Puff's Challenge

393 AC - Hmm. I narrow my eyes as I watch the cloud of powder dissipate. The little one seems unharmed, but that doesn't excuse what the huntress did. I hate hunters. I detest hunters. I trample them underfoot. And this one needs to be taught a lesson. I fight my initial instinct… or maybe it's the child's yells, grating annoyingly in the back of my mind, which are stopping me from going too far. One sharp prod with my horn would be enough. The battering ram sends the first huntress flying. How do they do it again? Ah yes, a kick, a few well-aimed hooves would smash their equipment and destroy their little jet boards, which look more like the plank a pirate's prisoner would be forced to walk than something you'd want to ride on.

Run, kiddo. I'll deal with them. Take your chance while I distract them. You have more important things to do, and you know it. From the corner of my mind, I feel him agree with me. With a powerful blow, I smash one of the wretched poacher's toys to pieces. With a swift kick, I get rid of another of those pests. I feel like I'm a bowling ball knocking down pins. What's their word for that again? Strike? Hang on, where's the kid now? Hmm. Up there. I see Kauri rushing towards the lead hunter's jet board, as oblivious as a lamb to the slaughter. There's no time to lose. I should get this over and done with so I can join him. Now he's part of my, er… flock.

PUFF