Post by Cinder on Dec 11, 2007 16:10:39 GMT -5
Three Kavari slunk across the desert, feline bodies low to the ground. The massive, tiger-striped form of Cinderflame was in the lead, and with him was a warrior and a trainee.
Two Gemsbok were grazing not far ahead, oblivious to anything. They gulped down huge chunks of the faded-green, stunted grass. Food as rich as that was a rarity in the parched desert, and the Kavari Leader knew that unless he roared in their ear they would not look up.
He flicked his long tail in a signal, indicating the other two hunters to approach cautiously. The warrior obeyed instantly, complying with a lifetime of hunting. The Trainee bounced from paw to paw, eager. It was his first hunt.
Cinderflame frowned, whiskers twitching. They would have to time this very carefully. Forty paces away, thirty, twenty... He swept his tail up. The warrior crouched, short tail twitching. When Cinderflame swept his tail down, they would spring.
But the Trainee was unused to such signals, and took it as an indication to attack. The small Kavari raced forwards, paws pounding on the desert sands. The Gemsbok looked up, wide eyes made wider still by fear. Heedless, the Trainee continued forwards.
"No!!!" Cinderflame roared, voice echoing across the sands. Volume did not matter now. The prey had been lost as soon as the Trainee had mistaken the signal.
Bitter disappointment filled his heart, The Kavari needed food, and they had failed. With the noise that he had made, all prey within a mile would be spooked.
He had failed.
Two Gemsbok were grazing not far ahead, oblivious to anything. They gulped down huge chunks of the faded-green, stunted grass. Food as rich as that was a rarity in the parched desert, and the Kavari Leader knew that unless he roared in their ear they would not look up.
He flicked his long tail in a signal, indicating the other two hunters to approach cautiously. The warrior obeyed instantly, complying with a lifetime of hunting. The Trainee bounced from paw to paw, eager. It was his first hunt.
Cinderflame frowned, whiskers twitching. They would have to time this very carefully. Forty paces away, thirty, twenty... He swept his tail up. The warrior crouched, short tail twitching. When Cinderflame swept his tail down, they would spring.
But the Trainee was unused to such signals, and took it as an indication to attack. The small Kavari raced forwards, paws pounding on the desert sands. The Gemsbok looked up, wide eyes made wider still by fear. Heedless, the Trainee continued forwards.
"No!!!" Cinderflame roared, voice echoing across the sands. Volume did not matter now. The prey had been lost as soon as the Trainee had mistaken the signal.
Bitter disappointment filled his heart, The Kavari needed food, and they had failed. With the noise that he had made, all prey within a mile would be spooked.
He had failed.