Blood boiling, I rose, ready to butcher whatever had dared shove me off my prey. A heartbeat later my veins turned to ice. From my good eye, I could see who the offender was, and it was a cat with the capabilities to best me, a feat that very few can claim, even if I was only a young adult.

A tiger crouched in front of the panther, whom I presumed was his mate, growling viciously in warning.

That settles it. The panther is a Falinthian, and the tiger as well, for that matter. Wild tigers and panthers most certainly do not mix.

I backed up slowly, keen to put as much distance between us as possible before the tiger decided to press the advantage. Unfortunately, it seemed I wouldn't have the luxury of choice in that matter. For every step I took backward, he took two measured, carefully calculated steps forward, angled slightly to my right.

*He's trying to get in my blind spot.*

Our bodies weaved through the clearing in sync, my feet propelling me away from him while his only ever brought him closer. My eye remained locked on to both of his, ensuring he remained trapped in the intricate dance. A slight fumble, a moment of indecisiveness, or a lapse in concentration was all that would be needed to set one of us free, but it could not be on my end. If it were, then he would seize the opportunity and I would not be left to walk away unscathed, if I were to walk away at all.

*Wait, where's the panther?*

I had made the mistake. In a futile effort, I sought to correct it, but to no avail. No matter what I did, there was no way to stop the black cat from leaping for my side, likely trying to create an opportunity for the tiger to attack.

I stumbled. It had made contact on my left side, not enough to create a wound but just enough to throw me off balance. The tiger made its move, lunging for me with its paws outstretched. The heavy weight crashed into me, throwing me to the ground for a second time.

A great growl erupted from the tiger, just as much a celebration for having pinned me as it was a threat. Its maw opened as its pale pink tongue slipped out to slide over thick, thorn-like teeth. Just as I thought all was lost, a terror-inducing roar shattered the confidence of the cats and sent the panther scurrying for cover.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The tiger — reluctant to release me so easily — stood his ground, even as his body turned ridged and his head snapped towards the noise. Using his momentary distraction to my advantage, I surged upward with all my might in an attempt to dislodge him.

His attention quickly returned to me when I managed to push him back a step. Snarling, his ears flattened against his head while he lifted a paw, his scythe-like claws on full display as he prepared to strike.

The world seemed to slow down as I flailed away from the impending attack destined for my right shoulder blade.

I really can't have another major injury on my right side, that's just mean. First my eye, now it's going to be this. What's next I wonder?

I chuckled mirthlessly, the adrenaline and absurdity of the situation finally catching up to overwhelm me.

I'm sure the others will take it well when I tell them a stupid cat beat me up.

The claws were closing in, and I squirmed even more frantically than before. A moment later they landed in the dirt, so close to its original target that I could feel the stubby fur rubbing against my scales.

By some miracle, the tiger had missed, and I wasn't about to waste my chance of escape. I squirmed on the ground like a fish out of water, trying to shift so that I could free my widespread wings that were trapped under me.

The tiger snarled threateningly once more, though he seemed distracted, and when he went to strike me once more he tripped, stumbling over my body and falling head over heels in the dirt.

No, not trip. He was pushed. Cryhn stood in his place, his usual easygoing expression replaced with a stone-cold mask that betrayed nothing. Only his eyes were a hint to how he was truly feeling, and the storm I saw within was enough for me to, having got to my feet, sink low to the ground in guilt.

Even if I had done nothing wrong, at least not intentionally, the feeling was hard to squash, and continued whispering in my ear while Cryhn's gaze kept me trapped in my place.

Finally, he spoke. "You should go back to the camp, Fyrlia will be there with food. I'll head back once I'm done here."

*What? He's just going to send me back like I'm some misbehaving hatchling? I have every right to know what's going to happen! *

"But I want to stay. What are you going to do with the Falinthians?"

"Go," he replied simply.

"But-"

"I said go!" He roared, shoving me aside to charge the dazed striped cat that was groggily dragging himself to his feet.

While I wanted to stay and watch, I knew I couldn't. He wasn't just asking anymore, he was giving a command, and I didn't really feel like finding out what he would do when he found I disobeyed, so I promptly flew into the sky, making sure to avoid the two combatants — lest Cryhn think I was ignoring his order and delaying my departure to observe.

The air whipped past me as I soared above the forest, my thoughts consumed with speculations about the fight while I absently watched for any sign of the fire Fyrlia made. Finally, when I was beginning to worry I had missed it, I saw the soft glow of flame lighting up a small section of the forest; a small beacon wafting scents of smoke, wood, and meat directly to me.

There it is.