It began. Something in Megaera’s brain clicked into place as she watched her opponent shift his weight. He was preparing for the first attack and she was ready. She shuffled her hooves under her, finding the best footing on the stony floor, and tensed her body, leaning back ever so slightly like a coil ready to spring. The fire-hued giant launched himself forward with a monstrous force; wings unfurled and fires ablaze, creating an intimidating sight. Meg was ready, but was taken slightly off-guard as her slid around to aim for her left side instead.

As the beast barreled towards her, Meg , used her sure footing to hunker down into a half crouch. With her wings pressed tight against her, she presented a much smaller target and was ready to spring forward in an instant. She’d learned this tactic from years of practice; large horses were used to fighting large horses and if they came at her like this, they were just as likely to pass right over her. It seemed to work, the stallion sailed past her, and Meg was able to avoid the snapping jaws that had aimed themselves at her side.

Hector had almost past her completely when she leaped out of crouch, springing forward in the opposite direction that he was headed. It was a fortunate thing she acted so quickly. Out of the corner of her vision, she could just see his hind hooves kick out to collide with her knees. It wasn’t a wild flail of limbs but a well timed and well aimed jab, she could recognize that, at least and she counted herself lucky that they narrowly missed hitting her. She turned as quickly as she could, using her clipped wings to balance herself as her hooves slid on the damp rocks.

Eyes wide and alert, she tried to take in every detail that she could. Hector, despite his incredible size, was agile and quick, but in the second she paused, she could hear the shortness in his breath already. Meg was small for a warrior, but half her lines came from the desert racers and what she lacked in size or strength she made up for in stamina.

She launched herself across the cavern towards him, hooves clattering in a quick succession and adding to the din in the echoing room. He was agile, yes, but maybe she could catch him before he reoriented himself after his first charge. She hurtled across the space, gaining momentum with every stride. As she neared him, she angled her body to move herself around to his left and lowered her head as far as she could. It might have been harder to run with her neck extended so far down, but if this worked she knew it would be worth it.

Meg stretched her neck and bared her teeth as she aimed for the bottom of his front legs. If she could trip him up, his size would work against him, and the damp floor might work to her advantage in that respect. There was no way she could best Hector when it came to muscle, so she knew she would have to use any advantage she might have. After the snap at his front hooves, she let her weight fall back onto her haunches before thrusting herself upward, hoping to force him off balance by ramming her shoulder against his back hip.

She landed hard after her jump and skidded some on a patch of moss. The little warrior flung out her wings to steady her balance, but the mismatched length sent her turning on the slippery floor and leaving her side open to the stallion.

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Word Count: 614
Attack 1/3