You blink, and blink again at the wavering light streaming through a gap in the canvas covering the iron cage around you. The loose end of the fabric waves slightly as the cage is jostled, presumably by being loaded on some mode of transportation. Looking down, you come to the realization that your form is something you have no prior knowledge of.
It's obvious you are quadrupedal, and each paw ends in some rather savage looking claws. However, rather than fur, your body is covered in scales, almost like you would expect on a dragon. Unfortunately, you have the sense that you are not a dragon, as your physiology appears more closely related to that of a predatorial cat, like a lion or tiger. Thanks to the wavering light, you note that your scales vary from dull green to tan, most likely suited for a forest environment. While you have no way to see your reflection, you are aware that you have a rather squarish muzzle, with long, sharp teeth, probably meant for tearing meat. Looking down your body, you confirm the presence of a long, ropy tail, completely covered in scales, but with a nasty-looking barb on the end. You cannot confirm your gender, as there are no external indications, and you would not even begin to hypothesize how such a species would mate.
Well, at least I look like I can put up a fight, you sigh. That being said, why am I in a cage?
Moving closer to the bars, a bit awkwardly in your new form, you peer through the hole in the fabric to see that you are, in fact, on a wooden cart. Your size is probably akin to that of a large tiger, as compared to the human who is driving the cart, which is hitched up to two beasts which look like a strange mix of a buffalo and a rhino.
"Excuse me," you say, or try to. What comes out sounds more like a yowl ending in a snarl.
"Quiet there!" the man yells loudly as the two beasts in front of the cart toss their heads nervously. You back away as he bangs the bars of the cage with a stick, still trying to process the fact that you cannot speak, and growl involuntarily at the man's hostility. Before you can decide what to do next, the cart jolts to a stop. You hear the man getting down and walking away.
Quickly, you examine the cage, pondering your chances of escape. You lean on the bars on one side of the cage and push carefully but firmly, to no avail. It appears the cage was meant for beasts like you. Before you can be more aggressive, one side of the canvas covering the cage is whipped open.
"See? I told you, just captured. Top o' the line forest tithor . Now let's talk price," the cart driver states as he shows you off to a potential customer.
You cower on the opposite side of the cage and hiss uncomfortably, your tail twitching, as the two begin to haggle. To your disbelief, you are about to be sold to...