Broken Timber Pines To earn your stripes.

 

Reinforcements arrived quickly. Iopah and Nova had responded to their calls, and came readily to the scene of the hunt. Bracken, she noticed, had also showed up. She was safely out of harms way, but close enough to witness her first true pack hunt. Excellent. While injured, the bull moose still seemed intent on showing the wolves that it was still an animal that could be dangerous. As it demonstrated by wielding it's rack of horns, from side to side. Not one to be easily intimidated, Zia held her ground. Hackles raised along the length of her spine to give the illusion she was bigger than she really was. White teeth fully displayed, intent on tearing into the warm, nourishing meat that hopefully, would be theirs. She kept the moose at bay, pacing back and forth to keep it's attention, or by lunging several feet in it's direction. Her ears swiveled as Iopah spoke to Koda, looking for input on what sort of plan he wanted them to take. In her mind, the gears were turning. For a brief moment, she took her eyes off the moose, for a glance around her. And saw what she was looking for, what could be the ideal spot to chase the animal. Towards her left, about fifty yards away, the trees gave way only slightly. But the otherwise clear path was blocked by a tremendous fallen Red Wood Pine. An obstacle the wounded moose could not jump over. "There..." She suggested with a tip of her muzzle in that direction. "If we can drive him towards that fallen tree, he will be trapped." Her eyes flickered to Koda's face for any sign of his thoughts. Until he gave the signal, or decided upon another option, Zia would wait.

 

Table by Pann, Image by Jolee

She was stunned when neither parent came to soothe her concern. The girl hurried back and forth - watching everything very closely, but entirely too anxious over the whole thing to get much closer. Mother had told her and @Ember how dangerous big animals could be, and now she fervently believed it. Just look at the size of those antlers!

When the bull took a swipe at Eirian, she jumped; eyes turning to saucers as she expected the male to be fatally and horrifically mauled before her eyes. She jumped further when her mother flew into a rage and Bracken issued her own high-pitched complaint for the bull's attmpt. The pacing continued; there was too much energy for the Reinier girl to possibly stay still.

It seemed as if the adults knew what they were doing. They weren't worried and Bracken listened with amazement as they carried on a conversation, all while dancing around the dangerous and massive moose. She was getting curious about the whole procedure, her whines getting quieter as she started to follow the subtle gestures of her pack-mates. A decision was made and she studied each adult before moving warily towards @Nova. The Zamora mother was familiar, a parental figure that seemed likely to advise her. "What's gonna happen now?" She whispered to the dark woman, not taking her eyes off the moose in case it suddenly moved towards them.

BROKEN TIMBER Pines

TEMPLATE © NDA OF RCR & RPG-D

So sorry for the wait guys! I think its @Koda's turn?

Nova's large paws picked carefully over the ground, slowly pulling her in closer towards the snorting and stomping beast. She was careful to keep her distance from the moose, sticking in Iopah's tracks as she watched the moose spin and lunge at the circling wolves. In a heart-stopping moment the great set of antlers swung frighteningly close towards Eirian. Nova gasped in a shocked yelp and skittered forward to nip at the moose's ankles as a distraction, the scent of blood and infection heady and nearly overwhelming so close to his flank. She ricocheted back as the hulking bull started to turn towards the annoyance at his hocks, her bright yellow eyes locked intent on him as she returned to the sidelines waiting for instruction.

Still focused on the bull, her large ears tuned for her leader's voice. The details were still being hammered out, and Zia had an idea. Nova followed her gaze towards the massive fallen redwood.

Just then Bracken had sidled up to her, her whispered question not missed under all the commotion. Nova really wasn't to sure herself, with things still unfolding before them and their options not yet decided. But from what she could tell, it seemed the females would take pursuit and the males would make the final strike.

"Once we make a plan, us ladies will start to chase the bull and get him running. With his wound, it's more likely he'll tire quickly or stumble. That's when Koda and Eirian will attack. And then with any luck we'll be having lunch." She said softly with a slight smile and glance towards Bracken.

I kind of lost track, but I'm sure it's my turn *_*

 @Iopah @Nova @Zia @Eirian @Bracken!

his muscles were stiff, tight as coils prepared to spring forward as his eyes focused in on the raging target ahead of him; he was not foolish enough to let his attention leave the sight of the injured bull. As his eyes were trained on the target, waiting for the movement to strike, he watched with held breath as the moose swung his full rack near the looming form of Eirian, and with luck the young male dodged the attack, but just barely. Quickly exhaling the air he was holding, he knew it would do them good to no longer tease the enraged bull any further, the longer it stood the more opportunity it had to possibly injure one of his members.

Maneuvering himself so that he could still see the bull from one corner of his eye and Iopah from the other, he listened as the girls made their suggestions, as they were the drivers and both him and Eirian the muscle, and felt the weight of his head nod in agreement with Zia. It would do them some good to corner this bull in a tighter spot therefore the potential for injury would lesson considering the bull would realize the diminishing opportunity to flee.

"We're going to drive him near the cedar tree together," he voiced as large paws moved forward, head low and deep threatening growls eased forward. As if he wasn't intimidating enough, he attempted to make himself seem bigger then he was as he moved to corner their prey, snapping aggressively at what ever devices the bull had left; he made sure to keep himself clear enough from the antlers as not to cause himself injury. He knew, somewhere in the background, Bracken was watching and he hoped that she were paying attention for when her chance to join them would come. He needed her to be prepared.

(This post was last modified: Dec 05, 2015, 03:36 PM by Koda.)

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

If the Asurn wolf thought his adrenaline levels were high before, his near brush with a fatal set of antlers had them skyrocketing. Sides heaved with the effort to bring in the required amounts of oxygen his body needed to keep his energy up to par, a coral tongue gliding across his leathery lips as if he could taste the flesh of the bull now. The pungent aroma of infection and blood strong enough now from the moose's constant circling to intoxicate any wolf in the surrounding perimeter, not just those of the Pines.

Creamy limbs circled the irritated quarry enthusiastically as a rust tinged ear listened in on the plan being formed as prey and predator continued their dance. Citrus optics sneaking a swift glance toward the fallen redwood in question to better determine his whereabouts in comparison. Soon, Koda spoke the final decision informing them the pack as a whole would drive the bull moose into the inescapable corner. A wise plan that would ultimately spell out the end for this wounded beast. Becoming fully aware of the locations of his fellow pack mates, a heavy nod of Eirian's head was granted to the words of his leaders to convey that he heard and understood the plan, muscled frame coming down slightly to adopt a similar posture as held by Koda. Lips raised to reveal ready to strike teeth while a guttural growl resonated deep within his vocal chords, an attempt to further intimidate their quarry towards their target location.

It's looking like the take-down will happen in this round, there will be one more round after this of them eating/exits. Don't forget everyone needs 3 posts to claim LP - and this thread is worth a lot!

Her eyes went rapidly to Bracken at the sound of the girls voice. The adults knew how to handle themselves, but the growing pup was another matter entirely. It was a relief to see her daughter safely alongside Nova; she listened to the response and nodded briskly, making sure Nova had caught her eye. Yes, that was the plan.

As Koda surged forward and away from her side, the plan was put into action. Iopah let the action carry the rest of the pack ahead and veered to the side. She had been taught how to hunt by doing and she hoped for the same for both her daughters. "Bracken, we're going to move him to that tree." A quick jerk of her head indicated the target for Nova and the youngster.

The rest of the pack started to drive the bull; Iopah moved in their direction, nudging her daughter along. "You have to be careful. He is faster than you and dangerous." The girl gave a wide-eyed nod and the mother let her gait lengthen, drawing her closer to the doomed bull moose.

The males were the muscles of the job, but not the speed. As they snarled and growled, Iopah swept neatly around them to lead the other fleet-footed females. Iopah expected her daughter to be close behind - likely terrified, but learning nonetheless. She drew back her lips and lunged forward to snap at his haunch. The ragged edges of the wound caught in her teeth and the bull screamed before plunging away. A deep growl reminded him that the wolves were still snapping at his heels.

Zia's attention flickered only briefly towards the inquiry of Bracken. While her dark ears moved to the side to take in her voice, her sapphire eyes dared not stray from the bull moose. Everyone needed to be ready to act at any second, and quickly. Her suggestion seemed to sit well with everyone, and it soon was decided that this was the course of action they would take. The larger, bulkier males would be able to handle the moose, while the leaner females closed the trap. Winding herself around in a half circle, so that she eventually was poised in a position behind the bull, she waited for the attack to commence.

In perfect sync with her pack mates, the silver arrow woman surged forward, light on her paws. Teeth flashed, clicking together as she snarled, diving in alongside Iopah to graze her teeth along the shredded flesh of the wound. The more pressure they put on him, the deeper his panic would become. Further sealing his fate as he hopelessly tried to barrel away from the pursuing wolves. Peeling away, she veered to the side to run parallel with the moose, making sure to keep just out of it's sight. Yet her hot breath rolling against his flank was all the reminder he needed, to know that the chase was still on. 

With Iopah's brisk nod the plan was as good as sealed. A few quick steps brought her closer into position, flanking Zia and nosing any overly curious children behind her. It could be surprising just how far those hooves could reach, and with a cloven hoof the size of their head it was definitely something she wanted them to keep their distance from until they learned the ropes.  Like a tide they spilled forward upon the hapless ungulate, Nova adding her excited growls to the cacophony.

Nova ran along with the pack, her paws beating a frantic rhythm against the dusty ground. He wasn't as nearly as fast as the other two females, her gangly form not quite built for speed-- not that she could say what it was built for. Still she kept him moving, paws flying to keep pace and heart racing. The scent of fresh blood and a pained bellow as Iopah tore into the moose's hock were enticing, a virtual dinner bell for the feast that was surely soon to come.

She knew they were getting close now to the fallen cedar, her yellow eyes searching in hasty glances through the foliage ahead for the awaiting males.

Continuing on with this thread, just so it can be properly archived. The plan is currently for the males (@Eirian) to make the kill, I am assuming the rest of the females are chasing. This will be the last round.

The moose was running now. Iopah could hear the frenzied hoof-steps and could sense the despair in it's attempt to escape. It was doomed, everyone knew this now. She could hear all her packmates - the familiar light-footed steps of the fellow females and the heavy breaths of the males in waiting. There was even the nervous whine of Bracken in the background, but that was ok. The pup was present and participating, everything else would come with more experience.

There was a snap of vegetation as the moose reached the target area. Iopah watched as the bull fumbled with his footing - tripping over broken branches under foot. It seemed the very forest had joined their sight of the battle. With a quick glance to her daughter (nervously hovering and wide-eyed), Iopah waited for the inevitable. There was a shift in the foliage, a shiver that could of been anything, anything with four paws and a set of sharp canines. Iopah smirked, turning her gaze onto the bull. Her tail swished and arced stiffly over her back.

It was up to the males now, the cards had been laid out for them and it would only take one more play to end the game. Her muscle tensed; waiting for Koda or Eirian to make the killing blow, whilst the females kept the moose from attempting to escape.

Let me know if anything needs fixing

Deeper and deeper they corralled their quarry toward the targeted location, vegetation and fallen branches alike snapping underneath the heavy thundering of hooves and paws. A cacophony of ravenous wolves and their hunger filled growls filling the once silent forest; a forest that in itself seemed eager to aid the natural balance of life as the fumbling bull tripped over broken branches. Forward the bull moose hurtled toward the ground, its fate sealed now that it was left with no chance of escape. It's only option remaining to stand and face its enemies head on, but such an option would not come for the fallen beast.

Citrus orbs watched anxiously as the scene unfolded, a cloud of loose dirt bellowing upwards in the wake of such a might body colliding down onto the earth. An agonized bleating escaped the beast as it struggled to regain its footing, the combined damage of their teeth to its flesh and the slow drainage of blood and infection from its open wound refusing to give its owner the strength it needed. Wobbly legs collapsed under its own weight, another cloud of dust manifesting. It was here than an opportune moment to strike presented itself as the moose's head angled in such a way it kept the dangerous points upon its rack away from Eirian, nostrils flaring in acknowledgement that the battle was already over.

Saliva coated tongue swiftly swiped across a coal black nose in anticipation, dark agouti frame bounding through the vegetation separating himself and the bull with ease to circle the fallen prey. If he was going to end this for good he would need to strike now before even a fraction of movement was made on the quarry's behalf. The once mighty bull may be down, but one swift kick delivered by a sharp hoof would still prove dangerous. He had to be quick. One last victorious growl bubbled from Eirian's throat before jaws parted to reveal tarnished teeth, body lurching forward to sink the points of his fangs into the exposed jugular. Immediately a gurgled bellow met the inner tufts of his splayed back ears, the most delectable and metallic taste of life's sweet nectar greeting his awaiting mouth as jaws clamped down firmly to crush the windpipe nestled between his teeth.

For a few minutes the male stayed still, the struggling becoming less and less frequent until attentive eyes caught the final exhale of oxygen depleted longs. The glimmer of life faded completely from those large brown eyes. It was over. Only then did he release his grip, crimson liquid staining the creamy hairs of his muzzle and chest like a badge of honor. Panting, a few steps back were taken to allow his body a chance to recoup, the soaring levels of adrenaline all but gone now with the rush over leaving nothing but the tiredness of his muscles to slowly set in. They were victorious.

(This post was last modified: Apr 06, 2016, 09:08 PM by Eirian.)