It was a cool autumn evening and the town was alive with the upcoming promise of a bountiful harvest. Many could be seen reveling in the local pubs and some in the streets as they browsed the vendors stands. There were an abundance of them this year. Stands that sold anything from produce to fine crafted jewelry or coveted fabrics from across the continent that were so soft and light to wear it would feel like being caressed by a cool, smooth cloud. It was in this revery that Finley found herself partaking in the beautiful ambience of her home town, a content sigh finding its way from her chest as she passed her peers and other townsfolk. A sudden clamber of hooves and desperate shrill voices caught her attention. She cantered towards it, finding two priestesses, disheveled and obviously very frightened. “Please calm yourselves.” She said softly, “When you have caught your breaths please tell me what makes you so out of sorts.” The priestesses both sob, they seemed like newer initiates by their lack of decoration. Most of the priestesses would be at the town square giving out commodities at this hour, whatever had upset them surely was something they’d encountered alone without their elders’ guidance. The youngest looking mare, a palomino with a star shaped blaze and purple eyes stared up at her and with a shaky voice replied, “The mothers and our other sisters are out giving donations, we were the only two left in charge to watch the temple proper.” The girl let out a choked sob, tears starting to spill over her cheeks once more. “Bandits rushed the door and tried to rough us up, there were three I think. One of them seemed to be looking for something, he was throwing stuff around and looking in odd spaces. I didn’t see much before Huda bit one of them and bought us an opening to flee.” The girls sobs spurred the older one to speak next. “Our mothers would surely punish or abandon us if the temple were to be defiled on our watch. Please, help us.” She begged, her lips wobbling, eyes bright with tears. Finley knew what she had to do before the girl went to plea their case once more, her mouth opening to call to their defense. “Find somewhere safe to hide until your sisters return. I will cleanse this temple.” Finley took flight and sailed the meters distance to the door of the large temple dedicated to the arcane. She was her strongest here amongst the energy that fueled her power. The doors opened and shut without a sound, her ambient glow the only marker she was there. She saw them as soon as she entered, throwing down shelves of pottery and offerings to this temple. One of them must have seen her because he jumped and they all looked in her direction. When they saw she was female their expressions changed from concerned to grotesque leers. “Leave this temple now or forfeit something you hold dear.” Finley said, her voice hard as granite, leaving no room for interpretation. She was a predator and they were in her territory. That didn’t phase these males however, they approached her slow, the one in the middle, most likely their leader spoke back his tone lecherous and thick with drunken slurring. “Big talk for such a pretty little lady.” Each work was spaced and forced out of his mouth as if he were having trouble keeping his thoughts straight, his grip on reality a fair bit better than anyone else she’d seen this intoxicated. Must be a real self realized “charming” guy to have such an ego, disgusting she thought. “I will only warn you once more. Leave or I will take from you something most precious.” She raised her voice this time, her mana raging in a purple fire around her now. The other two behind the leader looked at each other and took off at the sight of her power. The one in the front whipped his head towards his cowardly comrades and snorted in indignation. “Lousy beggars, can’t trust anyone to be loyal nowadays.” He says, his eyes blazing with ire now instead of drunken lust. “I came here for something and I’m not leaving without it! If you get out of my way I’ll just have to hurt you. I’d just hate to ruin that pretty face though, would be a shame to turn such a beauty into an unrecognizable monster. His teeth bared in a wicked smile and he lunged - lunged straight into his own demise. His shrill screams echoed across the cavernous foyer of the temple. Her shook his head violently and rubbed his eyes wherever he could to get relief from the burning. He raised his head, eyes smoldering with purple cinders, his screams continued as he stumbled out of the temple spewing obscenities as he fled. Her brows furrowed, serves him right. Her magic dissipated and left no mar against the beautiful temple stone. The only damage what the bandits had caused. She exited the building to see the priestesses standing at the base of the steps. “It’s safe now, clean up what you can before the others return. Be well.” She says but before she can launch into flight both of the mares rush her and wrap their necks over hers in an embrace. “Thank you so much for saving us and our home.” The youngest says as they both retreat slightly. A smile formed on Finley’s face and she nodded as her wings boomed and she was sailing into the night, the stars being her reward.