely go scattering off in the opposite direction. No, she was simply a lone coyote passerby of no possible threat to three healthy rams. The bigger male gave a warning bleet when he spotted her, causing his underlings to pause their game to look towards her. With their attention focused on her, Exxon sauntered closer in a seemingly careless manor, snuffing at the ground as though she were scavenging for an easy meal. The alpha ram stood taller, visibly becoming irritated at this lonesome coyote's impudence. He stomped. A single cloven forehoof striking the ground with enough power to vibrate the ground beneath her paws. Everyone of her teeth bared in a nervous grin as she began questioning her life choices.
Of course, the bighorn took her expression as a threat and with no pack in sight, he needed to teach an inexperienced predator some respect. It charged, head low, ready to send her flying. The attack was nimbly charged, which only seemed to piss him off more as he came at her again and again. The small canine let her instincts take hold, her legs carrying her rapidly up the ridge from whence she came. Fortunately, the ram was hot on her tail, without looking back she could feel its hot breath on her haunches. She reached the top up the ridge, huffing from the climb. Pines. Pines. Pines. Her wide eyed gaze swiveled along the lowlands, the sunlight was nearly consumed by the horizon and everything looked unfamiliar in her panic. "There!" She barked, spotting the randevu point.
A sudden shove from behind pulled a yelp from her throat and she was sent tumbling down the steep ridge side. Bighorns seemed much more adept at climbing than she had expected, able to scale the rocky hillside with a surprising amount of speed. But she had no time to marvel, on her paws in an instant, her bruised body and pride were ignored. The female booked it towards the treeline, finding an easier time of avoiding the sheep's hooves as the ground leveled out. Its younger companions had quickly grown bored of the chase, becoming distracted by choice browsing. How favorable. Though she could easily out pace him, she remained a tail's length away to keep his confidence high. Nearing the evergreen forest, with jaws spread as wide as her tendons would allow, the coyote let loose a screeching howl to summon her muscle.
She was surprised that he'd accepted her proposal, even more so that he hadn't made any attempt on her life. Although her experience with wolves was but one; the brute having torn off most of her tail over a stolen rat. Exxon conceded, it was a deserved result, not that she'd learned from the experience. The coyote figured that a missing tail would offer less to sink one's teeth into. She remained on edge when the dire was near, generally keeping him within eye shot. Deciding it would be best to keep a respectable distance, the scrawny coyote flitted just out of his reach at all times. Occasionally she would disappear from his view to roll in some foul scent concealing stench that caught her fancy, but she'd track him down again pretty easily.
Exxon was inexperienced at hunting large prey, having roamed unaccompanied for most of her life. he typically sough out smaller meals, like hare or fowl. Though she found it easier and less energy consuming to steal. She'd beheld the aggression of rams before, they were huge and generally unafraid of a lone coyote. Of course she'd be skeptical when the stranger claimed he could take one down. Of course Exxon planned to assist were she was able, but having her bones mashed to paste certainly didn't appeal to her. She had just began to notice the chill of snow against her bare pads as the hefty male spoke.
"Pines...Right! Gotcha! If they're as nasty as you say, it should be easy peezy!" The coyote replied, nodding with vigorous enthusiasm, as she turned a swift glance to the evergreens outlined by the setting sun. Throwing her muzzle high, she let the musky ram scent flow into her nostrils with the breeze. "Be ready for 'em, big guy!" Exxon called over her shoulder as she bolted towards the ridge.
She traveled quickly, yet carefully, as she avoided loose stones. Unfamiliar with the area, her spindly legs carried her along lightly. She smelled nothing but ram, but she was prepared for a larger predator to leap on her back. Luckily nothing seemed to be after her hide, not at the moment at least. Before even catching sight of the sheep, the ashen canine heard them. A repeated thud echoed throughout the range as she neared the top of the ridge, finally catching a glimpse of her quarry. It was a small bachelor herd of three rams, with the two youngest sparring as the older male foraged nearby. Their horns had not yet formed the magnificent spirals of their older companion. Exxon kept low on the modest peak, blending with slate chunks as she observed the herd, figuring out her plan of attack.
Kicking a few loose stones down to alert them of her presence, she began her approach. It was important not to spook them with a surprise attack, they'd most likely go scattering off in the opposite direction. No, she was simply a lone coyote passerby of no possible threat to three healthy rams. The bigger male gave a warning bleet when he spotted her, causing his underlings to pause their game to look towards her. With their attention focused on her, Exxon sauntered closer in a seemingly careless manor, snuffing at the ground as though she were scavenging for an easy meal. The alpha ram stood taller, visibly becoming irritated at this lonesome coyote's impudence. He stomped. A single cloven forehoof striking the ground with enough power to vibrate the ground beneath her paws. Everyone of her teeth bared in a nervous grin as she began questioning her life choices.
Of course, the bighorn took her expression as a threat and with no pack in sight, he needed to teach an inexperienced predator some respect. It charged, head low, ready to send her flying. The attack was nimbly charged, which only seemed to piss him off more as he came at her again and again. The small canine let her instincts take hold, her legs carrying her rapidly up the ridge from whence she came. Fortunately, the ram was hot on her tail, without looking back she could feel its hot breath on her haunches. She reached the top up the ridge, huffing from the climb. Pines. Pines. Pines. Her wide eyed gaze swiveled along the lowlands, the sunlight was nearly consumed by the horizon and everything looked unfamiliar in her panic. "There!" She barked, spotting the randevu point.
A sudden shove from behind pulled a yelp from her throat and she was sent tumbling down the steep ridge side. Bighorns seemed much more adept at climbing than she had expected, able to scale the rocky hillside with a surprising amount of speed. But she had no time to marvel, on her paws in an instant, her bruised body and pride were ignored. The female booked it towards the treeline, finding an easier time of avoiding the sheep's hooves as the ground leveled out. Its younger companions had quickly grown bored of the chase, becoming distracted by choice browsing. How favorable. Though she could easily out pace him, she remained a tail's length away to keep his confidence high. Nearing the evergreen forest, with jaws spread as wide as her tendons would allow, the coyote let loose a screeching howl to summon her muscle.