The leopard slunk low in the grass, stalking the herd of gazelle. He scanned the herd, mentally discarding the does as producers of future food, and the youngsters as well. The herd lord was an immediate no as well, as he was much too difficult to take in a fight. That left the young bucks. Subservient to the lord, else they couldn't stay, but resenting it and bearing the marks of such. A smile crossed Farraginis' face as his yellow eyes fell on a young buck near the rear of the herd, limping along as best he could. In the best of times, that injury would heal with very little permanent damage.
The leopard was here to see to it that that healing never took place. He considered his position once more. He was downwind of the herd, and they were going to run right past him. The gazelle weren't panicked yet, and so their pace was easy and he should have no problem at all pulling down the buck.
Farraginis tensed himself and waited, ready to spring. The herd lord thundered past him, followed by the does, then the does with children, and finally the young bucks at the tail. The one with the limp came closer, and closer-
There! The leopard launched himself straight for his target, claws extended and the savage joy of the hunt written upon his face.
