Chapter 1: Lady Luck's Curtsy

With heavy eyes Ada notices the elk in an inquisitive matter Did Cat just turn into an Elk?

The elk in question panics as Baraq takes to the air and prepares to pounce. Cat bleats and bolts for the trees.

Rolen swears in elvish before taking off after the elk.

Baraq also flies off after the elk, not wanting to waste this opportunity to catch some game. Bloodlust still high upon her senses, the aarakocra fires an arrow from her short bow.

Baraq's arrow narrowly misses Catriona's hindquarters. The elk screams, and starts running faster, crashing into trees and shrubs in her flight. Trapped in a body not of her choosing, Catriona tries to will herself to change back into her own shape. Or failing that, at least to regain the power of speech.

Baraq relishes the hunt, knowing that the key is to tire the animal out. Hitting it with an arrow would speed up the process, but opportunities like this do not come often. Her rage subsiding into excitement, she continues her pursuit of the fleeing elk, readying another shot.

Terrified, Catriona is having a hard time shaking off her animal form, but she finally manages it. The momentum of her flight causes her to stumble forward a few more steps before turning to face Baraq, her small shield raised in defense.

Looking up, I notice that some of our party members have disappeared and turn towards Ada. "What has happened?"

Surprised, Baraq's talons rake across the shield as she descends over Catriona's head and lands behind her. Turning to face the girl with an expression of disappointment, Baraq opens her beak to say something.

Then, she shakes her head. The short bow is slung and the arrow returned to its quiver. "Nice trick," craws Baraq, the hissed words measured with a tone of... amusement. "I have heard about shapeshifters, though I have never seen one change into prey before."

Breathing heavily, Cat stares up defiantly at Baraq. "I don't blame you for wanting to feed, but I suggest you be more careful about hunting 'prey' next time." Cat makes a mental note not to change into a mouse or a rabbit within sight of the aarakocra.

"You would have done well to warn us in advance in having such a plump and juicy form," hisses Baraq, now annoyed at having spent so much energy in the chase with no reward. "Were you bitten by an elk during the full moon?"

"Bitten? No. But The next time you try to make a meal out of me, I'll bite back!" Cat sticks her nose in the air and marches back to where she thinks the others are. But she's headed in the wrong direction.

Rolen subtly points the way back.

Baraq clucks, then takes the air to return to the camp. Let the hatchling find her own way back.

Krieger turns back to camp to resume his watch. "We may as well finish our rest now, we should be long gone by the time the orcs realize they've been had."

Catriona is startled by Rolen's voice in her head. Looking around and seeing the elf nearby, she lets him guide her back to the camp. On the way there she whispers, "Were you in my head just now, or was I hearing things?"

"No, can't say I was in your head." Rolen pauses, stops Cat, and looks into her eyes before continuing on "Your pupils are slightly dilated, you must still be a little frightened. You probably just singled out my voice."

Cat knits her eyebrows and nods. Yes, that must be it." But she can tell Rolen is hiding something. She wonders why he would feel the need to lie to her. And to think she trusts him more than the others.