Authors Note
Do note this is a sequel to "For The Light" so it is advised you read it before you read this, less you be completely lost. Also note this is a slightly alternate universe.
Chapter One
Tavin knelt down, brushing his hand along the ground, his mind forgetting his current problem, and instead trying to place what exactly lay in front of him now. Where there surely once was smooth grass, now lay in upheaval, as a deep tumult of broken ground cracked the ground, reminding Tavin of the Pestilent Scar that once lay near Light's Hope Chapel.
However, he felt necromancy, or any other form of magic around this new scar, and it was too large and natural looking to be man made... perhaps this was simply nature? But earthquakes were rare in the northern side of the Eastern Kingdoms, practically unheard of.
"The earth cries out, but not from magick.." a voice whispered behind him, Hroun. After the final battle against the Lich King, Tavin had to select his hierarchy and officers for his army, and many volunteered to join the new army. Hroun, however, was more patient and logical than many other officers Tavin knew, along with the fact he struck an intimidating character, and so, Tavin selected him as his main General. Since then, he had grown a deep friendship with the Tauren, and through it, had learned much about their race and language. The eight foot tall Tauren ran his hand along the ground, sprinkling a shamansitic powder and inhaling deeply.
"This troubles me Hroun.." Tavin whispered, and Hroun nodded, "It seems we have a new problem, perhaps one we cannot stay with our blades." Tavin agreed silently. Recently reports of bandits had been sprouting up along the roads near Silverpine Forest, and the northern ends of the Glades, along the trade roads that circled up from Southshore and the Agaman Mills, a rebuilt town that was a large goods supplier for the Kingdom. Seeing as now anything north and west of the Hinterlands and south of the Ghostlands was now considered under the rule of Tavin, excluding several small Horde trading posts, that Tavin had allowed with the request of Thrall. As this was so, the reports fell under his domain, and naturally, he flew out with his General, landing outside of the reported radius of the most sightings, waiting on one of their nearby regiments to join them for further expedition.
Tavin pondered for a moment, glancing back at the looming figure of the Undercity behind him. A vast majority of the Forsaken had returned to slumber, the Undercity transformed into an enormous sarcophagus for the Forsaken, and any fallen soldiers of the Scourge War, the only well known Forsaken that remained awake, was Sylvannas. Her last words to Tavin months ago, before she sealed the Undercity off from the world, were "I will be now the eternal watcher over them..." Now all that was left of Lordaeron was ruins, but Tavin had simply closed the doors to the old kingdom, sealing the doors magically shut, so none my further defile the ruins, nor the Undercity and its "inhabitants".
"What do you think we should do?" Tavin asked, glancing sideways at his general. Hroun gazed down on the thirty year old man, whom still looked twenty, pondering deeply on the subject. "For once, my King, I do not have a straightforward answer." he finally said after a brief moment. "Let us split up for a moment and scan the woods... yell out if you find anything?" Hroun suggested. Tavin nodded and Hroun moved to the left, while Tavin strolled to the right, disappearing into the edge of the treeline. Tavin strummed through the woods, quietly, his eyes looking for any signs of life, perhaps a discarded bandanna, or a forgotten dagger, but then to his right, some underbrush snapped, alerting him of someones presence. Tavin's hand instantly snapped to his blade, and he scanned the treeline.
And his keen eyes were rewarded, but rather blatantly, as three figures stepped out of the shadows, and Tavin went rigid, as he recognized the hulking forms of the Worgen, their brutish fangs curving out of the top of their mouth, their thick coarse hair extending an inch or two, almost a flexible armor to them. Yellow piercing eyes gazed out at Tavin, and the lead one barked something at Tavin, perhaps something in their native tongue, but Tavin understood not. The Worgen suddenly seemed to notice Tavin's hand was on his blade, and the Worgen began growling menacingly at him, Tavin knew he was in a dangerous situation, one he couldn't barter or negotiate out as King.. instead he'd have to fight his way out.
Tavin drew his blade and stepped back a few paces, his blade hovering in front of him, he had fought a few stray Worgen before, they were easy, just a bit maverick at times, three would be interesting, but none-the-less defeat-able. So he stood there stock-still, waiting for one to move.
And finally, one did.
The Worgen on the left darted to the side, and instantly Tavin whirled towards the Worgen, but it danced back around, and Tavin realized he had fallen for a feint. He ducked and rolled right as the maw of one of the Worgen snapped shut right where Tavin's neck just was. He had gotten lucky, but he needed to be more careful now. He whipped around, slinging his blade towards one of the Worgen, just barely grazing it, staining his grey fur with glistening blood, but the Worgen seemed unphased and his he whipped his claw around, slamming it into Tavin's side.
Tavin yelped in surprise at the strength he felt behind the blow, these Worgen were much stronger than the ones he had faced.. and much smarter, they knew how to fight, the knew where to hit him, but the one thing he noticed, was that they weren't trying to kill him exactly, every attack so far was only to maim. He had little to time to think though, as another of the Worgen lunged at him, and Tavin danced to the side, cleaving down, but his sword only met thin air. They had speed too.
His sword struck the ground, and his own strength backfired on him, as the impact jarred him, forcing him to loose his grip on his sword, and instantly, another of the Worgen slammed into his side, battering him to the ground with a loud thud. Tavin kicked out on instinct, ramming his heel into the one Worgen's collarbone, knocking it back with a yelp. But the other two swarmed on him, regardless of Tavin's wild swinging.
He felt brutish claws crush him, and suddenly..
Piercing fangs clamped down on his neck, and he felt a rush of pain and anger course through him suddenly, as a mad fit overtook him and he roared in agony and rage. It instantly gained the notice of Hroun, as suddenly his enormous black form broke into the clearing, his stride and swing batting aside two of the Worgen, and he twisted around, cracking the other one in the chest.
They all flew back, scampering on all fours out of the clearing, disappearing into the woods. Little did Tavin know, but their task, was complete.
He lay there, his hands against his neck as he growled in pain slamming one fist against the ground in frustration, as Hroun knelt over him. "Hold still your majesty.." he said, grabbing Tavin's hands, and pushing the one aside to reveal his wound.
His eyes widened as he recognized the two distinct bite marks against his neck, and he knew instantly, this was bad.
Coursing through Tavin's veins now, was the Curse of the Worgen.