Savi’s ears perked forward as she raised her nose, sniffing quickly. The smell of waterbuck was getting much stronger, oddly mingled with the smells of other animals as well. None of which seemed to be strongly of other predators that she could identify. However the prospect of a meal interested her far more than what was or was not around. The brown hyena made her way closer, ears alert for the sound of anything odd. However everything seemed quite quiet and calm, the only thing that that might have been odd were the few birds she saw circle over before disappearing ahead of her. The hyena thought nothing of it, likely just some stupid birds returning to their nests, or scavengers off to find a meal. Maybe it was even a good sign, if the latter were true. If Savi could find an easier meal than having to try and take something down herself than she certainly would.
The Sky-Watchers wasted no time informing Strommed of the nearing predator. A lion hyena though? That seemed a bit out of place, however he did not care how many or few there, were but what their intentions were. The patriarch moved quickly across the land of his herd. He may be the leader but he was not one to stand back and let other do a job he could do just as well. The large male slowed as he came to the small grouping of trees and stood beside the trunk of one at the edge of this outpost. He would wait here, and by the avian’s word he would likely not have to wait long.
The smell was becoming stronger as Savi went on, her mouth drooling at the aspect of food. She had not managed to catch much earlier in the day, and hunger was gnawing at her innards. However as she started to near a clump of trees she noticed something standing near one of the trees at it’s edge. A waterbuck. A large one at that, and male, judging by the horns on his head. The hyena paused, hesitating. What was a lone male doing out here? Perhaps he was separated from his herd. But why then did it seem as if he were watching her, waiting perhaps? That seemed such an absurd through that she could not help but snort, chuckling softly. “Nonsense.” She spoke aloud, continuing to move forward. She tried her best to ignore the large male.
It certainly was not long before the hyena came into clear view. It was indeed just a single hyena. Even as his gaze shifted to the horizons no more came to join it. How foolish. This beast must not know that these lands it was nearing were his or perhaps it was hoping to test it’s luck. An angry snort escaped him and his hoof dug into the earth, tearing up grass. He would not wait until this beast was any closer to his lands. With another snort he turned away from the trees and trotted steadily towards the brown hyena.
As much as she tried to ignore the waterbuck she could not help but glancing towards him every few steps. Was he really watching her? It seemed more and more likely as she got closer, until quite unexpectedly he turned and started to move her way. The hyena hesitated once more, pace coming to a halt as she watched the oncoming waterbuck. Was he planning to attack her? Drive her off? A lone male though, was this some mad beast struck ill in the head? It seemed so odd to her, but she had heard stories of those who had gone against a waterbuck’s horns, and she did not fancy those horns meeting her own flesh one bit. However the prospect of food was the only thing that made her stay her ground, aside from a few steps backwards that she took as he neared.
The patriarch came to a halt, staring the hyena down as he called out, voice steady and stern. “What business have you here, hyena? These lands belong to my herd, and if you have any plans to hunt my kin I will chase you out, but if you require aid then I will see that your needs are met before you leave this place.” Strommed fell silent, waiting for the beast’s reply. He stood his ground, head held high, but ready to lower it and charge the animal should it become aggressive.
Savi scoffed. She couldn’t believe this walking meal was actually asking her what her business was here? It was a bit amusing. “Just out looking for a meal.” She said, grinning widely to show off her teeth. She doubted it would intimidate the large beast, but she didn’t quite care. “This smelled like as good a place as any to look.” What business was it of his anyways. She was a predator, and she went where she liked. With that the brown hyena turned away from him and trotted forward. She wasn’t going to let some prey animal scare her off, after all he only looked intimidating, but had done nothing to chase her off or anything. Maybe he had some herd somewhere and was just keeping an eye out. Whatever the reasons she didn’t quit care any more.
The hyena’s reply caused him to narrow his eyes. So then, she was here simply to try and take one of his herd members as a meal. This one needed no aid, and was even so bold as to think she could simply walk into his territory. The patriarch snorted loudly and charged the beast, head lowering as he came closer. “Leave, hyena!” He shouted at her, throwing his head up quickly in an attempt to wound or scare off the beast. Maybe if he was lucky he’d impale her and simply be done with it right there.
Savi turned her head quickly to see the large male charging her, head lowered. She took a few quick side-steps, but he was quicker than he looked. The beast was at her side and the lowered head quickly pulled up. Savi just managed to miss the points of his horns, but his skull caught her in the side. She tumbled sideways, yelping loudly from the pain. Quickly she stumbled to her feet, swaying slightly as pain shot through her side from standing. A loud snarl escaped her maw, however she paused. She was a lone hyena and doubted she could take an adult male waterbuck on her own, and this one seemed even more impressive in size than most she saw.
Strommed stood straight once again, glaring down at the beast. He had not managed to hurt it too bad, but perhaps enough to make it think again about passing him. “The lands beyond are mine, hyena. Let this be a warning to you not to further cross me. Leave!” The final word was emphasized by a stomp of his hoof.
Savi watched the waterbuck for a moment. His lands? Then the strong smell must be his herd. She wasn't about to test him again though, especially not now that she was wounded. So without another word she turned and limped off, fuming at having been robbed of a possible meal.
[Word Count: 1219 ]
