Memories of a Lycan

[Sparx]

:v

 

[Charcoal]

A great form sat against one of the many pines of the woodland; its back rose and fell with its long, guttural breaths, moisture forming a thin vapor about its muzzle in the chill morning air. Rising to stand briefly on its hind legs before crashing down onto all four, it began to stride purposefully onward. The deep rust brown of its coat gave it camouflage among the fallen needles and churned up mud beneath, a fleeting image in a mostly silent, and still locale. Several birds rose with a cry before flying off, disturbed as the side of the beast briefly set the tree they sat upon to shaking. Eventually, the wolf-like form came to a halt, bright eyes of a similar off-crimson hue to its coat flicking this way and that, ears briefly prickling and standing upright as some far off noise caught its attention.





It waited like this for some moments, head bowing, legs curling, muscles tensing as all went still but for the now quietened sound of breathing.

 

[Sparx]

Fisher was following Eagle's lead, but he walked at a much quicker pace, leaving her behind. Her jaws parted in a yawn, eyes drooping with fatigue. She was not used to being up this early. Once she finally caught up to the alerted Eagle, her eyes moved in the same direction. "What is it?" Fisher asked, concern perking her up.

 

[Charcoal]

His head rocked to the side, mouth opening briefly as he exhaled.





"Something large stopped abruptly ahead - wasn't sure if it was turning towards us." He went to pad onward again, briefly ruffling his body as he relaxed - only to halt again and turn to look in the other direction, eyes narrowed and hackles raised.





"Something else - smaller. Grazing most likely."

 

[Sparx]

The grazing creature appeared to be an elk doe, lagging behind its herd. As it walked about in the meadow, Fisher easily saw why - she was limping, a back foot damaged from being targetted before. She would not last long. Fisher silently pulled her bow from the strap around her and drew an arrow, eyes suddenly intense. She did not see a large figure and so was not concerned. Fisher waited for it to turn with its side facing them, on the border of the meadow. Her arrow was pulled back; she was ready, aiming.


Suddenly, a large, dark brown beast burst from a nearby part of the meadow. It was grizzly bear. A huge, male grizzly bear. Startled, the doe began to run, but she was too slow with her damaged foot. The beast quickly caught up, slamming down onto the doe with its massive weight and clamping down onto its throat with powerful jaws. The doe cried out, but it was in vain. She soon went limp, and the beast dropped her.


Shit, Fisher immediately thought. Without saying a word, she began backing up into the forest, hoping the bear wouldn't notice them. But it reared its large head, releasing a spine-tingling roar before charging at them. Fisher fired her arrow, but it only grazed the beast's back as it ran. Her heart hammered in her chest to the point of hurting, limbs shaking. What could they do?

 

[Charcoal]

Eagle let his legs coil, lowering his stomach to the ground, tail kept still behind him. Both copper coloured eyes narrowed, pupils still and observant, a kind of sharpness about his features and his head as he concentrated.





"Do, we run, or. . .?" the question died in his throat as the ursine attacker reached them, rearing up before throwing itself into a downwards swing at where Eagle, had, stood. His coiled legs had let him bound to the right, falling into the same posture again and continuing to circle with the beast captivated by his form. Periodically his eyes would flick to Fisher, watching her posture and the drawn bow.





"If. . . I draw it. . ." The words were quickly silenced by the hoarse breath of the bear, it now swiping briefly with left claw, and then right, left again, several more swings succeeding these. Eagle ducked several times before he turned to back away only to be caught across the flank, a grazing blow but enough to illicit a yelp. Again the two stood still, the wolf-like being snarling as the bear looked on with a comparable expression, eyes focused on the unfortunate prey.

 

[Sparx]

Fisher fired another arrow at the bear, and this time it hit, but on the neck just below the head. The beast roared in fury and pain, now turning to Fisher. Her body still trembled but she stood her ground, as running was not an option. She drew another arrow, but she had heard many tales about these resilient creatures. The arrow still may not have been enough.


"Fisher, duck!" Came a familiar voice from behind. Fisher quickly obliged, and a large knife flew skillfully through the air. It pierced the beast between its eyes, and it fell to the ground with a mighty thud. Fisher rose to her feet and turned to their savior, Owl. "Mother..." She began, but she could not find her words.


"Where is Eagle?" Owl asked, urgency still in her voice.


Fisher turned to see Eagle still in the same spot and ran to him. "Are you alright?" She asked him, seeing blood staining his fur.

 

[Charcoal]

He looked down at his side, face returning to a neutral expression.





"Nothing major." Contrary to the concern offered to him he turned, going once again to stride off. "Save whatever medical advice you're going to give me." He turned to look back at them whilst observing the bear, giving it a firm nod after a moment.





Continuing onward brought him to a particularly large pine, outlined in moss amidst the other, plainer inhabitants of the woodland. He waited here and nodded back at them, before a set of quick hoof beats broke the silence and stirred up the leaves ahead.





"Several up ahead - we might catch some if we hurry."

 

[Sparx]

Fisher sighed at Eagle's stubbornness as he walked off, but the same breath was also in relief. Owl quickly returned to her state of calmness she normally carried, pulling her knife from the bear's head. "Just be more aware of your surroundings next time," Was all she said, directing it to both of them.


"Yes, mother," Came Fisher's dejected response, ears and head flattening in disappointment for herself. She was young, but she had higher expectations for herself.


Fisher and Owl heard those familiar hooves as well, heads turning in their direction. "I will take this new meat to camp," Owl announced. "Seeing as you're both alright, go and catch your first elk." She smiled at her daughter, handing her a few more arrows.


Fisher returned her smile and nodded, then took them before hurrying in the direction of the hoof beats until she could see the herd running. She drew another arrow and looked back to Eagle as a silent way to ask, 'Are you ready?'

 

[Charcoal]

His breath slowed, became controlled, and he nodded a silent reply before uncoiling and lurching into sprint. Coming into ear shot of the herd several called to the rest of the herd before the mass of elk swerved away, some lagging behind whilst others accelerated on and mingled with the forerunners. A flash of fangs and several more ran leftwards away from the group, some moving quicker than others. Two remained at the very edge of the expanded group, the slowest of which Eagle threw himself towards, aiming to land atop it.





The elk swerved again, Eagle narrowly missing before landing and skidding across the pine needles beneath - he spared but a moment to look to Fisher with a nod to her bow, before continuing to run after the still crazily running horde of hooves and soft, earthy coloured hides.





Again, several were slower than the rest, falling back to run beside Eagle; barging leftwards took one by surprise, it tumbling to the floor before attempting to scramble back up. Another expectant look was shot in the direction of Fisher, again his eyes briefly resting on the bow, and then on the elk.

 

[Sparx]

To her own irritation, Fisher's limbs began to tremble once more. She was nervous, very nervous, as she was still working on her aim. Eventually, he perfect opportunity presented itself. Eagle's expectant gaze only furthered her anxiety. Fisher shook herself from these thoughts, though, realizing that she was being ridiculous. She concentrated on her target, aiming for its lungs as she had been taught and shown countless times. Finally, she released the arrow, and this time it hit its mark. The elk fell hard onto the ground, and it soon passed, thankfully. Fisher released a loud rush of breath. Had she been holding it?


She strapped her bow back around her and sprinted towards Eagle and their fresh elk, her face lighting up with excitement for her first large kill. "We thank you for allowing us such banquet, our Mother," She prayed at only a murmur, eyes taking in the creature with fondness. "Well, let's take this back to camp!" Fisher said with vigor one rarely saw from her.