Chapter 43

Ten miles away from Lord Bernie's castle

The tremendous magical feline hurried through the high pastures of the grassland. It kneeled low, muscles tightened, and sensed every noise and scent. Completely large, the size of a man, it wormed forward in the stealth of predatorial technique through the wavy scrub. This remarkable mastery of the kill had already brought long life to the clever hunter. Its mane was great, its musculature was lean and taught, and its paws and shiny teeth protracted and sharp. And it smelled blood.

At the end of the grassy area near the stream’s ridge, the daunting feline froze. It saw a gang of varied humans in a clearing, drying and cleaning the carcasses of beast prey hanging from the fences. A gazelle, some vicious beast, and a willow bear dangled enticingly from the low limbs. A banquet for the king of beasts. But the huge lion was not looking at the fresh meat. It peered at the vast figure laying the critters onto a wagon for transport. He