By the time I was halfway towards the Sunsail Anchorage the sun was set low in the sky. Its evening tint of gold filled the Eversong Woods, perfectly accenting the fall colors of the trees. A cool wind struck my face, rifling its way through my light summer robes and flicking my cloak behind me. After miles of rather undignified jogging I'd slowed down, holding a stitch in my side as I trundled down the pearlescent road, hoping I could still catch up to the Death Knight. Fyodora had already left, or so her father told me. I got the impression from his disposition that the blame for his daughter's wanderlust rested squarely on my shoulders. Nevertheless he sent me on my way in hopes I might find my father, Jack Radical, in good health.

As I walked along the road I began to reflect upon my decision to pick up this gauntlet of my own casting. Was I being too rash? What was to be gained from openly courting danger, from rushing headlong into the unknown alongside the Death Knight? At best my efforts would make little difference compared to her abilities alone and at worst I would hamstring her endeavor. My anger was, after all, a fleeting thing, but my sense of worried self-preservation was ever present. It was not too late, another rune might still remain in my family's house, hidden somewhere in that upturned mess I called a bedroom. I could return to Theramore and rejoin my studies. The taunts of the students were surely nothing compared to the perils this quest might hold. These thoughts were pushed from my mind as a towering figure appeared on the horizon, moving towards me and eclipsing the warm embrace of the sun. It was Fyodora, there was no doubt, but she was not heading towards the docks. Puzzled, I hurried to meet her.

The Death Knight paused as she caught sight of me, "Greetings, young Ignatius." Her helmet gave her already harsh voice an iron ring, "What are you doing so far from home?"

I found myself unable to respond in the company of such an imposing creature. She was tall for a Blood Elf and coated head to foot in ebon plate. The armor gave her a sense of mass, the gravity of her presence making me feel that much smaller. To make matter worse, her aura of undeath seemed amplified by the enchanted armor just as it was with the runeblade. Her dark and solid helmet concealed her entire face, revealing only two pale-blue eyes and the dark holes within them. Weakly I fumbled for a response but all I could muster was an awkward shrug.

The Death Knight took off her helmet, allowing me to see her face. Her expression was blank and unreadable but it did remove a layer of intimidation. "I fear you had a change of heart regarding your father's disappearance," she said.

"I… did," I said, forcing the words from my lungs. "I wish to join you on your quest."

"It is not my quest to lead, child, nor mine to say your place in it."

She said this flatly, although I surmised she thought it would be prudent I stay in Theramore as I initially planned. Steeling myself I replied, "Then I will accompany you and see my father safely returned."

The Death Knight shook her head, not dismissively but with a sense of foreboding, "I cannot deny you your stake, be it rescue or vengeance, but know that this journey is no trifle. I have already spoken to the dock workers of this port and none have seen a human paladin pass through in months."

I curled my lip in confusion, "I do not understand, then how did father intend to get to Stormwind?"

"South, through the Plaguelands."

There was a tenseness in her voice I hadn't heard before and it clung to my spine like a steel brace. This was entirely unexpected. My head was buzzing as the possibilities began to circle in my thoughts. What on earth would drive father to travel the southern road? Because I did not move or speak the Death Knight seemed to have the impression I was purposely matching her icy countenance. That, or she grew bored of watching me standing there. Either way, Fyodora began travelling south towards the scorched remains of southern Eversong. I was at her heels the entire way although she did not acknowledge my presence.

After quite some time walking in silence I caught the scent of the red dragon's flames on the breeze. It was then Fyodora finally addressed me, "This would be a good time for you to turn back."

"I am not turning back," I said. There was not as much courage in my voice as I would have liked, but my tone did not waver.

"You are young, inexperienced, and this quest has become more dangerous than I anticipated. There is no shame in admitting you do not wish to continue."

As our surroundings darkened with ash my nerves frayed and my entire body shook anxiously, yet I could not understand why. I had no comprehension of the Plaguelands but they were certainly not much worse than the so-called Ghostlands, and those were still claimed as Blood Elf dominion. "Surely it cannot be that dangerous or else father would not have taken the road," I said. "The dread citadel is long gone and father is as skilled a paladin as they come."

Fyodora shifted her armor as we stepped through the charred earth that heralded the Ghostlands, "Even to a seasoned paladin and with the gaze of Naxxramas lifted, the Plaguelands are a dangerous, festering stronghold of the Scourge."

This struck me almost as an insult. Did she seem to think father might have been killed before his journey even began? The man was many things but suicidal was not one of them. He wouldn't have taken such a route if he knew it might claim his life. In spite of my surety in this fact, sweat began to bead around my crown, made all the more noticeable in the rapidly cooling air. If the path was even slightly dangerous for him, it would certainly be suicidal for me.

"Are you saying my father might have been slain by the undead?" I asked. It was not a question so much as an accusation.

The Death Knight's eyes flashed into a withering glare. I could practically feel the blow of her mighty blade upon me simply from the look, but in a moment she let out a heinous guffaw. "Child, I have no doubt the entirety of Stratholme would be cleansed before Jack Radical fell to the Scourge. No, your father's safety was not in question."

Clutching my staff with trembling fingers, I meekly asked, "Then… what?"

Fyodora shouldered her blade as though expecting to use it before long, "The path he chose bodes ill, not because of the danger to himself, but the need to present danger to any who might follow."

This snapped my attention away from our intimidating surroundings long enough to contemplate the ramifications. Father wasn't looking for trouble, just the opposite! He must have known he was being followed even as he left Silvermoon. Worrying as this revelation was, it was also exciting. His kidnapping might have occurred nearby along with evidence of who took him. While still processing this information I asked, "Who could be stalking him? Do you have any idea!?"

"No, but if he chose to travel through the Plaguelands his trail has become that much more difficult to follow, and it is already two months cold."

"Then we need to hurry!"

The Death Knight stopped in the middle of the forest, motionless, staring me down. The sun was completely set at this point and the cool breeze from before had turned to a chilly, constantly blowing wind. My robes were still meant for summer and the air cut right through them. Weak and pallid moonlight flickered off her black armor, revealing only a silver outline. All around us stood the charred and broken spires of wood that once made up southern Eversong.

Fyodora spoke, "Beyond this point there is no way out except through. The Blood Elves of this forest can barely maintain themselves against the Scourge and will not suffer any hangers-on. Are you sure you wish to proceed?"

For all the intimidation of the Ghostlands, none of it seemed as bad as Fyodora herself. The terrors that lay in these forests were nothing compared to her almighty strength and daunting presence. Besides, if I did not continue I would never have another chance. Like she said, there was no way out but through, this was it. Plunge forward or retreat all the way back home, digging around for a means to buy my way back to Theramore and the company of those insolent cretins who shunned me. I shivered with the cold and my own nervous energy but gave a firm nod.

Her expression sullen, Fyodora placed her helmet on and led me down the road south. I could sense her tenor about the quest changed but I did not know why. After all, when she first learned of father's disappearance, she assumed I was searching for him already. Nevertheless she spoke not a word the entire way into town and I dared not break the silence.