mentions: @divergent-lines @neiablackwood @savianblackwood
“Hm, the druid that was attacked?” The old man scoffed. “First you come in asking for a friend, now you're asking about the elf that everyone wants to know about?” He waved Madivh off. “Go somewhere else bud, I’m done answering questions. If you aren’t staying, I’m not interested.”
What a tough old man. Madivh grumbled to himself as he made his way towards the large gates of the city. They seemed whiter and more intimidating than he last remembered, and the forest outside seemed darker and clustered tightly together. He was certain the forest had been more open and inviting years before.
How am I going to find a druid in a forest? I don’t know how nature magic works and what if he’s turned himself into a bird, or a deer?
He stepped beyond the city outskirts. Already the smell of the ocean’s breeze seemed like a distant memory. In its place heavy soil and soft smells graced him.
Dammit, if I only had a necklace and a raven, I could maybe use them to scout---
He slowed to an immediate stop. Bird? Why didn’t Nairus just fly off? Why did he walk out of the Cathedral, and then walk out of the city towards the forest?
The answers to those questions weren’t important, but the revelation of the questions themselves was. Madivh spun on his heels. If Nairus wasn’t using his druid forms to move about, then, he would have to walk back through those gates. If he sat and waited with a good vantage point, Nairus would eventually come back.
Joy was an understatement of what he was truly feeling.
There was a chance Nairus wasn’t planning to come back, and if that was the case, then it was pointless even looking in Elwynn. There was no way Madivh would be able to find and track down a druid in its own home. Pointless some would say. He had a better chance finding leads in Stormwind about Mey then tracking down Nairus and asking him if he seen her.
I give it a week. If he doesn’t walk through those gates in a week, I’ll look somewhere else.
Thus, Madivh sat himself on the far edge of the outer walls of Stormwind. He watched the road as time passed. His attention focused on people’s garb, their height, and their race. Elves weren’t as commonplace as he thought they might be compared to all the different races he actually seen walking through the gates and out of them. If there were no obvious elves, Madivh let his attention drift elsewhere. When there were, he looked for green hair, and if they did, looked to see if they were druids.
He was equally surprised to see that not many druids walked through the gates, but there had been plenty that had flown over.
The roads and skies weren’t always busy though. During those quiet times, he practiced his magic control. Madivh used the natural shade of the trees, rocks, and the stone wall to focus the shadows to shift and come in closer around him. Basic, easy lessons he had learned as a kid, self-taught as he was, it came naturally. The magic obeyed, but the body rejected the magic. The shadows burned, or tickled, or provided some sort of discomfort.
He lasted only a short hour the first day of messing with the magic. The rest of his time, he spent messing with the dagger and seeing how much muscle memory was actually in this body versus what he actually wanted.
The second day was much like the first. Though, he came earlier than the day before and for the first several hours before noon he was welcomed to the sight of different faces. There were men coming back to the city for lunch covered in soot or dirt, the guardsman switched out shortly after noon for fresh faces, and there had been countless merchants that had walked by. Adding to the list, there was a group of patrol men who entered and left the city within a span of three hours, and about six different groups of mercenaries and adventurers departing. As the sun began to set, Madivh watched the same merchants leave with empty wagons, new merchants with wagons full, and the mercenaries returning with gloomy expressions on their faces and one less head to count for.
Sometime during that day, Madivh had let his mind wander about himself, or more precisely, who the body he was living in was. Who had been the man Jacorek had kidnapped, or had he been dead beforehand and Jacorek had simply looted the corpse? He hoped for the latter. A dead man walking was easier to explain as a coincidence of look-a-likes then if the man was considered missing and family was seeking him.
Maybe the man was a wanted criminal and perhaps he should look into the matter in case someone came knocking with an arrest warrant.
On the third day, Madivh had finally grasped his own magic long enough that he was able to cover himself in shadows for a solid minute before the control weakened and vanished. He grumbled to himself about how he could have held such magic for days, and had, for almost twenty-four hours once. He was strangely back to ground zero. The frustration showed itself as he practiced throwing his dagger at a nearby tree.
As night began to settle, Madivh moved closer to the gate to get a better look at the people coming and going.
He had decided sometime that day that it was possible that Nairus was coming to the city at night, and so far, he hadn’t stayed at his post past nightfall. Guards were always more aware of things at night, but now that he could use shadow magic a little easier, he planned on at least keeping his presence from being sensed if he couldn’t hold the magic fully to hide himself.
What had solidified his decision was the final change of shift among the guardsman. Humans had been chosen for the night shift this turn; it had been elves and worgen the last several nights before.
Madivh was surprised by the amount of people who were returning to the city at night. There had been one or two merchants who were overwhelmed with relief to see the city, another hardened group of mercenaries who looked exhausted from the day, but not overly upset about their lack of success. Groups left as well, groups dressed in dark clothing who pushed their horses into a gallop as soon as they exited the city gates.
There were lots of different colorful individuals as well. However, only one stood out that night. It was a lone man. A man with dark hair, a pair of swords, and leather enforcements.
Madivh blood ran cold at the sight of him. Jacorek. But as his attention focused intently, he saw odd things on the man’s presence, and a lack of things as well. For instance, there were goggles the man had on him, and Madivh had never seen Jacorek wear such things. Another was that the man carried himself more like a typical civilian after a long day’s work, Jacorek had always carried himself with the confidence of a man who owned the world.
The fourth day was a continuation of the third. Nairus had not shown up even at the strike of midnight. Madivh sniffled, eyes growing heavy, but he was determined. He was going to turn this into an all day event. Nairus would show up at some point, he felt it deep in his bones, perhaps, maybe, later in the night, he concluded.
Madivh woke up to the sounds of hoofbeats. He jumped technically, having not realized he had fallen asleep. The light around him had grown softer and the skies were beginning to grow a deep reddish pink hue above.
The hoofbeats were that of a large group of military men leaving the city. Still they were filling out and heading deep into the forest. A group of at least twenty lines of men, five in each row.
Madivh frowned at the sight, before settling back into his spot, his dagger slipping back into its case.
Sunrise began to creep over the edges of the forest. The cool night air was churning into a heavier weight. Today would be overly hot. Maybe rain would be on its way?
And maybe he should stop looking for Nairus. Four days and not a hint of any druid coming in or out of the forest. Maybe he was wrong with his deduction and Nairus had taken his druidic forms and was flying overhead. Or maybe he was right the first time and Nairus simply wasn’t planning on returning to the city.
“Nairus, is that you?” The name snapped Madivh out of his lull and focused on an elf dressed in robes, head covered, he was at the gates. Slipping by his notice while he thought of giving up.
A guardsman had stopped the druid.
“Morning, how are you fairing, Narji?”
The guardsman gave a short laugh. “Better, better. I heard that you got attacked, are you okay? What happened?”
There came a brief silence before Nairus waved his hand. “I did, but I’m well. I appreciate your concern,” he said a moment later. “I took a few days to collect myself, but I’ll be back at my station. Please, if you're still having issues come back and see me. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.”
This did not sound like Nairus, but the voice was the same deep undertone.
Madivh moved, gathering his bag and jogged his way into the edges of the forest. He quickly kept his pace, jumping over a few pieces of sticks before he jumped the fence line back on the path. He brushed himself down quickly, finding a loose leaf stuck in his shirt and pulled it out as he moved towards the gate.
Nairus was ahead, already on the bridge into the city. As long as he kept him in sight, he could follow him until Nairus stopped or reached his destination. Hopefully somewhere he could just blend in and approach him. Now that Nairus was before him, he wasn’t too sure if he should confront him. Maybe it was better to pretend he didn’t know Nairus.
There have been a lot of maybe’s the last few days.
The guards were chattering as Madivh walked by. They spoke about the Shadowlands and how the guardsman, Narji, had gone in the first wave and what had happened and when he awoke Nairus had been his tending healer.
Nairus led him through the trade district. He walked smoothly and casually, seemingly in no rush to go anywhere, but thanks to Nairus elongated legs, Madivh had to act like he was on a mission to go somewhere but didn’t want to make a scene by running.
Ah I wish I could stealth. He thought as a couple of people eyed him curiously in the early morning hours with barely ten people on the streets.
They went through a tunnel and entered the canals making their way over a bridge and began their way towards the harbor. A curious destination.
As they rounded a corner, Nairus out of sight, Madivh kept himself in check and continued the stride he was on. When he rounded the corner, he was greeted with a seven foot tall elf looming over him.
“Is there something you need?” Nairus asked.
Jeez, he let his beard grow out. Came his first thought through the moment’s panic. “Ah, no, why?”
Nairus sighed. “You’ve been following me since you spotted me at the gates. “ Before Madivh could argue the point, which he had one in mind, Nairus pointed to his glowing amber eyes. “I can see perfectly in the morning light.”
He felt himself pale for a moment before scoffing. “Okay, fine, you caught me.” Madivh raised his hands in defeat, taking a step back. “Yes, I actually had a question for you.”
“Then why not ask me beforehand?” Nairus said slowly, a hint of suspicion crossing his tone.
A nervous smile touched his lips. “Well, I wasn’t too sure how you handle hearing that I came back to life and was wondering if you’ve seen Mey?”
A long, uncomfortable silence followed. Madivh glanced around, but there was not a soul out on this part of the street. He seemed to have failed in noticing such an obvious issue, he should have stayed further back, maybe even detoured when he realized they were heading towards the harbor.
When Nairus finally spoke, his voice was heavy, “Who are you?”
“Madivh,” He said with a quick smile. “Though I don’t quite look it. There’s some sort of resemblance, I promise, if you look closely enough.”
Nairus went silent for a moment before he shook his head. “I’ll explain to you shortly. My memory isn’t as good as it should be right now. There is a section of my past I do not remember. How do you know Meyorin?”
Meyorin? It sounded weird hearing her full name being stated.
“Husband?” Madivh questioned. “What do you mean you don’t remember?”
“Husband?” Nairus' shock was plain in his voice. “You?”
Madivh frowned. “Okay, close friend. Better for you? Why don’t you remember the name Madivh?”
Nairus seemed to relax, though it was hard to tell in facial expression, but the druid's shoulders seemed to fall. “The name does ring a familiar tone, I assure you,” he said, “But, I’m sorry. I am not at liberty to tell you anything about Meyorin. She was a patient of mine and--”
Madivh waved him off. “You don’t believe me. I understand. I heard you were attacked, I sympathise really. Listen. Nairus. We were friends, in a way, well we knew each other for a long time in human years. Either way, I’m not pulling your leg. The same person that brought Mey back is the same person that brought me back. I know she’s having trouble and I want to help her. Our son was kidnapped and being used against her, I want to make sure everything is fine. So I need to find her.”
It felt good to get what he had been feeling off his chest. He felt better.
Naiurs was strangely quiet. That good feeling was chased away and he found himself frowning again.
“I see,” Nairus began. “Well, you don’t need to worry about that anymore. I-I do not know where she is, but I can tell you she rescued the person she was looking for. Whether that was your son or not, I couldn’t quite say.”
Really? “Silver-hair, half elf, ya?” Madivh found his temper taking him, but he didn’t necessarily care to bottle it.
Nairus went quiet again before nodding. “Yes.” He sounded a bit surprised. Then he leaned forward a tad. “Really? You two are mates?”
Madivh rolled his eyes. “Praise be, let's move on from that ya? Remember how I said I was brought back? I’m much older than I look. Different too.”
Nairus seemed to contemplate that statement before nodding. “I’m not lying either way. I don’t know where she is. After I was attacked, she gave chase and I haven’t seen her since. All I know is she’s safe right now, somewhere.”
The news was not what he wanted to hear. Four days. Four days of sitting outside these walls just to be mocked and no information. “You know anyone that could help? Maybe tell me who attacked you?” He figured it was Jacorek, but if what Nairus said was true and he didn’t remember him, would he remember Jacorek?
Nairus shook his head. “No to both questions. She only came to me when she was injured and when she brought the boy with her. We didn’t really talk. I’m sorry.”
The politeness seemed to draw a thin line of irritation. It was fake. Nairus still didn’t believe him, and for that, didn’t trust him. He could be lying, or telling the truth. Nairus had always been cunning in that department and it was impossible to tell which it was.
“Perfect. Well then, I’ll keep looking. If by chance I need to talk to you again, where can I find you?”
Nairus straightened and looked over his shoulder. “I’m a battle medic for the military stationed here at the moment.” He paused momentarily before giving a light shrug. “If she contacts me again, I’ll let her know you’re looking for her.”
Madivh gave a brief smile. “Appreciated, and,” he said, looking the druid over for a moment. “Sorry for what happened. And thank you,” he added as the twins came to mind. “Thank you for what you’ve done. Even if you don’t remember, maybe it's better that way. Nonetheless, thank you.” He gave a half-hearted wave as he turned and began walking away.
Nairus didn’t say anything nor did he move straight away.
I knew finding her would be difficult, but god's blood Mey, why are you practically impossible to find even a hint of you anywhere?
She had to have a presence here in the city. He just needed to find it. Too find the one straw that could lead him to her.
