WF80: Taming Attempt #2

The hunting had been good in the Flats. The trio had filled every waking minute hunting and preparing the meat from their prey for travel. Diagrams would need to return soon, Rorin didn’t want to separate him and his handler any longer than necessary especially so far from their natural environment. He also figured there were several other Tokotas he could bring along in the future if he and Orion decided to return out to the Flats.

Rorin figured one more day of hunting would be enough to fill the bags we brought for his and Orion’s food, not to mention it never hurt to have more than necessary especially in a setting like the one they now found themselves in.

With the spring hunting season quickly coming to an end the trio made the best of the seemingly untouched hunting grounds that made up most of the Flats. They had been bringing rabbits, grouse, geese, and pheasants in at an astounding pace. It surprised Rorin that he hadn’t seen much of the native Tokota population as of late however. Although the Flats were a large piece of territory to maintain, the Ila Pack was said to be the largest of the four main packs in Tokotna. He had to remind himself though of why he was out here in the first place, Huntress was a problem Tokota, hunting the livestock of the farmers, so it seemed logical to Rorin that more than just her could be taking advantage of the easier prey.

The sun rose once again, filling the dark sky with colors and light, its golden beams flooding through the canopy over the trio of hunters as they slept on their bed of pine needles and furs. Rorin was the first to rise, he relit the fire that had died some time in the night and reached for one of the skins of water he kept. The Tokotas, Orion and Diagrams, would just find one of the many streams that scored the landscape, but Rorin kept several skins of boiled water with him when ever he left the springs he frequented at home. Grabbing the skin he first took a long drink, his thirst quenched he poured some into his hands and rubbed it onto his face and neck, refreshed, he set about food.

The trio had finished off what they brought the day before so Rorin began cutting into the smoked rabbit he had picked out for himself and threw one to each of the Tokotas who by now stirring. “Alright boys,” Rorin said thumping down onto the ground beside the two Tokotas as they shared their meals, “last day, best day, one more nice take and we can head back to the Foothills,” As they sat around their fire eating, Orion’s ears perked up.

“What is it boy?” Rorin asked, pushing himself onto his knees, reaching for his axe that was leaned against a stump, “Grams, up, Orion to me.” he finished with an edge to his voice. He had feared this would happen, his mind instantly went to the worst possible option.

Here comes the pack you just had to go asking about, here they come to introduce themselves to us, us! the three strangers sitting doe eyed in their territory with a bunch of food; glorious, perfect, what a way to die genius.

“Look sharp guys.” Rorin began, but as the words left his mouth he heard it too, it was feet on earth, a four legged animal to be sure, and big too, but not Orion and Diagrams sized, something smaller. “Hang on guys, I have an idea of who this might be.” Rorin said reaching out to touch Orion.

She came up like a ghost, making only as much noise as it took to touch the ground. They hadn’t seen her since their first day in the Flats, and even then it had been a short meeting. She seemed calm, her eyes moving slowly from Diagrams, to Orion, and finally she looked at Rorin. “Welcome back Beautiful,” he said lowering his axe and taking a step out from behind Orion. “It’s good to see you again, you startled us, we were just eating.” as he spoke he reached into one of the packs and took out another rabbit, “Stay? Eat with us?” Rorin reached out the smoked rabbit for the sphinx to smell.

Tentatively, she reached her head forward, sniffing at the rabbit. She grabbed it “Atta girl, share our fire?” Rorin said with a gesture to the fire. Diagrams seemed to relax, rubbing against Rorin he turned around and went back to his breakfast. Orion walked up to meet their guest and after a quick whiff, he too returned to his breakfast. Setting the axe against the stump once more, and gesturing over to the brown female until she padded over to him, they all sat and ate.

By mid morning the group had finished their meal and the sphinx seemed content to stay with them for the day. “Alright gang, let's check the traps and then we’ll hit the fields.” Rorin said grabbing his day pack, that he kept the unskinned carcasses in and his axe. He took off at a brisk pace, hoping that if he kept the Tokotas they would all stay interested enough and stay close by. As he worked unsnaring the few rabbits he had caught and collecting his traps he whistled a few songs he knew. Orion wandered around the area Rorin worked, followed by the curious female who seemed enthralled by the energy of the younger Tokota, Diagrams stayed closer to Rorin, keeping him company and looking out for him as he worked.

With the easy part of their morning complete, Rorin whistled for Orion who returned with Huntress in toe. Rorin jumped onto Orion’s back, which surprised Huntress, “It’s alright Beautiful, it just makes it easier for us all to get around.” Rorin said with a smile. “Alright gang, let’s head out.” he finished as he tapped Orion on the neck.

As the group reached the edge of the grove they had been sleeping Rorin jumped down from Orion’s back next to Diagram. Orion was excited, the day before he had brought back a few rabbits and before the day before he had brought back a few pheasants. “Go on guys, if you find anything bring it back, whole, if it’s whole you get a snack.” Rorin said as he gave out pieces of meat to first Orion, who took his piece and then ran off into the tall grasses of the Flats, then Diagrams who was a little more restrained in his actions, though not by much, and then finally he turned to Huntress, “That deal goes for you too Beautiful, anything you got.” And he held out a piece of meat to her as well. She took it and as she she ate it Orion came bounding back with a grouse between his teeth, he dropped it at Rorin’s feet and Rorin tossed the treat into the air above Orion’s head. “Atta boy!” Orion snapped the meat out of the air, and ran to the smaller females side. They shared a look and then Orion turned and bounded off again, only turning back to make sure the sphinx followed. “Go on girl, he’s too trusting to be dangerous.” Rorin said with a laugh.

Huntress tore off after Orion, quickly catching up and over taking the younger Tokota and then they were gone, out into the great amber waves of grass that made up the Flats. From his position Rorin could occasionally see their heads above the grasses, but most of the time they stayed low to the ground, hoping to surprise their prey.

The rest of the day carried on that way. Diagrams, Orion, and Huntress, hunting out in the field, bringing back most of what they caught to Rorin and retrieving their prize. The hunters took a break around mid afternoon and as they sat all together Rorin counted the days catch. “Well gang, looks like we might just be able to get out of here as early as tomorrow after all.”