Too late

You break into a full-on gallop as soon as you clear the stalagmites. Without a saddle, the human has to grip around your waist one hand awkwardly clutching the bow. You slow as you turn a corner and the cave opens up. This seems to be the Manticores bedchamber there are torches lighting the room so you drop yours and grip your spear in both hands.

At the back of the room, you see some kind of nest made of broken carts draped in blankets and riped bits of cloth. To the side, you see a terrified young woman. The truly awful sight is in the middle of the room. The manticore has the body of a lioness, large dragon-like red wings and a long scorpion-like tail. It's face is that of a human woman but with rows of sharp fangs that drip with blood. The source of the blood lays lifeless bleeding out on the floor a chunk of flesh ripped out of her chest.

"Harrold help!" screams the woman at the side adressing the man on your back.

"You will no longer hurt these people!" You declare as you charge.

"I have never tasted Centaur flesh, you have so many juicy parts." the Manticore taunts as it takes to the air. Harrold fires your bow catching her in the shoulder of her left-wing.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The Manticore screams. "Once I am done going to make your mate watch as I rip you limb from limb." she taunts the human. It swoops around and tries to jab you with its venomous tail. You dodge and get a good jab in with your spear jabbing her side.

You exchange a few more blows as it does swooping attacks from the air. Harrold gets in a few good shots. It seems to be trying to keep you away from it's nest and you use this to your advantage as her strikes are easy to predict as they always come at an angle between you and the nest. Harrold has focused fire on her left-wing and with 10 of your arrows, he has got in 7 hits along with the structure of the wing. At this point, she drops to the ground between you and the nest. Her singer flops limply from multiple jabs with your spear but she still has sharp claws and teeth.

She leaps at you claws bared. You thrust back at her but the wait on your back though you off. Her claws catch that weight and you hear Harrold Scream. He is knocked off your back and is lieing bleeding but alive on the already bloody floor. However, your thrust seemed to have done enough to repel her back. Blood seeping from her side, her wing and her tail she slinks back against the nest.

"I surrender, please I will only take wild animals from now on, leave the humans alone. Please, centaur I am only doing what is necessary." The Manticore begs

From the nest you hear the crying of a baby, it is deep and throaty as if coming from something larger than a human.