The Wildwood a new beginning

<blockquote>Her mother was justified in her concerns, but it was only a small addition to Trisden's ego. The young girl was, however, very quickly distracted by the complete seriousness which took Elettra; Trisden listened, almost in awe of the complexity of the plan. Her disappointment at not being explicitly mentioned like the adults was overshadowed by the intimidating nature of it all; when she and Hocus hunted insects or small furry things, their plans generally consisted of 'let's catch it' and, on Trisden's part, perhaps a small glance to the sky and a prayer for good luck when she was feeling particularly in need of success. It was a shame that her brother's hesitant answer had flown past her ears, unnoticed. She would have laughed at his choice, yes, but found it a worthy point of thought later that night or some other quiet time.

Trisden met the Second's eyes as she glanced over at the children. Should the girl ask what, exactly, was in mind for them? She had a horrible feeling that they were just meant to sit back and watch, and though a small, rational part of her realised that it would make sense, the more impulsive and dominant aspects of Trisden didn't want to be left behind.

That's when Crux arrived, throwing the situation a little out of kilter, and Trisde smiled openly and briefly at him before wiping her expression and adopting the serious one again. Just because she liked the huge, awkward wolf didn't mean she should let herself be distracted. But he would agree that she and her siblings should take part, right? As Jaysyek acknowledged his part in the plan and suggested a change to it, Trisden's face fell.

<b>"Mother,"</b> she whined, caught up in the moment but with enough wits about her not to raise her voice too high, <b>"aren't we gonna do anything? What's my job?"</b> She looked from her parent to Elettra, her face open with pleading and disappointment. Didn't they trust her? Surely she could do something?</blockquote>

The plan sounded, well, sound to Hocus, especially as it pointedly did not involve Trisden or any of the other fragile pups. He was a little wary of being left along in this rather forbidding place, especially as he could tell that he would have to restrain Trisden from joining in and 'taking her rightful place' and such nonsense.When their mother offered to sit them, however, Hocus felt far safer and less responsible for Trisden. Not that he wouldn't try to stop her.

The stratagem was a very detailed one, and Hocus was interested to see how the pack executed their operation. Their target sounded like a weaker target than they could have gone for, which appealed to Hocus' sensibleness, there would always be time to go after the bigger game at another time. Better something small now than nothing at all.

<b>"I think we're,</b>" Hocus paused, searching for the right word, <b>"observing? Looking at the ones who've got experience, an' seeing what we can learn."</b> Hocus looked at his mother for conformation that this was in fact what they were doing. He sure hoped it was.

<blockquote> When El spoke of their places, and sorta how it worked it sounded all right to her. Made sense really. She would pay attention where she could, and hoped she would soak in some knowledge how she was suppose to hunt one day. She didn't have any questions for the moment, maybe after it was all said, and done she would have plenty. Now her concern was really everyone else's safety. They were here familiy, even Crux who she just noticed in the background now, and she did not want anyone of them to get hurt. She only hoped when mom took them to hunt, it would be something smaller than deer. She did not want to hunt deer, even if she grew bigger.

So she was not really worried, a little, but she didn't see what could go wrong if they were just watching. Her sister did not seem to agree with that part. The white pup kept her mouth shut, as she was fine watching. Those deer were taller than her, and did not look so nice at the moment. She had learned the concept of where food came from, and she was sure deer did not just stand around waiting to be eaten. Bright yellow eyes looked to Hocus, and Theo wondering if they were as eager as Tris or not. Her older brother spoke up answering the question to a degree. She too looked to her mother, not wanting Trisden to get hurt either.</blockquote>

The anticipation was growing, building inside the youth until he was liable to burst with it. The group forming around them was a solid one, though the absence of the lead male was more than noticeable. Jaysyek, with her pups around her, was the spitting image of what a perfect mother should look like. She dissected Elettra's plan, removing herself from the question so as to stay behind and teach. The youths were getting bigger, big enough that they could no longer be picked up by the scruffs of their necks and carried, but they were not yet big enough, or experienced enough, to help with the hunt. And the whole lot of them were slaves to their curiosity, which meant that if they were left unattended, there was a definite danger to their wellbeings. So while Raigo was nervous at the prospect of running down the intended deer, he knew that for the sake of the pack, he would have to do it on his own.

Dipping his brown head to Jayse's suggestions on El's hunting plans, he shuffled forward. "I'll do it," he agreed, tail wagging at his hocks. It was important for the pups to see the adults working as a team - who did what was not as important as the fact that they were a working unit. Besides, there was still the matter of the yearling being able to prove to himself that he was as capable as he would like. His job before had always been to help with the ambush, but he knew what needed to be done to herd the intended animal towards those waiting. Cocking his head to the side, he looked at Elettra. "Ready?" Taking a few steps away from the group, the youth waited for the affirmation before leaving to take up his position on the other side of the deer herd where he would lie in wait until it was time to spring into action.

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Sorry. hopefully i'm not too late.

With a careful gaze, Aisling absorbed Elettra's plan. She would have preferred to be part of the killing, but she supposed that being allowed to participate at all was good enough for her. A faint memory of the last hunt told her that she should be glad that she wasn't told to sit with the children. The feline was silent, but she felt a wave of satisfaction that was not her own, informing her that he was certainly fine with the whole situation. Especially since she'd be working with the yearling second. Soon she'd be one of them again...Prove to them that she was capable and powerful...and then...Her thoughts locked up and she flinched slightly before focusing her attention again.

<b style="color:#388d10">"I'm certainly ready," Aisling finally spoke, and gave the children one sweeping glance. If only she could just sit with...No! She had to do this. Instead, she now looked at the yearling, and rose to all fours, waiting for the hunt to begin. Her hackles had risen, and her tail waved in an aggressive fashion behind her.<b style="color:#388d10">"speech."

Late he was, but Elettra Archer was glad enough the man had arrived, deciding to swallow down any scrutinizing thoughts and assume he had been the last to arrive due to his newness to the lands of the Lore. He questioned for the rights to ambush and although having another runner would prove more useful to her (granted one could be directly behind, whilst two at the deer's flanks) she would nod delicately to the man's question in agreement. After all, he was larger then both her and Raigo, granted his height by his arctic blood and his hefty frame, easily noticeable as he out-stood those within the rest of the gathered wolves.

However, as her leadess spoke, yet once more would the tables be turned. Raigo would be runner along side Aisling whilst Elettra would be left to work with the new member. This would work well with Elettra, certain to test the male to prove his worth to the pack by working side-by-side with him, as Raigo kept tabs on the small Aisling. She would nod to the group, once more explaining in full detail and recapping what would be done for the children to understand. "Right then. Aisling and Raigo are our runners. Seeing as we are already positioned behind the herd as it travels north, the runners will keep their placements here in wait. I will move off to the left, whilst Crux takes the right hand side. At a safe distance, we will make way around to the front of the herd, where we shall wait on ether side for ambush. Forward in where the Fire has not touched the forest, leaving it not only plentiful for the deer, but thicker with brush and berry to both hide us and our scent." She would shift her gaze to the children then- the bold Trisden, the more quite Arlette and Hocus, who seemed to know exactly why they were here. She would then turn to Raigo, catching his attention by moving forward as he and arching around him to block his path from advancing. "Once Crux and I are in position, Aisling and Raigo will move forward and chase from the back-end of after the young buck selected by Jaysyek, bringing him our way." She wanted to make it clear that Raigo and Aisling would not be going forth first in order to bring the deer to them. No. It was a risk Elettra would not make, as the wild herd of deer would be moving directly towards the children and her leadess. Not to mention, on this burned end of the forest, there was much less cover for them.

So, with offering another moment to make sure that everyone understood what they needed to be doing, she would give her leader a dip of her head and make way forward. Through the ashy, broken forest, Elettra would take a wide arc to the left, circling around the group of deer in order to be meeting them at the front of the herd. She would keep herself quite a distance from them as they very slowly advanced, picking off new foliage as they went. Along the end of the wildwood untouched by the previous raging fire, Elettra would take refuge within the lush brush of the lands off to the side where she would wait for the right buck to come her way for attack.

<blockquote><i>Going as if everyone is in position to get the deer, I think if Raigo/Aisling post after me followed by Crux, and Elettra then I & pups can post once the deer is dead (if that's the way things work out) ..so that being said if <b>hunters</b> post by <b>20th</b> :) and hopefully the whole pack can eat together. If <b>pups</b> really want to post before than feel free too. I'm going to powerplay a litte here that they are with Jayse ready to watch.</i>

Everything was in working order, her needed attention went to her children. She knew her daughter was eager, but now was not the time to let her pratice. <b>"Trisden, our job is to be to be sneaky, and like Hocus said observethe hunt. I promise what you learn you'll soon put to use, okay?"</b> She smiled kindly, and watched as the hunters spread out to position. Rising up on all four limbs, she glanced at the four young Lyalls. <b>"Lets go find a spot to watch, hmm? We'll play follow the leader, see how well you can copy me..."</b> The end of her white tail twisted behind her, and she bent close to the ground, stretching her lithe frame. Slow motions she stalked through the charcoal woods, watching where she stepped, and making delibrate, smooth motions. She did not stop, she did not look behind her. She continued till the forest became green, and the deer were lingering near. She did not look long at the deer, she pushed onward till she found a tall golden grass, their pale coats would blend with, and then stopped, hunched down. She looked to her pups, and motioned with her white muzzle for them to come sit beside her where they could peek through the grass and watch. Slow breathing, she briefly stared onto the field, but often glanced to watch their expressions. It would be Raigo, and Aisling who would start the hunt, and Jayse's ears would not miss when it started.</blockquote>

Raigo stopped short of his destination as the grey lady stepped in front of him, cutting him off. Cowed by her words, his ears flipped back on his head and he averted his golden eyes. Obviously it would be stupid to bring the intended buck here. Having the younger wolves around was risky enough without bringing the targeted prey straight to them. Inclining his head in understanding, he waited, shuffling backwards so he was standing near Aisling, who he learned would be his partner in the attack. There was some comfort in that, knowing he would not be targeting the buck alone. They would now be able to attack from both sides and had a much better chance of forcing their prey to go where they wanted.

One by one, the members of the group departed, leaving only Raigo and Aisling behind. Turning his gold eyes to look with her, he nodded at her and gestured towards the herd. Ready? was the silent question. Crouching down, the tan brute stalked forward, sticking to cover as best he could. The cover was little on this side of the forest though, having been burned away by a fire, but he managed. Glancing around, he spotted Aisling in her position. Muscles in his legs tensing, the yearling took a deep breath. This was it. The herd was still oblivious and their intended target had moved towards the outskirts, making it easier to separate him from the group.

With a nod to his partner, Raigo pushed off his back legs and bounded forward, the usual easy-paced lope replaced with a high-powered, fast sprint. His sudden appearance startled the deer, and it became of evasion as Raigo dodged in and out of them. The young buck was no different from his fellows and began to run, at first towards the living part of the forest. By the time he realized his mistake, he could not turn back - Raigo had taken up position at his heels, heading bobbing up and down to avoid flailing hooves. Teeth snapping at his flanks, the hunter leaped forward, encouraging the beast forward towards his awaiting pack mates.

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Patiently, the female waited, orange eyes flitting between Raigo and Elettra. Her hackles were raised, and she was certainly excited and impatient to get things going. Eventually, the group thinned out as the rest of the wolves took their position, and Aisling met Raigo's gaze. Following his gaze, she took in their target, and looked back, nodding. Lowering herself to the ground, the pale girl tried to keep herself in the cover. She lacked the luxury of an earthen shaded coat, so tried to stay as covered as possible until in position.

Once she'd settled into place, she found Raigo and the hunt would begin. She found their target again, pleased to find that this would probably be easier than expected and seeing Raigo's nod, Aisling sprung out of the thin brush, her thin legs pushing her forward at an incredible rate until her and her partner had been reunited at the heels of their target, pushing the doomed creature towards its death. A deep snarl built up in her throat, and warbled as she ran, knowing happily that this would be a success. <b style="color:#388d10">"speech."

<blockquote>Trisden's hopes crashed all around her, but she managed to take the news with some semblance of good grace. That Hocus, Theo and Arlette had understood what was expected of them all along was a kick to her pride, but she brushed it off heavily. It showed enthusiasm, right? And as her mother gently promised a chance to use the skills they would learn today, Trisden smiled weakly, willing to take the offer for what it was.

With that, proceedings started. Elettra's orders and everybody's reactions to them were substantially less interesting now that Trisden understood her role to be totally passive, but she tried to listen and absorb the vague tactics offered. If nothing else, she respected the Second, and though Elettra frightened her more times than not, she could appreciate her wisdom and talent. As Elettra and Crux began to move out, her mother's voice again caught Trisden's attention, and she recognised the attempt to engage them - or engage her specifically, perhaps - and nodded silently, trotting stealthily at her mother's heels. If she wasn't able to be a part of the hunt, she could at least be in the fore of the watching party.

From there, excitement took over her disappointment; once the group were settled and well hidden, Trisden rapidly engaged herself in her role, sneaking forwards a fraction to give herself a better view. She could see the herd, and though it wasn't her first time looking at deer, they suddenly seemed a lot larger than ever before, and a very small part of her was glad of her passive participation... not that she would ever tell anyone. Impatiently she waited for Raigo and Aisling, and then there, they had appeared, brown and blonde powerful shapes that drove forwards and the herd reacted like a flock of birds, obligingly sliced this way and that as Raigo and Aisling's movements dictated. With excitement, Trisden spotted the deer they homed in on, and idly daydreamed that Aisling's cream, adult body was her own, moving so fast and with such purpose. Her limbs twitched as she absorbed herself in the imaginary role, having to hold back from darting forwards in the sheer thrill of it.</blockquote>