[dragon wench]

Tashara's path twisted and meandered through hushed glades where vines and leaves intertwined, sweeping to the rich humus and loam beneath her feet. Or rather.. paws..

The sharp freshness of the early morning air, the slowly climbing sun, and the anticipation of adventure and travel had swept through her as she gradually left all traces of the elven settlement behind. A sudden surge had overtaken her, and within an instant the transformation had occurred. Course, almost black, guard hairs, and a fine silken undercoat had replaced slightly olive skin and long, dark hair. Hands and feet became paws... Ears and nose instantly became aware of smells and sounds indiscernible to human, and even elven, senses.

She smiled.. Well that was perhaps not the word, but any observer would have viewed a distinctly wolfish grin on the creature loping through the woods. Aware that sticking to a path could be dangerous while shapechanged, at least once she left elven territory, Tashara instead chose deep forest and camouflaging undergrowth....

...Perhaps 500 humanoid paces ahead, something stirred and scampered. Keen, forward pointed ears and a sharp sensitive nose picked up the cues instantly.. rabbit.

Tashara had not eaten much that morning in her eagerness to depart, and the rumbling in her stomach at the scent of food served to remind her of this fact acutely. She did not pause, but her gait slowed...

...The wolf became hunter... lean, furry belly close to the earth... every muscle poised to pounce. In that moment, there was nothing of the human within that remained. Raw, animal instinct had completely taken over.

Several seconds later, and all the rabbit knew was rapidly descending darkness as strong jaws closed over ears, eyes and brain..

The wolf tore into its prey with savage abandon, savoring meat, fat, blood and the crunch of fragile bone.

Hunger satisfied.. she moved onwards... seeking her far more sinister prey.