[Yshania]

As she predicted, the party were on the move as the sun rose to the sound of barking orders and resulting whines and squabbles. They numbered more than she had originally estimated as they set off eastwards in a disorderly march, the lines soon beaten into a more uniformed and disciplined pace. She followed them cautiously from a distance until noon, when the skirts of Shilmista became distantly visible across the plain. She realised that the party were on a direct route to the forest, as she observed them rest briefly, and her love of the land would afford this group of unruly city vagabonds neither purpose nor shelter beneath Shilmistas blessed canopy. If she were to accompany their trail and ward off any danger to the forest, it was time for a tactical change.

“Githra, my friend, I call you from your slumber!” and dutifully, to the twist of the onyx ring and his mistress’ call, the energy of the blackest shadow pulsated before its giant feline form began to coalesce, his beautifully intense eyes regarding her quizzically for a moment whilst his senses awakened. “I know, my friend, I know” she whispered soothingly, kneeling to receive his tired greeting “I spend your energy on your companionship, and now I call you back prematurely to aid my cause” She sighed.

The band were on the move again as she carefully instructed her friend, then they touched foreheads silently for a moment before backing away. Githra began to hiss and snarl uneasily as his mistress’ eyes took on a vibrant emerald glow, her face a frame of deepening shadows, her mouth twitching and grimacing in anticipation, then as he turned and flew westwards to bring up the rear of the party the druid fell to the ground, her body twisting in silent torture.

The agonising transformation finally complete, a second mighty feline bounded away from the place where the druid had fallen, adrenalin pumping through every muscle and sinew in her body, every stretching leap releasing pent up energy in her powerful limbs. The living atoms of her flesh and bone had combined with the lifeless atoms of her armour, weapons and supplies to create a tireless and formidable foe. One considered usual to her surroundings…