Connal stood rigid as he watched Accalia returned to her duties within Homewood. Normally he would keep her in his sights testing her mantle but today his sights lied on another ideal. Snorting his head turned to the North knowing his next strategic decision.
"Padfoot!" he called rather sharply, "front and center!"
Padfoot was nibbling on fresh grass till he recognized the sharpness in Connal's voice. Hurriedly, he scurried as fast as he could to answer the call.
"Yes Sir, I am here", he huffed with lungs expanding inward and outward. If anything irritated Connal's attitude it was tardiness. Those that showed lack of discipline became lazy and otherwise inexcusable.
"Padfoot... good. We have a mission to investigate and fufulfil" he spoke deeply, sharply like a knife.
"Accalia... Sir?" the jackhop queried used to her accompanying them.
"Not this mission Padfoot. It is just us confronting a rising menace", Pausing he turned to look as his bewildered companion, "Follow".
Padfoot wiggled his nose only for a moment then nodded, "Yes Sir".
Together they made their way to Scoria seeking out the task that would bring them into belly of the ruins themselves. A call had been sent out for the strongest nouls in bravery and attack. Connal being part of the "Wolven Lore" sect was apply capable in handling a Cat Beast.
Stepping forward he nodded in respect to the great Forge master, "I Conall under the order of Wolven Lore, am here to vanquish this beast. In my victory I shall bring you proof of its defeat." The bold stallion stood strong with determined glaze resting over his eyes proudly. This above all was a feat he sought to subdue the beast freeing the masses from an invasion possibly. Padfoot nimbly rode atop is strong back leaving the larger buck no room to delay. Rumors spread fast of these enemies inhabiting the ruins possibly feasting on unsuspecting travelers. A perfect job for a capable knight. Upon his leave he stood tall, a subtle dip of his head to Scoria. "Thus I shall return".
As they reached the mouth of the ruins a shiver crept upward towards Padfoot's neck and ears. His sense of smell carried a very promising aroma of Cat Beast urine which was undeniably rank to the familiar's sensitive nose. It was a definite positive answer when he alerted Connal, "Yeah there's one, several here. I can smell them".
Connal snorted pawing his hoof on the ground entering after Padfoot updated the surroundings. This very place took many lives of nouls be they adult or foals. Currently, if the crumbling enclosures didn't claim you these furred brutes would. Best to be on guard and seek out whereabouts before the tables got turned.
"Connal, Sir" came the whisper of Padfoot, "We're being hunted as I whisper to you".
Connal paused ears swiveling as he too caught the sound of a cracking board near them. Pawing the ground he allowed this creature to note he wasn't afraid. Suddenly, another creak followed by shattering glass to their left. His face never changed though his voice spoke, "Well played fiend. Come let us battle?"
To Padfoot it sounded nearly amusing till Conall tossed is long mane whipping it around him. Hooves stamping into the ground sounded the charge as not one but two beasts lunged at him. Hanging on for dear life Padfoot felt like he was on a bucking bronco fearing he might slip off. Clenching his eyes shut he firmly hoped this madness would be over soon. To his horror this vigorous game of cat and mouse was simply beginning.
Conall himself knew Padfoot would either hang on or be thrown to his death. This pair of Cat Beasts most likely were hovelled up here to start a litter. If the valiant buck had any say he'd evict their carcasses on way or another. Each beast took chances on creating a wound as they worked together to confuse Connal. He merely lashed out nailing one firmly in the rib cage whom was most likely the female. Yowling something fierce she hissed kicking off a building to attack straight on at Connal. While he got another kick in sending her flying, the male proceeded to tag her out and attack the buck's open shoulder. Pain hummed within his side causing Connal to rear upwards kicking out his hooves. The male though was a persistent foe as its mate made it to safely somewhere.
Most likely out of the ruins where he should follow.
As blood trickled down the solid black buck's shoulder he snorted pawing the ground. Blood drawn was part of the dance that entwined between protagonist and antagonist alike. Psychically speaking more blood would be shed and eventually spilled. Conall laid his sights on not being the latter of the two. Once again the best lunged this time getting grazed by the sharp horn that grew from the buck's head. Yowling in pain, the male beast hissed dripping blood from its own shoulder the ground. Then it changed it tactics leaping into the air with a spring of his powerful legs. Landing on the back end of Connal sent the buck wild trying to kick off his attacker. Padfoot schreeched pulling himself up towards Connal's withers out of reach. Then he kicked out with hind legs the determined foe fell backwards to the ground tumbling into a sore mess. But, to Padfoot's amazement this creature didn't give up its prey well. Leaping outward again, claws stretched it met the firm pressure of hooves slammed into its chest tumbling backwards again. Blood now covered its maw with broken teeth. The beast was staggering about confused then it hissed with a lashing tail.
Now, with this creature grounded it was down to Connal's move which he pawed the ground in a taunt.
Snorting he tossed his head again initiating the final battle. Two enemies, eyes locked felt death upon their shoulders though neither wanted to admit it. As the beast spat out a few teeth again its maw literally stained red with its own blood. Chest heaving it crouched downward ready to leap once more. Now, Connal lowered his head with determination and agile measures. Then as if the battle drums sounded both beast and Noul charged one another clashing in an instant. Hooves and claws met one another as the horn met with a blooded maw. Continuing to come at one another, sides heaving they aimed for weaknesses. Connal pulled back as blood soaked his horn yet he carried only scratches. The cat beast though was slowly dying as its blood painted the broken road. Crying out in pain it looked up at the knight who limbered like a shadow closing its eyes. Then it lay quiet without so much as a breath that never escaped its lungs.
Padfoot spat out Connal's mane looking downward, "We're supposed to provide proof right, Sir?"
Connal nodded, "Yes. It was a worthy battle therefore you must think on what we shall take with us".
Padfoot twitched his ears pondering something less messy then say carving a pelt. Suddenly, the ground began to quake beneath them as a sinkhole with quicksand formed sucking the creature inward.
Quickly, Padfoot leaped off Connal's shoulder and scrambled to grab something before they lost the chance. Grabbing hold of the Beast's tail Padfoot gripped tight pulling as hard as he could. "Its no use... I'm loosing it!"
Suddenly, Connal stepped in holding something of a blade in his mouth. Coming down hard he severed the tail just in time as the body was sucked inward. Then he breathed finally because that breath had been held till the battle concluded.
"Well done Padfoot. We have our proof for Scoria now. Come let us return this tail and accept our prize".
Padfoot beamed proudly though Connal was the one that severed the tail. He himself would of grabbed a tooth or claw if he could have. Returning to Connal's back Padfoot took a breather knowing the menace had been vanquished.
Connor and Padfoot WC: 1,3,41
