The hunt

The moment we took a step closer to the deer Kanire animated for us it started running.

We looked at each other, finally we were allowed to hunt on our own, even if the prey was already dead.

Not discouraged by that, we charged, weaving in between of the trees following the glimpses of the deer tail. Even dead it was fast, Kanire wasn't joking when he said it was the same as a living deer.

"Haru, middle, Xerio left, I'll take the right," Janym barked and we quickly did as he said. When it came to hunting, he had the best talent out of us.

Now in formation we sped up, avoiding the trees as narrowly as we could get away with, jumping over exposed roots, ducking under low hanging branches, all just to catch up.

The heat was quickly picking up and the moisture left after the storm started to turn into fog. Still we tracked the undead deer, sprinting at full speed.

It reached the limit of where it was allowed to go. It turned left and tried to escape that way. Xerio seeing a chance charged.

"Care..." was all I could say as the deer rose up on its hind legs, kicking Xerio in the head multiple times. He stumbled back, a small trail of blood coming from a cut caused by the hooves on top of his head. Xerio's defensive enhancements didn't hold up to the barrage of kicks, not even aided by magic of its own. The deer didn't press on any further and started running again.

"Are you alright?" Janym asked as we passed him. "If you aren't feeling well, slow down and follow our tracks. Rejoin once you feel better."

"I blocked the worst of it, it's really just the cut." He growled, quickly rejoining us, but by then the deer already got away.

With no choice but to follow the scent we had to slow down, at least the sun was starting to shine through the canopy of trees to clear the fog away, at least a little.

"Are you sure it's fine?" I asked Xerio, he seemed a bit wobbly on his feet.

"Yes, it's fine. Just a small cut."

"Be more careful next time." Janym said, "For the deer the edge of where it's allowed to go is the same as tall cliff, unless we all go together it will have time to defend itself."

***

Finding the deer again took us very long time and led us around to the other side of the allowed area.

Hidden by the fog patches, tall grass, and the shadows the willows along the river cast in the evening sun, we were able to sneak up on it. Only five body lengths separating us.

It stood still, having reached the limit of how far away it could stray from us. Constantly looking around, it was on high alert, there was no way for us to get closer without it spotting us.

"Xerio, backtrack a bit and get to the other side of the river, we'll try to get it into the water."

"Will it work?" He doubted, "We're this close."

"Can you jump that distance before it runs away?"

"Probably."

"Probably not." I said, Xerio wasn't very good with enhancements and I doubted Dad would be able to clear this, for us it was absolutely impossible.

"The fog is starting to clear up, you go, Haru. Once you are in position howl to make it run away and into us. Follow me Xerio, the water might not be the best option, let's set up ambush."

"Understood." I said. It really was lucky the deer wouldn't move from the spot until it noticed any of us.

I sneaked back and once I was out of earshot of the deer ran into the river and swam to the other side.

It took only a moment and I was on the other shore and sprinting to get level with the deer.

Only when I got there I saw it swimming against the current, trying to get to the other side. On the other side Xerio and Janym were jumping into the water after it.

"I messed up and let it catch a glimpse." Janym barked.

"No problem." I howled back. "Split up and try to force it to me. It can't fight you in the water. I can pounce from the shore."

"Understood." They both replied. Xerio slowed down and let himself get carried down by the stream a little before he made his way directly behind the deer, Janym formed a line with me, the deer stuck between us.

Once Xerio got into position Janym started closing in. The deer was powerless to do anything but keep swimming as fast as it could, which luckily for it was . It couldn't gore him with its antlers as Janym stayed half a body length behind and kicking was completely out of option or it would sink. Not wanting to fall into Janym's jaws it could only swim towards the shore where I was waiting, walking slowly to keep the pincer.

It didn't take long for the two to push the deer close enough. I jumped. Landing on the deer's back I pushed it into water and with a single bite shattered it's neck. It struggled for a bit since Kanire's spell didn't stop working immediately but it didn't cause me any more trouble. I let the current carry me as I was hauling the dead-again carcass to the shore where Xerio and Janym were waiting, shaking water out of their coats.

"Good job. Nice lunge." Xerio praised.

"Thanks," I replied. With one fluid motion I threw the carcass on the shore. "Hunting in the water isn't that bad. The deer really can't do much there. It's much easier than chasing them down through the forest."

Before I could realize what happened my feet left the ground and I fell back into the river. I struggled a bit to find the direction to the surface, but emerged out soon enough. Vomiting water I breathed in, I made my way back to the shore, glaring at those two.

"Try telling me that after you're the one hounding it against the current!" Both of them growled.

"It can't be that bad," I protested.

"Try it."

"Fine, let's eat now so we can go back," I grumbled and quickly stole the liver for myself.