Earlier, Alaric had already sent a smaller group ahead into the rubble. They carried nets, ropes, and thick blankets while hiding themselves behind collapsed walls and shattered stone. Fear was written all over them, but Alaric had chosen them carefully because even terrified men could still obey orders.
The moment the tiger entered the courtyard space within the ruins, the first net flew from the left.
It tangled briefly around one foreleg before the beast snarled violently and tore free in seconds. One unlucky soldier died instantly because he stood too close when the tiger spun around.
Then another net dropped from higher rubble and this one wrapped tighter around the tiger's legs.
At the same time, slingers positioned outside the arch unleashed stones toward the handlers instead of the tiger because Alaric wanted the beast alive and the men controlling it dead.
