A Friendly Stranger
The dim mist of the Ghostlands parted like sheer silk in the air as Quel'Anis, her companion Ellorei and their two lynxes, Dreakai and Lune made their way south toward Deatholme. As they slipped through the cool, dewy grass, Quel'Anis could no help but dwell over her mentor's notion towards their present mission. His expression was solemn and his words were dreary as he explained what needed to be done. He once claimed that Quel'Anis alone had the full potential to become the ultimate hunter. With such assurance in her abilities in the past, how could he possibly be so doubtful now?
(It's simply irritating.) Quel'Anis bit her lower lip, deep in thought as they traveled. The two blood elf-hunters came to a dirt road, which led them just past the dead scar. The foul stench of sulfur and rotting flesh writhed in the air and Quel'Anis prayed that they would not need to waste their time and efforts fending off any horrid creatures of the Scourge until they reached the gates of Deatholme.
"Ah!" Ellorei gasped and came to an abrupt halt with Quel'Anis and the lynxes just behind. There before them, lay the massive corpse of Knuckerlot, an overseer for the Scourge. His intestines were stretched from his open belly and mangled around his neck while smoking burns from elemental attacks had melted parts of his flesh. Small holes in the ground indicated that totems had surrounded the field area of the recent battle.
"Blood elf…warrior…or paladin, maybe? This death greatly aids our cause." Ellorei investigated the large fleshy mound while Dreakai and Lune sniffed about. Quel'Anis shook her head as she stood afar. "Totems are no magic source for our kind. It was a Shaman… tauren or a troll. But what would bring their kind to the Ghostlands?"
"Well, whoever they may be, they were strong enough to take this cursed creature down alone."
The blackened soil of the Dead Scar sprinkled out over the Ghostlands' dark, mossy grass, as the elves came closer to Deatholme. The air grew hot and stagnant and the sky turned to red clay. The smell of death grew strong and the blood elves knew that it was not only that of demons, but also from adventurers who had failed their quests within the gates of this hellish land. Many were sent in to complete the very same quest the girls were assigned to now.
(Sir Kaendris was wrong to have put such little faith in us.) Once again, Quel'Anis thought back to his sad expression as if he felt he had sealed their fate. But with her best effort, she refused to believe this is where her and her friend's lives would end.
Upon reaching the black iron gates of Deatholme, both girls rechecked their equipment and weapons: arrows, drinks, food, healing elixirs and their first aid kits. Then, without another thought, they bolted down the hill into the Dead Scar and attacked the black shadow wraiths that guarded the gates. Once inside, they headed left up a dirt path to the Western Citadel, the closest of the structures that withheld captives of the Sin'Dorei. As if the beasts and spirits of the scourge could smell the young blood elves' presence, they began drawing to them like flies on meat. Attacking powerful screaming banshees, giant tarantula nerubians, and brutal skeletal guards, the girls made their way into the citadel and took down the wretched Jurion the Deceiver, a lieutenant of the Scourge. They found the first captive they were to rescue, the Apothecary Enith, bound to a wall by spider's webbing. Quel'Anis pulled out her dagger and sliced the webbing apart while doing her best to catch the unconscious blood elf. He fell forward onto her as she slowly brought him to the ground. She quickly removed Renzithen's Restorative Draught from her woolen pouch and forced a bit of the liquid into his mouth. Ellorei covered the perimeter of the citadel, her eyes sharply scanning for anything that moved with in fifteen feet of them. As the apothecary slowly came to, he sat up and gently held onto Quel'Anis' arm.
"I…I… am, all so grateful to you both." He managed faintly.
"Can you walk?" Quel'Anis hurried him as she wrapped bandages over his wounds.
"Please, I will be fine to escort myself back to safe ground. If there be others-".
"We will find and rescue them." She dropped a healing elixir into his hand and the two girls were off to the eastern end of the dark lands.
Nerubians seemed to swarm the land and they chased the elves as their loyal pets did their best to draw the attention away. Two black wraiths and a banshee closed in on them. Ellorei felt a burning shock run through her body and her legs gave way to the ground. She fell and turned to find a banshee nearly on top of her. Quel'Anis turned and withdrew an arrow from her quiver. Within half a second, she casted a spell and shot the arrow straight into the spirit's chest. It screamed a terrible sound as the spell ate away at its energy. Quel'Anis ran to her companion, grabbed her collar and dragged her to the Eastern Citadel as their lynxes finished off the creatures that followed them. They managed to destroy the wraiths that guarded the stone structure and kill off Medorian the Fallen, another of Scourge's lieutenants.
Having used up the last of their energy, the girls slowed their pace as they came to rescue the Apprentice Varnis. Quel'Anis dropped to the captive's side and fed him the draught. Ellorei desperately swallowed down a healing elixir and sealed bandages onto her back as Dreakai and Lune entered the citadel and slump down beside her. They panted heavily and she quickly aided their wounds with a first aid serum and fed them.
"We can't keep this up much longer, Quel'… we have to rest a while. There are too many demons out there! Dreakai and Lune can barely keep up!"
"We're doing just fine, Ellorei. I don't believe anyone else has made it as far as we have. Have a little more confidence!" Quel'Anis helped the apprentice sit up.
"My gratitude to you ladies. I thought I would die here but you have given me a chance I never would have had. A ranger from the Sanctum of the Sun was kidnapped along with me. I overheard that they had taken him to a citadel that sits in the south…"
"Head to Tranquillien. Inform the Sin'Dorei and the Forsaken of any plans you have overheard. They must be told everything." Quel'Anis ordered and watched the apothecary creep out of the citadel and down the hill. She turned to Ellorei who seemed to be feeling a bit better. She squat down beside her and handed her the bottle of restorative draught. "Rescue the ranger. I'll handle the guards." She held onto Ellorei's shoulder and shook it gently as she smiled. "Let's go prove our mentor wrong!"
With their pets by their sides, the hunters slipped silently but swiftly down the hill to the toxic bog, shooting arrows at anything that came their way. Two human necromancers blocked the path past the central tower that led to the southern citadel. They were weak in physicality but their magic powers were brutal. The blood elves were able to kill the male off easily but the female was stronger. Still, her power gave way and on her last breath, she casted a fear spell upon Quel'Anis. The blood elf felt a helpless loss of power over her body as it stopped fighting and headed toward the path of the southern citadel. Nearly reaching the small fortress, she was attacked by a nerubian which had somehow, broken the fear spell. She regained control of her body and began to shoot at the gigantic spider. Fire set the beast ablaze and within seconds, it was dead. (I have no spells of fire!… This can't be!)
Just as the necromancer dropped to the ground, bloody and filled with arrows, Ellorei knelt down behind a pillar with Dreakai and Lune. She changed her bandages as she regained her energy.
"Ellorei, stay there and rest. I'll get the ranger myself."
"Quel'Anis!" Ellorei protested, knowing that her friend was, sometimes, a bit too confident in her own abilities. "But I still have…"
"I'll be fine. Just heal our pets and mend yourself." But as she turned past the nerubian corpse, her eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped open in disbelief. Beside the creature sat a two foot wooden totem, still pulsing a fiery elemental blaze.
"Shaman!" she whispered and scanned the area quickly but saw no such being anywhere. She continued toward the citadel rather weary now and crept up the stone stairs, her bow angled with her fingers tilted over the arrow's fletching. She leaned against the entrance wall and caught sight of a necromancer pacing about, scanning for possible intruders. An arrow shot into his chest, catching his attention. Angrily, he began to charge up a shadowy spell. Quel'Anis shot three more arrows into him as she drew close enough to stab him to death. As he fell, she felt an electrical shock stun her body and she, too, dropped to the floor. She looked ahead to see another totem pulsating with magic energy.
Distracted and confused, Quel'Anis did not notice the horrible lieutenant Bargoth the Bloodletter approaching from behind, ready to strike her. She heard a cry of agony and looked towards the shrine at the center of the citadel. Another lieutenant, Masophet the Black, fell into the toxic mote surrounding the shrine.
Suddenly, a red linen kilt hung before Quel'Anis' face. Out from beneath the kilt appeared four large blue toes. The strong scent of sandalwood and rain filled the air as Quel'Anis raised her head to look up. There before her, stood a towering shamanistic troll. He charged up a lightning bolt and struck the Bloodletter over and over. Disappointed in herself for getting caught up in the moment of surprise, Quel'Anis quickly turned over and shot a deathly arrow into the lieutenant's head. Instantly stunned, the cursed humanoid fell forward. The troll quickly grabbed a hold of Quel'Anis' collar and pulled her up before the lieutenant could hit the ground in her place.
The blood elf and troll stood face to face. Quel'Anis was overwhelmed. Never before had she come so close to a living troll. She only ever knew the defiant and barbaric trolls of the Zeb'Nowa tribe; she often killed to scare their leaders from considering further warfare against her people. But this troll was different. Though nearly two or three feet taller than she, he was smaller than the Zeb'Nowa trolls. His skin was as blue as the sky and his hair, a fiery red which stood up wildly in a tribal Mohawk crown. His tusks jut out viciously and his teeth were razor sharp but his deep blood-red eyes were strangely alluring. He smiled warmly, startling the blood elf and she quickly backed away, nearly tripping over the dead lieutenant behind her.
"Hello, blood elf. Beh needin' any help?" he inquired in a raspy voice. He spoke in Orcish but his island accent was distinctly foreign. Quel'Anis backed even further away. Although it was true that most trolls coincided with the Horde, there were still many tribes that remained independent if not infidel spies to other legions. She ignored his offer and went to release the ranger who hung captive in spider webs. As she reached in her pouch, she realized she was missing the draught.
(Damnit! I gave it to Ellorei!) she cursed herself. The troll came up behind her, "He be needin' an antidote."
Irritated with the troll's presence, Quel'Anis began to forcefully pick up the heavy ranger's body.
"Nah ah! Allow me, lady." The troll said as he took the ranger in one hand and put him over his shoulder. His strength was rather impressive, even frightening. Without a word, Quel'Anis turned and headed back outside and up to the center citadel.
Ellorei had just finished packing up all of her items as she watched Quel'Anis and the stranger, carrying the ranger, come down the hill. She smiled and waved.
"Hello friend! Glad to have the help!" she exclaimed meeting up with them, the lynxes following behind.
"Ellorei, no!" Quel'Anis mouth silently.
"What?"
"Don't encourage him!" she whispered as she passed Ellorei and prepped her weapons. "Do you have the draught?"
"Of course."
"Give it to the ranger. Let's get this quest over with."
The troll laid the ranger on the ground as Ellorei poured the last of the restorative draught into his mouth.
"You're a shaman?" she asked the troll.
"That I be. At your service, blood elf huntah." The troll bowed his head at her.
"It was you!" she said suddenly excited, "You killed Knuckerlot near the Dead Scar and –."
"And attacked me in the southern citadel!" Quel'Anis imposed as she drank a healing elixir.
"Attacked ya?" the troll began to laugh, "I was helpin' ya. You was knocked down by deh Masophet mage. I killed'em for ya, mon. I saved ya!" The troll explained as he helped the blood elf ranger to his feet.
Still rather startled, Ranger Vedoran stood and shook the troll's hand, more out of vulnerable fear than out of graciousness.
"I shall return to Tranquillien with news of your heroics. I am in your debt."
Before Quel'Anis could contest, the ranger was off, down the hill, heading for the gates back into the Ghostlands.
"And your name, hero?" Ellorei jested as she pulled her quiver of arrows over her shoulder.
"Ku'Mari, son of Zim'Boya of tha Darkspear tribe. And ya ladies' names be…?"
"Ellorei Stormcrest." Ellorei curtsied and pointed to Quel'Anis, "and my frigid hunter companion is Quel'Anis Sereais." She came close to Ku'Mari and whispered, "It'll take some time, but she can be quite lovely once you get to know her."
"Enough with the formalities. Let's complete this mission and return to Janeda at the Sanctum." Quel'Anis snapped.
Ellorei shrugged and smiled at Ku'Mari as she passed Quel'Anis and headed for the tower. She whistled for Lune, whom with Dreakai was introducing themselves to Ku'Mari by licking his hands. He laughed and petted the lynxes before they ran off to their masters. Quel'Anis stood sternly before the troll with her arms crossed.
"You may help us if you wish, but I have questions for you once we return to the Sanctum of the Sun." she turned and followed Ellorei who led the way. Ku'Mari stood for a moment and watched the girls head onward. He smiled, "Intelligent, beautiful and cranky as ah crocklisk! I LOVE that in ah woman!" And with that, he followed the elves into the Temple of the Damned.
After killing off the wraiths at the entrance, the girls crept quietly down opposite sides of the tower's halls, their lynxes each attacking necromancers at the end of the path. They met at the center of the tower where a set of stairs led further down to the main corridor.
"Two young hunters enter my tower. You dare to challenge me? Is this the best the Sin'Dorei has to offer?" The booming voice of Dar'Khan's laugher resonated throughout the temple. Lightning immediately struck Ellorei causing her to fall helpless to the ground. As she tried hard to breathe through the electrical shocks, an oncoming necromancer and sorceress charged up more lightning attacks. Lune did her best to keep them away, snapping and clawing at them while Ku'Mari attacked them with his own lightning spells. Quel'Anis had made her way down the stairs and caught a perfect shot at Dar'Khan's heart. The deathly blue blood elf was channeling a curse for her but she was able to interrupt it with an arrow into his chest. A skeletal minion slashed at her face and chest tearing her vest open and the wounds immediately purged blood. Quel'Anis fell to the ground, pressing her hand against the gash on her chest. Dreakai attacked the skeleton at once, snatching away one of its arms so as to distract it from his master. Quickly shaking the pain, Quel'Anis shot four more damaging arrows into Dar'Khan's body, but he seemed un-phased to the attacks as he charged a shadow bolt attack upon her. Quel'Anis grew nauseous and went slightly blind by the dark attack. She could feel the blood pulsing painfully through her body as she struggled to aim another arrow at Dar'Khan's head.
Ellorei and Ku'Mari had just broken through the small mob of minions as Dar'Khan destroyed Quel'Anis' shot. As Ellorei fell to the ground weak and ill from the cursed shadow attacks, Lune solely came after the dark leader. Ku'Mari looked down at the injured blood elves and saw their desperation. He knew this was the biggest battle they had ever experienced.
(And it won't be deh last!) He stood in the center of the room and casted three totems, each of different elements that surrounded the corridor. A healing totem dropped beside Ellorei. Witnessing this impressive prep for an attack, she felt the encouragement to stand back up and aim her crossbow at Dar'Khan as Quel'Anis aimed her bow from the floor.
Dar'Khan sneered at the group, "You are all FOOLS! Killing me will NOT be the end of the Scourge! Another will rise and take my place! They will remember how I allowed Arthas and his minions into Quel'Thalas! They will remember how I poisoned these lands! They will-…" two arrows shot into either sides of his head as the elemental attacks took their torturing toll on his weakened body. The lynxes backed away from the fallen body as smoke arose from his acidic blood.
Ellorei fell to the ground once more, out of sheer exhaustion. "Well, we know how you killed Knuckerlot, now." She laughed as she healed and replenished herself. Quel'Anis firmly grabbed onto Dar'Khan's head and severed it from his body with her dagger. Ku'Mari raised his arms calling the totems to return to him. He then casted an additional healing spell on each of the elves and sat down to revitalize himself. They were amazed at his expansive magic abilities for such a young-looking troll.
Cheerful once more, Ellorei hopped up and climbed the stairs heading out of the tower. She shouted back to her companions, "Come on! Let's get back to the Sanctum of the Sun to receive our rewards! I wanna celebrate!" Lune followed happily behind. Ku'Mari began to follow but was stopped by a still rather bitter Quel'Anis.
"You and I will have business to attend to when we get back, troll." She shoved Dar'Khan's bloody head into a bag and tied it on her back. She was so busy being angry and suspicious that she did not notice her torn vest hanging open, slightly revealing the bloody gash between her breasts. Ku'Mari smiled and reached forward. Before Quel'Anis could block him, he tied the torn threads of her vest back together.
"Be sure to get dat cut cleaned up. Its lookin' pretty bad." He said as he headed up the stairs and out of the temple. Quel'Anis crossed her arms covering over her chest as her face turned hot red. She couldn't tell whether she was embarrassed, angry or blushing… perhaps all of them. The mix of feelings left her confused and she ran up the stairs and rushed past the troll to catch up behind Ellorei, with Dreakai following behind.
They crept out of Deatholme quietly, knowing that if news got out of the tower of Dar'Khan's death, the entire dark city of beasts and demons would have at them within moments. They were able to get passed the gates unnoticed and headed north for the Sanctum of the Sun.
Heroes recruited
Dawn was that of a subtle one in the Ghostlands and bluish-white sunlight peaked timidly through the trees to reveal secrets the forest never told at night. The three heroes were plentifully rewarded gold and silver and were appraised by the unity of the Sanctum of the Sun.
"Please rest in the comfort of this place. Surely you must be tired after such an excursion." The archaist Janeda offered to them.
"Oh, that would be lovely, but we must return to our mentor, Kaendris, in Tranquillien to report the good news."
The two hunters and the shaman troll reached the small, broken down village and brought forth the head of Dar'Khan Drathir to their mentor.
At first, shocked by these young blood elves unthought-of success, Magister Kaendris quickly regained composure.
"I am thoroughly impressed, young hunters. You have reassured me that you two are completely prepared to fight for our greater cause. With this vile traitor gone, it shall not be long before we've reclaimed our lands and our greatness is restored once again. I was wrong to have doubted your abilities…I sincerely apologize. Please accept these new weapons as rewards for your success. Think of them as a graduation gift.." Kaendris smiled at his pupils as he retrieved two weapons from a valuable chest.
"Ellorei, that cross bow is your favorite, I've seen, but it has caused you complications with the speed of your attacks. Take the Farstrider's Long bow. Its speed and grace will aid you in accuracy of attacks and will, more so, keep your enemies at bay." Ellorei was ecstatic as she received the rich mahogany-carved long bow with the name Farstrider carved into the body.
"My aim will be as good as yours, now, Quel'Anis." She teased.
"Yes, Quel'Anis. Your aim is sharp and your speed is spectacular. Many of the undead merchants of Tranquillien have jested with me that you have been wasted as a hunter and should have chosen the assassin rogue's path instead." Kaendris laughed. "Nevertheless, your bow and arrow are deadly and your dagger is vicious. Now it is time for a new trial. I would never ask a hunter to put down their bow, but I would like to see you become a well-rounded fighter." He handed her a long staff. "This is the Staff of the Sun. More likely to be given to a mage, I feel it will strengthen your magic abilities and advance your approaches in defense; an area you must adhere to a bit more than you have. Your ability to focus and zero in on targets is wonderful. Now learn to be well aware of all that is around you."
Taking his criticism harshly, Quel'Anis coldly thanked her mentor and strapped the staff to her back. As she headed outside, Kaendris turned to Ku'Mari. Quel'Anis turned and hid behind the entrance wall to overhear their conversation.
"As for you, friend of the Horde, it appears my weapons are far too low in power for your uses. My gratitude goes to you in aiding us in our cause. It is rare to find Horde members from Kalimdor coming into our territory to help us." Kaendris came to Ku'Mari and handed him a small bag of gold.
"Helpin' you means helpin' us, Magister. I been sent heah to scout for new members for our raidin' party. Mah leader is Teak Hawk of deh Barrens. We been questin' and fightin' to build up strength to defeat our enemies at Razorfen Kraul. Right now, they be too strong for us. Teak Hawk sent me here to find hunters to balance out our group. She believes that the minds and notions of all allying races will help round out our strengths and weaknesses."
Ellorei joined Quel'Anis behind the entrance wall and they popped their heads in to hear the conversation a bit clearer.
"So he's a recruiter… a talent scout." Quel'Anis stated bitterly.
"Oh don't sound so miserable, Quel'Anis. This is our ticket into the missions of Kalimdor! We'll get to meet tauren and other trolls and goblins and fight night elves and see lands we'd never imagine seeing before! Ku'Mari wants us to join him in a major raid and he's much more experienced than we… I mean look how quickly he took down Knuckerlot. The Ghostlands rangers have been trying to take that bastard down for months!" Ellorei's argument was convincing but Quel'Anis was inevitably stubborn.
"I don't trust him. My father's companions always told me since his death: They will serve to you better than any companion ever could, but you must always watch your back with a troll! They are conniving creatures… it's in their blood!"
"Your father was double-crossed by a troll… one particular troll. That does not make them all conniving and untrustworthy monsters! Dar'Khan was a blood elf and he betrayed his own kind."
"That troll killed my father! I saw it happen!" Quel'Anis' voice began to tremble as she thought back to the day, the troll her father once called "friend" betrayed him. She remembered the flash of blood and the troll's evil eyes as he grinned, bearing his sharp brown teeth. She quickly shook the thought and stepped away for a moment.
Ellorei stood by her friend. "I know what happened to your father was terrible, and I'm sorry that he died. But that was many years ago. You can't keep building up this shell against everyone in discrimination or you'll never get anywhere. Sometimes you are given no choice but to trust people. Its okay to be on your guard but you can't just isolate yourself from them all the time. In becoming a great adventurer… you just can't do that." Ellorei waited in hopes that her words had sunk in.
"We just met him. We have no idea what he's capable of. I refuse to trust him."
"Have it your way, you stubborn nag! But I'm going with him to Kalimdor and becoming a strong, proud hunter of the blood elves for the sake of the Horde!" Ellorei finished her argument and walked away, calling Lune to her side. Suddenly feeling helpless, Quel'Anis looked to her pet for comfort and support. But Drea'kai felt it appropriate to side with Ellorei in the argument and ran to catch up with her.
"I'm the one who feeds you, dammit!" she called out to him, but the lynx did not listen and continued to follow his companion and her master. Quel'Anis turned back around to listen to the rest of the conversation.
"I am very glad to hear this news, Ku'Mari. I assure you that Quel'Anis and Ellorei's abilities will be of great aid to your band. They will advance quickly as they always have under my training." He handed the bag, which withheld Dar'Khan's head, back to Ku'Mari. "Please give this to the girls to take to Reagent Lord Lor'themar Theron, our prince and protector of Silvermoon City. Inform him that the rest of this traitor's lieutenants have also been slain and that Deatholme's power has been weakened and put into question."
Ku'Mari nodded and took the bag.
"I must ask one more thing of you, please take good care of pupils. Protect them in their low-leveled ages for they are still quite young and know nothing of the world beyond Quel'Thalas. They still have much to learn."
"I will make them my first priority. Ya take care, mon." Ku'Mari bowed and headed for the archway. He met eyes with Quel'Anis who was still peeping in. She suddenly realized she had been noticed and quickly disappeared. Ku'Mari smiled.
"Oh, I must advise you." Kaendris added before Ku'Mari could exit. "Quel'Anis is very bright and quite strong. But she can be extremely stubborn and quite icy at times. Forgive our race… this attitude is quite common amongst our youth. Do what you can to teach her all that you know and be adamant about it."
"Doncha worry, mon. I be usin' meh troll charm!" He smiled and waved good bye to the Magister who laughed at his joke as he left.
He bought a few needed items for the road and sat in the grass while packing his equipment away. Quel'Anis approached with her arms crossed.
"Okay, look. Ellorei and I will be of great aid to your group, I am sure. And we may be young, but we are not fools and I'll be damned to let a troll lead us into some twisted trap! So we will accompany you to Kalimdor, but if you think you will be able to pull anything on us at anytime, than you are dead wrong! It's no mystery… I don't like you…I don't trust you… and I won't let you get anything over on me or my companion. Got it, troll?" Her words were cold and viciously defensive. But Ku'Mari simply smiled and answered, "Okie, dokie, Kellani."
Quel'Anis' face grew hot with anger, "Its Quel'Anis… Quel…Anis. It is an inherited name of the Highborne elves and I will not have you mangle it with your hopeless island jive!" she snapped. Ku'Mari burst into laughter as she stormed off, headed for the inn.
Once they were well rested, Ku'Mari, Quel'Anis and Ellorei headed up the road towards Eversong Woods. An older female blood elf, wearing a long beautiful violet gown stood in the middle of the stone road as if she were waiting for them; her hands held tightly to her chest.
"I was afraid you had gone already. Please…please, I ask that you take this necklace to the Undercity. My sister lives there. If you wear it, she will, no doubt, take notice to it. It will remind her that she still has love in Quel'Thalas." The blood elf's face was aged with sadness and stained with tears.
"Not to worry." Quel'Anis assured her feeling quite odd putting the necklace on. As the three travelers continued on their way, the blood elf faded into the shadows of the mist.
Dark Lady and the Undercity
Ellorei walked ahead with the two lynxes, expressing her excitement in their quest.
"Silvermoon City, ooooh I can't wait! I've got plenty of money now. I'm going straight to the auction house to see what's up for sale!"
"Ellorei, you know it's better to find items as you travel. The auction house always carries such expensive supplies. And every seller believes in selling his or her armor for nothing lower than five gold, nowadays! Its theft, I tell you!" Quel'Anis protested, trying to catch up with the peppy blonde blood elf. As she thought about it, she realized how rarely she had the chance to visit the glorious city of Silvermoon. She was usually only summoned there for hunters' meetings or to advance her skills in leatherworking. Most of the time, she and Ellorei were required to remain in the Ghostlands.
As they crossed the bridge to Eversong woods, the dark shadowy Ghostlands' trees gave way to golden sunlight and new trees, which towered over them, shimmering in shades of light green, gold and red. The grass was brighter and the air seemed lighter. It was truly a beautiful forest and seemed more magical than its haunted neighbor as the sound of a harp and cello could be heard echoing all throughout the glimmering foliage.
"This sure is nice compared to the deserts of the Barrens. Ain't nottin' to look at out there." Ku'Mari said as he took in his surroundings. "But Stranglethorn Vale on tha other hand…now dat's a place to live!" Quel'Anis turned to the troll and felt a stab of sudden distrust hit her stomach as she recalled her father's betrayer mentioning it often.
"Stranglethorn Vale? Isn't that a jungle?" Ellorei asked turning back.
"It's a poisonous, wild jungle, infested with powerfully brutal animals like crocklisks and raptors. It's also overly populated with multiple barbaric troll tribes." Quel'Anis explained.
Ku'Mari laughed. "Yep. Deh tribes out there are as bad a they get. Some are even cannibalistic. They eat'cha alive out there! But there is an ally tribe I would like to visit one day though. My broddah was accepted into it and I wanna visit him one-ah-these days."
They reached the towering walls of Silvermoon City by late noon and headed straight for the castle. Ku'Mari looked about in awe at the lovely towering pillars and long-flowing crimson flags boasting the strong pride of the blood elves and their beloved Sunwell. For a city that was once demolished and a race that had been nearly wiped out, Ku'Mari could not help but display his admiration for a people that refused to die out in the shadow of the Burning Legion. Although a very formal and isolating people, the blood elves were a remarkably intelligent kind. However, their sole addiction to their magic source, the ever-glowing Sunwell, gave them a weakness to mark. He found this desperate need to feed from the power source rather disturbing, considering the race's proper sense of etiquette. Lost deep in thought, Ku'Mari found that the girls had disappeared. As he neared the auction house, he found Quel'Anis dragging Ellorei out by her long pointy ear.
"I just want to get that woolen vest! It's only eighty silver. And I need soul dust for my enchanting craft!" Ellorei whined as she stumbled onto the brick way.
"You'll find enchanting items along the way. Now come on. We must get to Lord Lorthemar Theron.
"Ya need any help, Ellorei?" Ku'Mari asked playfully.
"No, she does this all the time."
"Help her and your big blue ear will be between my other fingers!" Quel'Anis threatened as they walked. Ku'Mari did his best to hold back a dirty comment as he followed the elves to the castle of Sunfury Spire; the hall of the leaders and original fortress of the great Sunwell.
Standing at the center of the hall of Sunfury Spire, the great Lord Lorthemar held an important discussion with his lieutenant and general of Quel'Thalas military defense. The general caught eye of the young travelers as they approached the trio.
"What business have you here?" He snapped. Ellorei stopped in her tracks and bowed at the general, but Quel'Anis would show him no adherence of authority. She walked right past him, stood and bowed before the prince.
"Lord Lorthemar Theron, we bring a gift from Deatholme of the Ghostlands." She spoke sternly as she handed the powerful leader the bag withholding the head of Dar'Khan. He revealed the head and looked to the young blood elf in astonishment.
"It cannot be!" the general gasped as he and the lieutenant stared in disbelief.
The prince looked the young female blood elf up and down, "You have done this?"
"We have, my lord. Ellorei Stormcrest and I. Quel'Anis Sereais."
Ellorei cleared her throat and hit Quel'Anis on the back,
"…and Ku'Mari of the Darkspear Tribe." Quel'Anis added with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"And what has happened to the traitor's lieutenants?"
"They are slain, my lord."
Lord Lorthemar turned and paced slowly as he lightly rubbed his chin in thought. He turned back to the group.
"There were doubts over our capabilities amongst our potential new allies. Of what use could we be to the Horde when perceived as unable to handle our own problems here at home?" He turned and slowly walked the untouched throne at the end of the corridor and turned back to the group again. "This changes everything. No longer will our power be questioned. We will be able to join the Horde as equals!" he exclaimed. He stood in thought for a moment more before heading to his desk and pulling out a scroll. He wrote furiously and when he finished, the scroll was folded and wrapped into a special envelope. He then came and handed it to Quel'Anis who put it in her satchel.
"Take that letter to Sylvannas of the Forsaken. She's already on our side but the news of Dar'Khan's death will surely be music to her ears. Prepare for a long trip. One I'm sure you know quite well, troll. If all goes well, she will send you to Orgimmar to speak with Thrall, leader of the Horde."
The blood elf hunters' eyes lit up at Sylvannas' name and they happily bowed to their leader as they began to follow Ku'Mari.
"Farewell young heroes…" Lorthemar said. "Remember the Sunwell!"
The trio bowed once more to the prince and headed up a ramp that led to a back corridor. A large red glowing globe sat in the center of the room atop a small platform. The blood elves followed Ku'Mari onto the platform and he began to wave his hands over the globe.
"What is this? I've never seen one before." Ellorei inquired examining the globe. The girls felt their bodies grow light and within a flash, they were in a stone chamber staring at the same red globe.
"A transport globe. Lady Sylvannas agreed to have them made a couple a years ago. Keeps close ties to either city." Ku'Mari explained as he headed out of the chamber into a cool and dreary-looking court yard. The girls followed him keeping attentive to their new surroundings. He led them into broken down castle down a long hall into a center corridor.
"This place held royalty. Who used to live here?" Ellorei asked catching up to Ku'Mari who travelled rather quickly for the blood elves.
"Dis be the castle of Lordaeron. Past kingdom of the humans, but it's all in ruin now."
They made their way down a set of stone stairs only to be confronted by two obese undead creatures resembling the Scourge's overseers, Luzurad and Knuckerlot. The girls quickly withdrew their weapons, ready to shoot.
"Nah, nah, ladies. Deez are exterior guards to the entrance of the Undacity." The large and obese zombies parted a way for the trio nodding as they passed. They made their way into a small room and stood in the center.
The girls looked about in confusion.
"So where is the Undercity?" Ellorei asked. Ku'Mari smiled as the wall behind them sealed shut and the floor began to lower.
"Undah…silly blood elf."
Ellorei was in an inquisitive mood and stood close before Quel'Anis examining the necklace she had been given.
"Hey, what are you doing, Ellorei?"
"She should have given it to me." Ellorei pouted childishly, "I'm the apprentice jewel crafter…is this sapphire? It's beautiful!" She turned the necklace over and suddenly gasped.
"What is it?!" Quel'Anis asked startled.
"What's wrong?" Ku'Mari came closer.
"There's an inscription on the back of this necklace… it says: to Sylvannas, love always, Alleria." The girls stared at each other in bewilderment.
"Who is Alleria?" Ku'Mari scratched his head.
"Sylvannas' sister." Both girls proclaimed.
"That woman in the road…I can't believe it!" Quel'Anis gasped as she grew quite nervous wearing the jeweled necklace. Both girls remained silent until they reached the lower level and exited the stone elevator. They came down the ramped hallway into the center of the massive dungeon. The Undercity was a massive stone tomb surrounded by an acidic green mote. Astonishingly overpopulated, the undead scurried about, marketing, buying, heckling and bargaining all kinds of trade goods. The group passed a small green goblin at one of the market rooms who shouted out offers.
"Color? Wash? Cut? I can do'em all for only twenty silver!"
"Twenty silver? Bargain!" Ellorei squealed as she headed inside. Before she could take a seat, both Quel'Anis and Ku'Mari had her by either ear and dragged her away. They headed from level to level, going deeper into the dungeon. Once they reached the Royal Quarter, they entered a stone pathway that led down to the deepest point of the city. They reached a wide courtroom surround with guards and at the center stood a massive Fel creature and a pale blue blood elf, Lady Sylvannas Windrunner.
"Lady Sylvannas!" Quel'Anis gasped as she grew nervous.
"Lady….", Ellorei was so excited she could not even come to finish speaking. They slowly approached the great leader of the Forsaken Undead.
She was a beautiful blood elf, with shimmering white hair, although her undead banshee soul had turned her skin grayish blue and her eyes glowed red with blood. Her black bone armor looked powerful, and her large black crossbow was quite intimidating. She carried a cold stone glare in her eyes until she spotted the blood elves approaching.
"What do you want? State your business with the Lady Sylvannas, quickly-." A guard snapped at the group but was briefly interrupted by the dark queen.
"Ah!" She exclaimed somewhat cheerfully. "Visitors from Quel'Thalas! What news do you bring?"
Quel'Anis handed the queen Lord Lor'themar's letter. She read it carefully with a furrowed brow.
"It is done then. The bastard finally got what he deserved" She paused as she released the bitter look from her face and continued to read. Then she stopped to take a closer look at the blood elves and the troll that stood afar.
"You did this, yourselves? An impressive feat indeed! With the help of an ally you blood elves have proved that your race remains worthy." She continued reading, "I see that Lor'themar has additional news that will greatly improve his relations with Thrall." She looked out at Quel'Anis and Ellorei standing before her, attentively. Her eyes grew sad as her voice turned solemn. "Ladies, I have not lost any love for my homeland or its people, as you should know. I've fought tooth and nail for Silvermoon to be allowed a place beside Undercity and Orgrimmar at the negotiating table. This letter should silence any opposition." She folded the letter up, placed it in the envelope and clipped a metal seal over the back. The she handed it back to Quel'Anis.
"Take it to Thrall in Orgrimmar. As leader of the Horde, he will have the final say on accepting your race's pledge. That seal is my own personal endorsement. Take the Zepplin to Duotar. I'm sure your friend here will be glad to lead the way." She looked to Ku'Mari who nodded in respect.
"Go quickly." Lady Sylvannas shooed the group off but caught a glimpse of something and snatched at Quel'Anis chest. She got a hold onto the necklace Quel'Anis wore and drew her close.
"What have you there? That necklace looks familiar. Give it here!" She ripped it from Quel'Anis' neck and examined it closely.
"I apologize, my lady. I had forgotten. The necklace… it is yours." Quel'Anis took a step back as she bowed her head for a moment.
"It can't be!" the lady whispered in astonishment. "I thought it was lost forever!" Tears began to well up in her eyes only to dart back to Quel'Anis and they thinned into a vicious glare. Her tone grew sharp and cruel. "You thought this would amuse me, did you? … Do you think that I long for a time before I was the queen of the Forsaken?!" She threw the necklace at Quel'Anis' feet as the young blood elf looked up to her sadly.
"Like you, it means nothing to me… Alleria Windrunner is a long dead memory!" Her voice broke as she turned her back on the blood elves. "Remove yourselves from my presence!" were her final words. Ellorei, her hands cupped over her mouth and in tears, slowly backed away. Ku'Mari placed his hands on her shoulders to comfort her.
Quel'Anis picked up the necklace and stood still for a moment. The courtroom was silent in hesitation. Then Quel'Anis began to sing the Lament of the Highbourne with a soft, beautiful voice. Ku'Mari suddenly found himself in a trance, his eyes locked on the little blood elf. Ellorei drew away her hand from her mouth and began to sing as well, gradually approaching her companion.
The Dark Queen of the Forsaken slowly turned around and came close to the girls. She finally joined in. Her voice was glittering, over the already lovely voices of the two blood elves. Two banshees, who remained Lady Sylvannas' advisors came up behind their queen and gently chimed in with harmonies. The song was enchanting but very sad and frightfully haunting as it echoed through the walls of the Undercity. All inhabitants and visitors alike stood still, in complete silence as they listened to the beautiful and tragic song. Tears trickled down the cold cheeks of the lovely Dark Queen of the Forsaken; once the head ranger of Silvermoon City, the one who stopped Arthas from destroying the Sunwell, who fought and gave her all but failed her people. Tortured, murdered and cursed by Arthas, the wretched Lich King.
Quel'Anis gently placed the necklace back into Sylvannas' hand. She bowed with the upmost respect for her role model and left with the others as the queen's voice faded at the last sad words of the song.
Into Orgrimmar to the War Cheif
"Follow me, ladies." Ku'Mari insisted as they headed back up into the central part of the city.
Ellorei dried the tears from her cheeks and sniffled. "Where do we go from here? Where is Duotar?"
"Across deh seas to the continent Kalimdor, home of the orcs, tauren, trolls and… of course, night elves." Ku'Mari explained as they reached the surface level and left the castle. Past the courtyard and out of the entrance way, they found two small towers not far in the distance. "Come on, ladies. We gotta get up to deh Zepplin before it takes off!" He led the way down a stone path and up a hill to into the left tower. They made their way up the old wooden spiral stair case to a poorly rigged deck where undead priest and terrifying black armored blood elf stood. Ku'Mari nodded as he stood beside them. Ellorei stared in wonder at the mysterious dark warrior. Quel'Anis felt her skin chill standing beside the cold warrior. She turned slightly to get a look at him. He was completely covered in black iron armor that emitted frost and his immense sword that hung unsheathed on his back looked as if it were made of solid ice. His face was lovely and his hair a silky black. But his eyes glowed a racially unfamiliar blue. Ellorei came close to Ku'Mari and whispered into his ear.
"Ku'Mari, what is he?"
"He is a Death Knight."
"Death Knight?" Ellorei repeated as Quel'Anis turned to listen to Ku'Mari.
"Horde membahs and Alliance membahs alike who have sold dere souls to gain a piece of Arthas' great power. He's remained incased in ice for a long time but many people believe he's gotten free and his powers be growin by the day. Dark Knights wield his power because it is considered deh strongest on Azeroth."
"Is he alive?"
"Undead in a sense..deh are nearly immortal. Be weary anytime ya see one… Alliance race or Horde. Deh on nobody's side but there own!"
The girls turned back to the death night and stared in awe at his frosty power. Sensing their attention, the blood elf smiled wickedly and began to laugh.
"Not to worry little ones." His voice was unreal, as if three entities talked all in one. "I have no reason to kill you. So you two get your chance to choose real power one day soon." The giant Zeppelin blimp coasted in and hovered at the foot of the deck. A short little green goblin stepped up to the entrance and shouted. "Zeppelin arrives at Tirisfall Glades! Next heading to Orgrimmar three minutes!"
The cold death night and the silent priest headed on the ship first and Ku'Mari and the girls followed behind. Many little goblins bustled about as they cleaned, repaired and checked the zeppelin for issues. They had strange, squawky little voices as they cursed out to each other while they worked. Quel'Anis and Ellorei ran to the head of the helm to sit and watch the view ahead of them in excitement. Never before had they rode in an airship. As the ship took off, they passed over the endless pine trees of the eerie and rather dreary Tirisfall Glades. Quel'Anis looked back to find that another undead man, covered in a black hooded cloak had made it onto the ship without her noticing. He was a shady looking character, though the others were no less so, and he seemed to be in an awfully friendly and familiar conversation with Ku'Mari. They turned and caught her suspicious glare. Her green eyes glowed sharply at Ku'Mari.
"Something pretty over there has got a death mark out on you, kid." The undead stranger jested. "You better watch your back. Looks like she believes you're the enemy." They turned away.
"You be caraful wit ya words, mon. Kellani's got deh eyes of a hawk, deh ears of a fox and an aim like Lady Sylvannas."
"Really? Think she'll be good with crowd control? You can tell she's got the attitude for it."
"Well she still gotta learn zero-range defense."
"You're the best at that, kid. I'm sure she'll loosen up to learn a thing or two from you yet."
Quel'Anis only vaguely picked up a few words from their conversation, but knew for sure they spoke of her and it bothered her tremendously. More than her discretion towards the troll, Quel'Anis was concerned for the well being of her companion and herself. She knew they were young had come from an isolated land that few others bothered to venture into. She also understood that many in the open world would try to take advantage of their inexperience but she would not have for it.
(I refuse to be made a fool by those with the advantage. Especially by a cocky blue troll!) Her thoughts remained steadfast in her mind.
The winds changed as the air became thin and dry and the sky went from blue to deep gold. Orange rocky plateaus jut high up from the dusty plains and wild creatures romped about boldly in the open.
"Zeppelin has arrived in Duotar, Orgrimmar. Five minutes until departure for Trisfal Glades and the Undercity!" One of the goblin mechanics announced. A tremendous black steed suddenly appeared on the ship, the death knight already mounted. He aided his ally, and swiftly pulled the priest onto the horse and they galloped off of the ship, past the wooden platform and onto a more volatile looking zeppelin ship. Snowflakes fluttered onto the blood elves faces as they watched the powerful Horde members leave.
"Come on, ladies. We almost there." Ku'Mari said as he and the undead rogue passed the girls and headed down a spiral stair case. The group traveled up a long dirt road to a massive stone wall lined with wooden pikes made from tree stalks. Adventurers of all ages and all experience levels dueled affront the city gates, some for play, some for lessons, and others just for showing off. They passed through the towering hall of the gates into the core of the city. Orgrimmar was vast and booming with merchants, military and travelers briskly passing this way and that. Many adventurers stood atop the central bank, preparing for grand battles and raids, clad in various forms of powerful armor and wielding the most amazing of weapons. The girls stood within the archway before the city, gawking in amazement. Never before had they seen such a population, mixed of so many races, ages, and classes of kind.
"Ellorei, if you wanted to shop and trade, this will be the place to do so!" Quel'Anis managed to say.
A bear roared ferociously, as it barreled past the blood elves and transformed into a Tauren leaving them even more astounded. Ku'Mari laughed as he pushed the girls onward, into the city.
The girls hesitantly made their way down the stone path until a large auction house sign appeared clear in the distance. Ellorei squealed with excitement as she grabbed Quel'Anis and dragged her on towards the sign.
Ku'Mari and the rogue met up in the center of the city with a brawny and well armored orc, amongst others.
"Cha wit Teak Hawk, mon?"
The bulky but goofy orc nodded, "I fight for the she-tauren."
"Alright, broddah, welcome to deh party. Now we gotta real tank, mon…" Ku'Mari looked apologetically to the rogue who shook his head in insult. "Sorry, Garrett… ya know I wasn't tryin' tah-."
"Watch your words, voodoo boy." Garrett threatened jokingly.
"Nah but deh real deal will be deez blood elves I picked up, mon." As Ku'Mari began to brag about his "treasure of ah find" and described how beautiful and well skilled the naïve blood elves were, two plum colored hands covered his eyes and a raspy female voice interrupted him.
"Of course, no puny blood elf could comparah to deh beauty of ah troll!" The three males spun around to find a tall, lovely female troll standing before them. Her wild blue hair was heavily braided and matched her sapphire mage robes appropriately. She grinned wickedly, bearing her short, slim tusks.
"Oh absolutely, Mikal'wah. Who could resist that feisty seductive attitude? And let's face it, female trolls have all the fullest of assets when it come to the goods!" Garrett said as he smacked her muscular bottom.
"Ah! Garrett if only ya wasn't undead an' rottin', I could beh matin' wit ya fah hours!" The troll giggled.
Garrett laid on his charm and flattery to the point of obvious smothering, but the female troll ate it up, none the less. Ku'Mari rolled his eyes. He did not mind pride or cockiness, but extreme vanity and an overly inflated ego were of no interest to him. These were the flaws he saw in Mikal'wah, and looking back on the past, regretted realizing them so late.
"Whata ya doin' heah, Mikal'wah?" he asked somewhat sternly.
"Same ting as you… waitin' for Teak Hawk. I've joined deh group. You'll beh needin' a mage tah keep yah heads out of deh clouds and ya feet out of deh mud!" She proclaimed proudly. Ku'Mari pulled the female troll close to him and she blushed slightly; a curious effect Ku'Mari coincidentally had on females.
"Listen, I got two blood elves I've been required tah take undah mah wing. Don'tcha get green on dem. We don't have room for it in tha group. You undahstand?"
Mikal'wah used the same smile Ku'Mari popularly used when being crafty.
"No worries, mon… no worries." She said slyly.
"Ku'Mari, I'm glad to see you have returned to us, but did you succeed in your mission?" A towering female Tauren inquired softly as she approached.
"But of course, Teak Hawk. Deh gotta take a lettah to Thrall to complete an important quest… but ya know, mon… deh be doin' tha shoppin' ting." He replied as he pointed to the auction house, smiling. Teak Hawk nodded and turned to the orc.
"I see you two have met Barrack, here." Teak Hawk smiled as the orc awkwardly waved at the group. "He will be our main offender and I'm sure he'll take casualties easily."
"And what is your favorite hobby, Barrack?" The undead rogue asked teasingly.
"I like to smash things and skin things and eat food." Barrack answered rather straightforward. Garrett smiled keenly, "You'll fit in just fine, here."
"I'm sure you boys will get along quite well." Teak Hawk said as she began to look around. "Now… to collect our hunters….?" She questioned as she pointed Ku'Mari towards the chatting blood elves as they exited the auction house.
The girls were busy quarreling over a vial of regeneration elixir the auctioneers had claimed to be a Troll Sweat potion. Quel'Anis swiftly snatched the elixir up and shoved it into her bag.
"Hello, ladies. Welcome to Orgrimmar, the capital city of the Horde. I am Teak Hawk. I will be leading the group through our future quests and missions. I was the one who sent Ku'Mari to find you and bring you here to join our team. It is important that we put our skills together and strengthen our abilities in order to become powerful enough to defeat our enemies at Razorfen Kraul. I will explain the details later. I'm sure this is all very new for you, blood elves. Anyhow, I believe you have some important business to complete before you even begin with us. Is that correct?" Teak Hawk pointed down at the letter, rolled up and tied to Quel'Anis's arm. Quel'Anis suddenly remembered the letter she was to deliver to Thrall and what great importance it held. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she quickly handed the letter to Teak Hawk to examine.
"Ku'Mari was right, this is very important. Please follow me, ladies. You are about to meet the leader of the Horde." Teak Hawk led the girls up the road as Ku'Mari caught up to them. They passed through the shadows of the Drag to the far end of the city and in through another corridor that led into the Valley of Wisdom. Numerous guards stood outside a large stone fortress as the group entered. Fire-lit torches surrounded the dark interior corridor and groups of great warriors, shamans, hunters and druids stood about conversing quietly to each other over tactics. Not one seemed to notice the low leveled group walking down the hall to meet the great leader. They reached the end of the corridor to find the great war chief seated with his chin resting under his fist. He stared straight out, deep in thought as if no one were around.
"You'll find it difficult to keep, let alone, receive his attention, so you must be quick with your message." Teak Hawk advised as she handed the letter to Quel'Anis. The blood elf straightened her posture and held her head high as she approached the gigancitc green orc.
(Walk with pride! You are representing the Blood Elf race!) She reminded herself sternly as she stood before him. Not for one moment did he take notice to her and she began to feel rather estranged. Many other advisors and militants stood about carrying on conversations around them. Quel'Anis could feel her face grow hot as the orc seemed to be staring right at her! She finally cleared her throat loudly and caught his attention.
"Thrall, leader of the Horde. I come bearing news from Quel'Thelas. A message from Lord Lor'themar, sir." She proclaimed more annoyed than nervous anymore. The whole room's attention went straight to her as Thrall shook his head and looked down at the petite blood elf.
"Be quick, blood elf, I have no time for the formalities of your race."
She swiftly handed over the letter and he opened it and began to read. "Sylvannas is a persistent one. So she's sent some of Silvermoon's own champions… how does this change anything?" He continued to read the letter, pinching at the hairs on his chin. He looked down at Quel'Anis who stood attentive and as still as a statue.
"Your people have suffered a great betrayal by the Alliance and now you have defeated a powerful Scourge leader at the footsteps of your home."
Ku'Mari and Ellorei stepped up and stood beside Quel'Anis, awaiting the great orc's next words. There was a respectful silence in the room as everyone awaited his decision. "Your worthiness is no longer in question." Quel'Anis smiled with gratefulness as Ellorei cheered aloud. "It is now apparent that you need us as we shall need you. I shall return a letter to Lord Lor'themar telling him I have received his message loud and clear." The war chief crushed the letter in his hand and stood before the trio. "Welcome to the Horde, elves." He said as he extended his gigantic hand as Quel'Anis and Ellorei proudly and graciously shook it as firmly as they could.
Ku'Mari nodded to the war chief and gave the thumbs up to Teak Hawk. The blood elves bowed to the leader and headed with the others back out into the city.