Hungry like the Rancor

[Cearia Tserta]

The night that Mother Anjali and Sister Cearia had taken their vows, the Clan Mother made it abundantly clear that her Chiorikem, her wife, was not to stray from the settlement for two days. Cearia's duties as leader of the Undead Fires hunters would be managed by her seasoned seconds. It had to be stated because Anjali knew her bonded all too well, sensing that the huntress would leave the next day to hunt to ensure the bellies of the clan were full. The vows she gave to the Clan Mother that night were just as important as the ones Cearia gave to her people since taking the oath of the Undead Fires.

That was unacceptable. The might behind Anjali's words explaining that she would enjoy Cearia on the furs of their bed hadn't quieted the hunter's concerns, but the kiss that followed did. There were no further arguments from her mate and on the third day, Cearia left on expedition.

It was ten days later that Cearia came running into view from the surrounding forests, causing a stir among the clan. She always returned with a confident stride, surrounded by the other hunters with food and provisions not alone and frantic. The sight was strange to her people, but it was clear she was looking for someone, or something.

Cearia knew that Anjali would have sensed that she had returned and with news, but it didn't stop the hunter from scanning the area for signs where Anjali or Iss-Ka may be. The hunters that accompanied her on the latest hunt were a couple hours behind, slowed down with the weight of success. She was the quickest on foot and raced 20 kilometers without break since leaving them. What happened hours ago was too important and she needed the wisdom of the wardens to capitalize on what she had stumbled upon - two young rancors no more than 4 meters tall, were wandering the far side of the canyons. Her group consisted of fine warrior hunters, but none of them were blessed with the ability to tame these majestic creatures. Nor were they equipped to capture them without taking causalities on either side - not with the sacks of meat, leathers and furs they were carrying. The supplies were the priority and needed to be protected.

They fell back and hid, escaping upwind as Cearia counted her blessings that they came across the pair during the day when rancor vision was poorest. Time was of the essence and she ran as fast as she could for aid, knowing she'd be able to pick up the trail when she returned with the wardens.

Unsatisfied that she saw neither her mate or the voritor, Cearia looked to the nearest clan member for guidance.

"Mother Anjali," she gasped out between breaths. "Where ... where is she?"

The night brother lowered his head in respect and pointed towards the river. "The Clan Mother was last seen heading towards the river, Sister Cearia."

She pat his arm in gratitude, relieved that Anjali wasn't too far.

"Is something wrong, Great Sister?" The title started to be used the day she left, a way to honor Cearia's command of the hunters and as the chosen of the Clan Mother.

"No," she answered loud enough for all to hear, despite the breathlessness. She even managed a smile to reassure the people before feet were forced to start moving again.

Her muscles protested because the short stop had fooled them with rest. The ache in pushing them to move elicited a grunt from the hunter, "It's good news. But we must act quickly!"

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali had felt privileged to witness the change in Cearia from the moment she had returned the morning of their wedding, onward to the time they had spent together. She remembered how her mate had had to be coaxed away from her duties so they could enjoy each other's company, which included consuming their union, before she could go on another hunting expedition. While the Clan Mother had great respect for her companion's role in the Clan, she hadn't wanted their wedding to be but a stolen instant; and she had been pleased when her Chiorikem chose to spend the longest amount of time she ever had in the confines of the caves where the Undead Fires had had been dwelling in the last months.

The Beast Warden got caught from her reverie by the swatting of Iss-Ka massive tail against her calf. She looked at the Voritor that was finishing to enjoy her latest meal. She grinned at her creature.

"And you even behaved wonderfully," she said, as if picking up the conversation again.

The Voritor's expression and body language showed she was well-pleased with the praise her mistress bestowed upon her. It was the truth though; for there had been no crying baby flier nor intrusive lizard. She knew not whether anyone had approached her chambers but for sure Cearia and her hadn't been disturbed once.

She had been cleaning up her weapons as she did on a regular basis, choosing to spend some time by herself in the midst of her demanding duties. The spot by the river had been a favorite of hers since the first days they had set up camp in what had become their settlement. While the trees, bushes, and flowers differed from her birth region, there was something about it that reminded her of her childhood. She could even imagine her late sisters play in the water if she let her memories run amok, which she did from time to time. Recalling the hard path that had brought them to the present time was a powerful reminder that drove her to continue to lead with a firm grip, all the while encouraging all clan members to give their best for the betterment and strengthening of the Undead Fires.

She suddenly felt a tremor in the Force. She looked up at once, sensing a commotion in the clan, the eye of the unraveling storm being her mate. Iss-Ka reacted too, picking on the Beast Warden's change of behavior.

"Ezat mae," she commanded at once.

The Voritor slithered away, picking up speed as she ran towards the camp to find her mistress's beloved.

Anjali felt ripples of emergency, but there wasn't a sense of danger she could feel from her wife. She was most curious as she got up, putting her weapons back to her belt, and adjusting her tools into a pack she slung over her shoulder, as she stormed off, into the huntress's direction.

It didn't take long until she found Cearia coming her way, Iss-Ka in tow. She stopped in front of her wife, noticing her exhaustion.

"What happened?"

[Cearia Tserta]

Surprised gasps and yelps came from her clanspeople at the voritor's sudden appearance from the forest. Iss-Ka charged forward, immediately honing in on Cearia's scent and soon her form. Her tongue darted out slowly as she excitedly pawed at the ground, ready to bring the hunter to Anjali the moment Cearia reached her. By the time she did, her chest was prickly with heat as if she had been speared straight through. Still ... she pushed.

"Iss-Ka ..." She spoke the beast's name with harsh breaths, barely able to get the last syllable in with a grunt. "Where ... where is... where is she?"

She didn't like speaking plainly about her wife before the clan, but Cearia's words were limited.

The voritor only wanted to carry out Anjali's command and cared little for formal titles now. Iss-Ka had found her master's mate and would promptly bring her back. A quick thwack against the hunter's boot was all the encouragement needed for Cearia to follow the voritor into the forest. The few moments that it took to be reunited with her wife felt like a lifetime had past. Her body was screaming for mercy, to rest, water, anything but she couldn't. Not yet.

This was not quite the homecoming she has envisioned for the two of them so soon after their joining, but the gods had offered a blessing for the clan and they needed to take advantage of it. When she stopped before Anjali, Cearia feared she would topple over and fall to the ground, her body so used to moving, but she managed to remain on her feet. It was uncertain what strength remained inside her to hunch over and clutch at her thighs as the world around her grew bright and blurry. She was on the verge of passing out.

She shook it off, focusing on getting her breath back to a proper rhythm as she answered the question with a careful extension of her head upwards to look at her wife - disappointed that her vision was still muddy.

"Rancors. Young ones. At the ... at the canyon ..." She swallowed painfully hard, her throat tender from the endurance it took to be here.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali was glad that they were outside of the settlement, so only Iss-Ka would be audience to her wife's exhaustion. She knew that the huntress was like her in that she refused to display any sign of weakness before the clan. But in the privacy of the woods, it was a different story.

Her mate's words registered; but first things first, she handed Cearia her water-filled flask.

"Drink," she said, leaving no room for argument.

She was already thinking about the best approach for retrieving the young Rancors.

"I'll speak to the other Beast Wardens at once, but you and I will leave first. We'll take Vitti."

She knew that Cearia had never interacted much with her Rancor; but it was their best option. It would allow Cearia to rest a bit, and the Rancor had a motherly streak to her, which had already helped with a couple of recent additions to the Clan's Rancor.

"Iss-Ka, stay with Cearia. I'll be right back," she said, before she scampered off.

[Cearia Tserta]

Anjali would find no argument from her mate, only eyes that softened in gratitude as Cearia took the flask. The smooth leather felt like home against her fingertips before uncapping and downing its contents. She tipped her head back and gulped the water down with quick desperation. It was a messy sight - water oozing around her lips, streaking along her chin and cheeks, washing away dirt and sweat in clean lines.

She brought the flask down, gasping for air, as Anjali explained the next steps. She nodded her understanding before using her knuckles to clean her face, glad that her part was done for now. Anjali was the one who could help tame the rancors and spur the rest of the wardens into swift action. It was why her haste was to find her out of all in the settlement, and not simply because she was her mate.

As Cearia watched Anjali rush off, she lazily hung an arm over the voritor's muscular shoulder after closing the flask. She glanced at Iss-Ka with an unspoken question before bone-weary legs buckled under her.

She hissed, but felt grateful that her mate was long gone and not here to see this. Iss-Ka was sympathetic, swinging her tail around to steady the hunter's descent - helping her to sit instead of collapsing against the ground. Cearia gave her a warm, but thin, smile of gratitude - she hadn't the strength for anything more. Then in an act that surprised her, Iss-Ka folded her legs and followed Cearia to the ground. She tucked her tail against Cearia's abdomen, scrunching her close to know that it was okay to lay against her.

Cearia found herself chuckling, which sounded more like a strangled cough, and accepted Iss-Ka's offer. Her grattitude was a small token of affection by stroking the length of her tail, remembering a time when all she wanted was a chance to touch the poisonous lizard, and here she was using the great beast as a bedroll. Iss-Ka felt the hunter's hand slowing as Cearia's body could no longer remain awake. Her arms rolled off the voritor's massive tail while sinking against Iss-Ka.

Cearia was home, delivered her message to Anjali, and safe. She could finally rest.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali cared not that her wife looked like a mess at this point. She was proud of her for having run all the way back to the settlement to let her know as soon as possible about the young Rancor sighting. While they would be able to have the ones the Clan already had gathered, mate down the line, adding to the numbers was important. They couldn't afford to pass on any opportunity that could strengthen the Undead Fires.

The Clan Mother knew that Iss-Ka would take good care of the Huntress while she scampered off to get a hold of Sisters Kadia and Aljia, the two other Beast Wardens who had received the most training prior to the cataclysm and had continued to hone their skills with tremendous success since the reformation of the current Clan. She was glad that both women had been nearby. It would make things easier. Yet they were currently working on Kadia to bond better with a fierce male Rancor, and stopping everything right now would ruin the progress.

Both Sisters agreed to catch up a soon as possible, joining them on Aljia's rancor, who came from the same litter as Vitti.

Once that was settled, Anjali went to fetch some dried fruits and meat for Cearia on the way there, for her mate could use some food to replenish her strength. She filled two more flasks, and grabbed several leather bounds that could help with the young Rancors. Then she made it to the Rancor enclosure and found Vitti, who perked up as soon as she smelled her owner approach. She had been a strong soul from the get go, but Anjali still marveled at how big and resilient she had become compared to the scrawny young Rancor she had been when she had first found her.

Adjusting all her supplies in larger bags attached to the harness that allowed her to ride the beast, Anjali then took her back to the forest to find Cearia and Iss-Ka. The stomping wasn't discreet, but she still caught sight of a sleeping Huntress cuddled with Iss-Ka, which warmed her heart. The Voritor gave her a nasty look as if she should have given more time to her mate to rest. The lizard also didn't like to share her mistress with the Rancor although both beasts had learned to cooperate quite well in the last months, thanks to extensive time spent socializing them with one another.

Anjali stopped a few meters away, and climbed down to come near Cearia, to check on her and likely help her get on the Rancor. Vitti seemed highly intrigued by the other woman, especially as she realized she was important and friendly to both the Clan Mother and the voritor.

[Cearia Tserta]

CLOMP ... CLOMP ... STOMP ... CRACKLE ... STOMP ...

The ground shook, broadcasting the return of Mother Anjali with her bonded rancor as they traversed through the forest. Vitti's arms pushed through the thick underbrush as if swatting insects and a fallen log cracked in two was barely noticed when stepped on. It should have been enough to stir Cearia awake, but the exhaustion she faced was extensive. Muscles and joints throbbed with overuse and to be able to recover some strength, Cearia's mind switched off for a dreamless state. She didn't even twitch when Iss-Ka's head raised in annoyance at both her master and the rancor.

These are the moments that Cearia questioned her place in the clan. If she had been born with a natural affinity for the Force like most sisters, she could have pushed herself harder, arrived sooner, would not have succumbed to exhaustion so easily. She was just a woman. Everything she was now was a testament to the training her mother had instilled upon her since she took her first steps. Her natural affinity to walk and be one with the lands was a gift from the gods for one not born with magic - so her mother said. Cearia felt it was a curse most days before finding Anjali. Less so now, but her heart remained weighted with feelings of inadequacy.

Iss-Ka protectively tghtened her tail around Cearia as Vitti's curiosity grew. Anjali's mate was hers first. She was the one that pushed them together and she was the one that watched over the hunter as she slept in safety.

"Not so tight..." complained Cearia, weak arms pushing at the tail to give her some space.

The voritor did loosen her hold, gently pressing the tip of her tail against Cearia's cheek, unfortunately smearing more of the black painted tendril pattern that curved along it. The desired effect worked, rousing the hunter in semi-wakefulness. "All right ... all right ..."

She groaned, head no longer spinning. Her body vehemently protested movements, but she had to bend an arm to shove Iss-Ka's tail away from her face, though it was with affection. "I'm awake. What ... Oh ..."

Her face brightened at seeing Anjali walking towards her but looked perplexed at the rancor.

"Of course... You went to fetch Vitti ..." she blinked several times in memory and scowled, looking away. "I'm sorry my body gave out, Clan Mother. I have no excuse."

It was just them and Cearia should be less formal around her wife, but her self loathing came out like this - with titles. The hunter's sabbatical had healed a lot of the doubts plaguing her, but still they lingered.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali mumbled some words to Vitti, as she rested a hand on the massive predator. The Rancor didn't move, and waited quietly, but her eyes remained on the Huntress and the Voritor. Iss-Ka was looking smug, but a glare from the Clan Mother had her turn the attitude down. She was still behaving very protectively towards the exhausted Night Sister, but she was slightly meeker in her staring contest with Vitti.

The last thing Anjali needed was an ego battle right now.

She couldn't help smiling at the interaction between Iss-Ka and her wife. She was still elated that these two got along so well.

Her expression became serious again when Cearia looked puzzled at the sight of Vitti, even though she quickly connected the dots despite her exhaustion. When her mate behaved stiffly, using titles that had no need to be in a private interaction, Anjali realized that Cearia was blaming herself, even before she finished her sentence. She knew that switch back too well already. That was a telltale sign that the huntress's anxiety and self-deprecating sentiment were taking hold of her.

"Come here," she simply said, offering a hand to her wife to help her stand up.

"We'll cover quicker ground with Vitti, and she'll be helpful. The other Beast Wardens will catch up soon."

She didn't move right away, having one question before they climbed up to ride Vitti.

"Do you want Iss-Ka to come with us?"

She was fine either way, for she knew that the Voritor liked keeping an eye on the baby fliers, but she also knew that she was good support to her mate. While she wasn't going to address the whole self-doubt matter, it was nevertheless an option that might help her exhausted beloved.

She caught sight of the glare Iss-Ka gave Vitti, but she stayed put.

[Cearia Tserta]

Cearia bristled with confusion as Anjali shrugged off her statement. No forgiveness was bestowed upon her, nor condemnation of the hunter's behavior towards herself. It was as if she had said nothing at all about her failure.

Her expression remained bewildered as she considered the offered hand. The stubborn part of her wanted to ignore it and rise on her on - prove that enough strength remained inside her to counter the initial claim. She knew better. Her legs were weak like winter leaves - a gentle breeze able to disturb a once strong stem loose before the long fall towards the ground.

Tight lipped, she forced a grunt down as she reached for Anjali's hand, accepting help. Fingers tightly dug into her mate's forearm while wobbly legs found sure footing, afraid if she let go too soon, she'd fall. That was unacceptable. To fall to the ground in exhaustion twice in one day would dishonor Anjali's choice in bonding with Cearia in the hunter's eyes.

"Yes. An adult rancor would help calm the young ones." She thought back to what was seen with the hunting party. The pair pounded boulders with frustration and any animal sound spooked them into roaring. Their heads twisted and turned with panic, huddling together for comfort before storming off. "They were ... scared. Unsure."

The more she talked, her confidence slowly came back. "They're leaving an easy trail for me to find."

After explaining, Anjali offered a choice for Cearia and Iss-Ka looked eagerly towards the hunter, whipping her tail along the grass and ready to pounce if she said yes. It touched her that her wife deferred the decision as it was Anjali's right as the master of the voritor. She fought a smile as Iss-Ka slanted her head to the side and slowly darted her tongue at Cearia, laying it on thick.

"She did watch over me. It'd be wrong not to include her," she surmised.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali was very willing to discuss whatever weighted on her wife's mind; but she also knew that in such a state of exhaustion, doubled with the fact they had to get to these young Rancors sooner than later, circumstances would likely dissolve any conversation into a fruitless argument. That was why she had chosen to simply ignore her mate's apologies for the time being, even though she saw the brief confusion it elicited from the huntress.

At least, Cearia accepted the offered hand, so things could be worse. She stood firm even as her mate cling on her forearm for dear life. She didn't flinch and let her choose whenever she would let go. She was willing to help and didn't consider her mate weak at all; but she also knew how not to coddle too much for right now she worried it would only heighten Cearia's discomfort and shame.

"And Vitti has already proven the motherly kind," she added to her wife's remark.

She nodded as Cearia gave some information about the young Rancor sighting. She also picked on how confidence appeared to return to her as she immersed herself into what she did best.

"They likely lost their mother a few days ago then. They might have ran away in fear if the death was violent, and then got lost."

She nodded when Cearia chose to have Iss-Ka accompany them.

"Alright, then off we go," she said.

The Voritor was happy with the decision and after reacting to Cearia, she came to gently wrap her tail around the Clan Mother's leg, giving a brief but definite smug look at Vitti, before giving some space to the couple.

Anjali then walked up to Vitti, who crouched for her rider to climb up. Once in place, Anjali held out a hand for Cearia to sit behind her. The Rancor sniffed in the huntress's direction for sure, but she behaved well, having understood that Cearia was precious to her rider, and thus behaving accordingly.

[Cearia Tserta]

Cearia had considered the mother dying as well, but there were no signs of the body. The young rancors could have covered a lot of ground in their grief and fear during the aftermath, especially if it were gruesome like Anjali proposed.

She looked at Vitti, hoping that the rancor's motherly instincts could comfort the pair and allow the wardens to bring them under control. Wildlife was trying blossom in the areas around the settlement and stampeding rancors would be a deterrent, let alone the sheer amount of damage the frightened beasts had been leaving in their wake wouldn't help the foliage thrive either. Vitti's strides were commanded by Anjali so the size of the beast would leave controlled damage behind - like the fallen log. It mattered little that it had been smashed in arrival. She thought how lucky they had been finding the baby fliers. If not, Cearia felt her stomach ache at the thought that if they had managed to survive, surely they would have been trampled to death. They needed to secure the rancors to not only bolster the numbers of the Undead Fires, but to allow the creatures and lands of Dathomir to recover and that could not be accomplished with these two unchecked.

When Anjali release her grip, Cearia remained upright. The little rest had given her just enough strength to exert herself if she took it slow. She followed her wife, waiting for Anjali to secure herself atop of Vitti.

Much like her interactions with Iss-Ka in the beginning, Vitti was curious, though her demeanor was far more tempered. The beast patiently waited as her mistress climbed atop her and then took the time to peer down at the woman. Large nostrils widened as Vitti began to memorize Cearia's scent. She was curious what the object of her mistress' affections smelled like in case she was sought after to find her. Her jowls widened as she puffed in exhalation towards the hunter in a simple greeting as she was not commanded to do anything else. Iss-Ka quickly flicked her tongue out towards Vitti with annoyance but did nothing else since Anjali needed voritor and rancor to play nice.

For the hunter, if she were not willed awake enough by the playful voritor, Vitti's breath certainly had. The ranor had recently eaten, bolma if her nose was not mistaken, and it smelled like a regurgitated belch. Vitti stood there, unawares that the face Cearia made was one of repulsion.

"At least you eat well ..." she muttered before grabbing Anjali's forearm once again.

She pressed hard into Vitti's thick, protective, skin and climbed upwards, taking her place behind Anjali. As she entwined arms around her wife's waist, Cearia's heart fluttered with exhilaration. Never in her life would she think it possible to be riding atop a rancor as it was forbidden to her by the Red Hills Clan. It vexed her that her heart was shackled by years of their traditions and wondered what her mother and sisters would think of her now. Would they have anguished over Cearia's choices for survival or be proud of the honor she brought to the Undead Fires with her innate abilities as a hunter, wedding the Clan Mother, and being allowed to sit on such a majestic beast?

Her hold around Anjali tightened in consequence to wandering thoughts and tucked her forehead against her wife's shoulder blades in comfort, overwhelmed once more. She breathed slowly and deeply, working at calming her mind because she would soon be called upon to pick up the trail ...

[Anjali Raskor]

Based on the little Cearia had told her, and her own experience, Anjali believed the two young Rancors were orphaned. The cataclysm while well behind them now, still had consequences upon the flora and fauna. The Undead Fires were able to provide well for their members, as well as their herds and creatures; but the ones in the wild had also suffered. As much as the Clan Mother believed in letting wildlife do its own thing, she was keenly aware they had to take care of the lands they had claimed as their own, for the Clan's well-being and growth.

In that regard letting loose Rancors in the perimeter was a concern, which was why Anjali had also been glad that her wife hadn't hesitated to run back at once so the beast wardens would be able to catch the runaways and bring them into the herd. Rancors were powerful beasts that supported a Clan well, but let to their own devices, they could be highly destructive.

Anjali wouldn't say she was immune to Rancor's breath; but it wasn't that far from the truth either. Having been exposed to such things since she was a toddler, she could stomach them with enough ease as not to feel atrociously nauseous. Helping with the Rancor's enclosure had been among her first tasks as aspiring Beast Warden when only a child. Some Night Sisters from the Lavender Rift thought it was a fairly dangerous idea to expose little ones that early on to such gigantic beasts, but Anjali was grateful for it. It had definitely taught her a lot.

She grinned at her wife's reaction to Vitti's breathing on her; but was happy that Cearia put up with it well enough, especially given how exhausted she was.

Once Cearia had her arms wrapped tightly around her, she had Vitti stand up so they could be on their way. She smiled as she felt her wife's forehead against her shoulder.

"There's a handful of dried fruits and meat in the pouch on my right hip, besides a refilled flask," she told her, knowing she might need to eat something.

She knew which way Cearia had come from originally, so she headed that way, Iss-Ka following at a safe distance, albeit as close as possible. While the Voritor had good survival instincts, she was too proud to risk appearing weak or fearful before the Rancor.

The Clan Mother cast her senses out in the distance, feeling a torrent of life in the strong network that was a testimony of Dathomir's rich life, even after the cataclysm. After a certain distance from the clan, she looked over her shoulder, at the huntress.

"Which way?"

Cearia's directions would provide the quickest way to the two errant Rancors.

[Cearia Tserta]

Once food was offered, Cearia's perked up and slid her forehead along Anjali's upper back before looking down at the belt. She kept her left hand secured on her wife's waist since she couldn't trust herself to not be jostled about atop a rancor and risk falling. Her strength was taking a substantially long time in returning and falling off the rancor without a secure hold was highly likely.

"Thank you, Clan Mother," she said, reaching to loosen the pouch, practically yanking it open with how ravenous her appetite was.

She stuffed her hand inside the pouch, grabbing whatever was closest, and unceremoniously shoved the meat inside her mouth. Manners the hunter had not. Cearia grabbed handfuls of food over and over again, barely taking a breath between swallowing. She ate like a ravenous rancor and all that was missing was the satisfied roar after consuming a fresh kill.

Next was tugging the water flagon free and downing it contents. Not one drop fell free from her mouth as she crinkled her eyes with wonder at the sight before her. She slowly lowered the flagon and with the same hand that held it, wiped her mouth as she had a new appreciation of the land from this view. They were not quite at the treetops, but it was captivating seeing the canopy so close that Cearia could almost touch the upper most leaves. It brought a childlike smile to her face, full of simple wonder and joy at discovering something new. She had to climb trees to be this close. Now she couldn't help reaching out to touch the brances at arms length, listening to the small rustle of twigs and leaves brushing against her and the flagon.

"Which way?"

Her wife's question forced her to lower her arm and focus.

"They were quickly moving east of the canyons." Not that Anjali needed it pointed out, but Cearia raised her arm over her mate's shoulder towards their destination. "Much further than where we found the fliers."

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali had to bite her tongue not to tell her wife she didn't need to be all hell bent on being formal; but she let it slide again. The way Cearia reached for the food and gobbled everything as if there was no tomorrow was an obvious sign that she had been correct in her choice to bring some supplies to help the huntress recoup.

The Clan Mother chuckled softly given the Rancor-like sounds coming from behind her. She almost expected her beloved to belch or roar as loud as humanly possible to complete the picture, although it didn't happen. She caught sight of Iss-Ka on the ground, who kept as close as possible, attention circling through the surroundings, the Rancor, and both witches.

She smiled when she caught sight of the huntress's expression as she reached out to run her fingers against the high branches. Anjali might be used to ride a Rancor but she still appreciated the uniqueness of the experience; and she was glad that her wife found appreciation for it as well, especially now that she was feeling better.

She nodded and looked into the direction Cearia gave her. Returning her attention to Vitti, she adjusted her direction. While it was tempting to rush, she didn't let Vitti go full speed either, for she was mindful of the vegetation and the wild life. There was no reason to bring destruction at the moment.

They carried on in silence, save for the careful stomping and a few birds passing by in the distance.

Anjali felt the ripples of fear from the two young Rancors moments before she actually caught sight of them. When they were within visual walking distance, she realized the younglings had stopped. They looked terrified but also immensely curious at the sight of Vitti.

The Beast Warden stopped her ride and had her crouch so both Cearia and her could get back to the ground. At once Iss-Ka was close to them. Vitti rose again but stayed quiet, waiting to see what Anjali would do.

Looking at her wife, Anjali gestured towards the two lost Rancors.

"I'll approach first," she stated.

[Cearia Tserta]

Not that she believed that Vitti would feel it, but Cearia let her fingers run along the thick skin, marveling at its texture. She was grateful that Anjali brought food and water and for Vitti being her legs - the silent journey allowed Cearia to comfortably rest. Her hold on her mate didn't loosen and there were a few times that Cearia spared a glance at Anjali's profile. Her wife was focused, eyes piercing the lands for any signs of the rancors, probably using her extraordinary senses to feel for them too. It was a formidable combination - skill and magic.

Her eyes scoured the area as well, noting bushes and wildflowers trampled into the ground. Even a young tree was broken in half, bent over like a snapped twig. That was their trail after the young rancors ran into the forest. With both hands on Anjali's waist, Cearia closed her eyes and listened. One by one she peeled away the sounds of their travel - Vitti's stomping, Iss-Ka's quick feet through the grass, how her and Anjali's shook during the ride. She erased the birds squawking in terror of the rancors, the rustling of leaves touched by the wind ... she strained to listen further, jutting her chin out with effort.

She could barely hear the soft rumblings from the pair. Opening her eyes, Anjali must have sensed them because they were both looking in the same direction. Her eyes widened in relief that they had successfully found them and for the time being, stationary. With her part coming to an end, she deferred to Anjali on how best to approach.

As quickly as she could, Cearia made it to the ground, tempering her excitement. As astonishing as this moment was for Cearia to witness how Anjali the Warden would calm the young ones, she needed to rein it in. A calm mind will afford the hunter sharp wits and senses. She needed to be ready to act at a moments notice if her wife commands it - even if Cearia felt obsolete.

She nodded her understanding to remain here.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali hadn't expected that Cearia would have any issue with staying behind with Vitti and Iss-Ka for now; but she nevertheless waited for her wife's nod, before proceeding forward. Young Rancors were always a handful, and when untamed and terrified, it could be dangerous; but it didn't scare the Beast Warden. She had improved over the years, for her training had begun many years ago. Yet there were reasons she had ensured that the other two Beast Wardens would join them later on, because more were needed to herd the two new additions back to the settlement.

Taking a deep breath and feeling vivid life surround her as she anchored herself into the earth and the wildlife, she took slow but confident steps towards the Rancors. She knew they had seen them already, but advancing by herself would make her less threatening. They might think she was food of course, but that was part of the risks.

They didn't move for the longest time, letting her approach, which she saw as a good sign.

Suddenly one of them, a male, lunged forward. Anjali rolled to the ground to escape his sweeping motion. Even young, they were already several meters tall and their claws were deadly to many including humans. She jumped back to her feet and faced the male again. It puzzled him that she didn't run away. He planted his claws on each side of her, as she rooted herself, searching for his gaze. While it was a threatening approach, it would also assert her as a dominant one, which she would be to him as he went through taming.

He approached his massive head and sniffed her, snapping his jaws at her. His breath was among the worst she had been exposed to, and it also made it clear he hadn't eaten properly in several days, confirming her assessment of the violent orphaning.

From the edges of her perceptions she felt his sibling move past them. She couldn't turn her gaze away from the male; but she had to do something,

"Vitti! Elat!"

Her command had the adult Rancor step forward and go to the approaching stomping orphan.

Iss-Ka was nervous and paced back and forth as she observed her mistress deal with the male, her attention also drifting at times to the huntress. It was rare to see the Voritor concerned as such; but the beast hated feeling cornered and helpless, which was how the situation was for her.

[Cearia Tserta]

The chance to watch Anjali bring the rancors under her control was an honor for Cearia. She watched her mate approach them with a confident gait, her stance unwavering and without fear that at a moment's notice Anjali could be ripped in two by its talons or razor sharp teeth. The curious gazes from the two young ones towards Anjali reflected the will she commanded and afforded her time to assess the rancors.

She unconsciously reached for Iss-Ka, both of them heavily invested in Anjali's safety and both useless right now to help. They could only bear witness to her mastery and hoped that nothing untoward would happen until the other wardens arrived.

Then it happened, causing Cearia to audibly gasp in fright when one of the rancors stepped forward to attack. She breathed a sigh of relief while her heart thundered loudly within her ears once she saw Anjali roll to safety. But it wasn't over yet. Anjali stared the rancor down, unflinching, despite being so close that one snap of its jaw would mean her demise. Yet he stood there, curious still - eyes canvasing over the tiny woman that exuded an indomitable will. Cearia was in awe and felt the lingering doubts that had manifested earlier take claim of her mind, questioning her worth as the Clan Mother's mate.

Anjali had explained why she chose Cearia, even loved her and wanted no other. Hell ... the hunter had yet to return Anjali's love. Yes, there was deep affection but their feelings weren't evenly matched yet. What she did know is that her abilities as a hunter caused notice, made her desirable as a member of the Undead Fires - as a provider and potential mate. Cearia knew her worth as much as Anjali did but as she watched the magnificence of a warden's power - was that really enough?

"You are enough, Cearia."

Anjali's words echoed in memory, but Cearia's self-loathing could no longer accept that so easily. The Clan Mother deserved an equal. Cearia was not an equal ...

Her thoughts ceased as the other rancor sprung into a full run towards them. She was quite proud she didn't scream her mate's name as it would only distract the Clan Mother. Eyes wide, she gripped Iss-Ka's spine for dear life as she frantically thought of something she could do to protect them. In an instant, Anjali shouted her commands and Vitti strode forward to aid her mistress. At least warden and rancor could contain the scared young ones, giving the other wardens time to catch up - or so the hunter hoped.

Her chest heaved quickly with trepidation and uncertainty, hating being useless. She spared a glance at Iss-Ka and felt for the voritor who was a mess of nerves, slithering close to the grass and rapidly darting her tongue out and hissing with frustration.

She took a knee so their eyes could meet. "I know how you feel. I do. But we have to trust Anjali."

It was the first time she spoke her wife's name without title since returning to her with news. "She and Vitti will prevail until the other wardens arrive."

She gently rubbed a hand along Iss-Ka's jaw, a show of trust towards the voritor since a bite from the mighty lizard was deadly due to poison, and looked back in time to see Vitti meet the volatile rancor head on ...

[Anjali Raskor]

Vitti stomped calmly but surely in front of the younger female. The shorter Rancor stopped and glared at her, sniffing her adamantly, trying to make sense of that other female that reminded her of her mother, even though their skin was of a different shade of brown.

Anjali's rancor parried a swat from the younger one and then gripped her firmly, even as the orphan female roared in anguish. Vitti forced her to the ground albeit in an almost gentle manner, as if they would both sit. The younger one was still rebellious and fearful; but Vitti held tight, roaring back and then lowering her screams a bit, to the point it was almost soothing.

Anjali was still in a face down with the male youth, who was dividing his attention between his sister and Vitti, and the Beast Warden. Anjali took the opportunity to scrutinize him more, and she knew that both he and the other one would need to be fed.

In a distance, she could feel Iss-Ka's nervousness, as well as her wife's; but thankfully Cearia was able to calm the Voritor down, which helped Anjali focus better on trying to calm the young male, who roared at her again and tried to grab her, forcing her to draw from her extra strength and leaped away from him.

"They need food," she called out to her wife, while avoiding the beast chasing her around.

"You and Iss-Ka, go," she commanded, for food would help calm them down, and distract them, especially when the other Beast Wardens would arrive.

She suddenly realized that both young rancors were coming after her, she managed to avoid the male one who had decided she was entertaining and might work better as a snack than anything else. But his sister clawed at her, and the Night Sister groaned in pain as her skin got cut open along her arm, probably hard enough to tear not only through muscle but to damage bone.

It only rooted her deeper into the power the gods had bestowed upon her. Screaming, she turned on her heels and lashed out through the Force at the female, asserting mental dominance over her. In the meantime, Vitti fetched the male one to prevent him from hurting the Clan Mother.

[Cearia Tserta]

Cearia immediately sprung into action on the command of her wife, her Clan Mother, no longer useless. The seasoned hunter would not fail Anjail.

"Iss-Ka! Quickly find a scent!" The voritor's senses would find a trail far quicker than Cearia under these circumstances. She hadn't sufficiently recovered but Iss-Ka's stamina had barely been touched during the journey here.

As she looked for signs of a found source, she mused on a concern of how far they would need to travel for it. The young rancors had caused quite the ruckus around here and may have scared off game. That would mean running. Again. Which was now. Iss-Ka had picked up a scent and looked to Cearia, making sure she was coming. The hunter would just have to persevere and use what strength returned to see this through.

She didn't spare Anjali a glance and darted off with the lizard. Cearia had to trust in her wife's strength to keep the rancors contained with Vitti.

Where were the wardens?! she thought viciously. They were taking too long but idle thoughts weren't productive.

Moments mattered in finding or losing prey, or Anjali and Vitti could suffered a life threatening injury because she dallied. Not even the roars made her flinch. No what ifs entered her mind. All that mattered was bringing back food to sate the rancors.

The swishing voritor tail was Cearia's guide. Iss-Ka had considerable distance on the hunter, but she was used to following her tracks in a hurry. As she felt her legs begin to gently throb in reminder as to her earlier exertion, she barreled through a thickened area of bushes, berries smearing along her sleeves on impact. She wiped some that smashed against her cheek and continued the chase.

She wasn't sure how far they had traveled until there was another roar that had considerable power behind it. The male rancor she surmised, but it echoed further. They had to be over a kilometer away. Prey needed to be found soon.

The area they entered smelled of overripe berries, thanks to the stains on her clothing, and the fragrant scent of wildflowers. She felt hopeful that Iss-Ka had found bolma since they enjoyed grazing on them. The large dropping they passed certainly indicated that it was that beast they were tracking.

"Iss-Ka ... slow ..." Yes they were in a hurry, but Cearia didn't want to cause the bolma to run off.

She looked closely around the area, seeing that it wasn't terribly disturbed. There were signs of vegetation cracked and trampled on, but there was only one set of tracks that were definitely bolma - indentations with three deeper moon shaped nail marks.

Iss-Ka looked irritated at Cearia but she steadied a hand. "We can't let it run off. It's probably alone and scared of the rancors."

She hissed in understanding, but her feet were constantly padding the ground, wanting to move.

"I know, but this is the only way to help Anjali. Trust me." Cearia freed her bow and pulled three arrows from her quiver, holding them tightly in a fist, finally moving forward with the voritor.

They covered several meters in silence, keeping low and straining senses. Iss-Ka perked up first, smelling the bolma properly and was ready to run off and pounce.

"No. Stay." Cearia commanded as she stalked forward. The ferns were the perfect cover as voritor and hunter saw the stray bolma trotting along the clearing in a circle. It clicked loudly, shaking its head with frustration at being lost. Cearia knelt under cover, spearing the arrows into the ground next to her.

Cearia pulled another arrow free and readied it, lined up the shot and as she exhaled, let it loose.

Her arrow hit true, puncturing the side of its neck. It cackled in pain as Cearia immediately lined up another shot and opened fired. That arrow pierced under its neck as it thrashed and started to run off. Another arrow was notched and released and her aim was true. The last arrow perforated between its row of eyes, sending the bolma slamming forward and sliding still - dead.

"Hurry!" Her legs protested but Cearia forced herself to her feet. She was already shucking off her long hunting coat as they approached the kill. She tucked the jacket around the bolma's stubby front legs and knotted it. A few sharp tugs tested its strength and Cearia was satisfied.

"Iss-Ka, come here." She knelt down to explain. "I need your strength to pull this back to her. Can you do this?"

The voritor circled around the hunter and shimmed her head between the tied up legs. Though Iss-Ka was not full grown, she was still larger than the bolma that she was harnessed to. She heaved with all her might and began to drag the kill forward. Sharp talons dug into the ground so hard that it left gashes in Iss-Ka's wake, but it worked. Cearia's jacket gave her the leverage that was needed to move and gain speed.

Another roar resounded through the area and Cearia urged the lizard to move faster. "We need to hurry!"

Iss-Ka being weighted down by the bolma, Cearia was able to keep pace despite each boot fall sending a thunderous reminder that her muscles wanted to give out. She couldn't fail Anjali. They were so close ...

Fighting through unrelenting pain once more, Iss-Ka and Cearia returned victorious and they hoped it was in time.

"Anjali!" Her shout was a primal response at seeing her mate injured, the image finally peeling away the formalities that Cearia addressed her wife since returning. Anjali's arm was soaked with blood from a nasty gash and it was difficult to ascertain if there were other injuries that the mess was covering up.

"Iss-Ka! Go! Hurry!" she barked in desperation and watched the voritor start slithering forward, heaving the bolma with a sharp hiss.

[Anjali Raskor]

Where young Rancors found in the immediate aftermath of the Cataclysm tended to be on the scrawny side, the two Anjali was now facing were a far cry. While they were starving, they hadn't been deprived from nourishment their whole early days. They were fiercer and the Clan Mother hoped that the other Beast Wardens would arrive soon.

Vitti was able to mostly restrain and quiet the female one, who seemed to take upon the older Rancor as a higher figure who might help.

The male, on the other hand, was still trying the bleeding witch, and the scent of fresh blood seemed to send him into a violent spiral.

As much as Anjali knew she'd need medical attention to her wounded arm soon, she had no rest to do it until the two rancors were restrained well enough for her to spare attention elsewhere.

The male tried to jab at her again; but the Beast Warden roared at him, digging deep into the darker confines of her psyche to press on in his animal mind. She would not be bested. He would submit to her.

It wasn't her first way to approach taming creatures; but when needed, she had no qualms using all strength to ensure they would be brought into the fold as submissive beasts who would be trained for the Clan's greater good.

She felt the wild but scattered resistance of the male rancor, which stirred a reaction from his sibling who felt his pain and anger through bodily reactions, as he stopped on his tracks, whimpering and groaning.

At that moment, the female glared at Anjali but Vitti actually whacked her to prevent her from attacking the witch.

On cue, Anjali felt Cearia and Iss-Ka coming back from behind where she stood, grateful for her extensive senses to alert her of such needed returns.

"Iss-Ka, come to me," she commanded.

The Voritor who was dragging the dead bolma hissed as she came forward.

And then her name echoing throughout the land struck Anjali, for she hadn't heard her mate address her as such since returning.

At that moment, the male sniffed the meat and trampled over the ground, almost tossing Anjali against a nearby trunk the process.

Feeling the unleashed power as well as her wound drain her, the Clan Mother nevertheless stood her ground and rushed to her Voritor to make sure that she wouldn't be part of the meal.

In the distance, stomping indicated that the other Beast Wardens were coming closer.