It was a damp evening when Thielor knelt in the thick underbrush, surveying the lone cottage ahead of him. The cool breeze drifted through the limb-dressed shelter, though to any that approached, it was just a lone shrub. His low-light vision took in the human inhabitants as they came and went. Dressed in mostly dark clothing, bright red scarves covered half their faces.

Defias bandits. He couldn't believe how active they were this late hour, assuming they would be sleeping. Guards wielding crossbows stood beside each entrance, while scouts patrolled the yard, each carrying daggers.

Thielor's mission was to see that their numbers were thinned. Recently, they claimed responsibility for one of the most brutal attacks Elwynn Forest had seen. Two bodies were found in the river near Mirror Lake, murdered and robbed of their possessions. It was likely to send a message to those who refused to give in to their demands, but authorities were never letting such a heinous act go without retort. Thielor decided to volunteer when his guild leader suggested it. After all, it would get on the city's good side, and though he had performed many heroic deeds since his arrival to the human city years ago, he felt he could be doing more to offset the crime problem.

Shaking his head, the night elf hunter groaned. There were at least twenty of them. He was beginning to think he had bitten off more than he could chew, even with his loyal pet Bayla at his side. For decades, her vicious teeth and claws were often a better weapon than his trusty longbow or blade but even she would have her work cut out. From his peripheral vision, he could see her piercing green eyes shimmer with anticipation. Her gleaming white teeth bared, her sleek body crouched near the ground on silent paws, she was his to command. But he wasn't quite ready to make his presence known until the time was right.

Thielor silently took an arrow and crawled onto his stomach in the cold grass. The sound of laughter and crickets chirping filled his ears. Through a gap in the meshing, he saw two of them – a man and woman – casually walking along his hiding spot. Delicately, he set the arrow, not making a sound as they stood twenty yards away. He held his breath and glanced back at his companion, sending her only one thought.

Go. Now.

The ferocious cat emerged and dashed toward the woman. She barely turned when the black mass leapt toward her, grabbing her neck with its teeth. And at that time, Thielor aimed directly at her male counterpart, his arrow ready to fire. Just as the woman hit the ground, Thielor let go, his arrow impacting the man's chest. Crumpling as well, the man landed beside her. They no longer drew breath.

Thielor hardened his gaze, a mix of satisfaction and regret lining his expression. As he wiped beads of sweat from his brow, he made a mental note. Two down. Eight to go.

A priestess' errands could wear one ragged, no matter what time of day. Or if it weren't errands, it was spending time tending tp patients with a rather nasty disposition. Before setting out to deliver goods, Leah was bandaging a wounded fighter. And he was the nastiest she had dealt with in her fifteen years of experience, having nearly been thrown her across the barracks. She rubbed her forearm, pitying the man. Adventurers and soldiers alike were always too eager to return to duty, sometimes finding themselves back under her care again.

Not on Leah's watch. One thing the Light taught was to never be foolhardy.

Leah hurried down the road leading to Goldshire, slinging a pack stuffed full of silk cloth over her shoulder. She always traveled on foot because horses made her a bit jumpy. Mount travel was usually recommended, since it had gotten dangerous at night. Leah felt little fear however, relying on divine spells and a sturdy mace for protection. And she hoped it wouldn't come to using them.

Leah raised her head to the sparkling sky, welcoming the view. The full moon peered through the treetops. It was so bright, the lamps posted every few yards didn't compare. For her, it was always the right time to visit the first aid instructor at the Lion's Pride Inn. But this time, she thought maybe it could wait until morning. Leah couldn't help but yawn. Perhaps spending the night would be in order, that is, if the room permitted.

Halfway along the winding path, she spotted a Stormwind guard making his rounds. His slate and blue armor glimmered in the moonlight. He offered a nod as she met him. Leah smiled in return, but quickened her pace, noting activity not far from the village. Leah shook her head, laughing. No matter the time of day or night, it was nothing to see a group of fighters engaged in some friendly competition.

But something was amiss. Shouts rang out that sounded far more menacing than a friendly spar. Leah focused on the moonlit forest, seeing a shadowy figure dash across the clearing, followed by another. Her heart nearly stopped. This couldn't be happening again, knowing of the Defias activity. Hoping she could be of some help, she ran toward them. No one else was going to be a victim tonight.

Thielor cursed for getting into one hell of a mess. The damned bandits had spotted him and fired their crossbows, flushing him from the brush. And once he crawled out and got his footing, he summoned his pet and sprinted. He admitted being impressed with their keen eyesight, but that hardly deterred their persistence.

Bolts and arrows whizzed around him, nearly clipping his tapered ears and fur-trimmed leather armor. Thielor glanced back and narrowed his bright silver eyes. They were catching up with him faster than he expected, but little did they know that they, too, were being followed. He grinned, knowing Bayla wasn't about to give them an inch.

When Thielor looked ahead, he saw the road just a few yards away. Shouts echoed behind him, followed by a gurgling scream that went silent. He pressed on, gripping his bow and pumping his legs as fast as he could, blood racing, his lungs taking in cool air.

Before reaching the road, Thielor suddenly fell forward. He rolled to his back, clutching his leg in agony as it burned like acid. He inhaled through clenched teeth, barely having a moment to feel the wooden bolt protruding from his ankle.

Just then, he was quickly engaged.

The bandits' merciless visages matched their dirks as they swung at him. Agility was his best friend in situations like this. He swiftly spun away from each attack while he unsheathed his dagger, burying the intense pain surging through him. Rolling onto his back, he swung his arm up, keeping the jagged kris at length across his chest just in time to connect with their short swords. He grunted from the pressure on his weapon, his entire arm clenching hard to keep them at bay. But with his leg throbbing and burning, he gave way, causing his weapon to slip beneath their hold.

Thielor instinctively rolled away, at the same time, kicking his uninjured leg into one bandit's knee. This sent him sprawling. The hunter felt a wave of victory while catching a glimpse of Bayla's fangs sinking into the man's leg. His arms flailed and his fingers clawed as she ferociously dragged him away. Thielor managed to crawl over to the fence before getting to his feet, careful not to put any weight on his injured leg.

No sooner did Thielor catch a breath when the remaining bandit made his advance, swinging his weapon. Thielor deflected every attempt but his throbbing leg was growing more distracting. Normally he could endure such injuries, but there was something different about this one. He felt his body weakening and sank to his knees, bracing himself on the fence. The attacks were becoming more difficult to stave, and he soon felt the blade rending his armor.

When it appeared the bandit would finish him, a golden light flashed in front of him. Thielor curiously perked his brow as it pulsed wildly, expanding until forming a bubble around him.

"What magic is this?!" the man shouted in frustration and stabbed at him, but he hit nothing, as though his weapon was non-existent.

Thielor wasted no time, aiming his bow at the man's chest. He fired at point blank range, skewering him in one shot. His assailant gasped in surprise before collapsing, dead on impact.

Thielor let his body go limp and sighed with relief just as the glowing barrier faded. He tossed the bow aside and examined his leg. He sharply inhaled and groaned. The bolt was in fairly deep but he had little time to tend it when soft footsteps caught his attention. He glanced toward the road. Near the bend stood a woman robed in blue and white, long dark hair fluttering in the breeze. He narrowed his eyes briefly, adjusting his unique low-light vision. Something stirred in his heart but for a split second as everything around him blurred, darkened.

And just when he caught a glimpse of her face, he blacked out.