I got a letter the other day.
Kirin
I have been in seclusion for the past days, contemplating my actions. I have come to a realization and have decided to leave Duskwood for a time while I try to come to grips with what I have done.
I write this letter as an apology. I am sorry for what I have done, for the pain I have caused you, and for anything you have felt over my actions.
I never meant to hurt you Kirin. I will miss your company.
Isiravos
Part of me is overjoyed that he's finally realizing his error, but I'm also sad that I'm not able to help him through this. I could be his support, if I knew he was willing to condone, I absolutely could!
Duskwood is getting tense. Another person has gone missing, though this time the claim is that the worgen Miragule is responsible for kidnapping him! I spoke with the victim's sister, Thayett, she is very upset. I convinced her to speak to the Stormwind City Watch, though I'm not sure they'll be able to do anything since it took place in an area they clearly do not support. I was doing my best to be supportive of Thayett but then I learned her brother's name, seems he's the fellow who assaulted me in Stormwind proper.
It's such a small world, so many threads from so many lives and they all seem to be connecting in the oddest ways. I hope that Thayett finds peace. I wouldn't shed a tear if Miragule went to prison. And my heart longs to follow Isiravos, though I have no idea where I would start.
Showing posts with label Toon: Kiriniseth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toon: Kiriniseth. Show all posts
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Journey: Morality
Years ago I came face to face with evil. I don't mean something like Deathwing or an Old God, a humanoid that was consumed with darkness and did dark things. I became his obsession and he harmed me, wounded my body and my mind, for his pleasure. I write this now because he is dead, long after tracking me and capturing me, only to release me, over and again all because of his sickness.
As bad as the trauma was, I struggle now with worse. My arms and back have healed, I bear scars but they do no hamper my travels. The scars on my heart and soul have begun to heal and I know that eventually I would adapt and overcome. Nightmares fade.
But now he's dead and the manner of his death troubles me. "Lord Eric" it turns out his name was and with the help if Isiravos and Snelly he was captured and questioned. He was incapacitated. The men called for blood and while a part of me screamed that they were right and he should be slaughtered... I knew that order and law must be upheld. I said as much, that ours and the human's societies were what they are because criminals were granted a fair trial. I argued and, I had thought, convinced them both. I agreed to meet them in Stormwind to give my account of "Lord Eric's" actions... only, they never arrived.
Isiravos came for me and told me that he had taken the man's life. He killed in cold blood. For me. My heart is torn. To stick by my moral guns I should turn Isiravos in to the authorities and let them try him for his own crimes. But I've only just found him and don't wish to lose him to a human prison! And yet, every time I look at him now all I can bring to mind is "Lord Eric's" face. I feel the pain, relived, in my arms and back every time I look on the man with whom I thought I could spend the rest of my life.
Isiravos doesn't understand, he repeats again and again that "Lord Eric" deserved his fate and that what was done was done justly. I decided to help distract myself by taking some more work for Darkshire, my attacker was gone, Isiravos had no reason to continue to keep me confined to the Tavern.
It was when I was delivering some wolf meat to the Tavern that I overheard Snelly sharing details of the murder with two others, in earshot of the Barkeep, the Innkeeper, the Cook, several patrons... including the very talkative Farrin Daris! I was appalled! I spoke before I thought and chastised Snelly for his indiscretion, only to find a Worgen named Miragule breathing down at me.
I'll admit my weakness, every moment of my torture at the hands of Eric-as-a-Worgen came flooding back to me and I became faint. I cowered and cried and was unable to do anything but try and escape. Of the exchange itself I remember very little, but I recall a rough spoken human woman forcing me to swear my secrecy and that I would not go to the authorities regarding the murder.
Finally I was able to escape; I vaguely recall that Isiravos showed up before I gave my coerced word. Later I learned the Worgen wished to protect his daughter from any fallout, not that he found murder reprehensible. He had issue only with the fact that the murder was committed so close to potential witnesses and within their "home" where his daughter might be affected.
All of this because one criminal was not given the trial he was entitled to. Can he not SEE that his actions have caused far more harm than can possibly be justified for the momentary "buzz" one might get from wreaking vengeance?
As bad as the trauma was, I struggle now with worse. My arms and back have healed, I bear scars but they do no hamper my travels. The scars on my heart and soul have begun to heal and I know that eventually I would adapt and overcome. Nightmares fade.
But now he's dead and the manner of his death troubles me. "Lord Eric" it turns out his name was and with the help if Isiravos and Snelly he was captured and questioned. He was incapacitated. The men called for blood and while a part of me screamed that they were right and he should be slaughtered... I knew that order and law must be upheld. I said as much, that ours and the human's societies were what they are because criminals were granted a fair trial. I argued and, I had thought, convinced them both. I agreed to meet them in Stormwind to give my account of "Lord Eric's" actions... only, they never arrived.
Isiravos came for me and told me that he had taken the man's life. He killed in cold blood. For me. My heart is torn. To stick by my moral guns I should turn Isiravos in to the authorities and let them try him for his own crimes. But I've only just found him and don't wish to lose him to a human prison! And yet, every time I look at him now all I can bring to mind is "Lord Eric's" face. I feel the pain, relived, in my arms and back every time I look on the man with whom I thought I could spend the rest of my life.
Isiravos doesn't understand, he repeats again and again that "Lord Eric" deserved his fate and that what was done was done justly. I decided to help distract myself by taking some more work for Darkshire, my attacker was gone, Isiravos had no reason to continue to keep me confined to the Tavern.
It was when I was delivering some wolf meat to the Tavern that I overheard Snelly sharing details of the murder with two others, in earshot of the Barkeep, the Innkeeper, the Cook, several patrons... including the very talkative Farrin Daris! I was appalled! I spoke before I thought and chastised Snelly for his indiscretion, only to find a Worgen named Miragule breathing down at me.
I'll admit my weakness, every moment of my torture at the hands of Eric-as-a-Worgen came flooding back to me and I became faint. I cowered and cried and was unable to do anything but try and escape. Of the exchange itself I remember very little, but I recall a rough spoken human woman forcing me to swear my secrecy and that I would not go to the authorities regarding the murder.
Finally I was able to escape; I vaguely recall that Isiravos showed up before I gave my coerced word. Later I learned the Worgen wished to protect his daughter from any fallout, not that he found murder reprehensible. He had issue only with the fact that the murder was committed so close to potential witnesses and within their "home" where his daughter might be affected.
All of this because one criminal was not given the trial he was entitled to. Can he not SEE that his actions have caused far more harm than can possibly be justified for the momentary "buzz" one might get from wreaking vengeance?
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Journey: Duskwood
After hearing about the Gilnean plight from Dathelor I became curious and asked around for a place I might meet some of the cursed humans. I was directed to Duskwood, Darkshire specifically; the people there are in dire straits. Stormwind is unable or unwilling to send military support and the people live in constant fear of another attack, either by feral Worgen or by undead.
After checking in with the Watch Commander to see where I might be most useful, I decided to see what kind of "color" I might find in the Scarlet Raven Tavern. I wasn't disappointed. The first thing I saw was a very large Worgen in black and blood red plate armor standing on the far side of the room. It took a huge effort on my part not to stare. I've met many druids and watched them shift from elven form to one of their animal forms. I've met the Tauren, the furlbog and the fauns. I've fought murlocs and satyrs, but never have I see a creature quite like this one. It was if a man had grown up inside the skin of a wolf. He stood on two legs, wore armor like a human, but his face sported a snout the envy of any alpha wolf.
There were others too, a cat whom I recognized to be a druid from his telltale markings and jewelry, another cat that looked like she might be one of the Sentinel companions, a handful of humans and gnomes and dwarves... more humans than anything. As I stood there deciding where to go first I felt movement behind me and stepped aside to admit another Worgen in his shifted form. This one wore robes and druidic bits of armor, but presented the same feral face and sharp taloned fingers.
A human woman greeted me from behind the bar, her accent hinting at possible Gilnean ancestry, she introduced herself as Kallo and offered me a drink on the house. While I don't often drink the warm welcome in such a dismal location went a long way to making me feel more comfortable. In fact, had I not just been outside in the gloom and if it weren't for one of the humans constantly commenting on his hardships, I might not have realized I was anywhere but a pleasant tavern in a pleasant village.
I chose a seat mostly out of the way and observed the people, I learned that most of them were members of the Esoteric Darkshire Cabal. The chatty one, Farrin Daris, was not... he seemed to be drawing negative attention from the others who dismissed his concerns about their collective circumstance. When I'd settled the large Sentinel cat prowled over, no doubt catching wind of Dathelor's feline scent on me.
Perhaps she sensed my hesitation around strangers, but the great beast seemed intent on getting some attention from me. I turned my head slightly and narrowed my eyes, expressing my trust in her and she moved forward to rest her head in my lap, purring quietly. I stroked the cat's ears, inside and out, and continued to watch the room with the contented warmth against my thighs, like a security blanket.
There were questions, there always were. Where was I from, what was I doing here, was I traveling alone, how long was I staying. I answered most of the questions as best I could, but I'm not use to so much attention and found quickly that I needed to take a break from the press of people. I'm sure they weren't really crowding me, but it certainly felt that way to me.
I excused myself and slipped outside, inhaling deeply to recover my equilibrium. I didn't wander far, no sense in getting into a scuffle with the local hostiles. A few minutes later I was joined by the large feline druid. He, unlike Dathelor, was able to speak in his cat form. He introduced himself as Isiravos Dala'riel and we talked for what seemed hours. Perhaps it was that long. I felt at ease with him, probably because he refused to take his elven form.
I decided to stay a while, help out with the invasion, and learn a bit more about Worgen and their plight.
After checking in with the Watch Commander to see where I might be most useful, I decided to see what kind of "color" I might find in the Scarlet Raven Tavern. I wasn't disappointed. The first thing I saw was a very large Worgen in black and blood red plate armor standing on the far side of the room. It took a huge effort on my part not to stare. I've met many druids and watched them shift from elven form to one of their animal forms. I've met the Tauren, the furlbog and the fauns. I've fought murlocs and satyrs, but never have I see a creature quite like this one. It was if a man had grown up inside the skin of a wolf. He stood on two legs, wore armor like a human, but his face sported a snout the envy of any alpha wolf.
There were others too, a cat whom I recognized to be a druid from his telltale markings and jewelry, another cat that looked like she might be one of the Sentinel companions, a handful of humans and gnomes and dwarves... more humans than anything. As I stood there deciding where to go first I felt movement behind me and stepped aside to admit another Worgen in his shifted form. This one wore robes and druidic bits of armor, but presented the same feral face and sharp taloned fingers.
A human woman greeted me from behind the bar, her accent hinting at possible Gilnean ancestry, she introduced herself as Kallo and offered me a drink on the house. While I don't often drink the warm welcome in such a dismal location went a long way to making me feel more comfortable. In fact, had I not just been outside in the gloom and if it weren't for one of the humans constantly commenting on his hardships, I might not have realized I was anywhere but a pleasant tavern in a pleasant village.
I chose a seat mostly out of the way and observed the people, I learned that most of them were members of the Esoteric Darkshire Cabal. The chatty one, Farrin Daris, was not... he seemed to be drawing negative attention from the others who dismissed his concerns about their collective circumstance. When I'd settled the large Sentinel cat prowled over, no doubt catching wind of Dathelor's feline scent on me.
Perhaps she sensed my hesitation around strangers, but the great beast seemed intent on getting some attention from me. I turned my head slightly and narrowed my eyes, expressing my trust in her and she moved forward to rest her head in my lap, purring quietly. I stroked the cat's ears, inside and out, and continued to watch the room with the contented warmth against my thighs, like a security blanket.
There were questions, there always were. Where was I from, what was I doing here, was I traveling alone, how long was I staying. I answered most of the questions as best I could, but I'm not use to so much attention and found quickly that I needed to take a break from the press of people. I'm sure they weren't really crowding me, but it certainly felt that way to me.
I excused myself and slipped outside, inhaling deeply to recover my equilibrium. I didn't wander far, no sense in getting into a scuffle with the local hostiles. A few minutes later I was joined by the large feline druid. He, unlike Dathelor, was able to speak in his cat form. He introduced himself as Isiravos Dala'riel and we talked for what seemed hours. Perhaps it was that long. I felt at ease with him, probably because he refused to take his elven form.
I decided to stay a while, help out with the invasion, and learn a bit more about Worgen and their plight.
The Parting
I lay against his chest, my head tucked under his chin. He stroked my hair and held me close. Finally, when he had softened enough that he slipped from me, we moved into the cool water of lake Elune'ara and rinsed off. I looked up while wringing out my hair to catch him watching me, he had a look on his face and I knew he was thinking of asking me again.
Pursing my lips I shook my head at him, "no, I told you I can't live as you do." He scowled and ducked his head under the water, rubbing his eyes clear as he resurfaced. I felt I needed to explain further, "Dathelor, you're barely willing to enter any town... how am I suppose to live like that? You barely see your own sister! I can't leave the few family and friends I have left for a life with only you and the forest. I'm sorry."
He was petulant, sullen and I turned away, unable to bear my heart breaking at the sight of him. We'd have these moments but unless he was willing to meet me halfway we'd never have more. I turned back, about to ask him what he would do if we had children, but he was gone. The water where he'd been standing wasn't even rippling. With a heavy sigh I climbed out of the lake and started making my way to wear the rest of my clothing was hidden.
The special moment we'd shared was fading fast in the heat of my anger over his actions. He was as old as me, there's no excuse for acting like such a child. And soon he'd be hunting me again, "training", or so he claimed. I couldn't help but smile, despite my annoyance at his attitude, the game was fun. I'd lost count of the score, but it really didn't matter. I'd see him again soon. Very soon.
Pursing my lips I shook my head at him, "no, I told you I can't live as you do." He scowled and ducked his head under the water, rubbing his eyes clear as he resurfaced. I felt I needed to explain further, "Dathelor, you're barely willing to enter any town... how am I suppose to live like that? You barely see your own sister! I can't leave the few family and friends I have left for a life with only you and the forest. I'm sorry."
He was petulant, sullen and I turned away, unable to bear my heart breaking at the sight of him. We'd have these moments but unless he was willing to meet me halfway we'd never have more. I turned back, about to ask him what he would do if we had children, but he was gone. The water where he'd been standing wasn't even rippling. With a heavy sigh I climbed out of the lake and started making my way to wear the rest of my clothing was hidden.
The special moment we'd shared was fading fast in the heat of my anger over his actions. He was as old as me, there's no excuse for acting like such a child. And soon he'd be hunting me again, "training", or so he claimed. I couldn't help but smile, despite my annoyance at his attitude, the game was fun. I'd lost count of the score, but it really didn't matter. I'd see him again soon. Very soon.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Prize
(Continued from "The Chase")
With small quiet movements I descended from the tree and made my way into Nighthaven, I’d have to get into the water from the far side and swim in as quietly as possible. It didn’t take me long to find a place to get into the water or to divest myself of all but my underthings and my knife. I almost giggled as I placed the blade in my mouth, silently thanking Elune that I’d thought to bring a single edged weapon. By the time I slipped into the water my heart was already racing, finally… finally, I was going to have the upper hand.
The water wasn't frigid but it was chill, it felt nice against my skin, flushed as I was with excitement. I submerged to the neck and swam slowly, I wasn't completely silent but I didn't make much noise at all. When I reached the bank behind the tree I moved out of the water with agonizing slowness. I stared at the tree trunk directly in front of me, water dripping from my sodden underthings. This presented a problem, he was on the other side, his back to the tree, and the tree was too wide to wrap my arms around.
I recalled that he'd been tending to his shoulder first and said a silent prayer to Elune that he was still doing so, then inched carefully around the tree to his other side. Luck was with me, his head was turned away from me. Slowly, oh so slowly, I crouched, bringing the knife up to almost touch his neck. My voice trembled as I announced to him in a near whisper, "you're dead."
He froze, tensing, the vein in his neck pulsed against the edge of my blade. We sat there for what seemed, at the time, like an eternity. Finally he relaxed a bit, his shoulders dropping as if in defeat, my knife drawing a line of blood across his neck with the added pressure. I held my breath and moved a bit closer. Keeping the knife at his throat I moved between his thighs and looked him in the eyes.
Dathelor still said nothing, but he smiled, his eyes glowing brightly with humor. He looked down and I followed his gaze, only to blush slightly. He was excited too. He sat up, wincing a bit, but ignoring my knife, leaning forward until his nose was almost touching mine. I could feel my knife bite into his neck a bit harder, I could feel his breath warm on my face. Gently he reached up and took my hand, pulling it and the knife away from his neck. He brought my hand to the ground, I could have easily broken his gentle grip but I really didn't want to. I released the knife and turned my hand to twine my fingers with his.
As my hand grasped his, he pressed forward, bringing his lips to mine. His other hand gripped my thigh and drew me closer. It took no more encouragement than that, I moved forward to stradle him, hungerly kissing him. The fingers of my free hand ran through his hair, finally gripping it and pulling his head back. Once again my voice trembled and I whispered, "I won."
He agreed and we continued our love making.
With small quiet movements I descended from the tree and made my way into Nighthaven, I’d have to get into the water from the far side and swim in as quietly as possible. It didn’t take me long to find a place to get into the water or to divest myself of all but my underthings and my knife. I almost giggled as I placed the blade in my mouth, silently thanking Elune that I’d thought to bring a single edged weapon. By the time I slipped into the water my heart was already racing, finally… finally, I was going to have the upper hand.
The water wasn't frigid but it was chill, it felt nice against my skin, flushed as I was with excitement. I submerged to the neck and swam slowly, I wasn't completely silent but I didn't make much noise at all. When I reached the bank behind the tree I moved out of the water with agonizing slowness. I stared at the tree trunk directly in front of me, water dripping from my sodden underthings. This presented a problem, he was on the other side, his back to the tree, and the tree was too wide to wrap my arms around.
I recalled that he'd been tending to his shoulder first and said a silent prayer to Elune that he was still doing so, then inched carefully around the tree to his other side. Luck was with me, his head was turned away from me. Slowly, oh so slowly, I crouched, bringing the knife up to almost touch his neck. My voice trembled as I announced to him in a near whisper, "you're dead."
He froze, tensing, the vein in his neck pulsed against the edge of my blade. We sat there for what seemed, at the time, like an eternity. Finally he relaxed a bit, his shoulders dropping as if in defeat, my knife drawing a line of blood across his neck with the added pressure. I held my breath and moved a bit closer. Keeping the knife at his throat I moved between his thighs and looked him in the eyes.
Dathelor still said nothing, but he smiled, his eyes glowing brightly with humor. He looked down and I followed his gaze, only to blush slightly. He was excited too. He sat up, wincing a bit, but ignoring my knife, leaning forward until his nose was almost touching mine. I could feel my knife bite into his neck a bit harder, I could feel his breath warm on my face. Gently he reached up and took my hand, pulling it and the knife away from his neck. He brought my hand to the ground, I could have easily broken his gentle grip but I really didn't want to. I released the knife and turned my hand to twine my fingers with his.
As my hand grasped his, he pressed forward, bringing his lips to mine. His other hand gripped my thigh and drew me closer. It took no more encouragement than that, I moved forward to stradle him, hungerly kissing him. The fingers of my free hand ran through his hair, finally gripping it and pulling his head back. Once again my voice trembled and I whispered, "I won."
He agreed and we continued our love making.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The Chase
(Continued from "The Trap")
I'm not sure when the remorse set in. It was subtle at first, a nagging feeling that I tried batting away, but eventually I actually felt bad for Dathelor. This really didn't help my predator instincts, I'm sure HE wouldn't approve. I tried to ignore the feeling, to keep it from distracting me from hunting him down... but there it was: concern for his welfare.
My irritation at myself manifested in stomping and cursing, real mature, I know. I almost got arrested for disturbing the peace but managed to talk down the Astranaar Sentinel. I needed to spend time figuring out my plan without giving him too much of a headstart.
So of course... I got distracted. I found myself trying to recall how this hunt and be hunted game of ours began, probably wasted the better part of an hour reminiscing. Right back to when we were so young we were barely dressing ourselves. He would taunt me; claim that girls are all priests and know nothing of the forest, that Sentinels are just dressed up priests with glaives. I would let my anger get the better of me. I didn't want to be a priest, or a sentinel, I wanted to be a druid! It didn't bother me that he mocked the Sentinels, only that we both knew women becoming druids was simply out of the question (at that time at least).
While I was remembering I caught sight of a one of the druid stationed in Astranaar, reporting to her command. Yes, HER, and that just infuriated me more. Maybe if I wasn't so cursed stubborn I could have changed vocation, but my mother's nagging voice, a condescending and knowing "look", the mere thought that she might think she was RIGHT about my choice to become a scout. Oddly enough, getting riled about mother helped me forget (almost forget) about any sympathy for Dathelor. He was the one who started the game and he was the one that kept it going for the sake of "training".
The flight to Moonglade wouldn't take too long and I could always stop in Felwood and head through the tunnels in case he was watching the flight point. With my mind focused back on the hunt I spared myself a grin for the injuries he'd taken at Talondeep. If I knew Dathelor, (and I did), he'd be nursing his wounds on the shore of Elune'ara. There weren't too many strictly private places along it's banks, but the druids of both factions left most to their business, as long as that business didn't harm nature.
I struggled with what I would do... surely he'd expect me to know his usual haunts and avoid them. So I was unsure if I should go to the spot just east of Nighthaven, across the lake from the Alliance flight point, or prepare for him to be closer to the Barrow Dens where he could take cover after patching himself up. By the time I'd landed I had made up my mind to check the Stormrage Barrow Dens first.
Moonglade was, as always, a muted green jewel. Every piece of nature was tinged with a hint of the Dream, Ysera's realm, even the lake seemed more green than blue. The Barrow Dens were easy enough to get to, there was no point in keeping my presence quiet along the road. If the Warden's didn't spot me, the animals would. When I arrived there was no sign of Dathelor, a quick question to the Warden's guarding the entrance to the Barrow itself confirmed that Dathelor had not been by there.
So I was grumbling under my breath when I approached the next most likely place, a little outcrop of land backed by a small cliff, atop which stood Nighthaven. I couldn't get there without either dropping down off the cliff or swimming... but I could watch it from across the small inlet. A nearby waterfall would help to mask my approach, but would also aid Dathelor in hiding. That is... if he were even there.
I climbed one of the smaller trees, still centuries older than me, across the inlet and waited. I examined the lone tree on the shore where I expected him to be, watching for signs of a slumbering cat in it's branches. After a while I began to think he wasn't here, or wasn't going to arrive, I was about to climb down from my tree when the water near the shore rippled. I held my position, despite the growing cramp in my thigh.
Out of the water crawled a sleek, if sluggish, manatee which swiftly melted into Dathelor in his elven form. A large fish fell from his mouth as he shifted. He lay there a moment, glistening and naked in the soft green haze, and I was able to make out most of his wounds. I couldn't help myself, I winced. A hint of my earlier remorse rising within me, not just remorse either, I noted. I bit my lower lip, using the sharp pain to focus myself while watching his every move.
Dathelor finally sat up and rolled over, I bit my lip again and closed my eyes briefly. When I opened them he had moved back against the tree, the fish tossed aside for now, he was inspecting a slash on his shoulder. I watched the curve of his lip as he inhaled sharply and felt a mixture of glee that I'd "got him" so good and that nagging regret over causing him pain.
With a huge effort I tore my mind back to the hunt. Here he was, vulnerable for the first time in at least a decade of the game, I couldn't decide how to press my advantage. I scanned the area around him, water on three sides, a cliff on the fourth. The cliff was at least five times my height, and sheer. However there was a tree blocking his view of the water on the one side, with the noise of the nearby waterfall as potential cover for my approach. It would have to do.
With small quiet movements I descended from the tree and made my way into Nighthaven, I'd have to get into the water from the far side and swim in as quietly as possible. It didn't take me long to find a place to get into the water or to divest myself of all but my underthings and my knife. I almost giggled as I placed the blade in my mouth, silently thanking Elune that I'd thought to bring a single edged weapon. By the time I slipped into the water my heart was already racing, finally... finally, I was going to have the upper hand.
(Artwork by TheJinxess)
I'm not sure when the remorse set in. It was subtle at first, a nagging feeling that I tried batting away, but eventually I actually felt bad for Dathelor. This really didn't help my predator instincts, I'm sure HE wouldn't approve. I tried to ignore the feeling, to keep it from distracting me from hunting him down... but there it was: concern for his welfare.
My irritation at myself manifested in stomping and cursing, real mature, I know. I almost got arrested for disturbing the peace but managed to talk down the Astranaar Sentinel. I needed to spend time figuring out my plan without giving him too much of a headstart.
So of course... I got distracted. I found myself trying to recall how this hunt and be hunted game of ours began, probably wasted the better part of an hour reminiscing. Right back to when we were so young we were barely dressing ourselves. He would taunt me; claim that girls are all priests and know nothing of the forest, that Sentinels are just dressed up priests with glaives. I would let my anger get the better of me. I didn't want to be a priest, or a sentinel, I wanted to be a druid! It didn't bother me that he mocked the Sentinels, only that we both knew women becoming druids was simply out of the question (at that time at least).
While I was remembering I caught sight of a one of the druid stationed in Astranaar, reporting to her command. Yes, HER, and that just infuriated me more. Maybe if I wasn't so cursed stubborn I could have changed vocation, but my mother's nagging voice, a condescending and knowing "look", the mere thought that she might think she was RIGHT about my choice to become a scout. Oddly enough, getting riled about mother helped me forget (almost forget) about any sympathy for Dathelor. He was the one who started the game and he was the one that kept it going for the sake of "training".
The flight to Moonglade wouldn't take too long and I could always stop in Felwood and head through the tunnels in case he was watching the flight point. With my mind focused back on the hunt I spared myself a grin for the injuries he'd taken at Talondeep. If I knew Dathelor, (and I did), he'd be nursing his wounds on the shore of Elune'ara. There weren't too many strictly private places along it's banks, but the druids of both factions left most to their business, as long as that business didn't harm nature.
I struggled with what I would do... surely he'd expect me to know his usual haunts and avoid them. So I was unsure if I should go to the spot just east of Nighthaven, across the lake from the Alliance flight point, or prepare for him to be closer to the Barrow Dens where he could take cover after patching himself up. By the time I'd landed I had made up my mind to check the Stormrage Barrow Dens first.
Moonglade was, as always, a muted green jewel. Every piece of nature was tinged with a hint of the Dream, Ysera's realm, even the lake seemed more green than blue. The Barrow Dens were easy enough to get to, there was no point in keeping my presence quiet along the road. If the Warden's didn't spot me, the animals would. When I arrived there was no sign of Dathelor, a quick question to the Warden's guarding the entrance to the Barrow itself confirmed that Dathelor had not been by there.
So I was grumbling under my breath when I approached the next most likely place, a little outcrop of land backed by a small cliff, atop which stood Nighthaven. I couldn't get there without either dropping down off the cliff or swimming... but I could watch it from across the small inlet. A nearby waterfall would help to mask my approach, but would also aid Dathelor in hiding. That is... if he were even there.
I climbed one of the smaller trees, still centuries older than me, across the inlet and waited. I examined the lone tree on the shore where I expected him to be, watching for signs of a slumbering cat in it's branches. After a while I began to think he wasn't here, or wasn't going to arrive, I was about to climb down from my tree when the water near the shore rippled. I held my position, despite the growing cramp in my thigh.
Out of the water crawled a sleek, if sluggish, manatee which swiftly melted into Dathelor in his elven form. A large fish fell from his mouth as he shifted. He lay there a moment, glistening and naked in the soft green haze, and I was able to make out most of his wounds. I couldn't help myself, I winced. A hint of my earlier remorse rising within me, not just remorse either, I noted. I bit my lower lip, using the sharp pain to focus myself while watching his every move.
Dathelor finally sat up and rolled over, I bit my lip again and closed my eyes briefly. When I opened them he had moved back against the tree, the fish tossed aside for now, he was inspecting a slash on his shoulder. I watched the curve of his lip as he inhaled sharply and felt a mixture of glee that I'd "got him" so good and that nagging regret over causing him pain.
With a huge effort I tore my mind back to the hunt. Here he was, vulnerable for the first time in at least a decade of the game, I couldn't decide how to press my advantage. I scanned the area around him, water on three sides, a cliff on the fourth. The cliff was at least five times my height, and sheer. However there was a tree blocking his view of the water on the one side, with the noise of the nearby waterfall as potential cover for my approach. It would have to do.With small quiet movements I descended from the tree and made my way into Nighthaven, I'd have to get into the water from the far side and swim in as quietly as possible. It didn't take me long to find a place to get into the water or to divest myself of all but my underthings and my knife. I almost giggled as I placed the blade in my mouth, silently thanking Elune that I'd thought to bring a single edged weapon. By the time I slipped into the water my heart was already racing, finally... finally, I was going to have the upper hand.
(Artwork by TheJinxess)
The Trap
It didn't take long for Dathelor to show up, I could see him as a slightly darker shadow along the bottom of the opposing cliff. If I wasn't specifcally watching for him I know I wouldn't have seen him coming. The tension in my shoulders increased as I waited and waited, trying to imagine what he was thinking, holding my breath to see if he would notice my tracks abruptly ending. Hoping against hope that if he did (because he would) that he would assume I'd leapt over the barrier, not onto it and to the side.
He was being more cautious than I'd seen him be before, I narrowed my eyes and looked beyond the barrier to see what might be slowing him down. It took a moment but I finally spotted the three Krom'gar infantry, drowsy but awake. How they had missed my approach, I'll never know. I turned my attention back to Dathelor, smiling when I saw him approaching the barracade, stopping where I'd crouched. I nocked an arrow and drew, releasing almost the moment my hand touched my cheek, firing right at my trap. It worked! A loud alarm went off, announcing Dathelor's presence. At the same time a frosty mist spread out over the ground chilling the druid, keeping him from escaping in a timely fashion.
Several Stardust Archers hurried up behind me, but I stopped them. This was Dathelor's fight. The four of us watched while the orcs advanced on the half frozen druid. Okay, I'll admit a certain amount of glee. Sure, I was causing trouble, possibly even increasing the tension between the Krom'gar and the Sentinels, but he DESERVED this. The orcs wasted no time attacking, at least I could count on them for "attack first, ask questions never" tactics. Dathelor snarled and turned to face them, crouching low as if he thought he could leap over their heads. In a puff of smoke he changed into a bear and I had to stifle a laugh. He'd only shift out of his cat form if he was actually worried.
The orcs struck first. The two of them were no match, really, for a bear like Dathelor. But before he could overcome the two of them, four more ran up the road, shouting in orcish. I stifled a curse, I didn't want him dead afterall. Still I held back the archers. I watched like I was in a trance, even as his bear self I could see the power that had originally drawn me to him. One of the archers had to nudge me to draw me out of my distraction, by then three of the orcs were dead but the remaining three were starting to wear Dathelor down. I nodded to the man who'd nudged me and he turned to the others. Arrows were fired at the orcs, just enough to distract them. Dathelor stepped back, melding with the shadows, I could barely make out his elven form and the sparkle of spell casting... the son of a worg was escaping to Moonglade!
I let out a shout of excitement, the tables were turned and now I was the hunter. Take THAT Dathelor! The archers were looking kind of unamused by this point so I beat a hasty retreat. It was time to find my way to Moonglade. The smile on my face... might as well have been permanent!
He was being more cautious than I'd seen him be before, I narrowed my eyes and looked beyond the barrier to see what might be slowing him down. It took a moment but I finally spotted the three Krom'gar infantry, drowsy but awake. How they had missed my approach, I'll never know. I turned my attention back to Dathelor, smiling when I saw him approaching the barracade, stopping where I'd crouched. I nocked an arrow and drew, releasing almost the moment my hand touched my cheek, firing right at my trap. It worked! A loud alarm went off, announcing Dathelor's presence. At the same time a frosty mist spread out over the ground chilling the druid, keeping him from escaping in a timely fashion.
Several Stardust Archers hurried up behind me, but I stopped them. This was Dathelor's fight. The four of us watched while the orcs advanced on the half frozen druid. Okay, I'll admit a certain amount of glee. Sure, I was causing trouble, possibly even increasing the tension between the Krom'gar and the Sentinels, but he DESERVED this. The orcs wasted no time attacking, at least I could count on them for "attack first, ask questions never" tactics. Dathelor snarled and turned to face them, crouching low as if he thought he could leap over their heads. In a puff of smoke he changed into a bear and I had to stifle a laugh. He'd only shift out of his cat form if he was actually worried.
The orcs struck first. The two of them were no match, really, for a bear like Dathelor. But before he could overcome the two of them, four more ran up the road, shouting in orcish. I stifled a curse, I didn't want him dead afterall. Still I held back the archers. I watched like I was in a trance, even as his bear self I could see the power that had originally drawn me to him. One of the archers had to nudge me to draw me out of my distraction, by then three of the orcs were dead but the remaining three were starting to wear Dathelor down. I nodded to the man who'd nudged me and he turned to the others. Arrows were fired at the orcs, just enough to distract them. Dathelor stepped back, melding with the shadows, I could barely make out his elven form and the sparkle of spell casting... the son of a worg was escaping to Moonglade!
I let out a shout of excitement, the tables were turned and now I was the hunter. Take THAT Dathelor! The archers were looking kind of unamused by this point so I beat a hasty retreat. It was time to find my way to Moonglade. The smile on my face... might as well have been permanent!
Friday, April 6, 2012
The Quiet
When you live in a war zone you notice when it gets quiet. It can mean that something is coming, the proverbial calm before the storm, but in this case it was just the normal hum of the forest reasserting itself while us warmongerers slept. It seems even Orcs need some sleep. I'd been watching for a few days and nights, but that night was the first time I'd heard the forest speak again. There was gentle rustle of nocturnal creatures rousing from slumber, preparing for their hunt... but there was also a sense of... well a prickle down my spine, the hairs on the back of my neck rising in a warning. I'd felt it before, when my body recognizes a fellow hunter and tries to warn my mind to stop thinking and start acting.
At first I was worried it might be one of the trolls looking for Astranaar scouts like me, but the wind shifted and I caught a familiar scent. The tension shifted in my body, my instinct was still to run but not with the threat of death hanging over my head. No, this hunt was a different kind, an expected one. He called it "training". Quietly and slowly, I slung my bow on my back and drew my dagger. There was no point in drawing my sword, the reach would have been a burden in such close quarters. I leaned forward, my foot braced against the tree behind me, my knuckles barely grazing the branch I crouched on. I knew, just knew, he'd come from behind... so I was still surprised when I felt a soft brush against the top of my head.
There's no graceful way to leap out of your skin, really... so I'm going to say I was happy that I didn't fall out of the tree. I managed to make it look like I "dropped" off the branch, grabbing it with my one hand and a few fingers of my other. How I kept a hold of my dagger, what with my heart busting out of my chest, I'll have no idea. Somehow I kept my features schooled while I looked up at the cat on the branch above the one I clung to. His tail hung down to where my head must have been a moment before. The smugness on his feline features was so plain that I couldn't help but glower at him. With a heave I threw my dagger at him, with less force than I would have liked, and grabbed the branch more firmly with two hands. The cat only flattened his ears to avoid the dagger... but in my defence, I was hanging from a tree branch.
Catching the flash of predator in his eyes I decided it was time to get going. Quickly I climbed down the tree, trying to keep my senses both on the cat and on where my dagger might have landed. I had others, but it doesn't do to be wasteful. He followed, of course, it was part of the game we'd been playing since before either of us hit puberty. A game that had become more rough as the years went on, from hide and seek in Darnassus to seek and destroy in the wilderness.
I'm not sure how the Druids in Darnassus feel about one of their own that "goes feral" but I know my mother doesn't approve. That may have more to do with my own tendancy to spend time with the wild than with Dathelor and his near constant cat-form. Mother always imagined I would be a chosen of Elune and serve in the temple. When I showed an aptitude for martial pursuits she had visions of me leading the Sentinels. I suppose that makes me a disappointment, to her at least. Dathelor tells me that she has something to prove and was trying to use me to do it and that it's best to let the weight of her judgement go, but that's not so easy sometimes. Mother and daughter relationships are more complicated than Dathelor seems to think.
My feet touched down and I took off running, slowing only briefly to scoop up my dagger before disappearing into the brush. He had the advantage... speed, stealth, and the ability to track the faintest of scents. I needed to gain the proverbial upper ground, and quickly, before he pressed his advantage. I stifled a curse when I realized I hadn't thought ahead and was heading for Silverwing Refuge, now horde controlled. Still, hesitate and die, that's what Dathelor would say. So I kept running, now focused on more than just the feline pursuing me. While it was dark and many would be asleep, I knew even the horde wasn't stupid enough to forgo sentries.
I could almost feel Dathelor's alarm as close as he was behind me, then... there was space between us. He'd slowed, perhaps trying to puzzle out what I was doing in a horde encampment. It took a bit of effort not to laugh, I think I was starting to lose it. I WAS IN A HORDE CAMP! Honestly most of the run through the camp was a blur, I tried to keep to the shadows and listen for any sentries, but I was more focused on getting to the western edge so I could make it to Talondeep Pass. If I could get to the pass before Dathelor figured out which way I'd gone, I would have time to lay a trap. That's what I kept telling myself. I tried not to think about the Krom'gar army incinerating the landscape in the pass.
At one point in my desperate dash I thought I was caught for sure, but instead I learned that some orcs sleep with their eyes open. Especially when on sentry duty. When I reached the western edge of the Silverwing encampment I could no longer sense Dathelor. I knew better than to relax though and kept going, full tilt, down the road toward Stardust Spire. I wanted him to know which way I was going. I stuck to the road right into Talondeep pass, until I was almost on the horde again, then stopped.
Crouching I snuck up to the barracade of spikes the horde had put up, (as if they could stop one of the elven archers), and laid my trap. With a quick glance around to be sure there were no immediate sentries about, I climbed up on the end of one of the poles, trying not to think about how not too long ago it had been a proud tree, and used the leverage to leap onto the cliff. I used the horde's own wall reinforcements to climb up to Trueshot Point, ducking into hiding the moment I got up there. Then I waited.
It didn't take long for Dathelor to show up, I could see him as a slightly darker shadow along the bottom of the opposing cliff. If I wasn't specifcally watching for him I know I wouldn't have seen him coming. The tension in my shoulders increased as I waited and waited, trying to imagine what he was thinking, holding my breath to see if he would notice my tracks abruptly ending. Hoping against hope that if he did (because he would) that he would assume I'd leapt over the barrier, not onto it and to the side.
At first I was worried it might be one of the trolls looking for Astranaar scouts like me, but the wind shifted and I caught a familiar scent. The tension shifted in my body, my instinct was still to run but not with the threat of death hanging over my head. No, this hunt was a different kind, an expected one. He called it "training". Quietly and slowly, I slung my bow on my back and drew my dagger. There was no point in drawing my sword, the reach would have been a burden in such close quarters. I leaned forward, my foot braced against the tree behind me, my knuckles barely grazing the branch I crouched on. I knew, just knew, he'd come from behind... so I was still surprised when I felt a soft brush against the top of my head.
There's no graceful way to leap out of your skin, really... so I'm going to say I was happy that I didn't fall out of the tree. I managed to make it look like I "dropped" off the branch, grabbing it with my one hand and a few fingers of my other. How I kept a hold of my dagger, what with my heart busting out of my chest, I'll have no idea. Somehow I kept my features schooled while I looked up at the cat on the branch above the one I clung to. His tail hung down to where my head must have been a moment before. The smugness on his feline features was so plain that I couldn't help but glower at him. With a heave I threw my dagger at him, with less force than I would have liked, and grabbed the branch more firmly with two hands. The cat only flattened his ears to avoid the dagger... but in my defence, I was hanging from a tree branch.
Catching the flash of predator in his eyes I decided it was time to get going. Quickly I climbed down the tree, trying to keep my senses both on the cat and on where my dagger might have landed. I had others, but it doesn't do to be wasteful. He followed, of course, it was part of the game we'd been playing since before either of us hit puberty. A game that had become more rough as the years went on, from hide and seek in Darnassus to seek and destroy in the wilderness.
I'm not sure how the Druids in Darnassus feel about one of their own that "goes feral" but I know my mother doesn't approve. That may have more to do with my own tendancy to spend time with the wild than with Dathelor and his near constant cat-form. Mother always imagined I would be a chosen of Elune and serve in the temple. When I showed an aptitude for martial pursuits she had visions of me leading the Sentinels. I suppose that makes me a disappointment, to her at least. Dathelor tells me that she has something to prove and was trying to use me to do it and that it's best to let the weight of her judgement go, but that's not so easy sometimes. Mother and daughter relationships are more complicated than Dathelor seems to think.
My feet touched down and I took off running, slowing only briefly to scoop up my dagger before disappearing into the brush. He had the advantage... speed, stealth, and the ability to track the faintest of scents. I needed to gain the proverbial upper ground, and quickly, before he pressed his advantage. I stifled a curse when I realized I hadn't thought ahead and was heading for Silverwing Refuge, now horde controlled. Still, hesitate and die, that's what Dathelor would say. So I kept running, now focused on more than just the feline pursuing me. While it was dark and many would be asleep, I knew even the horde wasn't stupid enough to forgo sentries.
I could almost feel Dathelor's alarm as close as he was behind me, then... there was space between us. He'd slowed, perhaps trying to puzzle out what I was doing in a horde encampment. It took a bit of effort not to laugh, I think I was starting to lose it. I WAS IN A HORDE CAMP! Honestly most of the run through the camp was a blur, I tried to keep to the shadows and listen for any sentries, but I was more focused on getting to the western edge so I could make it to Talondeep Pass. If I could get to the pass before Dathelor figured out which way I'd gone, I would have time to lay a trap. That's what I kept telling myself. I tried not to think about the Krom'gar army incinerating the landscape in the pass.
At one point in my desperate dash I thought I was caught for sure, but instead I learned that some orcs sleep with their eyes open. Especially when on sentry duty. When I reached the western edge of the Silverwing encampment I could no longer sense Dathelor. I knew better than to relax though and kept going, full tilt, down the road toward Stardust Spire. I wanted him to know which way I was going. I stuck to the road right into Talondeep pass, until I was almost on the horde again, then stopped.
Crouching I snuck up to the barracade of spikes the horde had put up, (as if they could stop one of the elven archers), and laid my trap. With a quick glance around to be sure there were no immediate sentries about, I climbed up on the end of one of the poles, trying not to think about how not too long ago it had been a proud tree, and used the leverage to leap onto the cliff. I used the horde's own wall reinforcements to climb up to Trueshot Point, ducking into hiding the moment I got up there. Then I waited.
It didn't take long for Dathelor to show up, I could see him as a slightly darker shadow along the bottom of the opposing cliff. If I wasn't specifcally watching for him I know I wouldn't have seen him coming. The tension in my shoulders increased as I waited and waited, trying to imagine what he was thinking, holding my breath to see if he would notice my tracks abruptly ending. Hoping against hope that if he did (because he would) that he would assume I'd leapt over the barrier, not onto it and to the side.
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