The Holy Strider
By Nate Sindel
***
Kuldana fiddled with the necklace given to her by Thrall, a simple golden chain with a pendant on the end. The pendant was what she continued to stare at, half Horde crest, half Alliance; this simple signet allowed her passage to any capital city on Azeroth with complete immunity. She, a Blood Elf rogue, had been named Ambassador of The Horde, and given the rank of Holy Strider.
"Congratulations Kuldana, for your upholding of both your oath to The Horde, and for showing unparalleled quarter and compassion to members of the Alliance, I hereby grant you the title Ambassador, and the position of Holy Strider."
The words still rang in her head, blaring even through the winds rushing by her ears on her way to Teldrassil. Her first duty as Ambassador was to fly to Darnassus to speak with the Night Elves about the situation in Ashenvale. While many preferred to take a wyvern, she was lucky enough to have brought her Netherwing ally, Onyxien, through the Dark Portal.
"This is a bit much," she spoke, meaning it to be to herself.
"Really? From our travels together I have never seen you go out of your way to attack the Alliance," Onyxien chimed, turning her(1) head around to look her rider in the face. "Though the number who did so to you..."
"They learn after the first few cuts who the real enemies are," the rogue brushed a lock of blond hair out of her face. "Not to mention many Alliance now owe me life debts for it."
"Are you telling me you became Ambassador under false pretenses?"
"No, of course not," her pale cheeks reddened slightly at her partner's accusation. "Life is sacred, and if this will help preserve it, then I will do what I can."
Onyxien finally turned her head back as they entered Ashenvale, needing to keep an eye out for trees, but added, "You've been spending too much time around the druids."
***
Upon reaching Darkshore Onyxien turned into a deep stoop, heading for Auberdine where they would rest the night before crossing the sea. Landing outside the inn they were met with some resistance, but apparently word from Jaina Proudmoore's messenger mages had reached here. A flash of the pendant around her neck was enough for the sentinels to stand down. Lowering herself to the ground, Kuldana stepped up to the lead sentinel.
"I need a room, and lodging for my friend here," she spoke in Common, gesturing to the drake behind her.
"Of course, Ambassador Kuldana, we are glad you made it safely," the words seemed a little strained to the elf's sensitive ears.
With a small smile and shrug of her shoulders, Kuldana put on her best diplomacy face, and switched languages.
"I apologize for arriving unannounced." spoken in perfect Darnassian, she could tell it put the taller elves around her at ease. "The Warchief wished to have us to have Warsong Gulch settled first."
"It is quite alright, I am Shira Nightshine, head of the Auberdine Sentinels, call on me if you need anything during your stay." She looked behind the blood elf at her mount/companion. "I'll alert the stable at once to prepare room for your mount."
The sentinel left immediately, ordering one of her subordinates to arrange a room for their guest.
***
Meanwhile, in the Fish Eye Tavern, a conversation was being had between a human Paladin and his young Shaman friend who he had been adventuring with.
"Are you serious, a Blood Elf saved your life?" Daniel Morgrim asked the female Draenei sitting next to him at the bar, she nodded, taking a sip of her drink.
"Yes, it was a miracle she arrived just in time," the young shaman responded, then stopped and stared at the door. "It's her."
"What?" Daniel turned to the door, watching the lithe elf enter, her flaring green eyes the only aspect separating her from the occasional High Elf. "Saea, are you sure?"
Kuldana walked through the tavern, her large boots(2), courtesy of the Argent Crusade for her help in Northrend, making clomping sounds on the wooden floor. Sidling up to a corner of the bar she took her seat, climbing onto the stool built for someone much larger than her. The barkeep took her order, after showing him the pendant and ordering in Darnassian. Sipping the water provided, she looked around, more than half the room was staring at her.
One pair of eyes were different, mainly due to the blue/white glow emanating from them, but that was besides the point. She had long ago made a point to remember the faces of those she helped, and this Draenei was no different. The chipped horn, the scar on her neck, those two key points told her exactly who this was, and what she had done.
It was hot in Tanaris, too hot, and Kuldana couldn't wait to get to Un'Gorro Crater, the shade of the trees would be a gods' send. Her wyvern glided lazily along, riding the rich thermals rising from the sand, it wouldn't be long now. When adjusting her hat, she noticed the silithid hive beneath her, and the struggling form caught within the clutches of a burrower.
Taking the reins she pulled the mount down, angling it into a power dive. Hitting the ground in a run, she guided it straight at the giant insect. Her arm shot out, her dagger slicing clean through one of the mandibles, causing the Draenei in its clutches to drop. The assault didn't stop there, the dagger had hooked into the beast's thick carapace, pulling her off the wind rider and across in front of it, where her second dagger speared into its face.
The silithid dropped, but was still trying to move, to call for help. Kuldana stood over it, feeling the chill run down her arm, gathering in her hand around the dagger. Stepping forward she plunged both knives into the monster, twisting them as she ripped them out. The bug ceased moving.
"Psh, nuisances," she spat, then turned to the unconscious young woman who had nearly become bug food. "Well, let's get you to Gadgetzan."
Lifting the larger female with relative ease, she looked to the wyvern, as if to tell it to go home. Getting the message, the chimera took off. Planting her feet, Kuldana began to concentrate on her trip back to the goblin town; the earth shifted and she was gone. The run wasn't long, and soon they were at the inn, where she had summoned a priest.
"Well, you certainly did a decent job patching her up before I got here," Maina, a human priest said, after healing the girl as best she could. "I couldn't do anything about the horn, and the wound to her neck will scar, but she'll live."
"That's good," the rogue replied from across the table, casting a quick glance at the form on the bed.
"If I may be so bold as to ask, why did you save her? Don't you Blood Elves have something against the Draenei?"
"There are much more dangerous enemies to contend with, no time to be concerned with the petty squabbles of mortals," Kuldana explained, sipping her ale. "I have lived long, seen much, done much more; at some point the lines begin to blur, and all that matters is survival."
"I see..." she turned as the girl began to stir and awaken. "So what you're saying is that each individual life is sacred, that's very un-Blood Elf of you."
"Like I said, the lines blur."
Maina chuckled at that, understanding what the woman across from her meant.
'So she recognizes me,' Kuldana thought while watching the girl in her peripheral vision.
Saea continued to stare, wanting to get up and thank her, but not sure if she should. The situation was already strange to begin with, considering they were in Auberdine, and this woman was Blood Elf, her kinds' most hated enemy, second only to the Eredar and the Legion they commanded. Then there was the fact that this woman did save her life, and had somehow obtained some kind of immunity that she believed only one such as Jaina Proudmoore had. Finally it was her human companion that broke her stupor.
"Light, just walk over there and say 'Thank you for saving me ma'am, and I'd like to confess my undying love for you,'" he laughed heartily at his own joke, while Saea cast a scowl at him. Whatever tension had descended on the tavern had been broken by Daniel's laughter, and everyone went back to their business.
Kuldana was grateful for the looks of hatred and disgust finally ebbing, thanks to the human a few seats down. He reminded her of someone she had once known, but that was a long time ago. Right now she was more concerned with the Draenei, so she motioned the two over. After the customary pointing of fingers at themselves to confirm, they walked over.
"Well hello again," she smiled at the shaman. "How have you been?"
"Saea, say something," the human, a paladin by the looks of it, whispered to her, nudging her with his elbow.
"Oh...um..h-hello," Saea waved awkwardly, she could feel the overpowering presence of this woman.
Daniel, however, sighed with his head in his hand. "You have to excuse my friend, she's a little starstruck."
"I see," Kuldana chuckled. "Well, I can assure you I don't bite, so have a seat."
The paladin took the invitation without question; Saea had to be coaxed into her seat. While they awaited their collective meals and drinks, the newly mantled ambassador told them of her business in Auberdine. Daniel was quite intrigued with this new arrangement between the Horde and Alliance, having fought with the Shattered Sun Offensive himself. Then it hit him as well.
"You were there, you were the one who slew Kael'thas," he suddenly stood from his chair, leaving it to fall to the floor.
"I was," she looked down, not wanting to remember that particular moment of her life. "Don't look so stunned, I was not alone when it happened."
"That may be true, but you were the one who landed the killing blow," Daniel's voice was rising now, catching some of the ears of those near them. He would have gone on if Saea had not placed her hand on his arm, "What is...oh..."
Kuldana was staring at the counter, trying to stop the shaking. The memories of Kael, looking so decrepit and ill, were warring with her memories of him when he had been a child. He had been so innocent, with great talent and promise, only wanting to help his people to survive. His mind and goals had been corrupted by fel energy, and the Legion.
"I believe you may have hit a nerve," the shaman said, moving to touch her savior's shoulder, only to receive a small static shock.
"Sorry, it's just that...uh...well..." he searched for the words, not really knowing what to say. "Light, I'm an idiot."
"It's alright, Daniel," she looked at him, "I knew Kael before he was corrupted, we were...friends."
Silence reigned for a short time until their food had arrived, as well as a pitcher of ale, which Kuldana immediately grabbed. The two Alliance members watched as she downed half of it, wondering if perhaps it was a mistake to order it. After she was done, she slid it back to them.
"I won't bore you with the details," she finally spoke. "Anyway, Saea, you still have not answered my question of how you have been."
"Oh, um, I have been well," the girl said, after taking a moment to swallow her food.
"Good, that's good," the ambassador was at a loss for words now, the mention of Kael had derailed her thought process slightly. Abruptly she stood, and started for the door, throwing down the money for her meal. "Become strong, young shaman, maybe we'll meet again."
Once she was out the door, Saea sighed, there was still so much she wanted to tell her. She wanted to thank the Blood Elf properly, and she had blown it. Now it was time for Daniel to place his hand on her shoulder.
"Go on, get that thank you out of your system," he gave her a slight shove as he chuckled.
The Draenei looked at him, nodded, and proceeded to follow the older woman out. He watched her go, knowing it was the right thing, because he knew they'd be back. Saea would be back regardless, she still owed for half of their food. Outside, Saea had caught up with Kuldana, who seemed to be pleased with her about something. Whatever it was, the shaman wasn't really concerned.
"I wanted to say thank you," she grasped the woman's hands in her own. "I owe you my life, a debt that I can never repay, please, ask of me whatever you will."
"Very well," she hummed a little, a small smile on her face. "I'd like you to come with me to Darnassus."
***
And so, my first attempt at Warcraft fanfiction begins, review, flame, whichever, I just wanted to get this out there. I got the term Holy Strider from the Warcraft RPG that I dabbled in, for more info check wowwiki.
(1) I'm not sure if the Netherwing drake Onyxien is female or not, but the name sounds to be in the feminine.
(2) Boots of the Neverending Path