TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus worked his way north towards Boreas which was now experiencing its fall. His companions were with him but they were unusually silent. He supposed everything was. A hush had lingered over the Risen Empire and it seemed that not even the coming of spring could lift it. Aureus wasn't sure what to do with himself and so he trained. Physical activity kept his mind out of places he didn't want to go. Aureus found himself growing distant from his family. He couldn't remember hanging out with any of his siblings this season and he felt like he hadn't talked with his mother in ages. It should've been an easy fix. All he needed to do was start up a conversation… and yet he was headed to Boreas to continue training.

dark mists are cloaking what the eyes can see

Éldi scoured the south, taking in the land as he went. He had no particular goal in mind other than to get a few last looks of the land. He assumed they'd be moving for the winter but perhaps that was an early assumption. Either way, he wanted to keep an eye out for interesting materials to use for the next market. He'd been pleased with the interest in his wares and he desired to up his game. With winter coming he'd likely have some time to sit and craft during inclement weather. He entered into a rather spooky forest but kept right on walking until he caught the scent of a coyote. Growling low in his throat he looked around, trying to pin where the scent was coming from.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus slipped further into the woods. Fog crept along and blurred his vision adding to the spooky and surreal feeling of walking through this particular forest. He'd heard rumors that it was haunted but he had yet to see anything that confirmed that theory. Hopefully, it would remain unconfirmed. Aurues was find with fighting creatures of a corporeal nature, he did not desire to fight ghosts. A slight shift in the air alerted him to the coyotes presence. As his blue eyes swept across the terra trying to pinpoint the source a coyote would leap out from the brush, straight at him.

dark mists are cloaking what the eyes can see

Éldi set himself to tracking the coyote. After the market he'd become more interested in selling the skins of other predators, namely coyotes. He thought it might be cute to make little costumes out of the pelts for little ones but Kaler thought that particularly morbid. If the canines weren't too mangy though he could see them making good den linings or entrance covers for dens. They would certainly serve as a warning to any coyotes that came close. There. Éldi pinpointed the source of the smell in the brush near a yearling who also seemed to be trying to find the coyote. A moment passed and as the coyote lunged so did Éldi. His fangs latched down on the coyote's back just in front of its hips. The creature screamed and flailed, and tried to twist around to bite him.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus had his defenses set and was prepared to respond when a strange man suddenly burst onto the scene and seized the coyote in his jaws. As the creature flailed and twisted around it left its throat exposed. Aureus lunged forward and quickly latched his own jaws around the coyotes throat. There was a struggle but within minutes the coyote was dead. Aureus released his grip to let the corpse fall to the ground before he grinned at the stranger. "Name's Aureus Abraxas. Thanks for the assist. Don't know what this mangy bastard was thinking."

dark mists are cloaking what the eyes can see

Éldi held on tight and refused to let go as the coyote struggled. Even when he saw the jaws coming toward him he just dug in harder, closing his own eyes as tight as he could. He felt he was far enough back that it would make him difficult to reach but either way the coyote never got to him. The golden male had managed to catch the coyote by the throat and between the two of them, they made quick work of the annoying creature. Éldi let go then dipped his head in greeting to Aureus. "Éldi Rudolfrson, a pleasure." He was getting ready to ask the man what pack he hailed from when an ominous rustling echoed through the forest. Oh no…

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus was pleased to meet the scruff but well-built mortal, though the name didn't mean much of anything to him. Before a conversation could ensue there was the sound of movement nearby. Something large was approaching. Aureus quickly set his defenses as a bear suddenly emerged from the brush. He wasn't sure if it was the coyote's squealing or the sound of blood that had caught the bears attention but the creature was intent on battle. It swung a mighty paw right toward Aureus' head and he quickly ducked and darted forward in one smooth motion. Jaws wide he dug into the bears ankle, thrashing his head while letting go to deal a glancing blow. For seconds later the bears claws were right where his head would've been.

dark mists are cloaking what the eyes can see

Awww heck! Éldi was getting a little sick of other predators but maybe if they managed to take this guy out he'd have a nice bear pelt. He'd be sure to fetch a fine price at the next market day. Though that was easier said than done and in the moment Éldi just really wanted to get away with his life. The viking raced behind the grizzly bear, his fangs latching onto the bears tail. With a roar the bear whirled around to try and clobber Éldi who quickly let go and dodged out of the way of the bears claws. Ok, well that certainly got the bears attention, now if he could just avoid being skewered.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

As the bear turned to chase after Éldi, Aureus dove forward, fangs bared as he latched onto the bears ankle again. He worked at thrashing his head, eager to sever skin and muscles so that he could sever the bears achilles tendon. That would bring the bear's movement to a grinding halt and hopefully give Éldi and himself much needed time to get away. Kali caught up and soon joined the fray. The jaguar leapt onto the bear's back, its fangs sinking in deep between the bears shoulder blades as the cat hung on with his claws. The bear roared, trying desperately to get at the feline who managed to shrink just out of reach.

dark mists are cloaking what the eyes can see

Éldi barked loudly, diving in a feint toward the bear and doing everything he could to gain the creatures attention. He'd seen what Aureus was trying to do and wanted to assist as best he could. He watched as the man's jaguar latched onto the bear, shortly followed by his own companion, Kaler. The bob cat leapt and latched onto the bears back, just below the jaguar. The bear was roaring visciously now, flailing and twisting. Éldi worried that the bear was going to fall backwards or roll over to remove the cats. Afraid that they'd be crushed he leapt up, seizing the bears left wrist, his added weight pulled the bear down to all fours. Éldi quickly grounded himself and tried to get out of the way. He avoided the bears claws but the beasts arm slammed into him and sent him skidding into a tree.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

It was chaos, but Aureus kept his focus. He dove down once more, fangs digging in deeper as he finally severed the bears achilles tendon. There was a slushy snapping sound and the bears foot suddenly went completely flat. The cats leapt off and Aureus dodged out of the way as the bear fell with a thud and a roar that slowly changed into a moan. He had had enough. Limping the bear abandoned the wolves and the coyote to attempt to heal but Aureus was skeptical if it would. He half debated tracking the bear down and finishing it off. With a crippling injury would it get enough food to hibernate all the way through winter?

Éldi was stunned. He stumbled to his feet, blinking the stars from his eyes as he watched Aureus dive in and rip the bear's ankle asunder. He let out a whooping cheer but waited to see what would happen before trying to join back in. Thankfully the bear had had enough and quickly shuffled off. Éldi dipped his head toward the younger wolf. "Nice work. That was a good work out but now if you'll excuse me I've got some skinning to tend to." He caught Kaler's eye and then moved to seize the coyote by the scruff. He started wandering off with Kaler at his side, hoping the youth wouldn't want to fight him for the coyote's pelt.