Damn, What a Storm...

*Tyto*

He hadn't been to these parts before. Not that he could remember, anyway. But he had managed to track down an old whitetail buck that he had crossed paths with a few hours before. Tyto had managed to mangle one of its legs and inflict wounds before it escaped him, but he was determined to track it down and catch it before someone else reaped the rewards for his efforts. The only downside...was that a storm had started halfway through tracking it. The large wolf was soaked to the bone, but the trees here at least provided some shelter for him. Nox and Ven were a big help, but the owl was practically restricted to sheltering beneath the trees else the heavy rain make it difficult for him to fly. He hopped from branch to branch as the trio made their way beneath the weeping willows, using his keen eyesight and vantage points from above to further keep on the trail of the wounded prey animal. Tyto was irritated at this season's weather. It had been making things difficult to track, especially when the rains were determined to wash away scents, tracks, and mute the sounds of his would-be prey.

He and his lynx kept to the ground, noses nearly in the mud that began to form underfoot as they each took different paths in pursuit of the wounded animal. Ears perked at the sudden sound of creaking. A sudden gust of wind blew through the trees, and the next thing he knew, branches crashed to the ground and his owl with it. He backpedaled to avoid them, and his owl landed rather ungracefully, feathers ruffled as he scowled. For the most part, Ven was unharmed, but his dignity was stolen after falling from the tree. "Go wait over there under that one, and keep your eyes peeled for any more falling branches. The wind's strong now, so we must use caution." With a huff, Ven hopped over to the shelter of a more sturdy-looking willow, while Tyto continued his hunt. Now not only did he have to worry about the heavy rains making it more difficult to track, but the winds that howled in his ears and threatened to fell more branches...possibly even trees. It was a pain to deal with this sort of weather. And honestly, he was sure he much preferred hunting in the North.

He wasn't sure for how long he was tracking, or how painfully slow he had to move. The mud around the pond was extra slippery, and it seemed like nobody had been in these parts for a long time now. Were it not for the wind and rain and creaking of the trees, he was sure this place would be near silent. His head shot up then when he heard a sound. It sounded like...something in pain. Was it the buck he'd been tracking, maybe? He continued his course, this time, going around the pond as he looked at the ground. He noticed Nox's tracks in the mud this time and the faint outline of deer tracks. Before he knew it, something had shot out at him and he hardly had time to react. There was a tangle of bodies and legs before all three landed in the pond. He inhaled a mouthful of it before he managed to untangle himself and get to the surface. When his head broke the surface, he sucked in a deep breath and scowled before looking around him to see what the hell had happened. As it turned out, the injured buck had been chased to him by his feline companion, and the buck struggled to swim away.

Tyto started to swim after it, swimming swiftly against the lack of current as he neared his prey. It struggled to climb the bank what with Nox clinging to its side and clawing away, and as Tyto neared it, he heard another creak before another branch fell. And this time, it fell against the buck ahead of him, effectively trapping it against the water. Tyto seized his chance, he surged forward and grabbed onto its hindquarters while Nox moved towards the buck's head. It thrashed and sputtered as it tried to keep its head above water, but it was useless. Nox had managed to secure a bite on its neck, breaking it quickly and the buck's trashing ceased.

Tyto helped Nox get the creature to shore and dragged it beneath a willow. Ven managed to join them, and together they butchered and prepared the buck for a meal. The Praetor wolf doubted a fire would stay lit in this storm...the only option they had at the moment was to eat it raw. Which was fine. He just wished that it wasn't raining so hard. Yeah, this whole day sucked...he was wet and cold and just hated life right now.

As he ate with his companions, he wondered if the neighboring pack of Valhalla might consider him...he was a decent fighter. A better hunter. Though the male was ambitious, perhaps it was somewhere he could excel in rank. He hadn't gotten the chance before Winterfell or Incendium fell...though the latter he was hesitant. After all, his sister had been a prisoner there. She would have probably thought him a traitor. But then again, maybe she always did. He hadn't seen her since Ignis had disbanded the pack...he tried to track her once or twice, but each time, her trail would go cold. Auster was somewhere he hadn't looked yet, but he wasn't really keen on crossing the bridge that led the way there. No...if his sister decided he wasn't worth her time or life anymore, then why should he continue to wonder about her? Clearly, she wanted nothing to do with him, no matter how hard he had tried in the past.

Who knew, maybe they would run into each other again someday. If she wanted to be angry and bitter, then he supposed he could match that. After having been disappointed time and time again by his immediate family, he couldn't say he was surprised anymore. And was beginning to feel like he simply just didn't give a shit anymore.

Word count: 1,032

"Speak"

Login
Username:
Password:	Lost Password?
	Remember me

Damn, What a Storm...

spring hunt prompt - Spring, Y18

Tyto