Wild Pack

JP with Omni and Lorem

Failing to scare off the desert dogs, the caravan was being stalked and flanked. Voah's whole body hurt, but after the last few days, she was not trying to give up and fall to the tooth and claw of local wildlife.

Being out of range of caravaners, Voah decided it was a good spot to called on the Pillars Vastad, Zinheim, and Kupen for protection and the energy to fight when the time came. She continued walking and talking as she brandished her blade and turned to Gonyaul.

"Yai ajaj, will you pray with me? These beasts don't seem to be giving up and we will need to protect ourselves."

Gonyaul was hoping the pack of dog like creatures were akin to those animals that would follow in the wake of others in the hopes of picking up scraps or out of curiosity. Alas, their behavior was more of the opportunistic predator. He had an educated guess that they were better equipped for desert life and travel than the caravan. This meant that as they were worn down by the elements, there would eventually be an inevitable confrontation.

Or, the optimistic side of him chimed in, such creatures would know where to find water and could very well lead them to it when the time came for the animals to rehydrate. Time would tell. Remembering the claw shaped scar on his back, his experience with Arcadian wildlife hospitality, led him to lean more toward the imminent attack way of thinking.

Gonyaul was sore all over like his beloved. Yet, both had to dig down deep and ignore the growing agonies in order to keep pressing on. The bonus, was their pursuers provided a new level of motivation to find that extra grit and tenacity.

Gonyaul gripped the staff loosely in his right hand using it as a glorified walking stick.

Taking Voah’s hand with his left, he nodded. “Yes, yai bu’jah.”

He assumed as long as they looked fit to fight and mobile the beasts would leave them alone. They, like them, also knew it unwise to expend any energy that would have no return on investment in this harsh landscape.

Before Voah could get started with any kind of vocal prayer, she saw the dust kick up and one after another, the desert dogs bolted toward them from different angles growling and yapping.

"Kupen watch over us." she said as she took a defensive stance, ready to strike any one of them that got too close.

From what they could see, the pack of wild dogs numbered at least six and they were swiftly encroaching and surrounding Gonyaul and Voah who were separated from the rest of the caravan.

Gonyaul was surprised by their sudden attack. If he were them, he would have waited a bit longer until the two of them were weakened to a true state of weakness and distress. As it currently stood, they were beat up and tired but they still had some energy to resist.

Gonyaul released Voah’s hand and readied the staff with two hands, facing one end down a bit into the sand. This terrain was shifting and unstable, it would make things interesting. It would be prudent not to use movements that would render him helplessly off balance. In addition, he wouldn’t be able to use sweeping arcs of the weapon with Voah so close.

His heart began racing, though he looked calm and very still. He was processing the inputs of information from the packs approach. He was concerned that this was a foe, unlike man. Their response would be feral. and less predictable. All in all, he felt out of his depth.

The two stood back to back, covering each other’s blind side as the multiple threats came from various angles.