It is autumn in the lands of Auster and, with the return of the rains, also comes the shortening of daylight hours. Less daylight means that Fern has to shift her schedule around so that she can hunt at the peak prey hours. Dusk paints the sky in vivid purples and oranges, red interweaving itself among them. The clouds have halted their crying and Fern’s gray form swiftly makes its way across the lands. A herd of white-tailed deer had been spotted near the strand of ancient oaks and she seeks to bring home some meat for the pack.

Nose works as Fern makes sure to stay downwind of the possible prey, while also trying to pinpointing where they are. Pale paws pull her through the oaks, silently leaping atop downed trunks and skirting around large, dry branches. She slows as the deer come into sight, her gray form blending in with the shifting shadows of that the canopy throws and the deer do not see her. Angling to hide the bulk of her form behind one of the massive tree trunks, she then casts her blue eyes to the small cluster of deer, noting the tall buck with a full rack of antlers.

He seems to have the meat on his frame and Fern decides to take him down. Hunkered behind her tree, Fern then turns her gaze to the area around her hoping to see if there are any other wolves that had caught the deer’s scents and have come to hunt. She could certainly use another set of paws.


"Fern Lark"

The twilight hours brought a deeper red to their coat as they had been trailing the deers scent. Relying on their hunting instinct, which although still quite novice still had some value. The dawn light giving his eyes enough light to see through the otherwise heavy forest. Which was meant by both the fact it was a very heavy number of trees and the fact that the trees themselves would be quite heavy the wood hard to move due to weight. Vashou's ears folded down as he slowly approached his paws dug softly in the grass with each step barely leaving a trace. The paws working soundlessly to avoid drawing any attention. Vashou stood several tree's away behind a large brush crouched and ready to charge as they leaned around the side.

However, their posture and pose made it quite obvious he was an inexperienced hunter. Their tail raised and Vashou's arched form facing an awkward angle. They was more likely to ram into a tree then catch the deer if they wasn't careful. However, soon Vashou felt the others gaze and looked over to see the grey wolf standing ready to strike as well.

Vashou was always happy to share if others helped and given their experience Vashou would probably need all the help they can get. Upon his head the lesser weasel sat on his back to avoid causing issues from the hunt. Their tri colored tail flicking around as he waited upon the older wolf. Remembering something from when they was younger.

An old saying, "Always let the older wolfs take to the front and follow behind. Nothing is worse then an adolescent or inexperienced wolf jumping forward and ruining the hunt. " they pondered if that was a personal grudge or personal experience. Their serious expression changing to a curious one before shaking his head and returning to the situation at hand. They gave a light nod to the grey wolf acknowledging their presence.

As Fern casts her gaze around the hunting area, she spies another wolf who seems uncertain of how to proceed. She watches them, waiting until they look her way and, while she waits, she spies a lesser weasel hiding amongst the fur on their back. The corners of the gray woman’s mouth tick up as she thinks of Puff, her own stoat companion, who had wanted to hang back at the castle to catch a nap. The stranger’s dark blue eyes turn and find her own lighter blues and Fern dips her head in silent greeting. She continues to watch them, waiting for a any sign of acknowledgement. As they shake their head, the gray woman narrows her eyes in question before the wolf seems to refocus on her and give a light nod.

Eyes soften and she gives another, small nod to them before Fern turns her attention back to the deer, watching as they graze in an unhurried manner. Her muscles tense and she lowers herself slightly, readying for the chase to come. Eyes dart to where her hunting partner rests and sharp nod is given, the only warning she can afford to give them, before she is racing out from behind her cover. The stored energy in her muscles is released and she rockets out from behind her tree, tail straight out behind her to act as a rudder. She does not growl or snarl, trying to get as close to the cluster of deer as she can before they become aware of the wolves presence.

The deer’s ears flick, a head shoots up and a cry of alarm rings out and the small group begins flee in an attempt to avoid the attackers. Fern snarls at the smaller does and bucks, warning them not to get close as she works to drive the prize buck away from the rest of the herd. If the two wolves can separate it, they can chase it down and spilt the meat between themselves. But for now, Fern works to get the buck going in one direction and the rest of the herd in the other.


"Fern Lark"

Time seemed to stop between Vashou's nod and her readying herself. Their chest throbbing as they looked around once more before ducking more tightly. As soon Fern nodded back he curled down tensing his body in preparation for the charge. When she finally moved he followed staying a moderate distance as he ran forward towards the deer but forking out the other way to limit the deers range of running. His fangs bared and ready as he pushed his body. Feeling his legs pushing him closer and closer.

The forest became a blur as he ran his vision on the deer in the distance and to avoid any tree's he might run into. The run kept going as he got closer and closer to the deer. His eyes lighting up as he jumped and latched onto one. Biting as tightly as he could this would slow the running deer but not stop it as his bite landed over its back meaning although it was injured and the other had run forward this one was very much still running and active.

The hunt begins, Fern rushing from her hiding spot with the stranger not far behind. She pushes the herd on way and the buck another, intending to run it down. The unknown wolf leaps at their prize delivering a bite its back and latching on. The gray woman winces, not what she would have done but she can work with it. The deer tries to buck off the wolf while running in a crazed, erratic pattern. Fern rushes toward it, having to drop back several times to avoid thrashing hooves.

With the added weight of the wolf on its back, the buck soon tires and Fern rushes forward, shouting, “I’m taking it down! Get clear!” She waits until the other wolf is off the buck’s back before lunging forward to grab one the deer’s back legs. Teeth close tightly around the limb and Fern throws all her weight into her back end, effectively stopping her forward progress. At the same time, she pulls the legs sideways and up and the sound of snapping bones echo through the forest.

The buck screams in pain as its body falls to the earth, the prey’s only thought to escape the hungry wolves driving it to fight and flail until the end. Fern rushes forward, pinning the creature’s front legs to the ground and shouting to the stranger, “Quick! Open its throat!” It is the most humane way to end a deer’s life and the gray wolf is there to direct the other if they need help.


"Fern Lark"

Vashou held on tightly as he tried to keep his teeth sunk into the deer's fur. Trying to tire it out or slow it down. He held on tight admitting to themself this wasn't the brightest idea. The forest passing as a blurred image as he focused on the deer to try and avoid getting dizzy from the fast movement. As the deer bucked he held on tight. Not letting go until Fern called out to him. His teeth loosening and his body rolling back he landed on his stomach mostly unscathed save a few scratches from the brush he landed in.

Quickly recovering he watched in admiration as the other grasped and snapped the deer's ankles. Returning to chase after the deer right behind the other as he heard the order he would walk around the majestic creature. Looking to its scared eyes he paused a moment, however it wasn't long enough for others to notice before he bit down on the deer's neck. The sand on his muzzle being soaked in blood as his fangs dipped into the main artery crushing its windpipe and causing it to bleed out. He held firm as the deer struggles with the last of its energy. The movements slowing down as soon it stopped kicking and struggling. His muzzle completely painted red from the blood spray he looked up and wiggled his tail. His adolescence quite obvious as he was currently proud of the fact he helped take down such a large creature.

The yearling holds onto the buck’s back as Fern chases after the pair and, as the creature bucks, trying to throw off the young hunter, she watches as they keep their hold. The gray wolf finds herself admiring their tenacity and when she calls to them to let go, they quickly release their hold to roll off and into a bush. Unable to spare them a glance to make sure they are okay, Fern quickly brings the buck down. Luckily, they are swift to reappear and move to the deer’s head, opening its throat and officially ending the hunt.

Once the death throes cease, Fern steps back and plops down into a seated position to pant and look at her hunting companion. The adolescent wolf smiles and wags their tail and the gray woman gives them a bright, friendly smile while her own tail thumps happily against the ground. Warmly, she says, “Great job! You held onto that buck for so long. It was amazing!” Standing back up, she shakes out her coat before giving the wolf a polite bow and saying, “My name’s Fern and I would be happy to hunt with you anytime.”

A bright smile is on Fern’s pale lips as she steps up to the dead deer, preparing to separate some meat for herself. Her demeanor is warm and inviting to the youth, encouraging them to join her and ask any questions they might have.


"Fern Lark"