Regulus bounded through the forest after Tybalt, with nothing but his shirt and pants to protect him. He had heard a scream in the forest, one that had to be his partner. They split up moments ago, so that Tybalt could go investigate the strange sounds eminating from the forest. As Regulus ran on all fours towards the scream, his acute ears picked up a slight whistling in the air. His combat training kicked in, and he barrel rolled behind a tree just as a knife was embedded into it. He was being pursued by someone.

     Cursing himself for not bringing his armor when it would have helped, he ran from the scene, being careful to hide himself in the foliage whenever possible. His paw caught on a tree root, and he stumbled. His face slammed into the ground, hard, forcing his features into an involuntary snarl. Dazed, he got to his feet only to be pushed down by something. When he looked around to see what it was, a disgusting sight met his eyes.

     Standing before him, with an impressive array of small explosives and knives, was a human. A sack of flesh and bone with no fur whatsoever, and a decidedly unpleasant odor. The human bent low over Regulus, as though to whisper something in his ear. Regulus got his arm in position to grab the human by the neck and throw him into a tree if necessary. But the human noticed this.

     “Now, now… You wouldn’t want to do anything that could put your little friend in danger, hmm?” He laughed in the most condescending tones.

     “What… What have you done with Tybalt?” Regulus asked, still in a daze.

     “Tybalt? So that’s his name…. Oh, nothing. Just poking some fun at him.” He fingered the spear behind his back, as if to help send the meaning across. It was impossible to make out his face in the pale moonlight, but judging by his voice, he was an old man. Regulus had no problem killing him if it came to that.

     “Take me to him,” said Regulus, taking control of the situation. “Take me to him, or I’ll snap your neck.” He smiled, because he knew it was quite possible. This puny human was only half his size. “And give me your weapons so I know you won’t try anything dangerous.” The man looked offended, but noticed the size of Regulus as he stood up and relinquished his weaponry.