World of Warcraft – Light's Redemption
Book 3
By ViMiLu
Prologue:
A crisp breeze blew through an open window. The golden rays of the sun peaked over the distant horizon. Tender bits of snow melted on edges of the tile roof and dripped into the small garden beneath it. The budding plants have survived the harsh elements and were at the cusp of blooming about to reveal the true beauty hidden within.
Winter was finally coming to an end. The harsh season took its toll on the world. It was kind to few and not so kind to most others. The stench of war wafted in the air along with the chilling wind of the elements. Thankfully, its pungent aroma was fading. It had been too long since Azeroth had breathed this calmly and was certainly well deserved. Countless sacrifices had been made in order to achieve this moment of peace. No one, not even the dead, could say that it wasn't worth it.
Children burst through the door. The poured inside the cottage after racing through the yard towards a lone wooden table near the kitchen. Eagerness filled their expressions as they furiously panted with tremendous desperation. They surrounded the furniture in a small arc nearly toppling over one another. Tiny bits of grass and dirt stained their clothes as they came to a complete halt upon the cold stone floor.
"We're ready!" They frantically cried in broken unison.
All of the children found places to sit and lay. They stared up at the benevolent Storyteller before them. Their eyes were encapsulated with vigor. Each of their minds had become a dry sponge excited to soak in the words that were to be imparted from the wise mouth they admired.
"Are you sure you are ready?"
The commanding voice of the Storyteller quaked in their young minds. Their resolve steeled as they stared intently back with curious eyes.
"Once I begin, you will never be able to unhear these words."
The sharpness of that statement cut through them like a gallant blade across the edge of an unworthy adversary.
"Each and every breath that leaves my body will become a part of your lives from here on out."
Although lighter than the previous declaration, the words continued to weigh heavily in the young minds of the children.
"They will be ingrained in your memories here and henceforth from this day, until the last day."
Every word pouring through the Storyteller's lips commanded their attention. Not a single child would dare look away nor would their curious minds allow them to.
A rush of silence filled the room. The cool air settled upon the children as their bodies slowly acclimated to the slow warming weather. They looked upon each other heeding the Storyteller's warning with patience and courage. Each of them were desperate to find the one unfit amongst them. After a few moments of searching, they steeled themselves and returned their gaze upwards.
"We're ready," a boy spoke.
He didn't flinch in his words or expression. The rest of the children shared his resolve.
"Please," a girl began. "Tell us the story."
"We want to hear it!" Pleaded another.
They were beginning to grow restless. Perhaps it was their youthful impatience that guided their actions but nevertheless, they had waited long enough. There were enough rumors going around nearby that fueled their inquisitiveness. It was better to quench their thirst with the truth than poison their minds with mere speculation.
"Very well," smiled the Storyteller.
A large tome was procured from the table. The hardened leather binds still retained the unique chill of the land where it was born. It may have been the newest book that resided on any shelf in their small library but the knowledge and history contained within were more powerful than any weapon within a thousand miles of this place.
This book was truly unique. There are none like it in the whole of Azeroth. It didn't contain instructions from devastating conjurations like the many lining the shelves of mages' homes or recipes for unique transmutations as the guides alchemists and herbalists pride themselves in collecting. Unlike those books, this one was prized by a select few and its value couldn't be measured even if a hundred men counted for thousands of years.
Laying within these fresh layers of parchment were the collective memories of some of the finest warriors, nobles, scholars, and champions of this world. Though their names may be unknown to most, they helped shaped these lands in ways most will never know. Every word bound within these pages carries with them the very essence of those that first shared them. They will be forever honored within the bindings of this incredible book.
The tome slowly opened. Rippling sounds of finely pressed paper sliced into the air. The eager children grew more excited with each passing second.
"Listen closely children," the Storyteller began.
They obeyed with great intensity. Not even the shifting of land or crumbling of mountains could break their concentration.
"I am about to regale you with a tale of great wealth and significance to our world."
Shivers poured along their small backs. All of the buildup throughout the passing days had made this moment certainly worth the wait.
The Storyteller's fingers carefully glided along the page watching as if the children were absorbing each and every word being written into their very soul.
"This chronicles some of the greatest champions to ever grace our world."
Smiles quickly lifted on the children's collective expressions. Hearing that term filled their hearts with a warm and powerful light.
"It is one of triumph, despair, and sacrifice."
A small crack bit at their young faces. Weather it was the sudden chill of the timely wind that passed by or the weight of the words they just heard falling over them was still yet to be determined.
"The heroes that remain will keep the memory of these events forever hearts, minds, and bodies."
That powerful statement resonated strongly within the children. Though they may be young and inexperienced, even they could empathize with the plights of those with the courage to stand and defend those that don't have the strength to do so themselves.
"And once this is over, you too will never forget the words you will hear on this day."
The Storyteller laid out one final warning. This wasn't done to scare them. It merely stressed the sheer power of the words locked within this tome.
"Their strength in the face of tremendous evil are ones to be admired and revered."
The warming tone lifted their spirits once more. The children inched closer hungry for what was to come next.
"Azeroth may never see this display of bravery ever again."
Those words carried with them a subtle tinge of sorrow. It was challenging for anyone to hold their composure given the tale that was about to relived once more. However, that proved to be insignificant compared to uttering the very next sentence that would be forever etched in their collective memories.
"For this is the last story of the Templar Knights."