The following events are the accounts of Cynthia Hawkspear, Dark Ranger of the Forsaken – not historical fact. As of such, some of these events will represent fact other merely hearsay but do not, however, doubt their importance, even for a second.
"Anar'alah belore..." The last words my queen spoke as one of the living.
Translated it means 'by the light of the sun' and as the sun lights the darkness of the world, so shall I light the darkness of our history… as Forsaken.
It has been three years since we returned victorious from the frozen wastes of Northrend and our ultimate purpose fulfilled, destroying the Lich King that is. What were we to do, our lives… without a purpose. However, our fearsome leader, Sylvanas Windrunner created a new vision for the Forsaken and granted us a new purpose in undeath – the conquest of Lordaeron in the name of the Banshee Queen, our new lease on… 'Life'.
Gilneas, Southshore, Andorhal, all have fallen under the might of the Forsaken war machine but although we have triumphed in many ways, it does not mean we did not meet staunch opposition along the way. Of these deifiers none would prove to be more of a thorn in our side then a vexatious human rogue known only, as Nightingale.
Who would have thought that this menaces' destiny would be of such great importance to not only the Forsaken's history but all of Azeroth's as well, certainly not I but I have been blind to such things in the past. With these words I begin my tale of Destiny's cruel hand….
C.H.
It was the night of new moon, the darkness that members of the Forsaken revelled in for darkness can disguise even the vilest of deeds. The Undercity was ablaze with activity, troopers sparred in the War Quarter and vendors spouted their wares to brave adventurers of the Horde. In fact, only one place in the entire city seemed deathly quiet, the Apothecarium where prisoners of the Forsaken awaited their fates.
Nathanos Blightcaller loomed over his potential victims with a rusted cleaver in hand, his face giving no expression of remorse for what he was about to do.
"Alright… who of you will be the first to squeal!" he hissed, intimidating even the bravest of the worgen and virtuous of the Scarlet Crusaders. With these words the Champion of the Dark Lady began his interrogations. The cries of the prisoners echoed piercingly throughout the Apothecarium as Nathanos peeled flesh from bone.
"Are you willing to cooperate yet Crusader filth? What of you Beast, cat got your tongue a wolfie?" Nathanos chuckled, a horrid noise that only the most perceptive of bystander would interpret as laughter.
"I will not tell you anything undead scum, the Crusade shall be victorious!" The Crusader spoke with bravado but Nathanos simply shrugged and with an elegant flick of his wrist slit the crusaders throat.
"These Scarlet's" he spat as the Crusader convulsed then went limp, "interrogating them is like scrapping caked entrails of a blade, almost impossible. You will all talk… soon enough." With that he threw his cleaver down on a nearby table stating…
"I'm going to need a bigger blade." As Nathanos ventured to an adjacent weapons rack, a small group entered the Apothecarium.
"How goes the interrogations my Champion?" spoke a voice, the unmistakable hiss of the Banshee Queen stopped Nathanos 'dead' and he quickly assumed a dutiful bow.
"Lady Sylvanas! Regretfully… answers still elude me your highness but I believe through the proper coercion…" Nathanos motioned to the electrified falchion he now wielded, "the piglets will squeal." Sylvanas began to pace in front of the prisoners a cold, stern expression upon her face. After a moments respite, a smirk appeared across the Dark Lady's face.
"I was thinking Nathanos that perhaps a woman's touch may be in order. Wouldn't you agree Aradne? She asked turning to face a large Val'kyr, the new recruits in the Forsaken's ranks who responded coldly.
"It would be an honour, mistress." However, Sylvanas shook her head in reply and began to turn slowly.
"No Aradne, I was thinking this could be a test for our newest member." Sylvanas' eye fixed on a young Blood Elf girl, barely of age to witness such atrocity. Suddenly, a voice piped up from within the cell. A stern but mocking tone as if what was about to be said was spoken in jest.
"So you really are as cruel as they say 'Harpy Queen', woops I am terribly sorry, Dark 'Lady' was it?" Nathanos was first to react to the insult.
"How dear you insult the Banshee Queen maggot! I'll rip your heart out!" A small smirk crossed the prisoner's face as he emerged from the shadows and into view.
"How dreadfully rude of me, I meant no offense. I was merely unaware of your proper title milady..." He then turned to face Nathanos directly, "You sir, on the other hand, need to work on your conversational skills. A bit early in our relationship to be so frisky, isn't it?" This last sentence was spoken with foe sincerity, purposely enraging the fallen ranger.
"You insolent whelp, I'll put you down human!" Nathanos screamed in fury, equipping his crossbow but Sylvanas motioned for his silence.
"Calm yourself my Champion; I'm very much interested in this one. What is it that makes you so audacious human? Sylvanas asked the imprisoned stranger who replied in what appeared to his usual manner.
"Well milady I am glad you asked. Although I did see it as my moral obligation to prevent you defiling this innocent with such vile acts as the art of torture, it was really my theatrical nature waiting for the opportune dramatic moment for me to make my case…."
"Don't test my patience human! You may have heard I am not known for it." The Banshee Queen snapped which did not seem to offset the stranger who continued with maintain composure.
"Yes of course, your highness. As I was about to say my name is Nightingale… and do I have a proposition for you milady but first how about releasing me from this cage? I fear my free spirit is being ebbed of its lustre." Again there was something false in the tone of Nightingale's plea but it seems the Dark Lady was very interested in what this human had to offer, as she motioned for Nathanos to open the cage which saw Nathanos met with more subtle abuse.
"Ahh, much better. You know good sir if you cleaned your facilities more often perhaps these poor beggars would be more inclined to loosen their tongues, it really does smell vile in there." Nathanos controlled his fury this time and simply shoved Nightingale into a nearby chair. Sylvanas then began the conversation asking
"So, what is it you purpose Nightingale?" Nightingale then reached into his blazer pocket and removed several documents which bore the Forsaken insignia. Rage suddenly filled the Dark Lady's eyes and she screamed in a very unnatural tone "How did you access these rogue? Some of my strongest Dreadguards protected these documents." Nightingale simply smirked at this outburst and replied slyly.
"Oh, but that would be telling, Sylvanas. The real question you should be asking is, are those Dreadguards really your best?" Nightingale sensed Sylvanas' fury rising once more and so quickly continued speaking. "I'll get to the point shall I? Yes? Good. The point, milady is that I now have these documents and I purpose that you give me what I want, lest these documents find their way into SI:7." Sylvanas regained her composure, still uncertain about how this rogue prisoner managed to gain access to her battle plans but nonetheless asked
"What is it you require human, I'm listening… intently." Nightingale shifted in his seat a little before answering, seeming too finally reveal how 'uncomfortable' an audience with the Banshee Queen can be.
"To be honest milady, I did not think I would get this far…" Sylvanas interrupted him.
"What makes you think you have got this far, hmmm? What's stopping me from having you killed, taking back my documents and raising you into my servitude?" Nightingale regained his mocking tone and responded shrewdly
"My brilliant charm and wit? Besides, I don't have the skin for fungus. So how about you get me transportation, one thousand gold pieces and a bottle of whiskey. I'll then return what I stole and be on my way." Sylvanas then laughed again and snapped her fingers, with that motion Aradne knocked Nightingale to the floor while a burly abomination wrapped a chain around his neck. Sylvanas approached him slowly and snatched back her documents.
"Any last words, Nightingale you foolish man?" By then the surprise and shock had been wiped from Nightingale's face, replaced by hearty laughter. He then looked up, the darkness no longer covering his face and stared expressionless into Sylvanas' eyes. Wetting his lips, Nightingale whispered loud enough that Sylvanas would hear him.
"By your leave. Sylvanas Windrunner." With those words Nightingale grabbed hold of the abomination's chain in one swift motion and flipped onto its rotting back whipping the chain upon its backside. The abomination howled with pain and sprinted out of the Apothecarium. When outside, Nightingale leapt from atop the abomination and landed gracefully upon a pursuing vampire bat, knocking its rider off and into the sewer goo below. Sylvanas and her entourage began to pursue but gave up as Nightingale directed his bat out of the sewer's entrance, shouting back to his former captors.
"Never cage a free spirit!" Sylvanas, Nathanos and Aradne cursed at him but the young Blood Elf simply stared up in awe. As Sylvanas exchange words with Nathanos and began to walk back to her throne room, the girl continued to stare after the remarkable rogue that just entered her life. This would not be the last time the Elf would stare in wonder at the man known only as Nightingale. Sylvanas suddenly realised that she was alone and turned back and called to the girl.
"Amaranth, come. We have much work to do and little time remains this night." The girl turned away from the sewer entrance and called after the Dark Lady.
"Coming… Mother."
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