Merri & Bram: DREADGUARD
After the last attack, Merri had been advised to be more careful, and certainly, he knew, that rushing off by himself to answer the call, was the exact opposite of careful. But the city was in danger, and as a member of the Mages Guild and as one of its councilors, he couldn't sit back and wait to find someone to leave the city walls with, especially since he'd been nowhere near the Tower or any of the guildhalls prior to the attack. No, he'd been just leaving a clinic after being given a clean bill of health, and he prayed that he wouldn't be sent straight back there when it was all done.
Fortunately, he had his rapier in hand, and he immediately set off towards the gates and out into the clearing beyond, and it was easy to see where to go. He hurried, but did not risk injury or loss of energy by sprinting. He heard the sounds of battle around him, and when he stopped to catch his breath he listened for the direction in which he heard it. As soon as he was able, he rerouted to try to give assistance as best as he could.
It was then that a large dark shadow moved into Merri's path, and he couldn't react in time to avoid its wind attack. He was thrown off the ground and into the tree behind him, and his body ached and his mind spun as he tried to focus on the beast before him, at least enough to aim a spell properly. Merri couldn't tell what it was yet, and he knew he shouldn't cast spells until he knew exactly what he was dealing with, but he feared he hadn't the time. Fire, then, for now. In case.