Thicket of Secrets One little thing

Hollow chased the buck what should have been right onto Sloane's teeth but apparently the buck was a little smarter than they had both imagined. Hollow darted right as Sloane leaped from the left, much to both of their chagrin the young buck seemed to have the same Idea and leaped away from Sloane. But not quickly enough it seemed for Sloane had gotten a good chunk of the buck before he tore away from the russet males grasp. The deer spun and lowered his small rack at Sloane, Hollow nearly stopped in utter disbelief of what he was seeing. Before he had seen Deer fight back, but never an injured buck with a slice freshly taken out of his side. The young one was clearly not fully developed but Hollow had to give the buck a small bit a respect for being so willing to fight.

However the pack had to eat and as Sloane and the buck seemingly squared off Hollow had nearly no time to think. The next moment he was swerving through brambles and thorns until he came to a wall of bushes. Well.... I am hungry. he thought, with a devilish and youthful grin he took about ten paces back. Next moment he was running flat out at the wall of twigs and leaves, his head ducked he leaped as high as he could and tore a Hollow-sized hole directly through the bushes, luckily they hadn't been too thick to break through, save for the few small cuts he now possessed and the fur he did not. They began to sting as he landed on the other side, but the yearling could not stop now for he could see the buck between the branches ahead of him.

At last he broke form the side and ran flat out taking the buck by surprise, He went at a full speed leap and slammed into the buck with paws and teeth. Hollow used neither because it would seem the speed he possessed when hitting the deer in the broadside had broken the thin bones and it was dead before it hit the ground. Which sent Hollow airborne and backwards for the second time today. The second time he landed on his back was much more painful than the first driving the breath out of his lungs. Once his breath was caught he looked up at Sloane "I'm going to sleep for a season after today." he stated rolling his shoulders and examining the small scratches he now bore from his rush through the thicket

His head lowered and his hackles raised at the gall of the young buck. He had some spirit, that was for sure! As the buck had whipped around it seemed that Hollow hadn't missed a beat, swerving to the side to flank the creature. Sloane wasn't sure what the boy had in mind, since there were thick bushes on each side of the animal. He hoped that he wasn't foolish enough to risk the back legs. Injured or not, this animal had proven that he did not do the expected and he didn't want his young charge to be harmed.

It seemed there was a long pause, though it was likely only a minute or so, while Sloane snarled and snapped at the young buck, keeping all of his attention on him. If he forgot about Hollow then perhaps an opening might present itself. Russet ears swiveled at the sound of thudding paw steps that were followed by a second of silence ant then a great crashing sound as a black form came crashing through the bushes to the side of the buck. Before he or the buck could react Hollow slammed into the animal and they both went crashing to the ground.

When the dust and snow settled the buck was lying lifeless on the ground, it's neck at a very unnatural angle and it's eyes quickly glazing over. Hollow lay nearby winded from his hard landing. When he caught his breath and talked of sleeping for a season, Sloane burst out laughing. The boy was covered in snow, along with leaves and twigs from his trip through the large bush. He looked pretty rough, but he seemed to be all right and Sloane was impressed by his determination.

Sloane walked over to the still-warm carcass and ripped a hole in the belly. He rooted around for a few moments and came up with the liver in his bloody maw. He quickly tossed the succulent treat to the yearling. "I think that you've earned this! with a laugh. Then he lowered his head and ate a few bites of warm meat to sate his own hunger. When he was done, he stepped back to allow Hollow to have more if he wished.

Knight of Honor

(I love writing him in a good mood, all youthful and fun, also I will shorten them up some so that we can get it done more quickly)

Hollows ears swiveled at the sound of Sloane laughing, very hard and he smiled a big and toothy one at the big russet wolf. As Sloane strode over to the freshly killed buck Hollow said, "I meant to bite his neck not break it!" It was a comical yet strangely well executed hunt, for once the yearling was glad of his size it had made the hunt easier and had saved him from a fight with the young buck. However it had not saved him from hitting the ground harder than a smaller wolf may have, at least he felt like he had hit it pretty hard. Sloane then tossed the liver to Hollow and he took it in his jaws with a grateful wag of his tail, made short work of it. The dark pelted yearling paced to the carcass next to Sloane and sated his own hunger. He looked up at his leader, "Thank you Sloane, I feel much better with a full belly though my back will hurt tomorrow, I'm sure our healers will have half my tail off for that too."

Truthfully he was only worried about one healer having half his tail and felt almost sure that Azariah would not find his wayward hunt as funny as he and Sloane did. Hollow bent his head and gave his respect for the deer, it was one habit he had developed on his own for without the deer and other game they would not survive. The yearling figured that it was the least he could to for taking them from their respective families. Hollow raised his head and peered at Sloane wondering what his leader thought of the way of mother nature, the endless cycle that they were all a part of. Birth to life to death, Hollow had met many who merely regarded it as nothing to be noted, but the young male marveled at it for it was present in all things that lived. It would be a conversation for another time, however now he was just grateful for the life of the deer, "Shall we call out it's location or would you like to try and drag it back?"

(This post was last modified: Feb 25, 2013, 01:12 AM by Hollow.)

Sloane licked his muzzle clean as Hollow ate his share. He sat respectfully, listening to the barely audible thanks given for the deer's life. He had not been raised in such a manner, but that certainly didn't mean that he didn't respect the traditions of others. Knowing that Hollow's family had been taken from him at a very tender age, he wondered where he had learned the habit. Perhaps one day he would ask, but they had other matters to tend to at the moment.

Both males were now sated and rested from their brief, but dramatic hunt. It was now time to get this prize the the pack's growing food cache. When Hollow asked if they should call for the pack, it caught him off guard. He would have to adjust his way of thinking to accommodate the help of the pack when needed. However, this, he felt that he and Hollow could handle. They were rested, had lightened the load a bit and the buck was only a youngster, not yet a year old.

He smiled a bit smugly at Hollow and said, "I believe that the two of us have proven to be more than a match for this brave young fellow. Let's drag him in ourselves!" It would be easier with more wolves, but they were both young and strong and more than capable. With that, he wordlessly grabbed one of the hind legs and stepped to the side to indicate that Hollow should grab the other. Together they would easily transport the once proud young buck that would now feed their family of proud wolves.

Knight of Honor

Hollow gazed at the surprise on his leaders face as he spoke, but then little bit of smugness he smiled and spoke in his own youthful manner. He offered his leader his own smile with a tilted head and a wag of his tail. He watched as his leader strode over to grasp the rear leg of the young deer in his teeth, and waited for Hollow, the yearling approached his leader, and took up the opposite leg. Sloane had been right, he reflected this was much easier than the young wolf had first thought. He cast a sidelong glance at the leading male and felt a pang of sadness.

He would miss the big guy quite a bit when he was gone, but he could only hope that Nina would allow him to occasionally take leave from the thickets to go see his friend. The yearlings mind wandered as they pulled in the direction of the den. To the future, to the past, and everything in between, and the way the sky could stay blue even when there were storms in everyone's minds. The pain and anger he felt before at his own past, and then the present, where he had found a place to be proud, a place to love, and wolves to hold in his heart as family. As per usual once again he found his thoughts floating closer and closer to one in particular she wolf. Now first his thoughts were simple, she would be impressed at he and Sloane's prize hopefully. but then they drifted to his future with her, and the words the russet male at his side had said to him.

He should find her soon and speak with her, to at least tell her how he felt. But there was always something in her gaze he could never quite pick out. It was as if she was holding something, or maybe she was afraid, though of what he didn't know. He sighed through the furry leg clamped in his teeth, and wondered what she wasn't saying to him. He must talk with her soon, before breeding season when they would be keeping distance from each other. Even though he was young he still took notice to things that were happening around, and to him. There was a part of him that wanted to stay near Azariah anyways but his logic and desire to not be kicked out won over.

Sloane felt a mixture of contentment and sadness as they easily hauled the buck back to the cache. He had grown into leadership here in the Thickets and the mantel of it felt right. It would be strange to leave it behind, but he knew that so much more awaited him in the south. His beautiful Narime' and their own pack. Eventually their own family. A feeling of pride welled up in the huge wolf at the thought of carrying on the Thorben line. It was a responsibility and a legacy that he took seriously. He swore to himself that he would do Selik proud. He owed it to his sire who had given everything he had to his pack, including his life in defense of it.

Sloane knew that although he would leave the Woodlands behind him, they would never leave him. His time here had helped him to grow and to understand the responsibilities that he would face. From danger at the borders, to emotional crisis of the members. It had all touched him and strengthened him. Glancing at the dark youngster pulling alongside him, he once again felt pride fill him. Hollow had grown as well in their short time as pack mates and Sloane liked to think that he had something to do with it. He also felt that though they were leader and subordinate, they had also become friends and he truly hoped that that friendship would somehow still flourish with the physical distance that would soon grow between them. That thought pleased the russet wolf greatly as the two disappeared into the shadowy woodlands.

(fade to black)

Knight of Honor