Perdita Arkady/Cecilia Fennes: Coeurl Attack. “Oh, Arkady, could you be a dear and pick up the tome shipment that just came in at the gate? The Torbin’s Synergy Guides are essential for the upcoming classes, but our usual courier is out sick. It’s not hard work, you just have to meet the delivery man and sign off on the books. I can cover you for aircab fare there and back, maybe even throw in a little extra for prompt delivery?”
It was this request from one of the older mages that had brought Perdita Arkady far from her usual stomping grounds, her scarf wrapped around her and coat buttoned up to the collar to protect against the still chilly air. So much for seeing the seasons change. Perdita walked up to the cart that the mage had described to her earlier.
“Excusez-- Pardon me, sir, I am Perdita Arkady, assistant to the Mage Guild Council. I’m here to pick up several volumes of--sir?” The man sitting on top of the cart was not looking at her, but behind him. Perdita followed his gaze to see the shapes of beasts rapidly approaching them. A low, steady roar began to fill her ears, and later, Perdita would swear she heard the ground shake a little.
Perdita was no fool. Whatever the beasts were, there was no way her limited magic could defend her against them. She turned and ran for the gate, the sounds of shouts, screams, and inhuman noises quickly filling the air.
She had been running for less than a minute when she heard a low growling behind her. She turned, and found herself face to face with a Coeurl. Tendrils drifting in an unfelt breeze, it’s red, glowing eyes narrowed as they locked with hers. The beast growled again.
You’re not supposed to be here, Perdita thought. Darvid’s Beastiary says that you live in swamps and jungles. What in Faram’s name brought you here? The Coeurl continued to watch her, eyes unblinking. She took a step back. She wasn’t that far from the gate, a few more paces, and maybe--
Perdita felt herself lifted off of the ground, a sharp buzzing noise filling the air. Her skin felt like it was burning, is this what a roast feels like? She could hear something, faintly, behind the buzz of electricity, high-pitched and strange. It took Perdita a moment to realize that it was her voice. She was screaming.