After walking for a while but not being tired enough to ride, because he wouldn't be caught dead either riding on or behind an ox, he started thinking of which animal it would be best to travel as. He began with a bird of prey. That was fun for a bit but got bored relatively quickly. Always keeping the cart in sight, he cycled through all of the dangerous predators he could think of.

He had just settled on a lion when he lost track of the cart. He followed the path of wreckage the ox made. He found it on the side of a path that wasn't in a lot of use, but wasn't deserted either. He tried nudging the ox back onto the path, but the ox just sidestepped and kept on eating. He tried asking, demanding, and begging, but nothing happened.

He started cursing and calling the ox all sorts of nasty things. He glanced to the side and saw a young woman. In a panic, he roared at her in what he thought was a fearful tone. He was taken aback, when she started laughing. Before he could stop himself he said she should be careful when laughing at a dangerous animal. Realizing he had blown his cover, he would never admit it, but he was glad when she demanded he turn back into a human.

He wanted desperately to just stand up and change, but she wasn't looking to give him privacy. In what he hoped was a suggestive tone he told her he didn't mind if she watched him change. She said no thank you. He only put his pants on said she could turn around as he was covered. He smirked and flexed himself to put his muscles on display, but there was no reaction.

After trading names, he started complaint about the dumb ox running off the path. Not wanting to admit to her he wasn't paying attention, he told her it was startled when he turned into a lion. He tried to insinuate that there was nothing he could do to get the ox to move so they might as well get comfortable. She just kept looking at the cart from different angles. It was making him mad that she wasn't even making suggestions to get him unstuck.

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After a few minutes, she seemed to be struck by brilliance, she said he should go to the back of the cart and push as she was such a small woman and couldn't possibly move such a heavy weight. She said she would guide the cart from the front.

Wanting to show off, of course he agreed. He got into position and was waiting for her signal, but she never gave one soon he was flat on his face. He hopped up and said there was nothing wrong with the axles. She nodded, concern evident on her face.

He recovered fast enough, but not fast enough to get her to stay, he said they would travel faster together, not to mention the company would be infinitely better than it had been with just the ox. She said she had other places to be and wished him the best. He was disappointed, but he covered it up with a smirk and said it didn't matter as there would be plenty more ladies who would be delighted to ride with him.

He watched her as he rode off and when he could see her no longer, he made sure no one was looking and turned himself into a large black dog and lay down in the back of the cart finally able to admit to himself that riding was not a menial task. That and he was tired from doing all that changing.

As he snoozed in the back of the cart, he daydreamed of a time even he wouldn't have to hide his true nature from the public. It was only in his town that it was considered natural and publicly accepted. As much as he hated to admit it, he missed his town. But if anyone were to ask, he had all the ladies and he was envied by all the lads.