The short amount of time allowed for misinterpretation and confusion. Tzirret responded with his head angled to one side, "You fought a werewolf bef-?"

This time, Tzirret was not ambushed by Ma'tanza's leap, but he was forced back by it. Trying to dodge it was not especially successful, but he was able to grab her shoulders and take some steps beck in the water to avoid loosing his footing again. A short struggle ensued before Tzirret's strength prevailed. He threw Ma'tanza off to one side and dove under the water himself.

Tzirret was not the most elegant swimmer, especially not in beast form, but he was able to claw his way along the riverbed for extra control. He intended to get behind Ma'tanza when she stood up, then jump out, wrap his arms around her middle, and drag her backwards. He could throw her onto her front on the riverbed after that and hopefully win their little bout.