One of the suns was higher than the other, obscured by the peaks. As a result, about half the cliff sides threw long, dark shadows, while the rest of the rocky terrain was sunny. The bones of giant, ancient beasts poked from the ground, a reminder that this land was built with time and pain. But the three hunters weren't here to unearth the memories of the past, just investigating the small caverns and crevices along the mountains–where there, the natives said, huldah could be found.

"Traps it is then," Skritch had decided, after Akira had proven the efficacy in using them to hunt for the quick-footed Jaebo. These–the huldah–were even smaller and more difficult to grab onto. Shenzi prickled at the idea, as it was still cheating, to her, but she accepted that the speed and need of the mission outweighed her pride. The Sea-Cucumbers had discovered the royal tark'ee family deep underground in a forgotten bunker, and before they could even work on coaxing them out, they demanded food–lots of it.

"I don't mean anything by it, Shenzi, really," Akira shyly pointed out as he pulled back the lever of another huldah-trap. The draconic tark'ee had a crush on the tsabhua, actually–but he fought against his own existence in the tribe too, with Skritch eager to suggest that his books and classes were all a waste of time and, especially, money. He had to prove himself, even if it risked going against her. "Ten more traps ready," Skritch brushed his hands off against each other, his expression testing–but satisfied. Oh Mel'kha, he prayed, May this gift send you running into my waiting arms!

But something… Wasn't quite right. Perhaps it was true that Shenzi was already looking for a way out of the tactic, but she also couldn't control material reality. Her golden eyes squinted at a crevice in the ground, a slim crack that one of them had fit a snapping trap into days prior. "Did we catch one?" Skritch asked, his expression impassive. "No," Shenzi snapped a little, annoyed, "We sure lost our cheese, though." Akira gasped. "My creations!" He slithered over in a hurry. The small piece of cheese that had been left on the weighted plate had been perfectly removed–but without even triggering the mechanism.

"But how… How is it possible?" Akira fretted. He tried to use the tip of his long tail to reach in for the mousetrap–only it to snap shut on it. "Yowch!" He screeched, flinging his tail out so fast it went flying off and struck Skritch. "REE!" He screeched, looking rather displeased. Shenzi's ears fell, and Akira's icy blue eyes grew wide with fear. "Just make the traps work, now!" Their Captain demanded. Use more cheese, use more traps, whatever we have to do! Queen Mel'kha is waiting!" Though he must not dawdle on that word, Queen, too long, lest he realize she already had a King…

"Yes Sir!" Akira and Shenzi both sat up tall, like soldiers responding to an officer.