A tremendous rumble filled the open air - the sound of hooves relentlessly pounding at the earth. The herd was breathless and clamoring into one another as the wolves drove them to the North, toward their territorial borders.
Eight stayed hot on their flank, making sure to nip and bite when he could between growls, the deer would begin to slow if they thought for a seconde they weren't in any real danger.
With his companion, Benjamin heading up the right side, squeezing them in toward one another was simple enough. Jayne headed up the rear to keep them moving.
The entire group of animals were heading right where the pack wanted them to be, into another set of waiting jaws.
The sun was now steadily rising in the sky, slightly to the right of the direction they were running. Its shine created a perfect mask of light as the herd was driven blindly forward, it was hard to see through and this made leading them all the simpler.
In a matter of breaths, the two wolves were driving upon their brethren, concealed in the overgrowth. They came from both sides, just as planned, Otto to Eight's side and Deogee to Benjamin's.
With a growl and a bite, the large, dark-furred wolf filed in just beside Eight for a moment, turning to him,
"Fall back, Take the rear!"
Eight obliged without a word and fell back to the rear of the pack, beside Benjamin who was already in position. They were now pushing the herd vooruit, voorwaarts as the two larger wolves kept them in check from the sides.
Eight noticed, just opposite of Deogee, farther away from them, the Cougar who kept pace. She disappeared in and out from the brushes and taller grass, but ran along side them the whole way, keeping her distance. She wasn't helping with the herding, of the pushing, she was just keeping watch at this point.
Eight felt a blunt pain that snapped him back, the sound in the world around him faded back to normal volume as he took attention to it all again. He shook his head from the brief pain, probably a rock kicked up from the hooves of the giant deer.
He shook it off quickly and returned to his task of making sure the deer continued forward, biting and snapping, letting them know that he was still back there. A slip up now would probably cost him meer than just a little thrown rock volgende time.
They traveled ever onward, the seconden passing while each wolf maintained an aggressive squeeze on the herd. Everything was going perfectly, just as planned, At this rate, it would only be a matter of minuten til they reached their borders.
Again Eight came close to the treading hooves of these antlered beasts, having to back off, but upon further inspection he realized that it wasn't just him, Benjamin had the same incident. They weren't running faster, the herd was slowing down.
"Come on, boys!" Deogee was heard shouting, "Put the heat on them!"
Eight and Benjamin both lunged vooruit, voorwaarts with new enthusiasm, Eight even got a decent bite in, rather than just the nip he was trying for. The herd didn't budge.
"Its no use! They're getting winded!" Benjamin's loud voice called up loudly.
Eight knew that this was no good, if the herd slowed of stopped, they would be harder to keep track of especially with such a large number and so few wolves. And if they couldn't make them run, the hunt was as good as over.
Still they slowed.
"Plans?!" Otto shouted back and over to each wolf. No response came immediately though, they were all at a loss.
Even Eight could only think of ideas that would only half work.
As the herd slowed further and further, panicked, heavy breaths imitating from the large deer, the wolves knew that this was almost the end of the line.
"We're just going to have to take a few down, We won't be able to hold them once they stop!" Shouted Deogee.
Before anyone could utter another syllable, out rang out a bone chilling screech from behind them, a scream that carried not only through the air to the surrounding areas, but through the bodies, hearts and minds of every deer and wolf present. Eight jerked his head, the same as every Alpha did, to the direction of the sound without stopping the pace of their chase.
The leeuwin had slipped in behind the herd and the team and let out the loudest call she could muster, a terrifying scream that only a mountain cat could utter - the sound of doom to all who heard it. It instilled fear instantly in Eight, who noticed that even the hair on Benjamin's back stood up all the way to his tail.
"We haven't got all day, boys!" She called up to them. door the time they had turned their attention back, they realized the had all fallen behind. The herd had picked back up again and now ran faster than ever. They were difficult to keep up with but it was only necessary to chase them a little further, especially at this point - they wouldn't be turning around anytime soon with the sound of death itself behind them. Each herd member knew now that their problems just went from Wolves to Serious.
The wolves began to slow now as the herd continued on. In only a minuut they'd be back to the Clan's land. And worn out enough to make for an easy hunt.
Everyone came to a stop, just shy of the territorial lines door about 20 yards of so.
Eight's breath caught up with him when he stopped, all that running came back and took its toll now. His legs grew heavy, paws shaky and body fatigued, he could do little else but sit and breath heavily.
The others still stood. Jayne seemed a bit meer winded than his compatriots though.
"My friends," He began between breaths, "I think I may be getting too old for this."
The others laughed and heckled him briefly.
"If you'd not sit around the hol, den all dag pickin' Posies, you'd be able to keep up." Benjamin teased.
"Perhaps, dear friend, but if all I did was work, I'd look as haggard as u do!" Jayne poked back at him with a playful shove and wink.
Eight laughed at their comradery, as he caught his breath.
The leeuwin now joined their small circle, catching her breath as well.
"I have to say, u old wolves really know how to toon a lady a good time." She zei with a chuckle. She was happy, u could hear it in her voice, and tell from the way she spoke. She got something today that she'd not had in some time, a challenge.
"Why miss, Its what we live for!" Jayne laughed and bowed to her in the most formal way he could before being shoved off balance door Benjamin.
They all laughed and chatted for a few moments as the sun rose higher in the sky, Each of them tonen a pup-like zeal and playfulness. They all felt young again, and who wouldn't? They hadn't indulged in fun like this in some time, after all. This is what they lived for, it was good to get back to basics.
"Well Kid, did u learn something today?" Benjamin asked Eight.
Eight thought and replied,
"Yeah, volunteering is a pain in the tail!"
"Haha! Isn't it just that?" Benjamin laughed and patted Eight's shoulder roughly.
The dag passed from morning to noon, the cool air filtered its way through to everyone, weaving in and out of their fur, passing over each extremity, cooling them all after a hard day's work. They'd shout and argue, laugh and joke, even their leeuwin company got in a few good verbal jabs when she could.
It was a wonderful day, and it went off without a hitch, no one could ask for more. This was what life was about, sitting around after accomplishing something great and reveling in it with your compatriots.
"Well," Deogee started, "The task went flawlessly. To tell the truth, I hadn't expected it to go this well."
"Are u kidding? We had this handled from the moment we woke up." Benjamin stated, and added the very cocky gesture of bumping paws with Jayne, who shared in his momentary smirk of apparent superiority.
Smiling, Deogee continued,
"All the same, the Hunt teams have us to thank for an easy kill today, and many kills in the future. I'd say our work here is done." He turned to the Lioness, who now stood, "I thank you, miss, for your help. We simply could not have done it without you. And might I say, u were simply terrifying!" He smiled and winked at her, a little sign of respect and playfulness while they were still on mutual terms.
"Well, I'll give u boys this," She stated in return, looking to each wolf as she spoke, "You're kind, intelligent and strong. Not bad for an overgrown bunch of flea-bags." She smirked at them and they all shared a chuckle.
"If there's nothing else, I'd like to call this business concluded." Deogee stated, looking to everyone for rebuttal. No one had anything to say so he continued, "Again, thank u for your kindness and hospitality. I'll make certain that our entire Clan honors our arrangement from this dag forward."
"I expect it." She began harsh and matter-of-factly but softened her voice as she ended, "And... thank you."
Deogee turned to leave out, and each wolf followed with him, Jayne smiled to the leeuwin as he left, she returned a smile and nod.
They all crossed back over to their territory, the dag had ended for them now, along with the job. Eight stopped and turned to her as she watched them leave.
He didn't have anything to say, in fact, he was disappointed to leave and not return. He looked vooruit, voorwaarts to what felt like a budding friendship between She and him, not to mention how well she seemed to get along with the Alphas, clearly like peas from the same pod. Strong, Proud old warriors.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, huh?" He zei to her across the border.
"Looks that way, pup. But it was a wonderful achievement for you, working with the higher-ups. It won't be entirely forgettable for me either."
She smiled softly, her drill instructor facade had faded, and now what was left to see was a gentle and caring motherly look in her eyes. She was happy, happy that she could share this day, happy that she could live for her purpose again, like she did when she was a younger lioness. She felt useful, not just an old worn bag of bones.
"You're right. I wish we weren't parting so but... if we must, we must, huh?" Eight smiled. "Thanks for everything, Ma'am."
He turned to leave, heading back toward the hol, den rock for some well earned rest.
"Marigold." She called out behind him. He turned around and looked puzzled at first as it sank in.
"My name is Marigold."
Eight stayed hot on their flank, making sure to nip and bite when he could between growls, the deer would begin to slow if they thought for a seconde they weren't in any real danger.
With his companion, Benjamin heading up the right side, squeezing them in toward one another was simple enough. Jayne headed up the rear to keep them moving.
The entire group of animals were heading right where the pack wanted them to be, into another set of waiting jaws.
The sun was now steadily rising in the sky, slightly to the right of the direction they were running. Its shine created a perfect mask of light as the herd was driven blindly forward, it was hard to see through and this made leading them all the simpler.
In a matter of breaths, the two wolves were driving upon their brethren, concealed in the overgrowth. They came from both sides, just as planned, Otto to Eight's side and Deogee to Benjamin's.
With a growl and a bite, the large, dark-furred wolf filed in just beside Eight for a moment, turning to him,
"Fall back, Take the rear!"
Eight obliged without a word and fell back to the rear of the pack, beside Benjamin who was already in position. They were now pushing the herd vooruit, voorwaarts as the two larger wolves kept them in check from the sides.
Eight noticed, just opposite of Deogee, farther away from them, the Cougar who kept pace. She disappeared in and out from the brushes and taller grass, but ran along side them the whole way, keeping her distance. She wasn't helping with the herding, of the pushing, she was just keeping watch at this point.
Eight felt a blunt pain that snapped him back, the sound in the world around him faded back to normal volume as he took attention to it all again. He shook his head from the brief pain, probably a rock kicked up from the hooves of the giant deer.
He shook it off quickly and returned to his task of making sure the deer continued forward, biting and snapping, letting them know that he was still back there. A slip up now would probably cost him meer than just a little thrown rock volgende time.
They traveled ever onward, the seconden passing while each wolf maintained an aggressive squeeze on the herd. Everything was going perfectly, just as planned, At this rate, it would only be a matter of minuten til they reached their borders.
Again Eight came close to the treading hooves of these antlered beasts, having to back off, but upon further inspection he realized that it wasn't just him, Benjamin had the same incident. They weren't running faster, the herd was slowing down.
"Come on, boys!" Deogee was heard shouting, "Put the heat on them!"
Eight and Benjamin both lunged vooruit, voorwaarts with new enthusiasm, Eight even got a decent bite in, rather than just the nip he was trying for. The herd didn't budge.
"Its no use! They're getting winded!" Benjamin's loud voice called up loudly.
Eight knew that this was no good, if the herd slowed of stopped, they would be harder to keep track of especially with such a large number and so few wolves. And if they couldn't make them run, the hunt was as good as over.
Still they slowed.
"Plans?!" Otto shouted back and over to each wolf. No response came immediately though, they were all at a loss.
Even Eight could only think of ideas that would only half work.
As the herd slowed further and further, panicked, heavy breaths imitating from the large deer, the wolves knew that this was almost the end of the line.
"We're just going to have to take a few down, We won't be able to hold them once they stop!" Shouted Deogee.
Before anyone could utter another syllable, out rang out a bone chilling screech from behind them, a scream that carried not only through the air to the surrounding areas, but through the bodies, hearts and minds of every deer and wolf present. Eight jerked his head, the same as every Alpha did, to the direction of the sound without stopping the pace of their chase.
The leeuwin had slipped in behind the herd and the team and let out the loudest call she could muster, a terrifying scream that only a mountain cat could utter - the sound of doom to all who heard it. It instilled fear instantly in Eight, who noticed that even the hair on Benjamin's back stood up all the way to his tail.
"We haven't got all day, boys!" She called up to them. door the time they had turned their attention back, they realized the had all fallen behind. The herd had picked back up again and now ran faster than ever. They were difficult to keep up with but it was only necessary to chase them a little further, especially at this point - they wouldn't be turning around anytime soon with the sound of death itself behind them. Each herd member knew now that their problems just went from Wolves to Serious.
The wolves began to slow now as the herd continued on. In only a minuut they'd be back to the Clan's land. And worn out enough to make for an easy hunt.
Everyone came to a stop, just shy of the territorial lines door about 20 yards of so.
Eight's breath caught up with him when he stopped, all that running came back and took its toll now. His legs grew heavy, paws shaky and body fatigued, he could do little else but sit and breath heavily.
The others still stood. Jayne seemed a bit meer winded than his compatriots though.
"My friends," He began between breaths, "I think I may be getting too old for this."
The others laughed and heckled him briefly.
"If you'd not sit around the hol, den all dag pickin' Posies, you'd be able to keep up." Benjamin teased.
"Perhaps, dear friend, but if all I did was work, I'd look as haggard as u do!" Jayne poked back at him with a playful shove and wink.
Eight laughed at their comradery, as he caught his breath.
The leeuwin now joined their small circle, catching her breath as well.
"I have to say, u old wolves really know how to toon a lady a good time." She zei with a chuckle. She was happy, u could hear it in her voice, and tell from the way she spoke. She got something today that she'd not had in some time, a challenge.
"Why miss, Its what we live for!" Jayne laughed and bowed to her in the most formal way he could before being shoved off balance door Benjamin.
They all laughed and chatted for a few moments as the sun rose higher in the sky, Each of them tonen a pup-like zeal and playfulness. They all felt young again, and who wouldn't? They hadn't indulged in fun like this in some time, after all. This is what they lived for, it was good to get back to basics.
"Well Kid, did u learn something today?" Benjamin asked Eight.
Eight thought and replied,
"Yeah, volunteering is a pain in the tail!"
"Haha! Isn't it just that?" Benjamin laughed and patted Eight's shoulder roughly.
The dag passed from morning to noon, the cool air filtered its way through to everyone, weaving in and out of their fur, passing over each extremity, cooling them all after a hard day's work. They'd shout and argue, laugh and joke, even their leeuwin company got in a few good verbal jabs when she could.
It was a wonderful day, and it went off without a hitch, no one could ask for more. This was what life was about, sitting around after accomplishing something great and reveling in it with your compatriots.
"Well," Deogee started, "The task went flawlessly. To tell the truth, I hadn't expected it to go this well."
"Are u kidding? We had this handled from the moment we woke up." Benjamin stated, and added the very cocky gesture of bumping paws with Jayne, who shared in his momentary smirk of apparent superiority.
Smiling, Deogee continued,
"All the same, the Hunt teams have us to thank for an easy kill today, and many kills in the future. I'd say our work here is done." He turned to the Lioness, who now stood, "I thank you, miss, for your help. We simply could not have done it without you. And might I say, u were simply terrifying!" He smiled and winked at her, a little sign of respect and playfulness while they were still on mutual terms.
"Well, I'll give u boys this," She stated in return, looking to each wolf as she spoke, "You're kind, intelligent and strong. Not bad for an overgrown bunch of flea-bags." She smirked at them and they all shared a chuckle.
"If there's nothing else, I'd like to call this business concluded." Deogee stated, looking to everyone for rebuttal. No one had anything to say so he continued, "Again, thank u for your kindness and hospitality. I'll make certain that our entire Clan honors our arrangement from this dag forward."
"I expect it." She began harsh and matter-of-factly but softened her voice as she ended, "And... thank you."
Deogee turned to leave out, and each wolf followed with him, Jayne smiled to the leeuwin as he left, she returned a smile and nod.
They all crossed back over to their territory, the dag had ended for them now, along with the job. Eight stopped and turned to her as she watched them leave.
He didn't have anything to say, in fact, he was disappointed to leave and not return. He looked vooruit, voorwaarts to what felt like a budding friendship between She and him, not to mention how well she seemed to get along with the Alphas, clearly like peas from the same pod. Strong, Proud old warriors.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, huh?" He zei to her across the border.
"Looks that way, pup. But it was a wonderful achievement for you, working with the higher-ups. It won't be entirely forgettable for me either."
She smiled softly, her drill instructor facade had faded, and now what was left to see was a gentle and caring motherly look in her eyes. She was happy, happy that she could share this day, happy that she could live for her purpose again, like she did when she was a younger lioness. She felt useful, not just an old worn bag of bones.
"You're right. I wish we weren't parting so but... if we must, we must, huh?" Eight smiled. "Thanks for everything, Ma'am."
He turned to leave, heading back toward the hol, den rock for some well earned rest.
"Marigold." She called out behind him. He turned around and looked puzzled at first as it sank in.
"My name is Marigold."
