Just Another Day

I nevah shoulda left de plains, Shanku thought bitterly. Stupid little wharf rat. Had ta see da world. See de Gull 'Rach shame demselves. See da good doctah slain. She glared down at the world below her. See de pirates pillage and plundah. She winced and drew her wings close around her. See da monstah inside o' me...

No more! Shanku stood suddenly and looked ahead of her. No more do I wish to see. I will stay here. Away. Alone. She walked quietly across the rocks and brittle grass. Where none can be hurt by my foolishness.

Sometime later she came across a white mountain goat nibbling at the grasses growing sparesely in the high altitude. Shanku gathered herself and sprang with a flash of claws and black feathers. The goat reared up in half-surprise, half-preparation to defend itself with a deft butt of its sharp horns. Shanku grabbed his nose, pulled him to the ground, and quickly ended his life.

Supper. Finally. She was relieved. Her victory was short lived and she turned her head to see what made the sound of an angry footfall nearby. To her horror stood the largest kurach she had ever seen, and to make matters worse, he was in his feral form. His teeth and claws were longer and sharper than any Sylvan's, his wings were long and broad like an eagle's, and beneath the thick fur were signs of knotted muscles. He wore leather bracers on his forearms, a leather loincloth, and had leather thigh-guards.