The forest had been like a second home to her during her time at court. Whenever things got too stressful, it was a place she could always go to think, relax, or just<i>be</i>. It was one of those elven stereotypes she didn’t mind so much. Humans usually couldn’t understand her love of nature. After all, most of them had never had a proper moonlit frolic through the woods.<br/><br/>Even so, Anais’s gaze swept the shadows, her hand still lingering near the hilt of her blade. In all the countless times she’d been here, the woods had never felt so ominous. The air, normally fresh and pure, was heavy with a feeling she couldn’t quite place.<i>Intent?</i><br/><br/>She shivered.<i>You’re just working yourself up over nothing.</i>An empty platitude. The flow of mana within the forest was<i>off</i>somehow, and there was only one reason that made any sense.<i>The virus.</i><br/><br/>But what was it doing to make everything feel so<i>wrong?</i><br/><br/>Paws treading across leaves. A low growl. Her eyes scanned the darkness again.<i>There!</i>A flash of grey fur slipped into shadow, much farther from the ground than she’d expected.<i>Too big to be dogs, then. Or wolves, for that matter.</i><br/><br/>Anais’s heart sank. “Get back, princess. Dire wolves.” Her voice was low, almost a whisper. Dire wolves didn’t generally stalk humans. They knew better than that. Even if they were infected, it didn’t make any sense, unless...<br/><br/>When the first one stepped into the light, she knew the truth behind what she’d been feeling—the source of the intent that soured the forest’s flow of mana. She didn’t want to fight them, but what choice was there? She glanced at Sabriella, then Katherina. Between the three of them... no problem, right? They’d just drive them off and be on their merry way.<br/><br/>Anais took a slow step forward, the silver embroidery on her robe glittering as it fluttered behind her. “Good pups run away before they get hurt,” she said. For the first time, she looked lower, catching a hint of thick, throbbing maleness. She coloured a little. Clearly, this wasn’t a good pup.<br/><br/>Slowly, she gathered her mana, a sudden breeze of power drifting around her. She’d defend herself with a barrier of wind, but she wouldn’t strike, not yet. Not until the wolves sealed their fate. She doubted the others would be so merciful.<i>Or so stupid.</i><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>