Nightcrawler

Moving with a sure, light gate, Nightcrawler kept his senses alert for deer. He knew it was time for them to be calving, and thus an excellent time to hunt. The ebony wolf did his best to keep quiet and hidden, and always flicked an ear back and glanced back to be sure his friend was near.

Cattail, Mhry, Lavender, Northcrest, Tabana, & Mezi

Two Axis Deer, does with new calves, watched the wolf as he approached. They were downwind and hidden in dense shrubbery, but that didn't make them feel any better about the situation.

Cattail looked to her friend with wide eyes, but dared not speak a word. Mhry returned the look, her body tensed to run. Beside Mhry was her calf, Lavender. And cuddled up near Cattail were three young ones; Northcrest, Tabana, and Mezi.

Finally, Cattail could stand it now longer. Nightcrawler was heading too close to her young. With a loud snort, the hind sprung from cover and began to run wildly away, springing noisily over the ground...

Nightcrawler

Ears shot towards the sound of prey exploding from cover. Hardly a fraction of a second went by before the wolf's body sprung into action, his eyes taking the movement of the deer and recognizing a food source. His simple, striding gate was transformed into a full-out run as he powered after Cattail. He wasn't the largest wolf around, but size was not everything; speed was needed here in order to catch a deer. Going as fast as his flying limbs could handle, Nightcrawler tried to bring himself up along side the hind. He hadn't scented the calves yet.

Cattail, Mhry, Lavender, Northcrest, Tabana, & Mezi

Cattail glanced back once and spotted the black form speeding towards her. For a moment, she felt relief at this sight, for now her triplets and her friends were safe. But as the hind ran, the fear of being killed began to creep into her mind. Her loud, boisterous run was turned into a much more graceful, fleet flight. As Nightcrawler drew nearer, Cattail veered sharply to the side and put on a burst of speed, trying to pull away from him.

Mhry watched intently, praying to Imre that Cattail would be able to outrun the wolf. She was sure the hind could, for a running deer has speed over a wolf, though not quite the endurance.

Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler continued to power on, the scent of his prey almost overwhelming. But as he bounded along, sucking in great drafts of air, a howl caught his attention. It was than that he realized Kali hadn't followed along; it was her voice he heard in the distance, saying goodbye?!?!? So startled was Nightcralwer, than he slowed his pace and cast his head back in the direction of the call.

As he looked back, Night's eyes happened to pass over the brush where Mhry and the others were. And at that moment, he realized he had missed a second, vital scent. Calves. Completely ignoring Cattail now, Nightcrawler sprinted towards the brush... but, as he went, his features were furrowed with confusion and concern about Kali.

Cattail, Mhry, Lavender, Northcrest, Tabana, & Mezi

Cattail continued to run at first, for she dared not slow herself down by glancing back. She had heard the howl, and it sent a chill down her spine, thinking that more wolves were on the way. It wasn't until a sharp bark was issued that the hind chanced a look back. "Oh no!" Nightcrawler had reached the brush by now. Cattail stamped her hoof down and snorted loudly in alarm, "Seiberry! Nhosh! Someone, help!"

Mhyr waited until the last moment, then sprang from cover and began to run, hoping to distract Nightcrawler by looking like an easy, large target.

Lavender, Northcrest, Taban, and Mezi all froze in their spot, knowing instinctively to remain still to avoid detection. At first, the four remained still as stones, but it wasn't long before one of them broke. Panicked, Tabana scrambled up on her spindly legs with a 'meeping' cry and darted off in blind fear, trying to get away from Night.

Nightcrawler

Night adjusted his course in a flash, focusing his swift rush onto the newest figure in this game of life and death. Tabana was the sort he had hoped to come across during this hunt, and it was her that Nightcrawler now bored down on. Still quite full of energy, the ebony-pelted wolf locked all his senses on the frightened newling and strove to catch up to her. Craving jaws sought for the neck of the young deer...

Cattail, Mhry, Lavender, Northcrest, Tabana, & Mezi

Cattail gave a barking cry, once again calling for the stags to come and help. Now she herself sprung into action, racing madly over the ground, trying to reach her little one before it was too late... but it was too late.

Night had caught up to Tabana in a few short bounds. The terrified young creature was so new to the world and lacked the strength to carry her lithe body away from the danger of the wolf. Fangs closed about her throat and she kicked out violently, crying out and struggling as madly as a fly stuck in the snares of a spider's web.

Myrh stopped as well, turning around to see two struggling forms through the dense brush. Hearing the calf's cry, she too came rushing back...

The other three calves remained perfectly still, hyptnotized by the sudden outburst of violence before them.

Nightcrawler

As soon as he had his prey, Nightcrawler bit down with all the strength his ravening jaws posessed. He heard and saw the two hinds coming, but banked on being able to frighten them off, or at least kill Tabana so he could come back later and feast. So, biting down hard and giving a shake to his sleek dial, Night bristled his hackles and snarled loudly in defiance to the two mothers. He stood his ground.

Cattail, & Others

Tabana's frail little neck couldn't withstand a half of what Nightcrawler put on it. With a choked cry, the calf's body shuddered, then went limp. Her head rolled to the side and her large, dark eyes became glazed and glossy.

Cattail continued her charge, ready to trample the wolf..

Mhyr, on the other hoof, became quite intimidated and held back. Blinking fearfully, the mother stepped back, then turned all together and retreated to the brush were the other fawns were hidden. Her own, included. If Night headed for the others, she'd be ready for him.

Three figures came crashing through the vegetation, their coats lined with rows of spots and their heads topped with branching antlers. It was Hark, Lanthani, and Seiberry. Three axis stags; the latter two of which were fathers to the calves currently in danger. Their antlers were still in velvet, and therefore they were terribly reluctant to use them. But they still had their deadly hooves, and were larger than their female counterparts. Seiberry thundered forward first, followed closely by his two companions. Like Cattail, he aimed to trample the offending wolf.

Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler attempted to bolt the opposite way and drag his prize with him, but stumbled and had to release Tabana before he tripped over her spindly legs. Just narrowly springing past Cattail, Night felt hooves slam against his lower ribcage, bringing a stunning pain that made his head reel. Yelping and tumbling over the ground, the wolf came to his feet again and sprang out from Seiberry's path. Having no time to gage the damage to his side, Night began to run, trying to out distance the deer now.

Cattail, & Others

Cattail held back now, hurrying towards her downed fawn. "Oh, my little one!" She sobbed, nudging the lifeless body, trying to make her get up again. But no matter her coaxing, Tabana would never rise again. From a short distance, Mhry and the others watched the sad scene.

Sieberry led the charge after Nightcrawler, giving a bellow and thrashing his antlered head in a visual warning. Behind thundered his two companions, eager and ready to put an end to the wolf. However, after running several yards, the trio drew back their assault and turned away from the wolf.

Nightcrawler

Very much unwilling to return to his hard-won kill, Nightcrawler thanked his lucky stars that Sieberry and the others gave up their chase. Feeling bolts of pain run through his side with ever spring of his agile limbs, Night beat a hasty retreat from the territory.