[SpringsSong]

"Come on!  You guys need to keep up!" a feminine voice snapped, followed by the annoyed sigh of a male.

"They're doing the best they can, Mairéad..."



The female sighed in exasperation.  "Dáithí... this hunt is important.  Didn't you hear Mother and Yuki talking about forming more alliances with other packs?  In order to do that, they need to provide offerings.  And right now, we're being slowed down!  How can Mother even allow them to wear the furs of the Darkpaw pack?"

"Mairéad!" Dáithí exclaimed as two more Lucain, larger than they, appeared through the trees.



"We're sorry it took us so long," the male said.  "We got caught up in a couple little scuffles with the local beings here.  You wouldn't believe how they detest something larger than them..."

"But we did spot a herd of Gyrophants on our way," the female said.  "Between the four of us, felling the entire herd should be no problem at all."

[SpringsSong]

Mairéad's eyes lit up almost instantly.  "Gyrophants, you say?  That will provide more than enough meat and furs for peace offerings.  How many were in the pack?  Did you see that, at least?" she asked, and the other female lowered her head as she thought for a moment.

"There were... five younglings, seven adults, and the alpha bull," she said.  "So, in total, thirteen."

"Thirteen?  Even with some of that going to peace offerings, that will be more than enough to sustain the Darkpaw through the next season!" Dáithí exclaimed, and their brother nodded as he chuckled.

"With the four of us, the alpha alone should be no problem.  It's just getting him without getting tied up with all of the others," he said, and Mairéad turned her head sharply.

"We are Darkpaws.  We don't think about how to get to something without getting tied up in other fights, we think about how we can make it through all of the challenges that come our way!" she said, sniffing the air for the scent of the Gyrophants.

[SpringsSong]

"Darina... I do not think that Mairéad understands the caution that we need to take," the larger male said, and the larger female nodded as she chuckled.

"You are right, Risteárd--she doesn't care if she puts herself in danger, so long as she fulfills the calling placed on her as a hunter," Darina said, laughing.  Both Dáithí and Mairéad turned to face their brother and sister, their eyes wide.  Mairéad growled as she crouched.

"We need this meat for the peace offerings with Crimsonstream, Lightshedder, and Shadowstrike!  We don't have time to worry about caution!" she said, and Darina shook her head as she laughed.

"Yes, but do you want to be poisoned?" Darina asked.