The night was dark, the moon obscured by an overcast sky. A fire burned in the distance, casting shadows through the trees, transforming every bush and stone into a nightmarish creature. These ever changing pools of darkness hid the crouched figure well among the blue tinted trees. His tall form was well concealed by the ever shifting night, his figure simply adding one more shadow to the nights collage. The lone Draenei crept closer to the small campsite, nestled in the alcove created by a hollowed out piece of the Exodar that had broken away from the main hub. Far from the trail, there was little chance of help ever arriving should anything happen to the unfortunate soul who chose to take settler here. Timberstriders and Nightstalkers plagued the area, and any unlucky enough to cross their path would not be long for this world. Only the truly desperate or hunted would take refuge in such a dangerous place. This particular Draenei was hoping for hunted.
Some days ago in Azure Watch a bounty had been placed on an unknown Blood Elf seen wandering around the outskirts of the Exodar heading in the direction of Stillpine Hold.. A thousand gold was being offered to any who could bring him in alive. The wandering Draenei had been in town at the time, and as a highly trained Paladin, he was a better qualified to capture this adversary than the common foot soldier who had preceded him. After hastily eating the breakfast served at the inn, he dressed quickly, wanted poster in hand. There wasn't a picture of the elves face, being that all who got close enough to catch a glimpse of him were not a live long enough to tell about it. A small caption said that the man was skilled with daggers, appearing out of the shadows to silence his victims forever. This man moved with a grace that was unheard of among the Draenei. Spirit, phantom, apparition; all were words that were being used to describe this fighter who moved like darkness itself. The Paladin believed none of this folly. Let them cower in their beds because the night was dark, he thought, I fear neither man nor spirit. With pack in hand, he rode his mount out of town heading towards western Azuremyst in the direction of Stillpine.
Now here he was days later, his hooves landing softly on the rain soaked earth. Muscles tense, he stopped outside the circle of firelight. There in front of the burning timbers was his prey, pointed ears casting long shadows on the forest floor, unaware of his impending doom. The evening was silent; as if the forest itself held it's breathe in anticipation of what was to occur. Unsheathing his sword he sprang from the bushes sword pointed at the figures back, hand up raised ready to attack. This would have been a perfect catch and would have been if he had actually caught someone. The head of the life-sized elf doll went rolling to the floor, leaves falling out as it went. And then, he felt a sharp dagger slide through a chink in his armor between his under arm and chest, right next to his heart.
"Evening Draenei"
He quietly muttered the only word one can in a situation like this.
"Shit."