Erykk was gnawing on the gazelle leg, tearing into the flesh with ease. He chewed, swallowed, then looked thoughtfully over at Kaitrus. Kaitrus had given his loyalty to him, naming him his Captain. Even the sarcastic b*****d like Erykk couldn't deny he thought highly of his new Reaver.
Kaitrus tore into his own part of the gazelle, the two of them having already finished off the best parts. The internal organs had gone first, and then they just worked their way in. It was a fair meal, leaving them feeling satisfied as they sat in the noon day sun. He chewed, and looked back up at Erykk.
"Ya know. If we keep hunting like this, I could grow to enjoy hunting." He jested. Truth was, Kaitrus wasn't the absolute best of the hunters. He tried, but he was hoping that Astrid would know her way around the hunting lands. He would never ever admit it, but deep down he knew.
"I was looking for a zebra. I consider this a failed attempt." Erykk mused, and then chuckled, finishing off the meat on the leg, and then starting to lick at the bone.
"What on earth do you need with a whole zebra? You got anything worth hiding there, buddy?" Kaitrus asked, but then immediately cleared his throat when Erykk looked at him.
Erykk had stopped licking the bone and had an eyebrow arched.
"No. But if I did. Tell me exactly why I would be revealing what it was to you?" If he had been challenged in public, he would have responded with a growl and a good show of teeth. But Kaitrus wouldn't do that, he knew better.
"No, sorry. I guess not. I just know I couldn't finish off a whole zebra. I'm stuffed!" He smiled, and patted his belly. "So even if we keep failing at hunting, that works for me."
Erykk huffed, dropping the bone, and rising from his laying position. He was satisfied, but not full. Erykk was a decent sized lion, and his training took a lot of energy. He ate a lot, in order to keep at his top shape. His dedication to his health showed in his glossy coat and his strong, rippling muscles underneath it. He had a few odd scars from random tussels, but so far he had not been truly wounded. He was thanking the Gods for that.
"We should be returning. We have work to do, and I want to get you ready for training in the evening."
"You are the weirdest dude, Erykk.." Kaitrus said, grabbing his last few bites of the meat before standing himself. "Why do you train at night?"
"How easy is it to be blindsighted in the day time, Kaitrus? You learn to fight in the dark, you learn to survive. Any cub can win a fight in the daytime." He responded, his eyes glittering while his tail flicked back and forth.
"Well I guess that makes sense. I don't really like the idea of missing sleep though. I rather enjoy that." He chuckled, and Erykk snapped back.
"You lazy oaf, you either get in line and quit complaining or you can go jump off a cliff." Though it was a joke, his tone held another warning. He didn't like laziness. He worked hard for his strength and he wasn't about to let someone slide by on his band.
"I know, I know. You can have faith in me, Captain. It's always a Good day to die." He nodded, taking on a more seriously look. Kaitrus was a tough guy, but he was raised to treat others respectfully. Usually females, but Erykk was a friend and he didn't bother trying to assert himself with him. Though Kai was really only bummed about not getting to see Astrid much for a little bit. Training didn't last long, with a trainer anyway. He would have to visit her during the morning hours.
"Believe me. If I thought otherwise, you wouldn't be part of this ... duo as of the moment." Erykk said, and continued walking through the heat. The heat hardly bothered him, he was a golden and he would have blended perfectly in the soft sand of a beach. Kaitrus was black as night, and no doubt the heat was beginning to hit him. One look over his shoulder, and Erykk proved himself right. He wondered how well Kaitrus would even do training in the day. Perhaps that was something they were going to have to cover..Even if he had just told him it wasn't happening.
"If I hadn't been hungry, I wouldn't have been out at such an early hour anyway. The night air just.. feels better." He said, grinning, and his teeth sparkled in the sun. His canines were slightly irregular, just a little longer. Nothing special about them, but he had always been proud of them.
"Oh well." Kaitrus huffed, trying to hide the fact that the heat was bothering him. Out of their shady spot, he was beginning to realize just how hot it really was out here today. He would have been thankful to get back to the den. This heat and a full belly just were not a good match.
"I'll do whatever you wish. I am loyal to you." Kaitrus finished, huffing a little more.
"Shape up, soldier." Erykk said, chuckling and shaking his head. "This heat isn't anything to what you might face on a raid. Get in shape. Get out more." He said, only this time his face was stern. He was issuing a command, though one that was still a friendly one between the two.
"A weak Reaver is like a wounded gazelle. It's only a matter of time." He finished, before turning to look at the male once more. Then he was walking inside the pride borders, and dissappeared among the rocks.
"Hey! I am in shape. It's just hot. Geez." Kaitrus said, though he knew that he had to heed the order of the Captain. If he wanted him to be able to withstand the heat..Well..Then he had some work to do.
"I just can't wait to get back home." He grumbled, and pushed himself on, welcoming the cold stone that meant he was home.
1045 WC
