Northrend, in general, is a pretty terrible place to visit.
Nothing against the inhabitants, of course. Those who are actually alive are fine. The Kalu’ak are tolerable and bring good fish to the table. The Drakkari trolls keep to themselves after eating their gods and finding out it wasn’t really a long-term plan. The storm giants are fine, if a bit closed-off. Same with the gorlocs. The wolvar...
Look, most of them are fine.
Still, no race in Northrend really tops the “neighbors you wouldn’t want at your Brewfest party” list like the blue dragonflight. The whole “end of all magic” deal kind of reverberates through the years, even if they have tried to rectify it.
The end of the Nexus War, as Dalaran called it, was finalized with the death of the Dragon Aspect of Magic himself, Malygos. When the dragon breathed its last and fell into the leylines of the Eye of Eternity, it was not with triumph but sadness. Malygos lived a long life, though much of it was fret with pain and sorrow.
The Nexus itself must be a painful place to reside indeed. I wonder who would willingly occupy it.
“I believe our destination is nigh!”
Above the permafrosted soils of the Borean Tundra, a flying carpet zoomed through the skies. Atop it stood the draenei mage Nittenook, grinning confidently as he did a spiral in the air. This was a mage who didn’t have a chance to fly much these days.
Behind the draenei flew a small bird with markings on its wings. Though it kept its distance, it was following him.
Soon the two came to a stop in front of a cavern in a mountain. Nittenook hopped off and the bird, glowing green and bursting out smoke for a moment, revealed itself to be the night elf druid Nysian. He huffed and coughed. “Ugh, I hate this place.”
“This area...is very cold, yes?” Nittenook moved his hand out and brought out a flame. “Here, friend.”
“No thanks, it’s not the cold. I just...ACHOO” Nysian sneezed once and hacked out a cough. “Ugh, just...something in the tundra is giving me allergies. There’s a reason I went more towards the path of Restoration.”
Nittenook began to walk into the cavern. “I always thought this was...a desire to stay out of combat.”
“Nah, tree bark doesn’t make me hate myself.” Nysian sniffed.
“Hahaha...” Nittenook grinned. “This is good. Ample conversation fodder, yes?”
“...uh huh.” Nysian eyed him.
“Hmhm...now I can say something about myself! I am deathly afraid of houseplants!”
Nysian blinked.
“...that is...amusing and can be added onto, yes?”
“Hm.” Nysian sighed, stepping in front of Nittenook and paying him no mind. No doubt this is another part of Sareva’s mad plan. “Look, Nit, let’s just focus on the job. Pleasantries can wait.”
“Oh! I can do pleasantries fine!” Nittenook walked next to his friend, arms behind his back. “I think you are a very good tree, Nysian.”
“...thank you?”
“No problem!” Nittenook grinned. He then proceeded to continue walking, but he - very coyly in his own mind - began to look at Nysian expectantly.
Nysian looked at him, then frowned. “Uh...you are...good at catching things on fire.”
“Ah! I’m glad you think so, too!” Nittenook wore a proud grin on his face.
Damn it, Sareva...
Soon they found themselves inside of the frozen valley called Coldarra, where a giant needle of arcane power rested in the middle of the plain. For a time, the needle was being used to redirect the leylines of Azeroth towards that one point, called the Nexus. This would have effectively silenced all the mages of the world. Wards against corruption would fall, demons would be freed, cities would fall from the sky, and Azeroth’s defenses would be crushed against another invasion.
Nowadays, it’s nothing more than a yearly meeting ground to discuss the flight. No doubt the days have not been kind to them.
They began to follow the cracks of the surface, slowly making their way to the center of the plain. Even though the leylines returned to their original form, the Nexus itself was still a veritable fountain of arcane power, maybe only exceeded by the Nightwell in its heyday.
As they made their way down the slope into the crater, Nittenook ran ahead to see if he could find their contact. Nysian sighed and looked around.
Let’s try opening all the doors we can instead of closing them.
He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. If it wasn’t for Nittenook, the world would probably be safe now. Why is Sareva not as upset as he is? Why isn’t Kegoc?
Hell, Kegoc gets more annoyed at Nittenook’s shenanigans than anyone else. The fact that he’s been this cool-headed is nigh uncharacteristic.
...maybe the fact that he feels so bothered by it is uncharacteristic.
He just can’t understand it.
Please! I can’t! I can’t go in again! I can’t!
If I fall asleep, they’ll...they’ll kill me! You have to believe me!
Brother, please let me stay here.
Don’t let me dream.
“Hm.” Nysian narrowed his eyes. “Oh, whatever.”
He turned around and found himself face to face with a blue snout. It exhaled a heavy warm burst of air from its nose that blew his hair back. “G-gah!” The druid jumped back and brought out his staff. He was face to face with an elder blue dragon. Not a whelping nor a drake, but an elder dragon.
He didn’t know what to expect from this, but it was certainly not what had proceeded.
“Hahahahahahahaha.” The dragon moved his head back and laughed uproariously. “Oh, that is priceless. I’m so glad I stalked you guys.”
“You...are our contact, I presume.” Nysian grimaced, moving his staff back onto his back.
“You are correct, mortal.” The dragon appeared to be smiling. “I heard the new owner of Aluneth was in need of some assistance. To be honest, I didn’t like her, but I also hate being indebted to someone. As much as I hate to admit it, the little human did save my very important hide and very handsome scales.”
“I....see.” Nysian watched the dragon carefully.
“Oh, where are the manners today!” The dragon smiled.
...
The dragon leaned in and took a deep glance at the elf. “Who are you?”
“Oh...right. I am, Nysian.”
“Haha. I am Azuregos. A pleasure.”
“L-...likewise. I hope we get-”
“NYSIAN LOOK OUT A DRAGON!”
Nysian and Azuregos looked to the side and saw a very large fireball hurtling towards the area.
“Nittenook, no!”
“Oh?” The dragon stepped forward and grinned, closing his eyes as the fireball slammed right into his body. The force was surprisingly powerful enough to knock the dragon back a few feet, but not enough to bring him down.
On the top of a platform in the center of the needle, Nittenook began pooling fire magic into his hands, creating another gigantic fireball. “Get away from my friend!”
“Nittenook, come on, don’t!”
“YAAAAAAAAAAH” He leaped in the air. Nittenook began to glide forward, getting in position. With a grand toss, he sent the fireball straight into the dragon.
The impact was massive. For a moment, the only thing Nysian could see was a blinding orange, the only thing he could feel was an intense heat.
Nysian blinked and looked forward. He saw Nittenook frozen in front of him. No doubt, this was him trying to protect him. Still, he couldn’t help but be a little upset. He knocked his fist on the ice. “Nittenook, what in the hell did you do?”
Nittenook broke free of the ice and turned around, smiling. “I just saved you. From the dragon!”
“That is our contact, Azuregos, that you just hit. You probably gave him a very bad burn.”
“Oh! Oh......oh.” Nittenook winced.
In the smoke, there was a loud cough. “Wow, that was a lot of fireball with very little throughput. Do you even study?” The dragon stepped from the smoke, his wings looking slightly singed but nothing too bad. “If you put all your attention in a bigger fireball, it won’t really do much for you. It’s all about the feeling of each one having the potential to blow up in your enemy’s face.”
Azuregos moved forward and, through a small bit of concentration, materialized a manual in front of Nittenook’s person. On the front of the cover, there appeared to be a graphic of a figure surrounded by an icy mist. “Here, I listed your primary goals for a fire-based mage here.” He waited for Nittenook to open the book and take a look inside. “It also lists the perfect dish for a dieting Mage that needs a power boost.”
Nittenook thumbed the book, then grimaced. “...oh, ew, it’s all fish?”
“Do you not like fish? I almost thought I could trust mortals again.” The dragon’s eyes narrowed.
Nysian cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Azuregos. I was hoping we could get back to the point.”
“The point?”
“Of us being here.”
“Oh! Oh, of course, of course. What are you here for?”
“What are-...Sareva told you, didn’t she?”
“Oh, I heard something about a child eating a titan’s watersack, a druid sourpuss and what she described as my new favorite draenei coming over to find out how to make the child vomit uncontrollably, and that is it.”
“That’s...exactly what we’re here for, yes.” Nysian folded his arms, looking up at the dragon inquisitively. “Are you going to help us?”
“OH, of course. Of course. Right after you do a little errand for me.”
“Oh! Errands are fine. What do you need done?” Nittenook asked, grinning.
Elune’s grace has given us a chance to move forward. It is what the Dreamer would want.
Yes, my lady. You are correct. I will move forward.
Days had turned into weeks as the small laboratory nestled in Dalaran became its own sort of daycare. A tiny tauren baby that consumed the Tears of Elune, one of the Pillars of Creation that held the key to Azeroth’s salvation, had begun to accept that this must be home now. It helped that the lab occupants were not mean to the child.
Sareva walked in with her clipboard, filled to the brim with notes she had taken on the child. Although she heard from Kegoc about the child’s sudden ability to fly across the world, it certainly did not show this to her. No matter how many times she had tried to replicate the scenario, there was no flying tauren to be had.
In the corner of the room sat Nysian, tinkering with another small device nestled into a tree. His eyes glimmered lightly as he concentrated on his task. It was always interesting to see...any of these three actively work on something.
“What are you up to, Nys?” Sareva asked, walking over with a mug in her hand.
“Mm?” Nysian’s eyes brightened in glow as he turned his focus to Sareva. “Oh, I apologize. I was focused on my pet project.” He put down his arclight spanner. “I had to remake it after the tavern...you know.”
“Was destroyed by a dreadlord driven by spite after you three pissed him off? Yeah, I know.” Sareva took a sip of her drink. “So what is it supposed to do?”
“I was looking into ways of integrating some sort of sun-powered device that fed the plants out of direct sunlight. You know, in case a demon destroys the sun or something.”
“Ah, like a portable sunwell?”
Nysian scoffed. “If you want to call it that. I’d prefer not calling it after a high elf bathtub.” He coughed, then spoke louder. “No offense, Sotoris!”
“None taken, hairy tree-hugger!” Shouted a voice from the other room.
Nysian smirked, then looked at Sareva’s frowning face. “...what? We have a thing.”
“Hm.” Sareva shook her head and turned around, walking back to the child on the table. She began to look over her notes and took out a small vial. Coaxing the child to drink it, the contents were almost immediately spat out. The child did not like this.
She sighed. She knew this wasn’t going to work. She had attempted to expel the fluid from the child weeks ago. She hoped making a potion that would cause magical effects to be expelled from the body in some sort of fluid form would work, but her attempts have all been met with failure.
"You know, we could have locked the Tomb of Sargeras away by now.” Nysian leaned back in his chair. “Attempt to absorb the magic out of the child and find a new vessel. Be done with it.”
“Off the table, remember?” Sareva looked over at the druid. “Kegoc’s orders.”
“Kegoc says a lot of things. I’ve known the dwarf for a long time, but his insistence in trying to uphold a righteous and virtuous path is, annoying.” Nysian stood up from his chair, stepping to the table. “He’s too focused on absolutes, like a paladin usually is.”
Sareva looked at the druid, frowning. “The absolutes that he follows are his own moral foundations. Killing a child is a last resort and you know it.”
“A ‘chance’ at killing a child. Regardless,” Nysian looked at the child, who proceeded to stare at the druid with a look of annoyance. He frowned and looked back at Sareva. “How long before we have to discuss that ‘last resort’?”
“Nysian...” Sareva looked at the child for a moment. “The last resort is the Legion at our doorstep.”
“Shall I get the welcome mat out, then?” Nysian asked with a biting tone.
Sareva’s expression turned to anger as she stepped forward, looking the druid right in the eye. “I understand your frustration. I really do. But your tone is not appreciated in the slightest. I’m not going to give up trying to figure out how to handle this like you have. We can’t do this unless we work together.”
“Sorry if I don’t think we’ll be getting anywhere with our team. A paladin who knows nothing about the arcane and a mage who knows....nothing.”
Sareva frowned. “Hey, don’t talk about Nittenook like that...are you still upset at him?”
“I mean, he did kidnap the problem child over there.” Nysian looked over at the table. “Even beyond that, his...eccentricities may have cost us a chance to make quick work of this situation.”
“Look, Nys...I know this isn’t really a great situation all-around, but it’s especially not good for the baby. He didn’t know better. He didn’t choose to obtain this.....this...”
Her expression shifted back very suddenly, her eyes brightening. “Wait......wait, wait, I think I may have an idea.”
“Oh?”
“Yes! But first, get out of my laboratory.”
It wasn’t until the next day that Sareva had finally called in for everyone to meet in the lounge of A Hero’s Welcome, famed tavern of the Silver Enclave district of Dalaran. There sat Kegoc, Nysian, Nittenook, and Liteena, the latter two of which were kept about 25 feet away from each other as per Nittenook’s request...and Kegoc’s insistence.
Soon, Sareva walked up the stairs, the baby tauren in tow. The four stopped their conversations and looked over.
“Ah, good. You’re all here.” Sareva smiled. “I may have a solution to our little child problem.
“Aye, lass?” Kegoc looked at her. “Did ye finally find a potion wot can get the magic out of ‘em?”
“No, unfortunately. I’ve tried every ingredient and potential potion I can think of and some that I looked into from some alchemists in town.” This brought Kegoc’s eyebrow to a peak and was looking to say something before she stopped him. “Don’t worry, Kegoc. The only ones who know of the child’s...condition is the Council of Six and my close companions in the lab. Some higher-ups in the Horde were concerned about it, but Archmage Sotoris was quick to stifle them.”
“So what are you wanting us to do about the little guy?” Liteena looked over at the mage. “We’re not.......are we?”
“No, we’re not going to do that.” Sareva reached into her bag and took out a small journal, handing it to the dwarf. “However, I believe the solution may be more direct than I once thought. Despite its divine and natural origin, magic is still magic. It should operate under the same sort of concepts of magic that we all know of.”
“What is this?” Kegoc asked, looking at the journal. “It looks very worn-out.”
“That is an old journal of Aegwynn, former Guardian.”
“Ah! I have heard of her!” Nittenook grabbed the journal and looked through it. “It was said she held Sargeras within her! That would have been quite painful birth.”
“That’s not how...well, close enough.” Sareva sighed. “Point is, I was looking through what was possibly done from there. The idea of passing power along to an heir like she did with Medivh is certainly an option. The tauren may lose any possibility of magic power inside of him, but a tauren doesn’t operate with the arcane anyway.”
“The problem with that, is assuming the baby can even do that.” Nysian looked at the child. “I don’t think it even knows how to sleep.”
“She knows how to sleep when I am with her!” Nittenook smirked confidently. “Maybe you’re not good with children!”
“I’m sooo glad you are, Nookie.” Liteena interrupted the two, leaning over a chair and looking at the draenei. “It helps to know that for the future.” She grinned. Nittenook visibly shook and recoiled, putting an extra 5 feet away from them.
Sareva looked at the three and looked annoyed. “Look, the point...the tauren’s a boy, Nit...the POINT is that I believe we could coax the magic out of the child without draining its life essence.”
“And how do we do that?” Kegoc looked at the mage.
“That...is something I can’t answer personally.”
“Then why are we here?” Nysian looked annoyed, which bothered Sareva.
“As I was saying, magic is still magic. I don’t have anything yet, but I think I know of a place that may.” She sat down and took out a small crystal key. “The Nexus Vault.”
There was a stillness in the air as the four took notice of the key. That key was once used by Sareva to enter the Eye of Eternity and, with the assistance of a few other adventurers of various noteworthiness, took out Malygos, the Dragon Aspect of Magic itself.
“...so you want us to break into one of the Blue Dragonflight’s vaults?”
“What? No. I have a contact in the Nexus. I worked it out with Archmage Kalec.” She smiled. “He’ll help you find anything that could possibly be there, provided you assist them with a certain errand.”
“Great. Errands.” Nysian sighed. “Well, with the five of us, I guess we-”
“Ah-ah.” Sareva moved her hand up. “I didn’t finish. The dragons have splintered out, and I believe it’s not wise to put all of our dragon eggs in one basket, as it were.” She took out another dusty tome. “Therefore I propose we split up. Two of us will go to the Nexus, and the other two will go to Azsuna to speak with Senegos, one of the oldest members of the flight.”
“Ah! I call Nookie!” Liteena grinned, pointing over to Nittenook, who almost immediately began shaking his head and waving his hands desperately.
Sareva looked over to Liteena. “’Tina, I need you stay here. You need to take care of the baby.”
“Wha-...wha?” Liteena frowned heavily. “But it hates me! It loves you!”
“I feel as though it would be wise to have me come along this time.” Sareva smiled. “Besides, you can consider this as an opportunity to learn child-rearing. For me?”
Liteena still frowned, but looked at the child. “Hrm....I....I guess so...sure.”
“Good.” Sareva smiled and moved the child over to Liteena, who struggled for a moment to handle a tauren baby that looked close to half her own size.
“So I assume ye’ll be goin’ to the Nexus, lass?” Kegoc looked over to Sareva.
She shook her head. “No, I think it would be more prudent if I went to Senegos. In fact, I would like you to come with me, Kegoc.” She smiled. “If that would be alright.”
“Aye.” Kegoc smiled back at her. “It’d been quite a while since we last went on an adventure together. But that would mean...”
Nysian and Nittenook looked at each other. Nysian looked back at Sareva. “So...you want us to go to the Nexus?”
“Yes.” Sareva nodded.
“I....I don’t know i-”
“Ahah!” Nittenook smirked, punching his fist into his hand. “What a trifle. I will properly singe the dragon without problem!”
“Nit, you’re going to be helping the dragon.” Sareva amended.
“I’m sure there will be singeing.” The draenei nodded, which brought the night elf’s hand to his face.
“So you’re making me go so I can fix the mess. You know, Kegoc can heal.” Nysian pointed at the paladin.
“I mean, in times of emergency, aye...” Kegoc shrugged.
“Regardless.” Sareva walked over and motioned the key over to Nysian. “I want you two to do it.”
Nysian stood up, walking over to Sareva. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but I don’t want part of it. Let Liteena go with Nittenook and let me stay with the child. I would probably prefer sitting with a child that hates me.”
“I could go with that!” Liteena shouted.
“Never! Your devious machinations would destroy our relationship with dragons! All of them!” Nittenook pointed at the gnome.
Sareva frowned, looking at the druid. “Think of it as a chance to relax. I am sure my contact won’t work you to the bone for the information we need to save the world.”
“But-”
Sareva stood up, grabbing the druid’s hand quite forcefully, staring up at the tall druid with a determined glare. “Nysian, before we pull out the welcome mat, let’s try opening all the doors we can instead of closing them.” She placed the key into the druid’s hand and stepped back.
An uncomfortable silence grew through the air before Sareva walked over to Kegoc. “Alright, everyone. We know our jobs. Let’s get going. Nittenook and Nysian, the portal in the bottom of the main tower should take you to Dragonblight. From there, talk with a flight master and you should get to Borean Tundra. Ask to go to Coldarra and you’ll get there in no time.”
She then snapped her finger. “’Tina, I have milk that can be warmed in the lab for the baby. Any more issues, just talk to Sotoris and he’ll help.”
“Right!” Liteena moved the baby up and began to walk down the stairs, clumsily. “I’ll...get there soon!”
Sareva looked at the draenei and night elf, smiling. “Remember...think of it as a chance to relax.”
“I’m always ready for relaxing!” Nittenook smiled.
A string of murders. All with an unsettling connection. What does it mean?
“Coffee, Horusen?”
“Ah, it would be a true pleasure.”
Elrizan stepped to their small kitchen, brewing two cups of coffee. For the past two weeks, him and his draenei companion were taking residence in Old Town, a small remnant of villages from historical old Stormwind. The House of Nobles insisted on keeping this area around, as sort of a boast to any orc that spied their city from on high that Stormwind would never be truly gone.
The Stormwind guard were informed by the Highlord of the Silver Hand paladins that they must treat his investigator with utmost respect and to provide a place of rest for him and his companion during their investigation. To be given a house in Old Town was surprising, but at the same time not. Even though the command center is just a few steps away, you also have cutthroats who couldn’t work in the rogue’s order, beggars, and those who would do anything to feed themselves for the next day. This isn’t exactly a place you raise a family.
As the coffee finished being prepared, Elrizan filled up two cups, put cream in one and both cream and sugar in the other, and walked over to Horusen. Still dressed in a strange assortment of cloth, though with gloves off, the paladin was busy examining multiple maps and logs, massaging his mustache as he poured himself into his work.
He was brought back to reality as he heard the cup be placed on the table. “Ah, coffee. A true pick-me-up in my frankly-exhausted state.” Horusen smiled as he took the cup in his hand.
“Not just any coffee.” Elrizan smirked, confidence brimming from his demeanor. “This came from the Pandaria region. I believe some yak-riders grow them. Supposedly it’s made specifically to dull alcohol in your blood. Makes it easier to drink more, I guess.”
Horusen took a drink and smiled. “Ah hah...I can feel my tension relaxing. This is good! I will need this boost for tonight as I pour my soul into these documents.”
“Yeah, I was...wanting to ask about that.”
“Hm?” Horusen took a look at his friend.
“Well...it’s been two weeks. We haven’t really found anything really solid in our investigation.”
“Ah, Elrizan! You are mistaken, we know everything!” Horusen leaned back, taking a sip of his coffee as he toyed with a quill pen in his hand. “Over the past month, a mysterious event takes place where multiple people are whisked away, never to be seen again. A common thread, barring one circumstance, is that draenei men are usually the ones taken. Our most recent lead is a draenei by the name of Mamail, only a more recent arrival to the city. We know from this that the criminal is not selecting based on past grievances with the victims, but are selecting based on draenei males themselves.”
Elrizan stared at his companion for a moment, his glowing eyes piercing the draenei. “Yes. That is exactly, word-for-word, what the captain told you two weeks ago. They’ve laid it all on us, and we have nothing to show for it.” He took a sip of his own coffee.
“Investigations take time, my friend.” Horusen grinned, almost uncomfortably. “It is key that we understand everything we can before jumping in all willy-nilly!”
“Yes, but we haven’t even considered possible motives or-” Elrizan took a look at the documents. There were a few books with bookmarks placed inside, but none looked like they were opened for a while. There was also a distinct lack of notes from the past few days. His roguish attention to detail was rewarded with a few fresh notes from Horusen plainly noting “escape”.
Elrizan narrowed his eyes, then looked at Horusen. “You intend on running away?” He took a sip of his coffee.
“W-what? Of course not!” Horusen shifted, his leg accidentally hitting the table, causing a few items to move. He was able to catch his drink before it fell on any notes. “I am surmising possible escape routes...for the culprit!”
“Hm.” Elrizan frowned. Horusen was many things, but a coward wasn’t one of them. He was wild for danger to the point that it had sometimes put a strain on their business ties. Still, something was definitely up with his esteemed colleague. “And yet I feel like you’ve been in this house for days without actually going out and securing said places.”
“I’ve been out!” Horusen shifted in his chair. “Why, just two days ago, I went over to the local weapons shop and purused their selection.”
“They have junk. They have always had junk and there was no reason to go there.” Elrizan stared at the draenei, taking a sip of his drink before speaking his next line coldly. “We had a deal, remember?”
“I...hmph...” Horusen sighed, knowing that the argument was already over.
Some 4 years back, when Horusen and Elrizan agreed to their mutually beneficial journey, they made it clear that rewards were split 50-50 and they were to keep an agreed promise among the two. For Elrizan, he made it clear that any method he may use to further their goals was not to be judged by Horusen’s principles. While for Horusen, he made Elrizan promise to always be forthcoming with troubles.
And while Horusen has repeatedly utilized Elrizan’s agreement against him by guiding the rogue into agreements that didn’t necessarily have his best interests in mind, Elrizan had never really had to do the same.
Horusen sighed. “Fine, yes, I may be...a little concerned.”
“About the killings being draenei men?”
“About how there’s nothing!” Horusen tapped the map. “You’ve told me you’ve looked everywhere and tried any connections you had for clues, but they’ve heard of nothing.” The draenei looked to the books beside him. “Even the tomes I’ve looked through regarding possible magics taking the draenei away have been fruitless.”
“We can’t also toss out the possibility of demons.”
“Demons are covert, yes, but they would sooner raze the city to the ground than single out draenei like this.”
“So you think this is more insidious.”
Horusen looked to the elf and nodded. “Yes. I don’t know how or what, but there’s something rotten in this city. And the fact that I don’t know vexes me!” He scattered some pages to the air, shouting once in frustration.
Elrizan studied the draenei, then grabbed one piece of paper from the air. On it was a few notes regarding one of the missing draenei. Looking on it, he saw the name Mamail. Ah, it’s the most recently missing one.
He studied the page for a moment, He saw that he had only recently gotten into town and took on an apprenticeship with one of the tailoring shops in town. Well, it was more of a class than anything, with multiple people in it.
He saw the name Ashe and frowned. He knew already that his cousin was involved in this situation. He hadn’t actually spoken to her yet, though. Horusen hadn’t left, and Elrizan was usually one to keep to the shadows. Then again, he also hadn’t talked to anyone in his family for many years.
“So you don’t want to leave this place because you don’t want to get tangled up in something you can’t fight. I get that.”
“Ah, if the Highlord knew of this trepidation, he would have never elected me to this sensitive investigation.” Horusen sighed in frustration, his hand absently toying with one of his face tentacles.
“I feel as though he knows you well enough that he trusts you in this.” Elrizan gave the draenei a signature forced smile. “Plus, helping Stormwind tends to net you a pretty sizeable reward.”
“I suppose.” The draenei looked to the ceiling, pouting. “But I still don’t understand what we’re missing.”
“Well, let’s think about this from our most recent disappearance.” Elrizan placed the piece of paper on the table. “We know that Mamail entered Stormwind about a week before his disappearance and took part in a class.”
“Yes. Stormwind’s guards have already talked to them in length. None of them had anything of substance to say.”
“Yes, but this is our most concrete lead. We have names of people Mamail had interacted with in-between the arrival and the disappearance. I say we take a look.”
The draenei studied the elf, then the note. He nodded. “Sure. It wouldn’t hurt for the investigators to keep up appearances, yes?”
The Next Day
Horusen and Elrizan stepped into the Mage’s Quarter, taking a look at their maps. The tailoring shop where the draenei first took a job, Duncan’s Textiles. It looked as though the apprentices in the shop were hard at work.
Elrizan didn’t seem keen on entering first, so he elected to allow Horusen to take the lead, which the draenei was glad to abide.
As he stepped in, the owner saw him and smiled. “Ah, welcome to Duncan’s. I’m Duncan Cullen. How can I help you?”
“Ah, yes, good day.” Horusen smiled. “I was hoping I could talk to you, Mr. Cullen.”
“Ah, of course!” Duncan smiled. “For what reason?”
“I am Horusen. This is my colleague. We have been elected as Stormwind’s investigators regarding a recent disappearance, which I believe was an apprentice at this establishment.” Horusen replied, sticking his chest out and attempting to look confident.
The confidence was slowly dissipated as he looked around. The apprentices had all stopped their work and were looking at him uncomfortably.
“Ah.” Duncan frowned. “All due respect, gentlemen, I believe myself and my team have discussed this enough with the guard. They should have notes.”
“Of course, of course.” The draenei smiled uncomfortably. “However, I wanted to confirm-”
As the draenei attempted to broker a chance for more questions, Elrizan took a look around. The shop looked very homey. There was clear care put into this establishment. As he peered over to the side, he saw the apprentices all paused. The gnome and worgen looked perturbed at the draenei and the pandaren was attempting to distract herself from the duo. However, it was Ashe that was looking straight at Elrizan, which caused him to look away. He frowned, figuring that he should have put a hood up over his face today.
“I understand your position. I truly do.” Duncan frowned. “We all have been put on the record. Please, leave us be so we can move on..”
The draenei sighed. “Fine, I understand. But please, this is the most recent event and it is important that we...” He took a passing glance at the apprentices, then smiled uncomfortably. “Oh, very well. You all have a good day. I apologize for intruding.”
“Well, that was a waste of time.”
Horusen stood at the entrance to the Mage’s Quarter, frowning. “Why would they not want to help us?“
Elrizan let out a deep breath. “It’s because they know what happened to him.”
“Ah!” Horusen pounded his fist into his palm. “Duncan did it!”
“No...no, Horusen.” Elrizan shook his head. Even though they couldn’t rule out the possibility, he still didn’t feel like this was the case. “What I mean is, they know what we suspect. That he was murdered. And they don’t want to be involved.”
Horusen sighed. “You may be right. If I knew there was murder involved, I would watch my step as well.”
“Which also means that they suspect there’s someone they know involved with it.” Elrizan nodded. “And now that we’ve watered that seed of doubt, we must wait for something to...sprout.”
Elrizan looked over to the gateway. There stood Ashe, her glowing eyes slightly brighter than usual, shining through her eyeglasses. She was looking at the elf with a mix of emotions that he could not really describe accurately. It felt like a bittersweet relief, in more ways than one.
“Elry....it is you, isn’t it?”
Horusen stifled a laugh. “’Elry’?” He smirked at the elf, who was still staring at the girl, not registering the remark. (or ignoring it) He turned back to the girl and cleared his throat. “Ehem...are you Ashe, ma’am?“
“Y-yes.” Ashe nodded to the draenei. “I am Ashe Ironbriar. Are you...here to solve Mamail’s...disappearance?”
“Yes.” Horusen said with a grin. “And to catch the person that did it!”
“Horusen.” Elrizan looked at the draenei. “What are you doing?”
“Oh come on, ‘Elry’.” He grinned at his partner-in-adventure. “Every Ironbriar I’ve met so far is a good egg as far as I know.”
“I’m the bad-” Elrizan frowned, then shook his head. “Regardless, we shouldn’t be talking about stuff like this out in the open.”
“I-I’ll come to you two!” Ashe stepped forward. “Tell me where you live and I’ll go there tonight.”
Horusen smiled. “Ah, of course. It’s at-”
Elrizan moved his hand to the draenei’s mouth. “We’ll go now. Are you busy?”
“No.” Ashe shook her head. “Not for this.”
“Very well. Horusen, take her there. Don’t say anything until you get to the house.”
Horusen beamed once the elf’s hand was removed, happy to get a lead going. “Very well. Come on, m’lady.” The draenei stepped forward, motiong for the girl to follow him.
Ashe looked at Elrizan for a moment. “Elry...” She whispered.
“Don’t worry.” He smirked. “I won’t be long.”
“Mm...sure.” Ashe sighed, then began to walk with the draenei.
Elrizan sighed. That was an awkward family reunion. He hadn’t seen Ashe in over 7 years, and he would probably be happy to have made that a few hundred more.
The rogue walked over to a nearby wall and threw a hook up to the top of the building. He walked slowly up the wall, then went into stealth. Hiding on the top of the wall, he looked down to the textile shop.
After about 30 minutes, the class seemed to disperse from the shop. He noted that the pandaren went right to the tavern in the district, while the gnome and worgen looked to move to the auction house after work. This seemed to be in-line with their testimonies.
He couldn’t tell anything different about them after this. He was hoping for some sort of different reaction, but the only one who had was Ashe.
He hoped that Ashe would give them some more information. If nothing else, part of him didn’t want her to be involved with anything until he figured out the situation.
Having a draenei for a partner in a murder case...having a cousin who could possibly be close to a murderer...Elune has a sick sense of humor sometimes.
Midnight, that very day
A draenei walked through the Dwarven district. A hammer in his hand and a nice shield in the other. A beautiful design, hoping to win the crowds at the auction house. A lot of adventurers like to look good.
“Hm?” He looked over to a nearby building and saw a shadowy figure in the alley. “Ah, I apologize, sir, but I do not have any money today. I hope you und-”
A tentacle flew out from the shadow and grabbed the draenei by the throat, choking him. “A-Ack!”
“Oh my God, I don’t care.”
SNAP
The draenei’s expression was dark, his neck bent in a direction it should not be. In a heap, the body fell to the ground, along with the ornate shield.
“Lessee...that’s...a pretty good distance away, I think.” Boskurz smirked, whispering to himself. “Maybe in a week, I’ll do a few in Ironforge. I’m sure there’s one or two of you jerks in there.”
Boskurz moved down, taking a grasp of the dead draenei’s cheeks. “Now, what do you say?”
The gnome began to move the draenei’s mouth, speaking in a horrible accent. “Ah, is not good. Not good. I am bad person. Very bad. All draenei bad, very very bad. Not like you, Lord Boskurz of Great Power!”
“Ahah, that’s right! I’m so glad you can finally admit that. You got a gold star.”
“Ah, gold stars. I like that, very good! Very very good!”
“Hehehe...but you know what really makes me upset, you idiot?”
“What? What is it that would make God Emperor Boskurz sad, says this idiot?”
“Oh, where to start? I finally get some peace and quiet, staying away from people to keep the heat off like usual, and what happens? Some bozo sends a draenei to stop me. A draenei! Who really thinks a draenei can stop me, I ask you?”
“Oh, is not good.” The gnome shook the draenei’s head. Surprising amount of resistance for something so broken. “You must eliminate all the draenei! You are Boskurz. Your motto is “Tentacle Beards Need Be Feared!” Also “Hooves Must Move”, or “Hooves Can’t Groove” if you ever try to be hip with the kids!”
“That’s right.” Boskurz’ expression darkened. “At least until I can finally find him.”
“Ah!” The gnome moved the head and let the expressionless, lifeless eyes stare at him as he stood up. “You don’t mean the infamous...the insidious...the merciless...........”
Boskurz leaned in. “Say it.”
“.....Nitteno-”
The body exploded.
Well, to just say it ‘exploded’ makes it seem a lot worse than it did. Really, what happened was a void of darkness surrounded the body beneath it, pulled it in, and it ‘exploded’ into pieces as whatever monster was inside gnawed away at it.
So yeah, not really ‘exploded’ at all.
Boskurz sighed, stepping back from the spectacle. Leave enough blood to get on the ground, but no blood on him. That would ruin his shirt.
He liked this shirt.
What he didn’t like, though, was some clowns coming in trying to hamper his goal. Yet he couldn’t do anything about it. If he takes out the foolish draenei now, he’d no doubt direct all attention to the Mage’s District. He’d be finished.
No, this is better. He just needs to keep his...urges in check and deal with it in other places. Make them start to investigate another location entirely. Then, and only then, will he kill this...’Horusen’ and be done with it.
“Horusen, you won’t survive the month.” The gnome gave out a small cackle as he walked into the alleyway. For a few seconds the alley seemed to be a pitch black, but then it dissipated, showing no one inside but the dead end.
“Ahah, t’weren’t complaining about the speed when we was departing Westfall, friend!”
Along the long-traveled roads of Elwynn Forest, a lone carriage came visible in the distance. It was the evening, and a fog had settled in. This was a blessing for its rider, as the form of a worgen isn’t exactly wholesome to a lot of people. Even years since rejoining the Alliance, the normal humans tend to see a worgen as a monster.
The tense atmosphere tended to lighten up once the worgen decides to put their top hat on, but not everyone enjoys a good hat trick.
The worgen in question wore a humble brown shirt, a sword and shield placed closely to his side. In his mouth laid a stone pipe, of Dwarven design, the smoke blowing immediately to the side as he snapped the reins of the horse, causing it to begin a quick gallop.
In the back of the carriage, a worgen woman and a draenei male struggled to hold a few large boxes steady. The woman, tall and gray, had clothes fitted to her form as opposed to frayed ends due to repeated transformation. The draenei, on the other hand, was adorned in a fine robe made from the silk of spiders native to another planet entirely.
“Sir!” The draenei cried out. “The boxes, they do not have secure mast! They will topple!”
“Well, it weren’t a good idea to not tie it down, now was it?” The worgen male shouted from the front.
The female sighed. “Don’t be too off-kilter at milord’s gumption, b-” The worgen bounced up in the air from a rock in the road being run over by the wheels, then steadied herself. “...but we are behind and am needing in Stormwind in due haste.”
“I do understand, bu-”
“Ahaah, here we are! Whoaaaaa girl!”
With a gentle nudge, the horses began to slow to a small gallop as they finally found themselves in front of the massive gates of Stormwind. Heavily fortified since the rebuilding after the Horde’s first attack, the kingdom has seldom had to close those gates for anything. It was a welcoming city of grandeur, no doubt a pristine city were it seen in the daytime.
“And there we are.” The worgen grinned, his fangs snugly nursing the pipe in his mouth. “Did you need help with your luggage?”
“Ah, no thank you.” The draenei bowed as he grabbed a small satchel of clothing from the back. “I am grateful for your assistance in getting me to this place. I have been told by many in Shadowmoon of the glory of the Alliance capital.”
“Ahhhh, which Shadowmoon do you hail?”
“....excuse me?”
“Ah, you know.” The worgen shrugged. “Is it blue or green?”
“...green. There’s a blue one now?”
“Ah, probably somethin’ to find later. It’s...a whole thing and all. Now out with you, we need to be on our way. Gonna be a long couple of days before ol’ Ironforge.”
“Still say we shouldn’t bother by carriage. The damn place will be nigh painful on foot the way we’re goin.” The female sighed.
The male worgen laughed. “Only cause you refuse to shift to human form and yet hate sailing the seas.”
“...the salt air makes my fur smell.” The woman grumbled.
“Besides, it’s just a chipper old gallop through Redridge, through Blackrock Mountain’s interior fortress and a quick ride through the roads to Stonewrought Pass. Pay Pebblebitty her due as we pass by and a few tunnel rides until chilly Dun Morogh.”
“And all of this would be prevented if the Stormwind guard would just let caravans onto the Deeprun Tram.” The woman replied, sniffing the air once and scratching the side of her cheek.
The draenei, meanwhile, nodded his head. He had no idea what these two dog people just described but it sounded complicated. Regardless, they were kind enough to let him on, and he certainly needed the ride to Stormwind.
He waved the two off as they began to prepare their departure. “Thank you kindly, you two. It was an honor.”
“Ah, t’weren’t nothing and you know it.” The male laughed, placing more crushed herbs into his pipe. “It was nice to have company on our long trek out north. The benefit of trading from the jungles of Stranglethorn is, Ironforge is extremely far. Gold practically falls to the ground at our feet. You were just a happy bystander, lad.”
“I hope your tailoring dream comes true, Sir Mamail.”
“I hope so, as well.” The draenei bowed his head and smiled. “Good luck with your trading empire.”
The worgen both waved their hands as they began to leave.
Mamail waved back and slowly turned around. “Ah, Stormwind. It took a couple of years but I’m glad I finally came.”
The harsh, demonic winds of Outland is really no place for a tailor. He’s had enough of the scraps of Netherweave found from the corpses of the clothed ones. Azeroth, as he’d been told, has a high, HIGH amount of cloth.
From what Mamail saw, most of it was Runecloth.
He’s heard from what little he could gleam from passerbys that there was also talk of a new source of highly magical cloth from some place called “The Broken Isles”. What an intriguing name!
He was going to apply for a tailoring position at the local clothing shop as soon as he is able.
But first, he needed a nap. Beside a tree outside of the gates, he put out a pillow, made from various furs and cloth found as he went along, and a blanket made from a hound in Duskwood, and nestled in.
Soon he will learn to craft with the best of the best, and weave a destiny unlike any other.
He yawned and closed his glowing eyes shut.
---
Walking through the gates of Stormwind felt much like the first day he joined the Sha’tar. He wasn’t really one for combat, but Mamail felt he needed to put at least a little bit of his life towards improving the damned lands of Outland and protecting the Naaru city of Shattrath. So he put his efforts towards his passion: weaving. Taking care of the priests of Shattrath was a long business, as the dilapidated city had grown more grimy as of late. Still, it was a joy to help.
Every little bit of knowledge he gained from that time was invaluable, but no moreso than the days before he left Outland. He was preparing for a trip back to his station in Shadowmoon when, walking through the center of Shattrath, he heard the chimes of the naaru A’dal usher him over.
The Sha’tar were trained not to disturb the naaru unless they wished to talk to you. It was usually the concentration of the lightpure beings that most of Outland had not been completely decimated yet.
Mamail knelt down before the naaru as A’dal’s gentle chiming voice rang to him. It spoke of a dream it had, and his destiny in it.
“In Azeroth, blue jewel, would thy destiny be woven.
The needle shall prick, the darkness would feather.
In the thread thy leave behind, will void become exposed.
To the radiance of the Light, of dual fires and nature.”
And so he left immediately, to the lands the outworlders hailed from. To Azeroth, the planet Prophet Velen and the Exodar did flee to.
And there he walked, his hooved feet clopping down the paved road. After living in Outland for so long, the world of Azeroth felt...serene. Calming.
Nostalgic.
In front of the tailoring shop, Duncan’s Textiles. The owner, a human named Duncan Cullen, was quick to hire him. Not often do people come in who still bother with expertise in netherweave, and a craft like tailoring takes all kinds to make a good profit margin.
In the store were a few different apprentices working their craft, training under Georgio Bolero, a human male with a bit of a sarcastic streak about him. Didn’t seem keen on helping the Outlander with his preparations.
Training under him were a Pandaren Monk named Rufoleeane, a Gnome Priest named Boskurz, another Worgen named James McCloud (when he asked, the worgen spoke very fast, like some sort of speech impediment), and a Night Elf Mage named Ashe.
They all seemed a happy bunch, glad to take in a new perspective on their quest to improve their craft. Boskurz didn’t seem too impressed with him, but not a lot of friendships blossom immediately. As his cousin once said, it’s all about how much effort you put in something before the kindling is effective.
A Fire Mage’s motto, it seemed.
---
The training felt fairly standard for the week. Today involved a lot of running to what the humans call their “auction house”. It was fascinating to see the crowd of various people running to their bank and back, rushing through their crafting business, collecting whatever sort of ooze was in the bank, and running back to the auction house to try and get money made.
Today, I was assisting Rufolleeane with her crafting. She had trouble understanding the intricacies of the craft, but the matter of Emberweave required a gentler method from the previous cloths. She’s a very quick learner, and has a fine eye for the better ways to put a little extra to the things she creates.
The day was long, but rewarding.
---
On the third day, Mamail was resting in his new quarters in the Mage Quarter. A bed, a few tables, and a few fruits from the Trade District was all he had. It wasn’t a bad life, to be honest.
Moving to another world is a daunting task, but so far, he felt as though he wasn’t having much of a problem here. It helps that there’s nothing that truly differentiates him from the other Draenei that walk about. He did wonder why there were so many females out there that shed aside the Prophet’s deep belief of modesty, but he did not mind.
He was secure in his faith, both in the naaru and the Light. Surely they were, as well.
---
Another day down and James, or ‘Jmsmclou’ as it sounds like (I just call him J Mac) was having issues understanding the way Mageweave can be woven into bracers.
It’s not that hard, J Mac. You’ve been here for how long and you can’t understand the basics. Mageweave is not that painful.
See, when Ashe was still learning Silk, that was understandable. Silk’s hard to understand. But Mageweave is literally just cloth with magic inside of it.
Insane. We have books for a reason.
---
Fifth day in and Mamail was given a note on the way out. Apparently Ashe was inviting him to drink with the others at the Blue Recluse.
He had never really gone to a tavern to drink before. He stayed at the inns on the way to Stormwind, sure, but he never once stepped foot into the World’s End in Shattrath. He was no stranger to the sweet essence of a good spirit, but he did not take to being a social drinker.
He wasn’t even very social, either.
Still, he was in a new world. A new life. It’s not too farfetched to try and take initiative while waiting for whatever this destiny entailed.
---
Ashe was having issues focusing today. She seemed a little listless, eyes drawn somewhere else as she focused on Windwool studies.
I wish she’d understand that Windwool was just one more step in and she’d be getting into the Draenor stuff. If it’s anything like the Netherweave was, I was looking forward to seeing it pure.
---
The Blue Recluse was very popular tonight. Being so close to the Mage Tower meant a good majority of the studious mages spent their days there. From what Mamail was told, he needed to stay away from the other popular tavern in the district: The Slaughtered Lamb. Apparently that was where the unsavory types went.
Ashe came first. She was dressed in a very finely woven dress. It seemed that Mamail was correct in taking initiative by putting on his best tunic.
“Did you sew that yourself?”
Ashe laughed, her blue cheeks changing to a hue of ambrosia. “No, no, this was sewn by Rufoleeane.”
“Ah, yes. I see her wave in the hemline now.” Mamail pointed down, noting a light wave in the way the dress laid above her feet. “The design seems very...her.”
Before Ashe could answer, a huffed laugh came from the doorway. “Hah. Not a week in and you’re speaking of presumptions.”
Mamail smiled as he turned around. “Apologies, Leeane. It is not so, yes?”
Rufoleeane smiled warmly, her hand resting on her hip. “Yes, I suppose I do like that style.”
Beside her stood James and Boskurz, both wearing their normal attire. Apparently neither of them got the memo.
“H-hey, this isn’t fair!” Boskurz exclaimed. “Why are you two dressed up?!”
“What, did you not get the memo when I came with you?” Rufoleeane looked over at Boskurz, smirking.
James sighed. “Hrrrrm...Leeane, you are always dressing up.”
“Well, when you look as good as I do in these dresses, then you must flaunt it every chance you get.” Rufoleeane smiled, jabbing James in the arm. James snorted, growling a little by instinct.
Mamail laughed. “Ahaha, come! These drinks are on me, friends!”
Boskurz rolled his eyes. “How could you have gotten money already?”
Mamail smiled. “Netherweave, my diminutive friend. I took what I had crafted before on Outland and sold it. Apparently, nobles really like that stuff.”
Boskurz snorted, somehow in the same sound as the Worgen beside him. This prompted a round of laughter as Boskurz sighed over them. “.................Let’s just drink, please.”
“Haha, of course.” Mamail raised his mug. “To you all, my new friends.”
The group took a seat and smiled, raising the mug to them. Ashe smiled. “And to a prosperous future for all of us.”
Boskurz grinned. “I’ll toast to that!”
---
A few drinks later, Mamail excused himself. The only one left at the party was him, Ashe, and Rufoleeane. Leeane was nowhere near done, her Pandaren genes serving her drinking well, but Ashe was already fairly tipsy still.
He offered to help Ashe home, but Leeane shook her head. That was fair. He was still new to this place and probably wouldn’t be able to find her place anyway. Besides, Leeane is obviously very protective of Ashe and most likely didn’t know him well enough to let her go with him alone.
With a wave, he wished the two a well and safe evening and departed. His eyesight was just a tiny blurry, but it didn’t really hurt him. Resting his head will help at his home.
Heh. His home. A week in and he was already considering this place as his home. If only his mom knew where he’d end up.
Past the Mage Tower, he walked into Essential Components, an alchemy store. The owner, Owen Vaughn, was clearly annoyed that Mamail was using his store as a shortcut, but he remained silent. Mamail smiled and waved, which no doubt left Owen even more annoyed. Probably thought he was a drunk.
Oh, was he stumbling? Nah, everything’s probably okay. He can keep up appearances.
He entered the grassy little section between the store and the main walkway. To the left, he knew, was where the path to the Slaughtered Lamb was. It was tempting to go over and see the rowdy nature of the place, but he probably shouldn’t.
With a sniff in the air, he began walking to the right when a familiar face stood in front of him.
“Oh hey, you. I thought you left already.”
...
“Heh. Sorry, we had a few more after you left. I know where I’m going, don’t worry.”
........
“I appreciate....you coming by to help...?”
....”Diminutive, huh.”
“Eh?”
The gnome stepped forward, his face cast in darkness. “That’s what you called me.”
“....I’m...sorry, I didn’t mean to off-MMMMMMP”
A sharp pain struck through Mamail’s bottom jaw, thrusting right through his upper lip. Blood began to pour out from his mouth as he moved his hand to clutch it. What the hell had just-
Some sort of hand grabbed his arm and brought it down, causing him to tumble to his knees. The hand that laid on his wrist gripped with an otherworldly intensity, but did not feel like a mortal hand. Yet again, a sharp instrument flew through his jaw..
“Mm...mmf?! MMMMMMMF!” He had noticed through his idled drunkenness and his teary eyes that whatever was causing this was some sort of tendral. He also noticed that the instrument that was causing this was...a needle.
Oh by the mercy of the Light. He was sewing his mouth shut.
“Mmmph!” Mamail tried to move his hand to his mouth, but the...thing kept both hands down. He shifted, wincing, trying desperately to look the gnome in the eyes. He wanted to exclaim why, but all that came out was “WUUUUUUH”
“...that was what he said, you know.”
“...m-...mph? MMPH?”
“Him.”
“.....m-”
The gnome slapped him hard, the sharp slap over his face somehow alleviating the extreme pain in his mouth at that moment.
“Pay. Attention. You damned draenei.” Boskurz moved his finger to his chin, immediately shifting from that split second of anger to a ponderous contemplation. “I...suppose maybe you draenei don’t know better words. Maybe it was uncool of me to assume.”
“....”
Boskurz’s face contorted to quick anger. “But ignorance is no excuse!” He stepped foward, the draenei’s pained kneeling bringing them eye to eye. “It’s no excuse for what he...or anyone does. And oh there is such ignorance in everyone. But it’s....no excuse, Mamail.”
Mamail nodded. He couldn’t help but nod. He didn’t know what he could do. His vision of the gnome was slowly darkening...or was it something else...? Even with the intense pain echoing from his mouth to the rest of his body, he still tried to consider asking why this was going on. Why?
“...Mamail, I enjoyed studying with you. You had a real knack for the cloth, I gotta say. But I wanted you to know something.”
“....m--mmm?” Mamail blinked a few times, trying to focus once more.
“Netherweave’s a bitch cloth.”
With a stroke, the gnome moved a finger to the draenei’s neck, bringing it across slowly. After it was done, something pulled the draenei’s head back.
He felt something cold rest on his neck.
And then, a flash of light. Then nothing.
---
I was supposed to help Mamail understand the intricacies of Frostweave, but he’s gone. Apparently he couldn’t cut the life of a Stormwind tailor. Too bad. He’ll never get anywhere with Netherweave. Bitch cloth, amirite?
The others are pretty bummed. Ashe especially, poor girl. Ah, well, serves her right for being interested in a male draenei. They’re all the same.
Yeah, I don’t care, I can be racist in my own journal, cause that’s freedom right there! They suck. Their tentacle beard is always so creepy. Their body’s always so big and boring. Their tail always gets in the way when they’re walking through the bank. Their accent is forced. I mean, come on, even the worgen can talk Common correctly. They try too hard.
God, draenei are the worst. They can all die for all I care. Especially him. But one day, right?
See you tomorrow, journal! <3
~Boskurz
PS: I was just told that Draenor had fur, not cloth. What a disgrace.
END
---
The Stormwind guard was clamoring. The meeting was getting heated as the top officials began their deliberations regarding the recent disappearances.
”That’s the fifth disappearance this month.”
“But there’s no evidence that they’re not just leaving the city. Everyone does! Remember when people left for Pandaria because the mages went on strike?”
“Yes, but four of the disappearances involve draenei males.”
“The one human woman alone does not-”
“And what about the blood, Chad? Does that not insinuate foul play, Chad?”
“Why are you emphasizing my name, you damned-”
The chief officer pounded his gavel on the ground. “Shut up, the both of you!” The clamor began to die down as the officer nodded. “Now, right now we are going to take this as a murder investigation. However, we are unable to place all of our resources on said investigation.”
The room began to rumble with loud protests. “Murder on the streets and we can’t focus on it?! Do you not remember the riots?!”
“QUIET.” The officer banged his gavel again. “Now, I understand the anger you all have for this, but we can’t have the guard actively investigating. It would cause the public to grow listless, which is already a problem due to the Legion invading.”
The mention of the Legion caused the room to hush up.
“You understand, then. Good.” The officer nodded. “Now, in order to protect the city fully, the guard will be on high alert, but in the same respect as we have been. I have called in for assistance on this investigation from any of the Class Halls, and the Knights of the Silver Hand have brought in a paladin to assist us. Sir?”
The officer stood to the left, bringing the room’s focus towards two figures. A night elf male and a draenei male. The draenei stepped forward, wearing a rather unorthodox set of cloth around him, his eyes covered with green goggles. He moved his fists to his sides and smirked, his mustache shifting up from his smirk.
“Greetings, everyone. I am Horusen, elected official of the Highlord’s elite investigations squad. Together with my roguish friend Elrizan here, we shall get to the bottom of this conspicuous catastrophe!”
Elrizan stepped forward. “Hey.”
The guard responded all at once. “Hello.” Elrizan nodded, then stepped back.
“Now!” Horusen smacked his gloved hands together. “Tell me everything.”
The trio hovered slowly down from the high vantage point they found themselves in. (Nittenook has some pretty bad aim) As they floated, they took in the vast improvements Dalaran has seen since the Northrend campaign. Despite Stormwind’s struggles, it seems like the floating city was more than able to secure their finances after dealing with the various conflicts in the icy north. It may also be due to the extra contingencies built into the city after Jaina Proudmoore took control following the destruction of Theramore. Very secure, but emphatically Alliance-only territory.
But that is in the past. Now, Dalaran is floating in the Broken Isles under the control of Archmage Khadgar and the Council of Six. With the combined forces of the Alliance and Horde, the Council hopes to obtain the Pillars of Creation and seal up the Burning Legion’s portal once and for all.
“Aye, Nysian.” Kegoc replied, landing gently on his feet near the market district. “It has a sorta...home feel ta’ it.”
“Yeah. City without trees is totally my home.” Nysian said, his sarcastic tone returning after becoming so close to the goal.
Behind them, Nittenook floated down, pressing a bottle of liquid into the baby tauren’s lips. “There, there. Milk will make you strong.”
The tauren giggled as it enjoyed the drink, its being slowly glowing with a blueish light. “eeee”
“Hmm, we should probably find Sareva.” Nysian said, watching the baby closely. Inside of that baby housed the Tears of Elune, one of the very Pillars of Creation they were searching for.
“Aye. She’ll probably be in th’ beer garden. She knows where she’d find meh.” Kegoc smirked as he began to walk.
“Ooof!”
With a thud, a goblin runs into the paladin, causing Kegoc to step backward. “Ack!”
“Hey, hey, watch where you’re goin’, huh? Sheesh.”
Kegoc narrowed his eyes. “...aye, same to ye.”
The trio shrugged and began to walk away. The goblin sniffed loudly and adjusted his all-too-familiar hat. “Pff...weirdos.”
Dweit and Pals: Holly-er Than Thou
The hustle and bustle of Dalaran sure beats the hot days of Orgrimmar. The mages are kind and have the city up high in the air for a cooler (and felfire-free) lifestyle.
Majority of the mages who stay here end up staying here for good. Magic people tend to stay. Alliance people also tended to stay even beyond the Northrend campaign’s end. Even the Horde did, before that nasty Garrosh business. I mean, that’s multiple choice at that point, but regardless. The point is that Dalaran’s back, baby. And the higher the city in the sky, the higher the profits.
That’s what a goblin said at some point.
And that’s why Tendorel is shirtless and sitting at a table near the northern bank, with a sign above him saying “Arm Wrestle a Blood Elf. Perfect Your Arm Job”
Ace looked up at the banner, then back down at Tendorel, frowning. “I don’t think the phrase ‘Arm Job’ is appropriate....or exists?“
“Nah, it does.” Tendorel nodded his head. “A blood knight mentioned it one time. They use the whole-”
“Hellloooooo, my gracious minions.” The two looked behind them and saw Dweit sauntering down the road, smirking. “A profitable day for me, as per usual. So how much did your make while I was at the market?”
“Well, we started with 5 gold. We ended up with...” Ace turned over her paper. “4 gold.”
“....how did you bozos lose money?”
“Drinks.” Tendorel replied, shaking his head shamefully.
“Non-alcoholic, of course.” Ace noted, scribbling another note on her paper. “We’re still careful about costs going too high in our budget.”
“Okay, first of all, teh ‘budget’ is akin to yous askin’ fer somethin’ and me sayin’ ‘no’. Second, a bunch of springwater is, like, 10 copper!” Dweit growled, stomping towards the two. “You would have to have...10000 bottles!”
“1000.” Ace replied without a second wasted.
“Still a large number!”
Tendorel coughed. “If it helps, it’s actually water from the local springs in the isles. Premium water. Very good stuff. Only a little bit of smelly vrykul taste in it.”
“Oh, yeah, your ancient piss-heavy water is absolutely worth 1 full gold piece!” Dweit sighed and moved his hand over his eyes. “I swear, you two are gonna kill me.”
“Relax, Dweit. Soon we’ll be swimming in that dirty water.” Ace smiled. “I got a job for us.”
“....you.” Dweit looked over at the priest. “You have a job.”
“Mmmmmhm.” Ace smiled, moving her hands behind her back. “A little bird from the watering hole told me that there’s a demon in Dalaran’s Underbelly. If we were to take out that demon, then we would find ourselves with 1000 gold pieces each.”
“Ooooo.” Dweit’s devious grin grew the length of a literal figurative Warsong field. “Not bad, not bad.”
“And I must note, I did not need to be blindfolded for it.” Tendorel chimed in. “ It was purely with both eyes open.” He pointed at his eyes for emphasis.
“Well, this is good. Come tomorrow we’ll have a demon’s head in our bag and enough money to clean it after!” Dweit rubbed his hands together. “This is a very profitable position that-”
“Ohohoh...yous guys is cute as buttons.”
Dweit’s eyes widened, then narrowed into a natural goblin snear as he, along with Ace and Tendorel, turned their heads towards a nearby stairwell.
On top of that stairwell stood another goblin. Her form tiny but her body showing fair amounts of muscle, which must be needed for the giant axe on her back. (granted, a giant axe for a goblin is, like, a throwing stick for a tauren) Her metal glove laid upon the hip of her garish armor, her eyes hidden underneath a bit of a silly top hat. It was most assuredly swiped from a Gilnean, possibly with the head attached with how dangerous that axe looked.
“...ohhh, good. I was wonderin’ if yer ‘highness’ decided ta’ come ova’.” Dweit said, walking forward with a smirk.
“Aww, didja have a litta’ hope in me missin’ anotha’ chance ta’ ruin yah profit margin, Dweeb?” The goblin snickered, moving her hand over her mouth.
“....should we...” Ace asked Tendorel.
Tendorel shrugged.
“Ah! Wow, ya’ tellin’ me teh big man neva’ told ya about all teh times he lost big? Almost like he took’em personally. Heh.”
Dweit muttered softly, then turned around to his companions. “Ah, sorry, lackeys. This here is ta’ ‘eluuuustrious’ Holly N....Nuh.....oh, what was dat stupid name...?”
“It was Ni-”
“Nozzlefume?” Dweit interrupted the goblin.
“...Ni-”
“Noggenflog?” Dweit smiled.
Holly’s eyes narrowed. “....it’s Ni-”
“Oh right! Nuzzlefu-”
“OY, SHUT UP.” Holly jumped down from the stairwell and stomped over to Dweit. “What’s teh big ideah, ‘uh?”
“Haaaahahaha!” Dweit began a rumpus laugh, slapping his hand over his knee for comical effect. Ace and Tendorel awkwardly joined in.
“Ohhhhh...” Holly spat on the ground, moving her hands to her hips. She then smirked. “Think ya so cool, huh.”
Dweit snifffed, moving his hand over to his eye to wipe away a fake tear. “Oh, maybe. What’s it to ya, brass n’ tack?”
“Well, ya’ won’t be laughin’ fer long, toots.” Holly smirked. “Cause I’m gonna be teh demon slaya’ in this town. The three of yous can skedaddle.”
“Pfff.” Dweit moved his hand over to his mouth. “Please. I know yah got a good swing on dat axe, but I betcha can’t even aim it at a demon’s foot, let alone teh head. Meanwhile, I got my ELITE mooks over dere!” Dweit thumbed his way to Ace and Tendorel, who were less excited about being mooks than anything else in the world. “Whatya got, Holly?”
“Him.”
Holly pointed up to the roof of the Scribes' Sacellum shop, where a lone figure stood above them all. Elf in stature, the figure jumped in the air, bringing out two gigantic demonic wings as he floated gently down to the ground, landing in front of Dweit. Slowly the elf rose up, seemingly staring down at the diminutive goblin, though nothing but a bright felflame came from his eyesockets.
Dweit stepped back slightly. “A-ah...so that’s an-”
“An actual demon hunter...” Ace responded, eyes wide.
“.....nice.” Tendorel looked the demon hunter up and down. He gave the demon hunter a thumbs-up, but immediately brought it down considering how offensive it may be.
“Meet Mr. Denarye.” Holly walked over to the elf, smiling at him, rolling her tongue with the name playfully. “My tank.”
“......p-...pffff...” Dweit waved his hand lightly in the air. “Whatever. So you got a demon huntah.” He continued waving. “What could he possibly do fer ya?”
“Good question.” Holly smirked. “Denarye, dear? What do you think?”
“I will hunt the demon down.” The elf replied, cracking his knuckles. “And with pleasure I will sever its pathetic head and present it to the Council of Six on a silver plate.”
“...............nice.” Tendorel replied, before getting smacked on the head by Ace. “Ack.”
“Hmhmmm....he’s quite a specimen, huh? Betta’ than any good-fer-nothin’ shaman.” Holly smiled. “Hope ya weren’t plannin’ this fer a career, Dweeb. Cuz soon, teh only thing rollin’ in this town will be demon heads an’ my sacks o’ gold. Gold ya won’t be takin’ this time.” Holly snapped her finger which caused Denarye to pick her up with one arm, which is quite a feat considering the armor she wore. She blew a kiss at the three, gave a wink, and motioned for Denarye to bring his wings out and jump up into the air, carrying her off.
“.........”
The trio stood silent for-
“Who the hell was that?” Ace asked immediately, looking at Dweit.
The goblin sighed, then moved his hand over his hat, lowering it over his eyes. “I don’t wanna say.”
“She seemed pretty....forward with you.”
“....”
“Didn’t seem to like you, either.”
“.....”
“And I think she may want to humiliate you and kill y-”
“Fine.” Dweit interrupted her. “She’s my ex-wife. Happy?”
“..........”
“.........”
Tendorel coughed. “Well, I’m not. Can’t believe I wasn’t the best man.” (.)
The three heroes of the Alliance were now tasked with one of their greatest missions yet. Through the actions of Nittenook, heroic mage and bumbling babysitter, the great Titan artifact - the Tears of Elune - had been consumed by a tiny tauren child in his care. Using the tear’s power, the baby tauren had become endowed with fantastic powers and has flown off far into the west, and it was now up to the trio to find the baby before it was taken by the dreaded Burning Legion.
Now, through the deductive reasoning of the engineering druid Nysian, and a few questions asked by nearby Shaman, the group has finally figured out where the baby landed. And now they go, to the west...
Then right back up north when people were asking about a flying cow over Northrend.
“Ahhh, Grizzly Hills. Were but 5 years ago that I came here last.”
Kegoc flew slowly down from the sky atop his hippogryph, landing softly on the ground before dismounting. Soon after, a small bird flew beside him, its mass taking shape into the form of Nysian. With a cough, the druid dusted off a few feathers.
“I was never a fan. Staghelm planted a tree here and druids from long before had to cut it down once it became corrupted with Yagg-Something. It’s one of those bad points of druid history.“
“Ah, friends!” Nysian’s history lesson was interrupted as the two looked up to see Nittenook floating in the air on his magic carpet. “I asked nearby hunter people. They say biiiiig tauren comet flew by last night! They say it landed near northern part! It is apparently sight to see!”
“Very well.” Nysian said as he shifted into his bird form and began to fly up.
Nittenook watched as the bird flew along. “You...are welcome, friend.” He looked over to Kegoc and his frown was prominent. “Kegoc, what am I to do?”
Kegoc remounted his hippogryph and began to fly up to Nittenook. “Ye never seem t’ care much when ya mess up things fer me.”
“Yes. But Nysian is different.” Nittenook said, frowning moreso. “Nysian is never upset.”
“Bah, he’s upset lotsa times. I’ve known th’ git ever since th’ night elves ferst came t’ Stormwind.” Kegoc smirked. “He is one a th’ most judgemental druids I ever did meet.”
After a moment, Kegoc’s smirk disappeared as he noticed Nittenook’s genuine lack of cheer. It’s slightly unnerving when Nittenook is sad. He flew closer and patted the draenei on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, lad. Once we get th’ child, expel th’ Tears an’ get it back ta Highmountain, he’ll be back in good spirits.”
“It is with great hope that you are right, friend.” Nittenook replied, before turning his carpet around and flying fast to catch up with Nysian. Kegoc soon followed.
---
“PRAISE THE CHILD. THE CHILD OF HOPE AND GLORY.”
The trio finally found themselves up north, east of the den of Ursoc, where they happened upon a small caravan a few meters away. After the fall of the Lich King, travel had begun to pick up in force in the icy region of Northrend, and Grizzly Hills in particular was highly known for its veritable goldmine of unique vegetation and scenery. This time, however, the travel seemed to have granted them a new gift.
A few humans and dwarfs and elves were kneeling down, bowing in reverence in front of a makeshift alter. There, a giant ice troll in a large robe moved his arms up in the air.
“Rejoice, bruddahs an’ sistahs! Today, da Light has delivered unta’ us a savior!”
Nittenook smiled. “Ah, good, we could use savior-”
Before Nittenook could move forward, Nysian grabbed the draenei by the tail and dragged him into cover. “Shhhhh...”
The three watched as the troll slowly walked up to a human woman near the front of the rows. “Tell me, hummie. What troubles ya?”
“I...I am...lost. I was cursed. Cursed to become a....a foul beast.” The human was shaking, holding out her hand to the troll, showing it slowly turn from a fleshy human to the claws of a bestial wolf.
“Ahhh, dis is not da curse of da Gilnean worgen. Dis is beast worgen.” The troll shook his head. “Dis is someting ya cannot live wit’, ya?”
“Yes....yes, please. Please help me. I was told th-that something here cured undeath. Surely it could....help me.”
“Yes.....yes, it shall!” The troll’s fangs grinned as he turned and walked to the pedestal, taking in his large hand a small creature in a blanket. “Dis is ya’ savior. Kiss da child on da head.”
The troll moved the baby towards the human, the baby giggling little tauren sounds.
“There she is.” Nittenook smiled.
“He.” Kegoc replied, moving his head up over the bushes. “It is he. But what on Azeroth are these people doin’?”
The three watched as the human lightly pecked the child on the head. The tauren giggled again and began to glow a blue light that slowly enveloped the human. Soon the bestial arm began to revert to its original fleshy color, her claws retracting into normal human fingernails. She looked her hand over and began to cry.
The crowd around them began to chant. ‘All hail the Child of Light. The Light has Come to Revive Our World. To Save It from the Legion. Thanks Be to the Light!”
Kegoc frowned. “Well...getting the child back may not be that easy.”
Nysian nodded. “True. It’s times like this that we need to wait and prepare for...” He looked over to where Nittenook was but found that he was not there. “...oh no.”
Nittenook walked down the rows of chairs and waved. “Hello, Mr. Troll!”
The troll looked over and smiled. “Ahhhh, draenei. Have ya come to see da miracle?”
“No. I wanted to come and take daughter home.” Nittenook grinned. “See, child there is mine. I need to bring her back.”
The entire caravan of this newly formed church turned their gaze to the draenei with a shocked expression. “What? But He is the savior!!”
“No, no. SHE is savior! And SHE is also needing to be home soon.” Nittenook grinned.
The troll moved his gaze down to the child. “But....dis child landed in da lands. Dis child is a deliverance of the Light?”
“Well, no.” Nittenook smiled again. “Just drank some god juice and-”
“Nittenook, no!” The duo from the bushes shouted as they came out.
The troll looked at the child. “.....so...dis child has da power of a god in it?”
“Yup!”
“So...” The troll began to smile. “If I eat dis child, would dat power be granted to I?”
“................I....don’t believe so?”
The troll looked at the child, who giggled again. “Dat’s not a no.”
“Nittenook, grab the child! Now!” Kegoc shouted as he began to run forward. He moved his shield in front of him and slammed himself into the troll’s midsection. The draenei used his arcane magic to shift a few feet forward so he could grab the child.
The troll shouted. “No! Friends! Dey seek ta’ take da Child of Light from ya all! Don’t let dem do dat!”
The caravan looked at each other, then at the child. Then they looked at the troll. “You were going to eat the Child of Light.”
“TA GET DA POWER FER YA!” The troll shouted at them.
The human female that had just been cured of her curse shook her head. “Why would we want it after that? I would not want to lose my curse by being a monster...never...”
“Yeah!” Nittenook shouted as he rocked the baby in his arms. “Is good mortal value system there! Good healthy choice!”
The congregation smiled at themselves as they began to walk towards the troll. The troll spat out a set of extremely vulgar expletives and stood up, running away towards the nearby steps to his home of Zul’Drak.
Nysian moved forward from the middle row, smirking. “Well, that was interesting.”
Kegoc moved the shield onto his back and smiled. “Of course th’ Drakkari troll would want ta eat th’ thing even aftah what happened ta them.”
“Yes....just what is expected.” Nysian sighed. “Now we can get the child back to Dalaran for the tears to be extracted.”
The child cooed as it was rocked back and forth by the draenei. “Yes. Is good idea, to be sure. Let me make portal to Dalaran.” He moved his hand up to the air and began to weave a spell.
“....you could have made a portal to Dala-” Nysian was about to continue but he sighed, then smiled. “Very well. Let’s get this child to Sareva and see what she can do.”
“Aye.” Kegoc walked over and patted the draenei on the back. “Good catch, lad.”
“Yes.” Nysian smiled. “Good work, Nit.”
Nittenook’s smile grew so wide that he didn’t even notice that he accidentally made his spell into a pyroblast that erupted onto the alter by accident. The caravan looked especially annoyed at them as they all grinned awkwardly and disappeared to Dalaran.
---
And so the three heroes found the so-called Child of Light, and brought the child to the council in Dalaran. Khadgar, with too much to do to deal with this shit, entrusted the matter to their comrade Sareva, an expert magus who should be able to unravel the secrets of how to extract such a powerful artifact from a living soul.
“This shall be remembered as one of the darkest days in Azeroth.”
The beautiful forests of Val’sharah, for days, had become hustled with the encroaching corruption slowly filling its lands. The war between the druids of Cenarius and the satyrs of Xavius came to a head at this location. At the Temple of Elune, the night elf goddess of the Moon. There, the priestesses and druids banded together to prevent this holy sanctuary to become corrupted as well.
There, they were forced to do the unthinkable. Ysera the Dreamer, former Aspect of the Emerald Dragonflight and protector of nature - corrupted by the Nightmare - was brought down.
Standing before the verdant remains, Tyrande Whisperwind, High Priestess of Elune, spoke a silent prayer for her departed friend.
“But hope remains.”
Tyrande walked forward, to the beautiful flower that erupted from the center. She took within her grasp a small, almost miniscule thing. A teardrop.
The Tears of Elune. It floated effortlessly from her hand, but never left her eyes.
She turned around and took another look at the heroes that helped her. The ones who secured this bittersweet victory. Who comforted her in their presence as they tried to help her find her beloved husband, Malfurion.
“Heroes, I must ask that you take this to Dalaran. No doubt Xavius and his ilk will try and attack this place again. It is better if it is secure in the city.”
She waved her hand forward and allowed the tear to float gently through the air. It finally laid rest in the plated glove of a dwarf.
“I won’t let ye down, ma’am.” The dwarf replied, bowing his head respectfully.
Beside Kegoc stood the druid night elf Nysian, leaning gently on his staff. He watched the tear in the dwarf’s hand, then looked away.
This was noticed by Tyrande, who walked over to the druid. “Though I am not as connected to the Emerald Dream as you, archdruid, I know how it feels.” She laid her hand on the druid’s shoulder. “But Elune’s grace has given us a chance to move forward. It is what the Dreamer would want.”
Nysian took a breath, then nodded. “Yes, my lady. You are correct. I will...move forward.” He moved his hood over his head, the hood forming a triangular shape as it struggled to keep his ears inside.
With a final goodbye, the two heroes slowly began to walk away from the temple.
Kegoc watched in front of him as the tear danced in his palm, as they walked slowly down the walkway in the center of the forest.
“It’s amazin’ how weightless it floats.”
“Yet the burden is weighed heavily upon us.” Nysian replied, walking in front of Kegoc. This sudden shift in character perplexed the dwarf, who stepped faster to stand beside the night elf.
“Oy...you alight, lad?”
Nysian kept walking. “It’s going to be a long walk back and we’re going to need to find a suitable hippogryph rider to fly us to Dalaran. We must make due haste.”
He soon found that he had gotten a few feet ahead before he turned back to see Kegoc standing still, staring him down. “....what?”
“It’s going to be a long walk, an’ I know ye kin stay quiet fer ages. So speak up.”
Nysian narrowed his eyes, then sighed. “I may just be a bit worried about what we have on our person.” He pointed at the floating tear in Kegoc’s hand. “And, keeping it out where anyone can see it.”
Kegoc frowned, then moved the tear into his bag. “My apologies, lad. There, no one kin’ see it.”
Nysian was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you.”
“...........”
Kegoc and Nysian stood silent for a moment, then started to notice a loud cry slowly come into earshot. They looked around.
“..aaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAA”
The duo looked up to the sky and saw a burning figure spin gently through the air. After a moment the gentle falling became a free fall. “AAAAAAGH”
Kegoc and Nysian stepped aside as they saw this unfortunately familiar figure tumble on the ground and into the grass nearby. Sparks floated around as the mage slide belly-first through the ground, causing a small fire to erupt nearby.
Slowly, the figure stood up and dusted his robe. “Ahh, that is not good vantage point for travel.”
Kegoc smiled as he walked forward. “Ah, Nittenook. Was worried about ye.”
“Ah, really?” Nittenook smiled.
“Nah, but th’ mountain isn’t on fire so I’m good regardless!” Kegoc replied with a grin as he smacked the draenei’s side.
“Haha. Highmountain was big fun! Should all go next! Tauren very angry up there and weird drogbar things punched me off mountain.”
“Haha, yeah, sounds g-....wha’?” Kegoc frowned.
“Yes! Punched right in face. Was not very fun. Seemed nice, though.” Nittenook frowned.
Nysian sighed, but couldn’t help but smile at the reemergence of another friend. He walked forward. “It’s good to see you, Nit. And....”
After a moment, Nysian narrowed his eyes as something came into view.
“Nit, what is that on your back?”
Nittenook looked over at the druid, then smiled wide. “Ah! That is another treasure from Highmountain.” He turned around. On the back of Nittenook laid a basket strapped around his body. In that basket was the form of a giggling baby tauren.
“Is she not cute?” Nittenook moved his hands to unstrap his backpack and grasped the baby in his arms. “Was just in a river on Highmountain. Was very close to bears. Probably left there to feed, so free stuff!”
Kegoc’s eyes widened as he took the tauren from the draenei’s grasp. This abrupt action caused the baby to begin crying. “What are ye THINKING, Nittenook?!”
“....freeeeeee stuff?”
“This is, clearly a lost child, Nittenook.” Nysian watched the bawling baby with a grimace. “It reeks of wet fur and irresponsibility.”
“That irresponsibility is just th’ burnin’ cloth from him.” Kegoc replied.
“WHAT?” Nittenook spoke up over the wailing of the baby. “CANNOT HEAR YOU FROM DEFECTED CHILD.”
Nysian grimaced. “It’s, probably a good idea to silence that child before Sargeras himself comes in.”
Kegoc sighed, trying to rock the child gently. “I don’t do well wit’ children. I only had Sareva around when she were but 5, an’ she was a problem child.”
“WAAHHHHHHHH”
“Hmph. Let me try.” Nysian walked forward and grabbed the child from Kegoc, moving it up. The tauren sniffed slightly as it watched the druid.
The druid stuck his tongue out. “Myaaaaah”
The tauren giggled, clapping its hands.
The druid shifted his face to form the head of a cute baby seal, with a few ‘arf’s which prompted even more laughs. It seemed like it was working.
The next form it took was the form of a cat head, and the fangs from the head must have been too striking, because the frightening visage prompted an even more horrified cry from the baby. “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH”
Nysian shifted his face back, frowning. “Ugh...”
Nittenook grabbed the child back. “The child, she seemed okay with me.” Nittenook nodded. The child sniffed, then giggled as it shifted around in the draenei’s warm robe. Warm being, charred.
Both Nysian and Kegoc stared at the mage, then at each other. Then they both sighed. They knew splitting up the team was a bad idea, but noooo. Sareva told Nittenook to see about the Highmountain tribe, then told them to go to Val’sharah. Deal with more places at once to fight the Legion fast.
Feh.
Kegoc took off his plated gloves and grabbed the child again. This time, away from the cold plate, the child seemed more accepting. “This is ridiculous.”
Nittenook scratched his beard of tentacles, frowning. “Is it not wise to take rewards from the land? We did so on Draenor?”
Nysian frowned. “We did, but they were boring things on the ground. Love-lost necklaces, a stick holding up a rock..a bird here and there. We never took an orc child.”
Kegoc nodded, gently letting the tauren shift around in his hands. He sat down, putting down his satchel and letting the baby down on the ground. “Besides, th’ last thing we need in our lives is a child on our adventures.” He narrowed his eyes. “Also, Nit, this here is a male, not a female.”
“Pah!” Nittenook looked away. “Preposterous. I know a female cowman when I see one.”
“Nit, you didn’t know Meirah was a female draenei for a long time.”
Nittenook looked over at Nysian, then ‘pah’ed once more. “She was showoff. Tried too hard. Ample symptoms of male draenei. So easy to get confused.”
“Hm, not to everyone else, bud.” Nysian sighed.
Kegoc nodded, then looked up at Nittenook, letting the tauren crawl around. “Also, losin’ focus here. Point is, we’re headed t’ Highmountain t’ deal with this fast.”
Nittenook frowned. “Aw.”
Nysian walked forward. “Hold on, now. We must first go to Dalaran, and then we can go to Highmountain.”
“Th’ lad’s family is probably worried sick, Nysian.”
“And I accept that.” Nysian continued. “But we have a mission, do we not? We must get the tears of Elune t-...to...t-”
Nysian stopped, eyes focused away from Kegoc, his mouth shaking and gaped. Kegoc, blinking, turned his head around.
The three watched as the tauren held up the floating tear of Elune, giggling from the light it brought.
“.............wa-”
Kegoc was interrupted by the tauren taking a large bite into the precious Pillar of Creation, effortlessly chewing into the base. It began to shimmer from the solid shape from before into a liquid form, which the tauren greedily suckled fully into its mouth, much like a baby cow would do to its mother’s udder.
With a burp, the tauren giggled.
Nysian and Kegoc looked devastated.
Nittenook clapped his hands. “Good girl mancow!”
The tauren let out a happy cry of content as its form began to glow a blue, heavenly light. Slowly the tauren began to float into the air.
“...N...Nittenook, GRAB HIM!” Nysian cried out.
Nittenook, taken aback by the order, composed himself as he began to run forward. “Friends, it is okay! She is more powerful than ever thanks to our help!”
“Nittenook, just...gently grab him an’ put him on the ground. We need t’ get th’ Tear out a’ him...
“Just...Nittenook, just....” Nysian gritted his teeth, frustrated. The soft-spoken druid was never one to show his frustrations often, opting to let those around him do it for him.
“Look, I bet she is able to control her height!” Nittenook clapped. “Oh, is so nice to see magic child become adept a-”
“PUT HER ON THE GROUND, YOU...IDIOT.” Nysian shouted.
This caused the child to stop giggling, looking over at the druid with wide eyes. Nittenook, as well, looked over, a shocked expression on his face.
The child’s eyes narrowed as he let out a loud burp in the direction of the druid. This not only caused a small shaking of the ground around them, but it also caused the light around the baby to shine brighter. With a cry, the baby erupted in that light, shooting itself high into the air, faster than anything the trio had ever seen. With a shimmer, the baby seemed to shoot far to the west.
.........
“Great.” Nysian composed himself, moving his hand to his face with a grumble. “Just....great.”
Kegoc sighed, moving his hand over his gray beard. “Aye, grand.”
“Now I need to...find a child holding the power of creation....could feel faint...” Nysian began to walk away from the two.
Kegoc sighed, putting on his gloves and picking up his bag. “Right....come along, Nit.”
Nittenook watched as the two began to walk away. Kegoc stopped, however, looking behind him.
“...Nit?”
“...did...Nysian mean that?” Nittenook asked Kegoc, frowning.
“What, the....oh.” Kegoc grimaced, looking away for a moment. “Lad, it’s a bit...complicated at th’ moment.”
“...I see.”
“Come on, lad.” Kegoc motioned for the mage to follow him, as he began to walk behind the druid.
The mage, scratching the side of his beard, slowly began to follow.
And yet, unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure loomed in the greenery above them. A wicked grin crept along the figure’s face.
“Another mage?” Razelikh smirked at the new arrival, turning around to face them. “How quaint.”
The mage named Sareva stood in front of them, pointing her staff towards the demon. “This invasion is over. You will leave these...civilians alone.” Ouch.
“Hmph!” The dreadlord began to weave his hands around as magic formed around it. “And let us see you stop me.”
“Gladly.”
Razelikh muttered an incantation and brought out a blast of arcane energy towards the mage. However, the mage used a spell to propel her behind the dreadlord, casting a blast of arcane into the demon’s back. The demon cried out and attempted to slash his claws into the mage behind him, but she propelled herself once more behind him and blasted him once more.
“Ignorant...wench!” The dreadlord slashed again, this time connecting as the swipe dug deep into Sareva’s stomach. She recoiled in pain, holding her wound that was already beginning to spill blood down onto the snow. The dreadlord smiled.
The mage smiled, as well.
In a flash, the mage was gone. Another teleport spell? Was that a fake image of her?
No. This was...
His inner thoughts was brought to a stall as another blast smashed into the back of his head, causing him to almost topple over. He roared as he turned around. The mage was standing right where she was a few seconds before. The footprints on the snow were exact. It was time magic.
“Clever...you mages were always-“
Sareva interrupted him with a massive volley of arcane bolts flying into the dreadlord’s chest.
“Argh!” Razelikh growled as he stared at the mage. “Rude.”
“As I said...” Sareva pointed her staff at the demon. “This invasion is over.”
Sareva was low on mana.
She knew this. She wasted too much effort already ticking the demon off. All that blinking to and from and the dilation of time alone was exhausting enough, but she was already teeming with arcane energy. She’d exhaust herself if she kept going forward.
But she knew she had to bluff the demon to leave. If only those three weren’t...so out of shape and stupid!
She shot a look over at Kegoc in particular, but the entire trio slowly nursing their wounds was given her ire. The old fool has enough power in his arsenal to lead the paladins if he wanted to. And Nysian must still be willing to deepen his connection with nature in order to heal the world, right? He must.
And Nittenook...he’s really good at fire magic. He’s still not allowed in Dalaran’s Commerce district after what he did to the heavy shipment of Khadgar’s Whiskers.
The plant, not the beard. The man hasn’t had a beard in years.
If the three of them just tried and-
Her inner monologue was interrupted as a bolt of shadow magic slammed into her, flinging her over a few yards. She grit her teeth and brought her hand up, bringing another blast of energy into the demon.
This time, there was no effect.
She noticed an aura begin to emminate around the demon. It looked very similar to arcane energy, but it looked like...an arcane shield.
Damn. She’s got nothing for fire. And she left her water elemental in Dalaran, so no convenient way to use frost magic either.
“Foolish mage.” The dreadlord chuckled lightly. “This fight was over before it even began. You can’t stop us.” He brought his hand up and Sareva was wisked up into the air, struggling. “We are endless.” He shot a bolt into the floating mage’s side. Sareva coughed out blood, struggling to get free.
“We are Legion.”
With a flick of the wrist, he sent the mage plummeting to the group of three with a thud.
“Sareva!” Kegoc shouted.
Sareva coughed out again, her blood beginning to redden the snow she laid. She held her side, grimacing. “K-Kegoc...”
As she looked over, she saw that Nysian was gingerly poking a seed into the ground. Soon she felt a brushing of healing energy begin to caress her being. It was rudely interrupted by Nysian patting her side rather brutishly. “Pat pat.”
She knew it was his way of healing, and it works, but god she hated him for that.
Nittenook, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen. However, she saw that there was what appeared to be a trail of something being dragged away and saw a draenei hoof hiding behind a giant tree. She would call him a coward, but she was always impressed by his ability to blend in and hide, and amazed at how slipshod his attempt was this time.
There’s no time to talk about Nittenook’s tree noises, however. She slowly turned her body to where the dreadlord stood. He was smiling.
Razelikh was just a little annoyed at this whole endeavor. He got manipulated to go to the damn dwarflands. He lost a doomguard so he’ll have to go find him in the Nether or pay a fine to get a new one. He got pelted with fire magic like a chump. He got pelted multiple times by arcane magic, which isn’t as burning as fire magic can be, but by Sargeras’s name does it sting. And he was being ridiculed by these mortals. Him! Razelikh! He may not have the same rank as someone like Lord Tichondrius, or even Varimathras before he messed it all up, but he’s still a nathrezim, dammit!
He moved his hand out towards the four fallen heroes and - hm, where’d the draenei go? No matter - and he began to mutter another incantation. A swarm of carrion insects slowly began to form around him. “I grow tired of this. It’s time for you all to die.”
The swarm shot forward towards the group, aiming to eat their prey in mere moments. It was always a little cathartic to watch th-
Before the swarm could even get to the group, they disintegrated in a flash of bright light. Standing before the fallen body of the mage was the dwarf.
“Hah. Still a little fight in you, little mortal?”
“Aye.”
Razelikh smirked at the unwarranted confidence and weaved his hands in front of him. “Then let me destroy any chance of hope you have.” He moved his hand out and a blast of shadow magic erupted from his hand, bigger than anything he’s cast today. When the enemy is confident like that, it’s always cathartic to send them into oblivion with but a whisper.
However, that was not what happened.
A bright light shone from Kegoc as he brought his shield forward. Despite the great power of the blast, the dwarf stood still. He felt another pat on the back from Nysian and felt another cooling feeling of healing energy. Can’t beat a druid’s healing power. A shaman in comparison makes you too wet.
The shadow energy dissipated and the shield was brought down. The dreadlord in front of him looked a little annoyed. That gave him some pleasure.
The dreadlord muttered something in his demonic language, then moved his hand out. “Very cute. Can you do that again, I wonder?”
Kegoc brought his shield up. “I could be doin’ this all day, demon.”
He really can’t, but it’s the thought that counts, right?
The dreadlord growled, clearly annoyed about this, and shot another blast. Kegoc used his shield once more to deflect the blast, but it was assuredly not going to keep working.
Behind him, Sareva slowly stood up and clutched her side. “Kegoc, give me a moment...I’ll...get us to safety.”
“Nay, lass.” Kegoc pointed his sword out towards the demon. “If I let th’ demon do what he wants tah my home...ta’ claim ownership, then I’ll never be able ta’ retire.”
The dreadlord laughed. “If you think I want to own this pathetic waste of space, that’s amusing. I’d rather watch this world crumble to pieces like so many planets before it.” He moved his hand out and smiled. “Now...I think you’re done. And I think I’m done, too.”
Kegoc brought his shield up again. He’ll keep defending his friends - and his tavern - until he’s burnt to a crisp if he has to.
The dreadlord began to weave his other hand again.
However, before he could cast any sort of spell, a small creature flew down to the ground in front of them. Kegoc could tell it was an imp.
The imp looked at the group, then cackled. “Razelikh, we must depart! Leave!”
The dreadlord stepped forward and grabbed the imp by the throat, bringing him up to his face. “And what are you to tell me what to do, little imp? Can you not see I am busy?”
The imp coughed, then smiled. “Harbinger Faraleth, she has fallen! Fallen! We must leave now or we’ll be overrun!”
The dreadlord stared at the imp for a moment, then sighed. “We really lost the dwarflands...” He let go of the imp as it fell to the ground. “To a bunch of dwarfs.”
The imp nodded. “Lot of elves, too! Lots of them!”
The dreadlord sighed, then shrugged. “Very well. You four are lucky.” He began to walk away.
Kegoc watched as the demon left. Sareva was smiling, no doubt happy to see the dreadlord leave.
“Yeah!” Kegoc grinned. “Go ahead an’ fly back ta’ yer hidin’ spot. Azeroth won’t be kneelin’ ta’ th’ likes ah you!”
The dreadlord stopped for a moment, then turned around, his eyes glowing. “You may have...”won” today, dwarf. But remember that victory always has its price.” He brought his hand out towards them, a green crystal forming inside of it.
Kegoc stepped forward in a panic, bringing his shield up to protect Sareva and his friends. “Aw...crap.”
The dreadlord smiled, then the crystal that was formed was flicked flying past the group.
It landed somewhere inside of the inn.
A spark shined inside, but nothing happened. Then, within a few seconds the entire building, stone and wood that it was, began to melt away until nothing was left but a crater.
The inn was gone. And with a chilling laugh, so was the dreadlord as he disappeared into thin air.
Kegoc blinked as he watched his tavern dissipate. “..A...AhhhhHH!” He ran towards the inn, shuffling around the ground. “W-where...where is...me inn?” He looked further, towards where the cellar was. “WHERE IS ME ALE?!”
He fell to the ground. For the first time in a long time, Sareva and Nysian saw a dwarf cry. And man is it not a pretty sight.
“Ah, is demon lord gone?” Nittenook stepped out of the shadow of the tree.
“Yes. No thanks to you.” Sareva stared at the draenei with annoyance. The draenei smiled.
“Ah, good! Then plan worked. He must have known I would be plotting next move against him!”
“Yes, good work, buddy.” Nysian nodded with a smile, much to Sareva’s disdain.
“So why is friend Kegoc crying?” Nittenook asked politely.
“Mm, we lost the tavern.”
“ME TAVERN!!!!”
Nittenook nodded once. “Mm. Mm. I am seeing this now. Too bad. Will miss quiet of that building. Nobody ever came. Was good for peace and quiet!”
“SHUT YER TRAP, NITTENOOK.” Kegoc yelled between sobs.
They gave Kegoc a few moments to grieve. It was more like 30 minutes of sobbing and an extra 15 minutes of quiet reflection.
Sareva was the first to speak up. “I’m sorry, Kegoc. If I was only a little more powerful, I would have-”
“No...lass.” Kegoc sighed. “Ye did fine.” He looked over at the other two. “Ye both did fine, too.”
“Well, of course.” Nysian smiled gently.
“I am good at disguise.” Nittenook nodded.
Kegoc looked over at the location where he inn once laid. For years upon years he wanted to own a tavern. He loved the idea of it, to be the one to hear the tales of adventures without having to do them himself anymore. He wasn’t old in terms of dwarf years, but he was getting up there now. He wanted to own a place where he could support the new generation with his own tales, and to hear their tales of success with cheer and to relax them with ale and cheer in times of failure. He always wanted to be that kind of person.
...
But the world can’t let him be that person yet.
“Sareva.” Kegoc looked over at the mage. “What is the situation?”
Sareva blinked, looking at Kegoc. “I...the Legion is invading various points on Azeroth. Dun Morogh was only one spot. The demons keep coming through and everyone is on high alert.” She looked at the three and nodded once. “And the plan is to move Dalaran to the Broken Isles.”
“The entire city?” Nittenook exclaimed. “But it would take forever to float it over there!”
“She means teleport.” Nysian stated plainly. “The Broken Isles, huh...”
“Ay-...yes.” Sareva nodded. Right now Dalaran is preparing the teleportation spell. That is why the Council wanted the high-ranking mages to bring everyone to Dalaran immediately.”
Kegoc looked over at the crater once more, then nodded. “An’ do ye think that...dreadlord will be there?”
Sareva looked at Kegoc once more, then shrugged. “All I know is, the Broken Isles are essentially a hot spot of demon activity right now. If he’s there, you’ll probably have to go through a few hundred demons to get to him.”
Kegoc smiled. “I think we can handle that, right lads?”
“Eh, sure.” Nysian shrugged again. “I have a few relatives on those Isles. Wouldn’t mind seeing them again.”
“And I will be there to help fight these demons!” Nittenook grinned. “Also to see Nysian’s relatives!”
“I...didn’t want to make that a reason to go.” Nysian sighed, then shrugged once more.
Sareva smiled at the trio, relieved.
Kegoc turned to Sareva, grinning. “So, lass. Let’s begin.”
Sareva nodded. “You three should go fly towards Karazhan. That is where Dalaran is positioned. I’ll meet you there.”
Kegoc nodded. “If yer okay with that. We’ll see ye there, then. Come on, lads!”
Kegoc and Nittenook got on their mounts and began to run off, while Nysian shapeshifted into a bird and flew off behind him.
Sareva conjured up a biscuit and took a bite, feeling her magic energy begin to regenerate. She walked to the rubble and saw a glint of crystal nestled in the ground. She gingerly picked it up, looked around, then sealed the crystal in a bubble, nestling it in her satchel. “If this is what I think it is...probably shouldn’t show Kegoc just yet.” She nodded to herself. “He needs to keep fighting.”
She sighed, looking at the torn cloth and healing bruise on her side.
“We all do.”
The Invasion: End
Thanks for reading. Keep looking for the continuing adventures of Kegoc, Nysian, and Nittenook as they travel to the Broken Isles, as well as other characters!
