[carstineravencroft]

And Came the Darkness

It wasn't an easy night for Cari. She was awoken by Doc in the course of the night during one of her tossing and turnings. But same as before, Cari was met with the same darkness. She had felt Doc's hand touch her shoulder as he whispered to her. "Mrs. Ravencroft." Doc's voice was unforgettable. It held a gentle tone that reminded Cari of her father. He said again, not sure if she heard him, "Mrs. Ravencroft." Cari turned her head to him; eyes squinting as if it would help her see. Then the stinging came. She closed her eyes and tears formed. It wasn't a gouging pain, but it was enough to be a constant annoyance. Through that, however, she could hear Doc rustle through his bag. There wasn't much to smell as Doc often smelt of peppermint which was strong enough. Doc kept his voice low so not to disturb those sleeping, "I'm going to put an ointment in your eyes. It should help the burning. This should at least let you sleep until they can heal." In a breath he was no longer in his worgen form, but his human. "Try your best to hold still," he instructed. A cooling sensation came to Cari's eyes the moment the ointment was settled in. The paste-like medicine felt gross, but the woman couldn't complain. "There is a numbing herb inside. So that should help. I'll be by to check on you on the hour. I would suggest you stay inside for now --" "Like I can go anywhere," Cari snapped. "Madam," Doc retorted in a firm tone. "That attitude will not get you anywhere. We've had this discussion before." "I know, I know." "You know, but do you actually care? So many people here can benefit from your skills. You have the perfect opportunity to start anew. You know this, yet you throw it away like yesterday's post." Cari sneered and looked away. She knew Doc was correct. "Old habits --" "Die hard?" Doc interupted. "This has nothing to do with habits. This is about your ego. After they gave you a new body no less. You let your old hatreds and pride spew up. Look around you, Mrs. Ravencroft. You have one sitting right there that's willing to die for you. Yet you don't care?" Cari's head turned back to Doc as she spat in whisper, "You listen here! I do care for him! Which is all the more reason to protect him! --" "I know your intentions! I have seen what you've done in the past. Do not be so foolish as to throw this away!" Cari went silent. Doc continued, "I will return in an hour. I do hope you think about what you're doing in your time of recovery." With that he stood and took his bag with him. Leaving Cari to lay there in the darkness.

[carstineravencroft]

#10 - At a Loss

Across the page were scribbles. Those scribbles were words that were written over each other. Not a straight line of text was legible.  Half of the page had ink spilled on it.

On the next page was the doodle of a five year old. There was a circle with a crude muzzle and pointy ears. More like a stick figure. And where the eyes were suppose to be were two large black circles filled in.  Then fire was colored in on the rest of the page.

[carstineravencroft]

#9 - The Box

I haven't had time to write about everything that has happened.  We ended up finding a mysterious boxed that is somehow linked to the old gods. The whispers have flood everyone's head as if trying to guide us somewhere.  Unfortunately, we've been having to deal with the demons who also want the box.

Gation even got himself captured while trying to unlock its secrets. While trying to find him they came across a Goblin named Willix.  Connor paid the Goblin for information.  Had I been there I would have just extracted the information and be done with it. Either way our fearless leader is safe.  Joy.

[carstineravencroft]

#8 Reborn

The night came when I was to face Ysil. To ask to be brought back. Because apparently stealing someone else's body is frowned upon.

So I was forced to face her judgment much to my displeasure. It wasn't so much the fear of dying, but watching Ysil's smug smile as I approached to ask for her help. Surprisingly, there were a few from the Hand to support this little endeavor. Or were they just there for the show? At least Paisley wasn't there.

I begrudgingly accept the trials that Ysil put forth.  The first of which tested my compassion.  Three men who had passed all died, and I was to help them see that their deaths were not in vein.  So before the entire group they saw my intellect come into play.  Alas, even my superior wisdom couldn't help one of the men. But it was good enough for Ysil.

From there she and her fellow valkyr challenged us to battle.  I failed to see the purpose of this test until she placed rings around everyone's neck except my own. Slowly the Hand members started to choke. However, it left Ysil open for attack as she channeled the spell.  The shot was there for me to take.  I would have taken it if it wasn't for my uncertainty that the spell would be interrupted.  So instead I shot Etragon free.  From there we released the other members. It was to Ysil's surprise that I went out of my way to free my comrades. It was logic really.

It appeased the woman enough to recreate my original body.  It hadn't aged like I had. The souls were placed back into their rightful bodies. And that whole ordeal is now over. 

[carstineravencroft]

#7 - Powerless

Cari and Etragon had spent the whole day at the lodge not doing much of anything.  Cari saw it as a vacation and took every advantage of it.  She was bundled up with a spiked cider always in hand.  It at least helped keep her mind off of current affairs.  Etra was never too far behind her. It wasn't until they were overlooking the snow covered cliffs in one of the watch towers when Etra finally asked Cari if she was ready to start her lessons.

 How hard could it have been? Cari was watching all of the other hunters practice.  It seemed simple enough.  Put the end of the arrow on the string, put the other end on the stick, and pull it back. So she figured, 'why not?'.  So she placed her mug down and took up the bow Etra had given her. It was a finely crafted piece he made himself.  The wood was carved to near perfection.  The metal plates were hammered with fine precision.  She only had the chance to admire it for a brief moment before he told her something that caused her to stare at him.

 "A gift," he told her.

 She would have asked more into the why he was giving it to her.  However, it was as plain as the nose on his face.  He was still infatuated with her.  

 Cari had taken the bow and tested the draw as she was asked to do.  Or she would have if she had the upper body strength to do so. Etra had to make adjustments because the body she was in had no mass of any kind to pull the string back.  

 When he was finished, it was a bit easier for Cari to make the pulls.  And shortly after went down to the range to give the bow a try. It was far from graceful.  Just to nock the arrow took some doing. It was to the point to where she just lifted the bow enough to pull and release. The arrow had found itself in the ground not more than a few feet away.  Etra stifled the laughter that would have surely warranted more than a death glare from the woman.

 "100 draws," Etra instructed.  And that was about the time she was ready to just throw the bow at him.  It was quickly changed to thirty.  Cari caved and tried.  She managed twenty-two before she gave up.  It was about that time Etra decided they would get something to eat.

 Although, the meal was cut short as the lodge lit up with bullet fire. Cari's fel pup, Stix, had gotten loose. How he even got there was a question in itself. Jenn Thornefield just happened to return to the lodge when she came across Cari spouting demonic at the pup to get it to return.  Not knowing Cari had been put into a new body the younger girl had her rifle pointed directly at them.

 Cari was quick to correct the situation.  Only to have it followed by Jenn and Etra showing off to try and help Cari learn how to use a bow.  Cari's silence was a testament to her irritation.  With a small show of her own agility with a sword Etra picked up Cari's unwillingly to continue further.

 After a few quick good-byes, Etra and Cari set off to make camp near the lodge.  With only tent in his pack, Etra decidedly let Cari have it. She tried to make a quip, but it was apparent that she was too tired to care.  Once her head hit the pillow she was out like a light.  Or so Etra thought.

 What would have seemed like slumber through the night was a light nap.  Cari had awoken in the dead of night and opened the tent flap. Her head peeked out to check on the state of Etra.  He was asleep as far as she could tell.  So she was careful to move through the snow as to not make a sound. The practice bow Etra had set for her was conveniently sticking out of his bag.  Her hand had taken to the limb that stuck out and gave it a tug.  There was some resistance but with a pop it came out.  

 Cari had held her breath and watched Etra after the noise.  She then released a slow and silent sigh as he didn't move. Then on a turn on her heel she went to the range.  

 The grounds were quiet.  The only hunters that were awake were the watchmen.   So Cari had the range all to herself.  She slipped on her gloves and started to draw the bow multiple times.  The look on her face was pure frustration.  It gave some entertainment to the guards as they watched the woman fight against the bow to be able to give it a full draw.  This was something that didn't go unnoticed.  

 Cari's arms quivered as she pulled on the string more and more.  Her body was getting tired from the constant use. There wasn't so much pain now as a numbness.  She was forcing herself to go further; almost to the point of breaking the unfamiliar body. Her teeth grit as she growl with each draw.  Hair had come loose from the ponytail it was in and fell into her face.  Sweat trickled down her brow.  

 This went on for a few hours. Arrows were eventually added into the mix.  With each try an arrow would stick to the ground or to the building behind the targets. She was at least getting it to fire. Cari didn't stop until there were no more arrows to sacrifice.  

 She had panted and dropped to her knees.  Through a blurred gaze she saw the first lights of the sun peek over the horizon. But with no more energy to give she huddled under the cloak and went fast to sleep in pure exhaustion.  

[carstineravencroft]

#6 - Things Just Got Complicated

Now that I apparently am on 'vacation' with Etragon, I have a bit more to time to rant. Where did I leave off? Oh yes…

 The Hallow's End party that we had deep in the forests of Val'sharah.  I didn't especially care about the party, but I managed to make an appearance in my plague garb.  And for some reason it actually won a prize.  After the prizes were passed out, I saw that Etragon didn't get anything for his. The poor boy even dressed up his bird.

 After spending time with him I have actually grown a sense of caring about him.  Maybe those feelings drove me giving my winnings to him. And as the days have gone by my affections of friendship toward him have been more apparent.  Not that I care anymore.  He reminds me too much of Valdane.  Perhaps that's why I can relax around him so much.  

 So much to the point that when Gation spoke to me about what was to happen with this new body of mine, Etra had quelled my anger in a touch.  And what brought this ordeal on in the first place? It's amazing the things that happen when you die.

 That happened shortly after I took Sinara in as an apprentice. Seems the girl has the Nightmare still running rampant inside of her.  Along with so many other problems.  How did I get roped into this?  Father would have known how to deal with this more than I could even imagine.

 Before I could get much teaching into her aside from giving her a book, we were told to go to Bradensbrook to help there.  No, we went there to look for a druid.  That's right. Something about figuring out who the owlcat really was.  We were asked to help fight off ghost just so the woman we were looking for would even go and look.  

 Either way, it was a long night. As the sun left the skies they came. Wave after wave the town was assaulted.  I don't even remember what happened because it happened so quickly. I was blindsided by magic.  One of the Nightwatch priests decided it was a good idea to try and heal me when they saw my injuries. Was it a small spell? No.  My body was obliterated.  Doc couldn't skin graft me this time.  The runes malfunctioned to the point to where the body was useless.  

Thankfully, Sinara knew how to work a soul stone.  My soul was trapped within and held until we could figure out what to do. Most of the process is a blur. I wasn't even aware I was in the stone or dead for that matter for a good portion after the Hand retreated back into the town. Etra had removed my things and buried the body. Which…was a nice gesture. He even kept me decent.  

 All I remember of the conversations was myself telling Sinara to find Gennevieve Thornefield. She was strong enough get me into a new body.  But at some point during the discussion between her, Sinara, and Etragon, Gation had shown up.  He learned how things had to be and threatened removal from the Hand if Sinara and Etragon played any part of these magics.  I was quite surprised that the pair were so willing to go down that dark path to save me.  

 Gennevieve assured the two that they could part away from what was to happen.  That way they wouldn't be directly involved.  But what Gation didn't know is that they were deeper into this than he even knew.

 The darkest hours of the night was spent travelling to Westfall.  To find a homeless woman to take the body from. And one was found.  It wasn't an ideal body or situation, however, but Gennevieve was going to get it done.  It was a rather quick ritual. Less messy than the last one I performed.  But the after affects were ghastly.  I never had such a hangover before.

 The next day when I was able to get my bearings I left Gennevieve's home, which she so graciously let me stay.  I found Sinara, and shortly after found Etragon.  That may have been a direct mistake.  Sinara I could trust to do as she was told. Etragon has been so smitten with me he had been beating himself over this whole situation.  

 It was partly my fault for falling for his puppy dog eyes and tantrum to want to assure him of my safety. I had tried to solidify my story of being this woman who was interested in joining the Hand. But the play was too soon. Etra was overly excited about it, that while I was playing a game of wits with Gation on who I really was, I knew that Etra's actions tipped the leader off on our ruse. I should have figured as much would happen.  Everything had happened so quickly, that I lost my patience.

 We were scolded for our deceit, and told to be there at the next mission.  We were punished, but not to the severity I was expecting.  We lost a rank and put on suspension.  So after our little stealth mission to figure out what was going on in Blackrook Hold, Etra and I went on vacation.  But not after finding out that Gation was taking me to see Ysil.  

 We didn't see eye-to-eye.  But Gation thinks this will help me.  To get another body, and let the girl I have 'hostage', as he puts it, have her body back. I think otherwise. But I'll take my time off with gladness.  With Etra always following me, I'm not without a bodyguard.    

 I'm sure I've left out a few things. But at this point, I don't care. It's been rather serene up here at the Trueshot Lodge.  Quite the change from Gilneas.

[carstineravencroft]

#5 - Into the Nightmare

As a woman of many skills, it was only fitting to enter the Nightmare realm with my associates. I only spent my whole life practicing psychological horrors. Honestly, it was mediocre at best. The only thing of real interest was find a druid stuck in the Dream.

 She called herself Sinara Butler. After defeating the shadow that clung to her very being we dragged her along with us. I suppose it wasn't as much of a drag as she managed to carry her own weight. But she seemed to cherish that cat form of hers. Was she feral after all?

 As per usual, I didn't dwell on it long. We had come across a mysterious fog, and within it something hid itself away. Of course, the men of the group wanted to do things the hard way. Do they not remember I'm a warlock? I simply opened a gateway and made my way across with ease. Children, please.  The priest…Abi I suppose her name is, is at least pleasant to be around.

 Apparently a satyr was the cause of some of this. But it never answered anything, as he died before I could get anything out of him.  So it's only led to more questions and confronting that happy little tree elf and her pet talking owlcat…thing.

[carstineravencroft]

#4 - The Hunt Continues

Now that was I forced to come along with this journey, we were set to deliver this baby. And we did. There was some debacle about finding out that the man Paisley killed was the baby's father.  To be honest, I found it amusing to see Paisley so distraught.  But the more I interacted with Ysil, the more I grew to hate the Valkyr.  There was no doubt she relished in seeing me feel at unease with her use of magic against me.

 Needless-to-say, I had to make a house call.  Luckily, I knew a doctor that I trust. A druid known to most as Doc. He was called to Dalaran to help there.  So in a blink the good doctor came to me.  And apparently ended up joining the Hand in turn.

[carstineravencroft]

# 3 - The Depths of Hellheim

I ended up following Gation and the Hand into some place of the dead.  All because of some demon they're chasing.  It's unlocked a chain of events that has them going after some being to get a child's soul back.  Admittedly, I disregarded most of those details.  I came along just to get a feel for the new faces.

 Hellheim I think it's called. A place where you can kill anything and they just keep coming back.  It was tedious at best.  Unless you knew how to deal with it.  They had been in contact with a Valkyr named Ysil.  And she blessed all but myself to help aid in the fighting. Damned Light magic.

 Most of those events were a blur as it was a sea of the damn trying to stop us from getting to the target. I forget his name, but it didn't rightly matter. Paisley pierced his skull in the head.  One does have to admire the woman's fire.

 When it was said and done we were teleported back to the living world. And being as I had no say in the matter I was taken with and struck hard by the Light magic forced upon myself.  Note to self, do not let Gation arrange the transportation.

[carstineravencroft]

#2 - Catching Up

Soon after Gation invited me back to the Grey Hand, a familiar face arrived at Greywatch. Jenn Thornefield was a welcome change.  However, I noticed she was lacking in her usual plate armor, and an iron warwolf accompanied her.  With the wolf she also sported a rifle which was very unlike the young warrior I knew.  Come to find out it was another of Kamara’s doing. Once again hurt in battle because of Eskavaldi’s poor leadership skills.  It’s a wonder how that group is even still functioning. Oh, that’s right, because the officers do all of the work while the woman sits in her self doubt all day long. 

No matter how many times I tell the girl, who is like a daughter to me, to leave that group she refuses. One of these days I’ll get that girl to see some sense. Albeit goofy, at least Gation knows what the hell he is doing.  

[carstineravencroft]

#1 - Rejoining the Grey Hand

Returned to the Grey Hand after having been gone for at least a year. Found that Gation now leads them with his wife Paisley.  Not many from the original group remain.  But perhaps that is for the better.