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Down below, the hyenas seemed to be discussing something. But with the wind howling in her ear, all Elcca could do was watch body language. It was like another language in itself, with their expressive tails and large pointed ears. They seemed on edge, but that was about all she could be sure of.

Elcca withdrew back from the ledge slowly, looking towards the others. "I think trying to wait to drown them out would be foolish. If there are hostages, they'll be caught in it too. Besides, we don't know for sure how long the rain will last. No guarantee it will ever rise far enough to drown."

Splitting up though, seemed an obvious recourse. She nodded at Mwale and Azar. "Hyenas fight in groups. If one of us tips them off, they'll swarm fast."

There was one other issue- the canyon was not accessible from the far left side. It continued on for several miles down that direction. The ones who would be trying to surround them from the opposite side would need to climb down the rockface, hoping they did not detect the waiting hyenas.

Towards the right side, the terrain was a bit more permissible. About thirty feet away was a sloping drop that took a path into the canyon. It would be a bit easier to cross over there- but in order for the plan to work, they'd need both groups to succede.

arrow Time to set up an ambush!

Each player must choose either to take the right side or the left side. One side is easier than the other- but in order for the element of surprise to be retained, at least two individuals will need to choose the left side.

Right side: Roll a dice, 1-20. As long as you do not roll a 1, you are undetected.
Left side: Roll a dice 1-10. As long as you do not roll under a 2, you are undetected.

Azar was glad to know that everyone decided that surrounding them was a good idea. She was glad that she was not the only one who decided that surrounding the group would be a good idea. She flicked her tail around behind her and listened thinking about how she was going to go about this whole situation. She watched as Mwale was quick to move and she followed his lead looking behind her for a second. She kind of had a feeling the other Azar would follow. She moved low to the ground but quickly as she did, keeping a close eye on the pack of canines. Making sure that none of them were going to attack. She was breathing quiet and watching carefully.

So they were to split up. It seemed like the group of Firekin were now more antsy than ever. But Roihu chose to aim on the side of caution, his luck not being particularly good lately and went with those headed down the right side of the cliffs. He was well-hidden there and didn't need to worry about his great bulk being visible.

The hyenas' cackling grew more audible as he headed down, and some sort of gibberish...but there were still no distinct words. Not common ones, anyway. He couldn't see any better, either. Not yet. So he pressed on, carefully treading behind the lion in front of him.

Since he was still rather winded from running about, Yayuka decided to go for the easier side, even though his ego demanded he turn left. It just wasn't smart, and he wasn't here to be a hero.

Though, honestly, he didn't fear the hyena at all. Though they had a strong bite, that was just about all they had going for them. They weren't very large compared to a fully grown lion, not to mention this wouldn't be his first encounter. Much as he'd been forced to flee when several rallied up against him, one or two could be managed well enough, and Yayuka could recall killing one that got too bold. The firekin gathered here could easily handle a pack hyenas! It'd just be frustrating if they had a hostage, or ran off.

Alya nodded at the decision to split. It was the most reasonable course of action, it seemed. The lioness looked over the others, watching to where they would split. More seemed to be taking to the left, so she pulled towards the right side, quiet and close to the ground. She was anxious. Excited. Her heart raced enough to wonder if others would hear. This sort of rush, not knowing what would come next, being so close to danger... Alya knew no other place she'd rather be.

It seemed the leadership had shifted. Zjarr looked back and forth between Elcca and Morag, a faint line between her brows indicating her uncertainty. However, it didn't seem to bother Morag, so how could she herself complain? As long as action was being taken to tend to the problems at hand... specifically, those canines. She watched the others split off, wavering between the two options. Making her decision, she turned to head in by the more difficult entrance. Her younger frame and muscles would serve well on the rockface, if luck was with her.

She bounded to the edge, peering down into the deepening darkness below. The storm made the rock slick, and her extended claws did little to ease the slickness. Inhaling a deep breath, she scrambled over and down, praying desperately that she did not slip and alert the intruders.

Amazingly, everything had gone off without a hitch. Not that Elcca expected misfortune. Nor would she admit she had a habit of spawning bad luck for all those around her! But it was good to see at least one plan...go to plan!

She followed with the group on the right. Elcca had nothing to prove, and when push came to shove, she was no fighter. It seemed the more daring group had been able to make the steep climb, so there was no sense in her mucking it all up. She'd never admit it, but there was the high chance of that.

The right-sided group had the best element of surprise, but in the coming moments it would be their job to ensure the left group was able to get into position. As they descended into the canyon, the puddles of water they had to step over got ankle deep. Not quite flooded but certainly soggy. Elcca scowled as the cold water chilled her ankles.

Now that both groups were closer, they could begin to hear some sort of argument proceeding between the group.

"- we don't have much time!" One of them shouted. His voice annoyed, and agitated.

"What about Sahkar?" another said.

A third laughed. "He's probably already dead! You want us to go back for him?"

"But what about Nini?"

This time, there was a loud snap and a yelp as the questioner was sharply disciplined. The rest of the conversation was lost to the throaty growls and whining that made up hyena dialect. It hurt Elcca's ears to listen to. Until they settled down, it wasn't likely the lions would understand any more of it.

arrow It was time to see if their plan earned them the upperhand.

Ambushers, move in!