Part 10
Let's hunt!
Racing ahead, Prince's brothers leaped from the ground to the trees, scouting for the nearest prey. A strong wind carried many scents their way, but instinctively they searched through them until they came across one they agreed on. The herd they had picked only stood off the intended course. Perfect.
His sister stood beside him, guarding him much like a royal guard would its Queen. Her head stayed still, looking in an all-around circle for anything that posed a threat. Prince stayed with her, not questioning her behavior. She flanked him when he moved forward to follow the hunters. He didn't intervene as they came upon the herd. Instead, he watched patiently and stayed out of the way of their hunt.
Despite not seeing each other for an entire week and this being their first time hunting together, they worked surprisingly well. Then again, they were brothers by blood. Naturally, they moved in sync as if they had never had a moment apart. It helped they could feel each other's mind and with it, their intentions.
Good hunting.
Prince came to stand behind them, observing the dead animal before him. The kill came out extremely clean, not a big mess or chase as an aftermath. The pitiful thing had no idea what waited for it just beyond its sights. Its own kind had fled, everyone for themselves. A natural occurrence within the animal kingdom, universally, of course.
Those who killed, get first dibs.
Greedily, the two males dug in. Not soon after, their sister joined. Prince waited until they had their fill before he took a fair share of the prize.
With his family filled and happy, they set forth again. Prince took the lead, leading his little pack through the tree lines. They stayed out of view from any bystander despite their massive size and black skin.
They broke into another field clearing where his brothers tussled around. His sister took the time to take a break and stretch under the sun. It wasn't too hot outside, in fact, a chill filled the air. The beating sun is what kept such warm feeling weather.
Prince stayed above the rest, keeping watch for any new dangers. His tail flickered back and forth in a quick, snappy motion. A common thing for him to do when in deep thought, something he constantly looked to be in since they landed on the planet.
Ow! That hurt!
Prince snapped out of his head, looking for his brothers who were in a large heap in the middle of the clearing. His sister laid just below a few trees away, ignoring the idiots.
Yeah, that's what you get for tripping me!
You're gonna get it!
With a growl, they pounced on each other. Howls, whines, growls, and yelps could be heard from the jumbling black mess. Prince looked back to where his sister laid, napping. She didn't seem to mind their bickering and relaxed as if used to it.
He jumped down from his perch to sit by her side. She lazily lifted her head only to settled back into the grass, not worried by his sudden appearance. The other two continued to fight, tails whipping towards the other only to be blocked by a claw or miss to hit the dirt below. When they were finished, Prince was sure the ground would be torn to shreds.
Following his younger sister's lead, he headed back into the tree, away from the sun (at least the limited time it had to shine), where he could nap. The sun had begun to set when they continued their journey. Prince lead them through a swampy area, the toxins wafting into the air like geysers, hot and in sudden explosions. Still, they ventured in, careful of where they walked.
The swampy place had been no more than a mile, a blotch on the beautiful, forest landscape. It made their skin crawl as they passed through the misty fumes that coated the floor and relief overcame them as they made it to the other side.
By now, more people had been spotted. Some worked in a small building by the place, stepping out in suits with baskets filled with glassware. Researchers. Scientists.
However, Prince, after a few moments of observation, easily could tell that these people were very much different from those on the ship. They observed and tested the environment. For what? He had no answer but they looked happy, yet serious in their work.
His siblings had taken no notice of the people, brushing past him quickly flee the area. He didn't blame them, couldn't blame them, and followed shortly behind.
As soon as they reached the end, they burst forward, dancing around in the free air.
Settle down, you three.
But it stank!
His sister whined in his head, curling her tail around her legs in distaste. Her brothers equally expressed their own distaste by the icky sounds they made.
One of his brothers stepped forward, he had no streak on his head, projecting his thoughts.
How much farther?
A day at most.
Excitement coursed through them at the thought. They jumped to attention, nuzzling him forward to continue.
Alright, alright. I'm going. I'm going.
Their childish eagerness made him smile. It brought a light, fluttering feeling in his chest. That spark of hope had grown intensely to a small flame as they dance around him, ready to meet his lost friend. Then again, he was the lost the one; blind but not alone. So long as he had hope and his little litter to follow him, he'd be happy for the rest of his days.