Drachon was about to argue with the Anithrope, to tell her that the best way to keep the others safe would be to make sure that as few of the creatures reached them as possible, and to stay alive while doing it. Just then he heard the dull thudding of hooves against the thick underbrush, and judging from the sudden stillness of the Anithrope, she heard them too. The vixen closed her eyes and calmed herself as she drew her bow and notched an arrow on the string, aiming just under his arm. She broke the silence for only a moment "<span style="font-style: italic"> The elf should prepare</span>" She then opened and eye and launched the arrow, slinging the bow around her body before leaping from the tree.<br/><br/>"No, wait!" Drachon reached out to stop her, but it was to no avail, she now stood in the path of those that chased the artifact. Drachon shook his head in frustration, while the fox anithrope's valor was commendable, It was a foolishly short minded action. Finally their antagonists came to view at the entrance of the clearing, and Drachon's fears were confirmed. "Riders..." The elf said this is a soft whisper, his mouth set in a grim scowl. He could feel the darkness emanating off of the near ethereal beings that rode the monstrous steeds. The fox would stand no chance against the riders, and Drachon once again cursed her rashness.<br/><br/>Drachon could not just sit idly by and let the fox anithrope fall beneath these creatures blades, no matter how she infuriated him. Drachon took a deep breath as he drew his bow and notched an arrow, reaching into his mana reserves. The elf spoke in soft elvish which seemed to echo with the magic they called upon "Thianna, hear my plea..." The lead rider, whose steed's screaming resounded through the forest due to the arrow in it's flank, was getting closer to the anithrope, who stood stolidly to meet the threat "...give me the strength to do thy work and follow thy words..." Drachon drew the arrow back on the string and leveled it at the lead rider "...and allow me the courage to stand against the waves of darkness..." Drachons green eyes now seemed to glow with a mystical quality as he released the arrow, which pierced through the right eye of the lead riders steed, which fell to the ground as the wraith riding seemed to glide like smoke across water to the ground, never stopping its assault.<br/><br/>Drachon quickly sheathed the bow and leapt from the tree, landing in front of the anithrope "...With the power of light!" The elf lifted his right hand and a brilliant blue-white light shone forth from it. The rays of holy light tore through the shadowy flesh of the wraith, growing brighter as it engulfed the unholy creature completely. The other riders swerved to avoid the light that emitted from the elf's hand. One rider that had strode too close as he passed let loose an inhuman shriek of pain as the light burned it smoke-like flesh like fire.<br/><br/>After the riders had passed, the light faded and Drachon dropped to one knee, breathing heaviy, he was beginning to run low on his mana reserves. Drachon shook the tiredness and turned, taking to the trees. The elf had forgotten the anithrope as his mind basked in the brilliance of the magic. now as he raced through the trees after the riders, he wondered where the anithrope was, making chase no doubt. For a moment the moonlight that shone through the spaced in the trees were covered by a large shadow, which just as quickly vanished. Drachon took no time to ponder this, the important thing was keeping the artifact safe. He only had enough mana reserved for one more banishing spell, he hoped that he wouldn't need it.