WoW: Earning Her Stripes

Story by Thakur on SoFurry

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#6 of WoW: Protecting Pride

Kelidanya's training begins, but can she stay undercover, obeying Zagna Deathblade even when she can't understand the Orc's words? Actually - could she disobey if she wanted to? This Night Elf Druid steadies her jaw, ready to do what it takes to survive, even if that means suffering the worst kinds of humiliation.


Zagna Deathblade was true to her word. The very next day, the burly Orc huntress took "Kitten", leaving her other two cats behind. Kelidanya walked curiously behind the Orc, but they weren't going far; as soon as they left the fortified walls of the Crossroads, Zagna stopped, pointing out the distant silhouette of a plainstrider against the grassy savanna.

The giant, long-necked bird couldn't fly, but Kelidanya knew from related species near Darkshore that the awkward looking creature could run...fast. Not only that, they could use both their feet and beak as vicious weapons. The Night Elf druid had never risked taking on such a beast, though her peers certainly had.

Zagna lifted her shotgun, still thirty yards from the creature, and fired one shot.

The bird fell, dead, as casually as the huntress batted an eye. Kelidanya knew that Zagna could as easily and thoughtlessly kill her. The Orc huntress could even run_faster than she could. As if that weren't bad enough, the young Night Elf couldn't transform while lion cubs filled her womb. She didn't even want to _think_about the cause of _that. The young druid recruit could only rely on her stealth to escape the torment she found herself in.

Zagna kneeled next to Kelidanya, placing a gentle hand on the back of her neck. As far as the Orc knew, "Kitten" was just a plain, tan lioness, magically bound to her control. The druid had gone to great lengths to conceal her true nature, because if any of the Horde knew she was an Alliance spy, she would surely be executed - after a long, brutal torture. The simple taming spell had failed, of course, but should Zagna ever realize that, Kelidanya's cover would be blown.

<We're hunting plainstrider today, Kitten,> Zagna said, in Orcish. Kelidanya could hardly understand a word of it, but the way the Orc emphasized _Lak'gannosh_while pointing at the distant body allowed her to guess the Orcish word for plainstrider. <You can defeat one, I am _sure_of it, but never fear. If you are losing, I will take it down,> the Orc continued, patting her shotgun.

Kelidanya racked her brain, trying desperately to guess any commands that Zagna might have given her. A true hunter's pet would magically understand her hunter's orders and follow them to the death, if need be. The moment that Kelidanya failed to obey was the moment Zagna would turn her over as a spy. The Orcish words poured over her mind like grease over glass.

Pointing at another plainstrider on a nearby hill, Zagna said, <Go, kill.>

Kelidanya already knew "go", and judging by the look on the Orc's face, she could guess the word for "kill". Gulping, the trapped lioness looked her prey over. It was twice her size! Her fear of the large bird was less than her fear of disobeying, and so Kelidanya took a slow step forward, trying to mask her hesitence as prowling.

Zanga wouldn't allow it to kill her. Would she? The things the young Night Elf had heard about Orcs was mostly true: they were crude, rude, and aggressive, but Zagna had also shown her a strange concern and kindness the day before. Kelidanya shook her head clear, not wanting to think about yesterday.

Every step took her closer to the massive beast. In her training, she'd only ever killed a handful of small creatures - imps, pigs, feral furbolgs - but never anything as tall or deadly as this plainstrider. And then, she'd been in full control of her druidic magic. Cut off from the healing power of life, or the searing magic of the moon, all the former Night Elf could rely upon was her claws.

Her tawny coat disappeared among the dry, half-dead grass. Despite the bird's large head and elevated view, it couldn't see her coming. The plainstrider walked slowly back and forth, small, flightless wings flapping weakly at its sides. Was it really this easy? At least Kelidanya would get the first strike!

Glancing over her shoulder as she crept, the former Night Elf was reassured to find the imposing silhouette of Zagna watching with her gun in her hands. She looked back and almost bumped right into her prey!

Kelidanya took a quick step back, eyes wide as she gazed up at the enormous, deadly bird. It paced just in front of her, oblivious. Kelidanya's sharp, leonine eyes fixed upon its black and white tail feathers, every bounce and jostle making her mouth water. She felt her muscles tense, her body instinctively ready to pounce.

But she couldn't do it!

She imagined that wicked, pointed beak stabbing forward again and again, digging into her flesh to leave bloody gashes riddling her body. Even if Zagna fired the perfect shot to hit the bird but miss Kelidanya, what Horde hunter wouldn't walk up to a dying, bleeding, good-for-nothing lioness and fire the second shot into her brain?

A compassionate Zagna would fare no better. Kelidanya had learned enough about Night Elf hunters to know that their magical relationship with their animals allowed them to reform damaged flesh at will. If Zagna _didn't_shoot her, the Orc would attempt to heal the druid. But no taming spell had engulfed Kelidanya's mind. The magic would fail, and then the very _best_that the lioness could hope for would be swift buckshot to the head. No, far more likely would Zagna grab the Alliance spy by the scruff of her neck and _carry_her to the Horde Inquisitors, to be tortured and killed.

Not fighting would result in the same fate. The moment she disobeyed an order from the huntress, her disguise would be revealed. No, Kelidanya's only hope would be to kill the plainstrider without allowing it to rip or shred her at all. A flimsy, futile hope, but Kelidanya whispered a quick prayer to Elune, fixed her eyes on that bobbing, feathered tail, and pounced.

The world flowed by in slow motion as the lioness launched through the air, all sixteen claws outstretched toward the unsuspecting plainstrider's flank. Kelidanya felt herself spinning forward, watching with flattened ears as her claws rotated downward, falling well shy of her target. Eyes wide, she felt the seconds like they were hours, about to fall flat on her face amongst the dangerous beast's vicious talons.

Her tail spun, almost of its own accord. Tight circles adjusted her angle even in the air, her dropping claws flinging back up and on target. Kelidanya had frequently cursed the uselessness of that tail after it had failed to stop Zagna's black lion from claiming her not once, not twice, but at least a hundred times. It had proved just as useless against Grimfang. Only now did she appreciate the fleshy appendage, the wheeling tail helping her land directly onto the surprised bird's back.

Kelidanya clung on, knowing that the minute she let go the beast would spin around and poke to one death or another. She had to ride the beast, digging her claws into whatever flesh she could. Her left paw sank into the monster's breast, while the right scoured its abdomen. The plainstrider was less than pleased with its new rider, kicking its dangerous back feet. The lioness could feel the powerful legs brushing past her rump, just barely missing the desperate cat.

The Night Elf dug her left hind claws into the bird's leg, using the new purchase to climb even further onto its back. Now what? Using her left paw as an anchor, Kelidanya began to rake her right claws up and down the creature's flank.

Squawk! The Plainstrider hopped and kicked, feathers ruffled beneath the large cat's onslaught. It's head was agile enough to turn all the way around to face Kelidanya, but its pecks were weak and feeble from that angle. The druid lowered her head, allowing the rapid blows to smack weakly against her skull.

Red blood gushed between her claws, but still the monster bucked and fought, threatening at any moment to dislodge the smaller lioness and then trample her to death. Gritting her teeth, Kelidanya dug harder, tearing into the flesh and muscle on the side of the bird with little success. She wouldn't be able to hold on long enough to wait for it to bleed out - she needed to do lethal damage - fast.

Trapped in a lethal battle for life and death, Kelidanya could think and concentrate on only one thing - the plainstrider. She knew she couldn't allow herself to take any injuries, but had forgotten why. Luckily, that extra goal neatly aligned with her desire for self-preservation; she didn't need to be told to avoid that sharply curved beak or the dagger-like talons. Was Zagna still there, watching, barrel aimed at the struggling bird? Did Zagna even really exist? The world was this one battle, this one fight.

The plainstrider knew as well as she did that it was losing, but it had fought lions before, and won. When a lion was on your back, you got it _off_your back. Squawking and digging its talons into the ground, the massive bird rolled over, smacking Kelidanya into the dirt so hard that her claws loosened. She lay there, stunned, until a second later when the bird jumped onto the lion's stomach, large, beaded eyes glaring down at its attacker.

Kelidanya looked up into the face of death. Only Zagna could save her now. Beak and talons tensed, ready to slash her belly and jab her face, eyes, and neck. She'd lost, and now her fate was up to the brutal Orc.

No shot came.

So that's it, then, she realized. Why waste a bullet to put your useless pet out of its misery, when the plainstrider was_more_ than willing to do the bloody work for you? Kelidanya closed her eyes and lifted her head, revealing her soft neck to the vicious bird. My death may not be quick, but at least it will all be over.

The bird drew its head back for that final, fatal slash, blocking the morning sun. Darkness flickered for a moment upon Kelidanya's eyelids, and instinctively she opened her left eye, squinting when the sunlight reappeared. She watched the sharp beak descend, the movement drawing something deep, instinctive, and violent from within her.

She fought. She could not lay back and allow the blow to finish its deadly work. Twisting her back, she flung her head to the side, narrowly avoiding the powerful strike. She swung her tail in a sharp circle, using the momentum to launch her from her side into the air, claws flashing in the light. The heavy impact of her paw snapped something inside the plainstrider's wing, tackling the heavy bird to send it careening onto its back. Kelidanya followed, resting her heavy weight on the beast's belly.

Kelidanya opened her mouth and roared, furious not at the animal, but at her situation. She railed against all that had happened to her in the past week, fueling her claws with that hatred. Again and again she dragged her claws into the bird's ample belly, shredding the flesh to leave red rivers behind. Still the animal struggled, kicking its legs and flinging its head back and forth, but the lioness lay perfectly between the deadly talons, unreachable.

It would not die! The Night Elf pushed her claws deeper, expanding the rivers into lakes, blood bubbling to the surface. Her sharp claws collided with the bony rib-cage, unable to strike anything vital. She would _end_this vile monster once and for all. Her eyes caught the fast movement of its head and reacted without thinking.

Leaping forward, Kelidanya opened her jaws and sunk her teeth around the bird's serpentine neck, rows of interlocking teeth shredding and crushing the thick muscle. Her claws dug into the body, holding her in place as she bit, and bit again, the coppery taste of blood filling her mouth. She felt like someone was pouring a bucket of water into her mouth, but she would not let go. The bird squealed and struggled beneath her, but its trachea was torn apart. With no air, the dying creature began to still.

Kelidanya was panting, trying not to taste the warm blood. As much as she wanted to retch and spit, some part of the druid relished in the flavor. She'd done it! She'd slain the plainstrider, without taking any injuries! Perhaps she'd manage to live another day!

Zagna stood behind her, a wide, fanged grin on her face. Kelidanya wondered if the hunter had ever torn the throat out of her prey - those teeth would surely work. <I knew you could do it!> she said.

The plainstrider twitched beneath her, unable even to scream. It was done. Releasing her jaw, Kelidanya stood, backing away from the nearly-dead bird.

Flick!

Kelidanya saw the motion of the long, gangly leg too late. With its dying breath, the animal kicked its leg, striking the lioness on the shoulder and drawing two, thick gashes in her shoulder. The druid yelped and leapt away, but the damage was done - blood matted her fur. _No!_she gasped. The bird had gotten its revenge, killing her just as surely as she had killed it.

Zagna, of course, wouldn't realize something was wrong until her magic failed to heal Kelidanya's wounds. Should she run? A vain hope, but a hope nonetheless. Even on two legs, the huntress was faster than the lioness, but perhaps with luck and stealth...

No, she had to hope that Zagna was too stupid to understand_._ Kelidanya_swished_ her tail, trembling as the Orc predictably approached. <Your first battle wound,> she said with another, wicked smile. <Good - I wouldn't want success go to your head, Kitten.>

Kelidanya closed her eyes, knowing that any moment might be her last. Zagna knelt next to the lioness, examine the wound. <Not deep, but might as well mend the wound.> She held out her hands to the wound, glowing green with magic.

The druid could feel the familiar magic engulfing her, just like the compulsion spell had wrapped around her mind. This time however, the tendrils of power didn't flow over her like grease on glass - Kelidanya could feel the healing warmth infusing with her body. Not only that, Zagna's spell drew something from deep inside the Night Elf's gut, magic entwining with magic. The weave settled upon her gash, and flesh knitted together with flesh until nothing of the wound remained except a small, bloody stain.

It worked!

Kelidanya gasped, only then realizing that she'd been holding her breath. Even without a mental link to the huntress, the magic had worked. Unless...the taming spell _had_worked. But no, the Night Elf had disobeyed Zagna's orders before, right? She'd freely chosen to follow her commands to keep her disguise, nothing more. Hadn't she?

She shivered. What if everything she'd done had been poisoned by a hunter's mind control? What would be better? That she had been forced to submit herself to Zagna's black lion, to be bred and bear his cubs, forced_to stay put beneath the worg's canine humping - or that she had_chosen to do so? Either way, her escape seemed unlikely. At least if she had no free will, she wouldn't have to blame herself for any of the torment she'd been subjected to.

<Come,> Zagna said simply, walking away, and Kelidanya understood. The Orc had no idea that her pet was struggling with an existential crisis, but she did know that there were more plainstriders to kill.

The Night Elf hesitated. She could run now, and prove once and for all whether the choice was even hers. She wouldn't make it far, and Zagna would know something was wrong immediately. A better time would surely come when she could disobey an order after the huntress had left. Sighing, the former Night Elf turned and followed Zagna, unable to shake an itching feeling in the back of her mind.

* * * * *

The opportunity to disobey never truly came. After several grueling hours of hunting, Zagna returned the worn-out lioness to her small stable in the crossroads. Kelidanya was too exhausted from all the cuts and bruises and aching muscles she'd endured fighting plainstriders and hyenas. Thankfully Zagna hadn't forced her to kill any lions.

Sure, those wounds had all been healed, but nonetheless the Night Elf collapsed to the floor, not even sparing Gren a second glance. He lost all interest in me as soon as my heat ended, she thought gratefully. Within moments she was asleep.

The next morning found her following the Orc Huntress once again into the barrens, pitted in battles to the death with whatever threat Zagna could find. Even after only a day of practice, Kelidanya found plainstriders to be easy prey. No longer worrying about a few scratches, she learned how to make short work of the large birds, first targeting their long, spindly legs before leaping onto their backs and biting down on their necks.

She'd killed before with the searing power of the moon, but never so much and so viscerally. Maybe it was the lioness in her, but somehow Kelidanya began to relish that killing blow and the rush of warm, coppery blood filling her jaws. The body she'd been cursed with had a certain lithe strength and grace that made her feel nearly invincible!

Until she faced her first centaur. The half-man, half horse beasts could speak, but like the furbolgs of Darnassus, they only spoke about hunger, sex and killing. From the histories she'd read, Kelidanya knew that before the Orcs arrived on Kalimdor, the centaur had ruled the entire barrens, forming weak alliances with the equally repulsive quillboar. Now, Orcs had carved into the very heart of the centaur empire, leaving the beasts scattered, broken, and desperate.

Sneaking through the lush underbrush of the oasis these centaur called home, Zagna and Kelidanya peered down at a single, lone centaur, flicking his cropped tail as if it might ward off flies. He wore nothing except braids (in his top knot and tail) and wielded two vicious, rusty axes in his hands. Kelidanya shivered when Zagna gave the order. <Kill.>

If a plainstrider was twice her size, the centaur was twice again as large, and he was armed. She couldn't leap high enough to reach his small neck in the first place. What could she do? But still, she had to try, and trust in Zagna not to allow too much harm to come to herself. Kelidanya knew from Zagna's tone that stealth was not her intention, so the former Night Elf charged down the hill, roaring her advance. Zagna cackled in glee, lifting her shotgun to watch the battle through her sights.

The centaur turned to face the attack, but his face twisted into a gnarled smile, not fear. He hefted his axes and galloped toward Kelidanya, restless and eager for battle. Kelidanya bounded forward. Centaurs were an abomination and needed to be wiped out, but she'd never expected to be the one doing it. He raised his axes to strike. She leapt!

The two creatures barrelled into each other with a solid_Cthlunk!_ but the centaur's greater momentum kept the pair moving slightly toward Zagna as the began to strike each other. Kelidanya dug her claws into his chest and barrel, clinging on with shearing forces that drew 14 points of blood.

But dangling from the front of the monster quickly became untenable. He growled in pain, swinging his twin axes down against Kelidanya. The rusty metal cleaved into her right shoulder and left flank, cutting through the skin and muscle. Both wounds were deeper than anything a plainstrider had ever managed, and in shock, the lioness sheathed her claws and leapt backward into the grass.

The centuar laughed wildly, and charged her as if to trample the smaller lioness into the grass, but Kelidanya was too agile. She leapt the side, ignoring the searing pain in her arm, as he charged past her. The Night Elf grinned, grateful that the centaur exposed his wide flank, and pounced. Her claws tored through the thick fur, bouncing roughly against the beast's ribs.

He twisted angrily, lifted a hind hoof to kick, but Kelidanya knew that trick already. She ducked the blow, allowing her a chance to dig four brutal streaks into the centaur's fat rump.

That's where her skill and luck ran out.

Leaping to the side, the skilled warrior jumped her next strike, flicking his front hoof against her skull. There was barely any weight behind the strike, but it left the lioness dazed. By the time she saw his axes coming down from their great height, she barely had time to dive out of the way. And she certainly didn't have the strength in her wounded shoulder!

She stumbled to the right, not yet out of range of the axes. Together, they buried into her left shoulder and her back, and he left the rusted blades lodged there, rearing up to stomp on her with both pointed hooves.

Kbchooo!

He never got the chance, his head suddenly peppered with buckshot. Kelidanya watched with wide eyes at the gruesome damage that left only half of the centaur's skull intact. Still balancing precariously on his hind legs, the already-dead centaur fell onto his back, crashing heavily into the grass that would soon be painted red.

Before Kelidanya knew it, the huntress was by her side, grimacing and pulling the rusted axes out of her hide. Kelidanya felt dizzy from more than the blow to the head, and was breathing heavily, but she could make out the words, and even understood a few of them. <Great work, Kitten. You almost had him!>

The Night Elf guessed that _garlok_meant "almost", but she didn't agree. The monstrous horse beast had still been grinning when the bullet shattered his brain, and the wounds she had caused seemed superficial at best. Still, she hadn't been _completely_hopeless. Kelidanya closed her eyes, readying herself for the cool warmth of magical healing.

Magic descended onto her body, infusing it before sealing all her wounds. The flesh knitted back together, muscle that should have taken months to heal regrowing in seconds. Nothing could be done for the remains of the centaur, but Kelidanya rose from the ground as strong as before the battle had started.

Zagna pointed as another centaur rounded through the jungle trees, and said, <Kill.>

The second day of training faded as quickly as the first, and the third followed. Each day found Kelidanya killing dozens of creatures. After two weeks of rigorous training, centaurs were nothing to her. She learned to dodge most of their attacks, and as much as the beasts put on a show of ignoring their wounds, the blood-letting added up. Soon, they were slower, weaker, and ready for the killing blow.

Also after two weeks, Kelidanya noticed that she had been putting on a little weight. Whether that was from the red meat Zagna had been feeding her daily to keep up her strength, or the cubs she knew were growing inside of her, she didn't know, but her belly was definitely thicker than before. Two weeks into a three month pregnancy _shouldn't_have her showing already, should it?

Her days were so full, she could only spend a few passing moments to contemplate her fear. Was she forced to obey Zagna? If so, she'd likely never escape. She might well give birth to a litter of cubs, and have every opportunity to transform into a bird and fly straight to Ashenvale, but if magic tied her to the huntress, she could just as well stay with Zagna forever. She shuddered to think of such a future, just waiting for her second heat to suffer beneath Gren.

Her chance to test that theory finally came at the beginning of the second week. Kelidanya knew something was different the moment Zagna arrived with Bangaloo in tow.

Zagna fumbled slightly with the keys, groaning. She said, "Lllogash ni sho gar..." as the gate swung open. Kelidanya watched both warily, wondering exactly what the giant tiger was there for. She could barely make out the huntress's words, though she'd been getting much better at translating. Her best guess was "Old Gods be damned."

The Night Elf exhaled in relief when the tiger stayed put. Every hair on her back was raised at the thought that Zagna might be putting the beast in the stable with her. She averted her gaze, refusing to look straight into Bangaloo's eyes, though she knew full well he was staring straight at her.

Zagna waved her hand in short, insistent circles, growling, <Come on, Kitten. We'sh gotta go trainging.>

The smell more than confirmed it: Zagna was hungover.And she was drunk. She swayed back and forth, saying, <Bagloo'll be your treacher today. I was...out with Kaduum, 'n you know how _he_ish.>

Stepping carefully through the gate, Kelidanya looked up at Zagna. This is not good, she thought. What if Bangaloo tries to take advantage of me...one way or another! Maybe I can convince her to change her mind. Kelidanya stretched her jaws into a yawn so wide, she almost felt her muscles pop. Then, she slunk down to the floor in typical feline fashion with her four legs stretched way out, curling gently around Zagna's legs. She kept curling around the Orc until she settled comfortably in a circle right around the drunken Orc's feet.

Zagna chuckled, then groaned, clutching her head. <Too shleepy? But our platrols shtart in two weeksh...>

Kelidanya rubbed her head against the ground, looking up pitifully at the Orc and giving her best high-pitched mew. But the Horde hunter was stubborn. <No, Kitten, we've gotsta train ya. Ol' Kaddie was really_layin' inta me about loshin' my misshun ta Silithus.> Zagna slowly worked her feet out from between her lioness's stomach, almost toppling over as she stepped away. <I schwear that black bastard wash _trying to get me drunk unda da tabler. Now come.>

It's not working, Kelidanya thought, groaning. The order was made clear, so Kelidanya pulled herself back to her feet, her eyes sliding across the enormous orange and black blur that she refused to focus on. If only she'd just let me sleep in, today...

Bangaloo walked side by side with his master, forcing Kelidanya to walk meekly behind, eyes down so that she only saw glimpses of the predator's feet. If she _had_to go hunting, it was best that the tiger come along, though she would have preferred Gren. The way Zagna was tipping left and right, she wasn't going to be much use in saving the druid if a fight turned sour.

At the entrance to the stables, Zagna almost tripped_smack_ into the devil she'd been speaking about. Kaduum stood there looking down at the three, short creatures in front of him, eyes wide. <You're hunting? In _this_state? I thought...> he asked, stunned.

Zagna growled, and poked the big, black Tauren right in the chest. <You don' own me. Now getoutta muh way! I gots shthings to kill.>

Kaduum stepped aside, and Zagna almost fell forward, just barely catching herself. Kelidanya glanced up at the Tauren, heart racing. Bangaloo was bad enough, but she still had nightmares about what this Grimtotem had done to her. He couldn't know her true nature, but the Tauren druid was the very _reason_she was trapped with a womb full of cubs. _Why had he gone so far out of his way to help Gren breed me?_she wondered. He didn't seem the type of person to do Zagna any sort of favor.

His eyes met hers, and she shivered. The look was so calculating and pointed - he wasn't just glancing at Zagna's pet, he was toying with a piece of meat. Kelidanya held her breath and bounded forward until she almost bounced right into Bangaloo's rump. Kaduum's eyes followed.

Zagna paused for one second, just beyond Kaduum, then turned. <Hey...whaddafuck are you doin' here anywaysh?>

<Oh, um...> Kaduum said, breaking eye contact with Kelidanya. He paused a full seven seconds before he came up with an excuse, saying, <I thought I would check on you to make sure you were alright. You were pretty out of it last night.>

<Oh. Wait...> Zagna thought out loud. <Why on Kallidorm wouldya check shere an' noddat my house?>

<That is...um...because I already checked your house and you weren't there.>

<O-okay. I guessh that makesh sends.>

Kelidanya understood almost every word, especially the clear-spoken Tauren. If he knew Zagna was up and about, why was he so surprised when he found her here?

Zagna didn't ask, simply stumbling on, leaving Kaduum at the stables. Kelidanya risked a glance back, and sure enough, the Tauren druid was returning her gaze, brow furrowed. Does he suspect my true nature? She whipped her head forward and bounded after her companions.

When they arrived at the Savannah, Kelidanya immediately realized that "Bagloo'll be your teacher today" was a lot more like "you're on your own." Zagna lay unceremoniously in the high grass, stringing her bow rather unsuccessfully. _At least she's not using her shotgun while drunk off her ass,_the Night Elf thought grimly. She'd given the two of them one order: "Go, hunt."

To Bangaloo, this meant killing everything in sight. Kelidanya could only watch, paralyzed in place as the massive predator went about his work. He slid through the forest like a ghost, barely disturbing the long grass around him. If her sharp, leonine eyes hadn't known where to look, she would have lost him completely - at least until he pounced. He never needed to pounce a second time.

He erupted from the grass just behind the hopeless gazelle. Kelidanya had never managed to get within 20 feet of a gazelle - Bangaloo simply walked within 5, pounced, and his teeth were in its throat. But gazelles never stood a chance in a fight. Beasts that were a long fight for Kelidanya were over just as fast. He slew a plainstrider with one bite of his massive jaws, killed a raptor before it could even screech. Worst off all, he killed a centaur slowly. Kelidanya couldn't take her eyes away from the tiger, moving like water through a dream. The centaur swung his axes, but Bangaloo was everywhere at once, and nowhere all at the same time. Claw after rake, the large beastman was torn apart, until finally Bangaloo showed the poor creature mercy and slit his throat with a single claw.

When he was done showing off, Bangaloo took seven steps away from the bloody carcass, curled into a ball, and began to lick his paws clean.

Watching the huge tiger at his work did nothing to ease Kelidanya's nerves around him, though she did pick up a few techniques to try. Zagna, behind her, slurred, "Yur turn."

Kelidanya blinked. _Zagna is barely mobile, and Bangaloo is practically asleep..._The Night Elf played obedient, creeping toward a plainstrider - easy prey for her now. She picked the one furthest away, and once she'd dispatched that, she stalked the next furthest. As the blood flowed in her mouth, the bird's struggles finally ceasing, the druid picked her head up and glanced back. If Zagna was awake, she was lying in the grass, and Bangaloo was rubbing his head against the ground.

No one is watching. Kelidanya shivered. What if I can't run? What if I am forced to keep hunting, obeying that damned Orc for the rest of my life? There was only one way to find out, and this was her moment. With luck, she'd be miles away in a few minutes, and Zagna was in no condition to track her down. She'd head west first, then tack north, because even Zagna would realize that if her lioness suddenly started disobeying orders, she was probably not a lioness at all.

Taking a deep breath, Kelidanya made the conscious decision to disobey.

She took a step forward.

Yes!

She took another, and another, each footfall sending her further and further from captivity. I'm free! I'm not enslaved at all! Her steps turned into leaps turned into bounds, and soon she was running at full speed through the barrens, leaving everything behind. She'd find a way across the Orcish border into Ashenvale, return to her sisters and tell them everything. She'd be back to her normal life in a week!

Well, except for the cubs... she reminded herself, glancing down at her thick, swinging belly. Night Elf druids will know immediately what I am, and they will be able to communicate with me, but I'll still be trapped until the birth.

Then, the young Night Elf heard something. Loud footfalls in the brush, forty, fifty yards behind her. Glancing over her shoulder for the source of the noise, she saw an orange and black blur...gaining fast. It was the first time she'd ever heard_the stealthy cat moving, and he was moving _fast.

Elune, no! she gasped, spurring herself on to greater speeds. Could she possibly outrun Bangaloo? There was no mistaking his intent to catch her, and she could only guess whether Zagna was aware enough to be following as well. How had he known I was gone?

Thinking fast, Kelidanya veered toward the northern oasis, thinking to lose the large tiger in the dense jungle trees. She glanced back again, and Bangaloo had closed half the distance.Will I even beat him to the trees!?_Her heart pounded in her chest; yes, the organ was pumping much-needed energy to her thrashing limbs, but the true reason was far grimmer. _I'm lost! I'm dead! Even if the tiger doesn't cull me like a sick calf, when Zagna finds out what I've done, she'll know.

She'll know.

Kelidanya made it to the trees with seconds to spare, twirling and spinning through the trees in hopes that her agility might help her where the tiger's strength would not help him. Now her pursuer was even louder, snarling and bursting through the underbrush as he was forced the long way around several tight copses. The sound was so fierce, she watched in awe as centaurs that normally inhabited this oasis fled for their lives. Any one of them could have been slain easily by the humongous predator, but he was tracking her.

_Why didn't I wait for a better moment? Was it so important to know for sure that I was free of mind, if not of body?_Perhaps if she'd made sure that Bangaloo was actually asleep, or waited for another day when Zagna let her guard down and her pet wasn't there to pick up her slack. Kelidanya saw a steep cliff, the small hill that marked the oasis from a distance, and ran toward it. The loose rock would affect the larger tiger more than her.

She scrambled up the gravelly slope, then flung herself against the wall, reaching desperately to hook her paws around exposed, curved roots from the few trees that graced the slope. She could hear Bangaloo behind her, each footfall ringing out against the stone. _Are his claws out?_she wondered, at the scraping sound. Simultaneously pulling herself upward and stretching her hind legs out for any sort of purchase, Kelidanya scaled the slope in a rather unfeline way. Her slow but steady ascent allowed the tiger to catch up; when she glanced down, he was only 10 yards from the sheer rock wall. But she was out of his reach, and he surely couldn't follow. Heart thumping, Kelidanya flung herself over the edge, rolling onto the wide, open expanse on the hill.

_Safe unless Zagna is coming,_she realized. She may have bought time from Bangaloo, but she would have an imp's chance in Darnassus of sneaking down from the hill withouth Bangaloo noticing. Her only hope was that the tiger would have to return to his master soon.

Thum-thump!

Panting on her back, Kelidanya jumped, fur standing in every direction as Bangaloo landed on top of the hill. That was a 25 foot wall! The huge tiger jumped it in seconds! Kelidanya did the only thing she _could_do.

She cowered.

This is it, she realized.Will he kill me now, or wait for -

Bangaloo, panting, leapt forward easily enough, pressing a heavy paw on the back of Kelidanya's neck, pinning her there, alive, but uncomfortable. I guess that answers that question, she thought, as the tiger roared to the south and east.

Only a minute passed before Kelidanya heard her. <I'm coming, I'm coming!> Zagna grumbled from below the cliff. <Why'dcha gotta go way up there? Whaddafuck you guys even _doing_so far from the Crossroads!?>

Kelidanya blinked. She doesn't know why I fled, but she'll come to the right conclusion soon enough. Once the hunter thought to wonder whether her lioness was really as tamed as she thought, she'd check the taming spell. Either she'd guess right away, or enlist a warlock to help, and soon enough, _someone_would suggest that Kelidanya was not a true cat at all.

Unless I can convince her of some other reason I would flee to this rock.

She could hear the Orc climbing the wall, and her time was running out, and she was rather pinned to the ground. She had to think of something - anything- now. Glancing around, all she could really see was Bangaloo's bulk as he stood over her, waiting patiently for his master. The mottled rocks offered her no insights. Desperate, the Night Elf glanced up, and there was her solution, hanging between the tiger's legs.

A reason her two cats would run to this rock. Zagna's hand appeared at the edge of the cliff, about to pull her up. Kelidanya shivered, but she didn't hesitate, despite her deathly fear of the massive cat. Inching forward as best she could with Bangaloo's paw on her back, she arched her neck up and wrapped her tongue around the tiger's white sheath.

Zagna rolled onto the hill and saw her tiger standing over her lioness, while the latter was _slurping_at his cock. <Oh...I shee, wanted a little privashy,> she slurred.

_Yes! She's buying it!_Kelidanya thought, purring. She put more into her licks, trying to really sell the fiction she'd created. Bangaloo, confused by the sudden change, couldn't tell Zagna any different, so soon enough they'd all be walking home with the huntress none the wiser about the lioness's attempted escape.

<The little shlut's gotten to you, too, Bangaloo?> Zagna groaned. <Fucking Grimtotem was'right - I'm jealous. Well, canya blame me? Used to have two big catsh all'ta myself an' gonna get a third, but nooooooooo. Let Kaduum fucking get to me.>

Kelidanya glanced over at Zagna, eyes wide. What is she saying? Am I translating this right?

Zagna growled. <So whaddif that dickhole sthinks I'm fuckin' my catsh? Ish the truth! At leasht until this shlut-whore sex Kitten. First Gren, and now you?>

No, I'm definitely translating right, Kelidanya thought, frozen in place. Her face was burning as she learned Zagna's most intimate secret. No wonder she didn't like me at first... Kelidanya felt no small measure of relief - if she played her cards right, she could use Zagna's jealousy to stay away from Gren and Bangaloo, too!

Poke!

The lioness was forced from her thoughts as the side of her face brushed up against Bangaloo's growing dick. The purring tiger had apparently taken a liking to Kelidanya's licks. The Night Elf dropped her jaw at the thick, swollen cock, easily twice as big as Gren. Bangaloo rivalled Grimfang, the warg! Kelidanya inched away, but was stopped in her tracks by Zagna.

<Well don't you two fucking shtop on my'ccount,> she growled. <Fuck her brains out,> she called to Bangaloo, before turning to Kelidanya and saying, <Go on, Kitten - you've won. Enjoy yourself.>

No...no, no, no! Is that an order? Kelidanya thought with a gasp. The Orc wasn't supposed to _allow_this, much less _order_it. Saved, but at what cost? Now the Night Elf was trapped with her greatest fear, and if she didn't pretend to _enjoy_it, Zagna would know something was terribly wrong!

Even now, as she hesitated, the Orc said, <Well...?>

Kelidanya shivered, but did as she must. Opening her mouth, she reached up once again to engulf Bangaloo's still-growing cock. The tiger just purred, pushing down with both his hips and his paw, pinning her in place by the shoulders. The Night Elf winced. Licking him was one thing, but she'd never felt the thick, musky girth of a male between her lips before. She coughed as he poked himself deeper, nestling in the back of her mouth. Blech!

Bangaloo purred, a deep rumble that vibrated from his throat throughout the small lioness's body. Tail twitching, he humped forward, shoving his entire tapered cock in her mouth. His engorged organ was wider the deeper he went, until he hilted her, stretching her muzzle apart until her muscles ached. Then his tip reached deep, poking into her unprepared throat. He was huge, and as suddenly as he had claimed her entire muzzle, his barbs began to flare, digging in to the soft walls of her cheeks.

Kelidanya gagged, coughed, and sputtered, keeping her jaw as open as possible. She didn't dare bite down - even if Zagna didn't, Bangaloo would kill her for sure, but the pain and her reflex were something she couldn't help. Gasping, she backpedalled, trying to squirm away from the tiger with no success.

<I sthink she's bidoff more'n she can chew, Bangy.>

The enormous tiger seemed to realize the danger he'd put himself in, and with a roar, he pulled himself back. The backwards-facing barbs dug into her flesh, raking her throat and mouth on the way out. Kelidanya squealed, though less from the dull ache in her mouth, and more for the fearful anticipation of what was about to come.

He's as big as Grimfang, with barbs like Gren. Even if I can fit him, the pain will...

Kelidanya was right to worry, as the first thing Bangaloo did once his full erection was free was slink around behind her. The Night Elf glanced to the side to look at Zagna, but the Orc was watching with more interest than jealousy. She wasn't going to get any help from the huntress. Glancing at Bangaloo, she met his intense, amber stare. At least the hunger in his eyes is just lust, she whimpered.

To the druid's surprise, the tiger didn't mount - not yet. Taking a deep breath, Bangaloo lowered his enormous form behind her, shoving his nose beneath her tail. He sniffed her there, the warm breath blanketing her trembling pussy. Could he smell that she was pregnant? Was he annoyed that Gren had reached her first? Could lions and tigers even interbreed?

The questions were erased from her mind as the great cat took a big slurp, scratchy tongue engulfing her small, tight vulva. Kelidanya tossed her head back and roared, but not from pain. The sandpaper lick was surprisingly gentle, and coated with drool that further dulled the sharpness. That's it, Kelidanya thought, _I need him to keep licking and then maybe I can survive this!_Raising her hips, she curled her tail away and pressed her mound against the tiger's nose, yowling.

<Oh, she_likesh sthat _too,> the Orc slurred, still sitting on the ground. She tossed her bow aside and leaned back on one of her pack bags.

Too? Oh, right. Kelidanya blushed, once again reminded that she had an audience, and that her audience had apparently volunteered for the same thing that was about to happen to the Night Elf. The Horde is full of animal fuckers? The stories were true..._she thought. Of course, she'd heard many the same tale about _Night Elves - particularly druids. Perhaps there was more truth to _that_tale than she'd thought.

Bangaloo's massive head barely fit behind her. His forehead cupped her raised tail, and when he licked her, his white-furred chin rubbed against her leonine ankles. His tongue was so wide her entire rump was getting damp - until he began to flick the organ deeper and harder. Kelidanya gasped as the scratchy surface began to wedge its way inside of her, though Bangaloo apparently knew enough to wait for his wet _slurps_to dribble into her, coating her insides with a protective layer of saliva.

She didn't need to play act her enjoyment this time. His tongue spread her wide, brushing up against every wet crevasse and rubbing right up against her twitching clitoris. She humped her hips, pushing back to feel the great tiger even deeper. She needed to be as wet as a submerged hippogryph if she was going to handle the pain. The warg that had used her had been big, sure, but she'd still managed to give into the pleasure when his throbbing knot inflated her pussy like a balloon. But she knew from experience that the barbs were something else entirely, and if Gren_could make her squeal and roar and claw and flail, what would_Bangaloo do?

When Kelidanya looked back at Zagna, the Orc was taking off her mail legguards and removing the leather pants beneath them. Kelidanya's eyes went wide, suddenly presented with a view of the Horde she'd never expected to see. The young woman spread her legs wide, not at all bashful in front of what she thought were two cats. <You know what to do, Bangy - get her nice and wet,> Zagna said, her green hand sliding between her legs.

Bangaloo redoubled his efforts, bobbing his gigantic jaw up and down as he plumbed her entire passage, all but drooling straight into her. The sloshes and_slurps_ rang deep, splashing wetly against her innermost wall. _What I wouldn't give for this to be it - but there's more to come._She was helpless to stop it, commanded by Zagna herself to enjoy it.

The tiger didn't need another command. He knew when he'd filled her tight cunt as best he could. Pulling his tongue free with a wet _smack!_Bangalooo stood. Shivering, Kelidanya _mewled_and looked over her shoulder at the predator that had scared her out of her wits from day one. The way he moved, the way he looked at her, the pure, predatory confidence that pervaded his entire being...was now directed at her. She whimpered, instinctively tucking her tail between her legs.

Zagna laughed, <Don't worry, Kitten - if _I_can take him, you can.>

The druid shivered as Bangaloo began to scale her small body. She glanced at Zagna, looking her over. The Orc was about the same size as Kelidanya's feline form, but Kelidanya could see first hand how much more room the huntress had between her legs. Elune, keep me safe! she prayed, her entire body shivering.

Bangaloo now stood all the way over her, so big that his front paws were like two trees, sprouting so far in front of her that she could see them both at the same time. Her head was nestled against the tiger's ribs. This is impossible! He's huge! I can't, I can't...

The hefty male didn't seem to care about her feelings on the matter. Curling his hips forward, his bony tip poked against Kelidanya's tail. She couldn't fight him off long, that she knew, and if she even tried, Zagna might get suspicious. Trembling, Kelidanya pushed her tail to the side, letting his gigantic cock slide forward and poke into her delicate, sopping, button-sized mound.

No, no, no, no, no! she chanted again, waiting for Bangaloo's reply - the inevitable Yes!

<By da Warchief,> Zagna gasped. <Sthis ish hotter'n'I thought!> She groaned, fingering herself with loud, wet schlurps. <Fuck that tiny, horny bitch!>

Bangaloo did just that. The soft _splop!_of his sudden thrust belied the intense force of his long, tapered cock spreading Kelidanya apart until her tight cunt was straining four inches wide. The Night Elf dropped her jaw to scream as she felt her hindquarters split apart like a log under an Orc's axe, but she tensed herself instead, gritting her teeth and digging her claws into the rocky ground for what she knew was coming. Though her pussy bulged and quivered around the enormous feline, the _real_trial was right around the corner.

Bangaloo pulled back.

Kelidanya's vision went black for a moment, opening her jaw in a silent scream, as what seemed like a hundred jittering spikes flared inside of her, each pointed tip digging into her tight flesh. He rasped her insides as he pulled out, far too strong to be stopped by her clenching cunny. The barbs started a fire inside of her that only cooled the smallest amount when he finally reached the end, just his swollen tip nestled inside of her. Bangaloo's cock didn't care that the job had already been done - he wasn't about to stimulate ovulation in a pregnant lioness! He knew what he wanted, and not only was he happy to take it, Zagna was actively_ordering_ it.

<Jusht one thrust! Pashetic! Give it to her again!>

Growling, the massive tiger did as he was told, slamming his fat cock back between Kelidanya's legs. She _yowled_again as he bulged inside of her, stretching her vagina to its very limit. Desperately, the Night Elf clawed against the ground, no longer concerned about keeping up appearances. She took a deep breath, tensing herself for -

This time her scream wasn't silent. Dropping her jaw, Kelidanya roared, intense pain shooting from her aching pussy and bouncing all around her body as if a lightning elemental had wedged its way between her legs. Kelidanya collapsed onto her stomach, legs wobbling, face-first in the dirt. With one eye, she glanced over her shoulder to where her rump stayed pinned up in the air, Bangaloo's massive shaft throbbing there as it prepared its third plunge. This time, she watched the tiger claim her, the whole, slick organ diving into her like a blur. She recalled as a youth watching a small water snake swallowing a tadpole twice as thick as the snake was wide. Her pussy was the snake, bulging outward in every direction as it accommodated each inch of its huge meal.

Placing a heavy paw on her back, Bangaloo pressed down as he pulled back, tearing his spiked cock from her sensitive opening. Kelidanya squealed, tensing every muscle in her body at once. _I'll...never...survive this!_she thought, though she'd been wrong before with Grimfang.

Zagna didn't seem worried either. She was steadily fisting herself, her green hand glistening now in the sunlight. <Don't hold back!> she moaned to her pet. <There'sh no one around to hear ush but a dozen scrawny centaursh. Let them hear her scream!>

They'd hear unless they didn't have ears. Bangaloo stuffed himself deep, the bulge he made in her almost reaching her ribcage. Kelidanya howled, listening as the lewd splurting_sound announced his approaching climax. A few, small gushes of tiger cum coated her pussy, though she was suddenly grateful. The viscous fluid coated his barbs, and this time her pulled back, the ache was significantly dulled. Still, the former Night Elf _wailed. With no time to swallow, she drooled out of the side of her mouth into the dirt below her.

Kelidanya's hind legs wobbled, but she held them firm, keeping her rump raised for the dangerous tiger. The last thing she wanted was to piss Bangaloo off! She was thankful that she was too small for him to get a grip on her neck with his teeth. If he reached down with his jaws, he'd only eat dirt, Kelidanya was so much shorter than he was. With a grunt, he powered forward, sliding wetly into her clenching chamber, thudding so deep that his tight, white balls managed to throb up against her thighs.

It was only his fifth thrust, but that was enough for the large feline. Holding himself there, his balls erupted in time to his own roar, his already rigid barbs swelling even larger, holding him in place while six hot, bubbling _gushes_of cum filled her tiny cunt. With her pussy bulging so full, even the first stream was too much, _squirting_out of her onto her thighs to dribble down into the dirt. Kelidanya just winced, _mewling_pitifully beneath the massive tiger.

Bangaloo panted, groaned, then popped_out of her, raking her sore pussy as he tore himself back. The young druid _yowled, grateful for the warm salve that seeped into her pocked vagina. She trembled from the worst pain of her young life, but thought That wasn't as bad as I expected!

Zagna wasn't satisfied, still masturbating furiously. <That all? You've fucked me twenty times shtraight, before!> Kelidanya noted that the hunter's Orcish was becoming noticeably more articulate. <Keep it up!>

Despite the order, Bangaloo took a breather, letting his balls recover. Only after a minute or two did he step over Kelidanya again, and she realized that her trial was _far_from over. Zagna rubbed herself eagerly, watching the show.

Kelidanya whimpered as hit tapered tip nestled against her ragged pussy. She hiked her tail, knowing better than to fight him. She lay her ears flat and let him do as he pleased, and what he pleased was to hammer himself into her! Now, at least, she was sopping in cum, greatly easing his entry, but the pull back was nearly as rough as before. Barbs flared, digging into all the same spots until her insides were bright red and raw. She barely had time to roar once before he'd plunged in and pulled back once more, pumping his fuck toy until she lost her voice. Her pitiful_mewlings_ only seemed to spur the great beast on.

She quickly lost count of the thrusts, but knew it couldn't have been more than half-a-dozen before Bangaloo roared and splurted again. Kelidanya's entrance burned and shook when the tiger pulled free. He stepped back slowly, completely unafraid of retaliation from the small lioness. Kelidanya whimpered, glancing at Zagna, but the Orc was too focused on the flood spilling out of her pet's pregnant pussy to notice. The Orc's breathing had quickened, and she was starting to moan when she cried, <Again!>

Kelidanya collapsed. She couldn't take another go. Her legs simply wouldn't respond. She lay on her side in a puddle of cum, letting the hot liquid seep into her fur. But Bangaloo was ready again, and he wouldn't take no for an answer. With a heavy paw, he eased Kelidanya onto her back and once again stepped over her, his thick belly spreading her legs apart. The mountain lioness tried to push him away with her front paws, but he was too strong and she dare not use her claws. He pushed her forelegs aside, resting his enormous belly on her chest. He was so large, his muscular upper body almost rested on her head. She wasn't going anywhere.

With groans from Zagna as approval, Bangaloo lowered his haunches to meet Kelidanya's splayed rump. She wondered if Zagna had done this herself with the big cat. Whining, she took a deep breath, waiting for the inevitable.

Sure enough, his burning tip throbbed against her aching petals, angled down to claim her completely. She couldn't close her legs with the tiger standing between them, and her tail lay uselessly in a puddle of cum. Shivering, she felt him jab forward, piercing her pussy in one, sharp motion. She bulged wide to fit his enormous dick, but this time, something was different. Bloated with his cum, the pain had dulled enough that - like Gren before him - the pleasure took over. Oh, she still _yowled_with shock and pain, but now there was a deep _thrum_as his cock slid and rasped against her inner nub, and without even thinking, she began to rock her hips and up down.

She screamed as he yanked free, only to moan when he inserted himself again. It was nothing like the steady throb of Grimfang's knot against her clitoris, but the sudden, spike of endorphins made Kelidanya tremble and squeeze down around him, her bulging pussy massaging the great beast. Kelidanya's eager cries, coupled with her bucking hips, had an encouraging effect on Zagna as well.

The Orc was full on her back now, moaning and thrusting her hips against her pumping fist. She could only manage to keep one eye on the copulating cats, but that eye was fixed, taking everything in. <Ohhhh, Kitten!> she gasped, flicking her own (bright green) nub.

Bangaloo managed to sink into his kitten nearly a dozen times before he gritted his teeth and exploded inside her, this time in conjunction with Kelidanya's own shuddering orgasm. Bangaloo roared at the new sensation, staying buried in her even longer, balls churning a rich, frothy mixture into her clenching cunt. If she hadn't already had a full-service check-up by Gren, she knew that she'd soon be seeing a litter of Tigons. Bangaloo was too late this time, but the giant tiger didn't care.

Zagna lost it as well, shuddering wetly around her fist as she took great lungfuls of breath. <By the Old Gods! Warchief take you both! Unnngh!> she cried, collapsing in a puddle of sweat and relief.

Bangaloo pulled himself free, sparing Kelidanya a lick on the cheek. The Night Elf felt heat rush to her face. Not again - how could I have enjoyed_that?_ Perhaps she'd grown so used to pain that she'd started to _like_it, or perhaps the huge beasts simply had more pleasure to give than the pain could keep up with!

Bangaloo sat, licking his paw and regarding his master. Zagna panted there, but said <Just because I'm done doesn't mean you two have to be. Do what you need to do - I'll wait.>

Kelidanya wasn't sure whether that command was better now that Zagna was sober. Whimpering, she tried to stand, to crawl away, to show the Orc that she, at least, was done, but she only managed to roll onto her stomach because Bangaloo pounced her once again. She didn't even have time to lift her rump before the big cat was in her, pounding her trembling, aching, _pleasure-racked_hole.

Zagna got dressed and watched from a distance as Bangaloo claimed Kelidanya once, twice, a dozen more times. She must not have had anywhere to be, because she waited there for hours, enjoying each howling, shuddering climax Bangaloo fucked into her pet Kitten. Kelidanya's muscles gave out on her sooner rather than later, but the huge tiger happily mounted her limp, trembling rump. By the time he was finally done with her, Kelidanya was face-first in the dirt, covered in sweat, her hind legs splayed out to either side. Her ragged netherlips were just inches above the ground, large gushes of cum pumping out in regular intervals onto the ground beneath her.

Bangaloo wasn't even panting. He padded over to Zagna, who rubbed him behind the ears and announced, <Alright, time to head home!>

Groaning, Kelidanya barely managed to pick herself up, her aching legs hobbling forward when she tried to keep up with her master. Every step sent a stinging reminder of what had happened under the druid's tail. Sighing, Zagna slowed down to allow the bloated lioness to keep pace. The Night Elf was too sore to care about the looks she got, sopping her way into the Crossroads. Tauren and Trolls and Orcs - even undead - turned to watch with wide eyes. She left a bright, messy tail behind her that lead straight to the stables, where she finally collapsed, exhausted to the very core of her being.

Well, she thought grimly. I survived another day.

She'd almost fallen asleep when she felt a nudge. Eyes opening slowly, she turned to see the black lion, Gren, standing behind her and licking his chops. Kelidanya tried to yowl, but all that came out was a hoarse gush of breath. She was too tired to fight, too tired to even lift her aching rump. The best she could manage was shove her tail aside.

Her long day was over, but the night had just begun.