Tamlin's aim had been true, but even when the cat screamed and loosened her hold on the calf, even when her throat was bared, Ranuk did not attack.  Instead, the demon let the ryvolan get away, and the prince watched in confusion as their prey escaped into the woods.<br/><br/>Before Tamlin could approach and ask any questions, Ranuk bounded over and ran around him, speaking rapidly in rumbling growls and sounds unfamiliar to the elf.  Thankfully Ursalo came forward and helped explain what Ranuk was saying, too excited to slow down and take the time to sign or drawl out difficult elvish words.  Jera stepped up too-- he had grabbed onto Ursalo's arm when the snow cat had first appeared, startled by the noise and not wishing to get too close until the battle was decided.<br/><br/>A mother...  Of course.  Even with Ranuk's fearsome posturing, with all his terrifying presence, the cat had not given up her prize; only something more pressing could have kept her so bold.  Tamlin's face was thoughtful, shaded with anticipation as his heart beat quick in his chest; it would be a fantastic find, if the snow cat held out long enough to lead them to her lair...<br/><br/>The prince nodded his head in assent; they would follow and see where her trail took them.  But first, the calf.  "The den shouldn't be far," Tamlin began as he searched the grass, and when he found the small elk, he knelt beside it.  The calf was almost gone, nearly bled and barely wheezing the tiniest breath, but Tam wouldn't leave it like that.  He pulled his knife from his belt and slipped it easily into the calf's chest, and the wet ragged sounds stopped.<br/><br/>Jera didn't watch, but he could still hear to know it was done; the smell of blood made him uneasy, and he stayed close to Ursalo.  Hunting was not for him.  Tamlin murmured something quietly under his breath in old elvish, then pulled his knife free and wiped it clean in the grass, before tucking it away again and rising to his feet.  He looked to Ranuk and gave the demon a half-smile, teeth flashing bright against his dark lips.<br/><br/>"Lead the way, then."