Chapter 1:
The mass exodus of the Draenei is near, and the poisoning of the demons into the orc horde has occurred. Through a small gap in the sands of time, a Death Knight has been brought to Draenor. Now to make the harsh choices of meddling with history and changing fate or fight to return home?
As choices come, do we weigh the lives of a few or the lives of the many? It is a question that I hope to answer.
Enduring this light is unbearable… Why must the light burn my body after all this work I've done!? A smoldering worgen clad in heavy chains that hung his arms above his head. No longer was the arrogant and enraged death knight, no he a prisoner of the Exarch's and the Vindicators of the Draenei. The stoic if not angered look that he was used to giving off was no more, a being of extreme prudish aristocracy born in before the walls of Greymane. One could not see the human form behind his primal form that lay completely exposed. His once deep black fur now remained shale grey. As a Worgen maintaining an acceptable mane was paramount to status just as humans managed their fine beards and mustaches in a prim way his fur was no less important. However, ever slowly his once impressive fur had begun to shed as each day his body burned from the inside out, alongside the burning lust for battle and death. The infused power of a Death Knight relished the call of blood and battle and having the primal fury of a worgen and the uncompromising bloodlust of unholy magic's press that need to even greater heights inside his being only made him crave the endless tides of battle more. Having been locked up for nearly two weeks he was slowly succumbing to true madness, while the living dealt with the pangs of hunger and thirst and perhaps isolation this was no longer attributed to those who were once servants of the Lich King. Perhaps the demon fueled orcs could once relate to the feelings that raged around inside of him now but without ever making that pact he could not know.
A slow trickle dribbled down from his wrists that were bound by steel and iron above his head, while escaping the basic knot was one thing breaking through steel after so many days were nigh impossible, the only thing that escaped his chains was his black blood which had slowly pooled at his feet as the manacles that bound his wrists dug deep into his flesh dribbling down his forearm to his elbows where it dripped down to his feet. A faint wheezing as if he were a dog being beaten by his master filled the room as his lungs screamed in agony, unable to draw in short breathes without feeling a spearing pain. One could imagine the pain as if they had a Tauren with both feet planted onto their chest and tried in vain to keep breathing as letting the air out was easy but drawing it back in was agony. The heavy padding of steel boots slowly filled his wilted ears, the once proud wolfish features hung bending down as he just remained on his knees. Were it not for his chains he would have simply collapsed to the floor and begged for death a second time, every death knight internally begged for the true release of death once again, but the magics and their devotion to their cause would not allow for such weak wills in their order.
He could feel their gaze mulling over him with more disdain as he did not break to their liking. His left ear nearly chewed off, a carryover from his days as a renegade feral worgen in northrend. He could not recall the wound and how it came to be. His hair tied into two small braids underneath his chin barely clung together as many hairs were splayed out underneath his chest unable to be maintained properly giving him a near full mane of hair around his head. A haggard scar ran over the top of his right eye, underneath his and down to the side just above his jaw. Numerous scars covered him, as a Veteran of three wars he had his fair share of fighting and mauling. Two more recent ones had already been added from this recent venture. A large cut across his right hip where an orc axe had broken his armor. Another was a cross just above his left thigh where a stone spear had gone through his armor and nearly reaching the bone. Had it not been for his caretakers at the time he would not have walked away. Despite his outward warrior appearance he was not granted proper treatment as a prisoner, of course not… Unwilling to keep looking at his punishers he let their scent fill his nose even without trying, the same ones everyday and they reeked with their purity of the light.
" Admit your corruption beast, or more shall I let the light take more from this pathetic form you cling to!" A heavy hammer fell from his shoulder hitting the ground just feet from the Worgen, the saintly glow of the light wrapped around him. The Vindicator Curate Farthes his scent while potent did not cause him pain as did the other, his prime follower priestess Toula.
Her 'holiness' made his nose feel better if he had been shoved into the latrines of Ironforge after all you can drink ale day. "arwoo-!" His worgen howl came out as he felt the plunge of a holy fire into his mind, Toula already working over him. With no armor, no mental fortitude or willpower to devise some sort of shielding around him his mind and body were just like ripe fruit hanging from the vine waiting for the storm and fury of the vindicator to rip it from limbs and toss it around and batter it until nothing but mush remained.
"The light still reviles you monster! Is Today the day you accept your punishment?" The Priestess's voice mocked.
Oh these two had been his light of lights for so many days, the endless torture and blinding pain a terrible price for the sacrifice he had made for their people. It was no different when the Scarlet Crusade burned and tortured Koltria, except he was only caught for two days…. This was pushing two weeks.
His haggard head shook as it raised up slowly, his pale glowing eyes no longer had their firey blue. . A shallow white filled them as he left eye cracked open, " n…n" was al his lungs could do as his head fell back down. His once long pink tongue hung to the side in his agape mouth which was almost a shale white, water or moisture did not occupy anywhere in his mouth before it was snapped upwards and into his mouth snapping upwards again as if a bolt of lightning had struck him down, but it was not nature but a spell of even greater holy fire burned into his body drawing forth his wordless scream. The Priestess Toula chanted every slowly, her words and prayer a perfect devotion to the light of their world, a truly religious creature chanted a prayer in the words of the Draenei which the death knight could not follow even his mind did have the cloudy haze around him. Only one thought permeated his mind and it was one that he pleaded for but wished that truly his master could not see him in such a pitiful state, a shame to the ebon blade. 'Lord… Mograine… permission to die…' He asked inside his mind hoping just someway his highlord could hear him, the very mentor who was the only one who could pardon a Death Knight from service, a pardon being death unless felled on the field of battle. But no answer came, no echoing voice to fill and comfort his mind, they had long since fallen silent.
"You still cling to that form, I see how much you burn unholy filth. It will not last much longer the demon that you are will soon reveal its true form. Come Toula we shall wait a bit longer." Vindicator Farthes spoke with the same vile contempt as he had when they first met, with the banging of his hammer on the rocky floor singled the end of their short but painful visit, his follower always with a proud smile followed behind her vindicator her blind passion commendable despite how painful it was.
The heavy clang of steel and metal came as the door to his prison shut, collapsing once more his mind pulled away by the alluring call of exhaustion. How he wished he could simply let this be the end, that this would finally end his service but that would never be. He was alive for a purpose, and that purpose still found him every single day. Risking its very life, the veiled purple windows that cast down a shallow beam of life cracked open. A soft rustling of cloth as a rope fell from the top and into his cell. Today would be a good day…
"Merciful light, Kerghan tell me you are still okay!?" Her voice was the small spark that kept him going her scent filling his nose.
"Su…" His throat hoarse he couldn't finish her short name. She came quickly to his side wrapping her arms around his neck, the gentle Draenei woman holding him as if he were still her lost husband, the tingle that filled his mind dulling the ever burning pain inside him so briefly as a soft whine came from his lungs as she pulled his head close to her chest. Kerghan's mind flooded with old memories buried down in the recess of his mind, as a young upstart lad running into the arms of his mother, while no longer could he see the face of the woman who gave him life, the closeness and the feeling of her simple limbs wrapped around him tightly in such a caring embrace was one that he felt from his mother could never be forgotten
"Those monsters! They are killing you… I'm so sorry-!" She sobbed as she ran her fingers over the top of his head, each finger a gentle stroke like a paint brush over his skin, compassion drove her to do this and maybe guilt but he could not know for sure.
It was her fault he was like this, not intentionally, she had tried to save him as he had saved her many times but that wasn't possible in the eyes of his persecutors. Her words and pleas had fallen and deaf ears, in such dark times scapegoats came and went and the unholy wretch that was a Death Knight was a fantastic scapegoat. That day they found him half dead… well more dead than he could be.
"Please vindicator we don't have much more time-! We must save him, he was already wounded once and now he's barely able to lift himself up." The quickened running through the mid morning would have seemed suicide were it not for her pleading to the Vindicator's having brought nearly a dozen women and children from the woods without any protection seemed impossible during the Orcish increase in aggression. Several warriors lead by a vindicator and priestess now were all that remained of the final refugee evacuation force in Shadowmoon.
"Sir, these woods are nearing our limit, we can not hope to escape undetected by the Orcs!" Cried out the priestess, having seen the burning fires of far off orc scouting parties. While the light was with them, it still did not stop a swarm of hundreds of blood crazed orcs to overwhelm even the staunchest few defenders of the light
"Please, sister not much father, its just up ahead I swear it!" Cried the frantic female as they finally broke through the thickened shrubs and wood into a rocky clearing. There at the base of the small chasm lay six orcs, there bodies completely severed and in the middle lay her savior! "He's alive!" She cried sprinting down the steep embankment nearly stumbling as she pushed over the orc bodies. The light itself had given her this strength, she knew it and with it she could save him, repay the debt she had earned from him. The monster in black armor lay motionless as she fell to her knees as hit side. "Thank they light, Here Vindicator, Here!" She cried as her search party climbed down slowly, awestruck that she had managed such a fierce pace down the cliff without falling. Pulling her arms around his head she could not feel him stir, driven to the point of exhaustion for nearly four hours she had been carried atop his back with her baby girl in his arms. After so many days without rest and healing wounds her body simply gave out, and without question he had pulled her from the ground and over his shoulders and walked with her weight with his own.
"This is not a good place Vindicator…" Whispered the priestess, the stillness in the air and aura of unnatural decay and cold swirled amongst them. She could feel that the light was not pleased it was swirling in her mind like heavy gusts of wind. Wailing souls were crying out from nowhere as the ground itself looked plagued. "I do not… understand what could have done this?" The large Draenei looking down at the ground a pale green that seemed almost boiled. His sword sliced through it like butter, the ground bubbling like a liquid in some locations like it had been melted by magic. No force in nature could mimic what happened here in such a short time.
The air itself carried a dark mist in it, while naturally tranquil and harmonious this stench permeated all around them. The sapphire colored grass would normally be a vibrate sheen across the land but here it blackened and crumpled like dust underfoot. It was not orc Shamanism or even the crazed ogre magic, truly around here there was something malevolent.
"Sir the bodies… they look infested!?" Recoiled back one of the paladins of he party as the orc's skin seemed to be melting away. The green skin had pustules bursting and popping all over his face and body, with a simple proud of his hammer it fell off in a clump and smelled rancid.
"This place is tainted, we must go!" the priestess backed away in a hissed holding up her staff as if expecting something to come for them. It wasn't right, it was a trap surely it must!
"Please sister! Help me!" Cried out the woman who led the party as she attempted to haul the dark form up in her arms. She seemed to struggle as a mass of heavy black armor let off a shallow gleam in the moonlight. " Do not die on me Kerghan! I will not let you be forsaken!" She cried out as she pulled him up into a sitting position. She begged the light to give her strength, to help save him as he had done for her. While the lights radiance did surround her it seemed unwilling to push its strength to the man who had saved her.
"Light save us, that is not Draenei!" Cried the priestess, it was there she saw a beast not of this world. A monster, a wolf beast and it was at the center of this filthy decay. Accustom to the massive wolf and worgs that the Orcs used to battle never had one like this ever been encountered. Her mind flooded with reasons as to why a beast now walked on both feet, while they were not used by the Draenei certainly the horde would not think twice about manipulating the wildlife into this twisted shape.
Repulsed by the sight himself the noble Vindicator shook away his once embolden rescue notions to save fellow brothers and sisters. His gaze now fixated with narrowed brows upon the new twisted being that sat in a pile of decay. "What is the meaning of this, where is the vindicators who were with you!? What is this… thing?" Shouted the Vindicator to the woman who looked at them in shock, why were they angry? What had she done!?
Her mind panicked as her expression contorted to shock and fear, her mouth fumbling to find words, stammering she let herself speak quickly hoping to diffuse the situation. "He saved us, he's the one who-!" Cut off with a strike of blinding light that enveloped the area
"Silence, kill that monstrosity!" Swinging up his hammer he pointed at the half dead being in her arms.
"At once sir!" Pulling up his sword to his shoulder he marched towards the pair.
Her mind screamed at her own stupidity, how could she have done this? How could she have expected them to believe her tale? In this time of fear and panic she should have known better! "No stop-! He isn't evil he protected us!" She pleaded with the Paladin moving herself in front of him. Holding her right arm extended to the side, "Please brothers and sisters he is not a threat!" Her words were as useful as the gentle breeze of Shadowmoon into the ranks of the determined horde. Her notion was not accepted, clearly the taint was right before them, and she could not sway their minds.
Scoffing at such an insane notion, narrowing her eyes the pale blue burned fiercer and darker as she focused on the source of this corruption. "She is obviously tainted, we must act quickly before it taints us in this place!" Clasping her hands around her staff she began to utter a short call to the light, asking for protection. A shallow glow illuminating the priestess as she chanted her mantra over and over, asking for a deliverance of safety from this place. To not let this plague spread upon her fellow people and bring clarity to her shattered sister's mind.
Tearing herself from him, her mind racing to scramble words together, anything to make them understand! "I've lost my husband…. And now you want to take the only person who's cared for me now!? You are not Orcs! Do not slay him where he lays bring him back he will help defend us I swear it!" She cried, tears running down her face as she blocked the Draenei moving to strike her savior. Despite her great will, she was just a novice priestess and no warrior. Her hands grasping at his wrists but he only grimaced as he looked down upon her tear stained face, so much pain and desperation were in her eyes. It struck deep within the young paladin, no sooner would he harm her than he would his own family.
He could only see that she suffered like they all did, but striking down her would do nothing, slaying a young woman a mother even... No he would not sully his honor and his duty, "Sir…" He said his tone reserved and sympathetic but not wishing to disobey orders or trying to harm her as the woman in vainly struggled to hold him back. Each movement he tried to move around she threw her weight into him, a slim girl at best was holding back his slow advance from his target.
Snorting with distaste for such actions, he stalked forward angrily his mace over his shoulder, no sooner would he use it on one of his own sisters of the light than his fellow paladin but his anger at her actions was too much for him to take. "Suma enough! You are obviously mad with fear!" The vindicator grabbed her by the arm tearing her away from his companion as she sobbed reaching to stop him.
"Please, light no-! Don't kill him-!" She wailed as the Vindicators arm pulled her up and over his shoulder.
"Move back to camp now-!" He shouted over Suma's cries of protest she clawed to free herself, her white glow in her eyes cried out to Kerghan who had slumped over his head dangling out, as if giving the Draenei a perfect clean chop of his head for him.
"NOO-!" She screamed like a banshee as the sword raised up, the soft hallowed glow of the blade radiated in the moonlight, the paladin merely asked forgiveness for the light.
Slaying a creature even an unholy one like this where he could not even defend himself was dishonorable and improper. He asked the blade to be guided and to guide this twisted being to a proper death. His eyes opened his prayer complete gripping the sword tightly he swung down towards the Worgen's head and as he swung Suma tore her eyes from it all, shutting tightly as she gripped the sides of her face as she was unable to see him murdered like this! But there was no chop but a clag of clashing steel.
"You paladin… Why are you… trying to kill me?" Coughed the half conscious Worgen catching the blade with the hilt of his weapon that glowed, a Great-sword which runes emanated a dark purple hue around the entire blade. The unholy energies reviling being murdered by the light.
"Monster-!" the Draenei cried swinging back attempting again to catch his weakened prey again the blow was blocked. Even half dead the Dark warrior would not die in such an inglorious fashion.
"Kerghan- Run! Save yourself, Run-!" Suma pleaded as Kerghan's head tilted upwards looking at the fear driven face of Suma. The tears that stained her face, the pain filled cries rushed into his brain, the urgings to protect and save her once again forced the Death Knight to his feet.
His massive pawed hands grasped the blade with such tightness the leather groaned audibly, the clangs of his black armor drew all eyes and for the briefest of moments an instant of fear darted across all their faces. Raising it to his side, hanging low to his right just off the ground and off to the side of his hip ready to slash.
The paladin next to him stepped back in awe and fear at the death stance now before him, if he moved to swing at the monster he would land a deathblow, but in the same notion he would receive the very same attack in return, both would die. "Vindicator it still moves-"
The enraged Vindicator swung around his finally toned purple cape swishing into the air almost up to his chest with such speed as he had whirled back to the threat that now presented itself. "What impossible?" The priestess and Vindicator watched the Worgen rise to his feet. For looking like a barely breathing corpse he certainly did not appear to be as helpless as once believed.
However, his mind drew back from his standoff with the paladin as they drew over to the Vindicator and the woman that now looked upon him as she hung over his shoulder. "Suma!?" Kerghan called out as his pale glowing eyes saw hers. "Suma-!" He roared the beast inside running over the human, his pain no longer blinding him as rage over took him. "You are trying to steal away Suma!? You will pay!" He howled into the full moonlight as he locked his gaze with the Paladin across from him. "I swore to protect her and I Will-!"
That last fleeting moment of his selfless cause just a memory now as Suma cradled his head, "I can't bear loosing anyone else, my husband was terrible enough but now you!?" She cried as she rested her head atop his own, her gentle tears rolling down his fur "Tulsa now cries at nights without you-!" Her breathes were deep and heavy as she rolled her hands over his face, the burns of light across his flesh evident. The stained black blood of undeath smeared now by her tears ran across her purple fingers. "My baby girl misses her wolf, as do I…" For a full week the two had slept close together, maybe out of comfort or necessity. Her young baby cradled against his fur as she slept between him and her mother. "She even cries out wulf… wulf!" Her hearfelt sobs eating away at the death knights cold exterior. For not one who experienced this kind of emotional outburst it shook at the arrogance and pride that gave him such fortitude and power on the field of battle. All because a grief stricken mother cried for him and his life. An action that pained him even more, she would suffer more for his death.
"Light… what can I do.. please tell me-!" She lifted up his face to hers, hoping to see his grin his sarcastic smile but her wish wasn't granted his slack mouth just hung there. Only the glow of his eyes looking into hers was her only notion he could even acknowledge her.
"Sss." Hissed out as he tried to speak, she looked into his face expectantly, did he know or have a plan!?
"what? What?" Desperate, she wanted to hear him speak. Many times she had snuck into his cell to see him, care for him, and feed him. Probably why he had lasted as long as he had. "Please tell me!" She said, urgently wanting him to say anything, to hear his gruff voice which once was a cold slap now could have been the words of the light in her mind.
"Sssaaayy.." He rasped, heavily breathing to just speak words. His body limp held up only by chains and her delicate fingers.
"Say? Say what? " Did he know what to say to escape? Maybe to convince those blinded vindicators. Surely he knew, just as he knew how to evade and protect themselves from the orcs.
While not blind to know that the beast she held in her very arms was not even truly alive but a monster created for the dark arts with a singular purpose, to fight, to kill, and to die. She had seen it in his eyes when he had fought as no other, the hordes of orc parties that descended upon them like a plague could not hold back this one's rush for battle. Coming back to camp some nights dragging his blade at his side, blood from his enemies and his own flowed freely and when she looked into his face she saw him grin. He reveled in battle even more than the orcs, when healing and cleaning his wounds often they would make small talk or rather she would speak to him trying to know more about him aside from the occasional grunt or huff was about all she could get in retort.
Now more than ever she knew he wished to speak, perhaps the most he had ever tried before since meeting him.
"Ssayy… Away-!" He coughed, that didn't make any sense? "What? No, what do you mean?" Confused, say away? What was that, code? Biting her bottom lip she looked deep into his eyes, hoping there was some hidden meaning, a deeper purpose to his words, but those dim blue orbs just flickered as just a spark. His pale and drained features gave no more clues to his words. There was nothing to gaze to, nothing to look for in his cell and he only looked into her own, his mind gripping hers as he took in a breath sharply the pain in his face evident as it was more than just a wince, it was sheer agony.
"Sssstaayyy…. Away-!" He growled, against her as fresh blood dripped from his mouth. "Leeaavve me-!" before his head hoping to fall but no he wouldn't be abandoned. While he wished to reject her, push her away to spare his twisted soul one more innocent's blood he would not be granted such a notion, her devotion to him was a powerful one.
"No-!" She said with tear filled eyes a sad smile on her face, her bottom lip quivering as she pulled his head up. "The light may not help you, the others may abandon you, but you didn't leave me and Tusa behind, you can't ask me to do that to you… So no, today I will stay by your side until the end…" Reaching up to the small latch to her side she snapped the small open the small lock popping up his chains as they let up the pressure, still locked to his wrists but no longer holding him up like a marionette. "I watched my husband die and I just laid there in fear… I will not watch someone who gave up everything to save me just like he did alone. " She was adamant despite him wanting her to be away from him, he knew she would do this and it would be another soul claimed by his hand even if it wasn't by his choice. "Don't worry I will wait with you until the end… My dear sweet Tulsa is with my sister. She will watch over her… as I will watch over you." She crawled over his broken form pulling her knees together she lifted his head upon her lap. For however brief the moment may be she hoped he would at least find comfort not more suffering.
Kerghan had no more strength to resist, the comfort of her robe and the rubbing of his chest with such tenderness pushed down his will. If death claimed him now he would die smiling, something he never imagined. The will to fight back fell as his eyes slid down with just cold stone and the heat of a woman behind his head he let the darkness all around him claim his consciousness. Even now her gentle scent filled his nose, the pressure of his limbs just seemed to float down as if his head was the only thing that remained of his being.
There was no more fight in his veins, that moment had long since past. Such a gentle woman, a shame that she would suffer a fate like his own… the vindicator had already threatened her more than enough times already. Letting just the peace of the moment as her hands ran over his face and neck trying to soothe the pain of his body that remained in anguish.
The tranquility could have been several minutes or several hours but all notions of just another second of calm ended as a heavy hand pushed open the door to his cell. It swung open the stone door shook as it bounced off the wall. While normally pushed open this time it had been thrust open, someone with great strength had come to settle a problem that his subordinates could not readily decide upon. "You shall see for yourself Exarch, he is the monster we claimed." His judgment day had come at last, as Farthes voice permeated the room just outside the cell but quickly stopped as the powerful Draenei leader looked upon a sight that gave him pause the and to rethink the once harsh words spoken about their prisoner.
"Perhaps… but maybe it is not only your eyes that see what he truly is…" His voice trailing off as he met Suma's gaze, she looked upon him. A wise senior in the eyes of all, one of the council, a man who worked alongside the great prophet Velen, next to the prophets own words he was second to only him and his fellow Exarch's. His face a gentle blue that matched a soft light blue in his eyes, Rounded armor that glittered with the teachings and words of the light danced around his head and shoulders. A white and gold Breastplate covered his torso while not overly extravagant like a pompous aristocrat it was regal and functional. It declared rank and station while doing its job of protecting his body. At his sides hung two hand scythes, matching his body armor, they were elegant but not overriding their function or purpose to dispatch his foes in the name of the light. Now in all his glory and wisdom the Exarch had come with whispers in one ear which drove an expected outcome of punishment for an unholy beast now seemed contradicted. Right before his own eyes, stood a priestess of the light cradling a unnatural beast that once slept with pure tranquility basking in the young girls presence and the light. He wondered with a smile, to which story had there been falsehoods lain?
"Exarch?" Came a female voice questioning what he meant by that until both of the Exarch's company came to sudden halt in the room. Her proud expression quickly twisted and grimaced as if looking upon a twisted corpse of foe. Revulsion, and maybe a hint of hatred, but that view was hidden as the Exarch was in front of her but her contempt for the foolish novice that did not understand her orders, how dare she disobey the vindicator for a third time!?
A heavy groan as the Vindicator ran a gloved hand over his mouth, while never once would he wish ill against his kin. This child of the light did not know that the matter had been settled. Now he had to remove this annoyance and let judgement be met. "Again, I find you aiding this abomination-! Sister take her away, his corruption might be to far gone for her!"
"Right away Vindica-"Her voice cut off as the Exarch's hand extended blocking her path.
The intention obvious and it made even the stoic Draenei paladin a second to realize that his order had been stopped by his superior. "Suma… is it not?" The tone not one of disdain as his brother but the one of a concerned parent looking over a child in their care. Any sister or brother of the holy light was a kin to him, they worked with devotion and self-sacrifice for the benefit of others.
Staring up her sad eyes spoke so much that she could even see the conflict that she now created in his mind by her very gaze. Swallowing and breathing she responded, "Yes Exarch… that is my name." softness was her tone, if she were to sway anyone this had to be her only hope. Suma's eyes looking back and forth from his and down to the silent mass in her lap. Her fingers tightening in the thick furred mane that she now cradled in her lap.
Why dear sister, it was a question that he asked himself as if placing himself exactly where she was. His mind flashing back to the words of his fellow paladin and priestess. His eyes softened and his once unemotional face now shifted into a sad smile. Could she be sick? Or is it something else? He had to know, "Sister, why are you here? Are you not without a child that needs your care?" He stepped forward before the two taking a knee in front of her. Having now recalled everything about the woman's tale from the two as she raced through the camp screaming for her fellow brothers and sisters. A child barely over a year clung in her arms as she went from tent to tent pleading for an answer. Such desperation, but he… no not yet. "Surely your daughter would need her mother's company." Diverting her thoughts from being overburdened by his presence and the situation around them he thought it best to see fi her mind still was focused on her child and the possible consequences of her actions.
She looked from his gaze as her eyes could only swell with fresh tears, "My sweet girl… I know she misses my arms." How much she wished she could hold her in her arms one final time before her end, but she wouldn't let the man who had saved her life die all alone in agony. Tears now slowly ran down her face as she turned back to look into the Exarch's eyes. "But, how can I let the one who saved both of us die? My sweet husband laid his life down for us and now this complete stranger did the same. He didn't even know our names but still stood against the orcs and protected everyone in the group… He didn't abandon us, so I refuse to abandon him… whatever fate you have for him I accept as well." She let her head fall as she gently ran her fingers over her Worgens nose.
To the surprise of all, perhaps a little even himself, "tell me about it sister." Three voices gasped but his harsh glare back at his subordinates shut down any notions of arguing against it. He sat down on crossing his legs in front of her, his hands moving together to hold up his chin, his bearded tentacle parting to not be a nuisance.
Pulling a hand from the Death Knights hand she covered her chest and closed her eyes, begging the light to let her tell truthfully and to let the vindicator hear her words and see what she had. Her tale was painful, where she witnessed the innocent, the elderly and the young butchered by an ambush of orc warriors. For two days they moved, without rest or food. No matter their determination they could not escape an orc war party ready to partake in a kill. Mothers, daughters, and sons were not able to match pace with the few warriors with them. Their pace was pitiful, many of the women were driven to painful exhaustion but the men refused to let them rest, pulling one over their shoulder and then soon another. They refused to abandon any, forsaking their people would not happen and it would cost them their lives. The group had been expertly corralled into a shallow canyon, the horde had been slowly pushing them into a place where escape would not be possible with limited time.
As she reached this point in her story she could only take deeper and deeper breathes, the horrible tragedy that unfolded next would never leave her eyes. The Exarch sat fixated with a deep intensity listening to this story, accepting her words as they were, hoping to here that this was the point where it all came together. The afternoon sun had fallen into the canyon, the dark rocks now an ominous sign as quickly the party realized their folly only too late. The horde warriors came at them, over a dozen strong against three exhausted warriors of the light. Their burdens and extra weight having pushed them to their absolute physical limit and now they had to fight against numerical superior enemy completely drained. The Exarch closed his eyes picturing this sight all too well in his mind, men willing to fight and die to protect their loved ones. Valiant and devoted but he knew that they would die, perhaps they all knew it, but they would try and fight with the slimmest of hopes to survive.
The war cries came from nowhere as one brother was slain at the very back, a massive stone axe tore through his armor and his haggard cry of pain ripped through the already horrified women and children their screams only fueling the bloodlust of the orcs. She began to sob as her husband tore himself from her, his eyes weary as he had carried her and their child in his arms. Tears rolled down his face as he knew he ran towards his own death but inside he only prayed for strength and begged to save his family. The remaining paladin joined him, both standing tall together as several orcs rushed over them, blood of their fallen comrade now splattered all over the orcs faces as they cried out. The massive brutes size and strength an even match one on one but this was no duel it was a fight for pure survival.
The Exarch prayed for each of the fallen brothers of the light, their sacrifice great but did not stop the orcs. Two of the horde had fallen as Suma's husband called out for her to flee before being impaled by a spear his anguished cries of pain tearing a hole into the Exarch's heart. His mind flashing with images of a dozen women watching in horror as their only protection lay dead, their fate was one to be one of the same but how much worse he… he never wished to know. It was then Suma screamed to the light, "Save us, please anyone!" then it happened… Like a black shadow moving across the ground he had come from nowhere in front of them, a new wall of protection, and his back to them. They didn't see his face or expression just the unnerving roar that made the orcs stop as they were taken back by his savage war cry.
As Suma gathered her breath and her thoughts ready to continue she saw the Exarch shake his head. "I see sister, I know these are troubling times and I mourn for the loss you have already incurred but would you trust him to still stand by your side even in the worst of times?" He reached out his hand and touched her shoulder. "Would you trust him the same as your husband, a being that does not accept the light?" The two looked down upon the form, the Exarch did not see quite what she saw but he could now understand more.
Suma moved her hand from her chest to the Exarch's hand, gently she gripped it as she looked down at the mass in her lap, and his soft breathing came went, if this was a monster in their eyes she wished that they see one that was one in hers. "It's not that he does not accept the light… he can't, doing so brings him great pain. I've healed his wounds in battle but it only draws him pain. Even so, if the light does not accept him, I would. Anyone that bears the burden of carrying a mother and daughter on their back without hesitation through the orcs can't be evil as everyone believes." She looked into the Exarch's eyes both gazes unflinching, watching the exarch smile.
"Very well, if the light will heal but not kill him then it shall be the simplest test." Standing back to his right, he removed his glove from his left hand pulling open his book of prayers in his right.
"No sir! We have warn-" His hand snapped to the side again silencing their voices.
"While I know your concerns priestess I can not deny the whims of those who would lay down their lives for another, if they seek his salvation what paladin in the lights name would I be if I did not give heed to their words? A mother's tears are a compelling sight, and I have seen the pain of loss of many wives already in this war, to act as if it is not a true feeling would be a lie in my own soul. Now hold him steady dear Suma…" His hands glowed with the light, despite the recourse he himself could feel inside himself he asked the light to let this being rise once more and the light did answer. The room flashed a brilliant white as the light shined down from the skies into the Worgen's body, the searing pain tore through him as an undead being it felt as if he was being thrown into a forge. His voice still gone as he uttered a soundless scream, as his claws dug into the ground, Suma holding his head tightly feeling the pain through him, connected through the light she could feel that burn though nowhere near as potent inside him.
A few agonizing moments later the glow faded and with only a feeling of a smoldering pain, Kerghan could feel himself breath deeper without wincing. Relief came slow as his claws pulled out from the floor leaving cracks in the heavy stone, "Suma I hope your faith in him is as strong as you believe, for we will not have much time to prepare to leave once again." The Exaarch bowed his head to which Suma did the same but her smile evident as she looked down into her Savior's face. "My Vindicator see to it you let him be for now, if he can be an ally against the barbaric horde then let us see to it that he remains that way." While normally one would not question an Exarch this was overbearing the Vindicator he believed that he could hope to dissuade such blasphemous notions!
"But Exarch you can-" A stern glance from his leader set the Vindicator's head down. "I understand sir. I shall return his equipment to Suma's hut. I shall assume she will care for him until he can walk." His harsh gaze at her met an equal one in return. Unknowingly she pulled herself tighter to him, an unpleased scowl formed over the Vindicator's face as he turned to leave. The other Priestess by the door watching the two seated on the floor, the Exarch and Vindicator already leaving but with a narrowed glance at them and a tight grip of her staff she tore herself away from the disgusting sight before her.
"She dares love a monster" The words under her breath were heard by Kerghan's heavy ears despite bleeding the snide comment actually made him wonder as she gazed into Suma's refreshing face.
"I will…" Her eyes boring into the back of his head, "And! He shall watch over us once again!" Her lips curled into an impressive sneer, never had she been so angry with one of her own people. Maybe her husband a few times but not anyone with such authority before. Her fixation broken by peculiar feeling one she had not feel in so long, a clawed finger touching her cheek ever gently, her terse gaze falling as she grabbed his large finger in her hand and looked down into his face with a smile. "Tusa will be so happy to see you!" She said, her eyes wishing to cry but had exhausted far too many tears today to shed anymore, but even so they would be out of joy.
The Death Knight smiled as his eyes closed for a moment happy for such a respite from the agony of imprisonment, "I'm certain it is you who will be happier." He whispered softly as the Draenei's cheeks flushed slightly a mild embarrassment but no one could see her face now.
Time later, the door to the cell opened as Suma doing her best to support the heavy Worgen, weighing well over her own weight by nearly two times was a heavy task for a simple initiate priestess as she carried his arm over her shoulder. His heavy paws dragging slowly across the ground as she took him to her small shelter that she shared with her sister and small daughter. Each clack audible as his clawed toes clenched and unclenched with focus as having not used them in weeks now required focused intent than something the Worgen did without thinking.
Most in the encampment stopped to give a quick glance at the sight, while nearly a dozen women had been apart of their party of refugees that had been guarded by the Death Knight none seemed too eager to thank him for his selfless act. The Death Knight had expected, nay knew this reaction. Many of the regular citizens in Azeroth treated his kind with mild disdain still like a town mutt or miscreant not even worth a cursory glance or bow of the head. No they were still the Scourge to many of them and even now the Draenei were no different. Most turned back away quickly to their tasks. While many children gasped and pointed, none of parents seemed to acknowledge him, already polluted by his captors they probably saw him no better than the rampaging orcs, Like old times… mused the Worgen slightly slipping as his foot buckled over a loose stone nearly tumbling to the ground but Suma managed to hold him up as he planted his other foot in front just fast enough to avoid falling over.
Despite the cold reunion none opposed the Exarch's orders, giving the two space as they reached the shale purple tent inside two sleeping Draenei lay there. Suma made no noise but smiled as Tulsa had fallen asleep in her sister's arms. Though heavy she felt him lower himself to the soft padded floor. The heavy beast's presence caused a shift as Suma's sisters eyes opened up, glancing up at her sister. Her sister a more beauty of her people, had this been a different time or place she would have many suitors. Her light blue skin flushed into a fully curved woman, a heavy chest and well-rounded horns curled back over her face elegantly splitting the dark raven black hair that she had, an odd color but it pronounced her physically like no one else in her family. While she kept their mothers white eyes, her sister had a deep violet purple. Seductive almost with their hue, matching a thin but well curved face she was a rare beauty and while she could have worked well in the priesthood she was drawn to nature. A child of thought and science, such an enigmatic Draenei but not thought any different and in different times there would be so much other questions and problems. But no… not now, there were more pressing matters.
She only nodded before reaching down to her sister, who unwrapped her arms around her chest, holding her daughter. Her sister had expected to become a mother of her sister's child, while it might strain her she would never have rejected her sister. She loved her as any family would, now watching as she let her child go from her chest she felt a small pang of loneliness, her mind twitched at that passing thought. Maybe she had built herself up expecting to be this child's new mother but now that her sister was back all those problems seemed to vanish. Suma's sweet little girl not stirring a bit as she shifted from arm to arm, a bright smile on her Mother's face as she held her little girl. Fearing that this moment might not have come to pass had the Exarch not agreed to letting them live. Smiling Suma gently nuzzled her daughter with her forehead.
Moving to sit, she lay next to her Death Knight who had already relinquished himself to sleep. His body temperature while colder than most other beings was covered in a healthy lair of fur that retained a mild temperature, not to hot and not freezing. While sleep was never needed for a Death Knight, or even allowed while serving the Lich King's armies, a punishment of death for sleeping, in times of recovery it was not uncommon to submit to the shadows and heal despite the nightmares. Though for once in a long time Suma could rest easy, how long that would last she didn't know. Laying her head atop Kerghan's soft furry chest she let her mind drift into sleep as her daughters own face smiled as she felt the furry beast next to her. What spell her Worgen had on her child was an amazing one, perhaps she knew no better or thought him one of her stuffed dolls with fur, she always smiled and cooed whenever touching the Death Knight. For now the child continued to sleep feeling both her mother and 'wulf' back together again was reassuring to the child.
Waking only a short time later perhaps several hours as Suma felt the soft cries of her daughter against her chest. The gentle whimpering of her daughter not piercing to ones airs, more akin to a soft weeping as the tiny hands fisted in her mother's blouse. "I know little one." Yawned Suma as her mouth opened loudly, her yawn ever pronounced as she had wished for more sleep but her duties were not forgotten as she pulled her daughter up to her face. Looking beyond she could see the darkening red sky, an omen of things to come… but that could be a worry then as she looked back to her daughter setting her down and set about changing her.
"Suma?" Came another yawn as Suma turned her head to her sister who just peaked over the slumbering Worgen. While not willing to admit it herself she had found her head draped across the Worgens shoulder using him as a pillow. While the occasional itch did rouse her from his fur he was better than a thing blanket over stone.
"Yes Tuma?" Suma's voice still a yawn as still exhausted.
"Is this right?" Though not specific the gaze of her sister was not, her question poised not about their situation but to the man in their midst.
"Why do you not trust him?" Sighed Suma as she wrapped up her baby girl in fresh dressings and pulled her close, rocking the baby girl across her arms. She couldn't believe her sister was still blind to the truth, perhaps she hadn't been carried on his back and had talked to the beast next to her but all the same she had seen his strength and the actions he had performed selflessly enough for them.
Tuma though was a child of thought and calculation, probably why she made such an incredible alchemist. "Everything about him… it feels unnatural. His form, his behavior, the power he wields, and… his aversion to the light." Tuma had heard her fair share from the Vindicator and other Priestesses though she knew her sister to be a devout follower of the light how was she so open to trusting a being that did no such thing. Though just because one did not accept the light did not mean the light did not accept them. She had heard stories about Velen trying to show the Orcs the truth about the light and the Naruu but that had failed miserably and had only caused a greater divide between the two people.
"Simply because the Light does not embrace him does not mean the light will not heal him. In more time sister we can ask him and learn more about it. For now trust me, I trust him with my life and my daughters. He will not see us come to harm." Shifting her shirt around she dropped the top of her blouse deciding now would be a good time to let her daughter nurse. Her intuition proving correct as her daughter took to her mother quickly. Looking down at her child, she would not second guess herself now. She knew in her heart that she was right and she believe in him though no one else would.
Purple eyes roamed up and down the length of the Worgen, her sister pictured too many things right and wrong before turning to look back at her sister. "There are just so many unknowns, sister how can you be so sure?" Her sister the ever cautious one, ever the calculator was weighing the risks of Kerghan in her mind several hundred ways.
"I believe in him, give it time and if you don't trust him just trust me." Her sister shook her head, though a question of trust that bets your life was too much for her to accept. Had she been asked to accept just her sister she wouldn't have batted another thought to it and accepted but even her sister could not be sure of this creature, this warrior from a far. "You have no control, no certainty of his motives!" Her sister shook her head.
"After everything that's happened to us, mother and father murdered.. Your husband slain… our homes and villages destroyed, why do we now trust some random stranger that does not belong!" Her sister's piercing stare made Suma shift uncomfortably.
"I don't know the answer… the light did not answer my calls to save my husband." She looked down at her daughter, her fingers stroking her cheek with her nails gently. " As the orcs stalked down upon us, I cried out for anyone… Anything to save my baby…" Turning her head back to her sister slowly lifting her gaze. " I cried in my mind for any savior and then he came… My calls were answered and now…" She swallowed a lump in her throat. "People ask me to discard it? He saved us… he saved me and Tulsa's life and even if people hate me for it I will not let my prayer be left behind." Twice now she had spoken her heart to someone about Kerghan, moving to lay back her head laying against Kerghan's chest a slow rise and fall of it calming as she drew her free right arm and ran her fingers through his fur while her daughter still quietly nursed.
She watched a conflict of thoughts twist and turn in Tuma's mind " Maybe…" She breathed turning back around she laid on her side. "I'll see if I can make something to help numb his pain."
"Thank you." Suma said relieved, even if his sister wasn't completely convinced. Letting her eyes lull back to sleep despite her daughter still feeding she didn't have much more strength to keep herself awake and again managed to fall asleep. The slow drum of his heartbeat a welcome sound in her dreams. Though unwilling to admit it her sister had curled up beside the Worgen her back against his fur as her head rested just along his shoulder as before. Telling herself a better and more peaceful sleep would be more important than anything else.
As both Draenei women fell in a comfortable slumber the Death Knight roused for the moment, he did not move unwilling to wake two women whom needed their rest. The male inside smirked at himself, flanked on both sides with two alien beauties sleeping in his arms. Oh the jokes he would poke at his argent comrades should he return home one day, many a time their zealous paladin brothers nearly forbid the Death Knights for finding relationships. While in combat they stood as equal brothers in arms while at periods of rest in the local taverns and homes of the peasantry they were overbearing in preventing the Death Knights from being romantic…. Well the few who tried, many recused themselves to their rooms. He was not one who did that, he had tried many times to sway the local tavern girls and farmers daughters to him… it brought such a grin to his face. Before succumbing to both of the curses that now befell him he knew he was quite the womanizer, he could feel it deep inside. Whenever he went and not blood soaked in combat or following his orders he found himself drawn to the locals of the populace. Whatever the reasons the Death Knight now let his arms curl up drawing the women to him. He felt Suma's sister… Tuma was her name, how he could forget that? Truly sisters, it was rather annoying that he forgot the one letter change, but he felt her roll on her side in her sleep her head rolling to his chest, just a foot from her sisters as both looked at peace. Suma's body shivered slightly as she pressed herself closer to the Death Knight but her child still at her chest rested just comfortably enough as Tusa's hand dangled between the two. The pressure and warmth of both adults kept the child in a peaceful slumber. Ever gently his claws stroked their backs making small circles and soothing pressures against them. Until he felt their breath escape or sigh did he know they were both truly comfortable… With that thought of peace alone he let himself return to the darkness, the shadowed riders awaiting his crazed mind but now the torment he knew awaited him would be lessened.
A heavy low horn filled the morning air, the air of panic and worry now began its run through the camp. An early precursor to the battle sure to befall the Draenei "Brothers! Sisters up and awake the horde marches towards Karabor!" The cry of the vindicator roared as he thundered through the camp on the back of his Talbuk, the large beast resembled a horse from its lower body but held the head of a goat with large rounded back horns that reached several feet higher than its head. His actions rousing the sleeping masses into a morning panic. The camp quickly entered a state of tearing down, grabbing everything that could be pulled down in a hurry and placed upon ones back. The Elk and Talbulk mules being weighed down with all kinds, Suma had left Kerghan on the floor still unconscious yet to move since she had laid him down the following evening, or so she knew. Wrapping herself up in her robes she drew a sash from her shoulder to her hip a makeshift sling to hold her baby. Tuma had stashed up her alchemical supplies though few she in number she still carried quite the potent array, she in her deep blue robes and brown gloves on her hands while Suma wore her traditional bright white and grey priestess uniform covering all save her feet and face.
One nervous Darenei walked up the tents ushering orders, a younger lad perhaps a year or two in the order of the light he was just an aspirant in the order but in times of war had obviously been given greater responsibility. "Move the group out! We do not have time to waste, straight to Karabor!" Cried out of the paladin as a head of a large convoy of Draenei had been quickly assembled and began its march out of the makeshift camp. Suma turned to her motionless death knight who she struggled to right to a sitting position. "Why must you weigh so much?" She strained unable pull such a large creature up without some of the Worgen's own strength, her sister only watched her struggle not jumping up to help her struggle. Her meticulous mind pondering things but Suma was too desperate to get Kerghan moving that she hadn't quickly looked to her sister and berate her for not helping.
"Sisters!" Yelled a voice as the paladin approached them, the greeting one normal to those to Draenei who did not know another's name. " Load up, especially the mother we do not have time-" He stopped his words as she looked at the wolfish monster sitting slumped over his eyes still closed. A look of disgust shared by many in the order who lived in the camp appeared over his face, for having never seen him until now he already knew what he should feel by word of his superiors regardless of what the Exarch had said.
Turning to her brother in the light she gave him a pleading look. "Help me stand him up! I can get him moving but I can't get him upright." Suma said still valiantly pulling at his arm over her neck.
Under orders or unwilling Suma watched him approach his face solid and unmoving as he put an arm between them."No, we do not have time to carry those unable to walk, Vindicators orders. We march now!" The Draenei pushed Suma away from Kerghan who fell to his side slowly. "Now move priestess or I shall move you by force!" His order and tone harsh but Suma did not attempt to budge.
Defiance in the face of this paladin, she covered the head of her child in her arms as if expecting some harsher reaction would befall them. "I will not abandon him, if he was a Draenei you would not leave him behind!" Suma was a stubborn one yes, much akin to her sister and mother.
Scoffing at such a notion the Paladin reached to grab her arm. "He is not Draenei, he cannot walk-" His actions stopped as he nearly encircled Suma's wrist.
"No I can't…. I will call my steed…" Breathed the Worgen as his right eye tugged open. " Suma knelt down to him again stroking his head.
"You're awake!?" Having been nothing but a heavy mass until finally being roused from his sleep. "Damn orcs… always ruining my morning…" He recall in his ventures in Icecrown the orcs were notoriously difficult about being quiet while others rested, several brawls having erupted between alliance and horde garrisons as the separate clashes in civilizations broke down. While the Ebon blade were under harsh guise of the Highlord the Argent Crusade and their 'allies' were not as fortunate to be driven as such. Kerghan groaned as he rolled to his stomach, pushing himself up to his knee he drew up two fingers to his lips he pierced the morning air as a sharp whistle. Normally an insignificant task he felt himself go lightheaded for a moment as a beastly cry came next.
A few cries of shock as an undead armored steed flew past the convoy now departing. Coming to a stop with a unnerving cry its eyes looking upon its master. The two bound by shadows many years ago, "Good girl…" Kerghan said with a grin as he pushed himself to his knee, Suma reached to help him up but he held her back with his palm. Intent on doing this himself, his blue glowing eyes slowly burned brighter as the cold flame ran through his veins. The power held back by the light searing his soul returned once again, reaching both feet although wobbly he felt no worse for wear than the day the Lich King turned him into the undead beast that he was today. "Where is my runeblade?" He asked turning to the Draenei Paladin, he doubted the women could be expected to carry around his heavy two hander let alone be in charge of its keeping.
The Paladin gave him a cold stare but his mouth turned into a sour snarl but pointed to the side of their small tent, Laying wrapped in rags was his gear, "I will be watching you…" He said backing away slowly eyes carefully watching the Death Knight but received a short chuckle as he wasn't impressed by the poor threat.
Leering back with narrowed eyes and a sharp grin, "You can try, but your holiness might not be able to stand what it sees." Kerghan reached down, his large palm grasping the heavy hilt of his runeblade. His furred fingers slowly curled around the taught leather, the haggard scraps of leather and cold steel bound in rune magic. Feeling its master's return the blade's runes glowed not appearing before as much more than shallow carvings in steel now glowed, energized energies flowing through one another. A Runeblade to a death knight was a living entity in its own rite, an extension of his will and strength. "Ahh" A feeling of power once again ran through him as he smiled crudely down at his blade which began to pulse and emit a haunting blue glow. "So much time has passed, do not worry you shall drink…" His mouth turned into a twisted smile as he looked almost bewitched by the blade, it glowed pulsed and responded to his words with almost expectation.
Suma and the others stood mute, even the Paladin could feel the cold chill in the air as the weapon and its master were reunited, a harsh horn bellowed echoing a cry to battle. Terror and panic filling the air, the orcs had come again.
"Move to the Caravan now, forget anything non essential!" ordered the Paladin the echoing cry shattering his fixation on the beast before him. Suma and her sister could only hurry along, Suma had turned only over her shoulder as black dreadnaught armor clanged together. Her eyes watching as his helm was raised in one hand and placed slowly over his wolfish head, a bright flash filled the blue vision holes inside the eerie glow of their first time when she had looked upon his dark armor, but she couldn't dwell as she clutched her daughter against her chest in a quickened pace with the caravan. The mob filled cries of war coming from behind them, the beating the orc war drums coming closer and closer.
Kerghan felt rejuvenated, while not the unstoppable force of death currently he would be at least a match for these blood crazed savages. Grabbing the top of his saddle he pulled himself atop his deathcharger. Kerghan reached down to pat the side of his steeds neck the unnerving clack of rusted steel, bone and rotten flesh a welcome sound for his ears alone. The dark rusted armor infused with necromancy while appearing weak and malleable they were stronger than normal metals. "Missed me? I can tell." He chuckled, his tongue dropping out from underneath his helm and lathed underneath his jawline, while it appeared pink it was still partly pale in some spots. As one once more his horse reared up on its hind legs and let out its ghastly cry at the same moment Kerghan's jaw opened up and howled into the morning sun his low hung row of sharp canine teeth a grisly picture of the beast now free once more. A blood red sky blanketed everything, how well would this day go? He could only wait with anticipation the chance savor the taste of blood upon his blade once more. A fresh battle, new souls to feast upon, and agony to drink upon, it was a rush of ecstasy that filled his mind. Inside he felt the sadistic twisting of the Lich King's magic doing its wonders, battle starved he wished only to leap into combat and fight until death.
Snapping the reigns of his horse the pair headed off, the rows of people crying out in a mute fear as he rushed headlong towards the rear. The dust chalked up in clunks as both undead beasts ran towards the sounds and cries of orcs and draenei. Kerghan quickly spotted the Paladin vanguard which were determined to protect the rear of the refugee caravans to Karabor. The demon fueled mob were descending upon the forty or so Paladins, holding a shallow pass that traveled up the mountains where the Caravan was heading negated the orcs numerical advantage but stopping hundreds of orcs infused with demon blood and fel magic were not to be taken lightly. Kerghan stopped atop the hill overlooking the shallow chasm into the earth. The Orcs would have to completely round the passage to the right which would consume far too much time to find a place to scale up the cliffs and reach the convoy in time. Heading to the left and the river might allow them the time to reach the convoy but swimming up river to reach a location to scale would drain the orcs too much to be a major threat. Looking back towards the middle he knew their only real option of stopping the refugees would be to overwhelm the Vanguard quickly. Cracking his neck he watched the Horde form their semi circle in front of the pass, hundreds of shadowmoon orcs all whipped into a frenzy bloodlust fueled by those around them pushing the barbaric mob into attacking with the intent of only drawing blood not fighting in a formation. The first and most blood crazed ran wildly towards the paladin wall to meet their ends quickly as one blocked his assault to be cut down by another, the Paladins if they could remain tight and protected by each other could hold this mob back, how long was another question. Kerghan pulled his mount around and headed down the pass, while rounding down the slope he felt a very unpleasant presence to his side.
Turning his head to the left he saw one of his persecutors, the priestess Toula healing the wounds of several badly mauled Draenei. Clearly they had called the warning but could not hold the orcish mob back and suffered until the current paladins had pushed them away. Stopping just next to the small group her back tensed, she could feel him just as he could feel her. Her own body cloaked in the light as he was engulfed in shadow, her head slowly turned back around and met his fierce gaze, her eyes narrowed and burning into his. She saw him only what his form would allow, a monster. Snickering he turned away from her trotted down the road to the chaos that began to sing in his ears. So much death, the fueling desire to bring death and destruction back into his hands was only building as his blade and mind now began to devour his own needs, pains, and desires to feel steel and flesh meet again.
Raising his arm up and over his black armor clad shoulder he grasped the hilt of his greatsword, the weapon crying out like a banshee in his mind. Fueling a cruel grin across his wolfish face, he dropped just behind the lines of the Draenei there focus completely on the orc mob in front of him. A slow and heavy grinding of steel as his blade dragged over his shoulder spaulders sparking and sheering a terrible cry of harsh noise like nails across a chalkboard. It caused many orcs to back away and cover their ears until the clack of steel rose and his blade swung into the air, the dark runes pulsing across the top as a pale blue chill surrounded its edges, several paladins turned back behind them and took a step back from the death knight as he walked slowly forward his blade now dropped and pointing towards the orcs.
Kerghan passed his greatsword between two of the paladins heads at the front ranks the broke to the side, like a scythe clearing through the chaff of wheat he walked straight through them all. His friendly Vindicator Farthes jailor being now beside him grimaced at the site before him, "you are not supposed to be here monster! Go back with the others we shall handle this problem as the Light wills!"
Steadfast, blind, oblivious… he would do well in the silver hand Kerghan mused. He only laughed heartily, his hand clenched tight around the hilt of his blade as he held the massive blade as if it were a mere dagger, "The light…" His voice dropping into the deep echo that all death knights were able to do when feeling the rush of battle laid before them. "Does not command me! I am here to see Blood-!" He roared his wolfish jaw hanging down beneath his helmet as he roared into the air. Bloodlust now drove Kerghan forward, his body needed this, his mind craved it, and his blade demanded it!
The orcs quickly back peddled at the arrival and fierce shift in the battle as what they faced was neither Draenei, sabermane, arrakoa, or Ogre. It was a wolf that walked upright, a heavy black warrior that cried out for battle. Rushing forwards his blade now held in both hands as he pulled back nearly turning his back a 270 degrees around he slammed on his forward paw just as the orcs reached the range of his blade and he swung it horizontally. An eruption of blood spurted upwards as three orcs now crumpled with the tops of their torso's severed from their bodies in one mighty blow. The Orcs enraged as the momentary confusion wearing off as their blood was now being spilt roared to life, Kerghan howled as he slammed his palm forward blasting forth a freezing torrent of ice and wind dropping more orcs to the ground. His frozen magics shattering the orcs into ice, the runes of his blade pulsed in and out expending his energy like a focusing crystal or staff of a spell caster. A blow landed against Kerghan's side a large stone axe smashed into his ribs cracking several but Kerghan's left hand grabbed the orcs forearm as he swung his greatsword down atop the orcs head splitting it open like a piece of fruit with a knife.
Another blow now struck his back knocking him forward headlong into the orcish mob where blows now rained down upon his armor. Kerghan too infused by bloodlust to feel the pain roared with higher unholy magics his mind channeling the plague and decay, slamming his hand down into the ground desecrating everything, the vines of the earth gave way melting beneath the orcs feet causing many to lose their balance and fall as the very ground turned to mush. "Your lives are mine-!" He cackled, completely mad now with battle his eyes had turned red burning with the same dark fire the orcs had in their own. The orcs unable to keep their footing did not stop his spell as he thrust his blade into the ground, the weapon's runes sparked wildly and faded as their power was used, the orcs trapped in the ground felt their souls tear and rip from their bodies, the flesh melting away like the ground beneath them. Ghastly screams came as bone became water, their eyes falling becoming mush, all around the orcs they watched black vines erupt from the ground sucking their comrades down into the earth to be suffocated. In their midst Kerghan's blade drank in everything, the crackling wisps of the wailing dead flung upwards and around his blade. Kerghan's mind burned with the screams of the dead letting their life energy refill and heal his body. The wounds now bare cuts across his skin the broken bones now bruises as he used the very life force of the orcs to heal himself. The orcish band now shattered with almost a third of the group now dead and despite their bloodcraze the sight of a mystery warrior tearing them apart with dark magic gave pause.
Their pause giving the few Draenei who beheld the spectacle now realized their opportunity, breaking their position the Paladins brought forth their holy fury seeing their chance and smashed into the flanks of the orcs. Kerghan's disruption had broken the fight for now, the headlong shove into the orc flanks crushed the assault, with forty determined paladins swinging for the defense of the fellow kin the battle fell quiet with no casualties for the Draenei. Standing atop several corpses Kerghan's canine foot pressed atop a ghastly orcs drained skull. His eyes all but black and jaw hung agape in agony. His Greatsword pulsed a faint light around its edges, the blade consuming the life energies it had been denied. Breathing heavily, Kerghan could feel rejuvenated like nothing else, how could one explain the feeling of souls swirling around you, feeding you their own living energy. He could taste life upon his tongue, his left hand tore at his helmet ripping the now annoyance from his head hitting the ground with an audible thud as Kerghan's red haze lifted. His mind and lungs slowed as he continued to breathe in and out, looking to his hands he could see the orc blood all over his gauntlets and blade.
As the paladins celebrated their victory the Vindicator could only look at Kerghan with disgust, he was a pure abomination but he could not harm him because of the Exarch's orders. For now he would let Suma's pet run free, though her faith in this unholy monster might be their undoing. "Return the caravan, me and several others shall make sure there are no more tailing parties. Karabor shall be reached on the eve, Light be with you!" His commands met with the clanking of metal gauntlets against steel armor in agreement and salute.
"mmmhh" Kerghan seemed almost swaying to music as the others all around him turned to see why he was making such sounds of pleasure, the shock caused some Paladins to vomit and even Farthes had to cover his own mouth as Kerghan ran his tongue all over his hand drinking the blood like a vampire. "Potent… thick… disgusting… demonic…" As if telling those around him what he tasted. "But intoxicating…." He lathed over his blade slowly before finally stopping to spit out the refuse, satisfied. "That demon blood… gives it quite the nasty taste but it's almost like I can feel its strength…" Laughing at himself he had forgotten the entourage all around him but as he looked down at the now deceased war party a thought roused him. A simple but important thought… Intelligence gathering.
Placing his sword tip into the ground he bent down to grasp one dead orc in his left hand he let his right channel the necromantic powers as a green orb of light glowed in his palm. Slamming the orb into the orc's chest caused the body to jump and move as it was reanimated. Dropping it to the ground it spasm and jolted as his energies did their work, Farthes and others who had tried to ignore the Death Knight now turned and scoffed angrily at the desecration before them, the orc's body rose to a slouched position. "Speak…" its words a gargle as blood ran from its mouth, "Your party, how many more are there." Kerghan crossed his arms looking down at the wretched body he now controlled.
"Many" Of course rely on an orc to count… simple language were the orcs. They were a primitive people he could not hope for articulate answers.
"Where are they heading?"
"Draenei city by water, Orc crush-"Kerghan kicked the orc square in the chest knocking him over. The corpse bounced off the ground haphazardly like a proper ghoul pulled himself back to his feet.
"I did not recall asking any further!" A Death Knight is a sole dominating and humiliating master over their constructs always.
"Forgive!" It begged holding up its hands pathetically begging.
"When do they attack Karabor?" The orc raised his head confused at his question, clearing not knowing what Karabor was. Rearing back to slap him with his gauntlet.
"End of week!" the orc cried, nothing a little motivation didn't cure some beings stupidity. Having content himself with at least this basic knowledge Kerghan opened up his palm above the orc and snapped the energy fueling the corpse which crumpled back to the ground.
Silent while this display occurred was his friendly Vindicator, "You are a disgrace to life itself! What monster made you abomination!?" Despite the hatred of the orcs seeing a beings body used and then discarded was blasphemy in the view of the light. One simply does not defile the dead! The long standing custom of both Orcs and Draenei honored their dead and their spirits to have their bodies used and discarded broke any notion of restful peace for the dead.
Kerghan slowly turned his head round on his Vindicator, " Something's are best left alone my friendly- Draenei." Returning his sword to his back he walked past him grinning as he scooped up his discarded helmet. "You're just a monster! A soul feasting beast from the void!" A voice from Priestess Toula hissed, having completed her duties of tending the wounded she had come just in time to witness the horrific site of defilement of the orc.
"The void? Oh no no… I was created by something far worse." Kerghan stopped at the reigns of his deathcharger as it blew cold air from its nose. "However, I am far from your big problem… the orc army marching upon Karabor is. If you plan on toiling away time spent on further interrogating me at the expense of your own people feel free to do so." Kerghan hauled himself up and over the saddle his feet locking into the stirrups and grasping the leather reigns.
Farthes was still furious, being openly mocked and disrespected by Kerghan was breaking his holy composure. "When we defeat the orcs, you will be next regardless of the Exarch's wishes!" His hand tightly holding the hammer of his mace pointed at Kerghan who only buckled over laughing.
It was not as if he had found it funny, but the situation all of it he had heard it repeated over and over it just was so amusing to these paladins and their threats of devout justice. "How dare you laugh-!" He growled through his teeth his fist shaking as Kerghan only laughed harder.
"Ahh that was funny Vindicator… I needed that." He said still chuckling, "But you're right after this war is over you and I will meet again. Though in what condition we will be in will be up your precious 'light'." Kerghan stretched the last word just enough before kicking his heels into his horse letting it begin its march back to the Refugee Caravan. Kerghan's mind finally received its feeling of stated living, have drenched his blade once more with fresh blood and souls upon it he could let the nightmares relent and his madness reside for awhile. The will to fight that was forged upon his soul could relax… for the moment.
However, Kerghan knew the future battles that lay ahead, the bloodshed and carnage that would befall the Draenei though he could not speak of it. He could not undo fate and even if he tried would the future he try and stop be any better? Salvation and victory would come to the Draenei at a cost but how could he be the one to change fate. The cold wind could only blow around his limbs as he pondered his actions here and now, much like Broxigar the Red and Archmage Rhonin fought as mortals in the war of the ancients they could only do what needed to be done. The clack of horse hooves and the creak and groans of his metal armor drowned out the noise around him, gripping the reigns ever tighter in his hands he could only dread the fate of the woman who had done so much to save him. He had never met her in his time, so the only conclusion that he could draw from it would be that she would die whether that would happen in the next battle or after the fall of exodar to Azeroth he couldn't know.
The mass of Draenei moving as one was nothing the group had not done for many years but still was apart of their never ending battle and escape from the legion. Though as the mass exodus of refugees made their way to the temple of Karabor they did not pay any heed to the figure who stood atop a cliff overlooking them. The Death Knight Worgen was merely a new pawn in this realm, one unholy beast would not end the slaughter or prevent the massacre of the Draenei anymore than had the mage Rhonin and Brox stopped the slaughter of the night elves at the hand of the legion. As the pale rippled off his black unholy armor he stood stoic and watched, the pale blue that engulfed his sockets the only real hit as to where the head of the mighty warrior was.
His terrible aura though radiated down but while many who nearly sneer in disgust only one soul looked up and had something long lost to the fallen warrior. Hope… Not just for herself or her child, but a hope for her people, if the native creatures though barbaric and cruel could be so easily swayed to shadow and evil how could one so corrupt and so vile in his mere presence stand alongside the children of the light. A pair of white and purple eyes looked upon their savior. Suma clasped her hands together in prayer, her mind reaching out to the light to protect them all but also watch over that which the light could not accept, she could feel the light react to her calling it reached out filled her soul with warmth like a breeze of warm wind over her soul it made her feel calm.
Thanking the light for its blessing she looked up to where the black rider once was, no longer did he remain, suspecting he had pulled him back into the shadows but she could not be sure. How she wished he would be back with her again and watch over her people again. How she wished to be close to him once more, even for just a bit longer. Looking down at her daughter she had hope for her future even if it was bleak.
While in his moment of peace his mind became a living sea of questions, how much could he do? He had managed to speak with the archmage in Dalaran after the fall of Ulduar and lingering doubts now filled his mind for the first time in many years. Would his actions change the course of history? Was this even the outlands and history that he knew? Speculation abounded that there existed endless worlds and timelines for which actions and outcomes were changed. Would he upset the balance of time itself by even being here?
Kerghan steadied himself on his mount his mind still awash with speculation and possibility. Only the grim reminder of what the future held for the Draenei upon this world managed to push away his unruly subconscious. So many would be slaughtered by the burning legion, many more would perish at the hands of the sundering of Draenor, the new question was his own role, his own fate. "Better to die in the service of the light than in the shadow of the lich king…" He muttered grasping at the reigns of his steed he pulled his mount around and moved back to the follow the rear of the refugee caravan. Whatever the purpose he was now here, he would see to it that those who had saved him would be spared the horrible fate that awaited them.
Though some gnaw grasped him and his mind, not a malevolent force but one that screamed words of a different tongue, a different time. Without blinking Kerghan reeled back from his horse the proud steed feeling its reigns pulled up and his front legs pushed upwards crying out as its master fell from its back. Trying to keep a grip the powerful warrior felt only a limp grasp no stronger than Suma's child on the leathery straps which fell from his grasp. Sliding back as if a slow movement he felt his horse's saddle no longer beneath him, looking up to the sky his eyes no longer saw moon but a endless swirl of energy.
Hitting the ground the Worgen could no longer find strength in himself. His fingers ran through the dirt which now crumpled into dust in his palms slipping from them as sand. His mind still aware he now felt what was now becoming of the world around him. A see of swirling sand and dust he had been brought to another location, one whose time and essence remained in flux neither a here nor there but merely everywhere.
Forcing some wind from his lungs he managed a sitting position, the incredible swirl bought about by the energies using one metal gauntlets to cover his eyes from the assault of the land around him. From all around him he could sense the presence of the realms lord… "The Timeless One…" Growled Kerghun, while no enemy of the aspects he was weary of the one who wandered the world's time ways. As mysterious as the bronze flight was, Nozdorumu, the former aspect of time. As if sensing the Death Knights realization a mirrored level of shadowed forms surrounded him. While ethereal and whole all at once, it was a being that was many things, though unable to truly witness the lord of Time he unleashed a roar of anger from the Worgen. While respectful this display only seemed to agitate the dammed soul more than normal. Perhaps it was the fact he could feel his life and the next, his younger self and older self all at once. A dozen minds all encompassing a single body, a blinding fury yet inescapable sorrow was all around him. Even further this realm tugged in his head, hallowed images of what he once was, before becoming the monstrosity he was now. It was overbearing, his head felt a pressure bursting from the inside, like a boulder was trying to burst out from his skull Kerghan dropped to his knee, his head screaming in an unbearable agony. "Damn Magic!" He cursed, before unable the sense the spell at work until now, with eyes shut tight he allowed his inner abilities to reject magic and shield himself from it to claw forth. A pale green light emanated from the Death knight enveloping him in a barrier, for how long it would last Kerghan could be unsure but the pressure relieved itself and he was able to breathe normally once more. Looking up from his kneeled form he gazed upon the blue crystal eyes looking down upon him. Though in his time his power may be gone, to know which Nozdormu stood before him now he could not know.
"Exisssst Noooot!" The Levithan hissed his eyes seemed to grow almost enveloping Kerghan entirely. A snap in Kerghan's thoughts repulsed the image thrust into his mind, rebuffing the spell that invaded his shield he pushed the image back into its normal form. "Darring, isss thisss one!" Called another voice that seemed to emanate from the dragon before him but not of his own.
"Why have you brought me here Noz-" His breathing hitched as if two ogre hands encircled his throat and began to choke him.
"You, sspeak with disrespect, you do not have the tongue of dragonss! I am the Timlesss one to you mortal!" the hands left nearly strangled as he coughed despite his attempts to create a magical barrier the bronze aspect penetrated his barrier from another time. How strong, how many ways the master of time was.
"Timless one… Why am I-!?" His mind once again was gripped by the dragon's mind feeling a flurry of visions before him. His intrusion while sanctioned by the bronze flight in the caverns of his brood had been by his own interference, he had felt the swirling sands around him pulled him back. Without the power of the flight at its peak the guardians of time had not noticed this tear in time until it had become a small maelstrom in the sand, the Death Knight who had been oblivious to the growing presence had sucked him up without so much of a gasp from the unholy champion. That had been how he been sucked into the pathways of time, but why he had been torn to this time? This planet, certainly he should have landed on Azeroth, not on Draenor. A brilliant mirage of lights and shapes assaulted his eyes and body, as if penetrating every poor of his body Kerghan was unable to keep this powerful magic and in a flash his mind fixed upon the sight before him. A flight of dragons… an infinite flight!
Slammed into the ground like a tree cut down Kerghan's mind was pulled back to the world of the Timeless aspect.
"Struggle… bring you back yesss." The words rang in his mind causing a headache, spells of this nature were so foreign to the Death Knight and it was unable to handle them with the same ability inside his mind as he could those of shadow and frost.
Though he wished to simply let his eyes close and relinquish himself to the dragon his honor or perhaps stubbornness refused such a simple respite. "No." Croaked the Death Knight as his head lifted up, his helm having fallen from his head leaving the wolfish snarl to fill the gaze of Nozdormu. "They… need me-!" He called out to the young Dranei woman and child, Suma… sweet woman. Before he could hope to gather his thoughts about the only soul to give a damn about his own dammed one.
"Breaksss hissstory… You have dessstroyed much!" Hissed venomously the great beast as it landed over him, "Livesss savveed yesss, but many more diess. " A new set of magics assailed his mind, ones that he could assume were the proper lines of history. The caravans ravaged, the horde spilling over the hills in a bloodlusted demonic frenzy. So many Draenei lay dead and dying in the fields of shadowmoon… He could not shut out his mind, though accustom to slaughter it didn't mean that the unholy warrior welcomed it now. Battle thrilled him yes, but not wholesale slaughter. Not of women and children… as if catching the Death Knights thoughts he felt something rising into his mind and it broke him nearly in half.
Severed in half, a pale purple face with utter anguish lay sprawled over the ground, a small baby crushed beneath the boots of the horde. The Death Knight pushed it away, demanding not being shown this fate of the one he knew so well already. "Do not!" He roared in his mind but the aspect was not willing to oblige and he saw her face. He howled, his mind one filled with emotions long thought buried in the cold steel armor and undead will thrust upon him. Though to deny what he felt now was pain, pain of the woman who lay dead… who should lay dead. "Suma-!" His voiced roared almost akin to that of the very Dragons themselves in such a primal fury.
"Hissstory- You have changed!" The dragon forcing the weight that he had now done what could not be undone. The world's history was no more thanks to this selfish warrior. " Leave-! Or Die must!" A warning or command, which one could he decide?
The Death Knight could only hold his head up as a heavy talon from the aspects foot pushed down into his chest as if pushing him into the swirling sands below. "Do no… more!" Cried the golden Levithan as the pressure upon the blackened armor plates buckled and he felt the sands swallow his torso, his head only remained a defiant snarl remained starring back into the razor filled maw of the dragon, almost peerless crystals with flashing colors danced inside Nozdormu's mouth truly a horrifying sight but it did not encompass his head it merely was a veiled threat as the sands around him filled the Worgen's lungs.
Screaming unbridled as he suffocated the Worgen clawed back against the forces no longer pushing him down only to find himself sitting atop his deathcharger, his horse having not moved as its master had been not gone for more than a second. The master of time itself had dragged him to his realm for a length of time but upon his return nothing had happened, or changed. Like a shadow had covered his form he felt a pull from the light. It reached out to touch him. Though as a blessing not and not as a strike against him, he knew from where this had come and he let his eyes fall close letting the light set upon him. While the pain was minuet the burning remained as a lingering reminder of what he was still to the light. "Suma…." The Worgen growled now having seen the twisted fate that should have befallen her and her child now…. What was his next move?
