Ashla looked up at the sight of royal black birds circling like vultures above her. They were pitch black silhouettes of shadow birds eclipsing the golden sun. Ashla was sure that if they were made of magic, there probably was not blood to freeze in them. As they dive bombed down, Felicity sprung into action.

~~~

Upon seeing the flaming birdies soaring down to Ashla like comets, Felicity bolted to her old friend, "Duck!"

As Ashla spat out a puntastic correction of "raven", she swiftly knelt with elvish grace. Felicity raised her elkan sheild. As the ravens hit the shield like darts.

*Plat!*

Felicity smirked for a split second, then heard... was that crackling?

"FIRE!"

Felicity's wooden sheild was ablaze with orange flickerers of plasma energy. Her garden green eyes widened, adrenaline burst into waves as she immediately chucked the burning defense weapon into the sea of sand below. A disappointed and begrudging moan fell out of her mouth as she slouched in disappointment. Felicity was used to fighting with a second hand, whether it be her shield or a secondary blade. With her strictly one-handed arming sword being the only weapon to fight with, she realized she was at a massive disadvantage.

Evening the odds indeed.

~~~

Meanwhile...