[color=SteelBlue][h2][center][u][u]A New Hunt Begins[/u][/u][/center][/h2][/color]

	The gently falling snow and the creak of branches laden with ice seemed unnaturally loud tonight. The howling of wolves echoed in the distance, [color=BurlyWood]"No prey, no threats,"[/color] they said. Assured of his safety, Ulfric knelt before the bloody ground. A confused mess of broken branches, disturbed snow, and occasional claw marks covered the area. Beyond that, a meandering, blood-splattered trench had been carved through the snowbanks. The Greater Yeti he had wounded the day before had stayed ahead of him all night, but the marks were much fresher this time.
	[color=SteelBlue][i]"The blood loss is starting to get to him,"[/i][/color] Ulfric concluded, [color=SteelBlue][i]"Won't be long."[/i] [/color]
He stood and rolled his shoulders. With any luck, the beast would live long enough to lead him right to its den. It wouldn't do to leave orphans; better they die tonight than spend the rest of the bitter Norden winter starving to death. He let out crude imitation of a howl, calling his pack-mates back to him. Staying human had its weaknesses, but it wouldn't do to let himself get soft by letting his superior physique do the work for him. Six distinct howls responded, so he set to following the trail. His pack-mates would catch up in their own time.
	A few hours passed, the moon following his progress through the forest. Eventually, trees gave way to rock and the yawning opening of a cave. Labored breathing could be heard coming from within; the smells of blood and fear were almost sickening. Soft footfalls behind him announced the arrival of the rest of the pack. Their ears perked up and they sniffed the air curiously as they picked up on the prey's presence. Ulfric listened and smelled at the entrance for a few minutes, trying to confirm the presence of any other Greater Yetis. Sensing none besides his target, he raised the [color=SlateBlue][i]Spirit of the Hunt[/i][/color] to his shoulder and stepped into the darkness of the cave, his pack-mates followed behind him, growling in anticipation of the feast awaiting them.
	The poor beast was sprawled out on the floor in the furthest chamber of the cave. Apparently, it had barely managed to make it home and crawl into the darkest corner it could. It probably would have died in the night even without Ulfric's help. At his approach, it growled weakly, trying to bluff him into backing down. His only response was to train his rifle on the creature's forehead and fire twice. With a final groan, the Greater Yeti became still. His pack began to approach the corpse and take their share, but he warned them off with a snarl and bared teeth. [i]He[/i] was Alpha and [i]he[/i] had first pick at the kill.
	Ulfric set the [color=SlateBlue][i]Spirit of the Hunt[/i][/color] and his non-magical gear to the side, not willing to risk them being damaged. With a groan, his body expanded, his face shifting into a much more comfortable form as claws sprouted from his hands. As the transformation finished, he leaned back and howled properly, his pack joining in. Getting down on all fours, he proceeded to tear into the carcass, being careful to leave the head undamaged. It would be needed to collect the bounty, after all. Sated, he stepped back and allowed his pack-mates to have theirs.
	Once again in human form, Ulfric took a deep breath of night air as he exited the now-empty cave, the satisfaction of a successful hunt washing over him. He looked up into the sky to get his bearings and his eyes widened at an impossible sight. A shining shaft of light pierced the moonless sky and trailed down to somewhere further into the mountains. 
	[color=SteelBlue]"What in the world...?"[/color] he murmured.