They Say Be Afraid

Saracyn was oh so ready for this moment. He nodded to his raptors, gesturing to the skies with his muzzle and watching as the avians dutifully took flight. They would be helpful in maneuvering the giant beast where they wanted it to go. Following behind Duchess, the yearling brute listened in to the more experienced hunter’s advice. It still surprised him that someone so diminutive and fragile-looking could be a skilled hunter, but he supposed she would have to be for his parents to allow her access to their pack. The group moved along near the mountains, and as the earthy musk of the massive herbivore became noticeable on the wind, his excitement swelled.

Duchess made a wordless motion, which he repeated to his team, then silently split off, disappearing into the tree line of the evergreen forest. In the shadows of the forest, he was nearly invisible. His birds flew overhead, giving cries when they spotted their mark. Saracyn slowed his gait, taking up position behind some dense foliage. Then he waited. It didn’t take long for the overly dramatic sounds of snarling to be heard. The ground began to tremble as heavy footfalls brought the rhino closer and closer to them. He glanced back to the others and nodded his head, a silent “get ready” gesture.

And then it appeared over the hill, thundering towards the forest to try and escape the pursuing wolves. "Now!" Saracyn called out and lunged from the underbrush. He snarled at the rhino, leaping at it with jagged fangs bared. From above, his raptors swooped low, sharp talons scraping at the rhino’s eyes on one side to urge it to turn in the direction of the Stone Steppe. Saracyn ran alongside the great beast, marveling at its size and thick hide while he snarled and snapped at its thick ankles, easily able to keep pace.

"Saracyn Mendacium"