A Threat to the City

((This piece of RP is being written in relation to a piece done by a guild member. To briefly summarize, the Twilight Cult is assaulting several locations in Silvermoon disguised as the mage Eurict, both to discredit him and eliminate several key Magisters. The part below is Biara's first actions/knowledge of this situation.))

Biara patted the long neck of the Hawkstrider with one hand, her other hand tightening a strap on the saddlebags attached to the creature. Everything appeared to be in order and she nodded with satisfaction as all around her the rest of the expedition made similar preparations. She had been assigned to accompany a much larger force of Farstriders to assault the Amani trolls lingering in the ruins on the edge of Quel'Thalas, and this time they were going fully prepared for the vile creatures. They would not be forced back a second time.

Smiling, Biara took a wand from her belt and secured it in a holster along the saddle's side. It never hurt to have backup magic available, and she sensed the mission assigned to her by the Council was going to be far more dangerous than she anticipated. She reached up and patted the hawkstrider again, looking down to check the saddle's straps one last time.

The fiery ball of magic came without warning, striking the hawkstrider in the head and detonating in a brilliant plume of explosive flames, kililng the creature instantly and rocking the clearing before the Sheppard's Gate with the sound of the explosion. Biara's eyes snapped closed as the fireball streaked into view, and flaming hot air bathed her as her wards struggled to repel the devastating effects of the spell. Around her Farstriders screamed as secondary explosions lit up amongst them and a hail of arrows fell upon their ranks.

Biara whirled in fury, her wards just barely keeping the flaming heat of her dead mount off of her body. Her hair drifted up lazily in the currents of burning air, the deep red strands looking akin to the fire raging behind her. The oppressive heat made her robes billow out in front of her, her cloak snapping in the wind as she sought the source of the attack. There, on the edge of the clearing, a band of attackers had emerged from Eversong Woods and launched their assault. Leading them was Eurict Starflare, an Ambassador of Silvermoon.

Biara didn't believe it for one second. He's in MY spire, safe and protected! He CANNOT be here!

She snarled out the words of a complex spell, magic warping around her as it literally sucked the illusion spell from the 'ambassador'. For a brief moment, Biara herself looked like Eurict as she absorbed the spell and then dismissed it, the Magistrix staring down a cowled figure that was far too bulky to be Eurict; a human.

A Twilight Cultist.

All around her, pandemonium reigned as the cultists following the spellcaster let loose another barrage of arrows. Projectiles plunged into Farstriders and mortal cries of agony could be heard as more Sin'dorei fell. The disorganized and surprised Farstriders returned fire, felling a few of the cultists while trying desperately to order their ranks. The sight infuriated Biara, and magic began to crackle in the air around her as her powers awoke.

Across the field, the cultist began to chant, another ball of fire forming in his hands. The sight sent Biara from wrathful to homicidal. She shouted the words of a counterspell, and instantly the fireball faded to nothing. The cultist blinked in shock as he tried to speak, no words coming from the human's mouth as the magical feedback silenced him for a time. Biara sneered at him and pointed. She said a single word, invoking her favorite spell.

"Belore."

A frostfire orb appeared in the middle of the enemy's ranks, flaring to life and drifting towards them slowly, as if a mote of pollen in the warm spring air of Eversong. Several of the cultists cried out in terror and turned to flee, while the enemy spellcaster attempted to counter the magic. It was too late though, the orb once cast could not be unmade, and it drifted within a few yards of the man. Beams of brilliant flame leapt from it, scoring horrific burns across his torso as he cried out and desperately tried to shield himself. Biara gave him no reprieve. She raised her hand, palm outward towards the enemy and deadly shards of piercing ice flew from it, striking down cultists indiscriminately.

More arrows were loosed by the Farstriders, and soon the cultists were in full flight. Their leader's scorched body lay amongst the fallen, trampled by his followers in their haste to flee. Biara barked out another word of magic, teleporting herself forward and amongst the fleeing foes. An icy blast of air froze them in place, killing several outright. She grinned wickedly; these murders had seen their last sunrise.

Biara's rampage amongst the enemy was interrupted by a magical sending from Sunfury Spire itself. She reeled in surprise as the council made contact with her.

"Magistrix Dayfire, your presence is required in the council chambers immediately."

She scowled, muttering an answer, "I'm a little busy at the moment..."

"The entire council is awaiting your arrival. We have no time for delay."

Biara sighed and rolled her eyes. Farstriders rushed past her to finish off the trapped cultists as she began to chant the words to a teleportation spell. This had better be VERY important...

************************************

Biara stood within the council chambers, blinking in shock at what she had just heard. In front of her was a stone table with several highbacked chairs behind it. The mightiest of the Magisters sat in attendance, minus only the Grand Magister himself. The chamber around her showed signs of combat, and there was a pool of dried blood on the edge of one of the other nearby tables. Biara had little time to think of that though as she turned to look at the Sin'dorei standing beside her.

Eurict Starflare had seen better days, that was certain. Although his face retained all the handsome features of a well bred Sin'dorei, the haggard lines around his eyes gave testament to the trials he had undergone in the last few days. Biara felt herself moved to pity the brave elf, who had risked virtually his entire existence to bring warning to her about the Twilight threat to the city.

"You wish to restrain his powers and then go after this creature you called Dawnweave without his aid?" she said. "Why wouldn't you just utilize him to his full potential, and allow him the use of his power?"

One of the Magisters sitting behind the table scowled at her, "Magistrix Dayfire, it is not your place to question our decision on this matter."

His answer was met with a cold stare. Biara folded her arms and said, "Oh, is that so? When last I had heard, only the Grand Magister himself had the right to strip the powers from others without their express consent. In addition, I would imagine that before ordering me about you would at least ensure you had even HALF my capability with the arts, Magister."

The Magister that Biara addressed bristled with anger, but he was restrained by a hand on his shoulder as another of the Magisters tried to calm him. The elf looked down at Biara with a frown, "Magistrix Dayfire! Now is hardly the time for petty bickering. Eurict Starflare has agreed to this binding to ensure that our city is protected and that this threat is eliminated once and for all! Please do not add to the tension here with your politics!"

Biara smiled at the last words. Her ability to infuriate and manipulate the other Magisters always amused her. Several of the other Magisters in the chamber shared her smile, knowing full well how easy some of their collueges were to rile. The Magistrix turned towards Eurict, studying him carefully.

"If you have truly offered to have your power bound to me for the good of the Sin'dorei, then you are even more brave and noble than I'd originally imagined," she said softly. "When first you came to me with your warning, I was skeptical. I have seen first hand your desire to save our people though, and to root out evils that would harm Quel'Thalas. No matter who you once were, or what mistakes you have made, you've earned the right to stand here amongst us."

Biara slowly reached down, taking a small spellblade from her belt. She looked Eurict directly in the eyes and said, "I will accept the binding, and hold your power in my care so that you can continue to serve our people. Before I do so though, I will give you a blood oath. It is the least I can do for a hero who would give up his everything for his people."

Before anyone could reply, Biara drew the spellblade and sliced it across her palm, allowing drops of blood to fall from her hand. "By my blood, I swear to keep your power safely, and return it to you upon your request. I swear I will not abuse your trust, and that I will not forget the honor you do me by giving such trust to me."

She turned towards the Magisters sitting silently behind the table. "Bind him."