Smoke and Shadows
((It’s been a while since I wrote a story, But I wanted to do one and also introduce my priest! Story takes place moments after the Highguard went to Josi Brei’illien’s party. and tare left, sorry for grammar if anything’s wrong))
I will not play this game. Not again.
The words echoed in his mind as Tarenor Swiftdawn marched down from Sunfury Spire. He hated the building, he hated most of those in there. And the very enemy that threatened him and his battalion had invited him to a party. A party. He hated leaving the Highguard alone in there with that Magistrix Bre'llien, but if he didn't he might have snapped and done something he might regret, deeply. The furrow in his eyebrows becoming almost permanent of late, between Tanaan and the guerrilla war in Stranglethorn Vale, and of course, the magisters. He almost hated liniadel for giving him this job.
As he walked through the back streets and dark alleys of Silvermoon City, he knew that he would rather carry this burden then someone else have too. He can carry guilt, carry pain and judgment. After all he was a paladin and they're supp-
"You looked pissed High Commander." Said a formal, yet dry emotionless voice.
Tarenor stopped mid-step, he looked around and realized he was in a decrepit alley. One that looked like the Silvermoon Builders have yet to reach, Scars from the Third War mingled with recent activity, and inhabitants. Tare turned around, half expecting an assassin, but what stood in front of him was a corpse, but the alive kind.
With one foot in a puddle, wearing dark robes but embroidered in gold trim, his head was cowled and no part of his face could be seen except occasionally when a blood red halo faintly formed over his head before disappearing. The forsaken leaned heavily on a staff that was more a stand that held candles that only burned shadow flames. The halo returned and he could see the once human curl a wretched smile, as he watched Tarenor almost seemed repulsed but curious of the forsaken.
"Are you mute as well High Commander?" the robed figured said after a moment.
Tarenor blinked and shook his head. "Do I know you Forsaken?"
The robed corpse let out a surprisingly genuine laugh. "No. But I know you. Tarenor Swiftdawn, High Commander of the Phoenix Highguard. Priest a lifetime ago. Crusader, Paladin, and soldier now."
Tare's eyebrows furrowed once again. he continued to eye the forsaken, wondering if he should be prepared to fight or not, but the Forsaken didn't make any sign of attack, not hint of threat, yet. Tare decided to take a risk and exhaled.
"It's only fitting if I know who I am speaking to, for someone who knows me so well."
The Forsaken snapped his meatless fingers and nodded. "Where are my manners. Of course. I am Kalvinus Wormwood, Former Professor of the Royal Apothecary Society. Shadow Cleric of the Cult of Forsaken Shadow." Wormwood bowed as he spoke, before returning to his bent form. he eyed Tarenor for a moment. There was a awkward silence, in the distance a cat attacked one of the magical brooms sweeping a street. It sounded like the broom was winning. Finally Kalvinus broke the silence.
"So that party you went to, The Magistrix sure seems lovely, why not seduce her onto her side instead of brooding and waiting."
Tare's eyes went wide, with both surprise of him knowing where he came, who the magistrix was and that he basically said that Tare should do such a thing.
"what- no! How did you know that? What do you want!?"
Tare's hand itched for his great-sword but he held back. Something was wrong with this forsaken, there have been a lot in the city lately from some battle in lordaeron, but this one took the prize. Kalvinus said nothing, just stood there grinning as the shadow flames danced around his staff.
"well if not seduce her, just make her.... disappear." Kalvinus said, you could almost hear the sly smirk in his words.
That was it, starting to grow pissed he took a step towards the forsaken.
"Listen here, I won't resort to murder, I am a believer of the Light, unlike your filth, I was a crusader I am abo-"
The Shadow Cleric lift a hand interrupted loudly. "You were a crusader. But you still have friends with them. And I never said murder, I only said. Disappear. After all, Aren't you Done playing this game?"
Kalvinus Wormwood turned to start walking down the street " Have a good evening High Commander, I'm sure we'll talk soon."
Before Tarenor could grab the forsaken his form faded into dark smoke and went down the alley into darkness.
Alone, in the middle of the night, in a ruined part of Silvermoon Tarenor Swiftdawn contemplated the Shadow Cleric's words.
This wasn't the first time the Magisters have threatened the Highguard, or arrested someone. And if nothing is done, it will continue, something had to be done. Or this game will never end.
Tarenor slowly worked his way to the main streets of Silvermoon, quietly preparing to return to Hardwrench Hideaway. But all the while a plan slowly formed in his mind. A plan that made his own stomach drop. but he learned long ago that when you are in this role and this much responsibility, sometimes you must swallow your own morals and beliefs. And choose a lesser of two evils. Sha'Qelas taught him that. And if this works, no one will die. and the magisters will never be a problem again. But if it fails. He will die. and many others as well.
But the game will end, one way, or another.