The plain was vast, a wide expanse of grass stretching as far as the eye could see. The dew-laden blades twitched in the gentle breeze that accompanied the mild morning air. A wolf stood Sahara, soft silky fur covering a slender frame tinged with greys, surveyed the area anxiously taking note of the rustling of the undergrowth and the movement that was caused by something other- prey.

Pausing by the river that cut through the plain, the wolf lowered herself for a hearty drink causing the water to ripple, before staring down at her reflection the clear surface a mirror with a hint of the sandy depths below. The water was as refreshing as it had appeared and now that her thirst was quenched the pale she wolf focused on more important matters, like honing her hunting skills. Tired of scavenging and picking at days old carcasses whilst defending the source of food from other hungry predators the thought of a fresh kill- even a rabbit made her mouth water. Sahara couldn't survive on scavenging alone and the majority of hunts carried out ended in bitter failure and often a mouthful of dirt.

Venturing further into the prey abundant area, her ears twitched detecting the sounds of movement whilst her eyes tried to track it. Most importantly Shahara inhaled the surrounding scents, picking up deer and elk which she couldn't take down alone. The scents of rabbit was her main goal quietly picking her way through the long grass, a yellow gaze fixated upon something in the distance.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

With autumn touching the lands, the pressure was on to bring in enough food to store over the winter for the pack. Generations ago, wolves hunted only when hungry. Now, packs like Valhalla hunted in bulk, preserving the meat and saving the hides and bones and sinew. He’d be needing to lead a bear hunt soon, as well. Ardyn padded lightly along a scent trail, ears flicking as he examined the scent of a bull elk. Rut would be coming soon, and bulls would be vying for cows and breeding rights. It was always good to get the ones that had managed to get gored or lamed in their fights. Even better, two might get locked together by the antlers and be unable to work things out and get free. His ink black coat shimmered and flared with fire as he followed the scent of an older buck deer, analyzing the tinge of death clinging to the deer’s scent. Old age, maybe a rotting tooth? Pain like that would make feeding hard, and old bones didn’t hold weight easily at the best of times. The young King nodded to himself, taking a deep sniff of the scent and setting it in stone before he lifted his head and scanned the surroundings, and Lyr wheeled in the air above, the raven acting as eyes in the sky. He came winging back after a moment, dropping to the tall young man’s back and clarking softly, “There’s a small herd of deer on the far side of the river, and a small woman in that direction,” His thick raven bill tipped in the direction he meant, “Who looks like she’s hunting.” Ardyn nodded, and made his way in the latter direction. Even an old buck could be difficult when given motivation to survive, and even a small woman was a good hunting partner. He spotted her after a moment, pausing a respectful distance away and announcing himself with a soft woof of greeting, tail flaring in a fiery black wag. “H’lo. Need a hunting partner? I have a deer I’m after if you’d like a share?” Straight to the point, since the buck was likely on the move. His tone was friendly, though, features genuine and open. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

One carefully placed paw after another, being cautious about what was underfoot, the scent of rabbit so close she could almost taste it. Focus zeroed in on movement, the swivel of one long ear the twitching of a small nose as the unsuspecting prey sniffed at the ear and listened keenly to its surroundings. Perhaps it sensed danger close by.

Shahara lowered her streamlined frame, belly fur barely grazing the floor, wiggling her haunches in preparation. Just a little longer... The female thought with a subtle frown of concentration. Tension rippled throughout her form, excitement flaring before releasing like a spring, pouncing on what was supposed to be a rabbit, but at the last second it darted away, leaving the wolf skidding ungracefully through the grass.

Yellow hues stared mournfully in the direction her intended prey had fled, ears flattening against her head in defeat. With a huff, she picked herself up and shook out her soft fur in an attempt to regain her dignity. "Bested by a rabbit!" Shahara murmured to herself bitterly. "Just you wait rabbit! I will get you!"

A woof sounded close by causing her to swivel around in alarm and tensed ready to fight or flee. A gaze stared firmly into dual coloured eyes, their brightness and uniqueness momentarily stunning her into silence, the first thought that entered Shahara's mind was whether he saw her embarrassing display of rabbit hunting.

His words finally sunk into an addled brain, bringing relief that it was likely he didn't. Or he wouldn't have bothered to ask for her assistance, right? Tearing herself from her thoughts, his size finally registered along with a pair of deadly glinting fangs. A fresh dose of wariness returned eyeing the male suspiciously. "You need help?" She asked sceptically pointedly staring up at him; subtly noting the odd colouring of his pelt.

Realising that she was most likely being rude when he was offering her a once in a lifetime meal and some experience hunting, she forced herself to relax. "Sorry... you just caught me off guard. Sure, I'd like a hunting partner."

The female hesitated, glancing in the direction of the injured buck she had scented a while ago but written off as too big. It was already ambling off in the opposite direction. "We going after that one?" She asked, adding a note of confidence in her tone to avoid sounding too inexperienced. After a few moments she cleared her throat. "Lead the way! Erm.. What do I call you? I'm Shahara by the way..." She introduced herself awkwardly, tail lowering.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He’d come up on her in time to see the failed hunt attempt - rabbits were tricky when you couldn’t just make a snare to catch them for you - but he didn’t let on. It simply cemented the decision to take her on as a hunting partner to ensure the small woman had a chance to eat. He spotted the moment she actually took him in, from the size to his sabered canines, and the wary skepticism riding her features and query. A soft huff of amusement escaped his jaws, head tilting in confirmation. “Two makes a quick hunt. Alone, I’d have to dig a pit trap, or rig some sort of snare to drive him into, or drive him until he dropped from exhaustion, both of which takes time that can be used bringing down more prey to stock the larders for winter.” His features bloomed into an easy grin at her apology and acceptance, but he shook his head, admitting, “It’s not the first time I’ve caught someone off guard. You get used to it after a while, growing up glowing.” Not to mention the roaning-in mask of intricate glowing markings he’d rubbed with charcoal ash to dim the light from. They were almost completely grown in, but his face still itched madly from time to time. He turned, nodding at her indication of the target, and pausing to introduce himself with a smile, “Ardyn Adravendi, Ard Rí of Valhalla. It’s a pleasure, Shahara.” Then to business it was, since the buck was wandering. The deer being alone would be good for the duo’s hunt, since it would mean less chance of a stampede to dodge. He padded forward at a stealthy trot, slow enough for the smaller wolf to keep abreast as he began murmuring low-voiced instructions. “This should be a simple hunt. He’s already injured and when spooked his first instinct should be to run back to the herd. I’ll be between him and the herd, waiting to pounce. "If you can circle around to the outside, in the direction he’s going now, Lyr can tell you when we’re both in the right position. You’ll see him tip his wings side to side when the time’s right. "That’s when you jump out and snarl or roar at him, and when he runs, drive him toward the herd. Then come in when I’ve made the initial bite and have him distracted. Doesn’t matter where you bite, just hang on and let your weight help me bring him down. Is that alright, Shahara?” Ardyn indicated the glowing black and white raven playing on the air above them, listening to the instructions but clearly enjoying himself, as he spoke the bird’s name, then glanced back to catch if the smaller wolf understood and agreed with his plan, or had one of her own. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

An ear swivelled back in indecision, pondering his words and relaxed mannerisms. The male didn't appear to be tricking her or have malicious intent if his easy going nature was any indication- but past experiences had taught her to always be on guard around strangers no matter how nice they appeared. A loud grumble resounding from her stomach made the decision for her to place some trust in him.

"You seem experienced when it comes to hunting, I never even considered traps to bring larger prey down. Where I came from we only ever hunted traditionally in packs."

"That's a very fancy, long name." It seemed to match his glowing coat and intimidating size, there must be something in the water; where Shahara came from the wolves were all similar in size and colour. It intrigued her more than a little. "It's nice to meet you too."

Forcing her legs to propel her forward, falling in step with Ardyn, grateful that he remained thoughtful of her shorter stride and kept a pace easy for her to follow, listening intently to his instructions and absorbing it all since it would be valuable experience for survival.

Shahara tipped her head back in curiosity and spotted the raven wheeling above them. She'd spotted him earlier when attempting to hunt her rabbit and thought nothing of it then. "Hmm, so that's how you found me. Eyes in the sky, smart." She nodded to herself and considered his plan, not that she had much to add.

"Alright got it. I'll get behind him and chase him towards the herd and into your paws and help you bring him down once you have a hold." She recounted proudly, before pulling her ears back and eyeing Ardyn seriously. "I'll see you on the other side. I'll try not to let you down."

Shahara turned and slunk off into the long grass, pausing now and then to get her bearings and ensuring she was headed in the right direction, whilst also keeping enough distance between herself and the buck so as not to be noticed, ensuring she didn't spook him too early. She hated to be a disappointment after all.

After a while the small wolf finally stopped and glanced up into the sky, momentarily squinting at the brightness until she finally spotted Lyr, waiting patiently for the signal, heart in her throat with both excitement and trepidation.

At the tell tale tip of the raven's wings, Shahara finally moved forward, stalking through the grass, not wanting to charge forward just yet, cautious of her stamina. Finally, the she wolf was close enough to be noticed. Jumping forward with a fearsome snarl for such a small wolf, startling the buck and sending it fleeing towards the herd. As discussed she gave chase paws pounding on the dirt kicking it up behind her the musk of buck strong in her nose and the pleasant burn of her muscles; staying a small distance behind and ensuring it didn't veer off course.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

His muzzle dipped in confirmation of her assumption, though he admitted, “Yes, though I’ve much to learn, even now. No great shame; it’d be boring to know absolutely everything.” He chuckled softly at her remark of his name. “That’s only some of my actual name; mom decided to carry on my grandfather’s joke of giving the first born a very long name. Ard Ri is a rank title in my pack. A new one, since we’re changing to the new way of things as far as rank titles. Valhalla’s overall heart and soul will remain the same. Family, Honor, Ambition and Unity.” He left it for the time being; if she wished to learn more post-hunt, then he’d happily tell her all he could while he dressed the deer should they land him. As she slipped away, Ardyn moved into place, moving with practiced stealth. Luckily, it was full daylight, and his glowing black coat wouldn’t catch the suspicious eyes of the deer. As he took his place halfway between the herd and the target, he watched the piebald form of his best friend in the sky, and at the tip-tip of Lyr’s wings, he readied himself, ears perked and listening. A snarl a few beats later, drumming hooves and then a larger thunder of hooves behind as the fleeing buck startled the rest of the herd into flight. Ardyn focused on the hooves, then as the buck drew close the young King threw himself from his cover and leapt to clamp his strong forelegs over the deer’s shoulders in a bearhug, twisting to wrench the buck off balance as his retractable claws unsheathed and sank in for purchase. One hand-like forepaw slid up to yank the buck’s ear, then further to the antlers and dragged the buck’s head back while Ardyn aimed a slash of sabers for the deer’s throat, trusting Shahara to help weigh the deer down as blood spattered his chest and the buck staggered. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think