Ephemeral [Open]

[Nealah Blair]

Nealah sucked in a breath, letting the blood pump through her fingers as she aimed her wand. The instrument, of the willow variety was like an extension of her arm. Of the many medicinal concoctions she could create, she much preferred her magical abilities (however lacking).

It was very dark tonight. Perfect for her practices. Brir was a mainly human village, and because of this warrior training grounds were in abundance. Herbalists, though not lacking in their resources in Brir, weren't given proper places to practice their magic. So Nealah had to compromise.

"Go Leor A Bheith," she hissed, watching a bolt of white light erupt from the end of her sprig. It met her target with vindication, causing it to burst into flaming parts. A smirk grew on her face as the highest-rising ashes finally met the grass a hundred feet away. This was one of her more powerful spells. One that she had been lucky to master. The others were hardly anything to speak of. Conjure light, flames, a breeze.... No, her combustion spell was much more enjoyable.

There wasn’t a cloud in the night sky, and the full moon shone down on the land, not lost among the stars however bright they were.

The full moon.

Everyone knew what that meant. Even though the nearest werewolf village was all the way south in Suöur City, it was no secret that at least one pack of wild ones lived in the Laurus Valleys, not far from Brir at all…

Nealah turned at once, the grip on her wand tighter now, sweat forming on her brow. There were still a few lights on within the city walls, though the moon made it out clearly enough. She began to jog lightly towards the gates, willing her mind to find something else to focus on.

And then a howl cut through the crisp night air, like a bullet.

Nealah sprinted, and barely made it into the city before several armed guards made their way to the gate, closing it as quickly as they could. The situation was routine. Occasionally one particularly ruthless wolf made it past the walls of the city, but there hadn’t yet been a death or a turning. The guards had thus far been able to gain control of the situation and trap any werewolves that had entered the city, holding them until they finally turned again the next morning.

Nealah watched a guard turn to her, but she didn’t wait to hear what he had to say. He was telling her to get inside, and she didn’t need much persuasion.

Just as she closed the door of her home, another howl, much louder and closer split the air. Nealah looked out a window, barely able to see anything now that she was so far from the gates. Finally, several flaming torches came into view. Nealah’s heart skipped a beat. Someone – something had gotten in.

It was only a few seconds later that Nealah realized just how wrong she was. There, illuminated by the torches stood at least five werewolves, jowls quivering, snarls growing in their throats.