Lurking in the grass

The warmth of spring is a welcome friend and, along with the sun, prey animals have become more plentiful. When his mother had approached him with the chance to go out beyond the borders to hunt prey, Malico had been eager to accept. Together, they traverse the lands, easily making it to the place where the long grass grows wild. A breeze rolls across the stalks, making them ripple like the waves of the ocean. Manea turns toward him and the boy’s attention immediately snaps to her, ears perking as is eyes move to mouth.

At her words, the boy’s tail wags loosely at his hips and he eagerly says, “Okay!” Eyes are bright with determination as he turns toward the grass, pulling in a deep breath through his nostrils. Within the span of a few seconds, Malico’s brain filters through the scents, picking out the familiar prey animals and determining which one was the closest. He had seen buffalo before when a herd had passed by the borders of his home and their scent has stuck with him. Now, he finds them again and he signals for his mother to follow him.

While the animals are huge and usually tend to gather in herds, it is worth checking out since spring means new babies. Silently, the pair move toward the animals, making sure to stay downwind of the herd. Soon enough, they find an area of flattened grass and the boy skirts the edge, using the tall grass to remain hidden. While he moves, Mal scans the animals, searching for a youngster who has strayed a little too far from the safety of the herd. He finds it and stops in his treks, looking to his mother before inclining his head in the young buffalo’s direction. A brow lifts in silent question.


"Malico Mendacium"