Argent and Blood
((Rp story about Tarenor's first day back in Northrend, as the Phoenix Highguard starts their new rp campaign! sorry for grammar and any names spelled wrong, enjoy!))
A small chill traveled quickly up Tarenor Swifdawn's spine. It's been a long time since he's been in the Fjord, and longer since he has had any long term stay here. Not since the skeleton crews of the Argent Crusade. Tare moved his fingers in his now fur lined gauntlets and flexed his shoulders now with a heavy red and gold cloak draped over them. A small cough escaped his lips. Light, don't let me get a bloody cold. He pulled a silk cloth from a pocket on his Plate-mail robe and wiped his mouth.
A few moments later, foot steps fell behind him getting closer before they stopped beside him. “Swiftdawn.” Tarenor glanced over seeing Liniadel standing beside him in her usual battle regalia, the cold not seeming to bother her. Liniadel's judgmental eyes scanned the land between the fortress and the cliffs for everything and nothing. “ma'am.” Tarenor said quietly. “Should be anytime now.” Liniadel turned her gaze to Tare, a look of doubt clear on her face. “You sure they can be trusted? Nothing but a rabble of pathetic paladins and knee benders.”
Tare smirked and returned his gaze to the lift. “You trusted me enough for my job. I have faith in them, They won't let me down. Besides, she owes me.” One of Liniadel's eyebrows was raised for a brief moment at the word 'she' but grimaced “I have my doubts, but I leave it up to you. Will you meet with them personally?” Tarenor nodded silently, keeping watch.
Liniadel furrowed her brows and turned on her heels and walked away she mumbled to herself as she walked. “Fucking Lighthumpers..” Tarenor rolled his eyes and continued to watch but, not for long.
The pale sun rose a little higher in the sky but to many's dismay, not the temperature. Eurais in the court behind the battlement sparred with a dummy swinging hard, working on striking harder and harder. Aeviana leaned against the inn taking a drink from her flask cursing the cold. Near the entrance Silane chatted Zalaena, most likely speaking on the weather or something, it was too far away for Tare. Silane glanced at Tarenor and then Zalaena with a small smile, making Tare turn away with a slight blush.
Seconds later there was the sound of a throat clearing to his side, Tare turned looking at Silane. “Falorus. How can I help you?” Silane nodded in acknowledgment. “Sir, I was just curious if you should be meeting with this envoy.” Tarenor raised his eyebrow. “Why's that?” he said as if she doubted his ability. “Well sir, the Crusade is a neutral group. They make take this as a act to try to draw them away from said neutrality.” Tarenor smirked softly as Silane raised her eyebrow. “It will be fine, Remember for three and a half years I spent my life and blood with those people. I made friends, some now.... higher ranking then they once were. We only need information as it is anyway.”
Silane nods seeming a little more at ease then before. “I just wanted to make sure sir.. I'm going to go rest for a while, read your tome a little. Be safe Lt-Commander.” Tarenor smiles and nods dismissing her and returns his gaze to the lift. But something was different. Though barely visible a lone figure stood in the wooden cage; The signal. Tarenor let out a exhale and started to make his way towards the inn. Inside he found Astilaldin, Attenius, and Saiken waiting for him sitting at a table making small chat. Tarenor cleared his throat. “It's time.” All three nodded and stood up making for the door.
Moments later, all four were walking towards the lift away from Vengeance Landing. Saiken holding a small banner of the Highguards, it's golden double headed eagle on a crimson background flapping in the wind. They reached the ramp to the lift and slowly made there way up. As the Lift slowly made it's decent down the group stood quietly. Astil glancing side to side, encase it's some alliance trick, as Attenius looked up the cliffs trying to catch a look at the small group up top. The lift cage finally reached the bottom as Attenius lifted the cage door allowing the rest to enter. Seconds later the cage made it's ascent.
As the cage reached the top and the group made it's way off the ramp they finally laid eyes on what they have came for. Seven Argent Crusaders, 6 in plate armor and mostly Horde waited for them near the road inland. One of them, a large tauren, holding the bright banner of the Argent Crusade. The seventh member was a female blood elf in the long white and blue battle robes of a cleric, her face covered in a scarf and her blonde hair in a ponytail. Her green eyes squinted with judgment at the approaching Highguard.
Tarenor and the rest reached the Argent group as Saiken shoved the end of the banner pole into the ground eying a night elf in the group with stern eyes. Tarenor glanced over at Daybreaker and nodded as silence settled in. Seconds later it was finally broken with one word said with disdain. “Knight.” The female cleric said behind her scarf.
“Cleric Alektraeda. It's been too long.” Tarenor said, raising his head as he looked down on her. “It's Cleric /Captain/ now, much has changed in your... absence. But we did not come here to discuss pleasantries did we?” Tare shook his head . “Indeed, let's get this over with. Highguard remain here.” Astilaldin nodded silently, Saiken stood stoicly, and Attenius started to chat with the tauren crusader holding the banner. Alektraeda nodded to the head of the guard and the two walked towards the cliff to talk privately.
The two stopped a few from the edge as Alektraeda removed her scarf revealing a amusing smirk on her face. “Tarenor Swiftdawn. I wondered when I'd hear that name again. How you been old friend? From your note it was signed, Lieutenant-Commander of some group called the Phoenix Highguard?”
The mask of disdain on Tare's face immediately fell as he started to chuckle. “Indeed, I went home and found a new purpose. And Captain Cleric now? Has the High-lords finally gone insane up here?” Both of them shared a small laugh. “Perhaps. But you've been missed, never was quite the same after you left but we continue on, your 'high and mighty' purpose might be important, but ours is always the first defense against the undead.” Tarenor inclined his his head in respect. “I never loss respect or faith in my brothers. But our people's need for aid was one I could not ignore.”
Alek smiled. “You always had a sense of honor, I'm just glad you're well... But I must ask what brings you and your Horde battalion to our frozen 'wonderland'? Your letter stressed it was imperative I meet with you.” Tare sighed remembering why this meeting had to happen. “The Phoenix Highguard is looking for something. Something dangerous, that is all I can divulge, I'm sorry. But I need to know what the Highguard might face while we're here. Please, I implore, tell me anything you can.”
Alek eyed Tarenor curiously then nodded. “Northrend has changed since the War. But it's still as dangerous as ever. The Vyrkul still have small hold outs especially here close to Utgarde, but nothing in large numbers. Some warlord leads a resistance and still fight the alliance at Valgarde. Further inland, in the Grizzly Hills, Some cultists have taken a tower off the western coast, once home to some Worgen worshipers. And while war waged back home and in this 'Pandaria.' The Horde and Alliance are fighting more for the resources there.”
Tarenor nods, listening intently as Alektraeda takes a breath and continues. “In Dragonblight, some Necrolord has rallied scourge forces beneath Naxxramas and has renewed it's attack on Wintergarde and it's small garrison. And strangely enough.. Scourge and Drakari resistance and holdouts have begun ambushing and skirmishing more often in Zul'Drak. While their numbers are thin.. we have too few to fight them at every turn.” Tarenor frowns slightly at the end and Alek places a hand on his shoulder. “But we hold our own, old friend. Argent Stand will /not/ fall.” Tarenor smiles sadly and nods as Alektraeda continues. “The only thing left mentioning, is the Scarlet Onslaught still has hold outs here and there. But pose little threat to any.”
Tarenor nods. “Thank you, we might be seeking sanctuary if we move more inland, but that will come later. There's... one more thing..” Tare sighs. “Is there... anything at all you can tell me about.. Alliance movement?”
Alektraeda frowned immediately “You know I can't tell you anything like that. We're neutral, we fight against a common enemy instead of slaughtering ourselves, or did you forget that already?!” Tarenor half frowns with regret. “I'm sorry, I had to ask. Please know I only do for the safety of those under me.”
Alek snorts out her nose but nods slowly. “It's okay.. You're a good person Tarenor, I know you only do what you think is right. But I can't betray the order like that.” She smiles wearily at Tare and pats him on the shoulder. “I should head back, and you as well. One of yours looks like he might kill one of my crusaders. Then there would be hell to pay.” Both of them chuckle warmly. “Thank you Alek, I hope we talk again before our business here is done.” Alektraeda nods with a grin. “Indeed.”
The two walked back to the group both again with faces blank of emotion. As both groups prepare to leave. Tarenor and Alektraeda turned to each other and bowed to each other. “Light go with Lieutenant-Commander Tarenor.” Spoke Alek formally. “And may it bless you Cleric-Captain Alektraeda.” The Argent Crusaders formed into a small column and begin moving north up the road as the small group of Highguard waited for the lift.
Daybreaker tapped Tarenor on the shoulder, curiosity clear on his face. “Sir? Did you discover anything important?” Tarenor nodded looking off the cliff. “Aye, it's going to be a long campaign... We all better be prepared.”