Ranuk was thrumming with energy but he restrained himself, his feet shuffling and tails flicking to dispel his eagerness. He had to be patient in this. If they pursued the snow cat too closely she might lead them away from her den or aggravate her wounds further, thus expiring more quickly. No, she had to believe that she was not being followed, that she had escaped her foes, only then would she seek out her cubs.<br/><br/>An arrow to the belly was a slow way to die but in this Tamlin had shot perfectly. If they were careful, if Ranuk had guessed right, their prize would be all the more sweeter for it.<br/><br/>Ranuk waited as Tamlin dispatched the dying calf. It was swiftly done and without hesitance, shortening the animal's suffering. The demon quietly approved. He instructed Ursalo to carry the calf. No use in wasting the meat, it would be for the cubs should they manage to find the den.<br/><br/>Ursalo removed the sash around his waist and used it to tie up the carcass. His robe was now left open, revealing the pale line of his torso to the world and Jera's wondering eyes. He hefted the dead calf onto his back, unbothered by the blood seeping into the cloth. The snake haired demon would have to stay further back so the scent of blood did not alert their quarry.<br/><br/>Then the hunt was on. It was a careful and meticulous pursuit. This time Ranuk stayed by Tamlin's side as his slower pace was far more ideal for the situation.<br/><br/>Together they tracked the snow cat's movements. She had ran wildly, mind only on escape despite how her belly bled, splashes of red glittering like rubies on the emerald ferns. Eventually she slowed a few leagues away and came to a rest in the tangled roots of a tree. Ranuk and Tamlin were forced to wait, unconvinced that it was her den.<br/><br/>They were proven right when she came out a half hour later and began to make her slow, lumbering way into the forest. They followed like circling vultures, always careful to stay out of her visual perimeter. It took hours.<br/><br/>They followed her beyond the gaming trails, across streams and up an incline. She was heading out of the trees to the craggy rocks of the mountain range. Pursuit became more difficult as there was far less cover for Ranuk to hide behind, but Tamlin being smaller did not share such a burden. Tamlin took the lead then while Ranuk dutifully followed, trusting in the elf's skill that he would not lose or alert the snow cat.<br/><br/>The sun was approaching the horizon when she brought them to a steep cliffside. She climbed slowly, painstakingly, the arrow still pierced in her belly and the fletching brushing against the rocks. She disappeared between two boulders almost near the top. That was where her den must lay.<br/><br/>Ranuk stared up at the path she had taken. It was not an easy climb even in top form, but he could manage it. The question was could Tamlin?<br/><br/>Ranuk turned to his elf companion, finally calm enough after such a long pursuit to sign. <Can you climb?> he asked with his dusty paws.