It was as if the form was the beacon that called forth her companion from his hideaway. The nameless owl once concealed within the sparse cover of the trees and silently gliding down towards the broad back of his master. Obsidian talons dug into the thick of her back for stability with his wings still spanned to keep his balance. With no word to his summoning he knew his voice was not needed, but an acknowledging nibble to an attentive ear let the beast below him know he was ready to fulfill his duty.
But this was not her hunt indicated by the lack of retort to his pull on her ear. He cast no attention to the male until the auburn topped head turned toward him, heeding his suggestion with forward poised ears. The gleaming eyes of the owl were fixed upon the green-eyed male, studying him like a hare in his sights. His talons gently raked through the thick fur of his master to graze flesh in anticipation. “We’re following him?” he hooted softly, blinking slowly as he returned his gaze to the sullen amber of his handler. “We are,” she woofed quietly for his ears to receive already carrying them off after the ambitious boy.
What energy she managed to muster was well conserved in her strides. Rather than the proud, purposeful march of the hunter, she kept her steps soft and light, exerting little more than what was needed to maintain a trot to keep them going for a little while. No doubt the harem was made aware of the lands they grazed were a hunter’s delight and had moved further into the Wentworth for cover. But even that sanctuary of greens and space was idea for predators to rob them of their weakest link. Upon feeling the tightening on talons on her back, she lowered her ears to signal the bird to keep down, having felt his preparing to take off countless times before. Without a work, she instructed him to keep to her back and remain out of sight from the herd til he was needed. For the time being, he would be reserved as a gambit; a tool to weaken their prey when it was singled out. But for now, it was up to the hunters to first single out their target before charging in teeth and claw for the kill. “Be patient.”