Like Animals

~ Chapter One ~

Ryven paced the clearing, impatiently clawing at the ground. What is she doing? They all should be out by now! He thought, scowling at the shady entrance to the tunnel. Ryven growled and turned away, sitting down on the hard earth with a sigh, and wondered what Vyriain would do. Kalyk and Shanti couldn't afford to be late again, and he hoped, for their sake, that they weren't.  

He remembered when he was a cub, always focused and ready to fight. Nothing like animals these days... he narrowed his eyes as something flashed at the edge of his vision. Finally!

Two spotted shapes padded out of the den, one a hyena, the other a leopard. They strolled over to Ryven, exchanging friendly glances. "Pay attention," he spat, angry. 

"We're late as it is! Shanti, you better have an explanation for this," Ryven growled, glaring at the leopard. "Kalyk needs a better influence then this. Sometimes I feel like you are younger than her! You need to get your act together before your head is under the Queen's claws." 

The last words had a sinister note to it that didn't seem to bother Shanti at all. 

She shrugged, unmoved. "I'm out now, aren't I?" She purred, flicking an ear. Kalyk's tail wagged in agreement, not knowing how serious the situation was.

Ryven narrowed his eyes, scowling. "Come on then," he barked "Synarii will be waiting." 

The three soldiers padded through the scorching, rock base to a shady overhang not far from the Climb Tree. Ryven poked his head inside, calling "Synarii, apologies for our timing, but my Falas are ready for their training orders."

They waited. A moment later, a battle scarred Vixen stepped outside.

"Oh, these two again! Aren't they ready for their first assignments already?" She chuckled.

"They have proven to be rather... difficult," Ryven responded, with a pointed glare at Shanti. "But... I suppose the war can't wait forever..." he sighed reluctantly.

"I will speak with Queen Vyrian about their Rising... but that does not excuse you from your training today," he added to the excited Falas.

"Well, yeah, but still!" Shanti trilled, waving her tail for emphasis.

"Let us train to pass the time, young Falas," Synarii said smoothly.

"Where are we going today?" Kalyk piped up from her place behind Shanti. "Are we gonna battle? Are we gonna go into enemy territory? Are we gonna-" She was cut of by Ryven's tail slapped over her mouth.

"You shall go wherever Synarii says you will go." he snarled in her ear, embarrassed about his Fala's rookie behavior.

Vyrian would never let them on the warfield at this rate! Shanti seemed to take the hint and remained silent as Synarii led the way out of the base.

The four animals raced through complicated paths through tallgrass and rock piles. When she was sure they were far enough from the base, she sat down, Ryven copying her.

"Your final training challenge will be a test of skill, intuition, memory, and creativity. You have learned about strength and battle, but that's not everything. Usually the most street smart warriors survive. So we will leave you here, and you must figure out what to do, where to go, and, most importantly, how to get home." Synarii explained. "We may or may not be observing you, and don't even try to follow us back. Orders have been given to the base guards to attack you on sight if you return before sunrise. Good luck." 

And with that, Ryven and Synarii raced into the tallgrass, making sure to leave an intricate path and doubling back a few times to make sure his two Falas could not follow his scent. He could taste the rain on the wind, promising to wash away any remaining traces of their path, but he had to be sure. 

Finally, they both arrived at the base, gave orders to the guards, and he mounted the Climb Tree. Now he only had to wait.

-AUTHOR'S NOTE-

This chapter was incredibly short and I apologize. I wanted to assign chapters to a specific character's perspective, and I wanted to give the first one to Ryven, just to make him seem a little less heartless and intimidating. However I'm aware that letting y'all hear his thoughts may have enforced that stigma, but he's not all bad, I promise. Even if he seems to be the main villain at the moment. 

Have you guessed who the real main character is yet? Would be interesting if it were indeed Ryven, but things get a little boring for him soon enough. It's much more fun to keep you guys guessing.

I just realized I write these like multiple people are reading. I should probably stop that haha