Tamlin saw Ranuk tense, knew the demon had seen the bull as well, and was aware of each movement as Ranuk carefully climbed his way to a better perch, the perfect spot for an ambush once the elk was in striking distance.  The situation was not in Tam's favor; there was much less chance for him to be successful compared to Ranuk's vantage point, but it did not really matter who brought the animal down...  Though, if there were a second one closer by, that would be a gift.<br/><br/>In any case, the hunters froze in place, watching and waiting, poised for what felt like eternity...  And then the tension snapped.  There was a fierce roar, pitched with hunger; Tamlin's alert gaze panned the meadow with immediate focus, ears twitching to locate the sound and body turning with them, bow drawn instictively.  He had hunted enough to know that call, though he had not expected one to be so far south just yet...<br/><br/>The ryvolan had shed her winter coat, now dressed in a deep, rich black fur, barely striped on the sides-- a unique and envious pelt, made all the more striking by her size and physique.  This particular snow cat had fed well in the early spring, grown to a comparable size; though she could not take on an elk bull, she'd had no trouble with a calf, caught in her deadly jaws.  The rest of the herd had gone running, fled into the woods; there was no finding them again, a minor shame.<br/><br/>Ranuk didn't bother trying to catch the large bull, instead switching his prey: he jumped from the tree and let out a resounding roar in response, the noise vibrating in the air.  It was ferocious, would have frightened anything for miles, but the ryvolan was not so scared-- she hissed and swiped, pawing at the ground while trying to think of what to do.  Fight, or escape...  With Ranuk in her way, she was limited, cornered.<br/><br/>Tamlin moved swiftly and quietly out of the treeline, just to the edge to give himself a better shot.  He could see the situation: a fight was imminent, but it would not be so one-sided as with the bull, and what Ranuk needed was access to a vulnerable spot.  The snow cat's neck would be ideal, but the calf dangling from her mouth blocked the demon's best attack.<br/><br/>Perhaps to distract her, then.  Tamlin raised his bow and took aim, paused for less than a second before letting his arrow fly-- it hit the snow cat in the soft underside of her lower belly, a vicious, piercing blow that would be excruciating.  The prince said a silent prayer in his head, hoping the great beast would drop the calf and that Ranuk could act fast.  A slow death was not what he intended.