Mandragoro

Once they'd reached the Bog, Mandragoro spaced himself out from Psychotic and took up a position to her far right. Nose to the ground, he started weaving through the trees and thickets, trying to pick up on any fresh trail of moose. His snowy white pelt helped the wolfdog blend in somewhat with the surroundings during this time of the season, when so much snow was starting to blanket the land. He was silent as well, keeping his ears mostly forward, and pivoting one towards Psychotic now and then to keep track of her location.

Psychotic

Psychotic followed her nose and immediatly picked up the trail of a bull moose. Why not some fun? She gave a small bark before following the scent toward the bull moose. She crouched down low and began creeping toward it.

Mandragoro

The female's bark drew Goro's attention her way. A single look, reading her body language, told him she'd picked up on a trail and was eager to pursue it. Swifting across the ground like a ghost, the 130 pound wolfdog joined her in tracking the bull.

The bull that they had picked up on was an older male with arthritic legs and a gaunt frame that came with a shortage of food in the winter, and the strenuous fighting that the males engaged in to secure their harems. Though he looked worn and weakened, his head boasted a massive set of splayed antlers, and he had more than enough weight and strength to crush either of his attackers to death with a single blow from one of his hooves.

Mandragoro slowed down as they got near the giant old bull, and whispered faintly, "I don't want to get too close to him too fast. It'd be safer if we harried him around a bit and wore him down. He doesn't look like he's got much vigor left."

Psychotic

She listened to him and watched the old bull. She planeed on it so she burst forward and yapped at the bull to make him run or what not. She veered to the left and fake lunged at the bull keeping a safe distance however from him.

Mandragoro

Mandragoro hung back at first, letting Psychotic take the bull's attention initially while he lurked in the thicket he'd slipped into and tried to read what weak signs might be exposed in their prey. His gaze was primarily on the creature's legs, and how well, or not so well, the appeared to move; he stance, willingess to fight back, the blaze in his eyes... all of these things were being monitored to help Goro piece together the health of the moose.

The bull was wise enough and had enough experience in his long life to know that turning and running away from the wolfess was not a smart thing to do. He was bigger, and held the advantage right now. He turned and brought his head down when she rushed out at him, and offered her only his great, splayed antlers to contend with. Of course, she never intended to bite him right off the get-go, but he didn't yet know she was only trying to taunt him. He turned and swung his head in every direction that she lunged, and more than once lashed his hooves at her, but she was always quicker than he, and remained out of his reach. Getting quickly fed up with her antics, he gave a guttural bellow and rushed Psychotic, trying to catch her with the tines of his antlers and flip her through the air, or crush her beneath his hooves. All the while, Goro noticed that their victim showed the most weakness in his hind right leg - one ankle looked a little swollen.

Psychotic

Psychotic kept it up grinning at the moose turned to her. She jumped side to side and then turned tail and began to run in a wide circle around him. She too had spotted the weakened Ankle and Goro would do well to attack that hoof and once the big beast was down she would go for his throat. Her tail flicked.

Mandragoro

The alabaster brute remained in hiding for a few good minutes, letting Psychotic get the bull really riled up and putting his full focus squarely on her. His waiting paid off, as when he finally decided to sprint out of the thicket, he'd noticed that the moose was already breathing heavy and was starting to favor his crippled leg more and more as the coywolf forced him to use it so much in turning about.

Mandragoro catapulted himself into the air, timing his leap to land on the beast's flank, when the bull was turning his head the other way to follow Psychotic's latest turns. The great bull bellowed again and wheeled sharply on his long legs, moving so quickly that it seemed to defy his massive size and the weakness that was overtaking his aging body. Goro held on for as long as he dared, sinking his fangs into the dark hide and drawing what blood he could before he sprung away and narrowly missed getting stamped by a flying hoof. As he hit the ground and bolted away from the moose, he shot Psychotic a quick look and a grinning face - he was having fun, and if all went well, they'd be dining on moose soon.

Psychotic

Psy heard the bull bellow as Goro got him and when the bull changed tagets he lunged for the other hind leg. She snapped onto it and held on for a min or two before pulling away and moving around again.

Mandragoro

Just as soon as he'd chased one wolf off his flank, the female was lunging for his other side. He grunted as he turned on his sore ankle and arched his neck to the side, trying to catch Psychotic with his tines again and injure her. And when he did this, a new pang sprang up in his opposite side... Goro had leaped for him again, briefly gnashing at his flesh before letting go to dodge the horns and hooves turned his way.

Furious and desperate, the bull briefly chased after Mandragoro, showing a spur of energy that he seemed to draw up from no where. In better condition, and a year or two younger, this old bull would have been quick enough to fend off even these two big wolves, or give them one hell of a fight in any case. But he was just a little too slow, his muscles too worn, and his joints too stiff. Yet he didn't give him. He thundered after Goro, striving to catch the canine and end his life.

Psychotic

She barely missed the tines by swerving to the side.She now took her next chance and aimed to bite the bulls good hind leg and she pulled back this time before moving off again.

Mandragoro

For a few tense moments, Goro wondered if maybe he'd underestimated the bull's strength and resilience, and really had to put on a burst of speed and make a few swift turns to keep himself from falling victim to the moose's charge. Thankfully, Psychotic recaptured his attention by going for his hind leg again, thwarting the beast's attempt to slaughter Goro.

The bull kicked out powerfully, which could easily stun or seriously damage Psychotic if she wasn't quick enough to dodge aside. Again he turned and swung his antlers at her, and again Goro leaped; but this time he latched onto the bull's shoulder in a brave, and perhaps foolish move, to help hasten the bull's felling. "Keep at it, Psychotic! We've almost got 'em!"

Psychotic

Psychotic ducked down and moved to the side just as the antlers swung by though the tip of one of the tines slightly cut her hind end but not bad enough to sway her. She jumped around and snapping at the mooses heels.

Mandragoro

Goro dug his teeth in and utilized his dew claws to secure a purchase on the beast, holding on as his prey pivoted and swung about. He could taste the tangy blood that ran through his mouth, slowly draining the great beast of strength. Dodging around below him, he could hear Psychotic egging the moose on, and the wounds that she scored on the creature began to stain the ground below in spots of red. In all the thrill of the chase and the hunt, Mandragoro let his confidence get the better of him, and was almost stunned when he felt something tear at his thigh.

He yelped when a tine caught his leg, and another nearly pierced his side. The moose swung his head and the wolfdog did a partial flip that found him doing a three-quarters flip before he crashed into the ground. By a stroke of good fortune, he scrambled up and bolted aside in time to save himself from a striking hoof that would have crushed his chest in.

Psychotic

Psychotic took her chance when the bull turned to lunge at goro. Her eyes lay directly on his exposed neck and she moved quickly and her hind legs shoved off the ground and aimed to latch onto the jugular.

Mandragoro

Taking down a moose of his stature could take hours, if even it was possible. But not in this situation. He was just too old to fend them off, and let his wisdom and experience be muddled by panic as he went blindly after Goro as the hybrid limped frantically away from him. He just couldn't stop and turn quick enough to sweep her away with his antler like he had the male. Her fangs set into his threat and he rose up with a raging cry, thrashing his head and kicking at her with his deadly hooves.

Mandragoro wheeled around, as quickly as his damaged leg would allow anyway, and rejoined the fight. When the bull's head came back down, he plowed forward and snapped at the beast's face, clamping his jaws around the bull's snout and using his 130 pound body to keep the bull from rearing up again.

Psychotic

Now one of the many reasons her name fit her she kept hold. Her body flung around when the mood reared saving her from the hooves. She snarled as she bit down harder.

Mandragoro

His hind leg was starting to throb, but he switched from being playing games with the bull to being utterly serious and keenly alert to his task. By keeping a hold on the moose's snout, he prevented the creature from raised his head up or thrashing it around so much.

With over three-hundred pounds of weight bearing down on the creature's front end, the bull quickly lost the strength to rear up and drag all that weight with him. With a pained grunt, he fell to his knobby knees, rendering his hooves useless in attack against Psychotic. The coywolf's hold was a deadly one, quickly draining away much of her prey's blood, until he was too weak to fight against them any longer. After a few minutes, so long as they held their respective bites on the creature, he eventually gave in. With a final, rattling sigh, the old moose died.

Psychotic

Psychotic kept her hold tight and pulled down with all her might. Finally the bull seemed to give into the death that awaited it and once she was sure it was dead she released it and now moved to its stomach area and began to tear at it.

Mandragoro

He let go only after he was sure the beast was dead. Favoring his gouged upper leg, Goro minced his way around the large carcass, and set into the flank area. He tore off giant chunks, of flesh after ripping past the tough hide, and savored in the taste of a hard-won meal. Mandragoro didn't say a word until he'd stuffed his belly full, and couldn't force down another mouthful of meat.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to share some of this with my family; we have some adolescents in the pack." With a meal as big as this, he knew there was room for plenty more hungry bellies to be filled.

Psychotic

Psychotic stuffed her self and then cleaned her face and then worked on cleaning her wound on her haunch.She heard him. after my family eats then yours may come. She spoke. HEr tail flicked and then she lifted her dial up to the sky and howled.

Mandragoro

Mimicking Psychotic's actions, Mandragoro also worked on cleaning the blood from his pelt, both his own and from the moose. He could just imagine now that he'd be gimping about for a few days, but after testing his leg and stretching it as far as he dared, he was convinced that nothing too serious had been damaged. He was distracted from these observations when Psychotic declared her family would eat first, and cautiously rebutted that statement by replying, "I think it'd be better if they could all feast together, to get to know one another." And so saying, he lifted his own muzzle to the sky and called for his kin. Maybe a little brazen on his part, but he was keen on not letting Psychotic domineer him too much; and besides, for as much as that side of her personality was grating on him, he still found himself attracted to her, and hoped that by letting their families mingle and get to know each other would give him a better insight on her and her kin.

Psychotic

She snorted. Not sure if that would be a wise move. If our families are indeed Enemies well then there won't be feasting will there? Plus this moose may be big but my pack and family will take up the whole carcass and there won't be room. But its your funeralShe spoke. It wouldn't be her fault if a fight broke out cause of him. Her tail flicked.

Mandragoro

Far in the distance, a wavering note hit the air as his mother called back, letting her son know that she had heard and would be sending the pack his way. It would still be some time before they arrived though. "If a fight should break out, we have our allies, the Shadow Lurkers, and the Ancient Guardians in the mountains." Mandragoro laced his ears out a little, not at all liking the threat she made about fighting, or her declaration that the moose would go to her family alone. "I'm sure this can be handled civilly, right? After all, we both worked together to bring down this moose without incident."

Psychotic

She snorted. Though the Shadow lurkers that name was familar to her. Maybe they weren't enemies but still. She wasn't saying his family wouldn't get any but she would make sure her whole family got to eat first if anything. Sure but my family needs food and if they all show up at the same time then they will eat first and they don't have to wait. My family isn't paitient enough to wait and they won't have to. There plenty of meat that there will be some left for your familyShe spoke. But she knew it would be up to her temporary leader. Her tail flicked. She already had her fill and half the stomach contents were gone.

Mandragoro

'Why are females so confusing sometimes?!' He thought in exasperation to himself, and still wasn't entirely appeased when she relented some in her aggression. "Then can I make a suggestion? Lets let the youngest members of both our packs eat first, and the adults and squabble about a pecking order after wards." Maybe he was being a little stubborn now, but it sounded fair to him at least. He knew his mother was a dominant figure, but a very just and kind one, in his eyes. She would not start a war over something as trivial as a moose carcass, but she would defend any of her family that she saw being treated unfairly.

Psychotic

She snorted and shrugged.I suppose, but ill let my leader decide it if she or he shows upShe spoke calmly. Her head turned how ever.

Honey Psychotic and nightshades mother was starving so she went on ahead of anyone who might be coming. She was getting up there in age. She stared at Goro for a minute before nuzzling her daughter.

Mandragoro & Family

Goro opened his mouth to speak, but closed it without saying anything further. The way things were going, he doubted he could bring up a pleasant conversation if he wanted to. Minding his own business, the hybrid went about grooming his fur, and again tending to the wound from the bull's tine. The only time he paused in this activity was to nod at Honey and give her a brief smile, doing his best to stay on friendly terms with the group.

After some time, Sweetclover led a small brigade of her family through the swamp, her stride a slow one that accommodated the short legs of her newest offspring. At three months old, the seven youngsters were able-bodied enough to travel longer distances with their parents, and spent the trip oohing and ahhing about this smell and that. Behind the seven traveled their father, Taiser, making sure everyone stayed in a group and no one was left behind. And further behind them all traveled the small, ebony-coated male and uncle to Goro - Phelan.

"Oh - my - gosh!" Upon reaching the kill sight, Lavantra gaped at the size of the bull, having never seen one in her young life yet. Like the rest of her six siblings, she hadn't participated in any major hunts, besides stalking small game like mice, and before the winter set in, insects and reptiles. To see something this massive made her eyes go wide.

Creeping up beside her, a much smaller, grizzled pup blinked in awe at the giant carcass. "That has to be a moose! Is it a moose, Momma?" Drake craned his head back to look for his mother.

Sweetclover had stopped a few yards from the moose, and stood with Taiser at her side, and all seven pups clustered between and slightly in front of them, "You're right, it's a moose." After whispering her response to her son, the white-furred female nodded to Psychotic and Honey. She didn't know them by sight, but unlike her son Mandragoro, their scent was familiar to her, "Greetings. You're of the Toklat pack, correct?" She was mostly relaxed, knowing them to be allies with the Lurkers, even if they hadn't been declared 'official' allies of the Silver Glades yet.

Honey

Honey was fussing over Psychotics small injury. She cleaned it and looked up as the small group came. Some of her children should be on their way. Hertail flicked to the side. Yes we're from Toklatthe aged coyote spoke. She was 10 years old today.

Psychotic grunted at her mother. Its nothing mother honestly im not a pup any more!She whined.

Then Tazer and Lazer twins and brothers to Psychotic and Night shade showed up biting at each other and wrestling the whole way until they saw the strangers and skid to a halt. Tazer slid right into the bull mooses under side. Hey that wasn't cool Lazer!He growled.

Cocain their sister was not far behind.

Mandragoro & Family

"How is Nightshade doing?" She didn't harbor the same sort of animosity and grudges that Ankh did, and had formally accepted the alliance of the packs that had once been their enemies. As such, she diplomatically took up interest in the alphess, and in her way showed respect to the other pack and her willingness to play nice. "The winter has been lenient so far; I'm hoping that holds out." And of course, there was always weather to talk about for a conversation starter.

"Come along, mind your manners." Taiser nudged the seven pups around him and led them forward towards the kill. Since he didn't personally know Psychotic or Honey, he chose to lead his pups towards the front of the carcass, and further away from those two to avoid and competition. He stopped once when the three siblings of Psychotic showed up, and bobbed his head to them in simple greeting.

Opal giggled at Tazer and wagged her tail, "You're funny!" Standing next to his sister, Tailer piped up next, "Who are you? I'm Tailer! And this is my sister, Opal. And Lavantra, Mist Walker, Meliot, and my brothers Drake and Tome." While Tailer was introducing his own siblings, Drake was already trying to tear into the flesh, working at the neck wound where Psychotic had bitten the moose and led to its felling. Tome and Mist joined in, each tugging in different directions at the flesh.

Tazer & Lazer

Tazer shook his dial. Sure he and his twin were adults but out of night shade and their other siblings they were still pups at heart. He looked at the pup who said he was funny. Tazer and LazerSpoke tazer. Lazer snorted.

Honey sighed.She is doing fine and I do to , im not sure how much more my joints can take...She sighed and she had been loosing weight as well. She nuzzled Psychotic again before slinking to where her daughter had begin to feast and started to eat. She needed to eat.

Cocain snorted and sat beside Psychotic. your such a show off Psy....She spoke.

Mandragoro & Family

Tailer wagged his tail and propped his front paws on the moose to raise himself up, so that he could get a better view of Lazer and Tazer, "I like your names, they go together. And you're name is like my dad's!" The youngster approved. Opal nodded in agreement with her brother, and spoke up after him, "Do you guys wanna play?" The gray female, largest of her siblings, questioned them.

Before the others could respond, Taiser nudged his daughter and son and spoke out, "We can play later. Now is the time to eat. Now, don't make a bother of yourselves." The two looked rather disappointed with this, but didn't argue with their father.

Sweetclover took a brief pause in their conversation to look over her shoulder at Phelan, who was hanging back from the crowd. She turned a soften look at her overly-shy brother, "Join the pups, Phel. I know you're hungry." She wasn't the alpha of the Silver Glades, or even a beta, but she had such a solid personality and strong authority that many listened to her when it didn't contradict Rein. Her reassurance was what Phelan needed before he slunk forward to join his nieces and nephews at the carcass. It was then that she looked back to Honey, "You should spend some time at the Ashen Domes. The rocks there are warm, and I hear they do wonders on easing the pain from sore joints."

Stretching out a little ways from the moose, Mandragoro was leaning slightly to the side, to hide the fact that he was wounded, and avoid the sort of attention from Sweetclover that Honey had been lavishing on Psychotic. "Who are you?" His dark, almond-brown eyes had fallen on Cocain now, "I'm Mandragoro."

Tazer & lazer

He chuckled. But he then turned to the carcass and plunged his own teeth into it. Lazer followed suit.

Cocain look at him.Cocain psychotic sisterShe spoke.