Larkcall Lowlands the way our horizons meet

PACK HUNT! @Piety @Odin @Lenae @Cheedo @Cyril - This thread is to shortly follow "like diamonds in the sky" where Cheedo, Odin, and Wraith have traveled far too the west to drive the caribou herds back towards the Monadnock. This is to be Cyril's first official hunt. Next round begins 10/25. Everyone is expected to participate.

With Cheedo and Odin at his side still, Wraith lifted his muzzle to bellow a howl, summoning the pack with a battle cry. Despite their exhaustion from the long trip to lead the herds back to them, the alpha imagined both Cheedo and Odin felt the same rally within their blood that sang for the hunt. It gave strength where it otherwise would have waned. His voice left no room for argument. Come! We hunt as one!

He hadn't anticipated it taking so long to find the herds in the first place - they'd gone farther west than he'd thought - but they were here now and they would take advantage. As tired as they were, so too was the herd. A few in the herd had already been flagging, either from illness or injury. It would make it all the easier for Cyril to make his decision, for their ailments would be obvious. It would be the boy's decision which prey they chose. He could only hope his lessons would stick with the lad when he made the decision. Youth tended to go for the biggest and strongest in a show of pride. Foolish pride, for it often resulted in bruised pride and empty stomachs. But Cyril was smart and Wraith had faith he'd choose well.

With message sent, the brute settled in to wait with Odin and Cheedo for the others to arrive and motioned that they should join him and rest while they could. The trio remained a ways off from the herd still, distance enough to keep the herd from milling about nervously as they had been for the past few days while they were being driven. The caribou seemed relieved enough to also take the chance to graze in relative peace.

They had succeeded in bringing the herd back to where the rest of the pack could join them in a hunt. She and her companions were tired for their journey which had taken them much farther than they had anticipated. Once the hunt was finished she could rest but in that moment it was about securing food for their caches to feed the pack. It was to be Cyril's first hunt and she was curious to see how the boy would do. She had faith in the little Kael that he would do well in this hunt.

The three of them had kept the herd together all they way back and with them being just as tired as their drivers she felt the hunt would go smoothly. Despite her how tired she was from the scouting and bringing the Caribou back she was ready for this hunt and couldn't wait to get it under way. Looking between her companion's, Wraith and Odin she was sure they felt the same way. What they had done had been quite the feat in her opinion and like nothing she'd ever done before. Her sea green gaze went to the herd watching to make sure they stayed where they needed while they waited for the rest of the pack to arrive.

Then as Wraith raised his muzzle into the air to call for the other’s her tail swished happily behind her. When the call was finished she settled into wait for the others alongside Wraith and Odin. Soon they would be joined by them and the hunt could begin.

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Where have all the good guys gone?

Odin Archer

Wraith's battlecry was clear, and if they waited for the others to arrive before they moved all this herding would be for naught. It had become obvious over the course of their journey which ones were strong and healthy and which were stragglers, and if they were to be startled here then the easy targets would become more obvious. The yearling kept moving forwards not just to keep up the momentum of the herd so they wouldn't catch a second wind but also because he was convinced if he stopped now he wouldn't be able to start again.

It also helped that panicked prey made mistakes. With Wraith announcing their presence they needed to shake things up a bit, get them confused. He could only hope the rest of the pack got here quickly enough that he wouldn't burn out completely. "Buyin' yer some time," he offered as he moved past the leader, with it being Cyril's first hunt no doubt they'd want to do some explaining, but if they sat around too long they'd lose the meal they'd worked so hard to earn. Odin angled himself to the southern side of the herd, hoping at least some of the members would be decending from on high and would join him in startling them back towards him.

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

Lenae was fast. As soon as she heard the call she pushed herself up onto her feet and hurried her way down the goat path. Only when she reached open ground did she kick her pace up a gear, or two, even three. The wind tugged at her fur as she raced along, drawing close to the dark mass of shapes in the distance. For a moment she couldn't help but wander what it was, a bunch of rocks? Was that why Wraith had called? Obviously not. She had noticed the tone in his voice, the sense of urgency and a promise of a hunt. It was time then, they were actually going to do this.

The little Selwyn couldn't help but wonder if she was ready. She knew what to do, of course. She used to hunt with her family all the time, she even went after critters on her own from time to time. But this seemed so important, Cyril's first hunt. What if she screwed up, made a mess and set a bad example. She was supposed to teach him, to guide him but what if she was the worst role model? What if she ruined this for them all?

Swallowing her fears, Lenae slowed to a trot when the other's came into sight. She could do this, they were here to help and in turn they would all do their part to bring down one of the many caribou that roamed the tundra before them. And oh man, there were so many of them. She didn't even know where to look!

Approaching the Stone King, Lenae offered him a chuff in greeting, then nodded to Odin and Cheedo in turn. The rest had yet to arrive, but soon the chase would be on.

Cyril had already been slinking down the side of the monadnock when he heard his father call out over the tundra. He'd nearly tumbled down the rock in surprise, his pointed sonars swivelling to locate his father’s position. A hunt? And he was invited?! He gulped as panic settled deep within his chest, causing his limbs to tremble as he continued his crawl down the monadnock. Be quick, ya dummy, he muttered to himself as he kicked his growing legs into overdrive. He did not want to keep his father, and packmates, waiting. Especially when he was supposed to be at this hunt. His first hunt.

What if he was awful?!

His parents would disown him. Everly would be so disappointed in him and probably blame herself. Cheedo would most likely share some of the guilt. He couldn’t do that to him.

He arrived shortly after his tawny teacher, his yellow gaze falling to the small group that had gathered around his father. Beyond them was a herd of caribou—more than he had ever seen before. His lower jaw fell slack as it dropped, his eyes widening in disbelief. There were so many! How were they supposed to pick one to hunt?! He swallowed again as he approached the dark figure of his father, his chin lifted so he could meet the Kael’s yellow gaze.

piety kael

We will be warm
We'll build a home with a beam of a barn

She heard the call from her husband and quickly she set into action. The pale leader did a quick check in where others might be lurking, making sure everyone was heading that way or at least out before she made her own way. Piety assumed that Cyril was likely with Everly or Cheedo because she had little doubt he would miss his father's call.

Her pace was quick as she moved through the land. The fresh scent trails of her own family and pack mates were easy to follow after. Soon enough the pale Kael arrived holding herself with grace as she moved directly towards @Wraith, brushing against him as she circled his large form. Muddy eyes glanced at Odin who seemed to already be setting things into motion. "Morganna's child without a single doubt."

Instead of instantly speaking she let her husband take the reins. This had been his, Odin and Cheedo's work after all. She was simply here as another able body. Of course, she looked towards Cyril offering him a smile. This was his first hunt. Not only would this be a stepping stone for him but it would provide a good chance for his teacher to make good examples.

# C W T

Hunting post 1/? Next Round will be 11/7. Thanks for everyone getting on it and happy hunting! :D

Wraith opened his mouth to call @Odin off his intent to keep the herd milling, but the young male was already moving off. Instead, the Alpha shook his head. That boy is going to wear himself to the bone. Already, he decided he and @Cheedo had definitely earned a few days rest where nothing more was expected of them but to eat and sleep. As long as they were successful, they should have enough to ensure that happened. And if they kept the herd somewhat close to home, it would be easier to hit them again once any of their cached leftovers had dwindled.

@Lenae was the first to arrive and she earned a friendly tail wag and low wuff of greeting in response to her own. No doubt mother and son would be along shortly. It went unspoken that they would wait for the pair of them to arrive before starting. With half the pack already depleted on energy, no need to make it worse before giving the herd a run.

@Cyril came next and Wraith stood as soon as he was in sight, tail wagging high and proudly. This was to be his day and he had no doubt he would do well. The father rumbled his approval and chuckled warmly at the pup's reaction to the herd. It was impressive. Certainly the largest he'd ever seen himself. In his homelands, the herds tended to be very small and limited to six or seven at most. But this one was easily hundreds.

"Have you seen your m--" The black brute paused when he caught sight of her white fur in the distance. "Ah, there she is." He waited patiently for his mate and rubbed his head against his acushla as she brushed her fur against his, mingling their scents once more. The days apart always wore on him; reuniting with @Piety was very much a needed revival and gave him the energy he needed to follow through with this hunt.

"Come on back, Odin," Wraith called, intended for everyone to gather for the plan. "Everyone knows this is to be Cyril's first hunt." The male turned to his son to regard him seriously. "This means the responsibility of choosing our target rests on your shoulders. You've never had to deal with prey this large before, so don't forget about the rules of safety. They can and will kick to get away. Stay clear of their hooves and antlers. Once you pick your target, we'll separate it from the rest of the herd and take it down quickly as we can. I don't know that Cheedo, Odin, and I can be in it for the long haul, so the sooner we take it, the better our chances. Does anyone have any questions? Concerns?"

Hunting post 1/?

It was true she was tired having driven a herd as large as the one they had brought to the Monadnock. Still it was a job well done she felt for the three of them and while tiring also rewarding as she would get to see their smallest member pick his first Target and help them to catch it. She still couldn't believe how fast Cyril was growing and she was glad to have been a part of it each and everyday. Sometimes it made her miss seeing the same from her own children but she was finally starting to accept it was never meant to be. She couldn't have those thoughts right now as they prepared for a hunt.

After Wraith's call the first to arrive was Lenae followed quickly by Cyril and then Piety. This was good, they would he able to get the hunt started soon and then it would be time for them to rest and Cheedo could retire to her nest in the den.

The small agouti looked in the direction Of had run off to when Wraith called for them. Then once everyone had gathered around the alpha explained the plan to everyone and ensure they knew just how tired she, Odin and himself were. Cheedo looked to the boy offering him an encouraging smile, she knew he could do this and do it well.

(This post was last modified: Nov 28, 2017, 02:32 AM by Cheedo.)

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

Wait. He—he was supposed to choose which deer to hunt?

Surely this was some kind of cruel joke his father was playing on him. Now he was definitely going to embarrass himself. He knew to go for the weakest, or the oldest, but the pressure of making the right decision while the rest of the pack was watching… Cyril didn’t know if he could do it. His yellowed gaze flickered over to Everly, a small frown tugging at his lips. A lump formed in the back of his throat as he returned his attention to his father. The boy gave a small nod to show he understood the plan, along with his role in the hunt. He wasn’t ready but there was no time to doubt himself—not when the pack was depending on him. 

So he waited, his gaze trailing along his packmates and his ears perched high atop his head. His father would give the signal soon and they would be thrust toward the herd of deer. It would be up to Cyril to select the right one. The one that would feed their small pack throughout most of the colder months.

(This post was last modified: Nov 01, 2017, 10:38 PM by Cyril.)