It was her 17th winter. She was born this day 17 rotations of the sun ago. As a young member of the colony she had the job of scouting and patrolling, normally the night would be time for rest and only a few would patrol for those intruding upon the colony's current resting spot. But the moon was at its apex. And like it was for those who practice in magic, it was not a safe night to spend feasting and sleeping. Even with her now being 17 she did not have the luxury of celebrating living for so long. That would come later. When the threat of those who prowl and hunt is no more.

She moved unusually silent for one of her size, not to mention her weight. She was lighter then the males of the colony,  some who now moved with her in an equally silent manner. They had to, for they did not wish to alert those who wish them harm. And they were raised to know that all wished them harm. The elders spoke of when Humans brought fire to the sky, giant machines made of metal crashing into their land on screeching wings of flame. During a time of turmoil in the magical world as Wix fought Wix on a large scale for yet the second time. In more recent times that her mother remembered was when a supposed Dark Lord fought and lost to an infant, showing the apparent supremacy of Humankind where their worst can be destroyed by someone not old enough to stand. In her memory, while she lived. She remembered the time her colony had stayed on the move to avoid those who would Eat Death as the Dark Lord returned again to wage war.

It was easy to say that these things did not bring much faith to the colony, that those who claim to own the world would only care for death and destruction.

She held her bow, arrow knocked for easy draw. She moved with 3 others from the colony. one a veteran hunter, this being her 30th winter by now. Instead of settling into divination like many of the colony do when they age she had chose to stay a hunter, claiming that if she didn't train the young on how to fight and hunt, they would never learn how to do so properly. Her body carrying scars of her victories against those that prowl the lands. The other two were males, one 17 winters like herself and one 18 winters. She was raised with both as equals to hunt, they had been there when she hunted her first rabbit and they were here now. She was not afraid to admit she had considered ending her time as a hunter and defender early so that she could mother one of their children. But in the end she just didn't have the time and didn't want to wait out months staring at the stars or healing when she could hunt. Both understood why she declined their propositions.

Her thoughts were broken when the snap of a twig was heard. All four stopped, the males preparing their spears slowly as herself and the veteran prepared their bows, preferring to fire a first volley as the males charged before joining themselves if combat were to break.

20 meters ahead, a large shape, it reared up and howled into the empty sky. Their prey.

The hunters had been after it all night, like always they were defending their land, unless it attacked them or entered within half a mile of where their family were rested, they were to observe. All at the colony had heard its howl at transformation, and had prepared as it transformed too close for them to rest easy. Usually they never have werewolves within a mile of them.

And so the four waited, not moving as the beast sniffed the air, wandering the area within their sights. With discipline even as the beast approached them they did not move.

It stared right at them.

Then it charged.

In unison Marida and the veteran let loose an arrow, Marida's missing as the beast ducked down onto all fours to run faster. The veterans hit its mark, injuring its right arm before snapping off again, the arrowhead remained. The creature howled but didn't stop, barely flinched. The males counter charged, prepared spears infront of them. With the males being too close she and the veteran drew their own weapons. Both readied spears of their owns, even though the plague does not affect them, they do prefer not to get themselves hurt.

The 17th Winter male had plunged their spear towards the beast, hitting it in the shoulder as they charged, forcing the beast to fall onto its back with the force of horsepower. The 18th Winter attempted to trample the beast but was caught off guard as it recovered quickly, it leaped backwards and slashed at him. He reared up and neighed as his chest was slashed by the claws.

With fury driving her Marida caught the beast in the stomach, making it howl loudly again and slash like the wild dog it was.

The veteran pierced its left arm, removing its function.

The 17th Winter turned and pierced its right arm again to stop its slashing.

The wounded 18th Winter had managed to calm and with an adrenaline fueled rush of strength, plunged its spear through the creatures ankles.

Marida retrieved her spear, looking at the whining creature as it died. Soon her spear replaced its heart, and she retrieved it from the other side.

"Another dog gone." The wounded huffed, the 17th winter laid him down and started to tend to the slashes on the wounded's chest. The veteran merely nodded towards Marida before going to search the area to ensure it wasn't in a pack, it was unlikely but you could never be too safe.

Marida laid next to her kill and drew a skinning knife. "Whoever it was, they are now at peace. We have done a good deed today." She said in her gentle and clear tone. "I do not know what the Humans are doing, I have met several, but they would never talk about it. Surely they must know that the only cure is death." rested her head forwards, retrieving the arrow head.

The 17th Winter gave a sigh. "It would seem best if we granted all the Humans the same mercy. They allow their dogs to invade our land. They are obviously under their reign, and the plague must be solved." Soon the veteran returned and looked at them. "The plague has existed for thousands of rotations, and I would see it remain another thousand if it meant we could rid them of the Vampires. They are wrong to accept the disgusting disease. But for now we can only defend our home until they ask us, and by then. We will be ready."

Marida laid her head down saying quietly. "Although you may now be gone, you have been saved, for your condition death is the answer. And so I wish you a safe travel as I take your bounty." With her respects paid, she claimed her prize. The night would soon be over and she would have a new blanket to keep warm.