The human was on his hands and knees following the most feminine scream he'd heard since he'd startled a shepherdess on the plain. The dust and sand clouded like fog all around them, the thunder of hooves pounded farther and farther away, and the winged lion grinned down at the would-be hero. His eye caught the glimmer of a rapier, much too far to be of any use now.

"What will you do now, warrior?" His voice was like the stillness before the storm, quiet and clear yet powerful as his roar. He set one paw in front of the other, and he walked slowly around Cyrus, circling him as he would stalk his wounded prey. A low growl rumbled in his throat -- or was it laughter? "You've waited this long to find me with your weapon, and now you cower before me. I haven't lifted a claw against you. Yet." He grinned, and his teeth flashed in the darkness.

His circling brought him to the rapier in the sand. He paused a moment -- then he swiped a paw and tossed the blade clattering back to Cyrus' hands. "I don't kill cowards," he hissed, and he continued to step slowly in a circle around the prince. "Pick it up. I am generous -- I will let you fight while you take your last breath."

This human appeared unusual, compared to the ones he was used to dealing with -- he was dressed differently, and his skin was healthy and clean. [i]Rich boy[/i], he thought to himself. Not a villager. But what was he doing here, throwing his life away for a village he'd never lived in?