As soon as Roth returned Ragnarok knew she had been successful in her hunt. Dark streaks were smeared across her pelt which were clearly visible even in the inconsistant glow of the moon.
Ragnarok snarled. She had killed and not shared a morsel with him. These insolent she-wolves needed to be taught a lesson. He cared not that they starved like him.
He snarled again. His lips curled back from his gums and revealed the saliva glistening on his bared teeth.
Nimue padded about between the trees at the forest fence. She was agitated. The pups lolloped to her side through the uneven snow and long dead undergrowth. Young as they were they felt his anger as clearly as they felt the icey blasts from the fields.
Ragnarok's shoulders shook. His matted hair stood out in a thousand opposing directions. The moon was reflected in his cold yellow eyes. All the time Roth stood her ground. She did not bow her head. She did not lie at his feet. Neither did she answer his challenge. He breaths were heavy and clouds of vapour escaped all their mouths as they continued their stand-off.
Ragnarok's pounce was rapid. Despite the warning growls it still took her by surprise. His front paws smacked heavily against her side. She was forced down into the snow, winded. Ragnarok opened his jaws. She squirmed to be fee. They scuffled in the drift but he was still far bigger than her despite his lack of food. He let out an unearthly sound. It echoed through the trees and carried on the wind. He had her pinned beneath him. Nimue drew further back. Her own pups behind her she would not get involved for their sake. Her own time would come.
Roth let out a wolf-scream. Ragnarok had bitten at her ear. Blood from her wound mingled with that of her kill. Fellow Warg or no Ragnarok would have murdered her.
Suddenly out in the fields a shout went up. Clear and resonant it was in the night air. Ragnarok leapt off Roth in a single, powerful bound. Her blood was on his chin. Roth was on her feet:dazed but alert.
The shouting of the shepherds continued. Now lanterns could be made out across the open land. They had found what remained of the sheep's carcass.
Ragnarok growled again at Roth. Nimue let out a sharp bark to warn them. The hunters had become the hunted and she had no intention of becoming anyone's prey.
[ December 13, 2002: Message edited by: Auriel Haevasawen ]
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Auriel
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