World of azeroth (RP)

[Arinnaya]

The very creature, the most strange one, and the one responsible for all this battle and inconvenience, has disappeared completely. What is more, he apparently took Actaron with him, and Enalia was desperate to find her little spiderling. She made some strange sounds some songbirds sometimes make, trying to communicate with the little beastie. She clapped her hands together two times after: this usually worked before... But she tried all these in vain...

The next moment an indeed strange creature appeared at the site: Nork abruptly turned around, revealing a strange, but also funny sight: a tiny demonling was riding upon a well-grown ewe, apparently greatly enjoying the ride!
Though the Priestess had a deep-rooting distrust towards any demon, the surprising scene has made her laugh at the little imp hilariously. It turned out, that he was some kind of minoan to Nork, and he was the least satisfied with his actions, chastising the beast with harsh words.

The mischiveous imp even attracted the attention of Enalia, though she was less enthusiastic about seeing the little demon causing much trouble. Maybe it's just the Elves that do not appreciate such jokes, or she has seen too much of such 'mischiefs' on Kalimdor. It is well true, that one imp can be funny, but thousands of them actually devastating to any land they invade...

Meanwhile all the travellers looked in one direction, there was suddenly a subtle noise behind them, and many turned around, just to meet a surprise:

The giant, spider-like creature, a member of the sinister race, that bears the name 'Nerubian' has just unburrowed himself from the grassy ground. His legs worked like a mole's limbs, as he propelled the soil outward into a large pile. Just in the moment he has fully exposed himself, Actaron the spiderling has came just after him, climbing up from the wide hole.


Arcantis the Nerubain, obviously surprising everyone around, has quickly commented his actions immediately after reappearing:
" This placcce isssnt saffffe ! Burrooowing is noooo cowardiccce when a whole army could catch up with ussss in momentssss... My sniffing rarely betraysss mee. The human skirmisherss were justtt scoutsss. There is more of them around on these landsss... "

Enalia happily welcomed Actaron, giving an almost-parental warning: " You should not stray so far next time !!"

Arinnaya responded to Arcantis upon receiving his warning:

" This means we should better get going. Originally, we planned to look after the Undeads in the region, as we have pretty firm evidence that they are behind all the attack against your friend "

Arcantis did not comment upon her words much:
" I have destroyedd countlesss undeadd in Nerub, and will do it gladly if they are behinddd the murder. Having killed miriads of my brethren I am eager to repay them in kinddd... "

[Nork]

With Norks disobidiant Imp gone and his most trusted Felhunter a his side. Nork thought abought the Sheep for a bit. Stareing at it in thought, the Ewe stareing back blankley. Nork figured that if he could make a mechanical sheep, tape on some eezee-throw dynamite, then cover it in wool to hide the sticks. It would make a formidable explosive. He had seen such designs before, in Ratchet. Though he did not have a close inspection, he did not know how the mechanics of the sheep would or could work.

'Maybe if i were to attach dynamite to this creature...'

Nork didnt have time to finish his thought, when the ground rumbled and the Earth began to move abought him. Nork fell to the ground and out of the soil came hundreds of long, grey, spinadly legs. Each one covered in long black bristles. Nork gasped and pulled himself up. Bruu'Grym, him Felhunter. Was running around the giant mass, giveing out faint barking and grunting sounds. Pouncing this way and that. Ducking its head back as if it was going to attackm its tail agging uncontrolably. Then out of the hole, rode the Nerubian, Arcantis amd some other spiderling that Nork did nopt know the name of, but knew it belong to Enalia.

Arinnaya, walked over to Arcantis and they exchanged a few words. She looked almost happy for the first time Nork had met her. But it was only slight and very faint.

'This be ah strange time we live in eh?'

Brandor was standing over Nork, looking at Arcantis and shaking his head.

'Tah think, he came all tha way from tha Frozen North, acrross tha uncrossable sea. It canne only mean he be on tah very important quest, aye, that he be'

Nork thought for a moment. Frozen North? Nork had almost forgotten why had joined these venturers. He dusted himself off and walked over to the Nerubian. Arinnaya looked at him as he approached.

'Greetings fair Nerubian, I am Nork of Gnomeregarn,' Nork bowed low to the spider, 'If it may please you, i would like to ask you a few questions, when you are not busy of course.'

Nork looked at Arcantis stright in the eye's, to show that he would not take no for an answer. Look of puzzlemant and amazemant strew the spiders white face as he looked upon Nork.

[Arinnaya]

While Nork the Gnome enjoyed playing with his demonic minions, it was his own luck Arinnaya the Priestess did not look in that way: for she was abhorring anything demonic, be it even the taint, stench, or magic, not speaking about the creatures themselves. The Priestess knew very little, though, about the secret underground covens of warlock organizations - one even operated in Stormwind, that she did not even suspect the existence of, deep below the mage quarter, even deeper than the canals...

What she was occupied with, was solely the plan of sneak attack on Tarren Mill: in her heart, a deep hatred took root towards the Undead: She cared little whether Scourge or Forsaken: they were all evil to the core, and enemies of all living... She disputed about her plans with Enalia, of uncovering the secret undead agents behind the disapperences in Hillsbrad regions... and, alos, to find their point of weakness to strike upon - with the full might of the Alliance.

Meanwhile Nork, and Brandor stared face - to face with the spiderkin known as Nerubian - perhaps first in their lives. Arcantis has thrown a cold gaze over Nork as he greeted him - all his manners did not appease the Spiderkin. Nork would have tried all his psychic abilities to read or influence his mind either - Nerubians were about the only race in Azeroth to be completely immune to any psionic forms of magic. This very ability has helped them to resist the vast power of the Lick King, and it even served them well with other sinister purpose, a dark secret unknown to outsiders...

So Arcantis just responded coldly, in turn:You needdd not be soo enigmaticc I ssseee that you arrre nott only skilled in arcanne but alsso recklesss enough to makkke your hatred perfectly serve your wayssss. Jusstt turn it on our Undead enemiessss, and they will be undonnne...

That had maybe surprised the gnome: after all, no one has realized fully in the group, that he was in fact a darkness incarnate, a powerful warlock disciple of the Legion. But Arcantis was surprisingly skilled in Lore, despite all odds, being on a foreign land: he was a Lorekeeper of Nerub once, and all those learnt before the fall, still served him good on the way.

Though the Nerubians were never willing to serve the Legion, they had their own dark master to follow for eons, and could not be easily deceived into mindless slavery once again... Arcantis knew well about the dark side of Arcana, but not as a 'warlock' : there were other magic-users inside Nerub, who were just as reckless, if not even more in their ways, as the warlocks...

Slowly the group has turned direction on the road, without any words of command given, but bound with invisible shackles: Arcantis has lead the way, with Arinnaya and Enalia immediately following. A little bit later, the others: Aeralin, Nork, and Brandor, were also forced to follow the group back to the crossroad towards Tarren Mill, if they wanted to partake at the adventure at all.

[Nork]

'You needdd not be soo enigmaticc I ssseee that you arrre nott only skilled in arcanne but alsso recklesss enough to makkke your hatred perfectly serve your wayssss. Jusstt turn it on our Undead enemiessss, and they will be undonnne...'

Nork had felt almost insulted by this. But he would not let it show, he did not want to insult the Spiderkin, not when ho could learn so much from him abought Northrend. His very comment abought turning his power only onto the un-dead that lay many miles befor them, led Nork to think that the Nerubian did not beleive in Norks ability to control his power.

For years Nork had woundered the seemingly endless caverns and secreat krepts that lay beneath Stormwind. His master would not let him out until he had learnt to control his power, harness the darkness, draw strength from the shadows, rather than from pure hatred of his foes. Hatred, then, was not what complelled him. But love, love of his kindreds and his fallen bredren during the Irridation of Gnomeregarn, for this is why he left Kahz Moden for Stormwind, to learn the majestic arts of the Arcane and help his people to re-take what was once theres.

It was only of late that Nork felt the hatred burning within him, controlling his every thought and desire. He could sunder these lands, if he so desired, if the hatred burned deeply and strongly enough, and indeed it did. But he did not want to waste all his energise on these people. So far as he could see, they did not derserve even the most harmless of corruption spells or Hex's. They had been fair to him and not judged him too harshly. Though he began to percive that perhaps Arinnaya was a bit niaev in her trusting of other people. And as for the 2 elves. There was nothing much Nork did not expect from them. Respectful of nature and of all liveing things. You only mearly had to cross them and they would turn on you without secound thought.

Nork was fast coming friends with Brandor. Though he did not like his bear, Paw, much. As it kept looking at Nork with hungery eyes and salevating over the floor as it did so. Consintly Brandor would reassure Nork that Paw ment no harm and would only attack if he said so.

'Ach' Brandor would say 'he thinks yer a cute little raabbit' and he would laugh till his cheeks went a bright rosey red colour.

It was not too long befor the travellers reached the cross road again. There they found the farmer once again, joyus to see his lost sheep again. Nork explained that they had found the Ewe a few miles down the track, happily grazeing on the green pasture unser an old oak.

'well, that be my Bessy for you. Always woundering off if there aint be a nice green pasture under a grand oak for her to graze under. Here, take this as a gift. My old maiden made them before i left'

Nork recived a wrapped bundle from the old farmer. It was slightly too large and combersome for Nork to carry, so Brandor took them off him and un-wrapped them.

'Ach! this be a fine gift sir. These be smelling like a fine rack of Boar Ribs meh Dwarven nostrils have ever smelt'

With that they bid the farmer a good day and carried along the track, north, to Tarren Mill. They had not gone far when every bodys bellies began to grumble with anxiouse hunger. So they kindled a fire a few meters of the track and ate the ribs. Throgh out the course of the meal, all Brandor could think of was how a few pints of Thunder Brew Dun Morough would go down a treat.

As the sun started to waine in the early afternoon, the 2 Elves kept looking up, wanting the sun to hurry and dissapear, so that they could look upon the light of Elune once again and recover there strength. Constantly, Nork had wanted to approach Arcantis and question his voyage from Northrend and how he planned on getting back. If Nork could find away, he would leave this party and go stright off. But he could not think of a tactful way to ask the spider the way, without the Nerubian clicking on to what Nork was really after.

'Come, we must leave this path, Tarren Mill lies just over the next hill and we do not want to be spotted by any of the guard'

Nork looked up at the sky and saw that it was tainted with bright red from the setting sun. A bad oman, he thought. Blood will be spilled this night and Nork prayed it would not be here that lives will be lost.

[Shanda]

Tallian
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When he reached Hillsbrad he found the small town almost the same as when he had left. From a distant he could not make out any signs of trouble or dangers, from what Tallian could see nothing had happened in the village since he departed some days ago. Tallian sighted in relief, he had no time to calm mobs and seeing as the rumours were false he could now leave Hillbrad for Dalaran.

Tallian reached into his left pocket and grasped a small stone, but almost immediately he let it fall back. The sound of marching boots cought his ears and he turned around just in time to witness the departure of a regiment from Dalaran. Shining armour sparkled in the sun from beind their purple tabbard with the Dalaran flame, gleaming tips from spears, and polished shields, those also with the flame. They sure looked good but the soldiers didnt interest Tallian. It was the man with a white robe riding beside the column that cought his attention.

The detachment marched forward and took the road that lead to Alterac mountains and the city of Dalaran. But before they had gotten very far a man in plain black robes stepped infront of the column and raised his hands as commaning the soldiers to halt.
High mage Bornhald could not believe his eyes, who was this simple commoner who thought he could stand in his way, a high mage of Dalaran just one rank below the archmages themselves!
In anger he ordered a halt and robe forward to scare the peasant away.
"I am Lord Bornhald, High mage of Dalaran and I command you.. peasant.. to step away from the road this instant"
The man didnt not move nor seem startled or afraid of such a high ranked mage.
"Now move or I will see to it that you regret the day your father even laid his hand opon your mother!"
Almost screaming in white hot anger because such a lowly person would oppose him Bornhald open himself for the flows of magic..

Tallian watched as the mage in front of the soldiers began to weave flows of magic that would have tossed him far away from the road, if he managed to strike before Tallian could.
The high mage was strong, Tallian could understand why he had managed to climd to such a high rank among the mages. And it was not because of his friendly attitude towards others..

Swift as lightning Tallian struck and chattered the flows the high mage had been about to unleash opon him. The high mage eyes widened in chock and surprise, he lifted an arm and pointed at tallian.
"who are you.. peasant.. who are you that can control the winds of magic.."

Tallian pulled down his hood and brought up a small medallion from one of his belt pouches, he lifted the medallion so that not only the high mage could see , but also some of the soldiers behind. Everyone recognised the seal of the archmages..
"I am Tallian swift.. also known as The Windcaller among the mages of Dalaran, and you" Tallian pointed at the high mage. "you might be strong but trying to attack an archmage is not only foolish, it can be lethal to"

Bornhald stood motionless, staring in fright and humiliation on the Mage lord in front of him. Of course he knew of Tallian swift.. the windcaller, the scourger of undead. He knew he was in trouble and the only thing he could think of was..
Tallian watched as The high mage and all his troops fell to their knees and knelt before him, they then chanted an old oath, perhaps as old as the city of Dalaran itself.

"As daylight vanquish over shadow, as rain wash away the blood, as darkness gets swept away by our righteousness, we are yours to command in life and death, we are the servants of light"

The oath was a sign of obedience, Tallian felt his anger vanishing and replaced by relief, these men would not stand in his way.
"what is you name high mage, and why are you here?" The sorcerer got up on his feet slowly and look at Tallian with a startled look.
"My name is Bornhald Aldureen and my mission here was to question and purge a naga creature we found by the lake earlier"
Tallian sighted, so the rumour was true after all..
"So as I can see that you are leaving your mission must have been successfull?"
Bornhald looked if anything embarassed.
"no my lord.. a high elf priestess somehow put a spell on me and my soldiers so she could let the naga escape.. she then dissappeard."
Tallian knew the man was lying.. no priest he had ever met could have done such a thing,and Tallian had met quite a few. But then, Tallian didnt want the naga dead so it was all for the good that Bornhald had failed.

"well Bornhald I dont know if the mission was important or not.. I have been away from Dalaran for quite some time now. But I have urgent matters to discuss with the high council so I can perhaps help you on your way back."

Tallian this time reached down in a different pouch and grasped a large stone with runes scittered on its smooth surface. energies started to swirl around Tallians hand and the stone began to glow with a bright blue color. Ten paces away from the road a large portal began to take form and in seconds it was large enough for the column to march through.
When the last soldiers had gone through the portal slowly faded away and finally dissappeard.

[Arinnaya]

As the aventurers paced towards the very lair of Undeath on this clam lands, they witnessed the unsettling sight of the waning sun. Arinnaya the Priestess was about the first to notice this fact. She kept a fairly great distance from Nork, who assumed the role of leader, walking quite a few steps before all the others. With a prideful smile on his face, the others could barely guess what he was thinking of. The Priestess did not even wish to guess. All she hoped secretly, What if the Gnome does not turn out to be an evil warlock? Maybe just an apprentice, and there is still hope for him for the good. She though about his otherwise noble mission of cleansing the North from the Undead threat, and tried to look upon the Gnome more friendly. Still, it was a hard try....

Enlia, the Huntress could just barely keep up with Actaron. Always slow to move in the past, the little spider was drawn behind Arcantis like a magnet, running with incredible speed on his 8 legs.
While all the others' hearts were struck by fear at the sight of the loss of Light, the Dark Huntress was actually gaining in strength, seeing the faint outline of the half-moon on the opposing edge of the sky. It was Elune's sign, a mark of Luck, and Prosperity for those born under the New Moon, and it also blessed the living should they go for any business... - according to the Kaldorei belief.

Meanwhile Enalia and Arinnaya followed up behind, Arcantis speeded up to accompany the firm-willed Gnome, and the curious dwarf running up beside him, with his bear friend, Paw.

Arcantis sensed - and rightfully - that Nork was apparently not fully absorbed by just runnung. A part of his mind was apparently searching around, scanning the environment... others' own thoughts.
This was a rare talent to behold. Despite that certain warlock trainings can augment psionic shadow skills, one must born with such talents, in order to realize their full power.
No matter how high the Warlock's powers were, nothing could permeate into the mind of a Nerubian. Mages often say, that the mind of these spiderkins is as cold as theirt homeland... and nothing can shatter that blocks of ice surrounding it.

The travellers hastened their steps as they had seen the sunset: It was instinctive, as if a pack acting together: No one has spoken a word.
Shortly after surpassing the signpost, something in the surroundings has begun to deliver darkness, and uneasy feelings into the adventurers heart.

The fields continued there... however, these patches were uncultivated, full of weed... they have even seen the cart - with its wooden planks rotting beside the field, that the domain of Life was over. and death has taken its place.

The road itself, was fairly unchanged, though. As Enalia observed, the way was frequiently travelled enough - as evidenced by the lack of mud on the pavement, and their glistening in the waning light. She wondered what manners of beings could use this road, given that no living one goes this way since almost a decade... She eve tried to warn the others, on her soft sound:

" I... I sense something... disturbing..."

However the others would not listen. If Arinnaya has heard the warning, that had nothing to do with those in front, leading. Especially the Dark Gnome. He, and Brandor were too far away to heed the warning. And Arcantis cared about it even less. He had the ability to mysteriosly vanish on almost every spot, so he was not afraid of anything... yet.

Too late it turned out that the words of the Huntress - an oustanding tracker - were fully right. A small group of dark figures had appeared in front of the road, fairly far away, but they were nothing good to be expected from. Given that this region was the one of those claimed and patrolled by the infamous Deathguards... The adventurers stopped, and quickly de-toured from the road, hiding behind the long shade of a nearby bush.

Enalia has kneelt down in the shade, attempting to meld with its shape, thus to become invisible... Arinnaya could not resort to such methods: She laid down in the long grass just metres away from the road, waiting for something, that must come...

Minutes passed by as if they were hours, and the shady beings neared in a slow speed, but unstoppably...

[Nork]

Nork had found himself at the head of the party. Though not a place that he oftan liked to find himself in, but here he was. Daylight was beginning to whine and the moon showed its face. A half moon sparkled in the sky. Its large green surface reflected on the ground as she took her seat in the sky. Nork welcomed the darkness, it made it easier for him to see into the shadow.

Brandor was upon his right, then Paw there after.

'I dont care much for this running, ach! Me poor legs canne take it. How d'ye do it? ye got a swiftness potion i can be aveing eh sip of?'

Nork couldnt help but smile and shock his head. Arcantis came up on his left and almost startled the Gnome nad Dwarf. His face was of concern and as he spoke, he fixed his vision stright ahead.

'It isss oftan sssaid in my laaand. Thaaat a sssspellcassster trained in the ssshadow artsss can sssense a trial of sssome one alssso usseing ssshadow artsss. Tell me...Nork?...what do you ssseee?'

Nork looked at Arcantis in deep confusion and thought. Never befor had his Trainer ever spoken of such an ability. But not meaning to offend the Spiderkin, Nork looked down on the ground and all abought them. He could not see anything. After awhile of looking. When the sun had fully decended and the party had been entombed in the darkness of the wood. Nork began to see something. A faint haze begun to rise off the woodland floor. But when he looked up, he found that he was not the only one to see it.

Brandor and Arcantis saw the haze, or mist, now that Nork looked closer. It was the mist of un-death. A sign that they were getting very close to there target. Everything in this land was dead. From the farm-lands to the tree's. Even a sign they were comeing up to was rotten through and a cart, sat abandoned on the side of the track. Nork walked up to it and inspected it. It had been abandoned for some time. The wood was rith with wood worm, fungus and moss.

'Quick, off the path' Hissed Brandor.

Looking round, Nork saw shapes in the haze heading toward them. Nork instantly ducked under neath the cart and crawled to the back, where it was laid resting against a tree.

'Bruu'Grym!'

Came a shocked thought to Nork's head. After all this time, he jhad completley forgot abought his Felhunter. He tried to channel his thoughts to the creature, but the adrenalin and anxiety was still coarseing through his vains. This made it very hard to focus. Nork needed to gain control again befor he looses it completley. He closed his eyes and tried to focus, but all could hear was the thumpling of his heart, mixed with the ever gaining thud of the boots of the un-dead comeing at them.

Thud, thud, thud. Went the boots. Ba-doom, ba-doom, ba-doom. Went his heart. Nork regained control of his breathing and made it as shallow as possible as not to alert the patrol. He opened his eyes and saw the boots land mere feet away from his nose and stop.

'Raze nar sinth for ckath Fiend?'

Shouted a voice, but there was no answering call. Nothing herd, just wind. He heard a scuffling off to his right and he saw the familiar feet of Arcantis.

'Halt, state your purpose Fiend?'

Came the voice again and Arcantis duelly answered.

'I am arcantisss. I have been ssent by my sssuperioursss from Stratholm to check on Tarren Mill'

The boots of the un-dead shuffled closer to Arcantis, ever weary, ever ready to strike. Nork just prayed that Arcantis knew what he was doing. The only thing playing on Arcantis' side, is the darkness. In broad daylight, they would have been able to tell he was no Krypt Fiend. But they had persumed he was and so he played along with it.

'Okay Fiend, do you not have a letter from your superiour?'

The un-dead were beginning to drop his guard abit. Nork counted at least 6 of them. All armed to the teeth, all looking for a fight. He could not take them on his own and he did not know where the others had laid hidden, so he did not know if he would get back up stright away.

'No, i have lossst the letter during a fight with militiaa. Follow me, my friendsss. Stick closssee, but not too clossse, we dont whant you getting caught. Let me go and sssee what lies at Tarren Mill.'

Nork beleived that they were instructions more for him and the party, then what he was saying to the patrol. If Nork could have seen there face's, no doubt they would have looked slightly confused.

After the patrol and gone into the mist again, back in the direction of Tarren Mill. Nork crawled back out from under the wagon, only to be jumped on from some one atop the crate. Nork screamed out to the others for help. But they just stood there and laughed at him. As he got up and dusted himself off, he saw that it was Bruu'Grym.

'Shhhh!' hissed Brandor, 'we danne want em coming back? do we?'

[Arinnaya]

Time was passing by utterly heavily. Minutes seemed as hours as the brave adventurers have hid themselves behind the half-dead bushes, or just laid down into the thick undergrowth and grass. The steps of the soldiers closing on - they were undoubtedly a batallion of some drak force, their march and organized steps has left no doubt about it - was causing the hearts sink, even of the braver ones.

Arcantis was only the one foolish enough, to leave his hideout, and face the incoming ones directly. He has obviously seen someting from afar - or perhaps by reading the mind of one...

Whatever was the case, the marching group has not lost its discipline, their feet stopped just a few inches before the Nerubian's hairy legs.

'Halt, state your purpose Fiend?' - the question has sounded from the mouth of a creature that had a surprisingly human-like voice. The Priestess dared not move... nor her head.. but at this point, she slowly, gradually turned her head around. Bit by bit, just to see a human leg clad in chainmail. She gained a bit more courage, and she lifted her head up slantwise from the thick grass.
To her horror, the leg continued in knee, that had both of its bones openly exposed... with a few bit of rotten flash hanging from it, just as like some rags.
Arinnaya could take no more: she let her head fall into the grass agaiin, and darend not look again... there were many of these dreadful undead... too many: perhaps a dozen or more well-equipped mindless killing machine - she thought.

Enalia, who has hidden herself behind a nearby bush, has watched these deathguards closely, using her unparalelled ability do disappear into the shadows. But she would have needed no eyes to determine who they actually were: as their strong stench of decaying flesh has proved better than any identification card.

Arcantis was in emergency situation, he knew it well-enough: A well-placed lie, he thought, would save himself, and even help gather more information about the enemy. So he used the identity of a pit fiend bravely:

'No, i have lossst the letter during a fight with militiaa. Follow me, my friendsss. Stick closssee, but not too clossse, we dont whant you getting caught. Let me go and sssee what lies at Tarren Mill.'

The dreadful undead soldires have accepted his daring ansver without any reply. They surrounded the Spiderkin from all sides, instead, forming an escort guard. All went well... almost too well. A few minutes later, all that they could hear was the sound of crickets, and their kin. The horrible Undead warriors have left far away.



As the travellers have uncovered themselves again, there was a certain unsatisfaction in the air. And Arinnaya was worrying again, for something she could not forsee:

' I only hope... Arcantis has not made any terrible mistake by working out this lie... I have seen Undead battling eachother, already, on the Plaguelands: I really do not know more of the matter, but... I hope that Stratholme is not a place held by the *different* undead... '

Enalia, who was certainly a brave explorer, but had fairly little geographical knowledge of Lordaeron, has asked the Priestess:
' Pardon me, Mistress, but I do not know the place you mentioned. Perhaps you could tell me more about this *Stratholme* ? '

Arinnaya was agreeable, so while they contined their careful walk towards the infamous undead town in the light of sinking sun, and the twilight, she has told the tales of shimmering and fall.

' Stratholme was once a trading outpost, on the border of Quel'Thalas, the human side. As far as I knew it, it has always been the greatest town on the
road between Lordaeron and Silvermoon. It has suffered much in the Second war against the Orcs, but it has never been captured, and was quickly restored afterwards. ' - the story started somehow like this.

'You know' - as Arinnaya continued her tale, looking into the faintly glowing eyes of Enalia - ' my parents... all my family was a travelling merchant. I had seen these roads more times in my life, than most people ever had. So I know every little village, and the destruction and rampage of these tranquil lands hurt me even more.

The face of Enalia was overcome by a puzzling expression: 'Tell me, please !! What befell the city and the lands?? '

' Oh, you are certainly a newcomer in Lordaeron ' - and the Priestess smiled upon the Huntress - ' Though it is a sad story, I will tell it to you, as an example...
It was a place of horrible suffering and unjustful deaths. That murderous prince Arthas' - and she held her breath a little, to make effect - has shown his true self *there* first time. As already many of the citizens have fallen by the evil plague of the Lich King, the Holy Paladins of the Silver Hand had to utilize all their methods at hand to protect the innocent villagers from the Undead. But Arthas did the unthinkable: He was desperate to show power - and not mercy - over the undead, and that became his ultimate doom. He was challanged by a demon of some kind at Stratholme, as some say, and he accepted its mad challange: To kill the plagued citizens if they were already undead, instead of healing them. '


Enalia has reluctantly drop her head. 'Now I see ' - She said - ' It is something that resembles us, Night Elves, to the betrayal of Azshara, and with it, the fall of the whole Kaldorei kingdom...'

After a brief pause, as the group was walking forth into the dark, misty twilights of the outskirts of Tarren Mill - not even a candle was lit - Arinnaya added a few remarks to the story:

' Stratholme was left in mass death and ruins after Arthas' departure to Northrend. But it was still not doomed. After a year, or two, the return of the maddened Prince, the Undeath has taken the town ultimately. They made a headquarters there, as some say, and the mighty, cursed buildings surrounding and filling the fallen town are truely impressing... or rather, dreadful.
Up to date, there has been only one force foolhardy enough to lay siege to the Undead Bastion: the Scarlet Crusaders of Isliden. But this is another story I leave for tomorrow. We should better watch out as we might be close to the town... and it is silent... too silent.'

Indeed, as these words sounded in the air, some faint sketches of houses appeared in front - at least hundreds of metres afar, but still close enough... to mean terrible trouble...

[Nork]

Arcantis was beggining to doubt his decision to infiltrate Tarren mill. He did not know much abought the Un-Dead in this region of Azeroth, but he knew one thing for sure, one wrong move and he will be set to death for sure.

As they wound round the next courner, Arcantis could see a small Hamlet up ahead. The buildings were sparse around a gathering of fields. All brown and black, scorched from many battles. The buildings themselves were in poor condition. Though they were not fallen yet, they looked as if they could fall at any moment.

As they drew nearer the perimeter of the nearest building, they were ordered to hault.

'You will wait here, our Captain will come out and meet you'

This was peculiar to Arcantis. It would seem a strange custom for a ranking official to come to the messanger. But no matter, Arcantis could still see a fair bit of the little village from where he stood. Not that there was anything to see.

It looked, to Arcantis, like any other, ordinary Human village he had come across. With the diffrence that there is no cheer in this place. It would also seem that there is no farming going on in this place either. The blacksmiths Forge burned and billowed black smoke into the gloom of the night. One of the chimmney stacks had an eerie green smog bellowing forth. Arcantis was most intregued by this sight.

After a few moments, the Un-Dead returned. Leading the way was a tall skeleton of a corpse. Its armour was cleaner than the rest of the soldiers, it looked almost polished. Bearly a glimpse a mail could be seen under all the plate that he adorned. Its helmut was conicle in shape, with long bleech bone horns pertruding out either side. The only feature that could be seen to determine he was Scourge, was his head. Nothing more than a skull. No flesh clinging on, not even eyes in its sockets remained.

'Who are you? and what is your business in Tarren Mill?'

Its voice was raspy and quite, Arcantis had to listen hard to understand what it was saying.

'I am Arcantisss, I haave been ssent from Ssstratholm to check on thisss outposst'

The skeleton stood motionless. Its head made no nothion or expression of what it was thinking, not that a skull could make any sort of expression, besides a deep menacing grin.

'What business would Stratholmn have here? We are the Forsaken, we do not follow you Scourge maggots'

A hit of impatients fell upon the Captains voice. At this notion, Arcantis was led to belive that there are in fact two tribes within the Un-Dead ranks. He did not understand it, but he left it no thought. Any hesitation and the Captain might clock on to the fact that he is a spy.

'Yesss, i sssee. I have come to asssk for you alligence. You would benefit well if you were to join the...Ssscourge, we could offer you sssanctuary and more freedom'

'No one can offer us more freedom then what our highest lady can offer us. You Scourge maggots have no will, you are trapped at the bidding of the Lich King'

With that the Captain drew his sword. Arcantis did nothing, he wanted to maintain the illusion of Emisary. The captain began to walk toward Arcantis, the point of his blade constantly pointing at him.

'You tell your superiours that we are The Forsaken and the next time he sends a maggot crawling on his knees to us, begging for mercy. We shall give non, and his head will be laid on a pike upon our gates as a warning. Do you understand me?'

Arcantis nodded quite excentricly, before he turned and fled the way he had come. Though not truely fleeing, his speed and reflexes could have the captain dead, again, before he had chance to even think abought asking for forgiveness. But he had come and done what he wanted to do. Now it was time to get back to the rest of his party as fast as possible. But finding them is going to be a problem, they will not risk approaching the village by the road.

[electro]

as the captain ran back to the "outpost", arcantis made some noise, only hearable to his kind. Actaron, because he is a spider, picked up the sound and allerted Enalia, who was still shadowmelded near the tree besides the road. The signals that Actaron gave to Enalia made her see that the coast was clear and she could go out of hiding, but the other part of the message wasn't very clear to her. Actaron also tried to warn her of something but didn't quite understand what. As a signal to come out of hiding, she made little birdnoises to alert the other partymembers.

Enalia searched for Arinnaya, who was hiding not for from her, and told her the area was "safe". Actaron was allready searching for the rest of the party, but wandered of a bit. bad luck overcame him and he found something that wasn't meant to be disturbed. He attracted one of the guards and fled towards the group. Enalia knew what was going on and without hassitation, she shot a concussive arrow at the guard, followed by a serpents sting. the guard was now moving slowly in our direction.

before the fight, Enalia isn't stupid, she laid a trap. she always has a pair of tricks up her sleave and this time was no exception. as the guard was slowly recovering from the concussive shot and actaron was out of melee range, the guard charged forth. Right into the trap that Enalia set up for him. there he was, stuck in a giant ice cube.

[Arinnaya]

<OOC: this piece of story slightly modifies the part posted by Electro, adding a few tweaks, while keeping its general lines. I hope you like tension I have added>

As the first wave of shock and fear has lost its grip over the adventurers, they have awaken from their hideout beyond the bushes bordering the road. It was impossible to tell the time, but it was certainly late. Powerfully dark and thick mist covered the whole place, without even a single faint glow of light. Lordaeron's roads used to be lighted with little candles, Arinnaya did remember well those times... but it was long behind, decades... And the whole accursed place looked even more terrifying without the moon, or even a single starlet on the sky.

Carelessly, the travellers, now with Enalia in front, have continued their paces towards the dreadful place...though it did not take long, until something happened.

The first glimpse of light has shown up: About some hundred feet in front of them, drawing the outlines of a window. The Priestess has let herself rejoice at the sight of the glow too early: she could not notice Enalia stopping and listening into the distance. The others: Nork and Brandor have also made the same error. Arinnaya could not see Aeralin for quite some time, but it is likely that she followed the others from a safe distance. One could never have understood a Hunter enough...

A few more steps towards the forlorn town - and trouble was imminent. The town watch - Yes, it had guards of some sort - has taken its patrol right towards or heroes. But what misbegotten folk they were!!! The did not even have proper clothes, as Arinnaya inspected - just some rags hanging down their half-mummyfied body. Their fear-imposing shape has emerged from the mist as two of them turned onto the road from behind the house.

Fortunately, Brandor has kept his cold blood, and pulled the others aside, behind the dark barn, even the Priestess, who has frozen in the moment.

Enalia did not leave the road without a trick, however: she packed an object out of her backpack - it was too dark to see what it was - and in a moment, she unhinged the trap over the road. The next moment, the dark maiden was over the street, lurking over the place in darkness, joining the others.

The steps of the patrollers have produced small but clearly audible metallic clangs with chain boots of some sort. It took ages, again, until they slowly made their way towards the edge of the town. Arinnaya prayed that they turn around: but they did not. With every small step, troble came closer. The priestess could feel her own heartbeat in her throat -and hear others' deep breaths as well.

***Cling!!!*** - in a single, loud action, the trap has gone off, sending the guards into shouting and cursing!!!

' Damn!!! What fool has....' and a moment after: 'Uden lo!! Lars bur!!!'

Next moment, while the others dared not even to watch, the Huntress has pulled out an enchanted arrow from the quiver on her back. A powerful weapon, certainly. With the two unexpected caught flat-footed, they could not be aware of what lurked in the darkness... and her arrow did hit. And the guard was just struck down - immobile - at least for some seconds.

Obviously, Enalia was determied to fight until death, but there were others around, who did not share her devotion of falling in the middle of a ruined city, with hundreds of daggerthrusts in one's back. Brandor grappled the Huntress on her sleeves he could barely reach anyway, and pushed her aside, right through the barn's open door. The others jumped in a moment as well. There he warned her with dire words:

're ye mad, lad? Bringin' the whole undead on our head!' - he whispered - ' Just watch what ye have caused, if we survive at all!'

The dwarf is right - Arinnaya added in whispers - and the gnome has also nodded his head. Enalia just turned her head aside, watching through the broken windows of the crumbling building.

The guards' shouting did have its effect: in seconds, there came more of them running down the road... dozens... and even more. With the guards rushing onto the main road in groups, Arinnaya has started counting: on-two - three- four... another ten - but she abandoned at around 40, when Brandor's voice has penetrated the air: a whisper, but harsh as it could be:

"Heads down!!!"

The priestess understood it in the very moment it was said, and dropped down to the rotting wet floor of the barn. Obviously, some guards have turned over, and have caught the glimpse of movement over here. Arinnaya could not help it: she just turned over, and set her eyes on the others: kneeling down or laying as well. The first time she felt no fear: some may call it crusader-spirit, but in the darkest moment, she was determined to protect the others at all cost, should the Undead discover them.

Albeit the situation was grim, the Undead were not coming inside. Instead, they have talked to eachothers in a strange tongue Arinnaya could not understood. "strange" - she thought to herself - "I always thought the Undead have no language of their own..."

The next moment some strange voice has sounded out - but this time it was far... likely on the other end of the town, or even further. It was more than enough, to bring the guards into alarm, as they all rushed as one towards that direction, turning off the main road, and disappearing into the thick mist of the night.

A sligh moment for relief, for not even the Gnome was sure, that they will not be coming back. Nevertheless, it left enough time for the adventurers to discover their immediate surroundings, and seek through the abandoned barn for any objects of interest... Just to find quite a mess: rotten planks, the bones of some long-dead cattle, and some mushrooms - among other worthless remnants of this once tranquil place. Time was also provided the travellers to settle down around the windows, carefully viewing around. The whole bouilding was dark inside as the darkest night, but outside, a few torches were planted ito the ground... and some houses had some sort of lighting emanating from inside, despite their shattered look...

[Nork]

Nork survayed the surroundings. This was no more than an abandoned barn. Cluttered and rotting. Toward the back were a set of stairs leading to a platform. Upon the platform still lingered the odd baile of hay. This too was decaying and brown. The whole place stank of damp wood.

Toward the back of the platform, there stood another hole that used tobe a window. But the glass had long since been smashed and all that reamained was the frame work.

Nork had to drag over a baile in order to be high enough to see out the window. Once he was able to see out of it, there was not much to see. There was a small gap in the buildings that showed Nork to the other side of the town. There Nork saw a small party gathering. But it was to far off to see exactly what was going on and Nork had left his Ornate Spyglass in Iornforge. Nork could have sworn that one of the people was a giant spider.

Off to Norks left, he saw a building that was puffing green smog from the chimney. Nork had thought this very curiouse and called over the rest of the group.

'Look there' he said pointing at the house, 'green smoke bellows from that chimney, very curiouse, dont you think?'

[Arinnaya]

The party was safe for a while, finally. But the crumbling wooden walls of the barn were not only meaning safety, but also a prison. Arinnaya was well aware of that, but forced her attention into another direction. And turned to the dwarf, who was sitting beside her, staring into the darkness.

" It was a brave act, how you saved us all !"

But Brandor's ansver was as short as his whole character:

" I just did what I had te do !! " - and he grapped his beard with both of his hands - " but I still dunno how I let meself... 'nyhow better let us focus on how te escape this goddam' place !! "

" Where is Paw? " The Priestess remembered well about the fearless hero bearing thick fur...

"Oh, I've almost forgotten 'bout him " And the Explorer pulled a small whistle out of his jacket, just to meet the frightened eyes of Arinnaya.

" Only beasts can hear its voice. " And to prove it, he blew into the small device. He was not entirely right: the whistle did give an audible sound, but it was low and gentle, like that of an owl in distance. No one could have suspected it was not of a nocturnal bird.

A moment after, a large, shadowy mass - looking like a pile of hay - has trembled, and something with an elongated face crawed out from under.
Nork, who has been standing around it since quite some time, inspecting through the window with some kind of gnomish trinket, was caught by surprise. It was a wonder he did not scream from seeing that huge dark furry mass jumping over him... And the Hunter has embraced his beloved companion warmly, even if that little pet was at least trice his size.


Fortunately, no one was around the barn. And no living man - no undead either - has suspected they would be spied upon. Our adventurers were in perfect safety, even if they did not feel so. the Priestess did ask about the whereabouts of Aeralin, but the dwarf simply shrugged his shoulders. Enalia, sitting beside with a facial expression of mixed anger and reluctance, has also shaken her head. Same as for Arcantis. The least thing they could do is to search for them, they had to contend with waiting, listening and spaying around, like Nork did.

It was powerfully dark, and only the faint outlines of objects were visible. The air was full of wetness, as the mist covered all the land. Not even the moon shined, and the only lighting was the torches lit alongside the road..,


Time passed heavily by. Seconds appeared as minutes, and minutes as hours.
After some time - it was impossible to tell how much - some people (or rather undead) passed by the building. They were talking to eachother in hardly distinguishable voices, but as they came closer, the words they exchanged could have been heared clearly. They were speaking as humans do... in common!

Arinnaya wondered again about the foreign language used by the guards, and these folks - perhaps ex-villagers - keeping their human tongue. She came to the conclusion, that the undead here have devised some kind of secret language to keep their actions secret - and she was undoubtedly right to a certain degree...

The undead - there must have been two of them, judged by their sound - have came closer. Enalia has attepted to inspect them from the lover left corner of the window, beside Nork, but dared not open her mouth.

There was clearly two of them, one taller that the other, but it was too dark to distinguish their shape. The light of torches has only lighted their backs, that were covered by some dark, old ragged cloaks. They came closer, than stopped. Then the elder one has opened his mouth once again, to argue with the other. Arinnaya shivered at hearing their voice... so human...

" You can see, Bartholomeus. The Banshee Queen has provided us with the best of the Forsaken guards she could spare. She really cares for us. And she is the only one in this world who would do that."

Then the shorter one then respected indignatingly. Obviously, he must have been still young when he died by the plague.

" But my Uncle!! I know this place since my birth. Tarren Mill was our home, so much in life as in our death. Sylvanas has freed us from the Lich King, that much is true, and we owe her something we cannot repay. Still, I do not think the Scourge would let us remain here. And the living ones. I still cannot forget my sister Agnes who fled the town that terrible day. I pray she would not look upon her brother, but with disgust...

" That is just one another cause why we must cling together with the Deathguard. The living are not much of a problem, they dared not approach our town since months, but.. from what I heard... the Scourge agents are active again.

" Where?? here?? "

" No, it seems they act on a larger scale than we have anticipated. Last night, I spoke with Guard Jeremies, and he told me the humans are all riled up around Hillsbrad. What is worse, they have caught a Scourge agent several days ago. Of course, he was transported into Undercity under strict guard. If it were not enough, a spiderkin has also attepted to breach into the city... I cannot tell you how, but he was somehow devoid of all intellect. We have not arrested it. Maybe it was just a trap. "

" Dear Uncle, I understand that well that we may not be safe, but then.. what makes you think the apothecaries' experiments are safe here? "

" The Dark Lady has put considerable effort into our new plague, and the initial results are appalling. I pray she would succeed in the New Plague, finally capable of infesting undeads as well, and thus we will put an end to the Scourge at last. "

" Forgive me, really... I still do not think it will solve anything. We are still cursed spirits... prisoners to our form. Sorry to tell this you a hundred times a day, but I cannot help it, ever since... And, as for the Plague, the Scourge still has its own, while we could not even bend a cocroach to our will... Somehow, I have a bad feeling about this... All I hope is our Orkish allies. "

" Do not trust the Orks.. they are just the same as any other living one. Even if they don't show. "

A spell of silence followed sfter these words. The two, standing beside the barn for quite some time, voiceless, staring into the darkness.
Arinnaya had a hard time with her conscience. The first time she had felt a pity for an Undead. They were so human...


Finally, after half an hour or such, the taller one has turned around. The shorter one still stood aloof.

" Look..! Old Petterson's barn. I have played so much in it as I was a child...!

The adventurers have frozen over at hearing this. all they hoped he was not trying to enter.

" Come, Bartholomeus, we have a long night to spend. Sometimes I wish I could still sleep like when I was living, but... we will find a good way to spend our time, still. Just let us play Poker with the dices. Will you come??? "

" Of course, Uncle!! "

A great rock fell off from the hearts of the travellers in hiding, as the two have made a hasty departure from their hideout. The happy feeling of relief for the moment has overflown their soul...

[Shanda]

OOC: This will take place in two parts.. right after the opening of the portal and then when night arrives..

Tallian
/
/
Dalarans streets was, compared to any other city or towns, not crowded. The ones living in the city prefered to stay at home and tend to their own. Ever since the fall of Dalaran and after it was rebuilt a shadow, large and indeed palatable.
Despite this fact, life had fallen back to something that could be called normal, and by each year more and more students came to once again train in the mystic arts of magic.

And in one of these almost empty roads inside the city a shimmerling light first flashed and then started to take the form of a portal made by magic.
The few people that would witnes this saw a tall man in dampen black robes lead a company of the Kirin Tor guard out from the portal and then towards the mages keep itself.

Tallian new his arrival had not come unnoticed, the city had wards made from powerfull enchantments that could detect any use of magic, and, in his case track it down to the person using it. It had been many years now since Tallian last visited Dalaran, but from what he could see not much had changed. the broad streets sided by shops and houses seemed to ringle out in a web pattern from the wizardkeep in the centre of the city. The keep itself looked as mighty and powerfull as always, but Tallian knew that the mages was far from their former glory and power. The Kirin Tor was no longer one of the leading powers in the Alliance.
Still there was power here.. much needed power and whats more, the leaders of the Alliance listened carefully to what the high council had to say..

At the mighty gates to the keep the column of soldiers took a left turn towards some of the barracs outside the inner citywalls. The guards at the gate just looked at Bornhald before turning to Tallian.

"You seem to be waited my lord.. the council wishes to meet you in the room of storms, alone" with the last words he glanced at Bornhald.

Tallian nodded towards the Guard and stepped through the small opening in the gate, leaving Bornhald behind. As he had expected the other Arch mages already knew he was here, Tallian Swift, he legendary Tallian swift to that.
He chuckled for himself while walking the deserted halls and galleries of the keep, yes they would be both eger and curious about why he had finally decided to return.

When Tallian entered the room silence quickly spread among the assembled Archmages. They looked at him with both awe and interest, Tallian calmly met their gazes and took a seat so he could be seen by everyone.
One of the older mages then broke the silence.

"Ah, Tallian, what gives us the honour of your presence here among us this day?"
"I have come, not to take a place in the council nor to talk about what I have been up to during my absence"

The dissapointment could be seen clearly in many eyes, but also relief.

"Instead I have some dire and disturbing news that I must share with you, my fellow brothers, as you are the only ones that can open the eyes of the Alliance of the great danger we all are in."

Even though the council was taken by surprise and in part didnt take Tallians word seriously they still listened, and by the time he was finished they all had the expression of someone who had just been told that he had to live in hell for the rest of his life, and the life after...
/
(OOC: okey first part ends, I could of course write the meeting but its not important. I will instead give a short summary in part two.)
/
Much later Tallian was alone in one of the many rooms inside the keep, the meeting had gone fairly well, the new council was mostly made of survivors and younger mages, as the old council almost got wiped out during the fall of Dalaran, But most of them still, despite that radiated power and dignity. As it should be.
Tallian had not wasted any time talking about what he had done during his absence, instead he had said what he came for and then left the council to discuss it in privacy. The decision to do that was not hard to make, His presence would surely had dampen the discussion. He knew though that the right actions would be taken.. he did not doubt that.

In the meantime he had other issues to think about.. for example, the small band of "heroes" he had left, in both anger and importance. should he try to reach them in Tarren Mill, or wait for them to abandon the foolish mission leave the town alone. both alternatives had its advantages and disadvantages. While he was thinking evening turned to night and the moon could soon be seen high opon the sky shining as bright as ever. stars dotted the heaven and Tallian had to face the fact that he couldnt make up his mind.

well I have heard that Tarren Mill is less infected and gruesome during night. He thought while searching his pockets for stone of teleportation.
The council had been given the facts and Tallian was no longer needed here. And for himself he was glad to get away from this prison for the heavyminded.

During his childhood Tallian had visited Tarren Mill quite often and he knew the surrounding terrain quite well. As he envisioned one of the glades in a forest nearby once again arcane energies filled his mind and body...

[electro]

By the looks of things, it appeared the coast was getting clear and that the party could venture forth. If it wasn't for Enalia with a sixth sence for undead. She warned the party that the road was being patrolled heavily and that if they'd leave now, they would certainly be captured or even killed. So she consulted the others in a quick debat on the subject of getting out.

[Arinnaya]

Time was passing by heavier than ever. When the two locals passed away, silence weighed upon all the adventurers again. Heavy silence.

Arinnaya made glances in a nervous nervous towards the door. But her eyes met a little, twin source of light: It was the face of the Huntress, whose eyes glimmered in the darkness. She hushed all the others in her soft voice.

Being a hunter of the wilds, Enalia knew about the situation better than anyone. Maybe even better than Brandor. Her unparalelled ears, hearing the fall of a pin into hay from miles, combined with the scent of Actaron made her a master of stealth tactics.

' The Undead - she started in a low voice - may seem if passed, but they never sleep. I can hear their crawling inside their houses'. And the guards' - she added - Their heavy iron boots are still clinging on the streets. It would be a suicide to leave... for the moment. '

Brandor was appearing inpatient - and not without a reason. While Actaron could have climbed the planks leading to the attic - and hide there - Paw could not. Moreover, the bear gave unmistakable signs of being hungry.
Besides, the dwarf was not fond of hiding in the nightly shadows: he preferred to see his opponents. Al he was suggesting was simple:

' Should the patrol go far 'nough, we may be able to break out! We can run fast 'nough, I bet... The Bastard Undead will never catch up !! '

But, judging from the face expression of Enalia - or rather from her eyes (the others could not see her in the dark, yet she saw everything) - she was not convinced. So the dwarf started over:

' What if ye'd listen 'round ?' That way ye could tell me when we're ready for a jumpstart? '

' I will do. ' - and just as she said, Enalia straightened up her ears, heightening her senses to its very edge... But there was silence again. The ears of the Priestess could not make anything out.... but perhaps the sound of the wind. Not even crickets' voice was heard.. just the silence of death.

But the Elven Senses are much better than any human or dwarf could no, or perhaps a gnome. Enalia could discern the flickering of torches'fire clearly, as well as the steps made by patrollers on streets further away. Unnervingly enough, they would never stop for a rest. and in the neighbouring house, sounds of the furniture cracking showed that its inhabitants were still awake.

Meanwhile the others just laid down about a heap of hay, staring blindly into the darkness, lounging for something to come - or rather to pass - the Gnome was not lazy to inspect their surroundings carefully. Having climbed atop the hay, he boldly pushed his head as close to the broken window, as possible.
Not caring much for others' business, his sight browsed around at all possible angle viewable from that window. Just to stumble upon something highly unusual.

'Look !!!' - he whispered to the others, thereby breaking the silence and Enalia's concentration. All the others crept closer to Nork to see whatever he has spotted...

[Nork]

Everybody had grown silent. All despreate in an attempt to find a way out of there perdicermant. But all attempts at coming up with a plan were vain. The Un-Dead were relentless in there patrols. Constant and many. Though not visable from the small window, every one knew they were there. Enalia could sense them.

The group and gone to rest. Sitting round thebarn with there backs rested up against the walls. But Nork could not rest. The house he spotted with the grren smoke got the better of his Gnomish curiosity. His Ornate Spy Glass he made during his engineering apprentichship showed nothing but a closer view of the green smoke, spewing from the chimney.

'curiouse how green fire does not give off green smoke' he thought.

His thoughts drew to the time he had visited an alchamist. He needed fuel for his rocket boots he had aquired plans for from an auction.

'ahh, master Gnome' said the alchamist, 'what can i do you for today'

Nork had pulled out a parchment from his pocket, on it was a recipe for rocket fuel.

'Just abatch of this please' Nork had said, handing over the parchment.

'Certainly master, wait here for a secound whilst I check the ingrediants'

The alchamist had pulled aside a certain, revealing his laborotory. There were bottles full of oddly coloured liqued. One in particular he noticed, sat on a gause and tripod above a flame. Spewing forth a hazy green smoke.

Nork became aware of the party's reasonsfor whythey were here and realised he should bring it to there attention.

'Erm, i dont mean to be a bother, but i think you need to come and see this' Nork had said to Arinnaya, pulling on her cuff and pointing up at the window.

[Arinnaya]

All of sudden, small sweaty fingers have grabbed the side of Arinnaya's robe, pulling her to the side window. Though the Priestess has always had deep concerns about trusting this gnome, she let herself be led - especially as all the others have gathered around the window as well.

As they pushed all their head together hastily before the broken window, the sight of the deep darkness has greeted them. It took quite some time for the eyes of Arinnaya to actually see anything. But slowly, in the faint light of the torches from the main road, and the flickering candles in some windows, the outlines of the town have became clearly discernible. It was not a town actually - more of a ruin, with many houses having their rooftop removed, and some even collapsed. Yet the whole decaying village was teeming with the eternal curse of undeath. There was a strange house not far away as well - perhaps in the next street - but it was much taller than the others. so somehow sticking out.

Nork has continued to point at the strange building with excitement, so the Priestess looked again. At a second glance, some strange greenish light was clearly discernible, gleaming out through all cracks, and the chimney as well.
At a closer investigation, there was some kind of smoke puffing out from the chimney - in late spring! Clearly, it was no ordinary smoke: Arinnaya could not dsecide whether it was just reflecting the greenish light from inside the building, or was green itself. Nevertheless, it left the Priestess and the others pondering what dark secret it might hold.

Arinnaya whispered to Nork and the others in a low voice: 'Do you have any idea what goes on there?'

[electro]

Enalia has been working with quite some chemicals and recognises the smoke, smelling the tainted air it produces. "They're planning on a war or something, those are mind-expanding potions. Why would they need that?" Enalia whispered. But that wasn't all, Enalia could make out an other scent as well and this one was even worse then the previous one, but only noticable through very sensitve senses. Enalia fainted after a few seconds, the scent was affecting her inner peace and she dropped like a brick from the bail of hay.

Actaron was standing right beside her when his limbs also couldn't bare his weight anymore. He to had smelled the foul stinch. the rest of the party hasn't got such a fine smelling organ, so they were not affected by the strong but diminutive smell.

[Nork]

"Do you have any idea what goes on in there?" Arinnaya had questioned.

But Nork just simply shook his head and looked back out the window at the house. The green smog never ceasing its war path to the sky. Listening intently, Nork could have sworn he heard laughing or cackling coming from the house. But it was dark and Nork was tired.

Then came a thud that put the entire party on the razors edge. Nork had spun round to face the door, takeing up his battle stance, ready to hex anyone that dared step through the door. But it turned out that no one had come through the door, it was infact Enalia, she had fallen off her bail. She was not moveing and her eys were rolled into the back of her head, so that only the whites could be seen.

Nork didnt know what to do. He pulled out his water bottle and splashed a bit of the chilled water on Enalias forehead. He looked up at Arinnaya.

"whats wrong with her?"

[Arinnaya]

The dark-skinned Huntress has dropped her head, as if not feeling right. Indeed - if the reflexes of Brandor are not as good s they were, she might have landed on the muddy floor. Yet in the next moment, she straightened up again. Her eyes glimmering in the dark as a cat, she nodded with her head upon the question posed by Nork. She looked fully healthy -as far as Arinnaya could fathom in the deep darkness.


The adventurers could concentrate on their task once again. The weird sings coming from that house were unsettling. All the travellers unanimously vied for further exploration of the situation.

The Priestess directed a question to Brandor, in a shy and awkward manner:

'Do you think that...?'

But she needed no confirmation. The Dwarf was leading his faithful bear companion on short leash towards the door... slowly and carefully... restraining the beast's every littel movement that might have made any voice. In the same moment, all gathered at the entrance. Brandor has lifted the heavy barring-rod from the way, and - after a second or two of strained listening - pushed the hind door open.

The heawy door slightly crackled a bit.. but thereafter it opened smoothly... As the adventurers crawled out into the deadly night - aiming the closest woodrack for prpotection - they did not possess even the slightest idea about the difficulty of the mission they desired to carry out.

They directed their attention on the strange building again - lighted by the faint beam of torches attached to the sides of crumbling buildings. Arinnaya concentrated on her ears again, as hard as she could.. and this time she heard a faint noise from somewhere ahead... It seemed now that they came straight from the mysterious building... someone was likely shouting inside:

' Sorry, master Lydon!! ' - and immediately there came another harsher voice:
'Stop whining and work harder !!! Next time... add another... and then.. will not mix.. - though the voices were barely to be heared clearly from this distance, only scattered words, it still made the herat of the Priestess sink.

Though they were at least 30 houses and two streets afar from the strange building, the passage through a river of lava might have seemed esaier, than passing through a whole town of Undead, constantly patrolled by miriads of elite soldiers of the cursed Banshee Queen. This was the firts time Arinnaya felt: this mission was far harder than worth.. and she deeply regretted endangering the very life of her companions.

[Nork]

The party had assembled at the door of the barn, Brandor was ever so gentally pusing the door open. The squealling of the hinges seemed so load that the entire village would wake up and find the spy's. Nork remained at the window, keeping an eye out.

"wait" he called out, but they were already out the door, "dammit"

Nork looked back out the window as the patrol had dissapeared behind a building, then reappered again, heading stright for the barn. Nork jumped down form the bails, and ran for the door, peering out and seeing that the gloom was clear. He could not see and of the others in sight.

"Arinnaya? Brandor? Enalia?" he wispered ever so gently, not dareing to speek any loader.

But there was no answer. They had out of ear shot towrd the house that seemed so far away. Nork ducked back into the barn, adrenallin coarseing through his vains, his mind quickly viewing over every possible idea, until he came to apluasible one. Nork summoned his Imp, Karrin.

"Listen to me, you pesky little retch. I need you to go out into the woods, to the south and create a distraction, make haste." Nork had instructed.

Karrin phased into the Neather dimension, rendering him invisable to all thouse but the harded demonlologist, and bounded off into the gloom.

Nork peered out the door again, and this time he could hear the distinctif sound of heave mail armor clanking on concrete. The streetlamps cast long shadows on the ground. Where was the party, thought Nork. As he spoke, he saw a gleam from halfway down the street, almost at the house. That must be them, he thought again.

"Halt!" came a low and scraggly voice, rasspy and sicking, "you and you, check the barn. The rest of you are coming with me"

Nork ducked back into the barn, his heart jumped up into hios throught. 2 un-dead he could handle, but there would be so much noise that more and more would come. Norks eyes darted to and fro, looking for somewhere to hide.

Karrin bounded down the allys and streets, singing and chattering to himself as he went. His thought was always bent on escapeing his slavery. But for now he had a duty to attend. After passing out of the long street and into the forest, Karrin bounded up the nearest tree till he reached the top. It was tall enough that it looked out over the village. He could see all the roofs of the houses and fields. On the fields he could see squads of un-dead mustering. There superiors inspecting.

Karrin looked at the nearest house, the timber that made its bulkheads were dry and rotten through. Would do nicely for a bit of kindling. Karrin came out of phase, his eyes begun to flare, sparks danced between his fingers. His hands ingnited into flame, and with a quick back flip, Karrin launched a fireball at the house. It exploaded on impact and died.

Karrin looked quizically at the house for a secound and cackled to himself, and launched another fireball, then another and another untill, eventually, the lumber caught fire and in secounds the whole house was aflame. Karrin laughed with carzed fortae at what he had done, until he realised that the tree he had been sat on, was also aflame.

[Arinnaya]

As they stood behind the barn, or rather, laid down behind the woodrack, focusing on the quest, Nork focused on something drastically different. he alwys had a different way of thinking - maybe because he was a gnome.

The swift hands of the warlock waved in the air, as he murmured something of an incantation in an alien language: " Azseer... Uldanos...Karrin! " Despite of the considerable lore the Priestess obtained through the years of diligent study, she could not decipher a word of the spell. However, their effect was immediately visible, as a tiny, disfigured creature with fiery eyes and blazing body appeared right before him. ' A demonling!' - Arinnaya said to herself, loudly. Yet the imp looked harmless enough. It was rather funny in its ways than harmful.

Nork pointed into the darkness with his finger, pulled his eyebrows together, and firmly commanded the creature with a strict gaze. It immediately disappeared on the spot, leaving the others pondering about Nork's plan.

Moments later, an undead patrol came on the road, unexpectedly. Their battered oil lamp flooding the street with light, almost blinding after that darkness. The two guards were nearing threatingly. It looked like they knew what they were searching after, taking a straight course towards the barn.

If not the quick reflexes of the adventurers, nothing could have saved them. the Deathguards have not spotted them beside the heap of half-rotten wet wood, which was a minor wonder itself. Arinnaya was grappling on her prayer-book desperately, in order to keep it ready for the battle to come...


For a while, battle seemed inavoidable. But, straight in the next moment, smokes has begun to fill the air, mixing with a strange scent. The deathguards turned around just before the door of the barn (Brandor and Paw were still within!), and rushed away hastily, while - as a wild peel of lightening - shoutings bursted out from every corner of the town: 'Agni!! Agni!!' - the harsh shoutings of the Dead came from the right next laying building. It was fully engulfed in thick smoke, and though the Undead would not choke from it, they would still burn to ashes, should they catch fire.

The arson of the imp produced mighty stir: In the ensuing chaos, dozens of guards ran headlessly to-and-fro on the streets. some brought buckets of water with them, yet it still lasted several minutes, until the undead could organize firefighting, opening the nearby well, and ordering every guard to form a waterlifting chain. Till that point, two or three other buildings also caught fire, so the dreaded Forsaken had to focus all their strength to kill the fire's nest...

It was certain, that now they had no better chance: no one paying even the slightest attention to security, while they focused it all around the threateningly emerging red columns of wildfire, that erupted from the nearby houses. While Enalia and Brandor just forestalled the next move of the countless undead urging to the flames, Arinnaya whispered in her soft voice to the others: 'come on.. we will not have another chance!' She closed down her eyes.. counted to ten, then jumped across the road, straight before the eyes of the deathguards!!

She made a spin on her back after thumbling down on the other side, and fell into something of a dip. When the Priestess opened her eyes, she was laying in a dry canal - digged years ago to drain rainwater. She quickly straightened up, pulling her mud-stained robe up from under. Creeping into the next alley - while the others were following her from more of a distance, Arinnaya could finally draw a deep breath. no one noticed them in the chaos.

At the next steps, the narrow alley between two houses - one man could barely pass throgh - has opened onto a smaller square of some kind. Though normally it must have been a place buzzing with life (or rather unlife), all was silent: there was not a soul around. On the other edge of the paved square, a strange house had its arched doorway: It must have been the same as they have observed from the distance! Arinnaya pulled herself together, and in a final brave attept, ran through the place like a madwoman, ending only beside the targetted building. It has been almost built into the next houses: the Priestess pushed her body next to the walls as close as she could... and attached her ears to the walls.

It was an unexpected act of bravery from a young human girl; the others could barely keep up with it. Though they made the pass through the road somehow, at least one row of houses still separated them in the moment Arinnaya collected all her courage, and crept slowly for the entrance of the strange building.

[Nork]

Norks idea had worked. For once, the ideotic Imp had pulled through and done the right thing. He peeped through the opening just in time to see 2 guards run past. After a short while it was greeted by more guards, as the entire town seemed to empty and run to put the flames out. Norked peeked further out into the street, just in time to see Arinnaya run out from behind a stack of dry wood, spin and dive into a drainage ditch. Nork had to look twice, as he did not believe what he had saw, but right behind the priestess came Enalia.

"Well, would ye' look at that" came a voice behind Nork.

Nokr litrilly jumped out of his skin, he had tought that he was the only person in the barn. When he turned, he saw Brandor loom out of the darkness, alongside his bear, Paw.

"well ladde, i think we best be off, aye?"

Nork peered once more outside, satifyed it was clear, ran for the drainage ditch aswell. Watching Arinnaya at the head of the point, some what, made Nork giggle a little. Watching her in her muddy dress, running like a half crazed manic from house to house. It wouldnt have been any more amusing if she waved her hands in thw air and starting screaming lululu. But dipite the show, they had eventually made it to the small house and Arinnaya had made her way round to the door.

'Why is it, that when Humans are curiouse abought a building, they go stright for the door? That is whatwindows were designed for' thought Nork.

His mind woundered back to the days of Gnomregarn. He remebered his chief engineer had partitioned to thr great Mechatorke, that windows should be placed on all the buildings, so that they could reduce down on the amount of 'house breakings' in the great city. Due to the outstanding curiosity of Gnomes, they would oftan be compelled to see what was behind a door. Oftan it led to arguments and the city guard being called. Thats why all the doors in Gnomeregarn have locks and keycards. But they had not really thought this out properly, as you could aquire keycards from the variouse machines dotted around the city.

Shaking his head from careless thought, Nork looked at the building, there were no windows on it. He gave a curiouse look at the building and hit it with the side of his fist, as if a window would suddenly appera that he could pass a curiouse glance through.

Arinnaya looked over to the party and pressed her index finger aginst her lips, in sign to be quiet. She reached for the latch on the door and slowly pried the door open. The waiting was tense, Nork could hear his heartbeat in his ears, the shouts and screams of the nearby firefighters rang so loud that he was sure that the fire was going to spred to them. But juzing by the smoke, the fire was close to being put out.

Nork looked back over to Arinnaya, she had pried the door open just enough to peer through and she gave out a rathyer high pitch and startled gasp.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
The intensive burst of illuminating light faded away and darkness again took hold of the nearby glade, to which Tallian had travelled to.
He was far enough from Tarren Mill to not be spotted by any sentries but still close enough to, in the dim light from the moon, see the roofs from the houses scattered in the outskirts of town.
He wondered if his friends, atleast he thought of them as friends, a very uncommon thought for Tallian indeed as he had lived most of his life alone, he wondered if they had left the town already or was in trouble. He had to look into that before he could make any furthur plans..

As he stood there motionless, thinking about what he should do. A cascade of light seems to burst up from somewhere whitin the town, Tallian turned around as large tongues of flame danced in the darkness engulfing several houses. Tallian, at first, was taken back by what he saw. Then as he realised that it must have something to do with his lost companions he started to move towards the Tarren Mill, he did not run nur rush as that would only give away his position to some lucky guard.

The roaring flames grew larger as Tallian got closer. it was still to dark to see
anyone moving in the town, only the flames were visbile to Tallians eyes.
When he reached the end of the forest he stopped. From here he would have no cover from anything but the darkness of night...He decided to wait and see what happened..

The minutes slowly crept by one by one..

[Arinnaya]

Sheer moments after Arinnaya has reached the side of that strange building, others came to her side. In the darkness, it was hard to make out the faces, but a short figure - reaching to perhaps her knees - has run swiftly into the alley. The Priestess knew it was no enemy troublemaker: only a gnome can be so short, and -up to date- the Scourge has not succeeded producing too many undead gnomes. When entering into close range, his hat could clearly be made out: it was Nork without doubt. He looked really excited so Arinnaya showed him an unmistakable sign: to keep quiet.

A few seconds later - while the priestess was crawling for the only entrance of the building - a large object with a long shadow arrived before the building, accompanied by a smaller one... and another tall figure: looks like all the adventurers have made the passing sound and safe...


The signs of fire: all the red columns have disappeared by now, but the town was increasingly overflowing with smoke. Looked like the Undead have been successful in firefighting, and put out the source. The adventurers did not have much time, and Arinnaya knew that.

As she placed her hands on the door's handle, she attempted to open it bit-by-bit. The great old two-winged ironed oaken door has come surprisingly easily: it must have been kept in order and its hinges greased ordinarily.

A narrow, but rapidly widening beam of greenish-yellow light came through the door. The Priestess has released the handle, to avoid the door being shut open. Fortunately, it has stopped, leaving only a narrow shaft to view its interior through. Through a hastily glance, one could see a dark-clad figure inside.

Of course all the daventurers wanted to look inside. But Arinnaya raised her arms high to stay back. She tried to recall an old formula: a secret prayer one of her masters taught her years ago, that would help : " To see through the eyes of others, call the shadow of the darkeners " - the words of the high priest did not give anything, just a hint, but Arinnaya recalled the prayer immediately, whispering dark words onto the winds:
'I can see what you see not...Visions milky, then eyes rot...'

The Priestess hated to resort to such evil spells as mind vision, but there were times this knowledge was indispensable.

After finishing the incantation, she directed her thoughts onto the dark shade from just a tiny angle. And, wonderfully, she could see its eyes as if her own, through focusing:

There were at least four persons in the room: the inner side of the doorway was guarded by two undead: it was the most prudent descision they did not just break in. The whle interior looked like a laboratory of some sort: countless vials of various potions standing on the shelves... A heap of thick books laying on the table... On the other side, there was a counter with some complex alchemic apparatus on it: and many glass vials standing on a fireplace, with some sort of greenish liquid being distilled there.

There was also another figure next to the first one: his details were seen by Arinnaya as clearly, as if she had used her own eyes: He must have been a mage of some sort, yet his clothing was ragged, and he was clad in a great, black robe, covered in various, evil-looking red runes. His torn face and wickedly glowing eyes promised nothing good as he looked upon the other. The next moment the Priestess understood why the other was looking so wildly, for he burst in a shout:

'Don't just stand here and stare at me like a stupid, mindless sheep! You want me to tell executor Darthalia that you hinder our research?'

'No, Master !!! Master Lydon!!, I start brewing the required poisons.. immediately!!'

And he turned around to head for the rooms behind them. The other dark wizard still murmured something indignatingly:

'...such a clumsy one... ..a shame of the apothecaries!!'

As the apprentice walked behind the scenery, Arinnaya had to multiply her efforts to keep focus on her vision. But just as he turned around, the Priestess has noticed numerous tall cages: and there was something or someone in one of them!! Unfortunately the excitement has broken her concentration, and contact was lost. Nevertheless the whole image was so blurry she could not make out what or who was behind the terrible hold.

Arinnaya has carefully took three steps away from the door, towards her brethren, who were dying out of curiosity.. but she just whispered a few words: 'there is someone inside... kept and guarded... a prisoner of dark mages...'

All the adventurers have retreated to behind the building, into the narrow alley, to hold council about their further plans.

[Nork]

It was agreed that the person being heald captive needed to be broken out, but what they couldnt decide was how to get him out. Brandor had suggested thet they blow the walls in, in the confusion they could smuggle the person out. Enalia had suggested that they lure the mages out, then sneak in and get the person. Nork stood there thinking. Maybe his Succubus would be of help here? they maybe un-dead, but there is no humanoid alive that can resist the temptations of such a demon. With voice and song, she seduce's her pray and when they are fully in her power, she rips out there heart and devours there soul.

Nork chuckled gleefully at the idea of more souls for his collection. Rubbing his pals together , his face dropped into shadow. Norks trance was broken by Brandor, pulling every body back into the Ally.

"some is comin" he said.

Faint shouts could be heard, followed by a whoosh and a bang. Screams had started to meddle within the shouts. more whooshing and banging. Soon the screams had subsided, but the shouts started to get louader.

"Find the creature, I want him alive" came one guards call.

Panic had stricen the town, as well as the adventurers. Something was happening that Nork didnt like one bit. His heart had sunk and all his mind could think was that doom was imminant. They remained in the ally, it wasnt long before patrols started to run past, patrols made up of abought five heavily armoured and what looked like, very skilled warriors. Nork heard the door of the building being thrown open and one of the mage's shouting.

"What the hell is gong on here? we are trying to work"

"We found a demon, sir. In the town well" said one of the sargents of a patrol.

"Oh, no!" thought Nork, "cant that stupid Imp do anything right"

Nork closed his eyes and begun to recite the dismisal. But his train of thought was brken.

"Master, master! you godda help me! they want to kill me" Karrin said bounding round the corner.

"There he is! get him" said a patrol who had just entered the street.

Og all the Imps in the world, Nork had to pick one that had no brains or common sense. Nork had given Karrin a look that suggested that there was punishment to come and dismissed him. Now something had to be done abought the patrol, but what culd they do that would not alert the occupants that they were there and spying on them.

"I knew this was a bad idea" was all Nork could think of.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Many often got the impression that mages had no talent whatsoever of sneaking around in the shadows staying hidden. Many had of course right as most mages were arrogant, upblown selfish bastards that didnt care much about anything els then their magic..Not Tallian though

In his early years as a student he had often snuck out from the citadel in Dalaran to wander the streets at night, staying away from guards partolling and being seen by basicly anyone. When he had grown up he had of course not given up this his, unusual talent. he was far from the masterfull rogues, thiefs and assasins, the masters of night and shadows. But unwatchfull undead guards he could easily avoid. Black as his cloths were the surroundings seemed so soak up Tallian to the brink of almost invisibility. He had not ventured far tho, that would have been foolish, he was waiting in a dark shadowy corner of a small square in the outskirts of Tarren Mill.

Minutes passed as Tallian watched the flames licking the rooftops of some houses and engulfing others, the rate of which the inferno was spreading had stopped to a crawl tho as the forsaken got the firefighting to work.

Then suddenly a shadow burst out from across the square, he could not distinguise if it was human or undead, then at perhaps half the distant between the 2 rows of houses the moon shone through the clouds for some moments just in time for Tallian to see long hair and curves of a woman.

Arinnaya! he thought, and not far behind more shadows came running. Some short some tall.
Tallian had found them atlast...

But despite his longing to join up with his..friends.. again he did not dare to make such a rash move as they had. Instead he tried to find another route to his destination. in the darkness he did not know if he was getting any closer, but he could now see that the fires had been put out and heavy clouds of smoke had taken its place, filling the air and making it even harder to see. In the distant he could hear voices tho..

"There he is! Get him!" The shout rang out clearly in the now fairly silent night, Tallian could from his hidingplace see the adventurers huddeling close to the side of a building while a patrol of deathguards came running towards their hidingplace. Tallian stepped out into the light, his eyes glowing with arcane enegry and his hands surrounded by swirling fire. The guards stopped dead and after a brief moment they turned and ran towards Tallian instead shouting warcrys as they came. It was to late for them tho.
blinding, raging fire erupted from the muddy street, completly engulfing the attacking guards, they were incineterated in the blink of an eye and the storm of fire dissappeard the moment after leaving only smoldering piles of ashes were the guards had been.

From the house the party first had crowded outside, a small group of undead came out. Two guards it seems and two others clad in robes.
One of the supposed mages lifted a hand and pointed at Tallian.

"you fool.. you perhaps had had a chance if you ran the instant you .. took care of.. these walking corpses. But staying here for me to find you is foolish beyond anything"
The undead barked an insane laugh before he continued, his ..minions.. had slowly backed away from their master.. not daring to interfere.
"I am Lydon.. high mage Lydon and master apothecary here In Tarren Mill.. and I fear that my powers are alittle to much for you"
And again he laughed that core chilling laugh..

Tallian then stepped out into the dim moonlight, looking starit into the eyes of the high mage. His eyes shone even stronger now, magic energies surged through his very core waiting to be unleashed.
"I dare to think I am .. high mage.."

A flood of magic energy sprang out from Tallians lifted palm and easily broke through the magci barrier the undead sorcerer conjured, and in his last moments of animated life high mage Lydons eyes showed nothing but pure surprise. As his wretched corpse hit the ground his servant and the guards ran away as fast as they could towards the centre of the town.
Tallian took a few steppes towards the place he thought his companions were hiding in..

[Arinnaya]

Though Arinnaya did the best she could to keep them hidden, hiding into the shadows, delving into a word she never truely felt her own. But some creatures just cannot keep themselves calmed down, even when necessary...

The imp Nork summoned before was not just mischievous - he appeared straightforwardly dunce, running straight to his master with perhaps half a dozen warriors in chase. The stupid demonling did not even attempt to hide or whatsoever. Trouble was imminent... and our heroes were still unpreapared for a major battle.

' I knew this hellspawn will bring only trouble - as its all kind' - Shouted Arinnaya... though this was all too late warning. The adventurers had to defend themselves.
Paw charged forth as Brandor took his boomstick in his hand, firing a measurable charge straight into the face of the un-dead: 'Back to yer graves, bastards' -his battleshout sounded in the air as the Priestess behind him preapred a holy spell to smite the undead.
Enalia's spiderling jumped down from the roof - onto one of the incoming guards, who must have been an arachnofobiac in his life - for he was paralized, providing an easy target for the Hutress, who fired her enchanted arrows with the words 'An theli'darien !!!'. Even if they could take out a few incoming enemies, their numbers were almost limitless. As the sounds of battle started, all the residents of the house rushed out... among them the evil apothecary, perhaps a mage.. dressed in full black robe.


But, most undexpectedly, in the crucial moment the Undead could have reached them, they turned away. The adventurers have realized with both relief and surprise, that the deathguards have aimed their full forces against another mysterious enemy.

Arinnaya had the terrible feeling that it might have been Acantis... so - as all the others - poked her head out of the alley. The Undead guards were charging straight beside them, to attack someone in a laong robe... Tallian!! By the sudden flash of fire out of his hands, all his details as well as the Deathguards became visible till every little detail.

The Mage put all his efforts in a mighty fireball that has left the guards literally scattered along the road. But the dark apothecary would not give it up so easily: he just laughed... until the next well-prepared fire spell hit him, leaving his corpse laying on the cobbled road.

Two of the guards, who remained alive, attepted to escape... One was caught in the trap carefully laid down by Enalia lurking behind the group. The other was caught by Paw, who pulled his leg aside.. and as the bones disassembled rather easily - he ran off with the trophy leaving the former guard creeping around on one limb, cursing in an unknown language as he pulled forth himself with his arms.

Arinnaya cast a momentary glance upon the fallen apothecary: the glow of the corpse's eyes was still not extinguished: the priestess doubted that he will remain dead too long...

Though all were happy to see Tallian, and even grateful for his timely arrival, there was no time to waste with courtesy. Brandor gave out a loud whistle, and this served as a command: all the others followed him straight through the big oaken doors, into the cursed laboratory. If they were about to save anyone... they had only seconds left before the whole town comes on them.

The building must have been an important public place before: its walls decorated with paintings and carefully elaborated carved statues. But the strangest feature was the all-penetrating stench of putrid subtances being brewed in several complex devices. All the surrounding shelves were filled with hundreds - or perhaps thousands - of vials containing various substances.

But there was no time to browse around. Brandor quickly pushed in the only door leading backwards.. and the others followed him into the depts of this dark, cursed building...

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Tallian had wondered, he really had, what the reactions would be from his fellow comrades when he returned. And with such a return he found himself just not surprised but also a hint of disappointment over the quick glances he got before the group stormed into the now hopefully abandoned house.

Alone in the now quiet alley Tallian had little time for thoughts so he quickly moved to the door and entered.
The place smelled as he thought an apotechary shop would smell likem tho there was a layer od malice that covered the room, almost platable he thought as he made his way towards the others.

They had stopped infront of a couple of barrels in the far end of the room. Tallian took position in a shadowy corner surveying not only the door but also the others. Their.. almost chilly welcome, if you could call it that, had made his senses alerted and ready for whatever they might do.. as fot now he did not feel wanted not welcome..

[Nork]

Nork revelled in the destruction of the battle. A smirk spread accross his face. Despite being un-dead, they still had souls, souls that he could take and add to his collection. He opened his sack and placed in another shard.

Collecting souls was always a trickey business that took Nork sometime to get the hang of. It involved absolute concentration and the power to bend the will of your target to give up what they hold dear, thus you are steallling the soul of your victim. The magical energiese form into a crystal, or a blank soul, an empty living void, derived of life and meaning. Thus Nork could use these 'blank lifeforms' to summon his demon's, or create a copy of his own life force, so that when he is 'killed', the copy will take his place. Nork had lost count the amount of new souls he has had, but one thing is for sure, he will need alot more in times to come.

Arinnaya and Tallian had gone into the house. Nork thought that he should have given him a more than humble welcome, after all, he did save there lives. But Nork treated himwith suspician. Why had he com back now, what had he done in Dallaran that would have promted him sto return so abruptly. After all, he had left the group in order to avoid comeing to this place.

The air was thick inside the building. A pungent smell lingered and filled Norks nostrils, burning the back of his throught, he coughed and spluttered a little. The house was like any other alchamist shop, dispite the smell. Bottles laid all over the place, filled or half filled, most boilling on a tripod and bunsen. Every one of them with oddly coloured liqued. Nork didnt care for chemistry, he was more of a physics being. Creating servos and widgets, nuts bolts and electro dodads.

"There is less chance to blow yourself up with engineering" thought Nork.

Tallian sprung up from the corner he was standing in and started to heard the adventurers out the door. He did not know abought the prisoner, Nork ducked his waveing hands and darted out to the back room. Looking around he saw the cage to his left, he saw the lock, but he could not see anybody in it. Nork slowly edged his was to the cage.

"Hello? is there anybody there?" said Nork, his voice trembling.

A creature darted foreward and clunked against the cage, Nork jumped back startled. But his heart calmed and the adrenalin drained away when he saw who it was.

"Nork, you godda get me out of here" he said.

Nork grabbed ahold of the lock, closeing his eyes, he begun to chant in his demonic tounge. The lock glowed bright red, then white and Nork ripped the lock when it was white hot, his immolate cantation proveing more usefull then setting people alight.

"Pleassse, do not utter that tounge in my presssence, it cutsss through me like a knife" the prisoner had said.

The prisoner and Nork left the building and found the the others were halfway up the street and out of town by now, so they had to run to catch them up and not get caught by the guards. The party regrouped outside of town, just past the tree line.

[electro]

Enalia came out of spotting position from behind one of the trees. Actaron, her loyal companion and friend, came to her from a great distance with great speed. As actaron lowered speed and calmly came to the side of Enalia, they looked for the party and found them on the road.

"Elune be praised that everyone is allright" she said with a relieved voice. "but to be sure i made something for everyone while i was hiding" and she handed everyone a pack of 5 bottles. the bottles contained a red fluid, it is said that it holds healing powers for the quick and needy. To Arinnaya she also gave a pack of 5 blue bottles, to revitalise her energies if she fell low on power.

Now that the fighting was over, she took some silk from her backpack and started make think bandages out of them. when she made 10 of them, she took the remaining silk and placed it back in her bag. she took some wood, flint and tinder, looked for a nice place away from the road and away from Tarren mill and started a campfire. she was getting quite hungry. so she asked the party, those who could hear her, if they would be interrested in somekind of "snack" and she took a good bite of her cooked bearmeat that she took from a bear a couple of days ago.

[Arinnaya]

The party made an incredibly hasty getaway from the town. Once having rushed out of the laboratory (where Arinnaya took a suspiciously-looking green vial for further examination), breaking through patrols of Undead walking around. It was so dark, without even the moon shining through, that they could barely see, where they went. Street after street, house after house: on the edge of the tow, they took a slighly elevating road. Though they have not seen it before, and risked being lost, the travellers were still lucky that no one has followed them beyond the limits of the town. It was a lesser miracle of some kind.

Having left the town, the adventurers ran side-by-side as fast as they could, without a word spoken. Turning off the road after a while on the left, just to make tracking them impossible - by the advice of Brandor. It must have been a great deal since they left the town, where the deadly mist began to dispel. The stars were visible again: judging from their constellation, it was just few hours left before dawnbreak. The edge of the sky, hidden between mighty ridges of mountains, has already begun to enlighten.

It was then, where the group of brave travellers realized the toil of the past night weighing heavily on them. Arinnaya could take it no longer. She sit down on a rocky outcropping, grasping for breath.
'Sorry for me... it is... so tiresome..' -her voice sounded heavily.

But the Priestess was not alone. Enalia stopped either, followed by Nork. It was time to make camp. The Undead were likely left miles away, and judjing from their attitude, they were not likely to follow the living so far away from their nest.

Totally exhausted, the travellers gathered around the campfire. Talking to each other in low voice. Arinnaya slowly turned over to Tallian and said:
'Sorry for being so rude... I haven't even expressed my gratitude for coming for our rescue!'
But Tallian was silent, for some cause. Then the Priestess just added:
' PLease, if it does not tire you, I would like to hear your tale about your recent journies!'
'Yep, Please tell us!!' -the dwarf has pressed on as well... leaving no peaceful rest for the wizard of Dalaran.

As the group talked on, the sky has become bright on one edge, fighting the moonlit sky on the other end. White ranges of mountains surrounding the landscape have made it apparent: they have entered the tallest mountainland of Lordaeron: the Alterac.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Tallian was not tired despite being awake for the whole night, the others tho seemed spent and weary, they could not have keep going even if their lives had depended on it. Disappointment still burned in Tallians mind, but he kept his feelings for himself. In time he would know what had happaned and why they had reacted in such a way to his return.

He let go of his thoughts and look around their camp. A small fire sparkled brightly and the group huddled close both for warmth and the comfort of others. Tallian did not. He sat abit in the back syrveying the surroundings.. looking for threats, they had maybe escaped Tarren Mill but the forsaken could still be looking for the intruders.

And thus he was not ready for when Arinnaya turned to him.
'Sorry for being so rude... I haven't even expressed my gratitude for coming for our rescue!'
And so he did not completly hear what she said, but she continued.
' PLease, if it does not tire you, I would like to hear your tale about your recent journies!'
'Yep, Please tell us!!'
The dwarf, Brador, also seemed keen on knowing.

Tallian moved alittle closer. Carefull not to meet the eyes of anyone around the campfire.
'I have little to tell you, I ventured to Dalaran whitout any incidents along the way. And there I spoke with the mages council, about what has happened here and this new threat..Nork.. so kindly exposed to us. I do not know what they will do about it.. if they will.. But they cannot ignore this, preparations has to be made and such'.

For some reason all the groupmembers had hung on to Tallians words as if he was revealing some dark and encrypted secret. He continued tho.

'And the rest is also a gentle story, I knew you would find only trouble in Tarren Mill, so I used a teleport spell to travel to a nearby glade in the forest here. And when I saw the smoke and fire rising above the roofs.. well I knew I was right'.

Tallian was not a man used to bragging.. nor having the urge to do so. Therefor he did not mention him saving them, as naturally for him, the deed was already forgotten.

'But tell me, I think you have a more.. thrilling.. story to narrate'.

Above the treetops the first sunrays of morning manage to slip through the clods, thereby announcing that morning had finally arrived.
*No sleep tonight either it seems* Tallian thought before turning his attention towards the others...

[electro]

Seeing the sun rise, Enalia and Actaron rose to their feet (and other limbs) and inhaled the fresh air that flowed downhill. the perfect wind to begin the day. the fire was still sparking and Enalia took some eggs from her backpack and searched for a very flat stone. she found a perfect stone and broke the eggs onto it. This was a good breakfast to start the day.

She offered the other party members some to, especially tallian, who seemed starving and exhausted from his journey

[Arinnaya]

It has already dawned to a beautiful morning, when the Priestess noticed how late it was for a refreshing sleep. She stood up, did a few uncertain steps about the camp, but noticed nothing, save the charming landscape. Indeed, the sun was rising from far beyond the mountains, the mysterious lake of Lordamere. Even in late spring, the mountains have kept their icy cap, rising above the horizon on the north as silent, noble giants.

After looking around, and deciding that the place was safe, Arinnaya thumbled back to the ground, and laid out on her back, comfortably, in the soft, fresh green grass. The others did likewise, prepairing for a lazy day, just laying around till afternoon. After all, they needed rest and sleep seriously.

As the Priestess notice, that Tallian was still telling a few details of his story to the curious dwarf, she turned herself into that direction to better hear and understand eachother. Hearing the last words of Tallian as he closed a grand story in rather short terms, Arinnaya added her notice:

" Even I have travelled an awful lot with my family, while I was still a child, I have never been in Alterac proper. Not even when the castle stood. Strange... as I remember, our family would have been welcome among the Alterac nobles, since one of my grandmothers stemmed from here. Even my mother was a stepchild of some side-line descendant of the royal family. He did not want to expose their romance to the public, I bet. So I have never seen my mathernal grandfather, nor did my mother - he left even before her birth..."

Maybe no one was interested in these family stories of Arinnaya, still these meant her a lot. All the roots and merry stories, she had to leave behind many members of her family, when the war came... Most of them were never seen again.

The eyes of Arinnaya has searched through all the horizon, till she faced towards the Lordaeron. Of course it was not visbible behind the mountains, but the Priestess knew the directions very well. Almost too well. And her face turned sad just to remember that place. Not just because the betrayal of arthas, and the desecration of the royal seat. She had her own stories of personal experience. For the moment, she opened her mouth... but as Arinnaya looked around, no one was listening, So she just laid back onto her back, and enjoyed the warming lights of the sun on her face.

Meanwhile our adventurers peacefully rested in the middle of the grasslands atop Solfera's Naze, they did not notice something important. A pack of hungry mountain-lions (also called cougars by locals) has just begun its hunt on the base of the mountain... Chasing gazellas and other small animals directly towards our adventurers.

[Nork]

Nork had listened intently to Tallinans story. The sheer mention of the so called threat that Nork had devised, so that the party would allow him to tag along with them to the northern most lands. All that seemed so far off and forgotten. Like it had already fallen into legend.

Nork gave out an audible sigh. Maybe he should just explain to them what had happened, why he lied and why he so desprately needed to get to Northrend.

"Nver tell anyone your true goals Nork, they will not understand. They see our kind as servents of the enemy. But what they do not see is that we are mearly useing the enemys powers against them."

The image of Norks trainer floated in his mind. His dark twisted form merly blocked his mind from the truth. His very voice pirced the heart of the young Gnome and clouded his judgement. His very will giveing in to the trainer of the demonic ways.

"Nothing but lies" said Nork, snapping back to the here and now.

He stood up and walked off into the undergrowth. His thoughts yet again clouded by lack of wiseness within his mind. All along, the decisions were made for him. All along he had only to make one choice and all other decisions would be made for him. And in that hour of need, of counselling. His brother was not at his side. It was only him, standing in the shadows of a gre at and vast city. Surrounded by darkness.

Nork looked around and found that he had ventured quite away from the party. Arinnaya was leaning back on her arms chatting away, whilst the others seemed to be only half listening and half dozeing in a semi dream world of neither the liveing nor the dead. Non-of them seemed to notice that Nork had left the group.

"And where might a Gnome being heading off to in thissss part of the world?"

Nork looked up and saw Arcantis busying himself in the tree tops.

"No where, i just needed a brake from all thouse voices" Nork vaugely pointed back in the direction of the camp.

"hmmm. it may ssseem that we all need a brake from time to time"

Arcantis' voice was labored and long. It what ever happened to him when he parted he seemed very tired.

[electro]

Enalia seemed distracted from the group when she felt a presence fading, the dark shadow over the group was gone. She yelled: "Nork's gone. i can't sence his dark aura anymore."

She scouted the area from a rock sticking out of the ground and used her televiewer she got from a dear friend. She overlooked the area with great precision, but Nork wasn't to be seen.

[Nork]

Nork sat with his back against the tree. Arcantis was sat up in the bough's. The rest of the party was behind them, they had probably gone to sleep by now. Nork considered going back to them and sleeping off his troubles. But he couldnt face going back to them and there judging face's. Aracantis made a move and looked down at the young Gnome.

"What isss the problem?" he said

Nork looked up at him, with an angered and rather annoyed look, as if to say that what business of it it was of his.

"Nothing, just a clash of conciounce" Nork finally replied

"You ssseem more troubled than a argumentative mind" Arcantis slowly made his way down the tree, never taking his eyes off Nork. "It would ssseem to me, that you have sssomething you need to ssshare"

Arcanris' probing questions was really starting to annoy Nork. He felt the rage build up in his heart, but knew that he had to contain it, or comprimise his place in the party. Despite the fact that Nork knew he could not face such a powerful foe.

"you have much rage burning inssside you, might i advissse that you control it, before you do sssomething you may regreat"

Arcantis was on the ground now, level with Nork. He felt calmed by Arcantis' words. The rage sub-sided and peace was one again restored within him.

"So whats you story?" Nork asked.

"My kind was once the same race as the Qiraji, but our kingdom divided thousands of years ago to become Azjol-Nerub in Northrend, home of my people, and Ahn'Qiraj in the southwest in Silithis, home of the Qiraji. Anub'Arak was their king, before being enslaved by the Lich King against his own free will. Some Nerubians still live in Northrend, with the hopes of one day rebuilding our ancient kingdom."

Nork couldnt quite tell, but he was sure that Arcantis had become upset and he fancied that he saw a tear in one of his eyes.

"My people lived in peace, once. And then the Lich King came. We found that we were immune to his plauge and we fought a mighty battle with his armies. Many of my kind died, I was one of the lucky few to escape. The ones that died were unable to rest in the peace they deserved. The Lich ressurected my fallen breathren, they became the Crypt Fiends and Crypt Lords. The Lich King imposed it as an houner, but we that survived take it as a grave insult to my race."

Arcantis now became angered, his voice became rhspy and his teeth gritted and grinded at the sheer thought of the past.

"My brother and me, were searching a way to reverse what the Lich King had done. I think we were getting close, as my brother was kidnapped. But not before sending a messanger to me. He knew his life was in danger and he gave me a name of a Mage that might be able to help me. I was to meet him at an Inn, but when i got there, the Mage had been assassinated by this strange poisen that we are searching the answers for."

Nork had started to grieve for Arcantis' loss. As he remembered his own loss. He saw before him his own brothers face, the last glimpse of the only family he had. Standing tall, for a Gnome and smiling. Nork beemed with delight, proud to have such a brother. Nork remembered him sacrefice himself to save Nork.

"Dont worry Nork" he heard his voice call out, "Follow the tunnel out and i will meet up with you in Ironforge"

Nork felt guilty, he didnt even call out for his brother to stop. He didnt even try to open the door and provide his brother with support or try to convince him to come back to Ironforge and regroup.

"I share your pain Arcantis" Nork fought back tears, "I too have lost my brother, but i know that i cannot get my brother back"

Arcantis looked at Nork for a secound, all the cogs and wheels spinning. All the riddles becoming untwined.

"Ssso you are wrath incarnate? you go to avenge what you have lossst? Is that reallt the anssswer?" Arcantis quizzed Nork.

Norks rage begun to build up again. After what Arcantis had said, he had the audasity to accuse Nork of being blinded by rage and vengence.

"But are you not the same? are you not out for vengence?" Nork answered back.

"You missssundersstand me, my friend. I am mearly out to set my breathren free from there prison. To ressst there long tourtured sssoulsss"

"NORK!" came a voice befor he had time to reply to Arcantis, "NORK!"

Nork rose from his seat and poked his head out from behind the tree. He saw Enalia standing there, off into the clearing where the oarty was resting.

"Over here" he replied.

"Come over here, we are leaving soon" Enalia called back once more.

Nork stretched, feeling slightly dizzy and light headed, but it faded away as he finished stretching. It was well into the morning now and time waspassing on. It was time to discuss there next move and how they were gonna get to Northrend.

[Arinnaya]

While the sun was climbing ever higher, there were still some, who did not pay any heed to its lights... luring the adventurers further into the mountains...

Arinnaya was sleeping peacefully in the grass, even though it was getting warm in the summer sun. Her robes, or better, which was a robe days before, were her only protection. Mud-stained, and wet from dew, the levander-colored decorations were nothing but dirty spots now on gray rags... Still, she wrapped these around her shoulders tightly, as if it was cold...

Brandor, on the opposite, was burning from the desire to continue. He could not stop looking around, and making a few steps here and there, eager to move soon. The dvarven Explorer wa proud on his training, and willpower, being able to pass out even for a week, and walk in forlorn forests and swamps without rest. Gently patting the back of his dire companion, Paw has given out a huge yawn, to signify that he does not always agree with his master. Uncertain what to do while the others were resting, the Hunter started to hum and whistle an old dwarven song....

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
As dawn fled and the morning sun arrived the party was still far from being ready to continue. Some tried to catch some sleep while others were eating or just staring of in the distant, thinking of what will come.
Tallian sat alone by the campfire, staring into the flames thinking about his past. Tho the memories were painfull and when he could not endure more he again entered reality and looked around. The elfs were of course not sleeping, Brador the dwarf, sat some paces away seemingly humming to some song. The gnome.. Nork was nowhere to be found but Tallian could here Enalias voice in the distant calling his name, he would be found, Tallian had no doubts about that, he had probably just gone to think, like he himself had done so many times before.

The onlyone who was actually sleeping was Arinnaya, Tallian was still rather amazed that the young priestess could endure this much hardship whitout complaining, tho it was clear that she was the one least used to this kind of "adventure". Her robes were tattered and worn, the color almost gone. She herself also looked both dusty, tired and drained. He could understand that. from what he had been told by Brador their campaigne in Tarren Mill had been no peacefull one. She looked more like a begger now then a priestess of the light.

He wondered if she had any spare clothes tho it was shame for such a pretty girl to wear rags, His eyes turned to her backpack and even such a quick glance told him she had not. He knew she was a somewhat skilled tailor, tho that robe was far beyond the point of repairing. Tallian got up, brushed some dust from his hands and picked up his backpack that was leaning on a small tree nearby, from it he pulled out a smaller robe then the ones he was used to wear. It was also not black, but simple blue, with small white broderings along the sides. Also this robe held memories, it was his apprentice robe he had gotten during his first week in Dalaran.

Maybe it would fit the girl, he thought.

Walking back towards the campfire he saw Enalia return, Nork soon followed, he seemed tired also.. everyone did, exept perhaps he and the elves.
With a gentle touch he tried to wake Arinnaya up, tho she seemed to sleep very deep. so Tallian just left the robe by her side and again took his seat beside the fire..Now they had time so rest, soon there would be none.

[Nork]

As Nork returned to the camp, Tallian was walking to his seat after dropping off a robe with the priestess, who was fast asleep that he doubted a herd of Troggs could wake her. Nork sat down next to Brandor, who was happily whistling tunes of the Dwarven miners of old, digging out the very first hols in the mountain of Ironforge, when they were still made of stone, or so the legends portray.

Nork looked over at Tallian, he could see that the wizard was distracted, he gazed at the fire, eyes wide and full of tierdness. Nork had so many questions to ask him, but he dared not. Nork felt that the Mage wasvery hostile toward Nork. Most of them were.

Nork thought back to the days he was training as a Mage in Stormwind. At first they were kind and eager, Nork had felt welcomed by the trainers there. They always spoke with warm smiles and a kind word. Always with please and thank-you. How are you? Is there anything bothering you? But the time came when Nork had to be evaluated. He stood in front of the Arch-mage and He gazed down at Nork, eyes brimming with arcane energy, they glowed a rather mystique grey.

"You are not worthy" he boomed, "You mean to harm thouse that get in your way, you cannot continue training here"

And with that, all the smiles and politeness went away. The politeness melted into shadowy face's of dispear, of anger. As he was led out of the Mage quarter, they all stared at him. As if he had commited a heinouse crime. As if he had killed some one whilst there back was turned and in cold blood. Nork never forgot the faces. All twisted and angered. WHen ever he looked at Tallian, he could see the face's again. So dark, so cold.

Brandor had begun to whistle the part abought the Gnome brethren evolving from the Dwarven kin and forming there home of Gnomeregarn. Nork couldnt help himself, all his thoughts melted away in tierd thoughtlessness and he begun to whistle along with Brandor, who, without stopping, looked over at Nork and begun to whistle harder., to which Nork had to reply with a loader whitsle.

And so it continued, till the end of the verse and Nork fell into silence, a tear appeared from the courner of his eye and fell into forgoteness. As the verse ended with the tragic mistake of the Iradiation of Gnomeregarn and to his brothers demise.

[Arinnaya]

It was already past noon when the Priestess showed signs of action. Arinnaya just rolled over her side with a clumsy turn, and so she abruptly awoke. Immediately after that very moment, she stretched her heands out in an aimless but axious attempt, to get hold on her backpack. After grasping it tightly into her arms, and noticing that none of its contents have gone missing, she relaxed, and finally opened her eyes.

Arinnaya must have had a very wild dream, for she just looked startled around, gazing into the distance for half of a moment, but her thoughts quickly returned to the very earthly realm all her companions were actually on.

As all the others were absorbed in the actions they were currently undertaking, the sitaution has left enough time for the Priestess to notice something laying on the grass which did not form part of her - already limited - adventuring wear.

' Oh, my !! ' -she exclamated, as she picked up a neat robe of blue-white colourings. It resembled somewhat the clothes the mage-apprentices wear in thir first years of study. By any means, the gift was not of much value... but still more than useful with a woman's mind...

This was one of the rare moments, when Arinnaya has reacted as the very noblewoman she once used to be - and let her thoughts run abot how nice she will look in those new clothes. After all, her old robes were badly worn due to countless days of adventure in the wilds.
But the feelings of guilt came soon, as the discipline of a holy priest took over Arinnaya's mind: 'No, it would be the most rude way if I just took it without asking' And with these words, she walked over to Tallian - it was more than obvious he could have been the only owner of a robe bearing the violet sign of Dalaran...

Arinnaya started on extremely awkwardly and shy:

' It was surprising me... you just left one of your items beside me... That was really kind of you... but maybe my old robe had seen better days, having a few holes on it, and overall dirt.. but I will find a way to repair it once we get to a civilized place '

The eyes of the wizard followed her every move with bright face expression, but he settled all these words with a mere nod with his head.

' Thank you very much, good Sir!! ' -and with this,unexpetedly, Arinnaya bowed deeply before Tallian, turned around, and quickly marched awy with wide steps, to search for a covered place, sufficing for a dressing room in the wilds.

The actions of the Priestess have left the others to ponder over the sudden change of behaviour she exhibited. While he turned around, Brandor was glancing over the tranquil mountains, wondering about the whereabouts of Aeralin: the ranger has left the group days ago with no sign given of her aims or whereabouts.


Meanwhile the others just attempted to bring renewed life to the campfire, Arinnaya made a minor discovery. After dodging over a few rocks, and crossing a fallen tree, looking for a place to hide for dressing, she beheld a narrow opening in the rocks that might have been a cave. With no signs of life or movement, she climbed near to it. She could have easily entered it without even having to squeezing through: it was wide enough for a human to walk into with heads lowered. But the Priestess was craftier than just walking into it alone. She quickly found a place next to it where the rocks leaned together, creating a perfect hidout - in order to change dresses. Having done with that, she simply walked back to the others, announcing the discovery with high voice to Brandor and his friends:

' Maybe you wouldn't believe me, but I found a cave in the nearby rocks... It looks empty!! '

Brandor's eyes just glistened with excitement... This was clearly for a dwarf!
' Lemme see it, lads !!! ' - he exclamated and went on to examine it closer - with the awesome bear, Paw in tow.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
' Maybe you wouldn't believe me, but I found a cave in the nearby rocks... It looks empty!! '

Tallian turned his head towards Arinnaya when she emerged from the forest, he also noticed that the robe seemed to fit her quite well, for a second he could see himself wearing that robe.. He smiled at those memories and again focused on what the priestess had said. A cave? then he remembered and quickly got to his feet.

Brador seemed keen enough to look it up. And Tallian did not really want to leave this peacefull glade yet. He walked past the campfire towards Arinnaya.

"Yes I know that cave". he said. "It was once home to mountain yetis that lives in this area, tho they might have moved back now as the undead invasion has been slightly pushed back and halted."

Brador and Arinnaya both seemed to know what yetis were. of course brador did as in the dwarven lands yetis were more common then even here. And Arinnaya had said before, if Tallian remembered right that she had passed these lands a few times.

Tallian tried to remember more about the cave system. "they are also very beautiful inside, with ore veins glimmering inside the roof and walls of the caves, and I think theres fresh water to be found down there to".

At the words ore veins Brador had straitened even more. Dwarfs Tallian thought and smiled. Arinnaya just looked even more eager to search through the cave system. Tallian also wanted to go as he had many cherished memories from that place. Tho, he knew that this might be the last time for very long they had time to relax. And he had to examine that book he had found abit more. know that he knew what protected it he also knew how to read it whitout being harmed. So he turned to the other two.

well I have some things I need to do before we leave so why dont you fetch some of our watercontainers and search the cave for something to fill them with. With those word he made a slith bow and turned to towards his backpack.

[Nork]

At the shear mention of a cave, Nork instinctively priked his ears, tho not really interssted in Stallagmites or Stallagtights, or even of the variouse ore deposits and shiny gems they might see, but more out of the usual Gnomish curiosity. But this time it would appear the Gnome was much to tierd to see his curiosity through to the end.

"well I have some things I need to do before we leave so why dont you fetch some of our watercontainers and search the cave for something to fill them with." Said Tallian.

Nork would have replied the same, but the drowsyness overtook is conciouse thought and he just ended up gruinting in a semi sort of tone that was bearly audible. To tierd as such to even string 2 words together. He just laid back and kicked off his little furry shoes and proceeded to dream of vast unknowns. Though he caught a glimpse through partly opened eyes of Tallian pulling out a book from his bag. His eyes opened a bit more to get a better look, but drowsyness made it hard to focus. In the end he gave up and went to sleep. He could ask Tallian abought the book later.

Arcantis was up in the treetops just inside the forest line, but still insight of the camp. He had spun a small hammock within the tree brancies and he sat swaying ever so gently in the middle of it. He never went to sleep, but rest and meditation still played a part. Espicially after the chaos insued by there expidition to Tarren Mill. Which reminded him, the un-dead wuld have not forgoten abought them and would be sending out search parties for them. But he did not let that bother him for now, besides, he would sense there comeing long befor they would see them.

"And now, finally,to some rest and i dare say some food if a crow may come along" Arcantis said to himself and went abought to his meditations.

[Arinnaya]

The Priestess was nothing but surprised at the reaction of Nork: The dark little gnome just retreated to sleep in the high grass, with not even the slightest intention to follow the others. As Arcantis was going to rest as well - in the middle of the afternoon - Arinnaya decided to take a halfway position between the two groups. She did follow the others to the cavern entrance, but did not enter. Enalia also strayed a bit further from the others.. for reasons unknown.

However, the others - especially Brandor - was burning from the desire to explore the mysterious cavern. It was in his dwarven blood, to find any crags in the body of the Earth as comfortable, as humans find their homeland yards.
He quickly entered into the mouth of the cavern - rushing far ahead of Arinnaya or Tallian. With the company of his mighty bear friend, he needed not to be afraid.

As he entered the cave, it appeared rather as a vertical crag in the rock. But pressing deeper, it widened into a small cavern. It was already too dark in this part to see with his own eyes, so the Explorer took his torch from his package, and ignited it with a crafty gnomish mechanism they call 'match'
As the flames of the torch jumped high, Paw immediately recoiled at the sight of fire - after all, his insticts told him to stay away from any fire, at all costs...

So Brandor went on to explore the cave. Much to his dismay, he discovered, that immediately after the wide part, the cavern narrowed again, as sloping down slightly into the deeps of the mountain. And at its lowest point, however, it was closed down - mighty blocks of limestone lay on the floor - likely a result of an earlier cave-in. Anyhow, even the strongest dwarf could not have lifted those rocks. So Brandor just turned back to the entrance - where he met Tallian just arriving to the cave. ' Its pointless' - the Dwarf said somewhat sourly - 'The whole cave 's crumbled in ' - as he just met the inquisitive eyes of the Mage.

In the meantime, Arinnaya sought for a dry spot in the grass to sit - and she surveyed the scene of her friends either sleeping... or just wanderiong around.
The sun has already passed its zenith earlier, now approaching towards the sea with every minute - yet dusk was still far away. The Priestess wondered if they could be resting the whole day, and then starting out next day before dawnbreak... And with these thoughts, she yawned a little...

[electro]

Enalia was wandering the nearby surroundings with a quickened pace, stopped for a second and started walking again nervously. after a few minutes she soothed her toughts and went to Arrinaya, who was sitting in the grass, yawning a bit.

"it has been a long day for all of us. Even my strenght has faded. But something disturbs me about this place, i just can't place it. Even Actaron is affected by my nervous behavior." Actaron was hiding a couple of yards away from the 2 females, shivering about something.

"I wonder what's gotten into him. I've never seen him like this before, not since, since ..." And her words got stuck in her throat. "Arrinaya, we need to leave this place as quickly as we can. I will explain the moment we are on the move again. Time is running out!"

Enalia got up, packed her things in a haste and whistled at Actaron, who was clearly informed about the matters at hand.

[Arinnaya]

The anxious mood caught the Priestess with surprise. While the pet spiderling of the Huntress was all riled up, and the Huntress was no exception. Clearly, something was in the air, yet the senses of the Priestess have caught nothing.

While still nestling in the grass cozily, Arinnaya just ran her fingers over her hair, carefully setting her brownish ringlets of hair, while she looked upon the cloudless sky again. All the landscape looked so stalled. Not a leaf stirred, and there was no sign of the impending danger Enalia spoke of. Finally, she stod up slowly, reserved - carefully un-puckering the last folds in her new robe. She had no lust to run away, no matter whatever threatened them all of sudden.

The Priestess slowly gathered her earthly posessions into the little leather backpack she owned. Shabby and overused it might have been, its outlook changed little: the leatherworkers have done a masterful job in crafting an unixpensive piece of satchel capable of holding all belongings of a traveller without neither weighting too much, nor getting worn off early.

She carefully folded her blanket together, and pressed it into the backpack... There were some other items inside as well - like an item with an appearence of a wooden stick - it must have been a cheap wand. With the satchel strapped in, and carefully buckled on her back, she leaned to the grass once again, to lift her 'signet of profession' , that also served good along the endless journies as a mere support: her crooked staff.
Such a design of woodwork was not uncommon among the more savage humanoids - most notably trolls - but humans rarely plodded away to produce such ornamentation. The stave has clearly had its own story - Arinnaya never told any details of it before, however...

As the Priestess rose to her feet uncomfortably, ready for the departure - or just to have a thoroughful look around, something produced a distant, though clearly audible cry in the distance. Arinnaya tuned around... and it seemed as if the yell came from the rocky slopes. As the others have still not come back from the cave, she immediately thoght of the worse things.. and immediately made a jumpstart towards the entrance of the caverns...

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Tallian had after a brief look towards the caves gotten the mysterious book from his backpack and retreated to a more secluded place to study it.
The sun climbed high in the sky and a soft wind had started to caress the small glade in which most of the party now rested. it was peacefull, almost to peacefull. But Tallian noticed nothing of this as he wrapped himself in rockhard concentration, this time he set up powerfull barriers of protective magic to ensure that he would not again fall into the snare of trapps that protected the book, as he to well knew what would happen els.

The eternal flames are not based on the element of fire as one might think. Instead one will get surprised to know that the element that this powerfull school of magic is build opon is that of holy and light.
Tallian gasped as he finished reading the part about where the eternal flames came from and how it worked.

holy...

but.. he thought. Mages are not supposed to be able to use holy or light magic. Tho Tallian had used spells from the eternal flames before. Memories of his kidnapping and the battle he fought against a maniac wizard rolled behind his shut eyes, and stopped at the moment he used a magic he had never used before.. the eternal flames.. the phoenix fire...
Leaning back from the book with a troubled look in his face Tallians mind thought thoughts that touched those of herecy, mages using holy magic, how was that even possible? had he been thought wrong? had his own experience and knowledge proven wrong?....
could it be so that those who wielded magic... no, he thought.. it has to be because of something els, something that has not yet been said.
Tallian again gazed down in the mysteries the book held and because of that he did not notice that the hunter Enalia ran up to Arinnaya and spoke quietly but with a hint of maybe panic in her voice.
And he did not notice the activity that followed, as the rest started to gather their belonings and clear the camp.

but in his own secluded area Tallian had finally found what he was looking for.
Tho it might sound strange that holy is the school from which the eternal flames have origins to it is not because of that only useable by those that are born with the abilty to use that element. No instead the eternal flames can be used by anyone that has the power required, and of course a mind capable of handle the enormous amounts of magic that the wielder is exposed to. in addition, if anyone that does not meet what is stated above tries to work this magic the stress from the magic itself will be to much for the wielder, and he will perish in the most gruesome ways...

As Tallian sank deeper and deeper into his studies he also sank deeper and deeper away from reality, the distant shouts from his fellow comrades did not reach him nor the sound of other crys, inhuman crys, reach down to disturb him in his cacoon of concentration..

[Arinnaya]

As Arinnaya turned around, she could clearly locate, where the disamyed cries came from: it was from the cavern she was nearing to, with the others in tow. The echoes of the crag twisted the voices badly... yet it was clear that there was.. more than one person screaming from full throat...

All happened so quickly... As the Priestess heard the voices, she immediately felt it was meant to be trouble... she knew in her heart, that a fellow adventurer was just dancing on the edge of a blade, playing with his own life. Whatever his attackers might have been.

Arinnaya did not even look back... however she noticed others.. Enalia and perhaps Nork too... running by her side. She passed by the half-conscious figure of the wizard Tallian laying in the grass. But in that moment, there were more dire threats to quell, than paying attention to the mediatation of a mage.

As the Priestess has reached near the entrance - she was perhaps dozens of steps before - the shape of an utterly terrified Dwarf has emerged from the cave. His face whitewashed with fear, he could only cry but a word:
'Paaaaaaawww!' - calling his bear. Immediately thereafter he turned to his friends - 'There is something down there.... something Biiig!!'

But he needed not to finish his words... As a single moment later a towerign stature of an angry monster has emerged from the dark... It was at least trice as tall as any of the travellers, fully covered in thick, white fur, carrying wickedly curved claws and horns.. and also producing a terrifying roar at the sight of more intruders to his cavern...

Time was the essence of survival.. yet noone of the friends was ready for the battle yet. Arinnaya grappled on her staff strongly with both hands.. but she knew it would mean but little... Just as the others, she took a couple of steps backward, still facing the beast. Then the realization of seeing Tallian still laying on the ground without any reaction grappled her mind:
'What if... he would fall victim of the rampaging, almost demonic-looking beast -he was an all-too-easy pray'

No arrow could have stopped such a monstrous being... even Paw was so small beside it as a cat beside a wolf... It kept on resisting all wounds... almost like a minless golem... even enraging more and more with each and every hit the beast took...

Governed by empathy, she quickly grabbed the side of the Mage's sleeve:
'Wake up, good wizard !!' - these words have left her lips just in the moment as the rampaging yeti has turned itself towards them...

[electro]

"Actaron, poison him!" Enalia yelled. Actaron jumped onto the furry monster and took a poisonous bite out of the creatures neck. The creature slowed down in movement but was still heading towards the party. Enalia started a short chanting before firing a shining arrow at the "beast".

The arrow was a direct hit in his left arm and the beast was "surprised" for a moment. Actaron was mocking the great monster, but with little effect. the monster still came for the rest of the party.

"Arinnaya, back me up on this one! Focus your energy on me!" Enalia yelled. And with a loud elvish battle shout, Enalia drew her weapons and started attacking the monstrosity.

After a punch or 2 dealt, the monster swung at Enalia, hitting her on her back and rendering her knocked out for a few seconds, while the fight raged on between the beast and Actaron. Once Enalia came to her senses, she yelled: "Guys, i can't take this one by myself, you know." But still she kept on fighting.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Tallian was soon aware of what was happening, in his stuggle to protect himself he has instead fallen for another of the books seemingly endless traps. He had been sent, by his own protective shields down in a half meditive half slumbering state from which he now had a hard time to realse himself from. As he struggled he was now dimly aware of what happened around him, distant shouts and cries echoed in his mind, and made him struggle even harder.

Then help came, in the shape of a strong tug at his his left arm sleeve and a voice calling the mastermage back. With a enormous effort he threw off his layers of shields and slapped the book shut. But someone was still Tugging his sleeve so he tuirned his head towards the person and saw Arinnaya standing close to him with a worried expression.
Before she could say anything els Tallian got up from the ground.

-Arinnaya I thank you for.. his voice was cut of by a enraged howl. Tallian turned around and looked at the raging Yeti.
For a amoment he was stunned but shaked of the feeling of terror, he had faced worse nightmares .. far worse.
Again he turned to Arinnaya..
-Thanks again priestess whitout that tug of yours I would still be ... someplace els, but come we must help our friends.

The party was circling the great beast, which was the biggest yeti Tallian had ever seen, atleast twice as large as those that had lived here before. And despite the many wounds the beast had taken it still fought as if it had non.
Tallian began chanting in a low whispered voice, but moments later he stopped an let the energies disperse. His companions was to close to the beast for him to do anything effective whitout hurting them aswell..

With a deepening feeling of dread Tallian could do no more then silently watch as his friends fought against the rampaging monster..

[Arinnaya]

The beast did indeed look overpowering, despite the fact: many of the party members have already faced harder challenges in their life... Yet the yeti did not look cunning or whatsoever, just though like a big chunk of rock - as Brandor would have said.

Indeed, it charged at the creature it saw first, daring to challange him. This meant its choice has felt upon Enalia the Huntress, who dared to stop before its monstrous might. The Huntress tried everything to stop the maddened beast - yet not even the poisonous bite of Actaron, nor the (certainly not even a bit les harmless) enchanted arrows of her bow did have efect. The yeti has hite her hard with its clawed paw: She deflected the first hit with her bow, but the very next moment she stood there defenceless, crying for help...

Arinnaya has left her eyes to the sky, and half-loud with an otherwordly voice, she uttered a single holy word of power: About half a second later something invisible has deflected the next hit of the razor-sharp claws. Enalia was safe for the moment, but the yeti was perhaps not so fool as it might have looked. Somehow it learned that its failure was connected with the Priestess: and so it put Arinnaya into target next...

The Priestess looked harmless enough, and was completely caught barefooted. A single hit of the monster has knocked her onto the ground. The next hit would surely have had devastating consequences, if the monster would truely have desired a prey. But seemingly the giant, elder yeti was more interested in chasing off the intruders than being a killer machine. Next it rushed on to Brandor, who was shooting at the towering whit heap of fur with his boomstick. But Paw hit the beast on its leg just in time to make it trip over. And the very next second, some terrible curse from Nork's hands made it wrangle with pain - but just for a brief moment.

Maybe more than one others would have worried for Arinnaya - the Priestess was frail, and certainly looked ill-suited for the trials of combat. But the fact she was knocked to the ground did not mean she was helpless: The Holy Light was her aid, and it has never forsaken her. Like this time, after a few moments, a desperate concentration has brought her back from the floor...
Now she has opened her both arms with a surprising, yet impressive manner, and she appeared as being filled with teh spiritual power of a righteous revenge.

Paladins know this maybe better. At least it is them that fight on the battlefield for the right cause with a holy zeal. But one should not forget: the righteous fury can fill any follower of the light, it only requires faith... and belief..

The hands of Arinnaya have begun to glow - but it was more than just the light: the light was earing and burning with reddish flames, as in the next moment the Priestess has finish her chanting with the words: '...Burn, in the Righteous Flames of Fury!!. This spell must have surprised Tallian - the mage was adept in fire spells - and it indeed did have effect. The monstrosity was caught in a burning pillar of flames for the moment.. and its fur was set afire. The monster desperately cried of pain mixed with anger... But the next moment, Paw climbed upon its furry back, and immersed his teeth deep into the throat of the icy abomination. The yeti took a step backward, shaking off Paw, but it had no strength to hurt it. With ts throat slit open, the monster produced a few gurgling sounds, until it finally fell down onto the grass - dead...

Now the adventurers had the chance to observe it from closer: It has been certainly a magnificent specimen, much larger than most of its kind... And the dwarf was already happy to see such a huge patch of white yeti-skin, even if some parts of it have been pierced and burnt...

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
As the monstrosity fell to the ground, clearly dead from all the beating it had gotten during the fight, Tallian could not stop wondering from where Arinnaya had found strength to cast such a spell. He was of course not really surprised that she had the ability, he has seen many priests do similar spells during battle against the undead..No what really surprised him was that could do it, from what he had seen, heard and witnessed her training had not once hinted of any combat training..

Brador slowly moved up to the smoldering corpse and poked it slightly with a stick he had found on the ground, Tallian on the other hand had moved so he could watch Arinnaya. She stood still and silent, maybe wondering the same as Tallian. from where had those powers sprung forth from.
Then she moved her head alittle and met his gaze, He could see nothing in her eyes, nothing that could give him an answer.

He made a notion towards Enalia.
-Arinnaya maybe you could tend to Enalia, she seems abit dazed after that hit, And be sure that you are okey yourself.
He then smiled towards her
-I have seen stronger men laying unmoving after a punch like that.

whitout waiting for answer he made a sligh bow and moved in the direction of the cave. As he passed brador he stopped and faced the dwarf.

-brador come with me, I think we should search that cave alittle more carefull this time, if i remember right it leads quite a long way.

[Arinnaya]

As the monster fell, the Priestess still felt dazed for some moment. Her soul consumed with divine wrath, the voices of her companions sounded as distant noises on the horizon... Although after a moment or two, she quickly returned to the material plane with all her thoughts and her full spirit. She set her eyes on her left arm: the robe's cuffs were hanging down in witered shreds. Her hand was still aching from the deep, parallel wounds the claws of the Yeti caused, yet the Priestess has overcome such feelings as pain or sore. The wounds will heal over time; there is no doubt about it, but the lives of her companions must have been saved.


The answer of Arinnaya was swift upon the dalaran mage's questioning: 'The Light has given me Strength! When all would have appeared hopeless for an unbeliever, I raised my eyes on the skies and prayed desperately for the Holiest of Holies. And it did save my life, as well as given me fortitude to smite those monsters!!...'

Her speech had a distinct taste as if cited from somewhere else then her own mind: As if a recitation from a well-learned lesson... And for those, who could not quit this feeling, the continuation just added to the doubts:

'...Oh, I should not behave like that!!.. forgive me for the rampage I caused, I should never let vengeance and retribution drive my spirit!' - and with these words, she turned away hastily. Maybe Tallian would have approved her words, but Nork certainly did not.

The others - Brandor included - were relatively uninterested in the matter. Who casts no spell, may never worry about whether it is for the good or not... The very thing Brandor was actually interested in, was skinning the Yeti. It really looked as if the good dwarf has long dreamed about obtaining a huge, flawless yeti-skin. His hands worked hastily, yet in a crafty way, and it did not take two minutes, to have the entire being skinned - which just made the giant corpse even uglier. Paw could not stand grawling at it.

As Arinnaya looked around, she found Neither Nork - the gnome could have asily hidden himself in the underbrush or the rocks - nor Arcantis, only Enalia. Though the Huntress did appear as injured at first, lowering her head in an aloof manner, the only damage caused was to her self-esteem. A skilled ranger should have felled such a beast rather easily, and that must have offended the elven pride. Arinnaya tried a few consoling words, but received no answer. Perhaps she might have been better left alone...

In the meantime, as Brandor has finished off skinning, he threw the raw skin over his shoulders, like a trophy. Tallian told him to search through the cave for further chambers, and he had no objection. The dwarven spirit of an Explorer can never be defeated, especially if it comes to a subterranian quest. The two had started on towards the cavern, slowly enogh for the others to join them on the way.

[electro]

Enalia's pride was a bit hurt by not slaying the beast on her own, but was also happy to know that when the time was difficult, she had companions to rely on. She took her breath for a second and went towards the skinned corpse, only to cut meat from the dead creature. Actaron was hissing when he came closer to the body as something was disturbing him. Enalia knew there was a strange workings of some kind at hand and started cutting more meat till she reached bone. After skinning the ribcage, she explored the intestines of the beast, only to find a heart, 3 times the size of her fist and black as the night. "This yeti wasn't normal, it was corrupted by something. And i think i know what did it." She said towards the others. without waiting for reply, she started to work on the beasts skull because she thought that she hadn't seen the full of it. And indeed she was right. The beast looked like having a tumor the size of an apple.

"Arinnaya, could you come over here and take a look at this? This doesn't seem normal to me." She asked in a kind voice. Meanwhile Actaron was a bit hungry so Enalia fed her pet with some of the Yeti's skin.

AS Arinnaya moved closer, Enalia asked "Could you investigate the taint on this beast for a while, I think we'll have more trouble in the cave if we can't figure out what this 'thing' is" and she pointed at the tumor.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
The cave looked nothing of what Tallian had remembrance of, many tunnels had collapsed. But only to free other passways..
Tho one way was still fully intact. Brador had, despite his dwarvish senses, missed the way that lead to the main tunnel and had instead only found one that now was now blocked, But Tallian did not miss it. He signed for Brador to come with him once again.

They followed it for awhile, the only light emanated from a small light Tallian had conjured up and held in the lifted palm of his hand. The light was very small and could not in any way penetrate the deep pitchblack shadows that resided in the cave-tunnels. And no sounds whatsoever could be heard..

After some Minutes Tallian stopped and turned to Brador.
-I think you should go back and get the others, I can sense that this tunnel goes a long way and its bound to lead back to above ground somewhere.
-So yer meanin, Master mage, that we are to follow this dark passage to somewhere that might not even lead us above ground again?
-Yes thats i exactly what I intend us to do.. the undeads will look for us, be sure of that.. and we will be alot safer downhere then above up there, yetis are to big to roam this part of the tunnel-system.
-Very well, but will you wait here?
-hmm no I think I will continue alittle longer, but I will move slowly so you will have time to catch up with me.
-Ait human, but be carefull, I smell nothing but danger down here..
-Dont you worry Brador..

Tallian watch silently as the dwarf and his bear made their way back towards the entrance and the hopefully waiting party. The beasts attack had shown Tallian how vulnerable they really was. So precautions had to be taken, and a subway path to safer grounds far away from Tarren Mill was, in Tallians mind, alot better then moving above ground..
He hefted his backpack, which had already been packed, safer up on his shoulders and started walking.

[Arinnaya]

Arinnaya could barely bear the overwhelming sense of disgust, as she saw the huntress cutting out pieces of the still-warm bloody flesh. Yet when Enalia has raised a freshly-cut piece of carcass that resembled some piece of intestine, and called the Priestess, she had to overcome the distaste.

Enalia was possibly right when she said something about the heart tho poor beast once had. But Arinnaya - still struggling with the strange sensation in her belly that can only lead to one thing - was reckoning whether continue the investigation or turn away, thereby fending off the danger of vomiting on the scene...

The priestess thus contended with telling a few bare words to Enalia (prolly said, just generalities), from the safe distance of several dozen feet from the site of butchery, turning her back on the Huntress:

...You are probably right, yes! But whatever fate befell this monstrosity will not be revealed by its sole autopsy.. Come, Enalia, it seems that the gentlemen have left us behind...!!


Ad with this cue, Arinnaya started marching towards the others - or at least where she suspected Brandor and Tallian have gone. With just a few steps into the cave, the Priestess entered the realm of impenetrable darkness, leaving her looking wildly around for any sign of light, but finding only the exit of the crag.

She exited the cave once again. The head of the irritating little evil gnome appeared from behind a rock. For some moment, Arinnaya tried to avoid noticing him, yet Nork greeted her with an unconventionally good manner:

'What are you planning, Mylady??'

For such a hearthy greeting, he would certainly have deserved to get one, in similarly good manners. the Priestess was carefully planning her words for some moments, until she finally uttered:

'By the Light, some of our fellow friends have went inside the cave and nor appared anymore. This means only one thing...'

A rare smile appered on the small gnomish face, but Nork was certainly thinking of something else about her former words, rather treating them as joke.

As Arinnay heard the hissing of Arcantis as well from behind Nork, her next sentence was rather directed at him - as well as Enalia:

'I can only hope they have not been consumed by another giant yeti...'

Heavy silence fell upon the scene next. No one had really anything to tell the others, or they desired rather not to tell it. From the glances between Nork and Arinnaya, it could not have been anything pleasing, nor friendly.

Brandor arrived from the cave just in the right time to see how spirits were lowered in the unnerving silence as they waited. The Hunter appeared in his usual uniform - mud-stained and dirty, but hiding a cheerful dwarf beneath - an explorer at work.

He quickly assembled the group with a single whistle, and a few stem-words:

Heeya!! All ye my friends an' people!! The Wizar' Shanda has foun' the passage fo' passin' thou' Alterac. Better follow him 'caus' he knows the cave better tan me, aye! - and with this call, the group has assembled within a second, marching into the dark cave on the spot.

As a minute passed, and the eyes of Arinnaya have gradually accomodated to the surrounding darkness - thanks to the torch Brandor carried - she was actually able to see the layout of the cavern. Obviously, many of the passegeways that have existed - all branching out from the end of the initial segment like twigs of a tree from its trunk.

Brandor has swiftly walked into one half-crumbled passageway, followed by the others in tow. a few steps later,the way has branched in two, again. The Hunter, after some hesitation, has taken the right direction. From there on, a long, straight part came, with the group walking slowly while dodging pools of mud, littering the floor. This part gave time enogh for Arinnaya to stop for a while, doing a hasty search in her backpach, finally victoriously pulling a small torch herself as well.

After the muddy part, the path has taken a hairpin curve to the left. Brandor, though scratching his head, walked on without a stop. A few steps ahead, the cave has abruptly narrowed down, with a wall of rock chips and debris blocking the tight passage. Clearly, the cavern has collapsed, leaving little choice for the adventurers to make it through. Only a tiny hole remained free, through which a fresh cool draft was passing through.

'There, aye !!'- said Brandor with the inimitable expression of an excited dwarf. It seemed that his cunning abilities of mining have given a solution to the uncomfortable situation. The Explorer carefully grabbed a stone block - the one just above the hole, and pulled it outside in one firm move. Despite the otehrs' fear about caving in, nothing happened, but the hole has now widened enough to pass through - even for a stodgy dwarf.

Enalia went first - his body was thin and not expressly muscular or podgy. Next was Arinnaya, who pushed her waist through the fissure almost effortlessly. Next came the dwarf... well, he needed some sort of help from the other side. Once over, the three contended with knowing that Nork can make the passing without even pulling his head down. After him, Arcantis pushed his flat insectioid body under the rocks, getting through with unexpected ease.

As the passage was made, Brandor has raised his torch once again - with that, illuminating the whole underground chamber. A few dozen steps ahead it has widened to a comfortable size again. The height of the cavern was impressive - no matter how Arinnaya was trying - she could not see the ceiling. As Brandor rushed forward, the Priestess took a moment to admire the marvellous artwork of nature: Stalactites and stalagmites, thicker than a grown man and dozens of feet high - have enthralled the travellers, heading into the very depths of the mountain.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
The darkness of the tunnel seemed to thicken in the tunnel ahead, it had seemed that way after he had passed the underground chamber minutes ago.
It had been a sight with long, old ore veins glittering in the light of his lifted flame, small pools of water, they also glimmering as they by now were filled with different ore substances.

After the chamber Tallian had slowed down so that his companions would get a chance to reach him. Tallian was sure that Brador by now had both found them and gone back into the tunnel. Tho the mage could not come to an halt completely, he had never ventured this far into the tunnels before, and a small hint of exitement and curiosity keept him going.

Not far ahead he was met by small tendrils filled with water, passing him and, for the first time since he entered the tunnels, made sounds what did not come from his own boots and breath. Tallian kneeled down to taste the water, filling his other hand he the moves it to his mouth and drank in small sips. Even tho the water had a somewhat metallic hint to it, it still tasted good, refreshing. Then it cought him.

The sound of squeaky voices from ahead in the tunnel. Tallian froze and listened carefully. he heard different voices, and they seemed to argue over something. Tallian decided to find out to whom those voices belonged, and what they were doing downhere.

The sounds grew higher the closer he got, he could now also make out the sound of digging and metal crshing down on stone and ore.
Miners? Tallian thought and pressed forward.

But who could be.. His thought were cut of as the tunnel widened into a second chamber. it was slightly larger then the first one, but it held a difference. Goblins.

small, squeaky goblins milled about in the chamber, mining, chattering or arguing. Tallian counted swiftly. fourteen goblins occupied the caveroom.
This close Tallian could also make out some words from the arguing couple, propably those in charge.

-work harder! the masters will have you for breakfast if we cannot show them..
-masters! why do even work for those walking corpses, yes the pay good, they pay very good, but..
-yes and gold is all that matters, but if we do not..

His voice trailed of as he looked up to the tunnel entrance in which Tallian stood. And with a high pitched scream he shouted to his kindsmen.

-pinkskin! over by the north entrance, kill him!!

oh great.Tallian thought as the small creatures swarmed towards him. But not all. The leader and his followers instead fled into the second tunnel facing the one in which Tallian now stood. But despite that, he still had this little sea of menacing monsters to take care of. They were many, yes but Tallian was something they probably had never seen before, atleast he hoped so. Mages can cast spells in different ways, and the look of spell dosent necessarily have as much to do with the effect as one might think. So instead of throwing away a wall of ait that would have crushed the smaller creatures, Tallian created a wall but this time of fire. It roared and intensified as the mage slowly made it eat away the distance to the goblins.
And as he hoped, their charge came to and abrupt halt, and the smaller creatures started to walk backward to avoid the flaming menace that came for them. Tallian could not make the wall move any faster. And he knew that the goblins would just flee before it cought them, and even if it was a grizzly decision he knew he had to kill them. there was most likely more of the small monsters in the tunnels and Tallian did not cherish a fight against hundreds..

The Goblins then gave up small shouts when the wall of death suddenly vanished, and with another they again charged forward, secure in their thoughts that the wizard now had emptied his energies and was to tired to cast anything els on his enemys. They were, of course wrong.

Tallian twitched his hand towards the ceiling and several large stalactites suddenly gave loose and fell among the goblins. Many was crushed and their blood and inards splattered the ground.
Those left found themselves cought up in a firey inferno that left burnt and smoldering corpses where it passed. And as quick as the bursts of sound and activity had started, it now went dead silent. Tallian walked through the destruction and silently slipped into the darkness of the second tunnel.

The sounds of goblins already audibly in the distant. But also roars that had a to familiar sound to them...

[electro]

Enalia took the heart of the beast and put it in her backpack, packed in rags of cloth she found on her adventures. Then she ventured forth into the cave where the others went in, following their tracks to somekind of opening. As she followed the smell of her party members, she knew she was getting closer to them. but some other stench also intruded her nostrils, the foul smell of goblins.

"Are you guys allright?" she yelled through the tunnels. Without waiting for answers, she continued down the hallways of the so-called mine. mining picks and hammers lay scattered on the cave floors. After a few seconds, she picked up a smell of burned meat. "mmmh Tallian must be showing of" she thought.

She followed her nose and came to the Arinnaya, who was following Brador through the tunnels. "good thing i found you guys in time"

Tallian was quite far ahead. Not sure what to do, Enalia decided to stay with Arinnaya. Hearing the sound of goblins made Enalia shiver. Even the word "goblin" gave her a chill.

[Arinnaya]

The small troop of adventurers were running to and fro deep inside the darc caverns, by the tiny pale flickering flames of two or three torches. Even though the cave was charming with all its crystalline charms, it was also a stunningly lonely place. Arinnaya realized the latter as she stayed on the spot where she halted to delight in nature's beauties. After a minute or two, she found herself kneeling on wet limestone rocks, all in a dreadful silence. The Priestess was struck with the realization that they might be heading on some unknown way - or what is worse, being completely lost. To avoid breaking off herself - which would have been equal to a sure death - lots in the tunnels beneath the mighty Alterac.

Much to her fortune, even though the others have been already far ahead, they have chosen an almost straight way. The clay-spots left by dirty hands on the bone-white walls, and their deep footprints in the mud over the next block of limestone could not have left any doubt about their whereabouts.

Arinnaya has found Brandor kneeling over by a forest of stalactites. But it was not the magic of nature that has charmed the dwarf: There was a cleft in the rock, and a small stream of water was breaking through, flowing down the from the sidewall, gathering in clean pools on the rugged floor. Thence a cold, but crystal-clear streamlet started, quickly disappearing into the murky depths of the contorted caves leading below.

The annoying gnome Nork was standing beside the dwarf, immersing his staff into the waters and playing with creating damp by casting some unknown fire-based cantrips. Desecrating the waters just to passs the hard time during this tedious adventure. By the sight of Arinnaya arriving to the scene, he just did a sloppy move with his staff splashing out thw ater.. but then turned around as if unwilling to answer a greeting word. Instead he cried out indignatingly:

'At last.. what took so long?? let's go... that elf is already way ahead of us!!'
Nork is completely right - Brandor added - We should better continue, otherwise we might risk being lost.

While they continued on the road, the priestess took some time to think about the existence of this cave, huge, but unknown:

'Since generations could these unexplored, but wast underground realm serve the secret purposes of the Lords of Alterac - Arinnaya wondered - Who knows what dark events happened deep inside its hidden caverns... They may even hold Lord Prestor's secrets of betraying the alliance'

After the next turn, however, there was something confirmating the doubts of the priestess that made the adventurers shiver - A dark shape of something laying on the side of the passageway. As Brandor raised his torch higher, along with Nork's flaming staff, the dark object took the shape of a large skeleton!!!

If it was not the strong heart of Arinnaya, she has surely screamed of horror by the sight of such an ugly being. It must have been a mighty orc warrior in life, for the the fangs protruding from the skulls were still clearly visible. But the object was clearly lifeless, its head and ribs was already covered in white limestone - showing that whatever being it was in life, his carcass was lying in this cave since several decades at least. Nork even tried to gather the skull in order to gain possession of a frightening trophy, but he could not move the bones: all were already incorporated into the limestone. With this, he gave a cackle in some unknown tongue, and just headed off.


They went on for some time in silence, speechless, but at this time, the silence appeared not as deep as they previously thought. At first, Arinnaya thought it was just the echoes... Yet it still sounded all to strange. When Brandor and Nork has stopped as well to listen, they could clearly hear someting.. it was a small, barely audible scratching sound as if coming through the wall, and another one, that sounded like hasty footsteps. For the sake of security, the group pulled side, into the first hollowing in the side, and they were about to turn their torches off as well, when a familiary face gazed upon them from the shadows. Two pair of cal-like eyes glowing in the dark, followed by long ears, on a tall figure... Enalia!!

She must have been running in the dark, for she was breathing heavily, and barely able to speak without grasping:

Good thing.... I found you....allright... - she took a small pause and certainly wanted to continue, but Nork cut into her voice:
' Don'tell us since we could all guess: there is something in the dark... Just like in the tales... Must be dangerous ' - and he appeared more than content to meet some danger, as if he took special delight in it...

The moment Enalia joined in, they all become more precarious, with brendor putting ot his larger torch, letting the others' smaller ones light the way. He commanded Paw to crawl and creep as silently as a bear could, and had Enalia stalk forward to discover what lurks in the twilight.

They stopped and listened at the next turn. The scratching-like sound has sounded somewhat stronger this time, appearing more like metal clinging rhythmically against the rock in the distance. Hearing this, they slowed down even more, watching their every step, and holding the torches behind their backs, staying in the darkness as far as possible. They haven't reached the next turn, when all of sudde, lound noises echoed across the cave.

First a loud shout, then it was accompanied by other ones, in a high tone, perhaps from children, or a small creature - Arinnaya thought. But the echoes have distorted the sounds too much to be recognizable.
In the next moment, a loud sound of rocks crashing on the floor has almost deafened the travellers. 'To the floor' - Brandor shouted, but it was completely unnecessary. There was not even a small pebble falling from the roofing, yet it sounded like thunderstorm. Enalia, turning her ears here and there, quickly located the source of the sounds: it came from above!!!

It took dozens of minutes for Brandor to find out how to get up to the higher floor. It also required a fair amount of walking back. Not far from the orc skeleton, the cave was sloping upwards on its side, and there was a low-floored pass slantwise, just wide enough for someone to pass when crawling on four feet.

Disregarding all danger, the four adventurers climbed up in the ardent fever of exploration. The upper shaft appeared just as the lower one was, perhaps less wet. Brandor and Enalia started walking towards the presumed site of the accident, with Arinnaya and Nork in tow - and the pets of course.
After the first turn, among the rubble, corpses of green-skinned creatures - goblins - came to the light. Lights of the torches glistened on their picks laying about - showing that these victims of the cave were fairly recent, unlike that orc. A few steps ahead a torch, still smoking, left no doubt abut that these goblins were buried only recently. But their still warm corpses were too badly crushed to find any survivor, and resurrection of any was clearly impossible under such conditions, so they just continued forward. Mighty blocks laid on the floor ahead, but there was still ample space between the two gigantic limestone block to pass through. At the next turn, the travellers have just met the light of someone or something that has survived the devastating cave-in.....

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
The sound of metall against rock and earshattering roars that made your hair stand grew louder and louder. The air inside the tunnel was also.. thicker, and more moist then the lower regions from which he came. And Tallian did not have need of his conjured light any longer. Torches sat in black simple holders evenly along the walls of the tunnel. Though he kept his light anyway.

Thoughts of his companions had faded long ago, he knew that they were behind him, and thereby safe from whatever horrific evils that might reside in this, by the light forsaken place. Tallian also knew that if he had them with him he would be of limited or no use in combat, as the tunnels were to small and narrow for him to work spells that would not harm them aswell as their foes.

But abruptly he was cut of furthur speculations along that rode by the sigh which greated him in the next cave chamber. This time though, Tallian did not show himself openly, but instead stepped behind a large boulder close to the entrance.
The chamber was larger then the one before, and for a good reason. Dozens of goblins milled around either working, eating or arguing. He could also see the taskmaster from the chamber behind talking with a large goblin, waveing his arms and seemed to almost shout. But the goblins, which by sheer numbers held Tallian back from doing anything rash, was nothing to what acompanied them. Large hulking forms of gigantic yetis, as the one they had fought outside the cave entrance, were standing among the goblins, ocassionaly roaring with beastial vigor. But what cought Tallians eyes the most, was a fellow clad in dark red robes, with a hood that covered his head and face alike. He held a gnarled staff in his right hand and also seemed to lean on it in order to stand upright. But whenever one of the gargatuan yetis started to make noices it looked towards it, quickly followed by silence from the beast.

Even tho his hood and large robes covered what he looked like Tallian had no problems sensing the foul, corrupted scent that the undead carried around them. So this was one of the "masters" or "walking corpses" the goblin taskmaster had spoken about earlier, Tallian thought.
But why would goblins...

Tallian shifted his position, he had to get back and warn his companions. From what he knew thwy could verywell be walking in on him and.. those things.. at this very moment. He turned around to slip back into the darkness of the tunnel..

[Arinnaya]

Just after passing by the rocks, a strong beam of light affected the esey of the Priestess as almost blinding. Arinnaya quivered for a moment, for the light appeared to be approaching!! She turned her head away from the source of light, and fozen motionless...

About two seconds later, even Brandor has pulled his thick belly through the passage between the two rocks - it was pure luck that he has not stuck in the middle, like he has with the previous obtacle. With the voice of soft steps about her, the Priestess has opened her eyes again, just to see that the object that frightened her was nothing but a common torch, attached onto the wall nearly a dozen steps ahead. She sighed with relief, as the friendly visage of Enalia has appeared beside herself.

Despite the unburdening sense of not being caught, the adventurers still kept quiet and cautious. As their careful steps have slowly passed by the torch, it became apparent, that something - or someone - was still inside the dreadful cave. Because if one looked forward, he could see faint light dispersing on the walls of the cave, coming from the cavern ahead.

Brandor put up his torch immediately upon observing the situation. He was followed by Arinnaya.. and even Nork did dispel his fiery glow enchantment upon his staff.

The following part was nerve-racking. As the whole shaft turned more and more bright before the next steep turn on the right, dim sounds were diffusing from the chamber ahead. As if the sound of machines mixed with the soft murmuring of people. And the whole air was filled with a strange, penetrating odour. For Arinnaya, it smelt like the scent of molten metal, mixed with the foul stench of burnt herbs used to brew potions.

Upon reaching the turn, Brandor made an unambogous sign with his thick right hand, to halt. He took a precarious step forward, just enough to press his head and beardagainst the rocky outcropping ahead. From that point, he could barely observe more than a small streak on the earth, yet it was more than enough. After kneeling down a bit, he waved to the others, in order to slowly crawl forward.

Right after the turn, the cae sloped slightly downward, its mouth opening into a brightly illuminated room of great size. The light was so bright, that no one could have seen the figures of the adventurers even if they tried.
The cavern ahead was brimming with life: squads of goblins wandered around, likely tending to their work. Far ahead, in the other corner, some great, white-furred creature stood. It appeared -as far as the Priestess could judge - as a fully grown adult yeti, but much larger - like the monster they had seen before. The creature was not moving, that made the Priestess believe that
it was chained to the walls of the ground - perhaps acting as a guard for the secret and illegal goblin mining operation...

But the most scary feature was not the giant humanoid, but another figure. In the middle of the room, a being stood - or rather leant forward. Dressed fully in red, he was acting as if the overwhatcher for the goblins, but he did this all without a word spoken!!

Arinnaya did not want to approach the room closely. She rather turned to the right side, pressing her body into the first small hollow dip she could find, tightly keeping to the wall. From there, she made another stunning discovery:

Not very far ahead, but still fairly ot of her reach, someone other was spying upon the Goblins as well, someone Arinnaya did not recognize as a member of the group. But as the figure was about as tall as a human, and wearing some kind of robe - it was hard to judge in the twilight - she believed it must have been... Tallian!! Unfortunately he was beyond the mark the Priestess could have reached without passing in front of the dark minions. So she has decided not to utter a word either, to avoid calling attention of the Goblins. All in one, she contended to wait in ambush, alongside with her friends, lurking in the shadows...

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
But as he turned to face the tunnel entrance he froze, from the dim light that reached into the shady tunnel he could see some diffuse forms of people. But much more clear was the visage of the young priestess Arinnaya.
Tallian cought her eyes with his and she raises a hand as to say that she recognised him. Tallian nodded in return.

Non of the goblins in the chamber seemed to be interested in the other tunnel, atleast no other then the taskmaster that had fled the first room. He was still arguing with the bigger goblin about something. The suddenly the latter shouted something, Tallian could not make out what. But groblins from all over the room and one or two of the hulking forms, on command from the redrobed undead, stepped closer.

Tallian might not have heard what they were talking about, but he knew what they were up to. he had to get back into the tunnel. But risking to show himself, if only just for some moments, would most likely be enough for being spotted.

Again he turned to Arinnaya and showed with his hand that he wanted her and the rest to move back inside the cave. He did of course not intend to teleport himself, that would draw to much attention to his position. But mages had other ways of travel swiftly from one spot to another, not very far, but far enough. Atleast Tallian hoped so.

opon summoning his powers he visualised himself moving as a ghost at the speed of light towards the tunnel entrance. He then canalized his powers as a corridor infront of him. He had never liked this spell, it always made him slightly dizzy. But with a invisible outburst tallian disappeard from behind the rock, but the instant later he seemed to pop out from nowhere inside the tunnel. almost tripping over Arinnaya, she stood closest to the opening.

-Ah sorry about that, that spell is hard to work even in daylight with open areas.
He sighted and looked back from where he had blinked. They needed to either turn back, or fight their way towards the other side of chamber, and a possible exit....

[Arinnaya]

Arinnaya was watching out fof both friend of foe, trying to be as careful as possible, yet she could have not been. She looked a little dazzled by the gestures of Tallian: The Priestess could not have guessed what goes on the mind of a mage, when he points with a finger into the distance, and wildly waves with the other. The warning did not happened to be clear for Arinnaya, only when a heavy object crashed against her left shoulder: In the moment of an eyeblink, the wizard has unsummoned and resummoned himself. Unfortunately, the landing point was already occupied by the Priestess.

Arinnaya gave a baffled expression on her face as she urged Tallian to get off herself: ' Oh, mylord!! I am sorry for your troubles. Now, I wouldn't mind if you moved a little further... to allow me to climb off the wall..! ' And if it wasn't for the dark, the others could have seen her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Even if accidents sometimes happen, no one could have allowed to cry out loudly or to even speak in such a hazardous situation. The others kept quiet, and so Arinnaya and Tallian have managed to solve their quarrels in a low voice.

Futher minutes passed for the adventurers in the darkness. It could have been hours as well in the forlorn darkness. The only spot of light and life was the cavern ahead. No matter how they tried to find a solution to bypass the guardians in the large room, it was to no avail. The goblins would never stop their work, and the mighty yeti guards did not move as well. Arinnaya guessed if they were chained to the ground, and perhaps she was right. Lately the dark-clad boss - perhaps an undead, judged from his bad posture - has left the main room, leaving all his minions behind. They could not see, where it has gone, for the sight to that corner of the hall was covered by the rocks in the entrance.

It was bRandor again, who had enough of the unnerving waiting, and proposed a new plan. He crept out from his hideout, and took two or three steps forward to a dark, slim figure leaning by the wall. Whispering a few words into the long elven ears of Enalia, he continuedbackwards, now reaching Arinnaya and Tallian. Upon arriving, he whispered the following words:

What if we take the dead orc's pass? The lower cave must lead somewhere, and with a little luck we may bypass the room yonder... Believe me, I'm a dwarf!!

'If a dwarf does not know, then no one does!' - Arinnaya though to herself. And she turned around to follow the others, who were supposed to share the same blind belief in Brandor's abilities.... If they only knew where the lower cavern would actually lead them...!

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Tallian had silnetly nodded towards Brador after his proposal, and they were now heading back towards this pass, or tunnel that might lead them away from the goblins. The sounds of metal against rock, and the high pitched voices of the goblins soon dampened, and finally vanished. They now found themselves in utter silence again, ony their own breathing and an occasional waterdrop falling from the celing broke its heavy shroud.

They backtracked for quite some time, past the chamber in which Tallian had met the first goblins, but to his surprise noone asked him what had happened, or if he had something to do with it. Maybe they failed to notice the burns on some of the small creatures and only thought that parts of the roof had fallen in by itself.

Killing had always been a part of Tallian life since after the scourge invasion. But it did not help him to feel sick for what he have done and what he has to do. No man should take pleasure in the act of killing..His thoughts drifted away for some moments before reality once again plunged in. They had found the side tunnel, which seemed to lead slight downwards. Tallian followed as the last person.

The tunnel looked no different from those they had already passed, and soon his mind drifte away again, failing to notice the limestone covered orc when they passed him. He thought about their mission if you could call it that. He had informed the Dalaran council and they would act, he was sure about that.
But he was not sure of whay they themselves would do. Entering alterac as they were hopeing to do soon, would not get them closer to anything of their goals. At times he almost had a hard time beliveing Nork and his amazing story...And what could they possibly do about Arcantis, he had promised the nerubian to help in whatever way he could. But now it all seemed hopeless as the only man that could have helped them was dead.
And lastly we have brador, Arinnaya and Enalia. The dwarf hunter just seemed to stick to them because of the adventure, Tallian did not belive he followed them, and occasional lead them because of any heroic thoughts about saving the world. Nor did he understand while a night elf like Enalia would either. But then night elves had always had a strong bound to nature, and maybe she felt an urge to help, also she in whatever way she could.
And Arinnaya. Tallian smiled slightly. If they other partymembers choices confused him, Arinnaya made him speechless, she looked nothing of an adventurer, more like a noblewoman in the way she sometimes acted and spoke. But then, she had a large heart and a brave soul. So despite the innocence Tallian was still glad to have her with them..

He stopped for a breif moment to look back and saw nothing but pitchblack darkness were the lights from their tourches failed to pierce blackness...

[Arinnaya]

Soon after they distanced themselves enough from the site of imminent danger, all the cave has become silent again - it was only the suft sounds of their steps the adventurers could have heard. Arinnaya stopped a bit, now hearing only the monotonous noise of their own footsteps echoing round. Now they were safe.

She raised her torch higher, just to shed light upon something strage in the corner. Though her heartsprung in a matter of a moment, the next second, she relieved with the knowledge of seeing nothing just a good old pile of bones.
The Priestess commented the skeletal find with half-loud words, not caring whether the others listen to her at all or not...:
' I can only hope we do not meet a gruesome end like this poor fellow did. Even if a beast, I feel sorry for it... slowly perishing in the depths of darkness to starvation would not be a pleasant end for any..."

On the other hand, Nork's interests were drawn to a radically different aspect of the find. He searched through the skeleton's belongings - supposed to be covered with mud.. or even limestone stalagmites already... In the end, he did not find anything at all... the dark gnome was about to give up, when suddenly his nimble hands grabbed something in the several-inch thick mud around the petrified remains!! Yet his excitement quickly turned to disappointment, as he noticed it was just a wooden case of some kind. Roughly cylinder-shaped, made of once hardwood - now just some rotten material - yet it still resisted any attept to open it. Nork lifted the whole thing out of the murky pool, along with the likewise rotten remains of a string... It was likely a leather band decades abo, but now it raveled to rotten bits immediately upon touch. But the box still held itself strong: maybe it was not made up from just simple wood at all...

Nork hit the case against the nearby wall, to no effect. Then he started drumming with it on every outcropping of the rocky wall the group passed by, in hope of cracking the rotten object. It was hard to guess what he had in mind (gold or diamonds maybe?) - yet he made such a noise in the otherwise silent cave, that Brandor - who was leading the others - had to turn back to warn him. Apart from the furious glare the dwarf cast upon the diminutive gnome, the situation threatened with taking away his newfound treasure. So the warlock took it away in the deapest of his pockets on the spot. He turned his thoughts towards carbonizing the walls of the case with hellfire... of course on a safe spot where no other could take away his treasure...

The gnome's mischief made Brandor halt. Their quarrel was loud enough, making echoes through all the cave-system... He stopped and turned his ears to a crag on the wall, trying to scout forward...

Arinnaya halted down as well. Her ears - which were no match to those of a man of the wilderness, or even so for an elf - gave no hint about whether the goblin bandits heard anything from their prevoius outcry... Yet even she knew to proceed with caution from this point on.

Brandor lowered his torch, and the Priestess did likewise. The cave, which was leading to roughly the same direction as the one above - filled with goblins - , took some steep turns : one on the left and one on the right. Some noise was coming from behind the last one. Arinnaya quickly couched down behind the last safe spot, but Brandor did not seek such a hideout. Nor did Enalia. As all of the adventurers turned their torches down, the whole scene was covered in inpenetrable darkness. The only sese that could lead them was their ears... Moments passed heavily with nervous evesdropping, yet all Arinnaya could hear was the sound made by millions of water-droplets dripping down from the ceiling.

It was hard to estimate how much time has passed... it might have been just minutes or half an hour... Suddenly, Brandor raised his torch high again, and waved for the others to follow...

As the adventurers passed the last turn, the noise turned louder... It was stronger what the droplets could ever had made, yet still similar in manner. Where the travellers have now arrived to, was a small hall... All the walls the Priestess touched were covered with extreme wetness. As all lifted their torches, it was a small waterfall that appeared in the twilight. At this point, the water - from the upper caverns - was not pouring forth from some hidden crack, but a nicely sculptured animal head on the wall. And it did not run towards the unknown depths, either. Rather, the freezing, but chrystal-clear
water was collected in a somewhat crude, yet clearly man-made basin.

Even though there was no one heard or seen around, the presence of such structure has clearly warned the adventurers: they are nearing the domain of someone or something, ancient and forgotten or new and thriving... but certainly dangerous thing.

So loud was the voice of water babbling in the pool they could not hear if anything approached or moved around... A hazardous situation, every skilled traveller would approve...

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
The party had ventured far now, deep into windling tunnels and utter darkness. But despite Tallians feeling that they had somehow taken a wrong turn somewhere before, they still didnt meet anything out of the ordinary. The air was getting more dampen and moist. But so did the walls, and sometimes tendrils of water even poured down from small cracks in the walls and the semingly dense dark stone above them.

Then suddenly they could hear noises again, beside the dropping water and their own footsteps. it was comming from above, and Tallian could here the distinct sounds comming from goblins. So they had maybe found another path, he thought. But mere moments later they entered something that did not look anything like the tunnels and chambers behind them. Stone worked by man, or some other intelligent race had formed a basin for a small waterfall, comming from a sea creatures of some kind mouth. The pool was large, Tallian walked up to it and looked down, it seemed deep to.

What was more disturbing though, was that there seemed to be no furthur tunnels or passages to take. They had found a dead end. Tallian closed his eyes in frustration, it looked like they had to make their way back and fight the goblins afterall. The others had spread out and searched for any openings in the rock walls. Enalia had come up beside Tallian and was looking into the water to. Nork was standing at the entrance muttering for himself. Tallian gave out a sigh and moved away from the pool.

But opon hearing a load splash he weeled around. Enalia took a small step away from the pool.

-I just dropped a rock, to try to see how deep it was, and I can tell you its very deep. maybe it...

her words were cut of by another splashing sound, but this was much much louder and water was falling like rain around the whole room. everyone turned their heads and bodies towards the pool, and more exactly, to what was now inside the pool.

-Kraken.. Tallian hissed.

[Arinnaya]

The others - including Brandor and Arinnaya - were all searching for the way leading further from this chamber. All but in vain: after examining one crag after another, the priestess came to the conclusion that this was a dead end. All signs pointed to the fact that this chamber was used by an ancient race or such in olden times, for some unknown dark purpose. 'As such, it hould not have been closed down - Arinnaya speculated - perhaps it was so long ago that most of the passageways actually collapsed...' Yet as she looked around, she could not spot of a crumbled archway, heap of rubble or boulders that would show such a place. The fountain in the center of this half-circle-shaped room made the place even more misterious. Springwater was dripping down into the large pool, just to be drained away into the unknown depths. The strong sounds of splashing water echoed around the entire hall. The whole place was so full of damp that it even made Nork's torch die out. As one of the four sources of light were quenched, half-loud cursing followed:

' I bet this whole cave was just an orkish hideout for those wretched horde remnants... Nothin' interestin' here just a few bones and goblins...'

In the same time, Enalia used the old method of measuring the depths of a lake: She dropped a small piece of pebble into the pool, keeping her ears open for the small sounds that might come from under the surface. What followed after the first babbling was but no little noise...

A huge splash was audible from the direction of the pool. Everyone turned to the same direction, just to see something emerging from the murky depths!! Tallian's hissing followed:

'Kraken!!'

In the sphere of three wildly dancing torches, it was no easy task to see actually what kind of creature it was. All the thing Arinnaya could catch a glimpse of was a polypous arm protruding forth, emerging from the water.
Just in the next second, another, even larger splashing occurred, spraying everything and everyone with fresh, cold water, drenching every little spot. All the lights went out on an instance, and the adventurers were covered with impenetrable darkness... together with the monster!!

As it turned dark, the splashing sounds continued, followed by babbling and some strange kind of gurgling. Stricken with fear, all the adventurers have sought safety as they could: Arinnaya has pushed herself against the wall, with the hope that the monster cannot see in the dark, just navigate by touching - in which case she would be safe... Time was passing heavily, but no further sound followed - just the faint babbling of the spring, going on for an eternity, as the minuest slowly passed, one after another.

'Has it gone already...?' This thought has seized the priestess' mind. But she neither had the will to light her torch again, nor to move further - as long as the threat remained unseen... and unknown...

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Even though the silence was heavy, and the darkness thick. Tallian knew that the kraken, or whatever it was, was still there, waiting, listening. In the history of azeroth only one Kraken has ever been seen or heard of. But that was long ago, and from the reports Tallian had read that one had been considerable larger then this. But it had looked exactly as the discription told it would look like. Tallian did not wonder from where the creature had come, or how it could have survived down here for so long. Those questions were not important, much more was how they were supposed to escape alive.
Tallian was even unsure if everyone was alive.. The last he has seen before the lights went out, was all of them running towards the walls in different directions.

He sighted, maybe they would have to try and kill the monster. But from the same reports it had been stated near to impossible. It was still unclear what had caused the death of the previous one, but it had taken many mages and soldiers.. that he was sure of.
But then, this one was smaller, much smaller even. And from what he had seen before the darkness cought them it didnt seem to have armour of any time. Just a lot of tentacles.

But maybe he could kill it, if taken by surprise it would probably react slower then usual. Atleast for some moments. He was sure he had the power to.. then it hit him, Tallian closed his eyes and sighted again. He could not use his full power, unleash his magic at its full potential. His party members saw him as a ragtag wandering mage, with some skill perhaps. But not a powerfull one.
That was what he had said. At times he been painfully close of revealing what he truely was, he still rememberd his argue with Arinnaya in the tavern in Southshore, he had been close there, to close.
If he showed now that he had lied, they would never belive him again, nor trust him. Why would a mage of such power and presige among the Dalaran society even be here with them, if not for some other reason then he had said.
Even if they survived this, he would have to leave. Anf for some reason that brought great grief to him. Tallian had always been a loner, atleast for as long as he could remember whitout touching his painfull past..
But he had found some foundness in these people he had been travelling with, and for the first time in very long he did not feel alone.

But, he thought. Should that be an argument strong enough for the death of us all? and again silence overwhelmed Tallians mind as he thought of this, he had let his feelings play in the open, but he could still not decide..

And thus time kept creeping by..

[Nork]

Nork pressed hard against the wall of the cave, despraely trying to phase thew the rock and out the other side to safty, but alas, this was not a skill that he had. Steadying his breathing and calming his nerves, he focused his energise. He had never seen, yet alone, faced a Kraken before, so he had no idea what they were capable of. But he had faced a seaing Infernal, how could a simple squid compare to that. But this was no simple squid.

With his breathing now controlled, Nork could hear someone else breathing to his right, looking across in the darkness he could not see anything, absolute darkness surronded them all. There would have been a time that Nork would have revelled in the shadows, but even then, useing the magical flow, he could still see people if he medtated long enough, but now, he didnt have time, far as he knew, the others were already making there escape.

Nork had to think, where was the exit? where as he? he had no idea, in the panic he had gotten disorintated, a Gnome lost underground, he was embarassed by the fact, he was grateful that he was the only one that knew he was lost.

Nork knew that he needed to summon Jhazkarth, his voidwalker, so that it can distract the Kraken while they make good there escape, but there was 2 problems, he didnt know where the exit was and summoning the creature would take too long, the Kraken would surely notice him and kill him before he had chance to cite the first verse. What he needed was a distraction for a minuet or 2 till he could get his Voidwalker out, bt how was he going to let the rest of the pary know that?

Norks prayers were answered without ever really saying a word. Nork saw a fire ball flew across the cavern some way off from Norks left at the Kraken, it must have been Tallian, he was the only other person that can use fire in the group, with the dull light from the ball, Nork could see the exit between him and Tallian, to his right was Enalia. Nork did not know where Arinnaya and Brandor was, right now he did not care. he had gotten the distraction he needed as the Kraken moved off toward Tallian, Nork begun to summon his Demon sacrifice.

[Izmae]

Izmae looked out across the horizon and cried out in frustration. She dismissed her paladin spirit horse and watched as it faded into the breeze, then sat back on the snow to look out again across the landscape. That burst of holy energy...she had felt it all the way from Dalaran. Whoever had cast the spell had to be around here somewhere, it can't have been the ogres up in the ruins; they couldn't even light a fire unless they had two heads instad of one. The thought of how many heads an ogre would need to cast a spell like that amused her so much that she didnt realise that the little hill of snow she was sat on was in fact moving. With a cry she fell backwards a few metres and landed on the ground below with a dull thump.

The whole right side of her body was aching as she got to her feet, but she realised that wasnt the only thing she felt. She had landed near a small cave opening that had until now been covered in snow. Through it she could feel the holy presence now; it was a priestess. As she moved closer she realised there was another there, a warlock. With caution she moved through the tunnel, the sounds of the icy winds outside fading and the light dissapating with every step she took. Now she was underground she could feel the caves all around her had a strange taint, some essence of corruption that didn't belong there.

She was brought sharply out of her musings by a large splash ahead of her, moving quickly she could feel the spray on her face still as in pitch black the tunnel opened out. What she thought could have caused such a noise why is it in such a foul mood? She felt her way round the wall with as much silence and caution as she could muster. Nothing could be seen in the dark but the sounds of water all around indicated a large pool of water. She came to rest against a long slimy rock, and tried again to sense the two she had felt earlier..then stopped in confusion as the long slimy rock began to slip out from under her fingers. A tentacle of such size could only belong to one thing; kraken. From the direction she thought it was moving it would soon be in full reach of the exit tunnel. Something had to be done..a distraction, but what could distract such a large creature for long enough that she could find her way back in the dark?!

Then inspiration hit her. With a smile she pulled out a small bomb from her belt and from her backpack removed a small red vial that she had purchased in Dalaran. Oil of immolation the mage had called it, one spark and hey presto - goes off like a firework. She doused the bomb, hoping with all possible thought that she could pull this off, and lit the still dry fuse. She threw it in what she hoped was the right direction and in less than a second the sparks from the fuse lit the oil and the cave around her glowed with a dull light. Well that should make it pis- She stopped mid thought the end of a tentacle lashed carelessly in her direction. Time to go methinks. As the last of the light from her makeshift "fireball" started to disappear she caught sight of the exit, unfortunately, and as she'd thought with a large kraken in the way. What surprised her was that there were more people in the cave than she had first anticipated, quite a few more.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
The Kraken hissed angrily as the fireattack Tallian had sent made impact. It didn´t do any damage of course, he had not thought so either, the attack was just a test to see how much the creature could handle before getting wounds of any kind. The room had also been eluminated the moments his firespell had been moving between him and his target, and thus he now knew where everyone was, and hopefully they had seen the entrance, and exit of the caveroom.

Even though Tallian knew that he was in a great deal of trouble for attacking the Kraken so head on, and with such a weak spell he also knew that the creature had limited mobility outside the pool of water, only its large tentacles would be a threat, at first anyway.

But suddenly a large explosion followed by another elumination of the room followed. Tallian jerked his head right, and found himself looking opon an unfamiliar face. A paladin in plate armour stood a small distance from the entrance, her eyes fixed on the Kraken.

"What did she do.. fool girl!" Tallian thought as the monster turned its many eyes toward the newcommer. Tentacles flew out from its body with blinding speed, but not only for the paladin. The room was still bathed in light as a small fire was burning on a small patch of water beside the Kraken.
"did she use Oil of immolation, oh dear" Tallian cursed under his breath. The Kraken now had full view of the room and all its inhabitans, and thus its tentacles was not trown out towards several of the party members, including the paladin.

Tallian cursed again, then stepped out from his hiding place and lifted both his arms. Molten raging fire erupted from between his lifted hands and surged towards the monster, but on its way the single lance split into several smaller ones which then turned their directions from the monster to its tentacles.
All the motlen lances hit their targets simultaneous and the tantacles were jerked backwards while the kraken shrieked in pain..

Tallian smiled and unleashed another another lance, but this one did not split and truck the monster at what would have been the temple of a human. A stench of burned flesh drifted through the cave, But also the angered sounds of the Kraken. It shook its gigantic body and now fixed all of its remaining eyes on the little creature that had wounded it...

[Izmae]

What had at first seemed to be a feat of ingenuity had in fact turned out to be a very slight mistake. Slight, if of course you assume that giving constant visibility of your wherabouts to a giant squid a "slight" mistake. The oil of immolation had worked, even when the bomb exploded the oil remained burning on the surface of the inky water. With sword in hand she jumped over fallen rocks, trying hard to avoid the lashes of the angered beast.

Lances of flame seared through the air, splintering to intercept the many long arms that were extending towards people. The source was a mage draped in robes of black, unleashing the fire with surprising ease. An intensive burst was sent towards the body of the kraken causing its tentacles to retract in pain and its whole body to sway in a daze. With the few seconds this gave them she climbed over the slimy rocks to the exit of the cave and was able to catch glimpses of the figures rapidly retreating through it. A dwarf and a night elf went through first, the priestess hesitated, her eyes on her two remaining companions in the cave. Izmae opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment she sensed the warlock spell that had just been completed; a summoning. Sweeping over the water in a shadowy glide came a voidwalker, drawing attention away from the mage's spells.

She saw the warlock responsible, a small and dark looking gnome who was climbing towards them with a grin on his face that stirred up anger in her stomach. As he passed them he shouted over the screams of the kraken; "If you wanted to be the bait yourselves waiting around here to be eaten you should have said; I could have saved myself a soulstone." and with that he left the cave with a cackle. With a grudging realisation that the gnome was right she pulled the arms of the two humans backwards into the tunnel. The priestess seemed to shake herself a little and moved back but the mage hesitated.

"Are you going to walk out of this cave of your own accord or do I have to drag you myself?" He looked back at her with a look of mixed surprise and annoyance. She rolled her eyes and pulled him again by the wrist, and this time he allowed himself to move with them. She realised his hands had been in the process of casting another spell. Mages! she thought in frustration, They all think that if it's too big to stick a sword through then blast it to smithereens... Her thoughts were distracted by the unearthly screams of the voidwalker behind them as it became slowly overpowered. She shivered as she heard them, and ran that little bit faster. When they reached the entrance the whiteness of the snow blinded her, but it was much preferred to the darkness they had come from.

Izmae strolled a few paces and felt her horse returning to this plane, and sure enough in a few seconds it had appeared and walked towards her. Stroking its armour clad side she turned to the others, now sitting around in the snow and spoke to them all. "What in the Light's name were you doing in such a tainted place?"

[Izmae]

(( WHERE is the edit button?! *hits pc in frustration* ))

They sat around in shocked silence, before the priestess sat up and looked around frantically "Where's Tallian?!" A shrieking cry entered their ears from inside the cave and their question was answered, the kraken was once again under assault. Just like Rowen she fumed to herself as she sprinted again into the darkness, I swear mages are more slippery than rogues sometimes... They entered the vast opening containing the lake once more and had to pause in astonishment at what they saw.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
"fool of a woman" Tallian thought as he went back inside the darkness of the tunnels. He thought that paladins would have more common sense then that girl just showed of...
"well atleast the others are safe so I can take care of this thing once and for all" The wounds the beast had taken during his first assault had proven some thing well worth knowing. First, He had the power to possibly kill it, and secondly it must have been starving for a very long time judgeing from its slow movement and the mindless rage it wielded. Krakens were intelligent, not like a bear or lion, but like a thinking race just as humans or elfs.

He reached the chamber again, but before he entered he raised his hand and chanted a single word. Suddenly the air around Tallian started to move, it thickened and transformed into a almost touchable shield of air, chanting a second word magic energies emerged from his fingers and spread alongside the the form of the shield. Now he had protection.

From inside the chamber you could still hear the sound of tentacles moving along the floor, and the feint splashing from the large pool of water. But suddenly light for a third time eluminated the chamber as Tallian stepped in with his hands swirling with arcane energies.

The Kraken froze and turned towards the intruder. The chamber turned silent for a moment or two.. then with a otherwordly shriek the Kraken threw all its tentacles at Tallian, a yard from him a wall of fire suddenly erupted and the Kraken withdrew its weapons whimpering with pain.
Tallian extinguished the flames and took a step towards the pool.
He raised a arm and started chanting words, they echoed acroos the chamber and seem almost alive. The Kraken, maybe because it in fact was so intelligent, or just because of some animalistic instict, moved backwards and seemed to shrink while still giving away sounds that almost sounded like as if it was weeping. But that was only momentarily, suddenly it againt howled and again luinged for the little creature challangeing its powers!, and again its tentacles met the wall of flames...
All while Tallian stood still, chanting louder and louder while the air inside the chamber almost seemed to grow thick with magic..

[Izmae]

The kraken howled with agony as wave upon wave of fire and arcane battered across its shell of a body. The very water around it was swirling like a torrential whirlpool, the lake was much deeper than they could have imagined. Izmae stood with the others at the entrance and stared in wonder; the searing heat waved across their faces, and the stench of incinerated flesh was everywhere.

And then there was silence. The whole cavern was lit with gruesome candles of burning flesh, and nothing could be heard but the heavy breathing of Tallian. He lowered his arms but didn't move, and as he did so she noticed wisps of yellow smoke emanating from his hands. Something about the magic nudged at the very corners of her mind, but other thoughts intruded into this. Those standing around her looked as surprised at the power he had shown as she did. Arinnaya was the only one that spoke, and all she could breathe was "Tallian what...?"

At this he turned to face Izmae. "That would have gone a lot smoother if you hadn't lit up the whole damn place with immolation oil."

"Excuse me?!" Yep...exactly like Rowen "What exactly was "this" hmm?"

"It- "

"Do you make a trade out of slaughtering giant squid and putting people into danger in the process?!"

"Wha- "

"Mages! It seems like a bit of a slow process just killing the thing...lets turn the whole damn place into a blast furnace!"

"PALADIN!"

She shot him a look of contempt and stopped as realisation struck her that she had been ranting as if he were her brother. He certainly doesn't deserve THAT much chastisement.

"Izmae" she replied.

Tallian sighed "Izmae...silence yourself for one Light forsaken moment. There is something I must explain to my friends."

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Tallian sighed again. Of course they had followed him back, and brought the foolish girl along with them. Or was it the othey way around? Talliak shook his head and turned from the sight of the smoldering remains of a once great beast... His hands and body still hurt from the spell he had casted, not mane spellcaster could have done that and stand to see the results, but lucky for him non of his companions knew what he had done. They would most likely turn and run at the mere mentioning about what Tallian really was.

"I take it that most of you have heard about Krakens in tales and old tellings, this is of course to be expected. Not many know what they really are, or where they came from."

They looked at him with various expressions, surprise, shock, awe, and from the girl in plate, disbelief.

"Krakens are not of this world, atleast not originally. And to even say "they" is an amazing thing as there was only supposed to be one Kraken. Created and bred by the old gods and then sent opon the world with no other goal then inflicting as much destruction as possible. It.. was many many times as large as this one was, it was almost immune to magic, ordinary weapons of steel was useless against its thick armour, even the large ballistas on the larges of ships couldn´t do more then irritate it."

Now they all looked at him in disbelief..

"what you have to understand is that the creature destroyed fleets.. lvled citys and towns, it was horrible. And even today not many know what really killed the monster, I do.. But I have sworn on my life not to utter a single word about it, and that is one I wont break.."
"So i hope you understand my reasons, if this one had been left alone it might have grown even larger, it was just luck that is was vulnerable so I could kill it, els we would most likely be dead now and the world would be unknowing of this threat."

The Girl..Izmae.. opened her mouth as in to protest.

"No girl.. it cannot be killed in the same way as before, but as I said I cannot talk about that, but this is over now and we should try to get away from this place before something els..."

And then exhaustion overtook Tallian, his eyes rolled up and he fell to the ground... unconscious..

[Izmae]

As Tallian relayed his cryptic answers her original deriding of his actions and explanation faded as she considered what he said. In a way it did make sense; in any case a mage of such power was in her mind either someone to be listened to or insane. Usually she opted for the latter but there were always exceptions. That spell...there was something about it, something she was missing. What intrigued her most was that she could sense the spell itself, and that would only be possible if it were shadow or holy magic. Holy? ...no that couldn't be right, perhaps...

"we should try to get away from this place before something els..." Tallien slipped to the ground and out of consciousness. He was immediately carried outside and laid down onto the snow, where the priestess examined him. Izmae crouched down beside her. With a sigh the pale woman shook her head. "Physically there's nothing wrong with him, short of exhaustion. We can't stay here, not with the freezing temperatures, and especially not near that cave."

"Don't forget the ogres up the hill," Izmae replied "Do any of you have mounts with you?" Looking around she saw blank looks and shakes of heads. "In which case it would be wise for you to entrust me to take him to safety." Looking around the unease was clear in the group. She sighed Why were people so untrusting these days?/I] She looked at the priestess "If you would not trust me as a stranger would you at least trust me as a sister of the Church?"

After a moment she nodded "Where will you go?" she asked.

"My brother Marcus owns an inn in Dalaran, and my brother Rowen studies magic there. They will both be more than willing to help." She lifted the man with help onto her horse which had, as always appeared at her side. "The name of the inn is the Flamedance, everyone knows it - any of the mages around can give you directions. I'll tell my brothers to expect you; you will all have a place to stay once you arrive."

With that she mounted the horse herself and flew off down the winding path towards Dalaran.

* * *

"To arms! To arms!" That same familiar cry haunted her once more this night. This time she was in Darrowshire, a little village across the hills from her own. Glass shattered and houses all around her burned as she ran out of her house and saw at last what her parents didn't want her to see. Creatures of the darkest essence and most insatiable hunger wreaked havoc all around. The sight was enough to still the little girl, what little had remained in her stomach were brought up as the sight and stench of flesh enveloped her. Izmae watched the girl run with hopeless fear just as she had watched so many in this place. It was what she had to endure; this would be her constant reminder of what she was fighting. Then she felt it, she felt the fear, the pain, and the never ending silence that followed for years afterwards...

Izmae sat bolt upright in her bed. Breathing deeply Rowen looked over from where he had been dozing in the chair and shot her a look of concern. Shaking her head at him she dropped her legs to the floor and put her head in her hands.

"I wish you would let me give you a potion for that."

"Rowen I can't take a potion every time I can't sleep."

"Ale then?" His warm smirk brought her to sit beside him at the fire, and he poured her a drink from the jug on the table.

"Where do you find people like this?" He nodded towards Tallian, asleep on the other bed across the room.

"He decided he wouldn't pay the blindest bit of attention to me, then actually managed to prove me wrong by destroying what is apparantly one of the most vile creatures on this earth."

"I like him already." He grinned through his ale.

"I [I]knew you would." She looked at him with sarcastic contempt, then smiled. "The others made it here ok?"

"Aye, Markus has them settled don't worry. Ha! Don't worry...saying that to a paladin is like saying don't worry to a mage surrounded by his mentors."

"My heart bleeds for you." He snorted softly and for a few minutes they sat in silence.

"Well, I have stayed far too long. I should be getting back to my own lodgings." She embraced him "You should visit us more often."

And with that she was alone with her thoughts again. She pulled her knees up onto the chair, pulling her black nightdress to expose more of her legs to the warmth of the fire. She thought she heard a stirring across the room, but it silenced itself. Sighing deeply her eyes were drawn once more into the fire, watching as the dancing flames conjoured bad memories.

[Shanda]

Tallian
/
/
Tallian woke abruptly and sat up in what seemed to be a warm and cozy bed.
"what in the name of Uther is.." Then he saw the young paladin sitting by the fire, arms wrapped around her legs and watching the flames licking the air.
He opened his mouth to speak but then his senses got the best of him, suddenly he knew exactly where he was..

He still wore his robe so he got up from the bed and walked up to the girl.
"so could you please explain to me why I always seem to meet you in places I dont want to be.. Dalaran! and where are the others.."

[Izmae]

The stirring behind her roused her once more and she rolled her eyes as Tallian approached.

"so could you please explain to me why I always seem to meet you in places I dont want to be.. Dalaran! and where are the others.."

"The others are fine, they unlike you have decided to sleep through the night in the rooms that my brother so hospitably offered you."

"I didn't ask you for any help- "

"Argh! I should have just left you in the snow! So then, oh wise one do tell me why a mage such as yourself has such distaste at appearing in Dalaran?"

His only reply was a look of derision.

"Fine!" she cried "If you prefer freezing to death in the mountains then go!" She flung her arms in the air and threw open the doors to the balcony, whilst muttering The Light knows I'd have less to worry about. She breathed in slowly and gripped the rails around her to stop her hands from shaking.

[Shanda]

Tallian watched in silence as the young woman stood on the balcony, mutting to herself, he sighed and made a flickering move with his left hand.
A small light flashed and he now held a scroll pf parchment in it.

"You are meddling which things that arent of your buisness, however grateful I might be for not waking up in snow there are other things to add in the equation, I thought the silver hand tutored that, maybe I was wrong."

Tallian turned to leave, grabbing his belongings from the floor next to the bed.

"and also, give this to my companions" He waved alittle with the scroll before putting it to rest on the bed.

Izmae watched in amazement as Tallian opened the door, but before he closed it she heard a phrase muttered in annoyance.

"They will sense my presence.." then the door shut and the room again went silent

[Izmae]

Snide b*****d she thought to herself as she dressed in her armour. There was no way she would be able to sleep now, Other things to add into the equation... To hell there is! Sheathing her sword she moved across to the balcony windows to shut them, yet something caught her eye.

"Now what," she whispered "is that?"

[Izmae]

Beside the bed Tallian had been sleeping in was a small cabinet, and laying on it was a gold medallion. She locked her room and went downstairs to find Markus, who was cleaning the surfaces ready to start the day, she must have slept more than she'd thought.

"Oh that thing?" He said to her "That odd friend of yours was wearing it, you know it's bad luck to wear a chain around the neck at night Iz.."

She laughed and rolled her eyes at his superstitions. "Do you know what it is?"

"Mm no, not seen one before; take it to Rowen, he left not 2 minutes ago for home."

"I think I will, send my love to Marta. Oh and give this to the other ones; his royal highness left it for them." She gave him the note and then walked out into the chill morning air. Dalaran, like so many other cities was never empty. Even during this early hour when the sun had only just begun to spread a dull light through the streets traders and townsfolk were already setting up for the day. She approached the rows of houses assigned to mage trainees and passing bleary eyed people in robes of many bright colours. She tried to pick out her older brother, and finally caught sight of him ahead.

"Rowen!" She shouted, running to catch up with him.

"Well hello again little sister, out for an early morning stroll or was it just that you couldn't stay without me for so long that you had to visit again?"

She dug her elbow in his ribs and retrieved the medallion from her pocket. "Do you know what this is?"

Rowen's usually tanned face paled as he caught sight of the marking of flame on it. "Where did you get that? That's only given to Archmages!"

"Archmages?! Now that is interesting....hang on how do you know that anyway?"

"I have..contacts" he smirked "you and Markus aren't the only ones who collect the gossip round here."

"We collect it for valid reasons, you're just nosy...Tallian what have you been hiding hmm?"

"Tallian? As in.." he stopped short and laughed "Iz you really do pick the people you bump into."

"What?"

"Lets just say he's not the most...popular of the Archmages round here."

"Can't think why, he's so polite!" she replied with biting sarcasm. "Do you think he'll come back for it?"

"Not a clue, don't know what the hell it does."

"And there was me thinking you were getting good at collecting gossip."

They reached his door and walked inside, Warm, cosy and as cluttered as ever. Her eyes fell upon the two quarterstaffs leaning against a wall and she smiled. Following her line of sight Rowen laughed "Well that's right I haven't had a chance to beat you yet."

"I could beat you with my bare hands even if you had a fire drenched axe in your hands." She teased, picking up the black stave. He picked up the red one and they walked together towards the park. Rowen was in fact not bad at fighting with staves but only because she made him practise with her upon every visit. After about 5 minutes of neither of them getting a hit on the other Izmae managed to knock her brother squarly in the chest. He staggered to his feet and readied himself to fight again.

"A little annoyed this morning are we?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He laughed at this comment and she responded with a hit to the back this time.

"After all these years, I know when you're annoyed; I have the bruises to prove it."

She helped him to his feet "It would make sense that he's an Archmage. I just wish he'd get off his high-horse once in a while to realise he can't take on the whole damn world by himself."

"Take on the whole world by himself, now where have I heard that before?"

"I am not trying to take on the troubles of the world."

"Mm just your very large corner of it."

"That's it, now I am annoyed." and with that they started again, all the while the sun rising higher and higher, filling the whole park with morning light.

[Shanda]

Tallian looked through his pack a third time.. but it wasen´t there. Cursing to himself he straitened up and continued his slow pace along the buisy street.
Of course he thought, it must still be somewhere in that young paladins house. Should he go back for it? no, the thing had only brought him trouble in the first place, maybe he was better of without it. And besides, the young woman gave him headache with her ignorance and stubborness.

The sun was slowly climbing, letting its warm rays touch the earth as a grand blessing, but Tallian was not in any mood to either notice nor take delight in it. The note he had left for his friends would hopefully get to them, in time, and then they would hopefully turn up at the place he had suggested. How much he thought the girl a annoyance she was still a knight of the hand, and thus she would not read his note, he could trust her on that. Atleast he hoped so.

Even though it was getting warmer he had his hood up covering his face, in Dalaran you couldnt be to careful as to many could recognise him and report to the council. If they haden´t noticed his presence already.

*Why do I always end up in these situations, why must everyone I meet be so nosy..*¨

He had turned into a darker passage between two streets some minutes ago, and now he found himself standing alone in a dark alley. sighing he turned to go back while telling himself not to try any shortcuts in the newer parts of the city. But to his surprise three men in dark clothing had stepped out from the shadows, two infront of him, and from the sound of heavy boots against stone, one behind him.

*well well what have we hear, a poor little apprentice that took a wrong turn* The biggest one of them said in a deep cruel voice.

*Hey we are lucky today*, said the one behind Tallian. *These mages always carry fat purses!*

*Yes I know Stan, and I there are so many of them that they will surely not miss one or two*

The three of the laughed as they unsheated large knifes from their belts.

"I wouldnt do that if I were you" The three robbers froze for a moment as the "apprentices" voice was alot deeper and manly for someone young as apprentices usually are.

*Bah! maybe hes just a failed mage then.. nevermind old or young what can he do*

What they had failed to see was thick wooden sticks that were howering above each of them... Tallian sighed deeply as they again advanced towards him.

[Izmae]

Once more Rowen fell to the floor as Izmae swung the black staff upwards, hitting the underneath of his chin.

"Oh I'm sorry! That was a little harder than I meant it." She knelt down beside him and put her hand on his face. Channeling the Light through her, the bone and muscle were healed within seconds.

"Well as much as I'd love to stay here playing unfair games with you- "
"Ha! Unfair? Just because I don't let you use spells..."
"I bet you'd be a lot slower as a sheep."
She glared at him "I don't have to heal you you know."
"Ah you couldn't leave me all beat up, you'd faint from the pain it caused you." he said, putting his hand on his forehead dramatically. "Anyway I have lessons to get to."
"31 and still taking lessons, you must be really hard to teach." she said whilst getting to her feet. As soon as she was up she felt his staff knock across the back of her legs and the ground appeared next to her with a thump. Rowen moved his head closer "They're advanced lessons I'll have you know...you really should work on your reflexes you know that?"

She reached out to hit him again but he with a pop he teleported himself just out of arms length, and with a grin started walking back towards his house, both staves in hand. I hate it when he does that. She replaced her armour and placed her large sword in its sheath across her back. With the morning now fully in motion she decided to head back to the Flamedance inn. Fun over, time to get back to what I came here for. When she entered the tavern below the building's residential rooms she saw it was already starting to fill with patrons. Markus motioned her over upon spotting her enter.

"You have something already?" She sounded surprised.
"Even in the morning people's tongues are loosened when they talk to an innkeeper" He grinned at her, then in a low whisper, "Apparantly a few of them have been staying in the city for a few weeks or so, laying low."
"Waiting for someone?"
"Maybe. Thing is their leader, whoever it was seems to have met an extremely heated death...if you get my drift."
"They must be getting bold if they're taking on mages now."
"Heh bold or stupid. In any case the others left after they found what remained of their master."
"How long ago?"
"Can't say for sure, but it was quite possibly within the past few days."
"They'll be heading for Tyr's?" He nodded. "Mm..I'd best be after them then, they shouldn't have been able to stay in the city for so long undetected." She sighed deeply.
"A short a stay as ever." He responded.
"I'll try and make this a short one, I want to be here when my first little neice is born!"
"Heh, you'll have to be extremely quick then."

She bade him farewell, and walked outside once more. Markus was always a good source of information, even the most secretive of assassins succombed to a warm smile and a mug of ale in the Flamedance. It was of course a little dangerous to him to be collecting such information and passing it on to paladins and priests who passed through, but the Church paid him for his troubles and he was careful. It didn't stop her worrying that one day her little brother and his new bride would find themselves on the wrong side of exactly the wrong person. She envied him quite frequently, both herself and Rowen had chosen disciplines that would carry them for the rest of their lives. Rowen might find it easy to settle down once his training was finally over, but a commitment to the Church was for life, and the travels of a paladin however far they might reach often ended with lonely travels and blood drenched battles.

The Scarlet Crusade venturing so far south? Now that's interesting. It only went to prove that her senses were correct; the corruption in Lordaeron was seeping out towards its neighbours. The Church paid particular attention to the activities of the Crusade; after all many of the paladins from the Silver Hand had been the founders of it after the War. Driven to insanity by their lust to destroy the Undead once and for all, they had decided that anything that is, might be or could become a servant of the foul creatures should be eliminated, and that of course included anyone that got in their way. The spread of corruption into these lands would mean more and more incidents like this, and the people of Southshore may not find themselves so lucky as to survive an assault.

So lets see what the Crusade's been up to since last we met. Markus had said the group's leader was dead; they traditionally travelled in groups of four, paladins usually residing in command. So that leaves...let me think, a mage, a priest and a spare. If she could get close enough to their trail she would be able to track the priest, depending on how strong their powers were. She summoned her mount and made her way through the streets, considering in her head the most likely route towards the Plaguelands that a few Crusaders on the run would take.

[Shanda]

Sighing again Tallian walked out from the alley with a calm but steady pace, behind him tree odd men were lying unconcious piled on top of each other. Around them short thick sticks made of wood leid scattered. One thing Tallian did remember from his earlier visits, or more correct, not, remembered was the staggering criminality.

"No the council is still ignorant to the needs of others..A pity when they have so many abled warriors around here"

When he passed the guards, and mages, by the city gates he covered his face so that they would not recognise him. And not before he had put a goodly distance between himself and the city did he relax and lower his hood.
The weather was exellent and for the first time in months Tallian felt tranquility spread through his veins, he drank the sunshine, gelt the light breeze carassing his skin. And for atleast a few moments he forgot the weight of responsibility he had towering over him.

The feeling did not last long of course, he resumed his fast determined pace while thinking of what he would do next. If his companions did show up at the location he had mentioned then they would do best to travel back from where they came when that foolish paladin took them to Dalaran. And from there they could cross alterac and enter plaguelands. Even though they had lost Arcantis Tallian knew that the nerubian would most likely search for information at the only possible location.. among the cursed reanimated aracnids under Kel´thuzads command. if anyone on this continent knew anything about hatching eggs it would be them. And Tallian would be there to help.. a word from an archmage bound his as any magical agreement.

But first he had to get to the meetingplace himself. And while the day passed and Night arrived Tallian wandered towards a, for everyone els, unknown campsite.

some hours later when the sun had gone to sleep and the moon had risen to take her place on the heavens, outside in the wilderness its almost pitchdark exept for the pale moonlight, and a small campfire, situated under a group of trees, beside it a man in black robes is calmly preparing a warm meal for himself.

"aah, ive really missed this, all alone, nothing to worry about, none to protect or babysit, just me, my meal and the divine beauty of a cozy campfire"

And silently humming a merry tune Tallian continued his preperations for the night...

[Izmae]

Izmae rode hard all through the day and into the night. She was fortunate in that she'd chosen the correct path to follow her quarry, and even more so; they were on foot. The trail led directly into some woodland; meaning they'd most likely stopped to camp for the night. Then as faint as through a light breeze the holy aura of a priest entered her consciousness. She carefully trod through the thick trees and then stopped and dismounted; it was getting closer. Her horse disappeared into the shadows and as always she was extremely thankful for it. Not all paladins are bestowed this gift, in fact they're quite rare. The paladin spirit chargers are the reincarnate souls of great horses who have been brought back to this plane from whatever path their owners in life had imparted upon them, in order to serve the paladins who had need of them most.

Very faintly, she saw the dull glow of a campfire on its last embers in the distance. As quietly as possible she removed her sword from its sheath and crept step by step towards it. She stood on the top of a ridge, which gave her a good vantage point by which to observe the camp. Two were positioned around the fire, not three as she'd suspected. From what she could see they were both surprisingly young, they couldn't be more than initiates in the Crusade. Explains why they were running though. The priestess was asleep by the fire and the other, a simple soldier from the looks of it was sitting with his back to her writing intently in a small book, and what's more, he was armourless. Mistake number one kid.

At least this should be easy. She considered. Moving again, she remained unseen until she was but two steps away and then lunged, her sword nesting deeply in the soldier's back. Upon drawing it back he fell to the floor and the noise had finally disturbed the sleeping priestess. Too late she tried to get to her feet and stopped dead when she felt the tip of Izmae's sword on the back of her neck.

"What were you doing in Dalaran?"

"You'll get nothing out of me, traitor."

"Who was leading you?"

The priestess turned her head slightly so that Izmae could see the determined expression on her face. "I don't seem to remember."

Uther's fist, I haven't got time for this. she muttered. Pulling her left arm painfully round to her back, the paladin pushed the girl to the ground and dug in the tip of her sword more deeply in her neck.

"Let me put it this way priestess, I'm in a very bad mood and you? Well you're on exactly the wrong end of a very sharp sword."

"Kill me and be done with it then! I shall be a martyr for the Crusade, just like he is!" She strained to look towards the fallen man. "Fear not Tyrion, our deaths have served their purpose perfectly."

As fanatical as the rest of them. She sighed, as much as she knew these people had to die it was always difficult to kill when someone was still so young and misguided. The Crusade has tainted the minds of too many, driving them all to insanity. The only way she could justify it to herself was to think of the lives she would be saving by eliminating the threat. But then, that was most likely the same reason that the Scarlet Crusade themselves used. Her eye was suddenly drawn to the book the man had been writing in, perhaps that would shed some light. Using rope from around the camp she bound the woman's hands to a tree overlooking the tent and fire. The book turned out to be a journal as she'd hoped, and the last page was dated today.

Soboran contacted us today, the time draws near for our part in this small, but glorious operation. He may have failed in Dalaran, but the evil that has escaped down here will not be allowed to spread. The Crusade will prevail, we are a holy cause, He told us it was so. He should have been more careful in Dalaran; should have killed the mage at once, He jeapordised the mission. He failed. We will not. Soboron managed to discover the identity of our little troublemaker, in the outer reaches of town, few other mages to interfere. There was a group that might prove troublesome but they left, and also a paladin; but that problem took care of itself. She has a charger, she will catch up to us soon, I must remember to conceal this journal. It is a shame, we had hoped to be closer to Tyr's Hand before fulfilling our righteous duty. No matter, once Stormwind Cathedral's little contact in that inn has been dealt with, Soboron will continue the mission alone. Tonight, tonight the innkeeper will feel the full wrath of the Crusade. We will die tonight in peac....

The last phrase trailed off but each word gripped her heart with ice right to the pit of her stomach. The priestess noticed her face and was smiling maliciously when Izmae approached. "Tyr's Hand Command are already on their way, you won't make it back to the city." She whispered, "Tonight that inn really will dance with flame." This time Izmae found no struggle in killing the girl. In utter silence she retrieved her mount. In her mind she could find no hope that she would arrive in Dalaran in time, she had been riding since the morning and it would take her as long to get back.

So it has finally come to this. Once again I must watch the streets transform by my innocent family. Transform into a torrent of blood and retribution.

[Shanda]

She has a charger, she will catch up to us soon, I must remember to conceal this journal. It is a shame, we had hoped to be closer to Tyr's Hand before fulfilling our righteous duty. No matter, once Stormwind Cathedral's little contact in that inn has been dealt with, Soboron will continue the mission alone. Tonight, tonight the innkeeper will feel the full wrath of the Crusade. We will die tonight in peac....

Tallian finished the spell the moment the girl looked away from the journal.
"Interesting.. maybe I should get that medallion back.."

Some hour ago Tallian had sensed a strange tingle in the back of his mind, when he searched for the reason for this tingle a vision not his own appeard before his eyes. A rider, on a armoured steed..an armoured spirit steed to be exact, A paladin then.
Tallian kept watching through the eyes of this stranger. And after awhile the knight reached a small forest and there he unmounted. He followed him as he silently headed towards the light of a campfire. Tallian got slightly startled when the knight stepped into the small camp and without hesitation slayed a man sitting by the fire. Then he stepped up to another, apparently sleeping.
The girl woke.. For a short moment Tallian almost withdrew but the palasin did not kill the girl. So he stayed.

"What were you doing in Dalaran?"

The voice was not that of a man. And at the sound of it Tallian instantly knew who the paladin was and how he could see what he saw. It seemed like Izmae had taken his medallion afterall.

"You'll get nothing out of me, traitor."

"Who was leading you?"

"I don't seem to remember."

"Let me put it this way priestess, I'm in a very bad mood and you? Well you're on exactly the wrong end of a very sharp sword."

"Kill me and be done with it then! I shall be a martyr for the Crusade, just like he is!"

"Fear not Tyrion, our deaths have served their purpose perfectly."

And again the Izmaes blade tasted blood. After that she walked over to the dead man. When she killed him he had been writing in some sort of book...
/
/
After seeing the content of the journal Tallian sat down by his fire, deeply troubled. If what he saw was true then he had to do something. Even though he thought the girl annoying he did not want het dead or hurt. She had, afterall taken care of him. And his friends. With a sigh Tallian searched for the feeling inside his head again, But this time he did not just watch.

"Izmae? are you there?"

A startling feeling not his own surged through the link, Tallian smiled alittle

"Its me Tallian.. its a wonder what small medallions can do aint it?, but anyway. I saw what you saw, and I need to know what you will do.. maybe we can stop this before anything horrible happens.."

[Izmae]

"Izmae? are you there?"

Surprised by the voice Izmae looked around the trees...she couldn't see anyone.

"Its me Tallian.. "
"You're reading my thoughts?"
"Its a wonder what small medallions can do aint it?, but anyway. I saw what you saw, and I need to know what you will do.. maybe we can stop this before anything horrible happens.."

An image of Markus and a heavily pregnant Marta flashed in her head. Another, years ago when they tried to escape from Stratholme...it had been her turn to face death then, or so she had thought. 'It is not yet your time' they had said. The Flamedance would be destroyed, Soboron would make sure of that. They would be beyond even the ressurection of the Spirit Guides...

Stop! Think, think... she told herself, and for a fleeting moment she wondered if he saw everything in her mind.

"The priestess said Tyr's Hand Command were coming...whether its a small force or not Dalaran must be warned." That was all she could do. She had been riding all day; they were right, she wouldn't arrive back in time. "My brother..well, he was a contact for the Church in Dalaran. He has many contacts throughout the city, some of them not the most reputable. With the city's crime rate rising, and corruption seeping down from the north there have been more and more paladins and priests passing through. In exchange for his information and hospitality the Church pays him subsidies, but...it comes with dangers..." Emotion gripped her as the realisation of her situation sunk in.

"I see..."

Focus on what can be salvaged. All these years of training had disciplined her mind for moments like these; the few tears that had escaped down her cheeks faltered. The huge weight of anxiety and forboding grief were pushed aside with conscious effort, replaced by a simple sense of duty, As always. As she began to ride she reminded herself of her link with Tallian, she wasn't aware if he'd said anything else. She currently had a feeling of being seperated from her own consciousness, as if watching herself from afar.

"Izmae?"

"I'm listening."

It surprised her to feel a faint concern through the link. That at least offered her some small solace as her charger found its own way, unguided this time, through the trees at newfound speed.

[Shanda]

"I'm listening."

"Good, then I have to ask you to stop, theres no way you can reach Dalaran alone in time"

"but..what.."

"You have my medallion, ive used to to track you and if you stand still for five minutes or so I might be able to do something about this"

"okey?.."

Tallian felt a change in the connection, she had stopped. "Good", he thought "and now I need to sense the surroundings". Through the medallion he led small tendrils of magic. for maybe five or six minutes the only thing he could sense through the link was a growing impatience.

"Almost ready"

"Can you hurry!, this feels so..we are wasting time!"

The Tallian broke the link, if he was to cast this spell he needed his full concentration, and the link would just act as a disturbance.
He stepped up from the ground and walked over to a flat area beside his campsite. There he, while mumbling arcane words, wove a intricate pattern just above the flat ground patch. When the pattern was finished, glowing light blue looking almost like mist, Tallian stepped inside the center of it. There he wove additional patterns around himself, it took almost ten minutes to finish all of them. When he was down he straitened up and uttered a single word of magi. Suddenly all the circular patterns around him started to move up and down at an increasing rate and with a blinding light both Tallian and the patterns disappeard...

And some distance away a lone Paladin sat waiting on her spirit charger when suddenly a stark burst of light appeard infront of her, slowly evolving into circular patterns written in the magical language..And with a last blast a man appeard and as soon as he did the magical energies vanished..

"greetings Paladin"

[Izmae]

With a bright flash Tallian had appeared in front of her, and the wisps of arcane symbols disintegrated from around the portal.

"You can do that again? For both of us?" She sounded genuinly hopeful.
"Yes, it will take a while - it is a complex spell to transport even one person."

Her head twitched to the side as she sensed the presence of the convoy from Tyr's Hand. Two..three paladins, two priests.

"...A complex spell that you can cast with distractions?"

He eyed her with confusion.

"They're coming. We have five minutes at most."
"How many? Wait how do you know that?"
"You're not the only one with special talents; there's three paladins, two priests, and likely with a group that size at least one, perhaps two mages."
He looked as if about to speak but she interrupted him. "I know what you're thinking, and you're probably right. I've seen your power and I can handle myself; we could most likely kill them. But they have two priests to heal and three paladins as back up, we don't have that sort of time."
"You said there were at least six of them..."
"Look, I can tell you're used to depending only on yourself, but have faith in the fact that I need you to get us back to Dalaran. I would not sacrifice my brother or his family if I wasn't sure about this." There was a silent pause.
"I need ten minutes at the very least."
"Done."

She pulled out a handful of small black discs and started laying them in a circle around Tallian, a few metres from where he was standing. They were getting closer, and surprisingly she began to recognise one of the aura's. Serena I might have known you would be the one to come for me. She moved back to the middle of the circle and retrieved her helmet from her horse. She also replaced her longsword and equipped a smaller one, and with it a long silver shield. It was one that Rowen had enchanted for her; it could absorb magical energy and slowly dissapated it into nothing. Only a certain amount could be taken in before the energy started tearing the shield apart. Fortunately the shield glowed brighter and brighter the more it absorbed, so she could always tell when it was reaching its limits. Finally ready she dismissed her horse and waited in silence as the group approached closer and closer.

Rearranging the grip on her sword she hoped sincerely that the goblin she had visited in Gadgetzan had been sincere when he taught her how to make land mines.

[Icefrost]

Cailea could still feel the taste of blood in her mouth. She sniffed the air and took a careful peek out of the bush where she was hiding in.
Seems like that wolf stopped chasing me, she thought to herself, although she knew it wasn't really strange at all after she had bitten off a good chunk of the beast's flank. She carefully snuk out of the bush, as her furry paws made barely any noise when they hit the ground, one at a time.
She took a look around with her yellow cat eyes to see where she had ended up after being chased by the starving wolf only minutes earlier. She spotted a small pond just to her left and walked to it to take a drink of the fresh water.
As the water flushed the taste of wolfblood from her mouth and she saw her image reflected from the rippling water, she suddendly caught an odd scent in the air. After thinking it for a moment, she came to the conclusion that there were horses nearby. But the forest here wasn't a natural place for wild horses, so it must be riders. Out of curiosity, as well as to secure her position, she decided to follow the scent, where ever it might lead her for now.
A few moments later she tracked down the smell to a small campfire, with two people by it. As she observed them from the shadows, her accurate senses caught a sound, as if someone was coming.
Then she saw a young woman, dressed in heavy armor sneak towards the camp. The sneaker swiftly disposed of the other person by the campfire, then began to threaten the other one.
Cailea could hear what they said, but it didn't seem to make any sense to her. Then a short silence occured, as the woman focused her attention on some sort of book. Shortly after that she killed the other camper as well. Cailea, still wondering what was going on, followed the woman for a while as she rode on a horse that had seemed to come out of nowhere.
Then all of a sudden, the warrior stopped with no visible reason and just stood there. But Cailea could tell from her face that her mind was heavily utilised, almost as if she was somehow communicating to somebody. Then the troubled look on her face suddendly disappeared, but she still just stood there.
Cailea decided it was time to get some answers, but before she could get close enough to reveal herself, a flash of light, surrounded by arcane runes appeared in front of the rider. It vanished a few seconds later, leaving behind a man dressed in black.
She quickly pulled back into the shadow, now that she was outnumbered in case the two mysterious people would prove to be hostile.
The two said something to each other...they spoke of incoming enemies! Having little desire to be left in the middle of a battle that she knew nothing about, she began to sneak away.
Then the woman started laying down some sort of discs around the mage-type, attracting the young druid's attention. To her horror, she realized that while looking the other way, she had attempted to step on nothing with one of her paws, causing her to slip out of balance. She rolled down the small hill and ended up right in front of the two, who were obviously alerted by her sudden arrival. Since there was no point to run or hide anymore, she did the only thing she could think of: she reverted her transformation. A green glow surrounded her for a few seconds, and beneath it, her body morphed back to its humanoid form. Then she looked straight at the two mysterious people and said:
"I'm not your enemy"

[Izmae]

For a moment Izmae had thought the creature was the pet of a Scarlet Hunter, they often used such beasts to do their bidding. But this was abnormally large, and she could swear there was...expression on the face of it. For a second both Tallian and herself stood speechless, and then the dark fur began to glow with an earthly green. Limbs stretched and fur disappeared to reveal pale blue skin and long green hair. The Night Elf sitting in front of them moved backwards slightly and jumped lightly to her feet.

"I'm not your enemy."

"Don't step back too far, you don't want to tread on one of them." Izmae indicated one of the mines, concealed in some foliage. The druid looked a little confused, but seemed to acknowledge this. They're getting close. Tallian was still casting, they would hear him. She didn't have time to assess why this new arrival had come or who they were, for now Izmae would have to go with her gut feeling and trust the druid. It was at least a little comforting to know she would not be fighting alone. Speaking as quietly as possible she spoke to the elf.

"I trust you know of the Scarlet Crusade?" she nodded in response, "Good, then you will understand the gravity of the situation when I tell you that there are at least five of them about to descend on us."

The elf nodded gravely and then inclined her head towards Tallian, "He's creating a portal of some kind?"

Izmae was surprised a night elf could recognise a spell of the arcane, her race rarely saw mages unless in battle; they disliked the use of such magic that 'upset the balance of nature'. "Yes, to Dalaran. I haven't the time to explain but we must protect him whilst he casts." She nodded again, then added, "I'm Cailea."

"Izmae. They're close, listen out for the direction of the explosions from the-"

At that instant a bright, flaring explosion erupted from their right and a piercing cry entered their ears. Though the initial brightness soon faded, those few seconds seemed to pass with the length of hours. Recovering quickly from the shock of landmines, the Scarlet Paladin Serena emerged from the trees, longsword in hand and a face hungering for vengence. Another she heard charging towards them from the left, they were all around. The low rumbling beside Izmae let her senses know that Cailea was now back in her animal form, and moving to the left. Izmae locked swords with Serena just as the light from the initial explosion faded completely into small flickering flames. Serena cursed at her with every swing, she had reason to; their last meeting had not been one the Scarlet Crusade wished to remenisce. Minutes passed as if each were its own age, and still Tallian kept casting.

Another paladin had been trying to push through to him; together Izmae and Cailea managed to push him back far enough that he stumbled backwards and landed on a mine. Another bright explosion illuminated the forest clearing and for a moment most of them seemed dazed by it; they had been fairly close this time. Her head dizzy she tried to focus, just a little longer. Serena looked angrily over her shoulder at her fallen comerade, then shouted to a pair who had until now been shadowed in the trees. One stepped forward, a priest and began to shield the two remaining paladins fighting in the clearing. At the same time another caster stepped forward, draped in dark robes. Izmae's stomach clenched as she sensed the shadow magic oozing from the man, and more so when flames began to lick through his fingers. They have a warlock. Catching Serena's eye she saw a malicious grin under the scarred face, and shouted to Cailea just as dark clouds formed in the sky above them. Praying to the Light that her shield would hold, Izmae deflected away the first ball of fire that fell from the sky away from Tallian, her shield absorbing most of the damage and already glowed fairly bright. The force of it caused her to stagger backwards and behind her another landmine exploded at the impact of a fireball.

A high pitched sound was all she could hear as she tried to work her way back to the middle, her head was filled with dizziness and she desperately focused the Light to heal herself, but it was difficult when explosions were heard all around. A green glow suddenly encompassed her torso and slowly her wounds began to heal and the haze faded from her mind. Cailea was in her human form again and was now healing her own wounds. The trees all around were burning, and now the rain of fire had stopped the two remaining paladins moved back towards them, freshly healed from the priest behind them. How much longer can we hold them off?

As if answering her thoughts, the last words of Tallian's portal spell echoed through the burning trees. Taking hold of Cailea's arm they moved closer to Tallian and felt everything around them start to fade, the heat, the pain from wounds, even Serena's last curse towards them, mentioning the name of her brother, Soboron.

***

As her eyes focussed on the scene around her, Izmae's stomach churned; she was not used to travelling in this manner. Cailea had a similar look on her face and Tallian was kneeling on the floor, his hands on his head and sweating in pain. Slowly each of her senses returned to near enough normal, and for a moment she thought they were still in the forest, she could see and hear and feel the remenants of a fire close by. A small crowd of people was standing muttering to themselves beside the skeleton of a building, glowing still with the impact of a large and consuming fire. Izmae slowly walked across, the images she was seeing not quite fixing in her head yet, until she saw the charred remains of a sign by the side of the wreckage;

The Flamedance Inn

In that moment her heart skipped several beats. They were too late.

Izmae heard her name and tearing her eyes away from the scene she saw Rowen, his bright eyes empty and hollow. She couldnt say anything to him, but in his arms he held a bundle. She looked down at the baby, but sensed no life in it. Looking at Rowen she managed to croak, "Markus? Marta?" and he shook his head. Soboron had made sure there were no remains left of their bodies, there was no chance of resurrection, not at all. But the baby...

She took the child in her arms and lay a hand on its torso; it was not long dead. Uttering holy words she prepared herself to find the child's spirit, to try and return it to its body. On completion of the incantation the world around her swirled and the colour drained from it. The scene was the same but everywhere was ethereal, and the only sound to be heard was the soft echo of a thousand whispering voices. Izmae moved forward through the empty street towards the ghostly wreckage in front of her, on which floated a bright woman, robed in the purest white. She had entered a ghost realm, somewhere between that of the living and that of the dead. In front of her the woman known only as the Spirit Guide inclined her head.

"Once more we meet child."

"You know why I'm here."

She sighed "Alas I do, and you of course will know that the spirits of your family have departed."

"But the baby-"

"Was not meant to live past its first day. So it is fated."

"You know as well as I do that not everyone dies when fate says it must be so."

"Again you are wrong child. Everyone has their time, whether through natural or man made death. It is fate."

"You brought me back!"

"With you I intervened; it was not yet your time."

Izmae couldn't speak; this was so painfully unjust.

"How can you justify bringing me back from the dead, and leave this innocent child to die?!"

"The same reason that I allow soldiers to be brought back from the dead in battle; to keep the balance of Light on the mortal realm. It is fate that you were given new life, so you may hope to achieve what you need to, no matter how small the task. The same it is with soldiers in battle; you know this, you see them in your dreams. So do many who have their spirits returned to them."

There was a long pause. "There's nothing I can do is there?"

The Spirit Guide simply waved her pale arm and said, "May the Light be with you."

The world around her faded and returned once more to that of the living realm. Tears formed in her eyes and without her even noticing Rowen took the dead child from her arms to lay it beside the wreckage. Izmae felt numb, completely and utterly empty. She stared into the burning embers in front of her and fell to her knees. There was someone beside her, possibly Tallian, or Cailea, she didn't know. She didn't care. All she could think of was the younger brother that sacrificed so much for her and the Church, the brother that she would never see again.

[Icefrost]

"A mistake, such a stupid mistake...and now I'm here in front of two complete strangers", Cailea thought to herself. As the paladin began to speak to her, she was only barely paying attention to her, looking around nervously if the mentioned enemies would be arriving; she kept nodding and giving short answers whenever she was asked something, even told them her name.

Suddendly loud sound filled her ears, a bright flash blinded her eyes for a second or two, and almost as an instinct of some kind, she transformed back to the black panther she was a few moments ago, knowing that a battle would be ahead.
After a bit of confusion, she managed to focus again and saw how one of the attackers was trying to get through to the mage. With ease, she leapt on the warrior, making him crash on the ground back first, then plunged her sharp teeth in his neck, which was now open for attack. But as she leapt forwards again, something sharp, apparently the dying man's sword, made a painful cut on her hind leg, causing her to slow down severely.
As she recovered from the ensuing crash landing, she quickly transformed back and was about to treat the wound when she saw the paladin was in trouble. She moved towards Izmae, as dark clouds began forming above them.
When she got there, she channeled a simple restorative energy to the paladin, then on herself, healing the wound that was now on her thigh, but before she could finish the process completely, the paladin grabbed her arm and she felt how the mage's spell began to effect them. Before everything completely faded from sight, she took a look around at the burning trees, their suffering voices echoing in her mind for a moment, determining that the crusaders truly were her enemies from now on..

*****

The feeling fom portal travelling was weird, but somehow calmed her mind after the battle. Then she took a glance at the surrondings and dark thoughts immediately flooded her mind.
"No! All this death and destruction, why? Who has done thi-" her thoughts were interrupted as she stared at the burnt house for one mindless moment, until a sharp pain inside her head knocked her onto her knees, holding her head.

In her mind, she saw the building burst into flames, but it was different, it wasn't the same house. Then she was suddendly a little girl staring at a dark but peaceful forest from the window of a house.

No, not this...

Then, red furry demons, satyrs, emerged from the forest. There were ten or twenty of them, accompanied by mindless skeletons. The town bell made an alarm sound...guards were getting into place...everything seemed to happen so fast...

No, stop!

..the demons and their minions broke through...they attacked people at random...people yelling help, screams of pain, death wails, everywhere...

Make it stop!

...a bashing sound at the door...skeletons rushed in...blood...so much blood...

Please! Make it stop!

...a strong arm pulled her out the window...then she was suddendly on a boat...looking at the flames of her house.

NOO!

Then the images of the burning houses collided in her mind and she came out of the illusion. She was in dalaran again, her knees and hands on the ground, staring at the damp ground, her entire body shaking.
As she raised her head, she saw that the others had their attention on something else which she could not clearly see from the short distance. She considered herself lucky to not been noticed, or at least she hoped they didn't. Then she sat on the ground and began to finish the healing process that was interrupted some moments ago, looking at the paladin somewhere in front of her. After a brief moment of clear thinking, she decided that she wouldn't get involved in what was happening there, because it was none of her business. Unless they made it her business.

[Icefrost]

Then Cailea saw as the paladin collapsed. This concerned her enough to take a closer look. It took her a few moments to actually understand the scene: There was a man of maybe around her age with an empty look in his eyes, he was holding a child...a dead child. Then there was Izmae on her knees, whose expression spoke more than she could ever say out loud.
Nothing to do, nothing to say.
All she could do was stand quietly next to the paladin. She lowered her head, closed her eyes and spoke a few quiet elvish words to the goddess.
After that, questions began to flood her mind

"Why does this keep happening to me?
Haven't I already already seen enough death and suffering for one lifetime?
I am not haunted by it quite enough already?"

With those thoughts, she just stood there, waiting.

[Shanda]

Tallian leaned against a wall across the street. He had recovered somewhat from his spell, but seeing their failure like this drained him like no spellwork would ever do. He glanced over at the mourning paladin, the druid girl, Cailea. was standing silent next to her, offering her wordless support. Tallian sighed and closed his eyes. What had happened to his friends..

Maybe Izmae was not the only one who had lost someone dear to them in this fire. He had not sensed them anywhere around city nor in the countryside. Had everything that had happened since he stepped into that tavern so long ago been for nothing. Had they all perished..

Tallian stood still, silent and unmoving as a rock. But his thoughts were a turbulent mass swirling and twisting. What was he to do now, Izmae looked sad beyond words to describe it, and the druid seemed both sad and..lost.
For himself, for to long he had lived and travelled alone, for to long he had avoided human contact. His feelings, even though they had been stirred by what had happened, was now as cool as ever. He had lost to many friends, loved ones and people he cared for..

Tallian again closed his eyes, in an attempt to calm his storming mind..

[Izmae]

The fire had been raging when he had arrived earlier. It took a fair sized storm to extinguish the flames, and even now the embers glowed intensely. That in itself was odd; in different circumstances he would have thought the fire to have its origin in a spell. But that couldn't be so; the culprit had also died in the fire, and it would take an extremely inadept mage to incinerate himself. Rowen looked down at his sister and his stomach knotted itself even more at the sight of tears running down that exhausted face. Three times. Three times he had ever seen her cry; once in the outskirts of Stratholme just before they thought she had died. Once when two days later she found them again near Dalaran. Once today.

He had seen enough of this. He carefully lifted Izmae to her feet and started leading her back to his house in the main quarter. As they crossed the street the Night Elf's gaze lingered on them a while. Rowen looked back a moment later and she was gone. They passed Tallian, his eyes closed and his expression saddened but his inky black robes as forboding as ever. Rowen hesitated slightly but placed a hand on the Archmage's shoulder, "Thank you for trying. My door is always open to you friend." Tallian didn't respond, didn't even open his eyes and so Rowen moved his sister on.

He sighed in irony at the other news this day was supposed to bring; he had passed his advanced trials. The Council had decided upon today to spring the surprise tests on him, and much to everyone's surprise; he had passed. He was now officially a Highmage of Dalaran. The Archmages of the Council had requested a meeting to formalise the honour. Of course he was late now, but he would go nonetheless. They would burn the insignia of the highmage right off his robes if he didn't. As if answering his thoughts Izmae's horse nudged himself between them, and without a word his sister mounted and let herself be led. Rowen smiled slightly, a smile that disappeared as soon as he resumed walking, this time towards the Main Hall, and the Chamber of the Council.

***

"That was far too risky, those flames would have spread if it hadn't been for the storm spell." The aging man looked across at his companion, anger still evident on his face. His companion simply stared once more into the hearth, his reply coming deep but quiet.

"It was necessary."

Another voice sounded, this one slightly younger. "You're dealing with powerful forces. Are you certain-"

"WE are the powerful force. This fragile world would have crumbled long ago without the guidance and protection of this Council."

"The Crusade will not take this lightly."

"The Crusade will not live to see their next day if they cross me. I have upheld my part of the bargain, let us see if they will do the same."

"I don't think killing their assassin was part of the deal."

A malicious smile spread across his face, "They will know nothing of it. We could level the entire city and make the people think it was an accident-"

"I suggest we cease this discussion...someone is at the door of our Chamber."

[Shanda]

Everything was still.. the world had stopped moving, and Tallians mind was as blank as a paper waiting for a scribe. He opened his eyes and gazed around the street. His eyes again passed the ruins of the inn, he surpressed the sad feelings threatening to surface one again. With a soundles sigh he started moving towards the house he knew belonged to the brother of Izmae. His thoughts stayed at her brother for a short moment. The man had put a hand on his shoulder and just that slight touch was enough to read his strengts.. and weaknesses. He was an accomplished mage, not close to Tallian himself but nonetheless worthy of the new robes he wore. That thought vanishes as fast as any other had. The void again claimed his mind for itself.

The door kreeked slightly when opened. The inside was that of a cozy home, furnished and decorated by someone dedicated to the arcane arts, Tallian was not surprised but it still seemed more of a home then a place to study. Maybe this brother was different. He saw traces of Izmae in armour laying about the room, clearly taken off while moving towards a bedchamber as she was not in the livingroom nor the kitchen.

The feelings she felt right now Tallian also knew in heart and soul.. he also understood the nessecity of having people around to share the pain. But he could not bring himself to call for her and offer what little comfort he had to give, instead he muttered a word so the fireplace bursted into life and seated himself close to it.. just watching the flames.. mind completely blank..

[Icefrost]

As Cailea turned away from the heat of what used to be a house, a cold breeze of air uncomfortably
reminded her of how far away she was from her homeland. As she walked away from the ruins, she wrapped her cloak
around herself and fell into her thoughts again.
Her natural survival intincts told her to walk away now; these people didn't need her and she had yet to find
the herb she had come in here for.
But somehow, a part of her, the same part that had made her follow the paladin's trail earlier, was now telling her
to stay, telling her that she could not just watch as another person was suffering from the loss of one's closest
people, just like she had suffered years ago.
For herself, there had been no one to share her pain, no one to trust...until...
"Wait a minute...that's it!", she thought. She had just found the answer to the mental struggle she was going
through.
She stopped walking, glanced around to see no one was there, and drew a small green jewel, a little smaller than her fist, out of the pocket of her short legwear.
"Now then, how did this work again..."
But without much effort at all, the gem began emitting a faint glow as she held it in her closed hands and focused.

"Master, do you hear me?"

"What...? Who...?" A suprised voice answered inside her head.

"Its me, Cailea"

"Wha..? Ah, Cailea! What a nice suprise!" The voice sounded overjoyed.
"I see you have finally made use of...how did you say it again... that 'useless little rock', wasn't it?"

"I was five then..."

"Ah, time flies. But I know you well enough to say you wouldn't do this just for an old man's sake, so tell me, what
troubles your mind?"

"Well, I met this paladin while I was hunting and..."

"Ah, a man you say? But of course, you should already have one at your age, wouldn't you sa-"

"She's a woman." Cailea interrupted, slightly annoyed by the old druid's quick assumptions.

"Oh...right." The man sounded like someone had just insulted him, but continued in a neutral voice: "What is it then?"

"Uhh...its hard to explain but...I helped her fight some of her enemies, but now it seems that someone close to her
was just murdered..."

"And you are thinking about helping her.", the old druid concluded her sentence.

"Well...yes..."

A short silence took place.

"Well...I believe this is a choice only you can make. But for my part, do as you desire, but please keep a low profile.
You realise that one of our race found meddling with the politics around there isn't going to get away with it."

"Of course. Thank you."

Having said that, she stopped focusing on the jewel and the old druid's voice nowhere to be heard anymore.
The conversation had made up her mind at last. She would find the paladin and tell her.
She looked around to see that she had wandered off to the corner of some bar, loud voices of
drunken singing reached her ears from inside the building and the smell of aged beer was dominant, even though she was outside the place.
She focused her mind into another transformation. As the green glow surrounded her, her arms
grew feathers as the rest of her body quickly shrunk into the shape of a bird.
And then she took off as a brown hawk, quickly rising above the rooftops of the city.
She floated around a while, her sharp eyes now swiftly scanning the streets and paths of the city.
Then she spotted Izmae. The paladin just entered a house at some distance.
Cailea flew down to the house and behind it to find a window. Through the window she could see a bedroom where Izmae just entered, taking off the few last pieces of her armour.

Cailea landed on the branch of a tree, just outside the window and looked as the paladin sat on the bed and looked around for something. Then she seemed to find what she was looking for, stood up and opened the window to let some cool air inside the room. After that, she sat back on the bed.

Cailea saw her opporutunity and flew in through the window and onto the bed, right next to the paladin.
At first Izmae just kept staring out the window and didn't seem to notice her, but as she reverted
her transformation, the paladin's eyes were fixed on her.
Now sitting on the bed, they stared at each other with expressions which would never be seen
again. Then, Cailea broke the silence as she had planned:

"I guess that makes two of us."

The paladin looked back to the window.

"My family was also murdered, and I don't even know why."

Yet another silent moment ensued.

"I was thinking, maybe we could share our stories with each other..eh...when you feel better, of course"

Having said that, she stood up and went over to the open window to breathe the cool air. It would be interesting to see the paladin's reaction once she would get a hold of herself.

[Izmae]

Her eyes dropped as the druid left the room. Why is this world so full of destruction? What did we do to deserve this suffering? Izmae thought about what she had said. Perhaps she should tell Cailea her story, it would keep her awake for a while longer at least. She couldn't face sleeping, not yet. She knew they would be there, she could feel their departed spirits already, like a subtle scent upon the wind. Shaking herself she moved silently downstairs and entered the living room. Inside she found Cailea as expected and who at first glace she thought was Rowen, but dark robes told her was Tallian. For a moment there was a surprised silence as each registered each other, then Izmae moved over to a cupboard across the room and pulled out a metal box. Picking up her bag along the way, she set both on the table and pulled out the contents whilst she thought how to start her story. Metal discs, odd springs, bags and vials of dark and light powders were all collected on the table. As she picked up a Gyromatic Micro-Adjustor to begin replenishing her supply of landmines she finally broke the silence.

"I was born in Stratholme, before the undead hordes ravaged it. My brothers and I were the only survivers from a family of 9. We ran all the way out of the city...using flash bombs we'd found from the engineer next door to distract the creatures. I was hit by a fireball at the gates, they had to leave me behind. They thought I'd died that day."

"Lucky they were wrong then."

"They were right." There was a pause as they listened to this, someone opened their mouth to speak but she interrupted, "That's what I don't understand. How can she justify bringing me back but leaving a newborn baby to die? I mean, they got her out of the fire..." She started to say more, but instead shook her head and concentrated once more on applying the right amount of blasting powder without triggering the fuse.

***

"Enter."

Rowen shivered. He hated that voice, deep and clear but quiet even so. He shuffled into the room, closed the door and walked towards the seated Council.

"You decided to attend at last Highmage Rowen. Not a good start to your new standing I have to say."

"You will forgive me sirs, but the fire in the traders quarter...my, well it was my brother's inn sir."

"I see, I had heard there were fatalities. Your brother?"

Rowen nodded and tried hard to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Well we will not keep you then, no doubt you wish to return home." The Council members spoke an honoured vow, a traditional blessing on a new Highmage, and Rowen was allowed to leave. He was relieved to say the least, all he wanted was to get back home...

***

"That, was not expected." The man addressed the Grandmaster, he was always the one to break the silence in situations like this.

"Indeed."

"He may have heard...well something." One piped up.

"It was likely him that cast the storm spell to extinguish the flames." Said another.

The Grandmaster was silent, considering this new threat.

"It might be best to 'take care of him' as it were sir."

"Are you mad man?! How do you propose to destroy a Highmage without arousing attention?!"

"Silence. Mathias; have someone watch him. He is loyal to us, he may know nothing."

"Are you certain he's loyal? Losing a brother can do terrible things to a man."

"If he is not our little problem may solve itself."

[Icefrost]

As Cailea listened to the paladin's story, it sounded more and more like her own life as it progressed.
When the paladin was finally done talking, Cailea stopped leaning aganist the wall of the room and spoke;

"Well, that cleared a lot of things" she said, and Tallian seemed to silently approve to it from his chair.
She looked at the mage somewhat suspiciously for a moment, but then decided it wouldn't do her any harm to let him know as well.

"And as promised, I will tell you something about myself now."

She waited a moment for the others to intervene, but they didn't seem interested to so, so she began to tell her story.

"My life began in the town of Auberdine. Maybe you know it, maybe not. The seaside makes for a lovely place to live...until..."
She took a short pause "...until the day the demons came."

"As I know, they killed everyone I ever knew, my parents, the only family I ever had, were slain right in front of me." Her voice began to break and she took another pause to calm herself down.

"Someone saved me from death, but I was left alone shortly after. What followed were the three longest days of my life. The days that made me into what I am. I would just sit alone somewhere, unable to get my thoughts off the slaughter, knowing that it would haunt me for the rest of my life."
Fortunately, a sweet old druid finally found me, gave me shelter and taught me."

"I know what it's like to live your life with a nightmare, when all you have to do is close your eyes and you are back there to see them die again. I was going to leave after we got here, but...after what I've seen today...I just refuse to stand by and watch people share my fate. That is why I am still here."

[Shanda]

After they both had finished speaking Tallian turned back to silently watch the flames. A small part of his mind nugged at him to say something himself.. tell his tale. But he could not. He belived that they had heard and experienced enough sorrow this night. And his own life was nothing he truly wished to share with strangers.

The room was silent exept for the small sounds comming from Izmaes work over at the table, the druid seemed lost in thoughts. It all fitted Tallian well, he did not know what to do right now, nor why he really had followed Izmae here in the first place. Perhaps he should leave, he thought his presence here was straining enough which is understandable, and the two of them seemed to need time for themselves. Tallian made a mamotioned as to rise from his seated position, but a small glance over at Izmae, seeing the tears once again falling slowly down her cheeks changed his mind. He leaned back in the chair and again watched the flames dance..

[Nitesky]

Name: Dreg'Atar

Age: 27

Class: Warrior

Race: Fel'Guard

Equipment: Herod's Body Armor

Appearence: A large broad beast under the command of Fel Commander who takes the form of a Dread Lord and Fel'Guard

Backstory-
Dreg'Atar was born in the 1st great war and was thought to be the victorious fighter of the Burning Legion. Dreg'Atar was the one who first successfully lead a raid against stormwind. Dreg'Atar stole Herod's armor from Scarlett Monastary after he was slayed.

[Icefrost]

Three days ago he had left the tavern at Southshore, but the chestpiece of his armor still reeked of the aged beer that dwarf had poured on him. "I'm never going to ask a drunken dwarf for directions anymore", he tought to himself as he was getting back on the road from the detour he had to take to avoid going too close to the undead-controlled town of Tarren Mill.
For a moment he had thought that he should have just walked right into there and let the forsaken soldiers relieve him of this misery called life. His death would have saved more than one life.
But as usual, the familiar, yet sinister voice inside his head, combined with what he had left of his elven pride, told him to not to get into trouble. Not now. Not when they were so close to their destination after all these years.
As he continued his long walk towards the so-called "city of wizards", he knew there would be nothing to stop him from reaching his goal anymore. He could only pray Elune for a sudden incident, something that would stop him. Or that he would fail once he gets there.

*****

Cailea looked at Tallian expectantly after finishing her own story, but as he didn't seem to react in any way, she decided to continue watching the paladin work on her explosive devices and trying to rearrange her own thoughts to comprehend all that she had seen and heard tonight.
Somehow, an uncomfortable feeling of tension and unsafety crawled up her spine. Somehow she knew, that even after all that had happened, this night wasn't over yet.

[Izmae]

Even in Dalaran the streets were unusually quiet this evening. It was evident that news of the fire had spread quickly and of the few people that wandered through the streets, almost all of them took a second glance at Rowen. He quickened his pace, eager to get back to check on Izmae. It was times like these that he disliked being a mage; to the normal townsfolk they were a different species of people. To be honest with himself he never really understood the non-magical people of the city either but even he could see the conditions in which they lived were worsening. His brother's inn had not been in the most high society areas of the city but it was certainly a long way from the slums. As much as he dared not to think it, he couldn't help but feel the Council's accountability in the matter, It's easy to think the people are doing well from the comfort of your own section of town. He thought cynically.

***

The room remained in silence for what seemed like endless minutes. Izmae put down her tools and rubbed her eyes, how long had it been since she had properly slept? The lock on the door clicked open and Rowen walked in. If he was surprised at seeing all three of them sitting in the room he didn't show it, and immediately he walked to a cupboard and picked out a vial of clear pink liquid. She stood up and walked over to him, hand outstretched.

"You're taking my advice this time?" he said, trying and failing to smile in the process.

She tried the same weak smile, took the liquid and then hugged him. For several seconds they stood there, and remembering they were not alone in the room she decided against talking about it. She packed her supplies away and Rowen seated himself in a chair beside Tallian. He had a certain look on his face; she could always tell. Something that he would think around in circles in his mind until he wore himself out. Well considering what a day it had been it wasn't surprising.

Silently she left the room and walked upstairs. As she changed into her nightrobe Tallian's medallion fell to the floor. She picked it up and put it around her neck. She didn't know why but somehow it comforted her. Well belonging to an Archmage it must have magical qualities. She would give it back in the morning. She unstoppered the cork of the vial, but instead of drinking it she opened the window and poured it down the roof. Her stomach clenching she settled down to sleep; she would have to face this sooner or later.

[Icefrost]

Cailea looked around the room hastily. With Izmae gone upstairs, probably sleeping, she felt somewhat like a stranger in someone else's house. She looked at the mage who had just entered. Having heard Izmae's story, she no longer thought of him as "the sad man by the burnt house".
Even though Rowen didn't seem to want to chase her out or anything, she felt very uncomfortable at the moment. Not only the alien feeling, but also the the fact that it had been quite literally years since she had slept indoors. She could almost hear the woods outside the city calling for her, the darkness of the forest seemed like a warm blanket of safety.

****

Getting past the city guards at night had been an unexpectedly easy task. Apparently, there had been some kind of an accident and the guards were busy at the matter.
One might think that Valen felt lucky for it, but in fact, to him it seemed like mockery. Just as he had spent the long journey praying for something that would stop him, his path gets straightened instead, almost as if a higher force was mocking him and now laughing gleefully at his misery.
Eventually, his sneaking came to an end, as he saw a certain house across the street. From the window in front of the house, he could clearly see too women, one an elf, the other one a human. There was also someone sitting in a chair, his back turned to the window, so Valen coudn't tell who he was. Nevertheless, his goal was there.
He pulled himself back behind the corner and took a deep breath to remind himself of all he had done for this so far. For ten years he had been hunting them down. And now the last one was here within reach. Then the dark voice inside his head, the one that had been his only friend and enemy for years, told him to move. But as he was about to quietly dash to the house, a man in blue robes emerged from the left, walking towards his location. Perhaps this was the intrusion he'd been hoping for.
But once again, the voice told him to hide and wait for the man to pass by. He did, and saw that the man entered the house he was watching on. After he had went by, Valen dashed to the other side of the street as he had planned, and hid at the side of the house. He took one more deep breath to prepare himself for the task. But just as he looked around the from corner of the house, the elf came out of the door. He was shocked by the change of things and lost balance, bringing down a pile of wooden boxes as he fell in sight of the druid, all of this done half-intentionally.
As expected, the elf immediately noticed him lying in the middle on the boxes and took a grip of her staff, as if ready to fight. Slowly, Valen got back on his feet and spoke the only words he could think of:
"Cailea.....that was your name, wasn't it?", he said while pulling down his black hood to reveal his pale blue face and his long darkblue hair. At that very moment, the bell of the city cathedral sent a chime across the city, signaling midnight...

*****

Cailea was completely stunned and amazed at the same time.
Not because the man was a night elf like her, which was an unexpected sight in this part of the world.
Not because he had just called her name, something she had thought that until tonight, only her mentor knew.
Not because the sight of him brought to mind an image of her as a girl, being pushed onto the refugee boat at Auberdine, so many years ago.
But because the one pushing her onboard, her savior, was an elven boy, maybe only a few years older than her. And the boy had this man's face.
Then, the door made a sound as someone came out of the house behind her...

[Icefrost]

Some door across the street made a creaking sound, distracting the druid's attention from him for a moment. As she glanced behind herself only to see the empty street, the voice inside Valen's head began speaking again.

"My my my, aren't we lucky today. Well, what are you waiting for?"

Valen immediately reached out for his swords, but before he got a grip of the handles, the druid looked back at him, so he quickly relaxed his arms again to not look suspicious.

"I...I think I remember you. You were the one who saved my life, weren't you? But who are you...and how did you end up in here?", the druid asked.

"What are you looking at? She is alone here, do it now! Here's your chance to finish it!" The dark voice impatiently told him.

But somehow, looking at the druid made him ignore the voice. Valen already had his answer prepared:
"I came to tell you...there is an assassin after you. I almost got him once, but he's a slippery one."

"What?" The druid asked in confusion, just as he had planned.

"Listen, I think it might be safer if I came with you. Just until I can get this guy and then I'll go away."

"Wait, who are you, and why do you want to help me?"

"My name is Valen...and its probably safer for the both us if I don't answer the other one. But let's just say that it has to do with Auberdine."

Mentioning that name had exactly the effect he was hoping for, as a short silence took place.

"But...why would anyone want to kill me?"

"I told you, its too risky to tell you...at least for now. And right now I think we'd best to hide somewhere for the night. The assassin could be anywhere in a city like this."

A few moments of tension passed as Valen observed the druid's expression. But then she seemed as if she decided to trust him and continued to speak.

"Well...I suppose they won't mind another one coming in"

"What do you mean?", Valen asked, pretending not to have seen the people inside the house.

"Let's just ask them. Come."

As Valen moved closer, she pushed the door open and they stepped inside the house again. As they moved, the voice inside Valen's head spoke again.

"What are you doing? You just missed the best chance imaginable!"

But Valen didn't know the answer. He didn't know why he hadn't killed her like he was supposed to. For the whole journey here he had thought he wasn't strong enough to stop himself from killing the girl he had once saved. But something did stop him anyways...something.

"Let's hope we'll get another chance then."

****

The two mages looked cautious when Cailea came back in with the rogue.

"Well gentlemen, seems like my story just became live. This is the man who saved my life."

[Shanda]

Tallian switched his gaze from the dancing flames to the druid and her supposed savior. Cailea smiled and seemed to be less sad then before, but the man behind her had a considering look opon his face, and a posture that spoke of great caution.

This will only bring trouble he thought. But instead of voicing his thoughts he silently greeted the man with a nod, before turning back to the fire. Through his mind old memories still swirrled, they always did after he had witnessed something terrible. And he could as always do little but let them fade away by themselves. Tallian highly doubted that he would ever find peace in his life, one such as he was bound to wander the world, witness its suffering..alone.

But the warmth of the house, the comfort of a chair and the untroubled dancing of the flames from the fireplace finally took its toll on the weary mage. And not before he long Tallian was sleeping, still sitting in the chair, his closed eyes turned against the flames.

[Izmae]

Rowen sighed, now too tired to care who was in his house. His sister trusted these people, even if she wasn't in the best of states right now. He closed the door behind Cailea and the man who had apparantly saved her life. Whilst doing so he put a small enchantment on the doorframe; a little something he had learned living in the dormitories of the Acadamy. If anyone passed through this night the whisper in his ear would wake him up. After muttering a goodnight he plodded up the stairs, entered his bedroom and fell on his unmade bed, not even bothering to take off his clothes. As soon as his head hit the pillow he fell asleep, not even hearing the stirring from the next room.

***

The rat of a man moved noiselessly through the room. Izmae had spotted him almost immediately, but then this was her dream. The edges of the surfaces all around her eroded like wisps of smoke, and all had a pale and eerie glow to it. She walked over to her brother, oblivious to the whole situation and her ghostly hand passed right through him. A cry from upstairs made them both look up towards the ceiling; the new baby was crying. Markus just smiled; smiled and stared and the small man took advantage of his lapse in concentration. With one swish movement he moved up behind Markus, wrapped his left arm round his chest, his right across his throat and had his leg ready to push on the back of his knees if he needed to unbalance him. In a milisecond she saw all this and flinching, before that second was up, the man's right arm sliced. She looked away and even in her dream felt a violent nausea. She couldn't get through this, and usually she had to sit through the whole thing before her unconscious let her awaken herself. This time though as the dark man moved once more, this time towards the stairs something which alerted her senses, something that was not usually there was trying to wake her up. Caught between curiosity and the desire to cut this dream, this dream out of all of them short she hesitated. Her senses heightened once more and she felt a sharp pain in her head and staggered forwards, towards the stairs. Following the man upwards she felt the fight in her head increase; What is going on?!

The crying stopped as she entered the room and the confused scene tore away from her. In the short time that she was able to take in details with she saw the assassin, blades still dripping but with a confused but definately scared look on his face. Marta's arm lay outstretched and burnt; the baby was nowhere to be seen. Izmae moved in to try and see more but at that point the image was ripped from her mind with more than just a painful twinge.

She awoke with a start, breathing hard and trying to arrange her thoughts.

[Icefrost]

Cailea was very confused for a moment. Tallian seemed like he'd fall asleep on his chair any moment now and Rowen had left the room with only a quiet mumble that had sounded like "good night". Although she didn't feel very welcome in this house and was still eager to go sleep in the nearby forest, she decided that she would try to sleep inside due to what the rogue had told her. And even if there wasn't really any assassins lingering about, it wasn't worth the risk to not to follow his advice. Besides, she wanted to find out more about the man, something that running away wouldn't give her a chance to do.
So she headed upstairs, looking for a better place to sleep than the chairs by the fireplace, with Valen behind her. After a few locked doors and what looked like a storage room for different magical materials and devices, they finally found a room with two beds and a small table with a chair by it. Although it was a guestroom that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in quite a while, it would do more than well if only the beds would stay in one piece.

"I guess we'll have to share this room", Valen said as they stepped inside.
"Seems so", she answered, while she walked over to the window of the room and opened it. After taking a moment to breathe the fresh air, she set her staff to lean aganist the table, took off her cape and put it hanging on the back of the chair, then sat on the bed that was closer to the window.

*****

Valen walked over to the other bed with little thoughts in his mind. He grabbed his swords and laid them on the floor under the bed. Then he took off his dark leather tunic and handmade boots that were specially crafted for sneaking, before laying down on the bed. From the corner of his eye he saw that Cailea seemed like she wasn't going to sleep yet, as she was still sitting on the edge of her bed. Not to mention she was staring at him.
Here come the questions, he thought to himself. The questions that he really didn't want to answer. But he had to, as to not to blow his cover.
And then she spoke as expected.
"What's that on your shoulder? It looks like a marking of some kind."

Valen looked at his shoulder where there indeed was something that looked like a marking or a scar of some sort.

"Ah, that's just a burn scar. It's what you get for pulling little girls out through flaming windows"

At first she didn't seem to get the joke but then smiled and asked another question:
"You sure you don't want to tell me more about that assassin? After all, it'd probably be safer if I knew whats after me, no?"

Valen let out a long sigh, but decided to give her an answer just to get this over with.
"I don't know who he is or what drives him on, but I know that he has killed a lot of people before."

A silent question was visible on the druid's face and he continued talking to answer it:

"I know it because...he killed some people I knew, including my brother who survived the attack at Auberdine."

And just as he had hoped, saying that silenced the druid again. A minute or two passed, during which he got up, went over to close the door of the room and laid back on his bed. Sometime during that short trip Cailea had pulled a blanket on herself and closed her eyes to sleep.
It had been so easy to convince her. After all, he had only lied about one thing during the whole day: the identity of the supposed assassin. Oh yes, he was there and yes, he had killed all those people in the past. But he was no random hired killer lurking about. The man he had been talking about all along was none other than himself.

In his dream, his past caught up with him once again. He was only six years old, running along the border of a sandy beach and a dark forest, the flames of his home illuminating the sky behind him with a red glow. He was under a terrible bloodlust. "It went this way", the guards had said, and wide trail of blood was there to prove it. Then he found it: a furry satyr, the only one that had managed to run away after the guards had routed them. Although the demon was well on its way bleeding to death while sitting next to a tree, Valen wasn't satisfied. He wanted vengeance for his hometown.
He raised his short knife and struck with all his strength. At the same moment, the satyr collected what was left of its strength and delivered a weak and seemingly harmless blow on his shoulder. The moment his weapon should have cleaved the demon's flesh, the beast vanished to thin air with a bright flash.
For a moment he thought he had won, but then a sharp pain cut off his thoughts. A glowing demonic rune burned his shoulder with searing pain while a dark voice began to speak from inside his head:
"Little fool. They were supposed to die, but you let them escape."

"What is this?!"

"Don't you get it? I possessed you. And now....hahaha...now we are bound together until we have killed all those you helped escape tonight"

"What?! No! I don't want to!"

"Oh, but we will kill them! Every. Last. One."

He woke up in sweat, taking a few moments register where he was, until the quiet sound of Cailea's breathing from the other bed finally returned him into reality.

"I was beginning to think I'd have to show that dream to you twice before you'd wake up. Enough sleeping. We have work to do. And don't tell me you'll get a better chance than this. She is asleep"

Quietly he got up from the bed and picked up one of the swords under it. He snuck over to the sleeping druid and took a moment to look at her face. When she was sleeping, she looked younger than awake. Almost as if she was that same little girl again...

"Quit dreadming! Just do it!"

Inhaling a lungful of the cool air that came through the window, he held the sword with both hands to keep it steady and carefully lowered it until the steel was only a few inches away from Cailea's neck. It would be a messy kill yes, but fairly soundless, allowing him to make his escape.
But as he was about to cut her, his hands began shaking. He pressed harder, but almost as if an invisible magical barrier was protecting the druid, applying more power only made his hands shake more and didn't get the blade any further.
Eventually he gave up trying, went back to his bed, put the sword to where it had been and buried his face in his hands while sitting on the bed.

"Weak fool! Is this what we came all the way in here for?"

Valen didn't answer.

"Ah, you must be stressed by the fact that she is the last one you have to kill. One of a man's weaknesses. Fine. You have two days to kill her. After that, I will take over and do it myself"

For once he hoped that the demon inside him would have been right...but he knew it wasn't. He wasn't stressed for the last kill. There was some other, much more powerful emotion involved. He just couldn't name it.
He laid back on the bed, hoping to catch a bit more sleep, however unlikely it was.

[Shanda]

Tallian slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room. Through the window he could still see that it was dark, the only source of light was the moon, shining like a round silver amulet. He saw that the fire had gone out by itself while he had been sleeping. Tallian made a small motion with his right hand an a few pieces of wood howered into the fireplace. Tallian lowered his hand and instead his eyes shone bright for a moment. Soon a cozy fire again gave warmth and light to the room.

He got up from the armchair and walked back and forth the fireplace a few times, to soften up his muscles and stretch them. Even though it was still in the middle of the night Tallian was fully awake. he had always been like this, sleep was something he needed small amounts of. Sometimes he thought it had to do with this strong affinity to magic, but at others that it was just something he was born with. Or a trait earned by many sleepless nights.

But even thought he slept very little he still needed to eat. And as soon as the thought crossed his mind, his stomach answered with a minor growl. Smilight slightly for himself he went over to the table and sat down. As none of the others would be awake anytime soon he could just aswell cheat alittle.

Again his eyes shone but this time he also held a hand above the table. Under it a green light appeared and when it vanished a few loafs of bread with butter and ham had take its place. Some moments later a cup of tea and some cheese accompanied the bread on the table. Tallian usually disliked making food this way, even one as he had some pride in his powers. And using it to make food was one of the things he usually did not do. But in this house he had no idea where to find anything eatable, and even though he doubted that Izmaes brother would have anything against it, he still felt bad about cadging in their household.

He left the table and walk over to his small back leaning against the armchair. From it he took an old scarred and wethered tome. It was the same one that had caused everything that had happened the past weeks. And now he finally had some time to again study it. He went back to the table and seated himself. And for the third time his eyes shone as he sat up the wards needed to read the book without falling into its many traps. He also picked op one of the breadloafs and absently took a bite from it.

Tallian opened the book a few pages in and fixed his eyes on the content.
after just a few sentences he realised that he read about one of the spells that one could learn from using this magic.

The Phoenix lance:

as Tallian read his eyes widened slightly, the second loaf still in his left hand, all but forgotten...

[Icefrost]

As usual, Cailea woke up just early enough to see the sun rise. When she sat up on the bed, her body was aching a bit all over and she felt a bit tired, not having slept too well. None of this was strange at all though, considering she had spent the last few years only sleeping outdoors.
She rubbed her eyes lightly and saw that Valen was still sleeping. Looking out of the open window and basking in the rising sun's light, the slight claustrophobic feeling that had troubled her for most of the night was finally fading and her confused thoughts finally seemed to be organizing, allowing her to logically think about what would happen now.
Once the sun was up and high, she turned away from the window to see the sleeping rogue on the other side of the small room, and couldn't help noticing that the scar on his shoulder seemed clearer now. It looked almost like some sort of a demonic rune. Maybe the man hadn't been quite honest last night, but nevertheless, she still owed her life to him. Ignorance and suspicion wouldn't be a very good way to show her gratitude.
The others, or at least those of them who had seen him didn't seem to trust him at all, but she did. No wonder. When you see someone's face in your dreams for years, you don't just forget it overnight. And walking into that someone in real life after over twenty years can be quite a frightful, or alternatively, a rather exciting experience. For her, it had been more of the latter.
Then her thoughts went on to Izmae and her brother. Although she didn't really know them, she couldn't come up with any reason why they would not want to investigate the arson and take action on whoever was behind it. Or maybe they already knew who did it? Either way, she would help them somehow. Last night, what she had seen and done, was too much to just walk away from anymore. And by following them around, she might just get lucky and find that herb she had almost forgotten about already.
Suddendly she realised why she was feeling a bit tired. On any regular day, she'd have been sleeping next to a small pond, a river, or whatever natural source of water. The sound of flowing water was more peaceful than anything she knew. And on any normal morning she'd be diving in that cool, refreshing water by now. But then again, yesterday had certainly been anything but a normal day for her.
Still sitting on the bed, she decided to wait for someone else to make a sound before going downstairs to meet them.

But before anything happened, she felt hungry. Indeed, she had yet to have any breakfast. She grabbed her staff that was leaning aganist the table and set it upright in front of her. Then she closed her eyes and focused on the staff for a short while. Opening her eyes to see a bunch of green grapes now hanging from the wooden stick that people so often misjudged as a weapon, she picked one of the small fruits and ate it, wondering what the others would have said if they saw her do this. Perhaps they would think it had something to do with arcane magics and conjuration? In truth, it was just very quick growth, but a natural process nevertheless. Nothing more.
After eating the third grape, she cut them off the wooden staff and put it back where it was, then took a better position to have her breakfast and wait for the others to wake up.

[Izmae]

Rowen sat on the bed beside his sister whilst she drank up the elixir he had made her. He had given up trying to tell her to avoid the dreams, for now they had bigger things to worry about.

"I'm telling you Rowen; Marta was burnt before the fire even started! Whoever was upstairs the assassin didn't expect to be there."

"That still leaves us no clues as to where to start but the Scarlet Crusade, there's the contingent that was sent after you to begin with; we should probably inform the Council of that-"

"Rowen we don't know who this mage is; how many times have you seen an assassin look surprised?!"

"From the many times that I've come across assassins?" he said with sarcasm.

"I'm serious. Think about it; these people are trained to kill, and if they're good enough they'll always want a clean job - no witnesses, no hesitation to kill anyone that does see. And this one was good..."

"So what are you saying, we shouldn't warn the council?"

"They'd need a force much bigger than that to challange Dalaran, to even hold Southshore for long would take a sizable force with its proximity to the city."

"Which they could be sending-"

"Yes they could but my point is we don't know. Until we know how high this goes-"

"What are you saying?!"

She sighed. Her brother was experienced enough as a mage but he'd lived in the city for most of his life; the only times he'd ventured outside was with a large gaggle of other mages that noone would dare challange. It made him a little...naive to the corruption that men were so vulnerable to. Perhaps she was just being cynical...

"I'm not saying anything, but whoever this was managed to mentally pull me from my own dream! We just need to find out a little more before we do anything round here."

"From the Crusaders? And how do you propose to do that?"

She looked at him grimly, "Persuasion."

He nodded, and then stood. "We have guests."

She followed him towards the staircase, and just as she'd touched the first step she got a sharp pain in her head. Her senses were prickling the inside of her head with jabs of warning. She shook herself; she often received after-effects of particularly strong dreams, at least she hoped that's what it was. They arrived downstairs in Rowen's sizable house; they'd been priming him to be a Highmage for a while, that much she could tell just from the house. Her short thoughts were interrupted when she heard movement coming down the stairs.

[Shanda]

(OOC: sorry for the short posts.. but I just dont have that much to write about yet)

Tallian had finished both his meal and his reading some hour ago. Now he was sitting in the armchair, watching the flames in the fireplace, thinking and reflecting what he had learned from the book. The events from yesterday he had pushed into a room far back in his mind, a room where he stuffed all sad and tragic events. He always locked that door carefully, still he was very much aware of the size of it by now.

When Izmae and her brother came down the stairs Tallian turned his head and greeted them with a "Good morning". Even though the sadness in their eyes from yesterday was all but gone, the both looked weary, but at the same time determined. Tallian turned back and decided that now was not a time to disturb the two of them.

[Icefrost]

Valen woke up and opened his eyes to see Cailea sitting on the other bed, looking like she was only half awake; her eyes were closed, but her position revealed her to be awake.
He sat up and lowered his feet to the floor, which wasn't as cold as what it looked like. Pulling his equipment back on, he couldn't get his mind off what had happened in the night. The few hours of sleep had barely even wiped away the last feelings he had had before falling asleep. Two days, he thought. Under any normal conditions it would have almost sounded like too much time, but right now it seemed like barely a few hours. The last thing he wanted was to give the demon a reason to "take over", like it had said. Although that particular way of expressing it was surprisingly accurate, its not exactly what he had thought it to be...at least not last time.
Once before he had had the demon "take over". The whole thing had ended up in a carnage and nearly getting himself killed in the process. Not exactly something he'd want to experience again.
But to prevent it, he'd have to kill Cailea. If he would have been asked to do that a few days earlier, he could have most likely done it, just like all the other muders. But now it seemed like a rather slim chance. Something about her presence seemed to silence the demon's voice and shed some light to his mind.

"You don't look like you slept too well either", the druid suddendly said, her eyes now open and looking at him.
Valen was going to answer but all he managed to do was yawn widely. Cailea let out a yawn at the same moment. The situation was so comical that neither of them could hold back a smile afterwards.
Then a quiet sound, like a door clicking open reached their ears from the hallway.
Cailea spoke.

"Sounds like the others are awake now. Let's go find out what happens now."

"Uh, I'm not sure what you mean..."

"Oh, I forgot. You didn't meet Izmae last night, did you? Come on then. You'll want to hear this if you're planning on coming with me like you said."

Together they left the room and made their way down the stairs until they found the others in the living room. When they arrived, Izmae looked up at them. When the paladin's eyes hit Valen, a strange feeling passed his mind. But it also brought understanding with it.
Wait...that was...oh no... This is the last thing I needed. The feeling of silence and peace wasn't coming from Cailea. It was coming from her. Somehow her presence was keeping the demon's voice silent, its grip on his mind loose. And as long things were so, he wouldn't be able to lift his blade aganist the druid.
Dammit, now what?! Do I have to kill her too...?

For a moment the paladin's face looked like she could see right through him, as if she was looking for something. But then she turned back at Cailea, who immediately broke the silence.

"Valen showed up last night after you had went somewhere", she said and glanced at him, then back at Izmae.

"He saved my life when I was four. I think I told you about that last night."

[Izmae]

Tallian had greeted them when they came down the stairs, but soon returned to his usual deep and brooding self. Sometimes she wondered if Archmages actually did anything when they weren't out saving mere mortals from terrifying threats. Well, apart from saving my family...trying anyway. Yet another paradox to add to her list - there were some people she just didn't understand sometimes. They had a habit of storing up their own problems; Tallian and Cailea were no different.

The sound of movement down the stairs she had at first assumed must be Cailea, but oddly enough there were two sets of feet that she could hear. Through the door came the druid, but behind her was another elf and from immediate inspection Izmae surmised he must be a rogue. Underneath layers of clothes she could see indents of either a dagger or a short sword at his hip. She could also see odd bulges in his clothes, barely noticeable but she was sure they weren't anything he would wish exposed. She was always weary with rogues, especially those specialised in assassination. Not that she hadn't used them on occasion but someone who's only deity in life was the person who could pay them the most always gave her reason for concern. This one though, there was something...different about him; she couldn't quite put her finger on it. As she looked into his eyes the brief change in expression as he looked into hers was enough to tell her that much, but no more.

She stopped herself from staring as Cailea started to explain who the man was. Interesting. She thought. Rowen seemed to read her thoughts as he nudged her subtly in the side. I know, I know. But what kind of a paladin would I be if everyone I met wasn't at least a little dubious to me? He smiled slightly. Sometimes she swore that he really was reading her mind when he did that. When introductions were over Rowen, with a determined air to him that she hadn't noticed before, looked around at each of them as he spoke.

"First I must say that I am grateful to you for trying to aid my family; it is a rare occurance to find such people that would do the same. Although you weren't successful for Markus or Marta, you did bring my sister back to me."

Onyxia's breath Rowen, do these inspirational speeches come from being a Highmage? She smiled at what she called the 'ambassador's speech', recognising that he had achieved much in gaining promotion, but still painfully aware of his lack of knowledge when it came to venturing outside the walls of the city. Dalaran was a sanctuary in his eyes, everything could be solved with the power of the council and it was going to take some persuasion to stop him believing this time.

"There is a score that must be settled. But more so than that there is the safety of the city to consider. You are welcome to do as you wish but I know for a fact that my sister and I will be travelling north, to the Plaguelands. I would offer you my home for a longer stay but it only opens through my will."

And you're all complete strangers to be quite frank. She had to admit she was surprised. Perhaps all it took to steel him was a cause; she knew that's what had drawn her to be a paladin. And with that thought she was more hopeful. Rowen nodded at them and walked into the cooking area, a little set back from the rest of the room. Izmae followed and began to help him as they withdrew the food supplies they would need for the journey. She opened her mouth to say something to him but then stopped, no words were needed. Her eyes fell back to Cailea, Tallian, and Valen the rogue and wondered what they would make of it all.

[Shanda]

Though he was still turned against the fireplace in the armchair Tallian heard Izmaes brother clearly. He hesitated a brief moment before speaking.

"The Plaguelands you say. That means you are also thinking of seeking out the crusaders...for revenge?" Tallian sighed from his seated position and then slowly rose to face them.

"Even though it is a noble and juste thing to do...it is still suicide. The crusaders hold in plaguelands is slipping and they cling to their remaining strongholds as a stonefish would cling to your leg. two people against an army?"

Tallian eyed the two of them, then glanced at Cailea briefly before looking back at Izmae and her brother. He did think it was foolish and doomed to fail.
But for one such as himself it was a good way to end his life, there was nothing left to it, anyway.

"But they also murdered my comrades". An expression of deep sadness passed over Tallians face. "So I will not try to stop you from this, and if im allowed I can travel with you... as I also have a score to settle now it seems".

They looked at him with something that might have been surprise. but he had never been good at reading expressions. He looked at Izmae, searching her face for any sign of agreement or refusial, he found non. Instead he saw the thin golden chain around her neck. My medallion he though. It has never held any value to me, and as she kept it it might hold some for her. However odd that would be. Tallian decided not to mention it, if she wanted to keep it then she could. For him it ment nothing but a constant reminder of how corrupt his fellow mages had become.

As he got no answers other then looks he slowly shook his head and turned back to the chair.

[Icefrost]

Cailea was slightly puzzled by what Tallian had said. Suicide? Were all these people that desperate and tired of their lives? She had never been to the plaguelands and had only their words to tell her what it was like. And she had all reason to believe them. From her point of view, humans had their downsides, but exaggerating their foes wasn't one of them. Unless they spoke of something they had already defeated, that is. At first she thought this wasn't the place for her after all, but then remembered why she was here in the first place.
From the book she had found just before departing for Lordareon, she had learnt that the herb she required was only to be found north of the alterac mountains. But from what she had learnt during her life, only the most resilient trees and plants survived in such deeply corrupted areas. It seemed that she would have to find an uncorrupted area somewhere in the plaguelands, and the crusader's keep might just prove to be such a place.
Although she did not have any particular desire to assault the crusaders with the others, there was much more to it than just the herb. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't avoid seeing Izmae by that burnt house whenever her eyes hit the paladin. The image in itself wasn't a source of motivation or fear, but it kept reminding her of her own past. Perhaps aiding the paladin on her quest for vengeance would satisfy her own desire to avenge those she had lost and set her free of her own nightmares.
But when she spoke, she decided to stick to the facts, as that was the part the others would more easily understand.
"Sounds like we're heading the same way, so if you want, I might as well come with you. I also have something I need to do in the plaguelands and although it hardly has to do with the scarlet crusade, I do like defending myself aganist those who wish me dead."

She took a moment to look at the others' expressions, but was unable to focus on it. That uncomfortable claustrophobic feeling was clinging to her again.

"Uh, I'll just wait for you outside" she said and walked out of the front door.

*****

Valen could only hope none of the others were listening to his thoughts or using their magics for somesuch tricks, for he was swearing heavily in his mind.
Why does it seem like everything and everyone wants to make my life miserable?! Couldn't she just wander off so I could've followed her and finished the job quick and clean? Or wait...is this the answer to my prayers, 'something that would stop me'? Hmph, not exactly what I had in mind...
He continued his quiet rage while waiting for the others to get their things packed up and ready to go. He'd have to go with them. He would have to find a moment to follow the demon's final order. And he would have no more than two days for it.

[Izmae]

She had to admit; she was surprised they were coming with her, Rowen was too she could tell. After a little more discussion Izmae had persuaded her brother not to inform the Council that he was even leaving the city; recently promoted mages often visited their families to celebrate. Therefore when they left the house in late morning they headed towards the poorer parts of the city and the hagglers market. At this time of the day it was very busy so it was easy to lose themselves in it, and mask their leaving of the city with the droves of people and traders that travelled up via Southshore. She was weary moving through the throngs of people; as menacing a group of people they might be on the battlefield the pickpockets of the hagglers market were often desperate or stupid - but very good at what they did. For herself she hoped that the large sized sword slung across her back would be enough to dissuade but she could never be sure, so she led them quickly through.

As the crowds finally thinned, the small roads leading out of the city became apparant. Both Rowen and Tallin had full robes to cover their features, but still she hoped it would be enough to go unrecognised. She eyed the guards stationed at the exit. Usually they were a lot more interested in those coming in than anything coming out but still her heart skipped a few beats as they approached.

***

The scrawny man took another gulp of the bitter ale and winced. This putrid stuff should only be consumed if you're too drunk to care of the taste... Then again, he thought with an eye on the busty barmaid, it has its charms. One last gulp finished off the last of the drink and he headed out of the door sensing the medallion was getting closer. He was amazed the young fool still kept it on him, as much as he scorned the Council. He staggered through the bar and squinted his eyes at the brightness outside. He spotted the group almost immediately and almost smiled, At least my clothing's more convincing of this part of town. He set off to follow them, wondering as he did so if they would even pass the guard's inspection. Shouldn't be hard...cretins. He added bitterly.

[Shanda]

As they approached the gate leading out from Dalaran Tallian held up his hand, pointing absently at the guards stationed to guard it. After the event last night he knew that the security had been increased and thus they would most likely also inspect those who left the city. When the captain spotted them Tallian mumbled a few arcane words and moved his hand in a circular motion, the captains eyes suddenly became blank. And as their officer did not step up to stop the party when they left the other soldiers lost interest and went back to talking amongst themselves.

Izmae and Rowen first glanced at the guards suspiciously, Rowen then gave Tallian a similar glance. Tallian nodded slightly and they walked out as if nothing had happened. Cailea and Valen walked in silence a small distance behind the rest of them. Tallian gace the two of them a quick glance before he stepped up beside the paladin and her brother.

"So now that we got out nice and smooth maybe we should walk for some time and set camp early, so we can talk about the details for this little trip?"

[Icefrost]

Few times had Cailea ever seen so many people in one place as there was at the market. And like all of those times, the abundance of men and women of several different races was somewhat intimidating to her. Had there been a ceiling to prevent her from seeing the sky, she would have had to struggle to not to panic.
When they finally reached the gate, looking out and seeing the wilderness awaiting them outside the city was like looking out a window to see a wonderful sunny day that would hold many pleasures and amusements once you'd get out there.
Walking behind the others, it wasn't hard to see how Tallian did something to the gate guard before they passed by. Twice the mage's spells had proven to be most useful for them and although she had been raised, like most of her race, to dislike those who used such unnatural tricks, she had began to hold a fair bit of respect for the man.

****

As they walked along and Tallian moved closer to the others to discuss something, Valen put a small item he had been squeezing in his hand for a good two minutes into his pocket. While they had been moving through the masses of people at the market, he had picked up a small crude necklace from one of the numerous tradesmen back there.
It was a thin silvery chain, that by the looks of it wasn't made from silver but some cheaper metal, and a small symbol that looked like an oak leaf and a crescent moon put together hanging from it. What really had gotten his eyes on it was the fact that while back in Kalimdor, this sort of trinkets were not an uncommon sight, but in here, it was rare to see them unless they were already worn by one of his fellow night elves.
As of now, he had no idea why he had bothered with it in the first place, but holding onto it seemed like a good idea.

[Izmae]

((sorry for the delay...I've been celebrating my 18th all week! :grin: ))

Once they were all past the city line the road grew quickly more dusty and quiet. Cailea unsurprisingly looked much brighter in the new surroundings, she had more of a bounce in her step every time she passed something new.

"Inquisitive little thing isn't she?" Rowen muttered with a smile.
"You wouldn't have thought it from our first encounter." She replied, images of the fierce cat that had been at her side, floating into her mind.
"I can imagine! Well no I can't, but still I've heard all the stories about the misconception of druids.. Are we heading to Southshore?"
"For the moment. It's not too far off our course and it might be useful to find some horses." and with his usual timing, her armoured horse emerged from the trees beside them leaving a whisper of the spirit realm from which he had been walking before. She reached out a hand to him without thinking, resisting the urge to unload some supplies into his packs; if he was injured and had to return to the other realm she would not be able to get them back for a while.

"I guess this isn't the best time to tell you this but I hear Royson is posted back at Southshore-"
"Oh Light's Grace that's all I need..."
"My dear sister I have no idea why you grimace, I always found him quite charming."
"Arrogant git. I swear if he tries to tell me one more story about his valiant struggles in Blackrock I'll cleave his tongue out." With that he grinned, knowing exactly how to pull her strings.

As the moments silence grew she slipped into deep thought, as she so often did. Rowen nudged her and gave a questioning look.
"I'm just..not used to travelling in such a large group. It's odd for me."
"Ah yes, the mighty paladin has no need for mere PEOPLE, she is an army of her own!"
Despite herself she was smiling and as he continued to tease her she swiped at him with one arm. At that instant he blinked a few metres ahead of her.

"I hate it when he does that."

She placed a hand on the side of her horse once more, thinking with pride how easily she could catch her brother if she wanted to. Unintentionally she shivered; the essence of the spirit realm still clung to her horse's armour and as always it sent a chill across her skin. Interrupting her thoughts, someone tapped her shoulder.

[Izmae]

It was Tallian. Without him even speaking she knew what he was asking, and he was right; it had been quite a while since they'd set out from the city. It might be time to set up camp like he'd suggested earlier. She thought for a moment.

"Well, we're only a couple of hours from Southshore. We could keep walking or set up camp round here somewhere. Its up to you, since you don't seem to enjoy being recognised. I was considering riding ahead to find some horses there myself and bring them back, that way we could bypass the town altogether...but in any case, which do you think?"

[Icefrost]

"Ahem, if I may have a word, I really like the idea of not visiting the town at all", Cailea responded, reagrdless of the fact that the paladin was obviously addressing Tallian rather than her.
Over the the course of the day, she had been thinking about Valen's warnings about the assassin that supposedly was after her, but the story seemed fishy all around. Although she still had a hard time doubting it, it seemed like a good idea to try and test it. Then her eyes hit a stream somewhere in the woods ahead of them.
This might just prove to be the perfect place for it, if only the others agree to rest here...

[Shanda]

"For me to visit Southshore right now would be a ill-considered thing" Looked down the road with a thoughtful expression.
"But even if I cannot go it does not mean the rest of you should be staying away from a warm bed. We can discuss whats needed to be discussed outside town and then we can split for the night. Im used to sleeping outside anyway".

"So do what you feel like. Its a long way to walk from there to plaguelands and this might be the last time any of us will see a real bed for some time".

They continued walking and Tallian still gazed down the road, seemingly at nothing.

[Icefrost]

Talk about being used to sleeping outside, Cailea thought when she had heard what Tallian had to say. Although it wasn't a matter of competence, she was almost sure the mage didn't have as much experience on that as she did.

Then Izmae, who was now walking up front with her spirit horse raised her hand to signal the others to stop and turned around.
"I believe this is where you'll want to set camp if you wish to stay out of town", she said.
Tallian gazed around and then nodded to show his approval.

"I'll stay here too", Cailea said and then approached the paladin.
"And uh, if you're planning to get those horses, don't bother bringing me one. I...I really don't need it", she said in a much lower voice. The truth was, having never done so, she didn't know how to ride one. And using her abilities, she could most likely keep up with them anyway. But that she kept to herself and backed off.

Valen, who had stayed silent in the background for most of the conversation now seemed very decisive all of a sudden as he spoke;
"I don't want to come either."
For a moment it seemed he had finished talking, but questioning looks from the others made him continue.
"Let's just say that there are some people in Southshore I'd rather not meet right now."
Rowen and Izmae then said something to each other, but judging by their gestures they wished it to remain private, so Cailea didn't bother to try and listen to what they said.
Then the paladin mounted up and rode off to the south - alone.

A few hours passed, all that remained of the sun was a crimson glow in the horizon and Cailea found herself sitting with the others around a small campfire, some dozen metres away from the road to avoid being spotted by any random muggers and the like. Although Cailea didn't really find it nescessary to have a campfire, setting one up had seemed like a routine to some of the others and she tought that making a scene out of it would most likely made her seem like a far more zealous a druid than she actually was.
Nobody had really said anything of importance since Izmae had left and they set up the camp. Rowen seemed troubled in his mind, most likely thinking about his dead brother, or perhaps wondering if his sister would return safely. Tallian unsurprisingly didn't seem to pay attention to anything but staring at the fire and feeding it with the occasional small bundle of wood.
Valen's behaviour however, was quite odd. Most of the time he seemed idle like the others, but every time she looked his way, his eyes seemed to do a quick turnaround motion to escape her sight. Almost as if he was...watching her.
But why would he do that? Then she remembered the stream she had spotted a few miles back down the road. According to it's direction, it should be flowing somewhere around here too. She gazed at the quickly darkening forest behind herself and then her eyes hit water. It was flowing a couple dozen metres away from here, a small bit of it only barely visible.
I wonder what'll Valen do now...and I haven't done this since back in kalimdor anyways, so I might just get two birds with one stone here, Cailea thought as she stood up.
"I think I'll go see how warm that water is"
Then she walked off towards the small river and as expected, the two mages barely noticed her doing so.

*****

After seeing to it that Cailea was out of sight, Valen got up aswell.
"I'll take a walk too. Else I might fall asleep."
Trying to make it look like he headed to a different direction, he walked off to the forest aswell. When he could only barely see the campfire, he changed directions and headed to where the druid had seemed to go to.
This could be the chance I've been waiting for, he thought as the sound of flowing water became louder.
Moving along the shore of the small river, he soon spotted a large flat rock and a hill around it, which formed a small waterfall in the middle of the river. He also saw a small pile of clothes and a short staff sticking from the ground next to it by the water there and quickly pulled himself behind the nearest tree large enough to hide himself.
Then he peeked towards the river again and saw Cailea. She was in the water up to her waist or so, standing under the waterfall with her back towards him.

"'There's some people I'd rather not meet right now'? Ha! Not bad from you"
"What...?" The sudden reappearance of the demon's voice startled him slightly and he hid behind the tree again.
"Ah, You. I was wondering when you'd show up again. Shoulda known you'd do it at a moment like this..."
"A moment like this, Valen?"
"Ehm, nevermind"
"You can't hide your thoughts from me, remember? Anyway, we have a job to do now"
"Now? But she'll hear me if I go in the water...and if I try to throw something the risk of a bad hit is pretty high because that water blurs her pretty well..."
"Ah, it seems I trained you pretty well after all. Of course we won't try something that stupid. We'll wait for her to come out of the water"
"I think I'll wait for her to get dressed as well. I'm not that low you know."
"Whatever. I'll be taking part this time."
"What?! You mean..."
"Yes. After I saw what happened back in Dalaran, I didn't think for a second that you'd be able to do this on your own. And after all, now that she's awake, you wouldn't want her to get away, now would you?"
"But..."

*****

Ah, nothing like nature's own bath, Cailea thought as she raised her head to allow the cool water to flow down on her face.
Enough of this for now, she soon thought and got up from the water.
Using her cape to dry herself a bit before pulling her clothes back on, she gazed around to see that time had apparently passed very quickly; the moon was begininng to show itself up in the sky.
Fully dressed and squeezing some more water out of her hair, she walked back towards the camp and almost lost balance when Valen suddendly showed up from behind a tree. Not that his presence would have bothered her even if he was here some minutes ago, but in fact, this seemed to confirm her suspicions that the rogue was up to something involving her.
"What...?"
But before she could finish her question, the rogue responded with a voice that sounded like he was in great pain;
"I...I don't want to do this...But I...YEAARGH!"
Holding his head, he collapsed on the ground, face first.
"Are you all right?", Cailea asked, however stupid it might have sounded like.
"He's quite all right, little druid", the rogue answered with an eerie double-voice that sounded like he and someone else was speaking simultaneously. As he got up, he had a malicious smile on his face.
"You on the other hand, won't be. If it's any comfort to you, he says he's sorry for this"
"What?!"
Then the rogue quickly drew his swords and delivered a high sideways blow, which she just barely managed to dodge. The attack hit the large tree instead, sending a good amount of bark flying off the tree.
What is going on here?! I don't want to fight him!
Transforming herself into a panther to better dodge Valen's attacks, she tried to think of a way to solve this without hurting him. Luckily, the rogue seemed to have gotten his new strength at the cost of agility; he was slow for a rogue. She tried to run for the camp where the mages could help her, but the rogue always seemed to get on the way somehow. A few seemingly endless minutes passed and Cailea felt her strength slowly depleting as she kept avoiding his swords. She wouldn't be able to go on like this much longer. The only way to get around this would be to attack him, even if it was already too late for that. Trying not to harm him too badly, she sprang towards his feet to trip him over. Although she was succesful, she received a painful cut on her forehead in the process.
Shaking her head while the rogue got back up, she charged forward again, this time aiming a bit higher. Then suddendly, almost as the rogue somehow phased out of existence for a moment, he dodged her attack with an incredibly fast motion and slashed her on the side. The pain caused by that attack put her out of focus for a second and she ended up crashing on that same big tree.
Realizing that the wound was too large to allow her to continue effectively, she reverted her transformation and attempted to heal herself, but just as she was about to focus on it, a strong hand clutched around her throat, pushing her aganist the tree behind her. It was Valen, with that same sinister smile on his face...which somehow didn't seem to belong to him. But that didn't matter. A thin stream of blood from the cut on her forehead ran down the side of her face. There was no way she could get away from his grip. Not anymore. The rogue raised one of his swords up high, ready to strike her down.

Then, all of a sudden, a bright explosion illuminated her sight, as the rogue stumbled sideways and she was released from the grip. On the right there was a man in black robes. Tallian. How did he get here? Did he hear the fighting? Did he see something? Or maybe, just maybe, he actually does care what happens to the rest of us?
All in all it didn't matter. What mattered was that she was still alive and focused her attention on healing the large wound on her side, which would soon prove lethal if not treated.
"You! Do not interfere with this!" Valen shouted in that strange double voice as he charged towards the mage.

[Shanda]

Tallian glanced at Cailea before turning his attention back to the demon. From first sight Tallian had knew that this "Valen" would be troublesome, but not in what way or how much. This however he had found out soon enough. Demons who possesses humanoid beings always give out a tiny scent that those trained in the arts of sensing just that will notice. And thus opon reaching that conclusion he had kept, maybe not his eyes, but a part of his mind on watching the rogue. And now he thanked the light for his decision.

"You! Do not interfere with this!" Tallian gave the demon possessing Valen a disgusted look and made a sweeping motion with his right hand.
A tight knot of air struck the rogue in his middle and sent him flying backwards, he hit the ground with a crash and seemed knocked out.

Tallian gave him a final look before moving to Cailea. "Are you alright miss?" As he got closer he saw that she was far from "alright", but that she was doing what she could to change that, seeing from the glow around her hands which she held above one of the wounds. She looked up at him and smiled weakly before turning her gaze at what Tallian thought to be Valen, But the smile on her face vanished. "Look out!"

Tallian straitended and turned towards where she was looking, and brifely he cought a glimpse of Valen, still possessed standing in a odd position before something struck his left shoulder. Pain seared through his body. He grasped his shoulder with his right hand and found the handle of a small throwingknife, with gritted teeth he pulled the dagger out and tossed it aside. Again looking up he saw the rogue again running towards him, swords in hands and murder in his eyes.

With the pain still pounding his shoulder and left arm he locked Valens eyes with his and shouted a single word from the arcane language.
The demon fell to the ground as if clubbed on the spot and didnt move a muscle. Tallian sighted and backed to a tree to witch he leaned his back on, still clutching his left shoulder, warm blood trickling from the wound between his fingers and down his robes..

[Icefrost]

Slowly the pain and bleeding of the wound succumbed to her healing power. Even after the process was completed, a fair sized but faint scar remained on her skin, something she couldn't do anything about.

If the fight hadn't exhausted her, all the healing she had just done on herself definitely had. After taking a moment to catch her breath, she noticed Tallian who had also been wounded in the fight and was about to say something, but then remembered Valen. For some reason, the thought of him effectively wiped away any thoughts of helping Tallian with his injury. Perhaps because the mage had proven to be more than able to take care of himself before, perhaps something else.
Slowly she got back on her feet and walked towards the rogue who was laying on the ground some metres away, but halfway there a question popped up in her mind, something that she would have to know.
"What did you do to him?", she asked as she turned her look to the mage.

[Shanda]

Tallian had taken a seated position, still leaning on the trunk of a tree. He looked at his shoulder and then met Caileas eyes. "Hes sleeping, in a way" He said avoidingly. But a new pulse of pain jolted through his shoulder and hes breated out hard. Cailea frowned and opened her mouth, but Tallian shook his head and looked back to the wound. "This is nothing, I can take care of it myself. Its better that you see to the rogue overthere"

And with that Tallians face took on a concentrated look and a white glow spread out into the wound from under his right hand. Slowly the blood stopped pouring out, and even slower the wound closed itself leaving a small scar visible under the torn robes on his left shoulder. Tallian sighted with relief and moved his shoulder slightly while drying of some of the blood from his right hand.

He usually didnt resort to twisting the flows of magic for this kind of work, as it was alot harder then it looked. But this time he had no choice. Izmae had gone to Southshore and Cailea was in no condition to help him without suffer from it herself. With a small grunt he rose on his feet and again touched his now healed shoulder.

When he looked up at Cailea she was still standing there, staring at him as if she didnt belive what her eyes had just seen.

[Icefrost]

Grrh, damn those two. I'm going to have to find a way to...hey, what do we have over there? If I stretch my powers, I might just be able to...
The demon observed as the dagger he had thrown earlier slowly elevated from the ground and it's tip turning to point towards the druid, who in turn was busy staring at the mage.

*****

Cailea didn't know what to say. Mages were known to posess many downright suspicious powers, but not once had she heard of one with the ability to heal himself. Who is this man? she wondered, but before she could say anything, something bizarre happened.
A sinister voice suddendly spoke to her, seemingly out of nowhere.
"You know, he really didn't want to hurt you"
"Who the...? Wait, you did something to him, didn't you?", she responded with her thoughts, while looking around herself in confusion. Tallian's face made it obvious only she was hearing this.
"Very perceptive"
"Who...no...what are you?"
"Just a little...souvenir...from Auberdine..."

She turned around just in time to see a dagger floating in the air, pointed at her. Then the weapon zoomed towards its target, but luckily, whoever was responsible for that one had underestimated her agility as she managed to dodge the deadly blade by an inch or two. For a moment she thought the danger was over, but the odd sound the dagger made on impact almost made her jump. Then she turned around to see that same dagger sticking from Valen's arm.
As if the new event had given her some more energy, she quickly went over to him and pulled the dagger out. At first it seemed like a simple bad hit, but then she noticed a green ooze dribbling from the blade of the weapon.

"I don't know what you did, but can you make him wake up again?"

"Yes, but..." the mage replied.

"Good. I need you to do that or we might lose him for good."

With a slightly questioning look on his face, Tallian moved his hand in a subtle motion. Valen's eyes blinked open wide as if he was in a shock.

"What...where...?", the rogue asked, his head obviously very dizzy.
"This is yours, right? What was on it?", she asked while holding the dagger in his sight.
"I...that...poison..."
"How bad?"
"Bad enough...."
Then he noticed the wound on his arm.
"Oh no...it's too late...I'm sorry to have it e..."
"No way! I owe you at least this one. Now hold still. This might feel a bit weird."

Despite her weak state, she laid her hands on his chest and closed her eyes to concentrate. There was no way she would allow a ghost of her past take away possibly the last person who had been there, who had shared that horrible experience...

*****

Aargh, this just isn't my day, is it? I had the rogue poisoned and had to possess this stupid...hrrmph...
Well, this is just a temporary arrangement though. Just you wait for me to come back, little druid...
A hungry gray bear with a strange glow in his eyes slowly walked away from the scene.

*****

At first there was nothing. Only darkness. Then suddendly, memories and emotions came back to him. But...this time there was something new...something he hadn't remembered before. Then he realized why his mind felt so light all of a sudden. The demon that had possessed him for so many years was gone! Guilty for all the crimes he had committed for it fell onto him like a dozen ogres. It was something the demon had hidden from him, something that had to be hidden for him to allow to continue. The weight of it was more overwhelming every passing moment, he felt like chocking, he had to get out...and then his eyes blinked open.
At first he could only see a white light. Was this it? Was this his punishment? Was he dead?
Then a figure appeared. A woman's face. Whoever it was, thanks to the white glow behind her, she looked very beautiful for a moment, almost like an angel or spirit of some sort...Then everything slid into focus and he saw it was Cailea. She had a faint smile on her face, quickly replaced by an odd look as she slid out of sight. Valen shook his head to clear his thoughts and got up in a seated position. Hearing a noise from his right, he looked there to see Cailea laying on her back there, breathing heavily.
Then he looked up to see Tallian.
"I...I guess I have a bit of explaining to do."

A moment of silence followed. Everyone was obviously all ears.

"Well, it all began years ago in Auberdine...", he began his lengthy story...

[Shanda]

((OOC: Dear readers. For the complete story of Valens past go to the "ooc" thread and seek out his character sheet))

Tallian only listened with one ear to Valens story. not because he was uninterested but because he had other as important things to consider. The demon had managed to escape that much he understood, And apparently it wanted Cailea dead for some unknown reason. He sighted absently and turned his attention to Valen. His story was both remarkable and abit gruesome. But then with demons being as they are it was not so strange it had forced the rogue to such terrible acts.

When he finished Valen looked down at his hands and seemed lost in some deep thoughts. But Tallian had seen the looks he had given Cailea, and also the looks she had been sending him. "I need to inform Rowen about what´s happened here, so i´ll leave you two here, it seems like you have a few things to talk about anyway". He smiled slightly and made his way towards their camp.

Rowen looked up and gave Tallian a questioning look when he emerged from the woods. Tallian walked up to the campfire and sat down facing the other mage. "It sorted out" was all he said and Rowen nodded briefly. The two magicians didnt speak more and instead tended to their own.

Tallian glanced behind him before reaching for his pack and the old dusty tome he had there. He would have to keep and eye on Cailea from now on as she was the demons target and thus in most danger of all of them. He reached down in is backpack and brought up the book but before he opened it a thought crossed his mind and instead of reading he opened his mind for the arcane flows and sent out a thought towards Southshore and his medallion.

"Izmae I belive you should hurry with what you need to do. Something happened up here and we have no time to linger"

With that done he picked up the book again and opened it.
He then broke the contact

[Icefrost]

It seemed the forest had finally stopped spinning around her. She looked again at the dagger she still held in her hand and then threw it away. Her thoughts went over the same thing again and again.
It hit Tallian first, he must have been poisoned for a moment too. That means he could have handled this aswell, but then I...
She had almost fainted while cleansing the poison from Valen. In fact, she hadn't even been sure if she could do it. Why had she done it then?
I just wanted to get even with him who saved my life, she kept telling herself, but neither her mind nor her heart accepted that as a valid explanation.
Trying to rid herself from this circle of thought, she decided to speak it out loud.

"Well, I guess that makes us even then."
Valen, who was still deep in thoughts, was caught by surprise.

"Wha...uh...ah, well...not really, no."
"Hmm?"
"Yeah, you did save me from the poison, but...I don't know what the two of you did, but the demon inside me is also gone. That I can't thank you enough for...after all, as I told you, it was making my life a hell."

Cailea had indeed listened to his story closely...well, as closely as she could while struggling not to faint. Then she noticed the red line her blood had painted on her face and although not very stable, she managed to get up and walk a few steps towards the river. But then her strength deceived her and she had to lean against a tree to avoid falling.

"Well, if you feel that way, then you could start by helping me back to the water over there."

Without a word, the rogue put an arm behind her back and they walked to the river. Cailea sat down and began washing her face with the cool water, with the rogue right next to her, staring at the rippling surface of the river. The moon was now shining brightly and Cailea thought that it's reflection on the water was what he was looking at, but then he broke the silence.

"I...I feel so guilty. Can you imagine what it's like? When a demon makes you kill so many people, most of who you know personally...and hides your guilty from you, knowing that you'd collapse if it didn't do that."

Cailea stared at the water silently, trying to think of something to say.

"And now it's gone. All those memories coming back to me in a matter of moments..." the rogue continued.

"I...I know this might sound crazy, but I think you should answer a few questions for me."
"Huh? Well...ok...I suppose it doesn't matter now..."
"Was there a demon possessing you?"
"Eh?, I just told you, I..."
"Just answer the question. Come on, trust me."
"Well, yes...?"
"Was it possessing you against your will?"
"Yes."
"Now then, ask yourself, would you have killed any of those people if it wasn't for the demon?"
"No. Of course not."

His expression made it clear that he finally understood what she was trying to say.

"Then you can't blame yourself for what happened. You know you didn't want any of it. The demon did it, not you"

With understanding on his face, he stared at her for what seemed like endless minutes. Then his expression changed oddly as he spoke again.

"I guess I beat you pretty bad back over there"

"Well, I'm alive if that's what you mean. And that clearly wasn't your fault either. But...if you must know..."

She wasn't sure why, but suddendly she grabbed his hand and gently pressed it against the the scar that remained on her side from his attack.

At that moment, a strange tingling feeling began to spread from his hand into her. Filling her from bottom to top, it seemed to make her muscles tense, as if waiting to dodge an incoming attack. And when it reached her head, something happened. That strange tension set itself off like a bomb that just exploded inside her. Some kind of invisible barrier broken, an incredible feeling of freedom...and then it happened.

*****

Suddendly the druid grabbed his hand and pressed it against herself. She was warm to touch.

At that moment, a strange tingling feeling began to spread from her into him. Filling him from bottom to top, it seemed to make his muscles tense, as if waiting to dodge an incoming attack. And when it reached his head, something happened. That strange tension set itself off like a bomb that just exploded inside him. Some kind of invisible barrier broken, an incredible feeling of freedom...and then it happened.

*****

For one timeless moment they stared in each other's eyes. Then, sitting on the ground, facing each other, at the same exact moment they leaned forward and kissed. After the first touch, they couldn't stop from embracing each other rather fiercely. When they finally broke apart after a good five seconds or so, they could only stare at each other and wonder what had just happened.

*****

Cailea thought she should have felt guilty or confused; the man had merely asked for her advice, not this. But instead, she felt good and everything made sense more than ever. This is why she had rushed to help him instead of letting Tallian do it. It was also the explanation to many other events.

*****

Valen thought he should have felt guilty or confused; he had just asked her advice, not this. But he didn't. He felt good. This is what had stopped him from killing her last night. This was the answer to almost all his questions.

The motionless silence lasted for minutes on end. Then, as Valen leaned against yet another tree that happened to be right behind him, the druid sat there also, right onto his side. And he had nothing against it. Instead, almost without noticing it himself, he put his arm around her, as to hold her there. Together they stared at the moon for who knows how long. Then the druid finally broke the silence.

"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You...you were following me back there, weren't you? Did you watch me while I was in the river?"

Valen knew that the unintentional expression on his face already told her the answer, but decided to speak anyways.

"Well...it's more like how you said it."
"Huh?"
"That...'The demon did it, not me'."

For a few seconds she remained silent, but then broke to laughter. And so did he. They had just made a joke out of something that could have destroyed his life. What more could he possibly have asked for?
It wasn't long after that when Cailea fell asleep. No wonder. They were both tired after all that had happened. Her head laying on his shoulder, she smelled like fresh leaves. Or maybe it was the forest around them. Once more he looked up at the sky where the moon was. For a brief moment, it truly felt like the goddess herself had blessed him tonight. Then he fell asleep aswell.

[Shanda]

Nightmares. they had haunted him for most of his life, making sleep one of the things he tried to avoid most of all. Perspiration trickled down his face, which had a expression of grief opon it. Tonight the faces of his old comrades howered before him, their bodies only a shapeless burning mass. He had failed them all that night, because of him...

Tallian abruptly sat up breating heavy. It was a crisp morning and a gentle wind blew over the small camp. he shook his head to clear his mind from the lingering visions. most people never remembered their dreams, but not so for Tallian. Everything he dreamt he remembered and sometimes he thought it was yet another way for him to suffer.

He gazed around the camp. Rowen was still sleeping and not surprisingly Valen and Cailea had returned to sometime during the night. Not lying so very far from each other. Tallian smiled slightly and shook his head again, that would also mean trouble, even if in a different way from demons.

The small fire had turned into a smoldering heap of ashes, Tallian got up and tried to shake some life in his body before walking into the forest to fetch some firewood. He didnt bother to lit it the usual way, he simple looked at the pile of wood and it took fire, the flames hungrily licking the morning air and embracing the breeze still blowing. One after another the others woke and silently greeted oneanother. Nothing was said about yesterdays events even if Valen and Cailea shared smiles every so often. Tallian smiled inside, trouble indeed.

After breakfast they broke camp and started walking down the road again. Rowen had strode up beside Tallian but the two of them walked in silence. So did the two night elfs behind them. The peacefull silence was disturbed though, but the clappering of howes. Tallian and Rowen stopped and tensly gazed down the road, still not speaking. But their worries were for nothing as soon they both saw Izmae riding towards them with three extra horses behind her.
When she reached them she jumped down and adressed Tallian.
"Well Tallian, what was so important that I had to rush here?"

Tallian briefly looked over right shoulder at Cailea and Valen.'

"We can talk about that as we ride, I think we need to leave this area as fast as possible"

Izmae arched an eyebrown but didnt ask any furthur questions. Ten minutes later four riders and a panther swiftly rode down the road towards an unknown destination. As they rode Tallian explained what had happened last night. And with Rowen and they also discussed this new threat. behind them Cailea trotted beside Valens horse and after hearing Tallians tale both Izmae and Rowen glanced back at them. Rowen had known about the demon, but he had not known what had happened in the forest. They rode past Southshore and other small villages and farms, mostly in silence.

An hour or so Tallian found himself riding alone in the front as Izmae had fallen back slightly to talk with her brother. His thoughts wandered to what he had read in the old tome the day before, and also to how he should test it. If the text was right he would need plenty of space if something went wrong. But that was something to worry about when they´d set set up camp for the night later..

[Icefrost]

Even though the five of them had been traveling for hours straight, Cailea didn't feel tired or exhausted in any way. Or maybe she would have, if only she'd have paid any attention to her physical condition. She had quite effectively had her mind on the events of last night for the whole day. Once again she returned her mind on what had happened after the fight...and then she had fallen asleep...and then...then there had been another small event that she didn't bother to tell about to Tallian and the others.

It was somewhere in the early dark hours of the morning when she had woken up. Valen was still sleeping. She got up, and thinking that they should probably return to the camp, she tapped the rogue's arm to wake him up. The next thing she knew was that something tripped her over and two seconds later she was lying on her back on the ground, with the rogue sitting on top of her, one hand on her chest, holding her on the ground, the other pointing a sword at her throat.

"Well, you have an interesting way of saying 'good morning'."
"Uh, sorry..."
The rogue quickly got off her seathed his weapons again.
"Just something I've learned over the years. A man of my trade needs to stay alert, you see."
"Hmm. I think we should go back to the camp, as I don't think Tallian would be too happy to find us here with you pointing a sword at me again."
They shared a smile.
"Good idea. But listen, I didn't tell this before but...I think that demon is still out there."
Somehow that wasn't a surprise to her at all.
"So I suppose it's still after me then?"
"Probably. I have a score to settle with that thing and I also know more about it than the rest of you. So unless the others are terribly against it, I'll still be going with you."

Fortunately, when they had woken up two hours later at the camp, no one said a thing about what had happened. And now that they had traveled for almost the whole day, Cailea still didn't know what to think. She might need another quiet moment with Valen to talk about things when they'd set camp again. On the contrary to what some might believe, if she'd have tried to speak in her animal form, all the others would have been able to hear would've been an incomprehensible mess of growling and other such voices.

[Shanda]

The sun was slowly setting and the party had decided to set up camp for the night. They had found a glade a small distance from the road in which they now "made themselves at home". Tallian sat by the campfire with his book opened, lying in his lap. Rowen and Izmae, with some help of Cailea had taken opon them the task of making dinner so He had plenty of time to prepare. Tallian had spent most of the day planning his experiment, it was best done later, or even when the rest of them were asleep. As he had no idea if this would work, or what would happen if it did he needed to find some safe place far away from .. anything.

[Izmae]

As the sky grew darker around them she knew she should feel safer than she did. Izmae glanced across at Valen, sitting with his arm around Cailea on the other side of the campfire; contrary to before his aura was now completely clear. She cursed herself for not noticing the demon's presence in the rogue, but then possessing demons were notorious for just that ability.

Why then did she feel that with the light seeping away beyond the horizon that there was something she was still missing. She fingered the chain around her neck absent mindedly, wondering why she hadn't given it back yet and her mind slipped towards Tallian; there was another paradox. That much power in one individual scared her, and that she wasn't afraid to admit. That same power lied in the Dalaran Council and those cold men had done little to belay her fears, especially since she had seen the deaths of her brother and his family. That same fire was inside of Tallian. There was something...odd about the Archmage however that she couldn't quite lay her finger on. It had been pestering her ever since she felt that burst of holy energy resonating from his attack against the kraken...

She groaned slightly and rubbed her hands across her eyes. Perhaps her senses were becoming frayed, she certainly wasn't ever this confused on tasks from the Church. Rowen's right, she thought with a poignant smile, I am always looking for a cause. Shaking her head she settled down to get a few hours sleep; it wasn't her watch until the early hours of the morning.

***

A sharp twinge pulled on her mind and with a start Izmae woke up. Looking around her it took a while for her eyes to adjust to the brightness of the fire; it was pitch black, only a few hours since she had fallen asleep and certainly not her turn to watch yet. With a small huff she got up and stretched, she was definately awake now and then the reason she had awoken dawned on her. If she hadn't sensed the demon before in Valen, she certainly could now. She walked away from the fire, her eyes searching for Rowen and spotting him sitting nearby on a fallen log approached to mutter in his ear.

"I think it's tracking us."

"Izzy! By the light woman you scared the living daylights out of me!"

She rolled her eyes, "Great watchman you make..." She flicked her eyes between the sleeping figures, "Where's Tallian?"

"Hmm? oh not a clue, one minute he was there, I wandered around a bit and then he was gone. What did you say about tracking?"

"Never mind...I'm going to take a look around."

Without another word she edged cautiously into the trees and undergrowth of the forest around them; they had ventured away from the road to camp in order to avoid travellers. A few minutes away from the camp and she ws surrounded by darkness. The slightest sound made her stop dead, but what she had found was not what she expected. The next thing she remembered was a force in her chest, as if she had been punched by a giant. She smacked her un-helmed head against the rock outcrop behind her and then everything went dark.

***

Well what's this then?

The scrawny man from the bar in Dalaran reached down to the woman's neck and pulled out Tallian's medallion. Hmm, thief? ...not likely in a paladin. Which meant that the Archmage could be close by and from what he could sense from the Highmage... Roman? Rowen? His unguarded mind was fairly close by as well. He started to move towards it.

What the council wishes...

[Shanda]

Loose yourself to the fire within, open your mind to the winds of knowledge, focus your will on the core of your soul.
The words echoed in Tallians mind as he stood motionless and silent, preparing a spell, a sort of magic, he had never used before. It had not been hard to slip into the night during Rowens watch: The mage had done his job to keep an eye for any dangers comming to the camp, but not if anyone left it. And now he stood in a remote glade a goodly distance from the camp.

Take from your soul, take from your heart, use the knowledge of the winds.

Tallians eyes started to shine as they always did when he used his powers, a golden light pulsing with power. But it did not stop at that, to Tallians surprise the glow started to spread across his body, soon cowering all of him pulsing in the same way. Slowly but steady he kept gathering power, taken not only from the winds but equaly from himself aswell. Had his former mentor seen this.. A smile flashed by in Tallians face.

Then it happened. The glow turned into a raging fire spreading from his body, not pulsing but as any fire clawing and reaching after the air in its attempt to grow larger. Tallian had never held this much magic before, and what amazed him the most was that it did not tire him at all nor did he need to concentrate on keeping it under control. The magic was a part of him, and he a part of it. Truly amazing. But even though so much force thundered around and within him he could still feel the twinge of power used not to far away. The fire around Tallian vanished apart from the glow from his eyes, clearly showing that he still held the magic with a firm hand.

Magic had been used against something, or someone. it was not Rowen, Tallian knew the scent of his power by now. this was someone else.
Cursing Tallian turned and ran back through the forest. He did not truly fear that any of his comrades was in danger, they were all skilled in their arts and a lone spellcaster could do little against all of them. Atleast he hoped so.

A minute or two slowly passed as Tallian made his way towards the fading feeling of magic, he was starting to breath heavier as he ran. "I really need to do something about this later, I am getting lazy.." He thought.
His rush took an abrupt end when he passed two large trees and stumbled opon the body of izmae.

"what in the.." Tallian knelt down beside her and put two fingers on her forehead. The glow in his eyes pulsed slightly when he sent a magical push into her mind to wake her from unconsciousness. Slowly she opened her eyes, Tallian looked down with concern written all over his face, his eyes still glowing bright golden..

"Are you alright? what happened?"

[Izmae]

Something probed into the depths of her mind, and slowly Izmae regained her senses. With every heartbeat the back of her head pounded with intense pain. Her eyes flickered open and for a while all she saw was a nausiating swirl of colour. Moving her head slightly caused the feeling to lance down her neck, and worsened the feeling in her stomach.

"Are you alright? what happened?" said a voice.

What had happened? As the colours around her gradually moulded themselves into shape, she tried to sort through her jumbled mind. Piece by piece it came back to her.

"Mmm..a mage...definately magic" she managed. Instinctively she lifted her hand to the back of her head and called on the Light to heal the wound. It took her a minute to work her way through the different layers; easing the swelling which was rapidly expanding, threatening to pushing itself on her brain, repairing the fractured bone and then sealing the thin layer of tissue and skin. When she opened her eyes again she felt much more clear-headed, although her headache lingered. Looking up she saw Tallian, his eyes glowing a bright gold. With a shudder she realised her lingering headache came from the power eminating from his whole body.

"Your eyes..." It couldn't have been him could it? He looked taken aback for a tiny moment, as if unsure of what to do, but his face soon neutralised to its usual frowning concentration.

She did the same and hoped he had not noticed the fear in her eyes. Pulling at the material close to her neck in order to breathe more easily she realised his medallion was not there. She suddenly felt a strong urge to get back to Rowen,

"We need to get back..the others."

He nodded, eyes lingering on her for a second and then started back towards the camp. Involuntarily she hesitated before following him.

[Shanda]

He glanced back at Izmae again. He was sure of it now, she clearly avoided to meet his eyes. Tallian slowed his pace and finally stopped and turned to meet her.

"Somethings bothering you" it was not as much a question as a statement.

Izmae looked at the ground for a second before meeting his eyes. The pulsing glow had fainted, Tallian had not even noticed when his grip on his magic had slipped and while he waited for her to answer the golden light faded away and his own gray eyes became visible again..

[Izmae]

Her mind raced as she thought what to say. Meeting his eyes, Izmae watched as the glow in Tallian's eyes faded back to their normal sorrowful grey. The headache faded and she felt at least a little less tense. A little anyway.

"I'm just worried that's all.." Trying to walk past him, he put a hand on her arm to stop her and she flinched at the touch.

"What's wrong?" He looked genuinly confused.

She stood for a moment, torn between her desire to get back to her brother and her insatiable curiosity about Tallian. She wondered whether to tell him, wondered why he was disliked by the Council so much, why he always had a saddened look on his face whenever he wasn't concentrating...wondered at his sudden outbursts of power, whether he could be so different from those corrupts that had killed her brother.

"You scare me Tallian."

She couldn't quite distinguish the look on his face. For a moment she regretted saying it, remembering how much he had helped her in the past week. But as always her mind brought back flashes of that powerful magic which had driven those light forsaken creatures to rip her village to shreds and she shivered once more. Old prejudice die hard.

[Shanda]

"You scare me Tallian."

For a moment He was stunned and speachless. why would I scare her?. The thought flashed by in his mind, shortly followed by memories from not so long ago. Her family.. and she herself, had been killed by the scourge, in a fire. No.. it cannot be just that, someone this determined and brave would not..

Tallian let go of Izmaes arm and took a small step away. When she did not move he turned his face and met her eyes. This time his expression was not of sorrow, sadness or the usual lack of emotions. Instead it held a mildy questioning look, but also softness that did not often cross this mans face.

"I honestly dont know what to say, you have nothing to fear from me Izmae."

He let out a small sight.

"If it is has anything with the council.." His eyes flashed with anger
"Then there is nothing to fear.. I have all but cut my band to those fools, I.."

Something tingled his senses, something from behind Izm..then he saw it, a flash of red.

"NO!" with a speed he did not know he possesed he grasped both of Izmaes shoulders, pilled her closer and turned on the spot. Just in time for the fireball to strike his back, instead of hers. If he had been anyone else then who he was, and had done the same thing he would have been dead by now. But even as he reached for Izmae Tallian had focused what little powers he still held and slammed up a shield around the two of them. The shield was not strong enough to stop the attack, but strong enough to just wound him, instead of being fatal.

With a pained groan he pushed the paladin backwards. the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. He felt his enemy gathering power again, the same thing he had missed before. how could I get distracted like this.But this time Tallian was ready, he slowly turned, his eyes again raging with power. But this time the usual silvery glow instead of the golden he had managed before, he doubted he had time to weave magic that way right now.

The next fireball struck a invisible wall several meters infront of Tallian, in response Tallian muttered a word and a beam of red energy shot out from each of his hands. They vanished into the thick bushes, but soon a loud cry followed by a plopping sound was heard. Tallian wasted no time and hasted towards the fading echoes of the scream.

When he got there all he could see was his own blood cowered medallion lying on the ground. With a curse he sat down with his back against a tree, only to let out a pained sound when his burned flesh touched the bark. The pain made small black dots dance before his eyes, but he concentrated and they vanished, but not the pain..

[Izmae]

Izmae watched as Tallian's face changed from confusion to horror, and in less than an instant he pulled her close and whirled around. With a shudder the fireball fractured the arcane shield and struck Tallian in the back. In that small moment she could feel his breath on her face as he winced in pain. His wide eyes stayed unfocussed for only a moment and then a silvery light seeped into them and he pushed her away to turn and face his opponent.

As the two exchanged blows the paladin shrank back against a tree and not for the first time felt utterly helpless. What could she do against such raw power? Two red beams shot out of Tallian's outstretched hands followed by an agonising cry and a strange sort of pop. He moved towards it and she followed. Lying on the floor was the blood covered medallion, but the assailant was nowhere to be seen. Tallian sat back against a tree but let out a cry when the burned flesh on his back touched the bark.

Secure in the notion that the other mage had run, Izmae kneeled beside Tallian and gently leaned him forward to place a hand lightly on his back. Burned muscle tissue, slight rib fractures, kidney damage...by the Light that means internal bleeding...

Keeping her right hand on his back she moved her left round to his front and placed it on the side of his head. Looking into his eyes she wondered how she could have ever been scared of this man, vulnerable as he was now. Only a few times had she used this power to save a life before, mainly due to the sheer mental energy it expended in her. Calling on the Light she felt it rapidly fill her until its glow spilled from her very eyes, and enjoyed a second of bliss before it all transferred itself into Tallian. Instantly she felt the organ damage, the muscle and the skin all healed as if nothing had happened and blessed whatever deity gave her the ability of what paladins called 'Lay on Hands'. In the same instant that Tallian was healed her mind and body ached of complete exhaustion. Involuntarily she slumped onto his chest, for the moment unable to move herself, managing only to whisper,

"Thank you."

[Icefrost]

That night Cailea didn't sleep well. Even if she had had more nightmares in her life than she could remember, this was definitely something new.
Even though it was a dream, everything was oddly distorted and warped, almost as if the whole world was sunken in blood-red water. A faint sound of fighting could be heard from somewhere nearby and she was in the form of a panther at that moment. Valen was standing in front of her, with his swords out and one of them had a bloody coating on it. The strangest thing was however, that the rogue's position was as if he was fighting her.
Why would I be fighting him? she couldn't help thinking.
Then the rogue lowered his weapons and said something. She couldn't hear the words, they were just distorted mumbling. But the tone of his voice sounded...desperate and pleading...almost as if he was begging for something.
Cailea tried to look around to identify the location, but it was all some kind of a generic landscape with a few trees here and there...nothing special...except some kind of an odd-shaped rock that looked almost like a very large tombstone.
The rogue continued to speak and then he did something unexpected. One by one, he tossed his swords to the ground with a gesture that clearly indicated he didn't want to use them anymore. He was about to say something more, but then Cailea realized something horrible. She lept towards him, making him fall over to his back and with no hesitation, plunged her teeth fatally into his neck. The feeling of warm blood gushing into her mouth sent a shiver across her real body and her eyes blinked open as she woke up with a heavy breath.

Laying on her side, a low grumble from behind her back returned her into reality. Valen was there. He'd been sleeping right next to her for all night, but a new thing was that he now had his arm around her shoulders, something that wasn't there when she had fallen asleep. Not that she had anything against it for that matter.

She was about to close her eyes to try and sleep again, but something caught her attention. Tallian and Izmae were missing. Not that either of them couldn't handle themselves, but she didn't feel quite comfortable with the idea that the demon was also still out there and gently pushed Valen's arm away while getting up.
Might as well take a few steps anyway, she thought as she walked silently away from the camp and transformed into a panther along the way.
Usually the metamorphosis didn't really feel special in any way, but this time it sent a small shiver of fear across her spine as it momentarily reminded her of the nightmare a few moments ago. After a short while when she could no longer see the camp, her animal senses caught an odd smell...and yet one she knew almost too well. Blood.
Has somebody attacked Tallian or Izmae? Questions ran through her mind as she concentrated on following the scent; she would definitely want to get to the bottom of this.

Soon she laid her eyes on a man stumbling across the thin forest. His clothes looked rather ruffed and his movement revealed that he was definitely wounded. She hid behind some plants and transformed back. Then a green glow surrounded her hands for a second or two.
A second or two later the ruffed man tripped over as the ground itself moved under him and thin roots and vines quickly grew to entangle his limbs on the ground.
"Looking for something?" Cailea asked as she walked into his sight.
The man looked at her with both surprise and hate on his face.
"Just this"
Unexpectedly, a wave of magical energy passed her lower body, and a small block of ice was conjured around her feet.
Before she could do much about it, something struck her chest. At first it felt like someone was tackling her with a shoulder, but then she felt like freezing as bits of snow and ice became visible on her torso and she could see her own breath coming out as visible steam. The block of ice around her feet broke into two as she fell onto her knees while trying to catch her breath off the freezing.
The man was now up and readying a fireball in his hands.
"Who might you be?", he asked with a voice which revealed that he thought he already had her down.
"Someone who doesn't want to be disturbed right now", she muttered while preparing to transform again and avoid the incoming blast.

But then something hit the man on his back, knocking him onto his knees aswell and the next thing she saw was Valen behind him, holding a sword menacingly on his throat.
"And you are?", the rogue asked in a cold voice.
The man didn't answer, but instead, his gestures revealed him to be preparing another spell to cast, but before he could finish it, Valen hit him with something and he fell down unconscious.

"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, just a little cold. What are you doing here?"
"Hey, that demon is still out there. Did you think I was going to let you go somewhere all alone in the middle of the night?", he said while he walked over to her, put an arm around her and started to rub her arm to warm her up.

"After all, curiosity killed the cat, remember?" he continued in a playful tone.

Cailea couldn't help a smile and gave him a friendly punch on his chest.
"I thought you were sleeping."
"So I was. But I was also alert again, remember? Besides, you were shaking all night."
Shaking? Was it that bad?
"You want to talk about it?"

"I...it was just a dream", she answered, but her hesitation and gestures revealed to him that there was more to it than she was willing to admit.
No more questions were asked however, as they saw a figure approaching from the darkness. This one however, was definitely friendly.

[Izmae]

Rowen stumbled through the trees and back towards camp. He could not quite remember why he had walked over there...or why he had stopped for so long. His mind was completely jumbled, and it certainly didn't help when he came across Cailea and Valen standing over the unconscious form of a scruffy looking man. Somehow Rowen thought he recognised the man, it stirred something in the back of his mind, but it was almost like he couldn't quite reach it.

"Uh...what's going on?" He asked them.

"We could say the same thing...Where have you been Rowen?" asked Cailea.

"I...don't know." Why was he so confused? A thought struck him as his eyes lingered on the man on the floor.

"Does he...cast spells? A mage I mean."

"Yes, he tried to freeze me.."

"Ah..." He cursed loudly. Rowen hated these kinds of spells, those that interfered with the mind. He knew even through all the thoughts in his head that weren't making sense that this was a spell.

"He...my er, my mind...he spelled it." By the light I sound like I've gone mad... Cailea and Valen both looked at him with combined concern and amusement.

"I..see," replied Valen, "well he's unconscious now..maybe it'll wear off soon."

"Mmm..." He leaned against a tree massaging his temple, and a thought occured to him, "Where's Izmae? ...and Tallian?"

[Shanda]

The black dots had returned, and the pain had somehow multiplied itself. he knew it had been a stupid thing to do, he knew what damage he would take. But how could he have done anything else. Rather this then the death of someone he was beginning to care for. Pity for me that my journey will end here..

Then he felt warm hands touching his head and back. Through the dimmy blackness cowering his eyes he saw something, someone.. Izmae? Another jolt of pain made the thought flee his mind and he groaned in pain again.

A pity..

His view went dark..but just as fast as he felt his life fade away it slammed back into him. His vision returned and the pain seized to bore into his body. infront of him Izmae was kneeling, breathing heavily. Tallian tried to say something but he was to tired, healing an injury was one thing, but the body wasted alof of energy to keep itself working and that now took its toll on the weary mage. And it seemed to be the same with Izmae, she slowly fell onto him completely spent.

"Thank you"

To tired to answer he let his head lean on hers and closed his eyes.. Smiling

[Izmae]

Izmae had not even realised that she'd fallen asleep and yet here she was, wandering through that eerie realm once more. It was an odd sort of dream this time; there was no spirit asking her for help, the Spirit Guide was nowhere to be seen and yet she knew that she was going to meet someone. Lazero, her spirit horse was with her this time and they were riding back towards Southshore. About halfway there she stopped and watched as someone approached.

"It's been a long time child." the man said, smiling warmly.

"Greyson!" she realised with delight. Lord Greyson Shadowbreaker had been her mentor for most of her studying life. He like her had died once, and so often wandered through this realm on his travels. Having a lot more experience than her, he managed to control the ability somewhat and for example this allowed him to draw them to meet tonight.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm staying in Southshore and...I heard about Markus, I'm sorry."

Her smile weakened, "It's alright, I'm keeping myself busy."

He raised an eyebrow, "So I see. What do you expect to find in the Plaguelands Izmae, it's been a while since you were last there.."

"I know. Answers I guess...I need to do something Greyson, Rowen's with me too."

"You saw their deaths?"

She nodded gravely, "Greyson if you're headed to Dalaran, be careful. I believe the Council is just what we were suspecting and more."

"Indeed." He sighed, "Arthas and his Scourge are nothing but memory and yet still people seek to create dark times in supposed peace."

"Well that's what we're here for..old man." She grinned mischievously.

He looked down at her with mock anger, "Young lady you are not too old to be given lines you know..."

"Light be with you Greyson."

"You too child."

With that the realm dissapated and for a moment Izmae almost awoke. She felt the warmth of a fire on her face, but it was not yet time to wake up and she slipped back into sleep, this time blissfully dreamless.

[Icefrost]

It must have been half an hour since they found Tallian and Izmae. The two had been unable to give any explanations to what had happened, but Rowen seemed to have a pretty good guess.
When they came back to the camp, Rowen had cast some kind of a spell to hold the hostile intruder in place so they could question him in the morning and Valen had offered to take Izmae's watch since the paladin was in no condition to do it herself.
After only a few minutes of silence, Cailea accompanied him on the rock he was sitting on.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping? We still have a long trip ahead."
"No, I...I don't feel like sleeping anymore...", she said in that strange tense tone again.

"You sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"Yeah, it was just a dream like I said."
But again, she sounded like anything but convincing.

"Well, have it your way."

A long silence took place after that. The moon was still partially visible and they both focused their attention on it.

"Heh, some kind of a group I've got myself into", Valen said while glancing at the others behind him.
"I could say the same. I don't know any of these people except for their names. Not even you to be honest."
He was a bit surprised, but then again, she was right. He just hadn't thought of it quite that way.
"It's a bit strange now that I think of it.", she continued.
"We lived in the same town for four years and all I remember of you is that you saved my life..."

Although he didn't say anything, his mind was working furiously. He could barely remember anything of his childhood. The demon's long possession had probably wiped away some of those memories to make him the cold-blooded killer he used to be.
And then she had come. All along there had been something about her that had made him resist the demon's control...like that night in Dalaran. Something that tried to remind him of who he truely was...
And then again, he thought while giving her a quick look, she is quite attractive too, he had to admit to himself.

After that they just continued to stare somewhere in silence while waiting for the morning.

[Shanda]

Tallian had opened his eyes many hours later and found himself back at the camp. Cailea and Valen had been sitting togheter some distance away and Tallian had no intentions of disturbing. Izmae and her brother was still sleeping, as it was still early in the morning.

Now one hour later everyone was up exept Izmae. Tallian sat alone with his back against a tree. In his hands he held his now torn and burnt robes, he was wearing a white tunic and a pair of pants now as this robe had been his last. I sure have used up alot of these lately He thought and stuffed the remains back in his pack.
His body still ached from last nights events, and with that his mind again pushed his thoughts to Izmae. He turned his head slightly and rested his eyes opon her, still sleeping close to the campfire. But the smile he had worn when they had both passed out back in the woods now faded, She had saved his life. Just as the young priestess.. Arinnaya had done. He had failed the priestess, failed the ancient oath he had spoken opon recieving the powers he commanded today.

As he watched her slow breathing and the feint light from the flames warming her face his eyes hardened. Never again will he fail, he had payed the price and he doubted he could handle failure again. Still watching her he reached up and removed the medallion hanging around his neck. When he woke it had been lying among his other belongings, but from now on it belonged to someone else..

He took his eyes from Izmae and fixed his gray eyes on the medallion. Even though it looked ordinary, if pure gold like this can ever be ordinary, but it held powers. Powers only known to the archmage to which the medallion belongs. He tapped a finger at its center and mumbled a phrase in the arcane language, the medallion began to glow white but the glow faded away leaving it just as it had been before.

Never again..

The thought spiraled down in his mindm repeating itself as an undying echo. Tallian raised his arm and held the medallion infront of him, then he dropped it. But instead of falling it howered in midair. With a tiny gesture it then moved silently away from Tallian and gently placed itself on the ground before Izmaes eyes.

Then finally Tallian let himself smile, something he did not do very often, so rarely that it almost felt alien to do.. But now it felt right, and also slightly amusing as Izmae would be very surprised if she touched the medallion again. he had touched it with the very core of his powers and thereby awoken its lingering power, and it would answer to the young girl alone, the white glow would return as soon as she put a finger on it. He would have to teach her how to use it at some point.

But that he could do later, he took his eyes away from the young paladin and took up the old tome again. As that was something he could learn from himself..

[Izmae]

Sunlight dancing across her face woke Izmae from a long and restful sleep. She felt much refreshed from the previous night and all the better for talking to Greyson. She lay on her side a while longer and opened her eyes. Lying on the floor in front of her was Tallian's medallion, thankfully now clean of blood. Smiling she glanced over at the mage, who was engrossed in an old tome and then picked it up. All at once she had a strange sensation; the gold glowed with a bright white and into her mind poured images of Tallian that moved so fast that she had no time to comprehend them. It was as if she could detect his 'magical scent', as the only way to explain it, inside of the object. Now that I wasn't expecting. She glanced over at him again, frowning slightly, wondering what he had done to it...but then a loud snore from behind her drew those thoughts away. Both rolling her eyes and grinning widely she kicked Rowen in the side, "Wake up lazy!"

"Hmm? What? ...Oh, you rejoin the land of the living then!"

"Pfft, says you...drink the wrong potion last night did we?"

"Can't you go back to sleep? It was so much more peaceful..."

For the first time in a while she laughed and kept nudging Rowen with her foot until he sat up.

"Right miss!" He got up and reached for his supplies. Out of the relatively normal looking bag he pulled out two long quarterstaffs and threw the black one to her. Enchanting objects was a speciality of his, and like her old shield, he managed to make the most ordinary looking objects into the most useful tools. She caught the staff with one hand and her smile turned mischievous; he always tried to beat her when they sparred, but without using magic he managed it very little. They both moved back a few paces to get some room and began to fight. By the time she'd worked up a light sweat her older brother was on his back for the fourth time and she leaned on her staff, pretending to yawn in boredom. He stood up muttering again, and she laughed and despite himself, he smiled too.

She sighed dramatically, "Can't anyone offer me a real challange?"

[Shanda]

Yawning slightly Tallian stretched out his arms as he watched Izmae and Rowen batter eachother with long staffs. He had a hard time figuring what was most amazing, a highmage actually using a staff for melee combat, or that the paladin could move like she did after being so completely spent as she had been after healing him. He closed the book ,which had been lying opened all the while he watched the two of them fight, and returned it to his pack.

By now Rowen had been knocked down multiple times and he seemed slightly frustrated, Tallian stretched out his legs and leaned back against the tree again. Maybe I can...hehe . He pointed a finger at the medallion swinging from around Izmaes neck and mumbled a word, but not from the arcane language.

"Shield"

Then suddenly a white and blue shield formed around Izmae, Rowens staff that had been advancing on her slammed into it and jolted back. He looked completely dumbfounded and just stared at it, mouth opened in surprise.
Izmae had a similar look on her face. Tallian smiled and mumbled a second word

"Vanish"

The shield slowly faded. Grabbing his pack from the ground Tallian got up on his feet and slantered down to the two combatants who still stood speechless staring at each other.

"Sorry for my little interuption, as the two of you seemed to enjoy yourselfs so much, but I had to try the medallions power"

they both turned and looked at him. Tallian dropped his pack on the ground and smiled back.

[Icefrost]

Cailea and Valen, although a bit tired of their night, were watching Izmae and her brother with some amusement.
Must feel good to have live family members, she thought while watching the two siblings compete with staffs.
I never really had anyone except my mentor...
At this point, she couldn't help giving Valen a quick glance.
Then she got up and walked closer to the camp.

"Can't anyone offer me a real challenge?"

Hmm, this might just prove to be a chance to learn more about who I'm traveling with. And besides, I need something to wake me up.
She walked over to the others while Tallian cast some kind of a shield around Izmae. Cailea looked at the mage.
Well, he sure seems to be full of tricks. But then again, he is a mage.
She grabbed her own staff and then spoke to Izmae.

"If that challenge of yours is still up, I could give it a try."

All three of them stared at her for a second.

"Okay..."

"Mind if I use this?", she asked and made a gesture with her own staff.

The paladin responded by readying herself for another fight.
Then they fought. The paladin was surprisingly strong and Cailea got her fair share of it because she was a bit slow at first and took some good hits. But after a short while her muscles warmed up and she was able to dodge many of the paladin's attacks instead of simply blocking them.
Although she was faster than Izmae, they seemed evenly matched when Valen's voice interrupted them.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving. Think you could find some breakfast?"

[Izmae]

Postponing her curiosity about the medallion for now, Izmae fought against Cailea for a short while. Although a little slow at first, the druid soon quickened herself and managed to dodge many of her best attacks. Valen's voice was the one to interrupt them,

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving. Think you could find some breakfast?"

"I'll start up the fire again." Replied Cailea, and with a smile to Izmae wandered off. She took the opportunity to talk to Tallian about the strange new addition to the medallion.

"What did you do to this thing?"

It was the first time she'd seen him grin with mischief, "I don't know what you mean."

"Oh come on, tell me!"

He wouldn't budge. She glanced down at Rowen's staff on the floor a few paces back and picked it up.

"Alright then," and she held it out to him. He raised an eyebrow and looked down at it, "if I win, you stop teasing and tell me what you did to the medallion."

"And if I win?"

"Then..." she pondered for a moment, "I promise not to start experimenting with it against a certain someone." She put on her best innocent face and held the staff out again.

[Shanda]

Tallian chuckled slightly and took the staff she held out.

"Experimenting you say? now I doubt you would be able to" With a wicked grin he sweeped down the staff and took a defensive position.
"And I wont be swinging this wildly around as your brother overthere"

Izmae rolled her eyes and replied before attacking
"Now I wouldnt be so sure of myself if I were you oh almighty archmage"

Tallian had never been found of fighting with anything other then his magic, and on occasion knifes, but not even those he would resort to in melee. Sure he could handle a staff, mages did get some training in basic defense. And thus he did not have much to put up against her onslaught. After just a minute or two Tallian had completely stopped trying to attack only to defend himself and look for some kind of opening, which never occured. Instead he took several minor blows, whiched stayed minor due to the fact that he only defended.

Perspiration began to appear on his face and his breathing became heavier. His parries and blocks became slower, which resulted in more attacks finiding their targets. In the end it resulted with him lying on his back with a grinning Izmae standing over him with her staff pointed at his chest.

"Soo, now tell me oh almighty magus"

Tallian pushed her staff away and sat up.

"I dont think ive ever taken such a pounding" He shook his head slightly and got up on his feet.

"Anyway" But now the smile he had worn before faded into a serious expression "To put it simple I have channeled a part of my most inner energies into the medallion, in order to untap its powers"

Izmae looked slightly confused

"And that means?"

"You saved the life of an archmage, Izmae. That created a bound that I must keep intact. In other words, if harm comes your way I will suffer to. I will see to it that that dosent happen.."

[Izmae]

"Really?" The more she thought about it the more she could see he was being truthful. She could feel him inside of the medallion. She looked at it closely and felt a little rush in her head. Sitting next to her on a fence was a small dark haired boy, he was looking over at a man by the edge of the wall across the field. Suddenly the boy bolted forward, screaming at the man; stalking up behind him was a large but malnourished looking wolf. As if in slow motion the man turned, unable to do anything, helpless. But then something she did not expect; the wolf incinerated into a grusome ball of burning fire.

With a small intake of breath she glanced up at Tallian, he had a strange look on his face, as if he hadn't expected that. She certainly hadn't, and she wondered for a moment whether he'd seen the same thing. To break the silence a thought occurred to her and she poked a painful bruise that had started to appear on her forearm. Absent mindedly Tallian's hand moved up to his arm, but then he stopped and narrowed his eyes at her.

"I was just testing.."

Rowen called them over for breakfast and she picked up the two quarterstaffs to replace them in his odd bag and wandered across to the others in the camp, stretching the muscles in her slightly aching back as she went.

[Icefrost]

When Tallian and Izmae arrived, Cailea glanced at them with one eyebrow raised, but quickly aimed her view elsewhere before the two sat down to eat. What exactly had happened to them last night and what was Tallian's sudden change of face all about?

Instead of bothering her mind with those questions, she finished her breakfast by taking one more sip of the special herbal tea she had made for herself. She wasn't really much of a cook as the drink she had just finished was one of the few things she had ever really learned to make.

Then she laid down on her back and closed her eyes to relax a bit before the journey ahead and quickly sunk into thoughts.
Some good exercise and some breakfast...ah, if only there was some water around here too. Hm, maybe I'm beginning to like some these people.
Then she remembered again what had happened two nights ago by that river...it had all felt so strange and magical back then, and this was the first moment when she really had time to think about it properly. Did she really like him that much? She'd have to find out soon enough to give her mind a rest. But how?
While thinking of ways to sort out her heart, she soon fell asleep, thanks to the fact that she hadn't slept that much last night.

Then she had that same nightmare again. Just like last time, Valen was there, apparently pleading her for something and eventually threw his swords away.
Again she leaped towards him, but this time she managed to see that the rogue was trying to reach for something on the ground...or his pocket?

She woke up when something poked her side.

"Come on Cailea, time to go."

It was Valen. Behind him, Rowen was packing a few last things before he mounted up. Izmae and Tallian were already on their horses.

"O-oh...right...", she mumbled while standing up and shook her head a bit.

"If you're that sleepy, let me give you a lift."
"But I..."
"You can continue sleeping there if you like."

Although she had no intention of sleeping any more, they mounted on the last horse with Cailea sitting right behind the rogue.

"Hold on then."

She wrapped her arms around him and the party set off to ride.

[Shanda]

Tallian was deep in thoughts as they rode along the road, from time to time he glanced at Izmae riding beside him. What had she done to him that could have created such a strong bond... two times before had he experienced the creation of the bound, but he had never been this close to someone. He had been told that emotions had alot to do with how strong it would be. But to really feel the pain she felt..Tallian shook his head slightly.

Then a horrible thought crossed his mind. If he could feel her pain, was it possible that she could feel his..for almost a minute he rode and twined the idea in his mind to find a reason why it would be impossible or atleast unlikely, but there was only one way to find out.

"Izmae" He turned his head towards her and sighted "something very disturbing just crossed my mind. the bond we share is deeper then I have ever seen or heard about before. That I can actually feel your pain as if it was my own is enough proof of that, but what if it goes the other way?"

The question hung for a moment then she answered

"there is only one way to find out I guess"

Tallian nodded and pulled out a small knife from his pack hanging from his horses saddle. He then took the knife and made a tiny cut on his right arm..

[Izmae]

"Ah.." Izmae pulled off the gauntlet over her right arm and there it was; a small cut in exactly the same place as Tallian's. Now that's interesting...

"This doesn't usually happen?" She asked him. He shook his head, and the concentrated frown on his face deepened.

"So what made it different this time?" He didn't answer, just drifted into deeper thought. She replaced the gauntlet and decided for now not to tell Rowen about this particular property of the medallion.

Distracting herself for a moment she sent out her senses to the surrounding woodland. She felt no sources of holy energy, not surprising...as for shadow; the demon appeared to be moving further away from the group, so far in fact that she couldn't tell in which direction it was disappearing to. That in itself was worrying, she would have to be especially vigilant but if the creature had entered the Plaguelands...there are plenty of dark sources to hide behind there. For the first time in a while her mind weakened and she thought of Stratholme, running lost through the endless burning streets, the stench of death suffocating her and she had to grip the reins of her horse to steady herself. Perhaps Greyson was right to worry...it had been a long time since she had been close to her old home. Markus deserves answers...and Tyr's Hand should have them. She certainly hoped so anyway...

Glancing around she was glad of such company, odd as their meeting had been. It felt good not to be travelling alone for once.

[Shanda]

Tallian rode in silence, staring at the cut on his arm. It was impossible, he knew that the magic was ancient and powerfull, but this?. If he died or got hurt then so would she. And if the same happened to her... Tallian shuddered slightly in his saddle.

And there was no way to make it undone, once the bond was established it is premanent. And to make it worse he doubted that Izmae herself even had begun to understand what this meant..for a second he wondered if she even cared, or wanted to.

Still deep in thought he absently put a finger on the cut, a silvery light shone under it and the cut healed itself..

[Icefrost]

Despite her nap back at the camp, Cailea had to fight back sleep for the early hours of the day, constantly yawning and feeling tired. It seemed the staff fight with Izmae had only diminished her energy, not refreshing her.
When she surprised herself from a half-sleepy state with her head leaning on Valen's shoulder, she decided it was time to put some move into herself.

"Thanks for the ride, but I think I'll stretch my legs a little."
"Huh?"

She jumped off the horse right on the move, but by the time her feet hit the ground, they had been replaced by four black paws. Once again she shivered a bit when she transformed, with the nightmare still fresh in her memory.

Trying to get her thoughts off the content of the dream, she focused on thinking whether it would be a good idea to tell someone about it...

[Izmae]

The rest of that day, and the next passed by thankfully uneventful. Their journey had become significantly shorter since they travelled on horses and they were due to enter the Plaguelands soon; this thought did not leave her mind as Izmae settled down to sleep around the campfire, a little seperated from the others. She had an unease in her stomach that she would wake up rather suddenly tonight, and spend another day without enough sleep. She cursed this weakness of hers; during her conscious life the discipline she had learnt as a Paladin kept outbursts from escaping, but her unconscious mind was something she couldn't control. Despite her resistance she fell asleep almost immediately, before any of the others.

***

They could see it ahead of them, a gap in the outer wall. Ironic that the pounding attack on this section of the city would prove to be their salvation. Rowen held Markus in his arms, the small child being unable to run as fast as his siblings. By this point Izmae and her brother ran on their last reserves of adrenaline, but they were nearly out; all they had to do was get through that gap in the wall...

The corpses and rotted flesh scattered in the streets were of no concern to them anymore; they had screamed in terror enough that night and somehow had resolved enough to run. The broken rock under her feet kept crumbling; Rowen was moving further and further away. They could hear unnatural noises and cries approaching from behind. In desperation they even threw the burning fragments of broken houses over their shoulders to try and curb the creatures' progress, but magic, as always, was to intervene. Izmae watched as Rowen scaled the last part of the wall to safety and let out nothing but a silent scream as a bolt of shadow hit her squarely in the back...

With a sharp intake of breath she awoke. Her heart was racing and a cold sweat made her shiver uncontrollably. Even though it was dark she could see the very concerned face looking into her own.

[Icefrost]

Once again Cailea was forced to suffer the same dream, just like the night before. Every time it seemed to become worse. This time she was almost sure it was for real until she bolted upright and let out a short scream.
She put a hand over her eyes and forehead while catching her breath. Valen had woken up from her sudden motion and sat up beside her.

"Listen, I really hate to push it, but I think you shouldn't try to bear that alone anymore."

Taking a quick look around, Cailea saw that they weren't the only ones awake at the moment. Without a word, she got up and dragged Valen with her a small distance away from the camp.

*****

When the druid turned to look at him again, Valen was shocked. He had rarely seen anyone so scared of something, apart from the few times in his past when his victim had been able to see him just before the deadly move. Something was definitely wrong with her. Trying to think of all the possible answers that he might get, he asked his question.

"So, what is it?"

The druid turned away from him and spoke in a voice that sounded fragile.

"I...I've had many nightmares in my life..."
"About Auberdine?"
"That...and some other things. But this one isn't. It feels different. It...it's so real."

Instead of repeating himself, Valen decided to wait for her answer although it took a short while. Cailea turned to look at him again, but aimed her view low when she spoke.

"This must seem crazy...but... In that dream, I kill you."

Valen thought he had prepared himself for almost anything...but not this. For a good ten seconds he could do nothing but stare at her and try to think of something to say. He was eager to say that "it's just a dream" or something like that, but the druid's expression made it clear this was not the time for such a blunt comment.

"You think it's an omen of some kind?", he finally said.
"I...I don't know. Maybe."

He took a hold of her shoulders and she looked at his eyes again.

"Well, even if it is, it doesn't mean it's surely going to happen. And besides, what reason would you have to do that anyways?"
"I don't know. That's what scares me."

For a while longer they stood there, pondering it in their minds. Then Cailea spoke again.

"Anyway, thanks for listening."
"Hey, I still owe you, remember?"

The faint smile that visited her face lightened the atmosphere considerably. Then they returned to the camp.

[Shanda]

"Not often have I had nightmares while still being awake"

Tallian looked down in Izmaes eyes, an understanding and sad expression on his face. It had been his watch, everything had been peacefull until memories not his own had forced themselves into his mind. It hadent taken him long to understand where they had come from.

With a small grunt he rose from his kneeling position and sat with his back to Izmae, but still close.

"You have not had an easy life" His voice held true emotions of concern and care. He sighted slightly.

"maybe we are more alike then one can think, but sleep now brave paladin. You will need your strength"

He turned slightly and placed a finger on her forehead while whispering

"Sleep well"

Her eyes closed and she drifted into a dreamless peacefull sleep.

Some hour later Tallian woke Rowen so that he could get some sleep himself, the light knew he needed it aswell. He still had alot to figure out..

[Icefrost]

Telling Valen about her dream had proven to be a good idea so far; Cailea hadn't had any more nightmares since they had returned to the camp and she woke up around sunrise, as usual.
She sat up and looked around the camp to see that the others were still sleeping, apart from Rowen who was on watch, but from where she was, the mage looked rather sleepy for a watchman. She didn't bother to let him know about it though, since the others would soon wake up anyways. Instead, she got up and took another look at the woods around them. From what she had understood, they'd enter the plaguelands very soon, probably today. And then she got an idea.

Undead creatures and corrupted wildlife almost always carried numerous diseases and different plagues on them and she didn't really know if the others had any means of curing those, so it might be a good idea to get some while they were still traveling through the more fertile grassland. And soon enough it might be time to start looking for that herb that she had come here for in the first place.

From her pocket she pulled out one of the few items she had there in addition to the green gem that she had used to contact the old druid back in dalaran. It was a folded brown leather belt with a small empty pouch hanging on it. She opened the pouch and looked into it to find a few dried leaves and a scent of numerous different herbs and plants inside it.
Just as I remembered. These won't do any good. she thought and threw the leaves out.
Better get some new ones.
She strapped the belt on her waist. It fit a little loosely, with the pouch side hanging around her hip, but she liked it that way.

Her observations on the plants she was soon examining and picking in the woods were that she knew all of them from experience and that the species here were not as numerous as back in Kalimdor, but they were good enough for some simple remedies and such.

Soon she heard a familiar voice from behind herself.

"Find anything?"

She didn't even have to look to know it was Valen. Over the last few days it had become clear to her that it was almost impossible to wake up from beside him without waking him up in the process.

"Yeah, something.", she said, turned around and held out a handful of green leaves she had just picked up.

"You want some?"

"Uh, no thanks. I used to make some poisons out of them, but lately I've learned that those can prove hazardous for more than just my enemies."

They shared a smile after that. Cailea put the leaves in her pouch, which was almost full now.

"Well, I've got what I was looking for. Let's go back, shall we?"

[Izmae]

Still catching her breath Izmae couldn't say a word, He saw that?... It was bad enough that she couldn't control these nightmares but she didn't want them forced on someone else as well. He came over to sit close to her, and with his back to her said,

"You have not had an easy life" and with him sitting close she felt a wave of security and relief wash over her, and the shivering stopped.

"maybe we are more alike then one can think, but sleep now brave paladin. You will need your strength"

He turned to face her and placed a finger on her forehead. Almost instantly she felt a warm glow seep into her mind, the lingering images of her dream faltered and she drifted off to sleep without being able to say a single word.

***

Early sunlight danced across her face and being accustomed to waking at this sign Izmae drifted into consciousness from her deep sleep. Tallian was asleep beside her, breathing deeply. She smiled down at his peaceful face and brushed his hair from his eyes. Looking around she saw that Rowen was awake from morning watch and she prepared some breakfast from increasingly boring rations before sitting beside him. They both ate together and after a moment she said, "I'll take your watch tomorrow...I got plenty of sleep last night." Smiling thankfully he yawned and nodded, and nothing more was said. She wondered for a moment whether he ever dreamed of Stratholme, but those thoughts were interrupted by the return of Cailea and Valen to the camp. After sharing the breakfast with them, she noticed Tallian stirring and brought some over to him as well. Settling herself beside him she continued to eat her own food.

"I'm sorry you had to see that last night.."

"Don't worry...was that the moment you, well-"

She nodded, "There's something else you should know that didn't occur to me until last night. When I died that night, the experience left me with a... closer link than is usual to the Spirit Realm. You see when someone dies in this world their soul wanders through this realm before the Sprit Guide either allows them to pass through to death or to be brought back to life."

He nodded, taking this in.

"Some souls linger around the place in which they die, looking for someone to exact justice in their stead. Whenever I'm around a place like that I get...drawn in to the Spirit Realm and they ask me for help. Some images that I see are not pleasant to say the least, but such is the duty of the Light."

She sighed, not wanting to speak the next part.

"Tallian it's occurred to me that when I get drawn into this realm by lost souls, with this new connection we have, you might get drawn in with me...I'm sorry, I didn't wish this on anyone...especially someone I care for."

[Shanda]

He took some time to think Izmaes words over while slowly eating his breakfast. Nothing of what she said seemed to be of any danger, if it wasen´t his watch that was. And a part of him cherished the idea as it would give him insight in something he had never seen before, and Tallian was always eager for knowledge.

With a small smile he looked back at Izmae.

"well I dont see what would be so horrible about that, and besides, is it not all our duty to protect those in need?"

"I guess.."

"Then dont worry about it Izmae, I have gone through much worse then being drawn into the spiritworld, maybe I might even learn something from it. And that would be more enjoyable then alot of other things you can stumble into".

She gave him a small smile herself

"well well, but dont say I didnt warn you if something happens!"

"Oh I wont, and if something do happen to me I trust you to come to my aid" He said with a hint of irony in his voice
"As I doubt you would want anything to happen to me as the circumstances are now"

He grinned back before continuing his meal. And after some minutes he added.

"That goes the other way around, of course"

[electro]

Enalia and Actaron (and a fast intro of arinnaya again)

Totally exhausted from the long journey tracking Tallian all the way from dalaran, Enalia was still searching for tracks that could lead them to the mage. Actaron scouting ahead in hopes to see familiar faces like Tallian or Arcantis, even though they both might have gotten killed. But as long as there were tracks, there was hope.

**flashback**

"Actaron heel, stay with me, we'll survive this. Arinnaya, stay close to me"
Enalia looked for something that could stop fire or at least hold it of for a minute or 2. It was no use, everything was made of wood. Actaron was running around, aiming for the kitchen. "Offcourse, the basement." Went through Enalia's thoughts. "Arinnaya, quick into the basement."

They all fled to the basement where the barrels of wine were stationed. Enalia broke one of the barrels and all the beer ran onto the floor, making a pool of unflamable liquid. it was hot, but it kept them from getting burned alive. Enalia chopped the barrel in 2 and used the upper half as a shell for flaming pieces falling down.

At the end, all that was left was one smoking ruin of charred wood and ashes, a large pit filled with rubbish and charred black ashes which everyone thought couldn't have any survivers.

The rubbish was cleared after a few hours by Actaron digging his way out to freedom, followed by Enalia who dragged the unconscious body of Arinnaya behind her with the last of her strenght.

Finally getting up the ledge of the once great inn, Actaron fell asleep from exhaustion. Enalia build a small campfire, looked around for traces of Nork and Tallian, fixed up a cover for Arinnaya and her and then tried to get some rest. This wasn't hard because of the things she's been through in the last few hours.

The sun was rising slowly, the birds were whisteling once more and the ruined building was still smoking a bit from the huge fire over night. Enalia opened her eyes, seeing Actaron allready awake and walking around slowly, enjoying the fresh air instead of the smoke from a burned building, playing around with some of the animals around them. Enalia enjoyed this sight and relaxed, relieved that she survived the night.

Then she looked over to Arinnaya, who was no more unconscious but was now vast asleep. Enalia let her sleep, she needed it. She then started to make her campfire a bit bigger again and started cooking breakfast. At the smell of the breakfast Arinnaya slowly woke up, her eyes still adjusting to the morning sun.

"Elune be praised, you woke up." said Enalia to Arinnaya."I was getting worried that the smoke had almost gotten you."

"I have it all to thank to you and your little companion. If it wasn't for your quick thinking, good reflexes and instinct of survival, we might have stayed in there, for good. I thank my life to you."

As they were now both relaxing, the sun rose higher and time passed. "I think the rest thinks we're dead. That we stayed in the fire. Maybe it's best to pursue them." Enalia said, getting a comformation nod from Arinnaya.

**end flashback**

[Arinnaya]

*adds to flashback*

So much fire...fire... Heat... flames...And the horrid voices, like it was hellfire... Heart-breaking shouts of suffering.. those of burning alive...

"If I could only help them... I failed.. failed the light once again!!"

Arinnaya murmured these words half-consciously. From outside it could not be judged if she was all right or having feverish dreams. She wildly throbbed here head aside , without opening here eyes, and uttered in a low voice:

"May the light..."

And then she went silent again. Enalia would have every cause to believe that these were her last words, but they weren't. In a few moments she took another turn, opened up here eyes widely, and asked:

"What happened... Where am I? "

But instead of answer, here inquisitive eyes met those glowing ones of Enalia.

The Priestess sighed, and continued:

" I thought it was just a dream... I hoped at least. I do not even dare ask what happened to the others! But if still alive, we should return to them.. I can still help."

These words were hard to believe, as she could barely drag herself on the ground. It took another few minutes until she could finally stand up.

As Enalia and the little giant spider did not say anything to her last request, she uttered it again:

"I have it all to thank to you and your little companion. If it wasn't for your quick thinking, good reflexes and instinct of survival, we might have stayed in there, for good. I thank my life to you."
" Now I am alright... almost... But, pray tell me! What happened to the others?"

She received no answer...

"Then we must go... set out and go, until we find them!!. even if where we catch up might be the end of the world..!"

*end of adds to flashback*

[electro]

" Now I am alright... almost... But, pray tell me! What happened to the others?"

Enalia listened, staying silent. She closed her eyes, for she didn't want to get deceived by her eyes. her senses sharpened, the wind whisteling many riddles, many hidden messages, many lies, but also many truths. She only tried to listen to the truth of the wind, after all. her sence of smelling sharpened but was still overthrown by the smell of burned wood. although that that was not all she picked up. Her skin felt something familiar, something soft and warm.

"Tallian's Firemagic!!" She yelled when she suddenly opened her eyes. "they're still alive. Tallian's magic still remains here, they just moved on from this place. we have to hurry if we want to catch up to them, arinnaya."

Enalia packed her things. Well, packed what was left of them. the string of her bow was almost burned through, her quiver was ruined with only 3 arrows intact and her axes were redused to only the pieces of metal. She sounded a bit sarcastic when she said "Well, everything seems back to the beginning."

She stood up, walked over to Actaron and fed him a little from the meal she made. She looked over to Arinnaya and smiled, not a word was spoken. She just smiled. She got up on her feet, went to check out the ruins of the building one last time and then said to herself "Let this place be remembered as the place we feared for a night. but let it also be remembered as the warm house where we felt like home."

"Let's go, but let's be carefull. My weapons aren't what they used to be." smiling at Arinnaya. "they went this way." and she pointed to the footprints left on the scorched earth around the black once great building. "maybe we can find them in a couple of days, if we are lucky." She said with optimism. "but first, we'll need to get a new pair of weapons for me. fighting bare handed is kind of hard" She smiled again.

Actaron was enjoying himself in the meantime by running through the nearby patch of trees. Funny enough, he looked like he was trying to grab something with his fangs. "What is it Actaron? what did you find now?" Actaron was trying to pick up a large piece of wood that might do as a sturdy staff. "Well, got myself some kind of weapon now. I think we're set to go." She said, looked over to Arinnaya and saw that she was standing up, ready to leave this scorched place in search of the others.

[Izmae]

The change had not quite been apparant until now. The trees on the borders of human and undead lands were an eerie mixture of life and undeath and colours distorted to dark and nausiating mixtures of green and purple. The group had been winding east, keeping to remote routes and at last the telltale signs of the Eastern Plaguelands became apparant. The trees thinned, the ground became dusty and an ominous shadow encroached onto Izmae's mind as she sensed not only the spirits of the deceased but also the crazed bloodthirst of the creatures of the Plaguelands. Rowen became increasingly silent as they travelled and with a clench she knew what was crossing his mind. He had not been around these lands since they escaped Stratholme; it was very different now.

She now became very aware that she had little clue what they were going to do once they reached Tyr's Hand. Without a small army behind her, brute force would do little good. What she needed was an answer, a clue, some small scrap of evidence to satisfy her suspicions of the Council. Possible plans wandered through her mind, but even with all the extra force she had gathered, getting into the heart of a town styled fortress, whom most of the occupants likely knew and wanted to kill her, was a near impossible task. With glances at both Valen and Tallian she wondered whether either of them would be able to get inside...but her thoughts were interrupted as her senses flared violently.

Like a wave of energy she felt the holy presence of priests and paladins. Stopping for a moment in shock she wondered why it had hit her so; usually she could first feel the Light very faintly in the distance but this had somehow been shielded until now...until they were so close that it couldn't be hidden any longer. She looked anxiously across the horizon but saw nothing. Knowing from instinct that this was no assurance of safety she looked across at Tallian and Rowen and asked them both what she hoped dearly was not possible.

"Is there any kind of spell which could hide a large number of people from view?"

[Shanda]

Tallian gave Izmae a slightly confused look before replying.

"Well yes, as a matter of fact there are several."

There had not been much talk while they had cleared their camp and started out for plaguelands. And thus they had managed a goodly distance and was passing through the borderlands.

"why the sudden interest in cloaking magic?"

[Arinnaya]

It took long enough as the Huntress packed his little collection of items away. She carefully inserted the wooden drinking-cups ito that battered backpack, then rolled up the sleeping blankets, tying up them with a kind of of thick string.

The process gave a moment or two for Arinnaya to look around more thoroughly than before. Here eyes quickly noticed the outlines of several ruined buildings around. Some were still standing, and in relatively good condition. The road around was even paved.. not just some muddy tracks, yet no other voice accompanied the scene, than the harsh sound of wind, banging against the windows of the ghostly quarter. The Priestess realized, that this was once one of the outskirts of the glorious Dalaran.. but as the wake of the Legion left the entire city in ashes - and not just the Violet Citadel - these parts of the town never came to be properly rebuilt.

As Enlia was ready... equipping herself with a makeshift weapon - a curled piece of wood, Arinnaya also looked after her possessions. It was merely luck, that her baggage survived the flames unscarred: the sack was tightly bound to her waist, so it could not fall off.

At Enalia's advice, they set out to seek guidance from travellers on the several roads leading outside the city - leading to the North, to the once-great Lordaeron, the far, and unknown west, as well as to the nearby Hillsbrad. If anyone has seen their fellows, those guarding the roads from the half-ruined city must hold a clue!

As they turned around, Arinnaya took a last look on the charming Violet Tower.. her expression turning sad, as if yearning after something she never told... then just sighed: "Let's go!!"

So they two slowly walked awayin the light of the early sun.. morning-dew still covered the blades of grass upon they slowly waded away. Down from the moss-covered ruins to the nearest crossing.

[KainenFrost]

Kain had become slightly unnerved over the recent days, standing at his post, at the gates of Tyr's hand, he had seen more patrols come and go in the last several days than he had seen in the months since he became a Scarlet. Since the "big event" that he had not been told about, the partols had become several a day. Kain gathered from the some of the others that the "Big event" had something to do with Dalaran, and it was quite obvious, with the number of partols, that someone was expecting retribution.

just over a day ago, Kain was pulled from his post, and assigned to a much lager force, ont that didn't warrant to be called an army, but this was no patrol. He was assigned to a flank on the way out. since then, with the exception of the occasional sickly animal, attacking mostly out of desperation, the day had been uneventfull, boring, and full of questions. Kain had been left in the dark about practicaly everything since he joined, he didnt belive it was a lack of trust of him, but more a complete overlooking of him. Kain was going insane, he didnt kow anything except what his two eyes told him, and even those he had to keep hidden, he could keep them from glowing quite easily, but there was nothing he could do about the vibrant, inhuman, green.

the force took a break, they were in the plaugelands, and they were all just standing there. Kain let himself zone out, he let a level of apathy into his thoughts, if he was told to fight, he would fight. if he was told to walk, he would do that to. Kain didn't give a damn about the scarlets, but he had nowhere else to go, so, hed play their game.

[Icefrost]

For a moment Cailea had considered traveling by flying earlier that day, but realized that the plaguelands might not be the kind of place where she wanted to see as much of the landscape as possible. In fact, she had all reason to believe that she'd want to see as little of those lands as possible.
And when they traveled through the borderlands, it became evident on every step that she had been right. As the surroundings turned darker and less flourishing, her mood went down with it all. Not only because of what she saw, but because of what she heard. It was just like she had expected; she had heard this before in felwood. A healthy forest always had a sort of sound to it. Not only wind blowing through it, but more like a quiet, distant song coming from all the trees around. Although a very silent one, she had learned to listen to it every time she went into some woods.
But here, that sound was quite far from it. It was a cacophonic mess of pain and horror. Just like the old druid had told her on their first trip to felwood to study corruption.
Almost like walking into a graveyard. Except here the dead want your help. And you can hear them.

Knowing that there was nothing she could do to ease it at the moment, she tried to close her mind from it. But without any solid point to focus her attention on, doing so only caused her a headache after a while. Then Izmae suddendly stopped.

"Is there any kind of spell which could hide a large number of people from view?"

Upon hearing that, Cailea tried to use her animal senses to get a hold of it. Smelling proved to be almost impossible due to the smell of dead and rotting things dominating all other scents. But her ears caught something. They were not alone.
Rearranging her paws on the ground, she prepared for a fight.

[electro]

As teh day passed, Enalia's senses weakened for a while. She wasn't paying attention to the whispers in the wind, ths signs in the clouds, the voice of nature. For a few minutes, she was just enjoying the cool breeze that touched her skin, the sun on her face and teh comforting companionship of Arinnaya and Actaron. Even more, she was just concentrating on the flowers and herbs around the road and started picking them for her potion and elixirs (or just because they were pretty).

Actaron was lively running around, looking for insects to eat or just to get some excercise. Arinnaya on the other hand was walking silent, Deep in thought, not even seeing where she went.

Enalia interrupted the silence by saying "This looks like a good spot for a nice meal and a small nap." And she walked to the biggest tree she could find and sat underneath it, her eyes closed, again listening to the wind. Arinnaya walked a bit further and then realised that Enalia wasn't running besides her anymore. She looked for her and found her sitting under the tree, which she did as well.

Actaron was still running lively about, scouting for unwanted visitors or dangers that might approach, always in contact with Enalia.

[KainenFrost]

It was obvious that they were waiting for something, but it couldnt possibly be an ambush, they were all just standing there, someone could spot them from miles away. Miles away? Kain took a moment, time to accually survay the forest, he noticed that from where he was, the forest dropped off quickly just past the Scarlets, a mere thirty feet from where he was standing.

Something is wrong, My vision is perfect, What is going on?

Then he looked the other way, and to his suprise, everything did not drop off at thirty feet, but it did, instead, drop off ten feet from where ever a Scarlet stood. Kain's thoughts turned quickly to the other Crusaders,

Do they understand whats going on, Or are they too brainwashed to even realise?

There were few people that Kain would accually confront about this, the few who he could consider his freinds, but they were all back at Tyr's Hand. Kain broke rank, and moved to the back of the flank, the others didnt care, they were zealots. Kain kneeled, facing straight away from the Scarlets. Kain quit supressing his high elf heritage, and his eyes came back, the he could see, a faint magic aura surrounded the entire group, he could see, and feel it, he didn't even know a spellcaster was in their group, but the realisation came, there were several. Kain once ahain supressed his heritage, and returned to his place with a new question in his mind.

Why wasn't i informed, are we supposed to just know, are we supposed to accept it without question... or do the leaders expect us to be so brainwashed that we dont even realise?

[Arinnaya]

Walking slowly down the hillside, dotted with many, already grass- and moss-covered ruins, the tow headed towards the spot, where the roads exitnig the city and running around it were expected to meet. Nature has undeniably started to reclaim the once humanized landscape. Young treelings have formed a thick, bushy understory all around. If viewed from far enogh, the whole scenery would have appared as a common clearing of the forest.

They reached the road soon enough but -where expected - no guardwas to be found. Arinnaya halted her steps, and waited a little together with Enalia, in hope of catching a traveller on these important cross-roads. The two ladies had no luck. not even after half an hour. After that, Enalia must have run out of patience, for she simply turned around and left for the woods northwards. The priestess soon followed. Without any plans or directions, it might not have been a good idea to veture far away from Dalaran. Indeed they did not: Much before the sun would set down on the horizon, Enalia spotted a good place for a one-night camp, so she looked around and sat down silently. Though it was not in the plans of the Priestess to just wander around aimlessly without knowing where to go, something of a secret wisdom told her to trust the uncanny ability of the Huntress of pathfinding.

As she joined the company of Enalia, she noiced her little friend: Something she barely noticed all on the way. Though Arinnaya was certainly not fond of spiders (and it was even more true for giant ones), she wondered how the eight-legged creature managed to stay unseen and out of sight all the day, stalking behind the two silently.

The preiestess put her arms deep into her backpack, in hope of finding anything for supper. But this time, she had to comfort herself with the notice that after the great meal they had last day in Dalaran, it is the least trouble if one has to go sleep with empty stomach next day.

Arinnaya turned to the Huntress, but she was acting as if in a deep trance. She stared into the deep forest, raising her both ears, like the fearful deers do sometimes. Even Actaron the spiderling stood as if frozen. The priestess could not even begin to imagine what she was listening to. So she tried the polite way:
" Excuse me if I..."

But she received no answer. Instead, she turned her head in the same direction as Enalia did, to see what on earth she was inspecting in this forlorn place.

[electro]

Enalia just sat there, listening, sensing the same thing Actaron felt, someting really big was heading their way. Deep in focus to the signs, she didn't even hear Arinnaya speak. Actaron was silently and slowly moving backwards towards Enalia, sensing danger to approach.

Enalia jumped up, opened her eyes and yelled, "ABOMINATION" like she was screaming her lungs out from agony. After recovering her breath, she ready her so-called weapon and melded into the shadow of the big tree.

[Izmae]

"I can sense priests and paladins...close by. It suddenly hit me..." She said, still looking around.

"I don't see anything," replied Rowen looking himself, "but hence your question."

"How large a number of people do you believe there is?" asked Tallian.

"Larger than we faced last time.." Izmae could feel them getting very close now...why couldn't she see them?!

"It would have to be fairly powerful magic to-" at this point the Archmage was cut off as his eyes caught something to the north of them. In an instant he raised his arms in a shield close to his face. At the same time, Rowen let out a chilling bolt of ice to intercept the other stray arrows heading towards the group. Valen muttered darkly under his breath and Izmae cursed as the shimmering haze covering the Scarlet Crusade soldiers lifted.

It was odd later how much she could remember about that moment; there were a lot of them; paladins, priests, mages and the usual group of nameless muscle who were always the first to be sent to the slaughter. As the archers loaded their bows once more Izmae thanked the Light she had chosen to equip a shield instead of her usual longsword this morning. Rowen stood on her right with his staff in hand, a constant chill eminating outwards. Tallian stood on her left side and just as she had seen once before his eyes seemed to glow with an inner light. At the end of the line prowled Cailea, a feral mixture of both fear and anger in her eyes and standing over her protectively was Valen not surprisingly with daggers already in hand.

She could always recall the looks on each of their faces, the heat of the northern sun mingling with the deathly cold atmosphere of the surrounding countryside. Perhaps it was because she had never been so outnumbered before, perhaps because of the sudden shock of the Crusade's appearance but for that one significant moment every sense in her body became acutely heightened. Almost as instinct each member of the group girded themselves for battle as if it were second nature. Such is the result of dark times... she thought sadly.

Then all at once, the arrows flew once more.

[KainenFrost]

It had begun. The archers, volley by volley unloaded their quivers. the footmen on the flanks would engage first, in an attempt to throw them off balance just in time for the main group to knock them right over. as Kain neared the battle though he came across the realization

Thats the smallest envading army i've ever seen He thought to himslef, but even in a group that size, something became quickly apparent with the fact that not one of them cad been cut down by the barrage of arrows. there was skill and determination in those that the scarlets now faced, Kain slowed, and let the more zealous charge in first, this was not a fight that kain wanted to fight, but it was either face defeat at the hands of them, or face death at the hands of the scarlets for being a trator... Kain chose the former

[Shanda]

Tallian watched the arrows as the took flight and headed towards them, and when they reached the peak of their climb he raised a hand and made a throwing gesture. All at once the arrows turned in midair and fell back on the archers who had let them lose. Cursing slightly he wavered again at a fireball heading towards Valen and cailea, the ball of flame evaporated and vanished.

Then suddenly something came to him. cursing he turned his head and shouted to Rowen, who was flinging frostmagic against the advancing lines of soldiers.

"Rowen! we have been tricked by that mage we captured before" He gave him an confused look, but then his eyes widened and he cursed aswell. Tallian pointed at the direction from where the flameattack had came from.

"Handle him and let me take care of these.." Rowen nodded and turned his attention to the winds in search of his new enemy..

The Scarlets seemed relived when the chilly magic ceased to pound down on them, and with renewed vigor they pushed on. Izmae and Valen stepped forward with their weapons ready while Cailea took a stance for a pounce.

Not yet.. Tallian muttered, his eyes shining even brighter. And with a fierce roar several explosions of liquid fire erupted along the scarlet lines, screams of pain mixed with the smell of burnt flesh took hold of the battlefield. Another ball of fire came flying towards them but this time it turned into ice and harmlessly fell to the ground.
Tallian made a motion with his right hand and several bolts of magic energy shot out, but instead of hitting their targets they struck an invisible wall a few meters from the scarlet warriors.

Shields! And at the same time another volley of arrows came falling down towards them...

[Icefrost]

After the first few volleys of arrows it had become obvious that either the scarlet archers were totally ineffective in what they were supposed to do, or their purpose wasn't to kill them at all. And indeed soon enough, a solid formation of armored soldiers took advantage of the arrows' distraction and charged towards the group.
The two mages were still busy to keep the attacks of their evil counterparts from mortally wounding anyone. The first row of the soldiers quickly closed the small distance and eventually clashed with Izmae and Valen, who were in the front now.
Cailea, who was right behind them was able to catch a good glimpse of the look on one of the scarlet soldiers' faces. It was the first time she truly witnessed the most zealous of them in battle. The rites and beliefs of these crusaders seemed almost frighteningly effective, as the look on the soldier's face was telling that he had complete faith in some unholy force, something that would apparently keep him alive and well no matter what. Cailea effectively tripped over a number of the attackers simply by taking a position in the front and lying low; the crazed charge of the soldiers and a few simple laws of physics handled the rest.
After the first clash it was fairly easy to leap around and pick off the unorganized enemies one by one. However, the scarlet leaders were not stupid. They had already sent a troop of better trained elite soldiers and several magic users while the first wave of their soldiers were still putting up a fight. And that's when things started getting tougher.
After only a few moments the battlefield had turned into what seemed like a maze of swinging weapons and magical explosions of all manner. As things got more chaotic, the scarlets were all around them and soon Cailea lost track of most of the others' positions.
Then all of a sudden, a bright flash blinded her for a few moments and she could hear nothing but a high-pitched sound coming from her own ears, most likely caused by a loud sound somewhere right next to her.
When she came back to her senses again, she found herself lying maybe a dozen metres away from the fighting, accompanied by a few small piles of broken ground around her. At first she wondered how badly was she hit, but transforming into her normal form to heal any possible injuries revealed to her that she had survived the blast with just a few scratches.
She hadn't even managed to get back on her feet when Valen came running down the small downhill between her and the battle. Behind him, Rowen was trying to hold off a bunch of the enemies with his frost magic.

"That looked bad. You okay?"
"Yeah...I think so", she said while getting back on her feet.
"Good. Let's get back to the fight. I'm sure the others could use our h-"

Cailea wasn't sure if the rogue continued speaking after that or not, she didn't hear his voice anymore. Instead, she had spotted something behind him. Something that he clearly didn't see.
It was a sick-looking gray bear, not much different from all the other sickly animals around these parts. But this one had a strange glow in it's eyes and she also had a certain sense about animals near her. This one was certainly odd. It didn't seem to have a soul at all. And it was obviously about to attack the unsuspecting rogue from the behind, with possibly fatal results.
The thought of him as dead crossed her mind for one split-second before she swiftly placed herself between his back and the hostile bear. And the next second the beast leapt on her with all its weight, making her fall over to her back. Using the velocity of the bear's jump, she continued rolling on the ground and straightened her legs to successfully toss the beast off herself...but not before it's claw made a straight, thin and painful wound on her shoulder. She ended the rolling motion in seated position on her knees and to her surprise saw that the bear was laying on it's back, dead.
Valen ran over to her but didn't say a word. Just as her head became clearer again and she placed her hand on her shoulder to heal the wound, it suddendly burned her with searing heat, making her wince.
For a moment she tried to think of what was going on, but the answer presented itself on a platter before that happened. A dark voice spoke from within her head.

"So...we finally meet again, little druid..."

*****

Valen was about to thank her for saving his life, but instead witnessed as her face slowly twisted into an expression of unspeakable fear and panic.

"Cailea? What...?"

But before he could finish his question, the druid winced again and held her head in pain.

"No!....No, go away!"
"What?", he asked again and was about to grab her shoulder, but she quickly pushed him away.

"No....stay away!"

And with that, she got up and stumbled forwards, away from the battle and the others. Valen gave Rowen a concerned look and then went after Cailea, who had just gotten out of sight. And for some unknown reason, the mage followed close by.
The sounds of the battle became less clear as they moved and after a few minutes they found Cailea. She was laying on the ground face-down, still holding her head in pain. As he got closer to the druid and a large rock behind her that looked almost like a large tombstone, she suddendly stopped moving, almost as if she'd fainted.
When he was about to touch her and say something, she moved again. She slowly raised her face towards him. It had a sinister smile on it...one that didn't seem to belong to her...
And then he understood the situation when she spoke with a strange double voice.

"Missed me?"
"No....you!", he managed to mumble while looking at her eyes, that had their silvery glow replaced by a red, almost fiery one.
The possessed druid laughed and got back on her feet.
"Hahaha...yes, me. And how about you Valen? What are you going to do now?"

Valen squeezed his teeth together and drew his weapons.

"You don't have to do this, demon. Leave her out of it."
"Haha, stupid as ever. I though I might encourage you to finish the job by doing this. You do remember what it is, don't you?"
"But I..."
"Enough of your babbling! One of you dies here, and I doubt you want it to be yourself, do you?!"

A green glow surronded Cailea as the demon forced her to transform...but it hadn't paid any attention to Rowen who was standing some half a dozen metres away...

[Izmae]

Rowen looked into those deep red eyes and his chest caught, Why now?! Valen had drawn his weapons but it was clear he was hesitating. The mage's eyes were drawn to their backs and just as he thought they had not come away from the fight completely unnoticed. A group of scarlet clad soldiers raced towards them with the same fierce zeal as the Crusade was known for. Rowen was not one to curse, usually being in the company of society's elite...but if ever there was a time to start, this was it. And he did, loudly.

Cailea had started to slink towards Valen, hands beginning to glow green as if ready for a transformation. Rowen let out a small frost nova and caught the druid's feet. She snarled at him and broke free almost immediately. He looked back at the incoming soldiers and then back at Valen, who simply nodded at him. Good lu