Sanguine Cove we track for a thousand years

8/5/2023. Early morning. Pack hunt is optional! Next round begins 8/13/2923.

The smoke was starting to lighten in the area, and that gave her an immense amount of hope. Beyond that, there were herds in the area, no doubt escaping the smoke in other regions to one that had recently cleared itself up… which meant they could work on rebuilding the caches to the level they were at prior to the smoke’s first appearance. The restrictions with returning to the den had put a strain on their stores, even if it wasn’t as horrible as a winter’s weather.

She let out a call for the pack – a hunt was afoot. She would still need one wolf to look after Eclypse, ensure she stayed away because she was still too young for the hunt… but she had a good feeling about what was to unfold. She watched the heard from a distance as she awaited their arrival, her stomach grumbling. Some large prey would do them all good.

Aquene Slayer

Nash was quick to answer his wife's call, glad to finally have some clean air. He too had been growing concerned about their stores, especially with fall coming. Eclypse was a growing girl, even if she was somewhat muted as of late. He hoped when the smoke had fully cleared away she would return to the same energetic young one she'd been before the air turned to poison.

The sight of the herd had his own stomach echoing Aquene's growl. He greeted her with an affectionate kiss to the cheek. "A great idea," he said. "It's been a long time since we've done a pack hunt." He thought back to the last time they'd had a large herd, and how when Leo had been a pup they'd even had a stampede through the territory. He also thought of Siyet, kicked by their prey. Hopefully today would got better than either of those disasters.

Magg answered the call swiftly. She had hunted with others before, but as she approached her parents and saw what they did, the yearling realized this one was going to a big one. She'd never seen so many deer at once before! Her brown eyes shone with excitement as she watched them all, tawny coats standing out against the verdant green of the mountain's growth, and her tail waved back and forth.

What role would she get to play? Magg could only wonder as she waited for more of them to gather.

The smoke was slowly starting to clear and Di was spending a little more time outside again, but her throat still burned. She was headed back to the den for a break when she heard Aquene's call, and she altered course to answer it, intrigued. It had to be something good if she was calling them away from safety.

Like Magg, her eyes widened in awe when she saw the herd before them and her tail slowly began to wag. She looked to her friend in excitement. She hadn't been part of such a big hunt before! How would it work? Would it be much different from the rabbits and fish she was used to? Would they all work together or each pick their own target? Di wasn't sure she wanted to take on a whole deer by herself. She hoped she could at least work with Magg.

Aquene was pleased to see her husband arrive, greeting him with a gentle brush against his cheek as he complimented her idea. “I figured it was the perfect opportunity… and a larger game stored closer to the den means that wolves will have to go out less for catching smaller game.” It just showed that she was still worried about the spoke despite how it had dissipated slightly from the air around them.

Magg and Diantha would also arrive, and she would offer both girls a smile. It was enough for a hunt… even if it would be a little more challenging. She figured the others were taking their rest time from being exposed to the smoke. “Okay, girls… how about you both select a target and chase to separate it from the herd… and then we will come in to help with the take-down.” She proposed as a strategy as she used her nose to motion towards the herd, waiting for everyone to weigh in and take their positions if there was no protest.

Aquene Slayer

Nash had expected more of the pack to come - @Leo certainly, and @Matos or @Galen. The younger boys had proven eager to learn a variety of jobs. He thought for a moment about calling again, but this hunt wasn't required participation. Besides, he didn't mind giving the girls a little one-on-one instruction. At least Diantha and Magg were ready.

Aquene delivered her instructions, and the time was up. He nodded and beckoned for the yearlings to go on, take the lead. "This gives us a chance to watch them and give feedback later," he said quietly, just to his wife, before slowly padding towards the herd. He would watch where the girls directed their choices, and move to intersect then. At least deer were small, and they could still likely bring one or two back with just the four of them.

The plan was divided up. The girls would select the target, separate it from the pack, and chase it towards herself and her husband. From there, Nash and Aquene would assist with the takedown. With any luck, all of their bellies would become full and they’d have enough to offer the rest of the pack who could not attend the hunt. Her nose would gently brush against her daughter for a moment before she would turn to make her way more upwind. She would not be needed yet.

As she settled into her spot, a kinder natured smile settled upon her, offering a playful nose to her husband before her attention would shift to the pathway she expected the girls to follow when chasing towards them.

Aquene Slayer

Nash watched the girls, then settled down beside his wife, smiling at her playful nudge. Maybe the two of them should come back out here for a solo hunt in a few days, if the herd stuck around. They needed some alone time, and they could have it while serving their pack too. Still, for now, it was good to let the yearlings try out a hunt. "Go on," he murmured encouragingly before falling into silence to watch their path and the herd before them. He would keep an eye on their mood and an ear on the shifting wind; hopefully it would continue to blow in their favor.

They would only have one more, and while Magg was happy to see Di, she couldn't help but be a bit disappointed it wasn't Galen. Oh well. She gave the Vuesain a big smile, before turning her attention back onto her mom who started to give direction.

They were to pick the target? Her eyes widened a touch, excitement clear behind them. Awesome. She glanced to Diantha, but couldn't get a read on whether the other girl would want to take the lead or not. Normally Magg preferred to follow, but this was more important than your typical interactions. They needed to get this right, she wanted to make her parents proud!

Dutifully she nodded, "Okay, Mom," and then she was off. Picking her way over the terrain while routinely sizing up those in the herd nearest them. A good mark would be weaker without being young enough for the others to fight for it, right? Her brown eyes picked up a doe with a limp, and she chuffed lowly to get Diantha's attention before nodding toward it.

Chase and takedown! Wrapping with my next post.

Aquene watched as the two girls placed themselves into position, and she saw as Magg picked one with a limp out that caused a proud smile to find her features, nuzzling her husband lightly after the fact as they nodded attention towards it. And with it, the hunt was off, her eyes darting to the deer as it was chased down. Her own heart started to race as her blood began to pump from the adrenaline that coursed through her veins. This was precisely what the pack needed… it would hopefully lift some spirits.

It was certainly helping to take her mind off a few things herself.

When time, Aquene would rush forward, her jaws snapping as she reared up along the limp, knowing the doe would be less able to fight back on that side as she jumped, hoping to sink her teeth hungrily into the hind leg and pull it down with her weight.

Aquene Slayer