[PRP] Defend the North (Cinàed x Iwa)

[SilverLutz]

Cinàed strode confidently through the rogue lands, following his nose and in turn a herd of antelope that he had been hunting. He had managed to bloody one of the smaller creatures and was hoping that it would eventually become too exhausted to walk on, but so far that hadn't happened. He was persistent if nothing else, though, and he knew that if he pursued them long enough the antelope would eventually fall.

He caught wind of scent markings, though, which made him pause as he glanced around the open plains. It seemed this was the start of a pride, although he didn't see much other than the herd he was following. There were some mountains far off in the distance, but other than that it was fairly deserted. Shrugging, he pressed on. Perhaps it was just a passing nomadic group. Either way, his dinner had gone forward so he would as well.  

[SilverLutz]

Iwa was lounging under a tree when she noticed the slightly panicked herd coming into the pride's lands. She watched them with interest, picking up on their mannerisms and vibe. Something was following them, chasing them even, and they knew to come to the Suzat for protection and shelter. She rose to her feet, her speckled hide helping her to blend in to the long shadows the twilight sun was casting, and let her nose begin to work.

Blood on the wind...perhaps someone was hunting a creature from the herd. While she had no say over what happened outside her pride, once the herd came into their lands she was sworn to ensure their safety as well as the Suzat's. Cautiously she approached and that was when she spotted him.

A large male, dark with bright markings was trailing the herd. In their lands. Normally the Suzat were a very welcoming pride, but hunting on their grounds without permission was a big faux pas.

"I must ask you to disengage and depart," she called out to the male, not wanting to simply attack him. "You are on pride hunting grounds and you have not been given permission to hunt."  

[SilverLutz]

Oh, he was getting close. The blood was stronger now and he was sure the injured antelope would be giving up to rest soon now that darkness was coming. He just had to wait a little longer-

A voice cutting through the twilight startled Cinàed into pausing, his eyes and nose searching for the source. A dark, speckled lioness was approaching and her words made him scoff.

"I was hunting this herd before they made it to your territory. The injured one is mine!" Without bothering to explain himself further or to let the female speak, he gave a mighty roar and charged towards her. Perhaps if he could scare her off he'd be left in peace.  

[SilverLutz]

Iwa's ears flattened against her head as the male spoke. While that was probably true there was still decorum and rules to follow. If he asked nicely she could have allowed him to continue his hunt, but now he was charging at her and she had no choice but to take him as a threat. Iwa wasn't a small lioness like the majority of the Suzat. Her mother had been massive and her father wasn't anything to sniff at, either. Both lions were unaware that her father was from the same pride as the attacker and that Stormborn spirit had been instilled in Iwa even without his influence.

Rather than backing down, Iwa moved forward and gave a roar of her own, both to startle the male and to alert others that there was a disturbance. She didn't just charge, though. She raised a paw to swipe at the dragon-marked male as they drew close.  

[SilverLutz]

Cinàed was surprised to see that the female didn't flee, but the part of him that loved a good fight was stirring. He could kick her butt and get dinner all in one night! As they drew closer and the female raised a paw to strike, Cinàed dipped to one side before pouncing at her with all his strength, claws unsheathed and teeth bared. This wasn't a spar, after all, it was a battle! She had to bring it!

Tackling her, Cinàed rolled to try to get on top of her, claws sinking into her pelt. He paused for just a moment, trying to assert his dominance over her, baring his teeth in a wide snarl as he gave another roar.  

[SilverLutz]

Iwa found herself pinned to the ground, claws digging into her sides moments later. Hobbit battle training was non-existent and only those who wished to practice with each other had any sort of experience. Thankfully Iwa had been raised as a rogue by a mother who survived alone and she had been taught as a young lioness how to fight and defend herself.

Ignoring the snarling, drooling mouth above her, she shifted her hind legs to slide under the male's stomach. With one sharp shove she sent him sprawling to the side and in a lightning-quick movement she moved atop of him. Rather than just making a show of snarling and drooling, she went in for a bite. Clawed paws held the male in place as she drove her teeth into his leg, knowing better than to go for his protected neck. She wasn't trying to kill, just discourage him from battling.  

[SilverLutz]

Cinàed was pretty proud of himself and figured he'd startled the lioness into letting him be, but the moment his guard was down he found himself flying through the air onto his side. Not a moment later and the lioness was on top of him, powerful jaws closing around his leg. He let out a snarl of pain and struggled to free himself, using his other paw to swat her head over and over to get her to let go. His mouth went for her head, scraping against her cheek and ear, catching and tearing the delicate skin.  

[SilverLutz]

Iwa held on as the male thrashed beneath her, but she did let go when teeth scraped her face, her ear catching the brunt of the attack. She roared in pain and let go of the invader's leg, but she didn't move from her spot. Instead she began to tear into his face with her claws, going for his eyes in an attempt to dissuade him from staying. She didn't want to kill him, no, but if he continued to attack she'd have to change her tactics a bit.  

[SilverLutz]

Cinàed felt as though he was getting the upper paw, but when an angry rain of claws attacked his face he knew he was done. This wasn't worth the antelope, no matter how sweet he knew it would taste. He scrambled out from under the female, limping away as quickly as he could, blood oozing slowly from the puncture wound she had left on his leg.

"Fine! You have it," he snarled over his shoulder. "I hope you get sick from it!" The last insult hurled, Cinàed broke into a light run to get away faster. He wouldn't be coming back to his pride any time soon, that was for sure.  

[SilverLutz]

Iwa was left on the ground a moment later and she rolled to her feet, ready for another attack. But the male was retreating, tossing insults over his shoulder as he went. The lioness was breathing heavily but she held her head high, tail erect as well, and roared out in victory. She had done it! She had fought off a potentially dangerous rogue! Proud of herself and her achievement, she trotted after the male to ensure he was leaving, only returning to her post under the tree once he was out of sight. Never underestimate a hobbit, she thought to herself with delight.