A flock of wild wherries began to break up into smaller groups as they searched through the forest for seeds and berries, or whatever else the large birds could find to feast on. A young male wandered off by himself, straying far from the rest of the flock. He was oblivious to the dangers hiding in the shadows of the trees, covered by the wide leaves of large fernlike plants.
A pair of gold-green eyes watched the wherry from the shadowy undergrowth. The rest of the beast could not be seen, hidden as it was. Its cold eyes watched the wherry warily, not yet ready to break its cover.
The wherry was oblivious to this spectator, and simply continued to wander off, in search of more food. Unwittingly, it was also wandering closer to the hunter in the shadows. The creature watched it, until it was only mere feet from it. Perfect lunging distance.
The wherry squawked in alarm as a large golden beast leapt out from its cover, rushing to the frightened wherry. The beast's gold coat was covered with dark brown spots, set in a rosette-like pattern over its body, and smaller specks and flecks of brown lay in the larger rosette shapes.
The large, spotted feline snarled as it lunged at the startled wherry, which fled in fright. But the feline was too fast, and its sharp claws sunk into the wherry's flesh as the feline dragged down its prey. The hunter's strong jaws snapped around the wherry's head, and it was dead.
The feline purred contentedly as it dug into its meal. When it had had it's fill, it left the carcass for the scavengers to find, and walked off to clean itself off before it went home. It wouldn't do to go back to the Hold covered in blood.
Ryathale was a small Hold far from any Weyr on the Southern Continent. Fortunately, the area was heavily grubbed and protected against Thread, and the people there lived in considerable peace and safety.
Their only real problems were the many wild felines roaming about outside the Hold. Though the Holders drove them back into the forest, they often killed tame herdbeasts and runners, and occasionally threatened human lives, if someone was to stumble into the midst of a pride of wild felines.
Cerathu brushed his dark blonde hair out of his eyes, and the black-tipped bangs fell right back to where they were, covering his face. He rolled his gold-green eyes and began to walk back to the Hold. It was almost time for dinner, and he was expected back at the Hold. Blinking his eyes as he stepped out of the trees' shade, he came upon the small Hold which he called home. He stared in surprise as a younger girl, about fifteen turns old, waved to him as her long, chestnut brown hair swayed in the wind.
Cerathu grinned as he raced up to his younger foster sister. "Serein, what are you doing here? It's almost dinner time, shouldn't you be in the dining hall?"
Serein laughed. "That's exactly why I'm here, silly! I was looking for you!"
Cerathu just grinned and shrugged. "I'll pass, I'm not really hungry."
Serein just frowned. "Alright then..." She paused, staring at him for a moment. "Hey, Cerathu? Did you cut yourself? There's blood on your lip."
Startled, Cerathu licked his lips, and tasted coppery blood. Wherry's blood. He hastily wiped it off, hoping Serein hadn't noticed anything strange. He shrugged, and grinned halfheartedly.
Serein stared at him in confusion, but turned and walked away in silence. Cerathu sighed in relief, gazing after her guiltily.
With a glance back at the forest, he walked into the hold. He should at least show up at dinner.
Cerathu sat, idly playing with his food in boredom. "Cerathu, won't you eat?" His foster father asked him.
Cerathu just smiled and shook his head. "I'm not really hungry."
The Lord Holder glanced at his son worriedly and said no more. "Shaffing felines attacked again." He said after a pause. "Took one of the best runnerbeasts, and gave one of the handlers a long scar on his arm."
Cerathu looked down. "You can't blame them. After all, they were here before us, and they still consider it their territory."
His father scoffed. "You shouldn't show such compassion, Cerathu. Especially if you are going to take over the Hold someday. They're monsters, nothing but dangers and nuisances."
Cerathu felt his ears grow hot, and struggled to control his temper. He didn't answer, and stood up to leave. "I'm not hungry. I'll be up in my room." He said as he left.