Concern of the Family
The halls of the Black Temple were oddly silent, the majority of the Sin’dorei forces having left the great decaying building when their Princes treachery was brought to light. The ones that did stay had holed themselves in the Sin’dorei Quarter or were Demon Hunters, the Kaldorei on the other hand had never been the mirthful types as all of them were demon hunters who kept their side of the temple.
Demon Hunter quarter was oddly quiet, a tension hung in the air between its occupants. They milled about aimlessly instead of the tireless training that usually went on. Kayn found the somber mood understandable but not to his liking, so he’d been away until a missive sent him back. One of the lackluster looking elves pointed to the big wooden doors at the end of the hall and Kayn understood that this was where he was meant to go.
Inside the meeting room a small number of demon hunters were gathered around a rectangular wooden table. At its head was the Slayer Illsalyn, to her right Needle, and Jace. On her left Kor’vas Bloodthorn, Izal, and the Soul eater Allari. Illsalyn’s gaze locked onto Kayn and he had the sneaking suspicion she wasn’t pleased he was late. She said nothing on the matter however and he took his place next to Jace.
“I am worried about the Master. I think we all are but I also know none of us wanted to be the one to bring it up so we’re all bringing it up now.” She puts a hand on the table, her long talon like nails scratching against it idly as she collected her thoughts.
“Everyday we lose brothers in arms to Altruis’ attacks. I know that’s your job Illsalyn and you’re trying to keep it under control but no word at all from Illidan and that’s what’s most concerning is he hasn’t said anything directly to us lately. How can we trust the word of Veras Darkshadow?” Kor’vas chimes in gaining the attention of the table.
Murmurs come up from the rest about how they too are disquieted by their Masters sudden withdrawal from daily life in the Temple. As they go about this Illsalyn listens to their concerns the majority being that Illidan no longer cares about them, that something has changed. She clears her throat to get their attention and when that doesn’t work she hisses a threat in Demonic “A-rul shach kigon!”
That gets their attention and she flashes a warning snarl at the group. “Have any of you seen him lately, honestly. Because I have you wouldn’t be pointing fingers as you are if you had too and that’s why you don’t hear Needle complaining either.” She shoots a sympathetic glance to the male demon hunter for dragging him into the line of fire with her.
“By the Goddess you are all more concerned that we’re obsolete which you know we aren’t there still a whole Legion out there to fight and I seem to be the only one concerned that maybe something's actually wrong with our leader.”
“I did notice but I figured it was stress, you know how Lord Illidan gets when we’re approaching a deadline.” Allari says folding her arms none too happy about being chewed out by Illsalyn.
“What about the rest of you? Did you write off Lord Stormrage’s weird behaviour as of late as stress?” The rest of the table nods and Illsalyn buries her face in her hands. “I’m amazed….I shouldn’t be but I am.”
-- It is at Illsalyn’s careful urging that she manages to get them all an audience with Illidan, the grounds of which being they need to discuss the situation with Altruis. Which of course is not a false premise but she is also doing this so that the others can see her worries are not unfounded.
The group proceeds down the quiet halls into the War Chamber where Illidan awaits perched on the former Lord of Outlands throne. The changes are almost immediately apparent, despite a lack of eyes Illidan looks absolutely exhausted almost like the act of being physically present was draining the life out of him, his skin was uncharacteristically pale and he hardly held the same imposing demeanor.
Illsalyn felt a small pang of guilt, yes he was their leader and yes he did need to know what was happening to his soldiers but looking at him like this she felt like dragging him out here to make a point was dispicable on her part.
“Shadewing I’m trusting to keep the remaining demon hunters safe. If you do not think you can manage that I suggest you find someone who can.” Illidan said finally after getting the report, his manner of speech slow as if he was having to process every word before he said it.
When they were dismissed the group hung back peering through the crack in the door and watching as Illidan rose to his feet slowly finding his balance and then limped off. It was hard to watch, not too dissimilar from watching a once proud nightsaber that had picked one too many fights in its youth and paying for it now.
“We can’t give up on him. He needs us now more than ever.” Illsalyn urged over the mental network between the group. There were nods and other agreements. Illidan needed to regain his strength and they would make sure that the temple ran smoothly until he did.
