-Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis-

  He noses across her scarred flank, sniffing, tail swishing behind him. A gesture of comfort. She is exhausted. It were as if he is as well. Drained down to his bones, feeling ready to stumble into an alcove within the dense underbrush, collapse, & sleep for days. The ambush predator, however, persists. He offers Schism a grumble of encouragement, turns, then stalks off into the trees.

  She is led some distance away. Frost crunches underfoot; birds quiet down, preparing for the storm. The gurgle of the river fades into the background as mist settles between the trees. The undergrowth thickens. It is, however, no issue for Acnestis to trample through. He stops, finally, in the center of a trio of trees. The bushes surrounding are dense; high. Leaves & foliage create a natural barrier against the wind. The soft soil beneath is marred by his very own footprints from days ago.
  Acnestis turns, snorting, dipping his head to sniff her once more.