Erinya knew that the element of surprise played a huge role when it came to close quarters combat. Much less blood was shed of those that attacked first than of those who had to adjust to a sudden offensive. And she had been ready to send the mage to her gods before Ovra even opened her mouth therefore when she cleverly unarmed her with her axe, she didn't even blink twice.

She had her whole team in front of her, all of them trusting her enough to turn their backs to her arrows. Fools, she would often call them in her head yet on the other hand, she had never shared the fact that each and every time her adrenaline started flowing, she had the urge to start blindly shooting off arrows, having to restrain her bloodlust and her thoughts. Hell, sometimes she had to take a moment longer because she wasn't certain that she would shoot the enemy instead of a comrade.

She had been like that since-
[i]Since when?... Something happened some time ago, I lost something didn't I?... I can't remember what.[/i] she thought and suddenly she wasn't in the middle of the Silent Plains anymore. She was back to the Anderfels, talking to her long-dead teacher, about the art of marksmanship.

[i]"Ishanni, what separates a great marksman from a legendary one?"[/i] he asked as he fixed her grip on the bow. She had no answer for him and honestly, he wasn't expecting one. [i]"It is how many steps ahead he -or she in our case- can predict. Most use a bow in order not to risk melee, be it due to a lack of skill or confidence but the bow isn't as simple as that if you want to bet your life on it, day after day. When you shoot your arrow, witch-born, you need to have already figured out where your next will land and under what circumstances. That's how you become a legendary marksman. Everyone can become a great archer but so few can win a battle before it even starts. You think you can do that, little one?"[/i]

She paused for a long moment before locking eyes with him. [i]"I'm gonna do better than that."[/i] she simply said before unleashing her arrow and her conscience drawing her back to the battlefield.

Ovra was diving for cover, wanting to avoid the bolts which undoubtedly the riders would send after her. Eirny was also making her move, her magic disorienting most of them for the shortest of moments yet the young Elf hadn't accounted for the last rider who would have clear view of her.

[center][i]"One for ruin..."[/i][/center]She had the mage in her sights, arrow drawn and ready to pierce her soft-looking skin without any remorse. She had taken aim, the woman's throat would do the trick, she didn't want to risk any sort of last-breath spellcasting. With Ovra having already given her a short window to act on, Erinya had the chance to end this encounter in their favor as that mage was both the leader of that band and its most dangerous member.

[center][i]"One for sorrow..."[/i][/center]There was no wind to account for, no breath of air had taken the dust the fallen staff raised, one direction or another. Her arrow would travel to its goal within a fraction of a second, unobstructed. The mage had made a deadly mistake, being so close to potential enemies without any preparations. Her pride caused her death.

[center][i]"Always remember..."[/i][/center]Her fingers held the arrow firmly and steadily, bows demanded finesse unlike crossbows. She had done this a million times before and she would probably do it a million more.

[center][i]"All Men are hollow."[/i][/center]It took less time for the arrow to fly than a heartbeat. She saw it pierce the right side of her pale neck and throw her off balance towards the left, giving Eirny half a second more to protect herself against the last rider and his crossbow as her falling body would act as cover. It would be all the Elf needed, hopefully. 

Her gaze was still fixed on the mage's eyes though, filling with shock, her mind still hadn't registered what had happened yet her neck was already painted crimson before she would even touch the barren ground. She would be dead within seconds.

[i]"Dareth shiral."[/i] she whispered and pulled another arrow from her quiver. The battle was over, in their favour. All that was left, was making clear that the day was theirs, to the rest of the riders. 

[hr][sup][i]*"Safe journey."[/i][/sup]