Víðarr wishes to expand the pack and Tove will do anything to help him reach his goal. With a select group of hunters, the scarred woman had set out to the crypt to scout the different types of prey animals that can be found down here. As the group traverse down into the bowels of the dark crypt, the woman finds the scent of a male musk ox lingering heavily in the air. The poor bastard probably wandered down here to avoid one of the blizzards that seem so common to the mountain and it could not find its way out. Better to not let its meat go to waste.

Pulling the group to a stop, the scarred woman looks to each one as she says, “There is a musk ox in here. We will work as a group to bring it down. I want one wolf on every side. I will take the front.” Her voice is ragged and hoarse but her intent and seriousness of the situation cannot be missed. Eyes flick between the others as she waits for them claim right, left and back. Once they all have declared their choice, Tove dips her head in agreement and says, “Stay together and stay close. Do not wander off.” This place acts like a labyrinth and the woman knows that someone could be easily get lost if they break off from the group.

With a firm nod, the woman begins to move, following the scent down halls and around corners as she quickly memorizes their path so that the group can easily find their way out. Lifting a paw, she indicates for everyone to get lower to the ground as they approach the opening to a huge room and there, in the back, moving toward the opening to another chamber is their musk ox. Sticking to the shadows, she shoots a glance back to the group and waits for them to settle into a line behind her. They will strike quickly and as one unit.


"Tove Baade"

Bylgja was not a hunter by trade, but when she was selected to join the expedition, she didn't argue. She held her head high, instead, and followed with a robust sort of joy that brimmed from every pore of her body. She was a brutal woman. Not a woman of cruelty, but a woman of pragmatism and the snarling, bone-breaking brutality that came with it. As such, she practically bounced alongside Tove as the group moved, and when she got her orders, Bylgja let out an affirming grunt, her ears swiveling forward and her hackles raising. She dripped with the desire to hunt, to kill the musk ox. Tove is heavily scarred and Bylgja is new, but Bylgja looks at Tove as if she is an expert, as if she is someone to eagerly learn from. After all, the power of belief is important, and Bylgja has seen Tove's scars! The scars mean she's a survivor. Mean she's strong. It's Bylgja looking at Tove with bright, eager eyes-- not entirely unlike the way others have looked at her. "I'll take front right." So when the order comes, Bylgja sweeps forward, darting with her efficient strength and speed, following Tove. They are all in their line of attack, and Bylgja has deliberately put herself where Tove can see her when the time comes, because they are both scarred and powerful and Bylgja wants to bear direct witness to their strength uniting to claim prey. "Bylgja"

The wind whipped through the lands outside, stirring up snow and biting into the flesh of those caught without shelter. Even so, the wolves hunted. Úlfr had a spring in his step as he followed the hunting party, for winter was the season of the wolf. The thick show hindered their prey and drained their energy. He wasn't quite sure he liked the crypt much but he knew Víðarr was interested in claiming the territory.

Strangely enough they'd managed to find a musk ox within the crypt. Tove gave out the instructions and Úlfr went along with it even though it wasn't his preferred way to hunt a musk ox. Despite the chill of the weather outside musk oxen were prone to overheating if driven hard and relentlessly. The trick of course was to get them running without getting kicked or gored and the crypt's close quarters would make it difficult to get around.

"I can get behind it." He nodded to his ravens, indicating he had a plan for such an action. He had been hunting in tandem with his ravens so long they barely needed to speak to each other. The birds perched near the ceiling, talons clicking into the alcoves as Úlfr readied himself.

She and Gimli grinned at each other as the pair followed Tove down into the crypt. She wasn't sure what they'd find down here, but surely something had found shelter here what with the near-constant blizzards happening outside. She shook off the ice and snow that had accumulated on her fur. Her nose was practically frozen, but a little bit of rubbing it did the trick in warming it up again and the strong smell of a musk ox hit her. She had never hunted one of those before, so wasn't sure how different they were to bison. When they came to a stop, Tove confirmed what she suspected and nodded. "Gimli and I will take the left!" She glanced the dwarf, winking to him. He was short. She was tall. They could cover each others weaknesses, surely. Once everyone had selected their position, she followed closely behind the others. Gimli had said he'd been down here many times before the pack had probably even been a thought, so she trusted him enough that in the off chance she ever did get lost, he'd be able to find her. "Brida"

His heart beat like a hammer against the war drums. He walked beside his taller student, Brida, as he followed Tove and the others down into the Crypt to see what they could find. Many creatures had gotten lost down here trying to escape both predators and the elements alike. He could tell he was with experienced hunters. Tove led the charge, and he was curious to see how they'd coordinate to take down whatever they might find. To his surprise, the strong scent of a musk ox hit him, causing the dwarf to grin from ear to ear. "Ah'm ready," He listened carefully to what Tove said, glancing up at Brida when she claimed him to take on the left side with her. Fair enough. She was young still, inexperienced. He'd been training her lately, so it was time to see how much that training was paying off. As the group ventured deeper and found the ox, he kept his position until Tove instructed otherwise. In the meantime, he decided now was the time for a quick prayer. "Grant me always, wisdom an' respect in the pursuit an' keep me humble in the harvest. Please embrace this animal's spirit. Please bless this gift, an' that we may be successful an' safe. Ullr, bestow within us a spirit of generosity and humility tha' we may enjoy bountiful hunting." He murmured beneath his breath, just quiet enough so that their intended prey wouldn't hear him. "Gimli"||"Knut"

While the ideal way to bring down the massive, shaggy ox would be to run the creature until it is overheated and tired, the tight, twisting quarters that find themselves in means the hunting party is forced to adapt their techniques. By surrounding the beast, they can force it to move where they wish while wearing down and that will help them effectively controlling the battle. Duel-toned eyes scan the group, taking in their expression as they each call out where they will be focusing. With a dip of her head, Tove’s gravely, rough voice once again raises to whisper, “Úlfr, make sure that it doesn’t try to wedge itself into a corner.”

If the creature manages to get into a corner, the musk ox will be able to protect its back and force the hunting party to only attack it head on. Tove does not wish for a drawn out, bloody hunt and she absolutely refuses to return with injured wolves so they will need to keep the animal out in the open. As one, the group moves, sweeping out from the tunnel and into the wider space and the older, scarred woman charges forward, allowing the others to break off and settle into position. Racing up to and past the ox, she spins around in front of the creature to cut off its path.

Growls roll from her maw and her fur bristles as the woman draws the prey animal’s attention to herself so that the others can freely take up their positions. Duel-toned eyes dart left and right, checking on others progress as she slowly presses forward, pushing the large beast back into the wider area so that they can attack more freely. Now, the battle begins.


"Tove Baade"

Úlfr's ears flicked forward to better hear the instructions over the low hum of the wind that was picking up and echoing through the tunnels. He glanced up to his ravens, sensing their movement in the darkness more than actually seeing it. The wolves picked out their targets, spreading around the musk ox. Tove asked him to make sure the ox didn't wedge into a corner. Her nodded. "Consider it done." He slipped silently behind the musk ox like a ghostly shadow. Above him the ravens followed suit, settling into the rafters above him. Their wings started to spread in preparation for flight. The trio waited and then sprung into action.

Úlfr took the greatest risk as he attacked the rear of the creature, carefully dodging the legs as it kicked back at him. His fangs found purchase at the back of the musk ox's left knee, limiting its ability to kick back and nail him. At the same time his ravens dove down, sharp beaks digging into the creatures rear, prodding it forward.

Her ears twitch and her muscles tense with the prospect of the hunt. It doesn't take long for the wolves to start and take up positions, with Tove leading the charge. Brida swiftly moves behind the dwarf as they head off to the left side of the ox, and already the battle has begun. The musk ox was big, but surely no match for the Viking wolves. Tove keeps its attention, and Ulfr strikes from behind. Brida wastes no time and moves to strike its side just behind the ribs, snapping and seeking to score her claws down it side. It's outnumbered, and even as it swings its head and tries to kick out, its attempts are futile. With Ulfr on one leg, Tove at the forefront, and it being driven away from the walls, he was surrounded. She briefly spotted Gimli making a run for underneath the beast, and so she did her best to help keep it immobilized while also trying to keep out of reach of those horns and hooves! "Brida"

The crew got to moving, and Gimli was quick and quiet on his feet. Amber gaze watches the movements of the beast they're hunting, attention drawn to the wolves that start to surround it. Tove keeps its attention well enough, while Ulfr moves to keep it from backing up against the walls as he leads Brida to the left. The larger wolf goes in for the attack, and while she keeps it occupied, Gimli makes a swift decision to attack the tender belly of the beast. He rushes in, diving under the ox as he rolls onto his back, tooth and claw at the ready as he grabs onto the tender flesh with sharp fangs, and the bear claw gloves he is wearing slice through flesh. The ox tries to stomp on him, but Ulfr has one hind leg and Brida and Tove manage to keep on it enough to keep its attention in the meantime. He worked quickly to disembowel the creature, and in his pursuit of slicing and dicing, he could tell it was losing energy as it tired from loss of blood by the attacking wolves. "Arright, time te get outta th' way!" He muttered as he kicked off the ox's belly and out to the other side just as it started to collapse. "Gimli"||"Knut"

The others are quick to take up their spots and a small grin tugs at her lips at the effectiveness of all those present. They work as a team, harassing the large musk ox and delivering vicious bites where they are able to. Blood flows from the various wounds that appear on the creature’s body and it fills the air with its intoxicating coppery scent. Tove tosses her back in excitement, heart thundering in her breast as she lunges in toward the beast’s fact. The woman rumbles a deep growl as her teeth latch onto the thick muzzle of the prey so that she can control the horned head better.

It grunts, kicks, panics, and tries to injure those who seek to take the beast’s life but the wolves continue to expertly dodge all of ox’s attacks. Gimli, the small, stocky man suddenly slips underneath the creature and sets about slicing into the soft, tender flesh of the abdomen which has the musk ox immediately trying to stomp in the wolf’s brain in. With a snarl, Tove releases her hold and moves in toward the shoulder on the opposite the side of Brida. Quickly, she sinks her teeth deep into flesh of the leg, tossing her head to rend muscle and tendons that lay underneath.

The ox sags just as the male reappears and Tove releases her hold to retreat back several steps as the large beast collapses. All the effort and panted breathes has made the air grow hot in the small confines of the crypt and the woman is panting as she shouts, “Now!” For a moment, her voice almost sounds as it had before her horrible run-in with the bears and, in this struggle of life and death, she can’t help but feel alive. Rushing back in, she shoves the creature onto its side and works to pin the head in place so that the deadly horns cannot hurt anyone.

Duel-toned eyes sweep the group, wondering who will step up to take the killing blow.


"Tove Baade"

Úlfr held tight to the back of the ox's leg, he coiled his legs then twisted sharply. Between that motion and the trauma the others were doing the ox buckled and with a pop he heard the joint in the hind leg shift. It went down with a slam but Úlfr didn't wait to see if everyone was out of the way. He released his grip and leapt forward. As Tove pulled the head back he dove in for the throat, fangs latching in tight. He bundled his body up close, clinging to the neck to keep himself out of the way of the front legs. Already weakened it didn't take long for the ox to breathe its last breath. Úlfr held on a few moments longer before releasing his grip and stepping back.

Her heart hammered within her chest as Gimli slid beneath the ox. She could smell the very strong scent of blood, and could hear ripping and tearing beneath the very loud sounds of the ox and the wolves tearing into it. The ox tried to kick and stomp, and she briefly worried about her mentor beneath the flailing, dying animal. She moves further, attacking the rear leg opposite of Ulfr and grabs a hold, readjusting once or twice until she had it by the ankle. She yanked and pulled with all her might to keep the leg suspended and cause it to lose balance. As it started to go down, her breath hitched as she thought it might flatten Gimli. But to her relief, the dwarf had managed to come out unscathed and with a very pleased look on his face.

As the ox went down and Tove had managed to expose its neck, Ulfur wasted no time in going for the killing blow. Grinning, the blue furred babe dug into her assault on its leg until she heard it crack and the leg was bent at an angle that it shouldn't be in.

The wolves had been successful in their endeavor to bring down their prey! The ox had lost far too much blood to stay alive even if they had failed. Gimli while small, could still do things the larger ones probably couldn't. Like being able to get right up under the beast and attack its tender weak spots. Sure, he was covered in blood and bits of intestine as they now hung out, but he didn't mind that at all. He could always wash up later! The Ox went down, and Gimli re-entered the fray by continuing an assault on the exposed belly and ripping out more intestine like a foul game of tug-of-war! As Tove brought the beasts head up for the killing blow, Ulfur took no time in delivering it. The ox took its last breath, its battle done. It had gone out fighting every step of the way, and Gimli could respect that. Once it lay still and the light left its eyes, he stepped back with a piece of flesh and tossed it to his companion. "Aye! We did it!" He whooped, proud of their efforts and teamwork!