The shrieks broke through the early dawn. Only a few rays of light signaled the day, but there was already chaos in the camp. Loud growling could be heard, waking the dazed Proteans to a horrible reality.
The camp settlers ran out of their tents, trying to shift but failing. Most of them had no magic and were helpless without their animal forms. Realizing that their inborn gift had failed them when they most needed it set some into a panic.
Mothers ran off with their children in their arms, desperately seeking a place of refuge from the unexpected attack. The babies wailed. The crows had managed to gab an infant each, flying high and away. Even grown men and women were reduced to tears, not quite what one would expect from a group with shifter blood deemed as noble.
The hounds had fi
