Lightning crackled across the sky; the rain fell all around amidst burning buildings surrounding the courtyard. Shadowy figures engage halberd-wielding guards. The guards' valiant defence are soon ended by the shadowy figures, their daggers now glistening with blood. The dark figures move to surround a figure fallen on the ground, a young woman it seems. One of the shadows raises a blade, poise to plunge down when the assailant freezes, sensing something. They turn to face a dark monstrous figure and a guttural growl escapes from it. It moves swiftly, engaging the dark figures in combat, slashing and ripping them apart. More figures emerge from the surrounding, blasts of elemental fury surging forth to strike at the dark figure pushing it back. Unleashing a feral howl, a wave of shadowy energy pulses from the dark figure knocking everything back. The structures in the area begin to shake and crack, the force of the energy pulse intense. The area begins crumbling, debris begins to fall all around. Undaunted more shadowy figures emerge to do battle, they gesture and continue the elemental assault on the dark figure, electing a pained howl. Looking up and see the masonry collapsing all around the courtyard, a large piece hurtling towards the young woman. She cries out words unknowable, and the dark figure sprints for her, evident in its entire being. Motions blur with the falling debris and scattering of the remaining attackers. It almost reaches the woman but a flash of light blinds it and an explosion rocks the area sending everything scattering. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed.

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Elva awoke with a gasp in her bed as winds howl in the distance. Sitting up from her bed, she ran her hand through her long blond hair, pushing it back and closing her mismatched eyes of amber and sapphire, attempting to calm her breathing. The dream left an odd sensation in her mind, feeling both familiar and foreign at the same time. Echoes of a forgotten past perhaps? she thought. Her memories of her life were hazy or missing from before she was discovered by Father Gabriel, head cleric of Sunhold and Madam Rose, proprietor of the Espin Rosa cabaret. They told her that they found her amongst the aftermath of a massacre, a raid on the sand strider tribe clan Scyhlar by bandits, which also attracted the attention of a Raktan hydra. After being nursed back to health she was discovered to have little to no memory of her life before, with only hazy memories of family at best. In fact, she could not even remember having a name. The only notable item she had was a necklace with the initials E.S inscribed on it. Father Gabriel and Madam Rose eventually gave her the name Elva more for the sake of registration and reporting, but she liked it and saw no reason to deny it. It has been seven years since that day, yet this was the first time such an event has disturbed her so. Perhaps the stress and worry of the last few weeks was getting to her; in any case it was not doing her any good to sit in bed worrying over something intangible and out of her control.

Taking a deep breath, Elva got up and exited her room for the common baths to wash up. Dawn was about an hour away and the corridors of the temple were mostly empty—with only several other clerics up and about preparing for their daily rites. The cold water of the bath was able to help her fully awaken and dispel most of the unpleasantries of the night. This was the first time she ever had such a vivid dream, and although she could not recall the details of it clearly anymore, she could still remember the sensations of anger and fear it left. Shaking her head, Elva finished her morning wash and headed back to her room to gear up and head out into town.

Along the way back to her room, she saw a familiar face in the courtyard. Brother Vance, a fellow templar cleric who was busy setting up training dummies. Clapping her cheeks lightly, she put on her usual smile and moved quietly forward towards Vance, who was hunched down inspecting and adjusting a dummy. She managed to sneak all the way to his back before he called out, startling Elva. “Good morning Elva, pleasant to see you up and about so early in the dawn.”

“What gave me away this time? And good morning to you too, Vance, Elva replied, pouting slightly and putting her hands on her hips, as she regarded the calm and composed knight turning to face her.

“Just a feeling in the air, and I barely heard your last step. Plus, you are the only one in the temple who likes to pull these little mischiefs.” Vance regarded Elva, taking in her visage while dusting off his monastic scapula lightly. “Are you feeling unwell? You look troubled.”

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"Fine, just had a nightmare. A bad one but just a dream, nothing more."

"If you say so, still to wake you up and get you out so early…" mused Vance as he walked towards another crate to prepare another training dummy, Elva following him with her hands behind her back. He continued. "Will you be heading out to the guild house then? If you are, I have a few things I could use your help checking up on."

"I am, was just on my way to change before going out actually. I need to follow up with the report for the guild regarding the escort job for the gatherers." Elva paused as she remembered the rather chaotic events of what was supposed to be a simple job.

"Heard about that, good work keeping those folks safe." Vance said. However he frowned slightly as he continued. "The circumstances are worrying though. Scorpoids of that size and age do not group together normally."

"Coin for your thoughts?"

He shrugged. "Nothing concrete and more paranoia than anything else." Seeing Elva raise her eyebrow at his words, he cleared his throat and continued. "Personally, my worry is that something is riling up the creatures of the Rakta desert, and Dawnbringer help us if this is something affecting the entire Scar of Monsters.''Sighing, Vance straightened up and faced her, crossing his arms. "Pointless speculation based on what may very well just be a freak series of events. Thinking and worrying about it is frankly an exercise in futility with not much we can do without more information."

Elva gave him a wry smile, saying, "I am sure you are preparing the town and yourself in your own way." She resumed her usual playful smile. "Not to dismiss your concerns, but if you would like to get back to what you needed me to do at the guild house?"

"Ah, of course. My apologies for getting side-tracked. The watch observers have sighted an incoming convoy from the South, and I need you to check with the guild regarding the convoy’s status and purpose."

Looking up in thought, Elva remarked. "It should be a trading caravan no? Considering the time of the month this should be the convoy that comes in with goods from the Mercidium."

"The size of the convoy is larger than usual, though it still flies the recognised flags. It can’t hurt to get more information about the change. If this is the usual trading caravan, what I need you to check is if the herbalist is with the group and if he has his full inventory." Vance paused and hesitated before finishing. "Specifically… Eflusia leaves."

Seeing Elva’s grin fall, concern clouding her eyes, Vance quickly spoke, raising his hand to stop her just as her lips were parting to ask the obvious question. "We still have enough for a few weeks, and Father Gabriel’s condition has been stable. You know me though; I need to know the supply line is steady."

Mollified, Elva gave Vance a light jab in the shoulder, her smile returning. "Alright I will go get dressed and grab my gear then head to the guild hall." She turned and took a few steps towards the entrance of the before tilting her head back to glance at him. "And if things do not turn out to be fruity?"

"We will think of something I’m sure." Vance shrugged. "I will be busy most of the day so come and find me after dusk. I will be heading to the Water drop tavern barring any unforeseen events."

"Aye Captain," said Elva melodiously as she gave a wave backwards, continuing to her quarters.

Once inside Elva took off her current clothing and put on a fresh set of undergarments as well as an undershirt. After slipping on her socks which went up to her thighs, she put on her monastic scapula which she had modified to better fit her form, though she left the patterns and symbols on it unchanged. Out of reflex she strapped on her leather breastplate, but paused once done to examine herself and her remaining gear. The metal greaves and gauntlets felt excessive for a simple trip to the guild hall, so she opted instead for leather gloves and boots. Fastening her templar sword to her waist belt, she unsheathed her parrying dagger to quickly inspect it, then strapped it to a harness on her right thigh. She looked into a mirror to examine herself one final time before nodding in satisfaction, before putting on her habit and keeping the rest of her equipment safely. Elva exits the temple into the waking dawn, humming a tune as she strolled forth.