*Red Deer*

A group of four hinds moved into a clearing, alternately raising their heads from grazing to look about for danger. There were five fawns amung them, for one hind had twins. As the young fawns played and buffeted each other with their boney, hornless heads, the hinds grazed and kept a sharp lookout for danger.

Two stags grazed a distance away, also keeping a lookout for danger. One stag was large with a new set of velvet-covered antlers growing on his head. The other, slightly younger, also branished a velvet pair of antlers, although it was obvious they weren't going to grow that large yet.

A herd of red deer had began to move into the valley as human conflicts and other pressing issues drove them from their homelands. The herd was large; over a hundered deer in it. But they had spread out a bit so as to not overgraze any particular area. And also to get to know the place better.

Catalpa

She was old now and her worn body couldn't evade the ever present hunger. Her frame was lean and gaunt with the lack of food to nurish it, but Catalpa had a strong will. Seeking to stay clear of humans, the elderly wolf sought refuge in the Ruins. And now, as she lay bathing in the light of the sun, the scent of strange deer came to her.

Catalpa picked herself up, testing the wind over and over. Now she set off, loping intently across the ground after this intruiging new smell until she at last spotted the group of hinds and fawns. She was far too old to hope to catch an adult, unless it was very much hindered by something. Even a fawn wasn't worth the effort from a healthy wolf, for the little creature were swift of foot. But Catalpa knew she couldn't let this opportunity go by! Drawing as close as she dare, the wolfess suddenly charged from the cover of mossy stones and headed straight for the nearest fawn...

*Red Deer*

A loud snort alerted the others of danger. The hinds were facing different directions, so Catalpa was spotted as she emerged from hiding. The herd began to run, terrified by the threat. The targeted fawn struggled to keep up with his mother, but for some reason or another, he was beginning to lag behind a little.... But he was still very closer to her dangerous hind limbs.

Catalpa

Her tounge lolled from her mouth now and she put on a great burst of speed, trying to catch up with the lagging fawn. If she could, her jaws sought the hind limbs, trying to trip up the youngster. With an adult, she'd never do such a thing. But with a youngster, she didn't worry so much about those hooves.

Namir

The cougar had scented Catalpa a while ago and head since headed away without much interest. But after meeting his 'adoptive mother' at the bay, Namir devised a quick bit of action to appease Cortinarri. Now he was back and hiding in the brush and rubble to the side of the herd. He watched as Catalpa stalked and then rushed the group. Waiting for the perfect moment, Namir launched from hiding, flying over the ground in termendous bounds of his powerful hind limbs. With one last push, he sent his muscular body hurtling through the air, ready to collied with Catalpa and send her to the ground.

Catalpa

She gave a yelp of pain and fright when she felt herself being slammed into and hurtled against the ground with such force. Catalpa felt a horrible pressure in her upper hind limb as she rolled over the stone-littered terrace. Coming to a dizzy stop, the she wolf picked herself up and collapsed straight away as a bolt of pain shot through her hind limb and caused it to give way. She struggled up again, bearing no weight upon the limb that looked slightly twisted. It was broken! Catalpa turned fearfully to Namir, backing away with a bristled mane, "What do you want? A wolf is no food to a cougar!"

Bedazzled

The fox/wolf hybrid trotted into the land. She was almost full grown now, and stared at the Cougar. She had met one once before, but wasn't sure if this was the same one. She looked at the wolf on the ground and stared at her twisted foot. but for some odd reason, she felt no since of sorrow for her. She just waited in the bushes and watched what happened.

Namir

Namir grinned, picking himself up as well from the launch. He padded closer to her, "Who said I was hungry?" he mocked, "I just wanted you to meet... a good friend. I think you know her?" He smirked and looked around, seeing if Cortinarri had showed up yet. He hadn't noticed the hybrid yet, but Cortinarri was sure to chance apon her when she came.

Bedazzled

She stared at the preditor and his victum. Amber orbs fixed tightly on them, she had forgotten to pay attention to the surounding that could hide another attacker. Her ears were larger then a normal wolf, but they were fixed on Namir's words and actions. She wouldn't be able to catch anything until it was to late.

Cortinarri

The she wolf had followed after her cougar friend, but was a bit slower than him. Her hind limb was considerably misshapen after her last battle, leaving her with a permanent limp and a leg which wasn't fully functional. By the time she reached the Ruins, Namir had already taken Catalpa down.

Cortinarri grinned brightly, but didn't approach her friend yet; she could smell another on the wind. Moving slow and silent, she crept forward until she spotted the source of the smell; a small creature which she could not place a name on. It smelt of both fox and wolf, which puzzled her greatly. But also, it was very small, reminding her of a pup. Like a striking snake, Cortinarri sprung at Bedazzled, trying to pin the hybrid and grab the back of her nape.

Bedazzled

At the last minute she saw the wolf from the corner of her eye. She jumped out of the way of the wolf grabbing her neck, but the teeth easily grabbed her hind leg. She fell to the ground and gave a sharp cry in pain. Large awkward face was covered in dirt. Making her black pelt very dirty. Pulling up to free herself. But she couldn't. So she quickly turned around, bending herself in awkward positions to bite and scratch the wolf's face.

"LEMME GO!"

She growled and bit furiously at the wolf.

Cortinarri

Cortinarri snarled bitterly as the fangs raked and tore over her face. Gripping tightly, not caring whether her powerful jaws should break any bones of the hybrid, she began to thrash Bedazzled about with furious shakes of her head. One front paw was lifted to bat at the hybrid as well. "Namir, looky what I got." The wolfess mumbled between her thrashing dial and clenched teeth. She wasn't looking to kill Bedazzled though.

Namir

Namir sniffed at Catalpa, eyeing her with a cool disregard, "Be gone, lupine filth. You're lucky my friend has found something more interesting for us to amuse ourselves with." The cougar turned his back on the old wolf and headed towards Cortinarri.

"Hey, that's a pretty interesting thing. Say, what are you?" the cougar questioned Bedazzled as his friend thrashed her about.

Bedazzled

The hybrid let up a high pitched whalling as she was thrashed and pawed at. Hearing her leg bone snap only made the cries more loud and ear peircing. Her head was batted with the paw a few times and she went limp in submission. Willing to die.

Cortinarri

Cortinarri placed a paw over Bedazzled back, "That's more like it." she laughed lightly, pressing her paw down hard and releasing the leg. She moved her jaws to grab the back of the hybrid's neck, but not to kill her. She wanted to carry her to show someone.

Bedazzled

She winced and whimpered and cringed in pain, her leg was limp as well as her body. She only tensed when the wolf grabbed at her neck, but did not resist her.

Cortinarri

He picked Bedazzled up and glanced to Namir. Holding her tail up, she limped merrily towards the Opake Mountains pack where Namir had spotted her mate. She was excited to be seeing him again after her near-death experience.

Bedazzled

She hung limp and gave short whimpers as she was dragged along. Her leg began to throb from the break, she started to think she would never be able to walk on it again. It was misshaped and very unmovable.