7 April, rolling hills, plainsrunner territory who: Brindle, Nightfall, Bramble, Dara, Sureflight, Zirek, Silverthorn, Surfsinger, Shiver, Tacit, Clearbrook, Cutter, Akira, Firesong Summary: a large party goes in search of a herd of mutated shagbacks. In the end, the bull uses blacksending, disabling many of the hunters, and Dara, a catelf, is killed along with her bond. Nightfall carries the bodies to the campsite, to one of Dara's tribesmates there. Arroyo A small arroyo in the wide grassy plains. There is a wind sculpted black pine growing here. The branches of the tree are near to the ground and in their shelter a tiny spring bubbles to the surface and runs off to the southwest in a narrow rivulet no wider than a single stride. The prairie grass is short here, cropped by some grazing creature. A scattering of blue gentian and the bright yellow of poppies make a brave showing of color. It's afternoon, later in the afternoon but there's still a while until dusk. As the hunters gather on a low grassy knoll overlooking the canyon-valley cut plains, one elf stands in their midst. His name is Windhawk. He's a plainsrunner scout, and his chief has given him charge of getting people out where they need to be. "Chief's gone on ahead to track 'em." he explains to those gathered around. "But these are the instructions he left." The scout motions to the vast expanse. "We've tracked the herd to a place not so far from here. And there's an old, dry river valley only a short ride away. What we need to do is harry the beasts over the edge of it." He looks about at the various bonds elves may have brought with them. "Those on wolves and cats will take the flanks. Those on foot will harry from behind." He glances to the lone full blooded seaelf, knowing she's along for the strength of her sends. " Surfsinger, here, will be our link back to base camp." He eyes the healer. "I want you to hang back unless you're needed. Don't want a lifesaver killed in the thick of it." Eyeing each of the others, he straightens. "Questions?" There's likely a few. Brindle stands, "What if they come after us rather than running away?" Nightfall thinks quietly on the instructions, then nods her approval. ** Seems quite sound. Those of us with weapons should be on the ready should any of the things turn. ** Bramble pats the back of her quivering wolffriend, Flight. The gray wolf is hyped up and ready to do his favorite activity, run. And Bramble will be relying on his speed and endurance to keep her alive today. Remembering the bony hides of those things, she's left her spear behind, and carries her bow and arrows. Dara doesn't say anything, though her green eyes are thoughtful. She left the jungles to come back for the festival, leaving even her lifemate behind for a time. Here she is, quiet, shy, not talking much to anyone, and probably not even noticed. But she has her bow and arrows, and she will harry the beasts as directed. She can hunt, after all, that's the one thing she is good at. Sureflight checks her arrows and nods her understanding. She hopes those herbs she ground her arrowtips into will work. If not, well it's not going to matter much anyway is it. She has her own relay with Tacit going on. **The weaker hunters should link with the more experienced ones. It might give us an edge** The plan has been mentioned before, Sure just thought she would remind others of it. Zirek cracks his knuckles. "Just point the way." He grins a little, even though he wishes to the High Ones he still had his great bird. Would have made this far, far easier. Even those monstrosities would be afraid of a giant hawk, surely. Silverthorn arrives at the Grand Arroyo from the Rolling Hills to the north. Surfsinger shifts a little uncomfortably. She's astride one of the Plainsrunners tame no-humps, and quite frankly, she's not really thrilled about it -- for all that it was her idea in council. The creature's not at all like the wolf her soulsister occasionally has her ride. Not in the least. (To begin with, it stinks differently.) Even so, she nods to the plainsrunner in charge. She will lag behind, the link going from Silverthorn, to her, and back to her daughter, who can relay it to DawnStar. Elfin telecommunications at its best. Shiver sits astride her black wolf, Blackfrost. The idea of hanging back is only partially appealing to her. She /is/ a wolfrider, after all. But, when push comes to shove... she knows what her role is here. Keep people from dying. High Ones willing, she won't have to overtax her gifts, but she's not greatly optimistic. Silently, she nods, and adjusts the satchel over her shoulder. Silverthorn nods at the directions and turns towards Surfsinger. Nodding once at the feel coming through the link, she whispers up to her soulsister. "If it starts to run, bite it. Hard" The she edges her big wolf forward. "If we are going to do this, let's do it!" Tacit rides her big grey not far from young Sureflight, sharing the sendlink with her to sharpen the younger elf's aim. She simply nods to the directions, agreeing with Silverthorn. Time to ride. Time to hunt. Her bow is already in her hand. Windhawk glances to Sureflight and nods. "That's not a bad idea," he notes. "And, remember. Distance weapons are /key/ here. We /don't/ want to get too close." He lost his lovemate, Grassrunner, to the great beasts before the first stampede. This hunt is personal... but he's not stupid. Nodding, then, the scout smiles tightly, adjusting his spear. "Okay." he says with a sharp look and a shrug. "Let's do this. Move out." And he starts to lope towards the valley his chief indicated. Zirek follows on foot, looking grim and determined. Her role will be to help get the wounded out of the way of hooves and teeth. If she can. Nightfall nods and mounts up on her wolf, bow at the ready. Her eyes scan the horizon, looking out for the telltale dust that should indicate the ugly creatures. ** Shall we, then? The quicker the better, yes? ** Bramble urges Flight into motion, though she does hold him back, conserving his energy for when its really needed. Like retreating if necessary. She looks over at her tribesmate and answers Nightfall. ** Yes, the quicker these things are dead the better. ** Dara has her bow ready, and she nocks an arrow, adjusting her quiver so it's easier to deal with. Not a word is sent or spoken, as she moves fluidly, with the grace of the cats she admires so, taking up her position. Surfsinger gives Silverthorn a wry smile and a dry chuckle. ** I'll do what I can. ** she says, regarding the no-hump. As it is, she must look strange to any one that knows her -- dressed up as a mainlander and sitting astride the tall creature. Certainly she feels strange. Still, her teachers were thorough enough and she kicks her mount's flanks hard enough to make it move, following the already moving Windhawk and the others. Zirek follows at a steady pace, keeping his sword sheathed until the monsters are at least in sight. Sureflight pulls out an arrow to knock it, as the wolf beneath her takes off to it's place. She has borrowed her mate's bond for this hunt. And wasn't he oh so thrilled by that! Well, she managed it, now she must get that silly wolf to do what she intends for it to do. She had to promise.. oh let's not go into that. Arrow nocked, she waits the command. Shiver leans down over Blackfrost as the dark maned wolf starts to lope after the others. The pair begin to sweep to the side, pacing the hunters, but staying out of the primary thick of it. Her satchel of salves, which may come in useful if her magic doesn't, hangs against her hip, one arm tucked tightly against it to keep it from jostling. Silverthorn kicks her wolf into the middle of the line. She wanted to hunt when she finally got back on the mainland. Nothing will stop her from enjoying every minute of this one. Monsters huh? Not like she hasn't had her share of those in her life. With a sea-elf trident in her hand, she leans forward eagerly, ready for the hunt! Grey surges forward, sweeping ahead now, Tacit directs him to split along one flank of the group in preparation for the eventual divide she knows will come. Her mind reaches out to Sureflight, encouraging the maiden to keep pace with her, Grey's chuffs as the leader of his pack enough to keep Sorrel's bond in line enough to keep up with him. A dust cloud rises up in the distance, faintly seen above the next knoll. Windhawk continues to run, setting the pace for those on foot. As crests the rise, he sees their prey. ** There! ** he switches to sends, though Plainsruners are not the strongest of the sending tribes. He's been a scout long enough to have developed some skill at it. ** <> Split up and flank them. <> Sting them from behind. Let's get them moving! ** Brindle hangs back some, letting the others go in front while she keeps an eye out for everyone who nears the beasts. Her knife is drawn and she is ready to defend the fallen to the death. Woodbiter looks around at the other bonds, sending wolf-style to those who can hear him. He carries Nightfall with pretty good confidence, and knows her hunting style. He watches for any younger, skittish wolves who might need help. His elf nocks an arrow, two more in her teeth, eyes on the prey. Nightfall directs him to veer off to one side, her arrows harrying their flanks and backsides. The arrows aren't all that fancy, nor that special, just tipped wood, enough to stick in thick hide and irritate. Woodbiter looks around at the other bonds, sending wolf-style to those who can hear him. He carries Nightfall with pretty good confidence, and knows her hunting style. He watches for any younger, skittish wolves who might need help. His elf nocks an arrow, two more in her teeth, eyes on the prey. Nightfall directs him to veer off to one side, her arrows harrying their flanks and backsides. The arrows aren't all that fancy, nor that special, just tipped wood, enough to stick in thick hide and irritate. Bramble joins the ground headed to the right side of the herd, bow at the ready. She lets loose a loud howl. "AYOOOOOOOAH!" Wolfrider on the hunt, get out of the way. Dara heads off at a run now, intent on getting near enough the prey that she can't miss. She's a good shot, but she wants better odds. So this is what she does, loosing her arrow as soon as she thinks she's within range, swiftly nocking another, as she drops to one knee for better aim. With the help of Tacit's knowledge of wolves, the half-sea elf settles down to business. Sureflight learns to go with the wolf beneath her, not fight him. She follows the ones who are to flank on the right with her bow half-raised for now. There are not lots of arrows to waste, she will try to make each one count. **I had forgotten how ugly they were. And the stench** Zirek keeps an easy loping pace going, conserving his strength for the battle. He joins the howls with a yell of his own, sword out and waving to make himself seem larger and pointier to the dim-witted prey. Surfsinger pulls on her no hump's mane to keep it in check. She does carry a trident of her own across her back, but she's not supposed to get close enough to use it... Someone has to relay, after all. Even so, she watches the others surge ahead and her jaw tightens. She sends a thought winging to her soulsister, eyes tightening as she bends over her mount. Shiver lift her voice in a howl as well. If nothing else, she figures it might spook the herd into running away. And that's what they want, right? Run away and run over the cliff. She's all for that. No running into elves and trampling people. That would be bad. It will hurt. "Aayyyyyyyyyoooah!!!!!!" Silverthorn joins in the howl wholeheartedly. Surfsinger's head should be pounding from all the backlash. This is how to live! One hunt at a time. The small wolfrider urges her wolf deeper into the line flanking the beasts. She won't eat any of this meat, but she will make sure it is wasted! Tacit knocks her own arrows, glancing to Sureflight over her shoulder, pleased to see her adapting so quickly. Her attention returns to the chase then and even she gives a full throated howl. The pair tipped their arrows before riding out with a bit of poison they gleaned from Briarholt before coming. Usually, Tacit is the last one to suggest such tactics, but with the monsters they've faced? It seemed like a good idea. Not like anyone's going to eat that meat afterward anyway. And maybe it'll slow the big suckers down (even if they are being driven over a cliff). All the howls startle the beasts to say the least. In the center of them, one raises his ugly head and lets out a scream that is a cross between that of an enraged bull and an enraged cat. About him, the herd begins to swirl and further screams can be heard. The far side of the herd begins to run, while the near side of the herd starts to circle around in a flanking movement of their own to protect the center. Brindle ducks as an arrow goes whizzing over her head. She keeps her eyes wide, watching for what direction the beasts will run. She has picked the two or three elves who look like they will need the most defending and places herself in an intercept position should the beasts come that way. Her trollish knife is drawn and ready, for all the good it would do against these beheamoths. Nightfall joins the howl with a loud "Ayoooooooah!" accompanied by her wolf. Her arrows are as well tipped in a ground herb Redlance had told her about sometime ago; he'd assured her it didn't speed the killing, only confusing whatever you were hunting. It felt like a hive of bees stinging, as he'd described it. Her arrows almost always hit their mark. As the beasts change their movements, Nightfall narrows her eyes. ** I wonder what they're defending? ** she sends to no one in particular. Bramble lets her own arrows fly, quickly, but trying to make each one do some damage, even if its only a sting. She keeps up a running commentary. "Come on little beasties, go that way. No, the other way! That's right run." Dara glances towards Bramble, and then continues what she's doing. for once she doesn't notice the flanking motion, too intent on chasing those beasts away over the cliff. She is intent, and not a cub, used to hunting, good at it. Her arrows fly, made by the master weaponsmaker Lothar, stinging where they strike. One, another. One misses, but the next flies shortly after. Sureflight has picked out her first victim and lets fly the arrow. True to her name the arrow hits on the rump of one of the bulls in the back. She hopes to make the back of the herd run faster, pushing the front ahead of them and over that cliff right? Zirek flashes his brightmetal sword around, catching the rays of sunlight to hopefully confuse the beasts as he charges forward. Ayep. Surfsinger's head is pounding, no question. So is her heart. She would facepalm in response to her wolfrider sister, but that would require her either letting go of her trident or of the mane of the no hump and she's not doing either of that. Instead, she just starts to laugh, probably being infected by the dang wolfrider's enthusiasm through their bond. Thanks, sis... The no hump settles into a pacing stride, the seaelf falling behind a little. Can't act as a relay in the thick of it, after all. Shiver continues to pace the group, eyes sweeping the herd. Being farther out, she has a little bit better vantage perhaps? At any rate, it doesn't take much for her to deduce: ** They're protecting the herd leader! ** At least, that's her guess... the first big bull that sounded off, right? Maybe? Silverthorn snickers at the send from her sister and listens to the sends from Shiver. **Which way??** She urges the big male wolf closer towards that side. Eyeing a likely target, she jabs her trident at one of the big shagbacks belly, hoping to skewer it in passing. Blood scent should make them run faster! Tacit releases a smoothly shot arrow at the same big lunk Sureflight aimed for. The things are big, she reasons, might as well work on taking them down together -- and maybe spurring the others to move. Her arrow drives into its ribs and she can't help but wonder if the poison will have any effect at all. Windhawk's send rings out. ** Distance weapons! Distance weapons only! <> ** Still far enough back, he continues to lope, letting out a whooping shout of his own to try and spur the beasts. The beast that was flashed with light hardly pays it any mind, tossing its head and following some sort of sense other than sight it seems. The one that was struck in the flank and the ribs, cries out however, a screaming roar, and twists towards its attackers, breaking off from the herd. The sharp fangs in its bovine/serpentine head drip and its snake tail lashes. The poison doesn't seem to even slow it down in the least. The rest of the herd continues it's flanking and running. Brindle moves to a position by the one who jabbed the beast, ready to assist, or make retreat easier with two running in different directions. She doesn't engage it directly, just ready to help out the single elf if she is attacked by the beast. Nightfall shoots quickly, each of her arrows now aimed for the throats of any of the beasts who tosses its fool head up, including the one that turned around to bellow. Her wolf growls back at it as he darts along the flank, weaving around to hit the most creatures and to let them know he's there. Bramble continues harring the beasts with her arrows. Figuring those behind her will take care of any that veer off from the group. Those should be easy enough to take care of once they've dealt with the main herd. Hopefully. But she does have one thought. ** Maybe if we kill the herd leader they'll be easier to handle? ** Dara continues to ride, shooting one arrow after another. A beast turns towards her, its tail lashing, and charges out of the herd. Sureflight barely dodged out of the way before the beast turned on her. She swears and digs out another arrow, nocked and ready. She fires back at the one following her, urging her mount faster. **stupid beast.. you need to go that way** Zirek plants himself near the rear of the herd, ready to dart off to engage any that might turn back toward the vulnerable elves behind them. He keeps up the yelling and the waving of the sword, but is not fool enough to dash into the monstrous sea of animals. Surfsinger swears softly as she watches the monsters start to split and charge. This wasn't in the plan, was it? They remind her of a pack of manyfins... Well, sorta. In a loose kinda way. She hisses, grippint her trident tighter and urging her mount to keep up with the tail end of the hunting party. The no hump tosses its head, snorting as its rider tries to convince it to weave back and forth behind all the others. ** Stay out of thier way! ** The healer sends desperately and generally. This is not good. Not good at all. She feels Blackfrost's muscles tense and bunch beneath her with each stride as she races along the flank that seems to be the most directly engaged with the beasts. Silverthorn swears in time with her sister, trident pulling back from the beast's hides. **It's not working, they aren't turning with our wolves.** She keeps her mount riding just outside of the reach of those heads. **If this doesn't work ..quickly.. ** She doesn't finish that send. Tacit swears silently, Grey dodging out of the way as the beast turns and charges. She twists, aiming an arrow for its throat, hoping to hit and hoping that that will drop it when nothing else will. Her mind tracks with Sureflight, and she sends, ** Watch your flank! ** Clearbrook arrives at the Grand Arroyo from the Rolling Hills to the north. Need to watch out for the tails, too. Some have stingers on them, some have only rattlers. As it is, the herd sounds like a thundering, rattling, hissing conglomeration from straight outta hell. By now, most of the herd is running, only a couple of hands of them splitting along the flanks to see about harrying the hunters away. One of the beasts drops from a slash to its throat. Another to Tacit's arrow. Some of the running herd stumble on the bodies of creatures felled by the several arrows sticking out of them, but they keep going. They actually appear to be heading for the cliff... Windhawk races behind, directing and giving orders on behalf of his cheif, ** Watch the split! Keep away from their tails! ** Nevermind their heads. In the center of the herd, the master bull starts to pull ahead. He can be tracked. He's half again the size of most of them... But he's out of reach. Brindle just darts here and there, ready to help whoever engages one of the beasts. Nightfall sits her wolf as calm as possible, her expression showing only calculation. She pulls a larger arrow from her backsling, aiming at the middle, hoping it will hit. He seems a more stationary target than some of the others. What they really need, though, is fire. There is nothing that isn't afraid of fire. But she shoots, and prays. Bramble urges her wolf for a little more speed, she's got her eye on that big one. She pulls out her special arrows, those that have sharp barbed heads shaped by a certain treeshaper she's related too. She fires at the biggest beast, aiming for the eyes, always a vunerable spot. One of the big beasts goes charging towards Dara at a speed that belies the massiveness of its size... or is perhaps enhanced by it. The catelf twists, sending more deadly arrows at it. They bounce off the bone plates over its back however as it starts to run her down. Sureflight swears as she can't seem to shake the one on her tail. Bending down close to her mate's wolf, she rides now, not bothering to shoot. Someone will have to get rid of it for her this time. **Tacit!!** Zirek runs after Dara and the beast charging for her. He tries to maneuver so the beast will run past him and he can slash at its legs as it passes him, intent on its moving prey. Surfsinger sends a thought winging back to the base camp, to update them on just what's happening here. She spurs the no-hump faster, flanking the runners, holding on for dear life and scanning the scene with growing apprehension. Why does she feel like she's back in that greatfin attack? Shiver's send rings out towards Dara, ** RUN!! ** She doesn't know the catelf, but that creature looks like it's getting awfully close. Blackfrost starts to cut across the grass, now, angling towards the herd. The healer's tried to be good, but at the rate things are going... She knows she's going to be needed all too soon. Silverthorn sends her trident into the side of one of the beasts still running towards the edge, trying to get into where the master one is. **Why don't this cursed things DIE!!** She howls her frustration and then howls again louder at a send. ** Sureflight!! ** Tacit swings Grey around and races towards her protege at an oblique angle (so that the other maiden /isn't/ in the way of her arrows). Limited arrow supply or not, the archer starts firing mark after mark at the creature to keep it away the halfblood. ** Bank left! ** she calls to Sureflight. ** NOW! ** Having been rather quiet until this point, Clearbrook hunkers down further on her wolf's back, urging her bond faster. She sees the danger the others are in, but knows she's to far to be much help. Yet, that is the direction she is heading in, towards the cat elf, hoping she can help her, if she's quick enough. The huge running beasts can quite easily outdistance a runner on foot, so the best anyone chasing the beast chasing Dara might be able to do is swat at its stinger tail... The arrows sent towards the master bull fall fall short. He /is/ out of reach, and purposefully so. Instead, they bounce off of boney back plates and ricochet into the earth. Most of the herd, now, is racing perpendicular to the cliff. The master bull turns, roaring defiance. He /does/ look different than the others. He has a felinoid look to him, though the shagback characteristics are still very evident. As are the serpentine aspects. His face is that of a shagback's with the jaw of a feline. He has only one head but the bone ridges still run down his back. He has two prehensile tails and claws on his front feline paws, his hindquarters still that of a shagback. He twists, now, and runs in completely the opposite direction to the hunters, heading for the far outside of the herd, the rest of the creatures surging in to fill the gap and keep the elves from him. Brindle still runs after Dara, useless as it might be for the elf on foot to try to follow the four-footed chase. Nightfall swears and nudges her wolf closer, as close as he'd go for now, and continues to shoot her Shaped and tipped arrows at the things. She tries to go for vulnerable spots. She even sends to the things, growling, snarling sends to make them think that there are more elves closer to them than the ones they see. Bramble lets loose a few earthy words as the beasts don't appear to want to go where they want them to go. And the big one is out of reach. She looks back trying to get a picture of what's going on with the hunt, but isn't close enough to help any of the ones in trouble. So she lets fly with her arrows. At least lets try to kill as many of these things as they can. Sends. Funny you should mention sends. Because, by now, the electric feel of the bad magic should be just rolling over the elves, red hot and burning. But, what makes it worse is that when the master bull reaches high ground away from the general melee, he turns back to face his opponents. And he screams. As he screams, however, he sends. It's a blacksend, twisted and strong. It's enough to send whitehot lances of fire through most elfin brains -- particularly those hightly sensitive to magic and sending. Dara pitches against her cat, crying out at the pain of it, a hand going to her head as the beast chasing her lunges for her, its maw open wide. On that sudden command, Sureflight obeys the send of her chief and mentor. Wheeling the wolf instantly to the left, she rolls underbelly to make sure she's out of the way. It's not something she wants to do really. Very bad memories here. Zirek is caught up short by the awful sending. He's probably not got it as bad as some, not being that great a sender in the best of circumstances. Still, he struggles with the absolute panic of the familiarity of blacksending. Is /she/ here? Surfsinger is absolutely affected by sending. She's a strong sender after all. And even being far back in the pack... She cries out against the pain that lances through her skull, tucking her head against the mane of her no-hump. Her hand whitens in its grip around her trident and she hisses. All she can think of -- beyond the pain -- is about the seawitch so long ago. Fishguts! Shiver is a magic user, a healer and a sender. She has to use her own power to shield herself and keep the pain from overwhelming her, even while she races for Dara and the others. Puckernuts... Who /made/ these things?? Silverthorn screams out in agony as the sends hit her. Pain! She clutches at her head as both soulsisters reflect the black sends between them. One bouncing off the other. If she could keep a thought she would remember the witch.. and the wolf beneath her howls out in agony as he tries to get his rider away from the beasts now. The large wolf pulls away on his own from the herd. Tacit sends another arrow flying towards the beast that chases Sureflight (and really hopes it doesn't turn to follow her abrupt dodge). Then, however, the blacksend slams into her send-sensitive brain and she cries out in blind agony. She drops the arrow she was reaching for, pitching forward on Grey's neck and clutching at her own head. The wolf twists to avoid a collision course and races after his packmate, ears back and teeth bared with the effort. Age has its benifits at times, but the sensitivity to the blacksending is not one of them. Clearbrook lets loose a feral howl, one hand raising to press her hand into her temple, eyes unfocusing, her wolf shies away, like the others when her rider has lost the ability to function. The beast chasing Dara makes a stunning leap forward, its teeth snapping at her cat's flanks. As the feline screams out in pain, the great beast wrenches the cat's leg from its socket with a twist of its head, sending Dara pitching, her weapons scattering. The bulk of the rest of the herd thunders away, raising a great cloud of dust. The monster chasing Tacit and Sureflight stumbles upon something and twists, missing the wolves as they shoot away. By now, stuck with arrows, it is bleeding heavily and has over exerted itself. The master bull lets loose with another blacksend and a scream, starting to run after his herd into the distance, leaving the last three defenders still standing to fend for themselves. 'One' is angling towards Nightfall, 'Two' is baring down on Bramble, one arrow in its shoulder, another bouncing off its bone ridges, and 'Three' pounds towards its brother that attacks Dara with the intent of bowling over the other elves that still flank him. Brindle is far too slow on her feet, still not having reached Dara, but still running in that direction after recovering from the blacksend. Sureflight is so proud of her mate's wolf. She loves how it runs like the wind now. Or she would if she wasn't screaming into his fur with pain. Eyes shut she tries to ride out the familiar feel of black magic. Clinging tight to who she is, Sureflight bites back the thing that seems to haunt her life. Magic gone wrong. Being in the front of the group of hunters, Bramble is fairly close the blacksending bull. This does not bode well for her as the waves of pain hit her, she bends forward on her wolf, only instinct keeping her own his back. Flight realizing that his elf-friend is incapicated, and a big bad thing bearing down on them, he does what he does best, turns and run at his top speed. Which is pretty fast for a wolf. He heads back towards the other hunters, it doesn't look like he'll stop until he gets back to the festival, unless Bramble pulls herself together. Nightfall bends double over Woodbiter, crying out in pain. Clinging to her wolf, she directs him through clenched teeth and with short words to get away, as quickly as possible. Her bow is clenched in one hand, the wolf's ruff in the other. Dara screams as she goes down. Despite the blacksending, she is able to let off a cry for help, her hands coming up to try and defend herself. Sharp hooves come down on her and she screams again, trying to roll. The creature picks her cat up and flings it aside like a rag doll, quite possibly hitting another elf with it if there's anyone in range. It then sweeps back to the catelf it half tramples and gores her with its horns. The maiden cries out and is flung just like her cat. But when she hits the earth, its with a sickening thud as she bounces once and ends up on her face in the dirt. Zirek runs for the beast that is goring the elf, once more trying to hit it from the side while it is distracted, and cut its leg or legs out from under it. The next blacksend rips across the hunters, Surfsinger cries out again. This time, she drops her trident, wrapping her arms about her head and screaming, trying to block herself from feeding the link she shares with her soulsister and her daughter. She sways aback the no-hump and is in real danger of falling from its back. ** NOOO!! ** Shiver sends, still functioning because her power shields her somewhat (though not entirely) from the beast's sends. Blackfrost goes charging towards Dara's far too still form, racing to get the healer there. Maybe it's not too late... maybe? Silverthorn is only concious out of sheer stubborness, but it's only just. Racing away from the herd, her wolf leads now and she clings for dear life. The wolf pulls all the way back to where his bond's mind leads him. To her soulsister. Catching up with the no-hump, the wolf begins to match stride with it. Jump stupid. Tacit simply clings to Grey's back, desperately trying to block the sends from her mind. There is nothing else she can do. She breaks the link with Sureflight as her mind slips down into primitive wolfthought. It's hard to concentrate, and as such Clearbrook simply lets her wolf do what she feels is best. Run, running is what she feels the need to do, and so does so. As the wolves scatter, taking their riders with them, the chasing bulls only give chase so far before they retreat. The one Zirek slashes it bellows in pain as the sword cuts into a flank. It twists its body to swing its horns around. It also lashes out with one of three powerful serpentine prehensile tails. The one that has the stinger on the end. Zirek goes immediately for the body of the fallen elf, to see if there is anything that can be done. Nightfall straightens just a little bit, enough to squint over her wolf's head. The distance from the big one helps, but her head still hurts quite a bit. She lets her wolf's mind keep her "here" and just rides back towards the ones on foot. Bramble manages to get enough control over her wolf to halt his headlong flight. Her head still reeling, she shakes it to clear it, trying to focus enough to figure out what's going on. Looks like the beasts aren't giving chase, this is good. The plan to drive them over the cliff failed, not good. Dara almost before she hit the ground. She had enough time and instinct to send a thought winging back to her lifemate, but that's about it. The healer will be able to do nothing but take her broken body back to camp for the catelves to deal with in the manner of their tribe. Sureflight manages to claw her way back on top of the wolf. She lays against her mate's bond, gills flapping hard in the air. She is panting hard and a little grey around the edges. Usually that's just not a good sign, but she is uninjured other then that. And she is very aware of just that fact. Jump? Surfsinger would have to be able to /see/ to jump. And right now, she can't even open her eyes. But perhaps she senses her sister's presence, because she topples that way towards the back of the wolf. Zirek is lost in the dance of the battle. He swings the long, sharp sword to try to sever the stinging tail whipping his way while simultaneously dodging the wicked horns and slathering teeth. His strength is matched only by his speed. Even so, a horn brushes his left arm, rending flesh. The warrior doesn't let that stop him, however, keeping on his toes and using his right arm instead. And that very stupid wolf of Silverthorn's actually knew what he was doing for once. There he was in just the right spot. Silverthorn let's out a pained "oof" when her soulsister joins her so abruptly on the wolf. "Some party" she croaks. Shiver slides off of Blackfrost, hands already glowing as she nearly pounces on the body. Too late. She doesn't need her magic, actually, to tell her its too late... but even so. She howls with rage and frustration. She so didn't want to see this happen. She looks at Brindle, her anger at being beaten before she had a chance to fight in her eyes. ** Can you carry her back to camp? ** she asks, eyes already scanning for someone she /might/ actually be able help. **<>** As the blacksending abates, Tacit, panting hard and grunting with pain, slowly pulls herself upright on her wolf. Her eyes search for Sureflight, wanting to see if the girl is alright. When thoughts are once again her own, Clearbrook tells her bond to turn back around. The elder doesn't look particularly happy as she draws her long dagger, having lost whatever other hunting type weapon she may have had when the blacksending started. Zirek might be lost in the battle, but the beast isn't. The sword knicks its one tail, but it has two others that both dart in to attempt to pick the elf up. Can you really reasonably defend against both deadly ends at once? The monster turns its head towards the elf such that the tails reach up over its back and attack around its form. It keeps its long horns down and its exposed and bleeding flanks away from the sword. Brindle leaves the body for the time being to deal with the monster that is still attacking. Not much she can do besides yell at it though. Nightfall still clings to her wolf, as he trots over near Clearbrook's wolf. "Heyla..... Clearbrook...." she manages to get out. Okay, it looks like there's one still alive and attacking. And Bramble looks down to find her bow still in her hands. Okay, lets do something she urges her wolf towards the beast attacking Zirek and lets arrows fly. Her aim isn't as good as usual, but she could still hit the broad side of a beast. Cutter arrives at the Grand Arroyo from the Rolling Hills to the north. Sureflight manages a tightlipped smile at Tacit with that look in her eyes few see. Something will pay for this. She has had her share of magic in her life. Nothing like this is without a price. And for once her eyes reflect the anger she is feeling. Zirek takes a few steps backward, trying to keep his sword between those nasty snakey things and his flesh. He's quick with the sword, even one-handed. He just hopes to whatever powers that be that the cursed thing doesn't try to trample him. He backs a little more, gathering his strength into one great bit of concentration while slashing at whatever comes his way. Surfsinger just groans in response to Silverthorn's comment. "Just shoot me..." she grumbles, wrapping her arms, now, about the petite wolfrider's waist and simply hanging on. She leans her forehead against Silverthorn's back, closing her eyes. "Have to see Cadence..." she murmurs. Need to reassure the pip she's still in one piece. Not sending, though. Definitely not sending right now. Shiver, on foot, begins moving towards the fray. Blackfrost starts to lope after her and catches up enough to remind her to swing onto his back. Growling, she does so and the pair being to circle the beast Zirek and Bramble now engage, staying well back from the fighting. Silverthorn barely manages a nod, letting the wolf take the pair back to safety. Her trident is lost, but that's fine. She will just have to get another one. Tacit chuffs softly, and Grey moves closer to his packmate. The Briarholt scout gives her protege a tight smile in response, reflecting that sentiment right back at her with a serious nod. But, right now, the smartest thing would be to recover. She turns her head however and sees the final beast. A soft growl comes from her throat and she draws out her last arrow. Clearbrook nods absently to her tribesmate and friends, swaying a bit. She catches herself, hands buried in wolf fur. The beast paws at the ground, and just might have begun to charge had Bramble not distracted it with the arrow in its flank. It screams angrily instead and sends its tails lashing in three directions -- one to the front, the others to the side. It gives a little buck, then, and tosses its head, aiming sharp horns for whatever the nearest target might be. Brindle hurls her knife (no, it's not a throwing knife) not having anything else she can do. She screams in frustration. Nightfall swears, leaving her friend's side, and goes for the one creature left, diving at it from the side with her large knife. She goes for that throat, hoping and praying to the high ones she gets it. Bramble tries to stay out of tail and horn range for now. She doesn't have her spear, and knifes won't help unless she gets way to close. So she keeps firing arrows, although they're almost out. Only five left, better make them count. She fires them towards the eyes of the beast, thinking that would do the most damage. "Ayooooooah!" A howl, clearly voiced and terribly familiar to those from LostHolt, rings through the arroyo as Cutter follows his ears to the unforgetable sound of battle. The kinseeker, having already been traveling to the Leafchange Festival, met the runner sent toward LostHolt and raced the rest of the way toward the Plainsrunner canyon. Ashefur, his large, gray bond slows at the sound of piercing scream that is nearly enough to curdle Cutter's blood in his very veins. "High Ones, let them live.." he mutters as he rounds a bend and his eyes catch sight of the ensuing battle. Sureflight reaches belatedly for her own bow. Only to find all her arrows dumped out when she slipped under the wolf. So she turns to watch the others now, unable to do more then that. Surfsinger couldn't care less about lost tridents right now. That's what Fathom is for. To shape new ones. (Uncharitable, maybe, but she's got a massive headache right now.) Aback Silverthorn's wolf, she just stays right where she is with her eyes closed, trusting the danged wolf for once to take them in the right direction. Zirek releases the energy he's been concentrating on in one great burst of levitation, lifting himself up, above the creature's main head views (sure the snake tails could see him, but they're stupid, right?) and then plowing down with all his weight and his sword pointed down right at the base of the spines where the heads meet. Either this will work or he's probably dead because he's not got enough strength to glide merrily away. Blackfrost keeps the healer out of reach of the fray. Shiver continues to growl softly, tracking the other elves with her eyes, desperately hoping no more get dead... Tacit holds her arrow steady, but doesn't release it. There are too many bodies in the way. Instead, she simply holds the arrow at ready. Just in case. Arrows are good. Long as you don't hit the bone plates (and you don't) there's no reason why a deep barb to the flank shouldn't hurt the thing. That being the case, it screams in agony and, eventually, simply turns and tries to get away. It's tails lash, but they are not co-ordinated. And when it turns, smart creature that it is, it runs directly into Nightfall's knife across its throat. Zirek's knife hits home, certainly, but there is the matter of the beast turning its head at a rather inopportune time. He might run the risk of a toss or something of a goring, but it's hard to say. Regardless, strike one beast dead. It falls to the earth with a heavy, ponderous thump. Brindle goes running for the fallen mound of flesh to sort out the bodies. Nightfall rolls out of the way, her wolf going another and breathes a sigh. Nightfall clambers onto her wolf as he darts back towards the rest. She waves tiredly at her chief. You locksend ** Shade, friend and chief. This was a hard fight. ** to Cutter. Ashefur reaches the edges of the fray and skids to a stop as the creature spins around and falls, lifeless, to the ground. Cutter, slips from his bond's back and moves over toward Nightfall, though his eyes dart around the area searching out familiar faces as if taking a head count. Cutter locksends ** What is that.... thing? ** Bramble takes a deep sigh of relief as the beast falls. And she raises a hand and answers Cutter's howls with an "Ayoooooah" of her own. ** Watch it, Cutter. These beasts are bad. ** Hopefully the rest of the herd is long gone, but it doesn't pay to get careless. You locksend ** Changed....shagbacks? I think that's what they used to be. They had... blacksending. Or the big one did. Horrible. ** to Cutter. Zirek falls heavily, and the same weight that helps to push his longsword deep into bone and flesh works against him as the beast raises his head and he falls full-weight on one of the horns. It actually goes right through his abdomen, just off to the side. Mostly flesh, but the pain is enough to send him falling down with the dying monster. Zirek notes blood. Lots of blood. Cutter grimmaces at a locksend then turns to look at Bramble, **So, I've been told.** He glances over at the strange beasts and gives a shake of his head. **Who would have made such a thing?** Of course, there is only one elf that he knows of that could possibly have created such a monster and the expression that comes to his face is not a happy one as the image of that one crosses his mind. He notes that there is one injured elf and suggests, **Once he is healed enough to be moved... perhaps it would be best to get everyone to the Plainsrunners' caves.** And another elf goes down. Shiver lets out a howl and Blackfrost surges forward. As the beast falls dead, the healer is already swinging off her mount and reaching for the body. ** Hold on! ** She doesn't know this elf, but she has a job to do. As the creature dies, Tacit lowers her last arrow. She looks over to Sureflight. The maiden doesn't look well. With a send to Windhawk, the plainsrunner hunt leader, she collects the lass and starts back to the festival site. Windhawk, who has been standing in for Thorn throughout all this, recovers enough to pad into the area where the beast lays fallen. He regards the wolfchief that has just arrived and nods seriously to him in greeting. To the others, however, he says bleakly, ** We'll burn the carcasses, and then we'll go home. ** And that's all that's left to that. Brindle gathers the fallen weapons and makes sure one of the mounted elves takes the body back to camp. Then she assists Windhawk with the disposal of the carcasses. Although, if it seems reasonable, she levels out one of the teeth as a trophy for her fallen fawn. Bramble slips off Flight to help with the disposal of the bodies. She shakes her head at Cutter's query. ** Flashfire went off with a scout group to try and find the source of the creatures. But nobody knows where they came from. ** And their still out there, the big blacksending one in particular. Shiver gets to Zirek's body, her hands already glowing with magic. She looks to nearby elves. ** Help me get him off of this thing. ** she sends crisply, laying hands on his waist and trying to stem the flow of blood. Once someone has stepped in to do just that, she lays him out on the ground and sinks to her knees to begin the healing in earnest. Nightfall sighs and nods wearily, sliding down off her wolf, some of the beast's blood on her. She is near enough to the beast to reach a horn. She hacks off the tip, then looks at it sadly. "So much...hurt, for one hunt..." she says softly, never one for waste or hurt, fully as gentle as her mate, despite being a hunter. Cutter glances over at Windhawk and nods. It's not his holt after all but, he does move over to help move the injured elf as he nods at Bramble's send. He frowns but, remains silent for the time being. Flashfire's a grown elf and can usually take care of himself so, he'll try not to let his worries get the best of him, for now. Zirek groans, hands going to the wound themselves, as if they can do anything to stop the flow of blood. The warrior's hands cover the healer's, urging her closer toward the hole through his body. Nightfall gathers her strength, and goes to Dara's body. She'll take it back to camp, where some CatElves still are. She also guides Clearbrook back. ** I'll take these two ** she send openly. Cutter locksends ** If you run across more of these things... send for us. <> ** You locksend ** Thanks. They're...too hard for Plainsrunners, catelves, or wavedancers to even attempt. We need more riders, and the herd is still out there. ** to Cutter. Nightfall enters, carrying a body, her wolf carrying a cat. She looks at the catelves that are still here. ** I think she...belongs to you. ** Cutter locksends ** The runner is on his way to LostHolt and should be there by the time the daystar rises... More should follow him back. <> ** Akira's covered in spatters of blood from head to toe, little bits of fur still sticking to him. He turns as someone sends to him, and he blinks, raising a brow. Nightfall gently lays Dara down on the ground, and her wolf slides the cat off his back. ** Dara. She was of your tribe? She...died bravely. ** Firesong looks up from a half-doze where she sits in the middle of a thicket in the middle of the campsite that hadn't been there when the hunting party left. She blinks and than sighs in relief. For a minute she thought Nightfall was talking to her, before she was fully aware of who was speaking. She shakes her head and sighs. ** Too young to die that way. ** Anybody is too young to die that way. Akira nods solemnly to the female who brings the dead. ** She fought well then? ** There is some grief, but it is brief and faint -- he didn't know her well, and she died well. ** Will you tell our Chief how she died? ** Nightfall looks up at Akira. ** Is your Chief here? If so, I will tell him. ** Akira nods ** Yes. Kaer is . ** Nightfall nods and will tell him. She is heading for her tent for now, however. (end scene)