The hunting party prepared to continue, now with a new goal in mind.  Ursalo was told to take the dead calf with them-- it could be used as bait to lure the cubs, would feed them sufficiently for the trip back-- and he picked it up without complaint, using part of his clothes to scoop up the body and hoist it over his shoulder.  Jera supressed a shiver as he watched the blood pool against the fabric, leaving a deep stain; he wasn't squeamish, and blood wasn't something unfamiliar to him... he just didn't like dead things.  So instead, he let his gaze fall to those pretty pale scales now visible, and admired the sunlight's reflection.<br/><br/>This time, Ranuk did not go racing ahead: there was no need to, and a slower pace would serve better to make the snow cat believe she wasn't being followed.  They didn't want her to catch on to their presence, to know she was still being hunted, so the four stepped lightly and picked their way along the blood-spattered path left behind.  Tamlin and Ranuk remained at the front, scanning the forest floor for traces of the beast's steps; it wasn't hard to miss the trail she was leaving behind, racing back and forth through the trees, crimson droplets scattered in her wake.  She would bleed out for hours, taking forever to die at this rate, but her agonizing trail helped keep the hunters on the right track.<br/><br/>She stopped under a tree for a while, resting in a dark mass of ancient roots.  Tamlin and Ranuk paused far enough back to keep from the snow cat's wary gaze, and waited in silence.  This was not her nest, just a hiding place, and they would have to hope she did not stay too long.  While the cat rested in her shelter, the elves took the short opportunity to eat-- they had already been hunting for half the day, the sun high above and already moving towards the west.  Now was the best moment to replenish some energy while there was a lull in the chase.  Both Jera and Tamlin ate in near total silence, a few strips of dried meat and swallows from their water skins, and they shared what they had with the demons.  After the small meal, Tamlin took one bag and Jera took the other; they were no longer running after a herd, and if they ended up split into two groups, they would have supplies.<br/><br/>Finally the snow cat began to stir, and Tamlin's focus narrowed, ears back and dark eyes honed on the weary figure.  She was still strong enough to begin her journey again, and as long as she walked, the hunters would too.  When the terrain began to change and there was less to hide with, Tamlin stepped forward and took up the front; he slid along in whatever shadows there were, led the group through the best cover, and moved with all the intention of a predator, even with no claws or fangs of his own.  They followed like carrion birds, like death, creeping along behind and staying just out of sight, and slowly the sun turned and the sky began to bloom with a rosy early evening light.  Jera tried not to worry about the time, but he kept turning his eyes towards the shifting light, knowing the window of success would close faster than either the prince or his fiance would like... But there was nothing to do for it, except keep after the snow cat and follow her trail.<br/><br/>Their efforts paid off when eventually the snow cat led them to a craggy rock face, jutting from the mountainside.  She arduously made her way up, her wound taking its toll, but even as injured as she was, the ryvolan held her grace and skill as she climbed.  To follow her would take considerable skill and no small amount of courage-- a fall would likely be deadly, at least for an elf.  The demons might be hardier.  Just by looking at it, Jera knew he'd be staying where he was; there was no way he could make the climb and not hurt himself, or worse.  Tamlin was the climber.<br/><br/>The prince's eyes had been on the place where the cat had disappeared, but his gaze quickly shifted when he noticed Ranuk begin to sign, reading the question asked with the roughened pads of his betrothed's massive fingers.  In answer, Tamlin only gave a smile and slung his bow onto his back before reaching for the rocks; his fingers fit neatly between the stones, gripped tight as he began the ascent, all quiet agility and careful balance.  Yes, he could climb.