His name was Verdal Leafsong, a young night elf, only seven-hundred years old and counting. He lived in Ashenvale all his life, learning the ways of the forest and doing what he can to keep the forest alive and balanced, which had become a dangerous task since it had become corrupt with foul creatures. He was no follower of Cenarius, like his father before him nor did he give up his life to Elune like his sister and grandmother. He relied on his skill with blade and bow. He was rivalled by few in his hometown of Astranaar.
Until recently, most of his endeavours have been successful. He was known for thwarting some of the remaining demons and aiding the druids as they traverse the forests trying to eradicate the corruption of the furbolgs and other creatures that have made their homes in Ashenvale for countless centuries. More recently there has been the invasion of the orcs and their allies known as the Horde. Verdal was caught by surprise, for these orcs were a lot smarter and skilled in ways he didn't think. He helped the Silverwing Sentinels on several ambushes against the Horde's settlements, most lost and some won.
Over the last month however, the orcs attacks have increased; they've killed sentinel units, attacked outposts and ransacked homes that were far from settlements. Homes much like his own…
Verdal came back to his home one dawn. Last night's assault was moderately successful, but not without injuries. He came home to find it eerily quiet, his sister would usually be up and she promised him she would make him his favourite meal, Antler Pie. He couldn't hear anything, perhaps the odd sound of someone rummaging around. Verdal drew his axe and prepared to encounter an orc. With light feet, he came to the open doorway where the noise was definite. He swallowed his fear and jumped in.
"Get out here, you barbaric scum!" Verdal shouted in his native tongue.
Verdal's sister cowered at the sight of him and whimpered begs for forgiveness in Common, by the sounds of it.
"Vanisma! What're you - What? What happened?" Verdal dropped his blade and comforted his sister. Even in this light, there were bruises all over her face.
"Verdal! Oh, you're alive!" Vanisma broke down into her brother's arm. It wasn't until the night after Verdal had tended to her wounds they spoke about the incident. Verdal was patient, but he even struggled at times to suppress the urge to interrogate his sister despite the experience she had gone through. It was revenge. He wanted to know what black-hearted pigs would do this to his sister, who has done nothing to deserve such a thing.
"I was just putting together dinner when I heard someone – no, people – running towards the house," Vanisma sighed before taking a sip of her tea, "… There was four of them. Huge, covered in plated armour. At first I thought demons, but then I saw green skin and it was obvious who they were and why they had come…"
Verdal watched as Vanisma's grip tightened on her cup. He placed a hand on her wrist for reassurance, but also to urge her on.
"… I went inside. I thought maybe they weren't after this house… that they were charging at something else, but then they came and helped themselves to destroy almost everything." Another pause and another sip, this time she waited a while before continuing, "… at first they just ignored me, as though they were looking for something… But it seemed they lost interest in destroying the home they turned to me, and…" Vanisma's face fell into her open hands.
Verdal was swift and he took her in his arms for comfort. While she wept, he could his silvery eyes seethe with rage.
Nothing more needed to be said. Verdal didn't need more accounts, for them to drive a woman to such a state without care. These… savages needed to get out of their forest, their home for once and for all.
Verdal's rage was put at ease with the appearance of his companion, Kileesa. She was a nightsaber under Verdal's care, and who had just reached maturity. Verdal had taken care of Kileesa since her found her abandoned as a cub. At first he kept her secret as Vanisma always thought taking care of creature was too much of a task for someone inexperienced. However, after a lot of explanation and persuasion she allowed Kileesa to stay and they've grown quite attached.
Kileesa's dark fur had a shimmer of moonlight upon as she watched the situation from the doorway with suspicion, and she growled in a low rumbling tone in discomfort. Verdal would've tended to her, but his sister was faster as she glided over to Kileesa to assure her everything was fine.
For while, quiet days settled in as Verdal heard no new assignments from the Silverwing Sentinels and Vanisma showed great courage as she managed to go outside again without any major worries. However, it gave him and his sister time to restore their home to something similar to its former glory. To commemorate Vanisma's recovery, the three of them made a trek through the forest to the settlement of Astranaar.
Astranaar was a popular town among the night elves. It was based on a small island in the middle of a small lake. On the east and west side of the island were bridges to allow easy transportation. It was also one of the few night elven settlements that weren't shy to travellers of the others races of the Alliance. While weary of suspicious individuals, most we welcomed into the night elven community where they could rest, eat and trade goods for if needed; the reasons Verdal and Vanisma had come that day.
The travel to Astranaar was usually simple for Verdal. Of course there'll be attacks from the occasional wild bear or nightsaber, but that was usually avoided by showing the creature that you were just passing in peace. Verdal could even remember times when the creatures of the forest were at ease, and such behaviour was unnecessary as all living things lived in an understanding of one another. But due to the constant attacks on the forest from the demons and the Horde every living thing has learnt they must kill or be killed in the wilds of the forest.
It wasn't long before the three of them were crossing the western bridge into the town of Astranaar. Another clear night brought vast sparkle of stars all revering the moon. Verdal could help but whisper a small thanks to the moon for another peaceful night.
As they travelled, they were quickly welcomed by familiar traders and sentinels.
"Ishnu'alah, Songleaf," Sentinel Freysha Everbloom greeted them. She was the leader of the unit that looked over the western bridge. Her and Vanisma were good friends for decades.
Both Verdal and Vanisma bowed in reply, but Vanisma spoke, "Greetings sister, it sure has been a while. Sorry about not sending notice, or we could have gone for a tea while catching up."
Everbloom smiled, "Don't worry, there's usually nothing that needs our attention during the night. We could go and have one now."
"Are you sure? Verdal, would you like to come?" Vanisma turned to find her brother had taken strong interest to nearby notice.
"Who are these… 'Dead of Winter'?" Verdal asked. The tone in his voice suggest he didn't sound impressed.
Freysha Everbloom replied, "They're a group of kaldorei who have been working with the Silverwing in order to completely eradicate the orcs from our home."
"Hmm," Verdal stroked his dark-green beard goatee, "it says they're going to show themselves here tonight."
Everbloom shook her head and sighed, "They have other races amongst them. Why do they have to get involved? This is our home. We don't need the help of others."
Verdal couldn't exactly agree with the sentinel. It was clear she hadn't seen the losses of the Silverwing expeditions or come face to face with one those green-skinned barbarians in combat.
Verdal turned to the two women, "I think I'll see what these people are up to. These Dead of Winter may be the beginning of victory of Ashenvale."
Everbloom snickered, while Vanisma kept her thoughts behind a smile and changed the subject, "We shall meet you back at the inn, yes? Then we can discuss dinner arrangements."
Verdal nodded and the good friends left eagerly chatting to one another. He turned his attentions to Kileesa, who had a keen interest in everything about this town. If Verdal was not around, she would've been off into the crowd to see what these new smells and sounds were. However, she remained at her master's side as he instructed before they left.
Verdal made his way through the busy town; as expected the night was when everyone was up and about. He wasn't surprised to see the odd human or draenei among the people of Astranaar, and they happily walked around tending to their own business. Verdal wasn't too concerned, but he has heard from his elders about the War of the Ancients, and how the demons once claimed to be allies with some of the kaldorei only to try and steal the very centre of their civilisation and way of life. To have such people walking around did put Verdal on edge if he thought too much.
It wasn't long before Verdal found the place he was looking for. Upon a stage stood several people; most elves, some draenei and less of them humans. These people looked experienced. The elves stood among their people, proud and prepared. The humans and draenei looked rather rigid, perhaps even nervous. What was going on Verdal didn't exactly know. He went to find out, only to realise it was too late. The leader of the group was a male, wearing a black tabard with a purple silhouette emblazoned upon it, had stopped speaking and the gathering of elves that had come to head their promises were cheering with hope and pride; this was the time of victory from now on.
As the crowd began to disperse, Verdal noticed a familiar face; a sentinel who had often worked with. He went over to catch up on what he had missed. Only to find she was deep in conversation with another female night elf, who also wore the tabard of these Dead of Winter folk. Upon her forehead was a glowing sigil of a crescent moon. Verdal noticed how her hair was tied into two large loops at the back of her head, unlike any style he had seen any night elf wear in these lands. She noticed his appearance, which also alerted the sentinel Verdal knew and she turned.
"Ah, Verdal it is a pleasure to see you here. While you're here I'll introduce you to my sister, Terintha. Terintha, this is Verdal Songleaf, the man who shows much promise with a bow."
Verdal looked at Terintha, who smiled and bowed before him with respect, "Our meeting is a true blessing from the Goddess, Verdal Songleaf."
Verdal bowed in returned, "Indeed." He replied. He noticed another symbol of the moon on Terintha's kilt, yet she wore feathered garments underneath her tabard. She was no priestess, yet she revered the moon goddess so. He was quite confused.
Terintha spoke again, "I must be going, Luciel. It seems we have some things to discuss with the mercenaries."
"Ah, I understand. Good luck, Terintha." The sisters hugged before parting.
Terintha left Verdal with a small bow before heading off into the inn where the newcomers stayed for the night.
Verdal waited till Terintha appeared to be out of ear-shot before talking, "Mercenaries? What is this?"
Luciel frowned a little; not approving of Verdal's tone, "While Dead of Winter have good intentions and ideals. They unfortunately lack in numbers. It is only wise they turned to outside forces."
Verdal couldn't help but agree.
Luciel felt the need to explain further, "However, they did not turn to soldiers of the Alliance because they're needed on more pressing matters, one could say. So they turned to trustworthy mercenaries."
The word 'trustworthy' rang in Verdal's mind while he took a glance of these mercenaries, "… Are they so trustworthy?"
"Most definitely. Terintha has talked with this people on several occasions. They're called the Aurora Wolves. They seem loyal to their words and just. My sister tells me there are these… Paladins in their ranks."
The term Paladin most certainly sounded familiar to Verdal, but an exact meaning he couldn't pin down, "Paladins?"
"Yes. They are warriors of the Light; a being they praise in the Eastern Kingdoms. They fight in the name of it, and it blesses them with protection and power in their own battles." Luciel tried to explain based on everything her sister had explained to her through letters and such.
Verdal felt it sounded quite familiar; much how a priestess of Elune gives her whole being to worship. But surely these other races couldn't understand what that involves, could they?
"Worry not, Verdal. We have strong allies on our side. As long as we trust them we will have nothing to worry about." Luciel gave Verdal an assuring pat on his shoulder, while Verdal simply nodded.
