Dark skies
The world was still at odds as droplets of salty rain fell into the lush grass. Sentinels moved swiftly from the docks and onto the great elven ships that were to set sail. The sky was as if dusk had befallen their lands. A dark shadow that lured in the corner of his mind. Knight-Captain Atelniar Shadowrunner stood by and watched as their forces bordered the ship. Among them were druids, priestesses and the sentinels. Even glaives were brought onto the great ships.
"You are nervous?" a soft voice teased the elf, as he stood by and watched the preparations. She had sneaked upon him without him even noticing her. She was that silent and gentle, despite being a sentinel, when sneaking up on him. It felt reassuring and warmed his elven heart just a little bit. He did not turn to face her, for they both knew she had caught him trembling with fear and anticipation. Much like a scared nightsaber that shot its back up and hissed if it was nervous.
"I am. A fool would not be, but I am." Atelniar admitted it, his gaze following the glaive that was dragged and pushed onto the great deck of a ship. Sturdy ropes strapped onto the wooden structure as the Sentinels hauled the massive weapon of war onto their great ship. One of many ships that were to set sail for Gilneas. She joined him. What light was in the sky reflected of the silver pendant she wore, shaped as a single leaf. It was almost as beautiful a sight as the one who wore the pendant.
"I will have to leave, Atelniar, I am bound to my duties in Auberdine. I wanted to see you off properly and remind you to come home. You tend to forget the latter." a hint of worry silenced her words, but he heard them. They stood in silence for a while, as the final few elves boarded the ships. They were about to leave. Atelniar turned about and gave her a smile. He was not that good with words when it came to the opposite gender. His elven hand reached out and gave her cheek a touch before he walked away from her. He did not like walking away. It pained him, but he stepped over the threshold to another journey and took his place among the druids on the ship. He stood out quite clearly with his long white hair.
The sentinel stood in silence and watched as he left with the others. She had seen him leave before and she never liked it. Always, since the day she had seen him with Master Stormcrow, she had seen the back of him. He would always plunder into things, like a fool, but it was partly why she had begun to respect him. It was also the reason that she first spoke to him, primarily to teach him a lesson, and why she noticed him wherever he went. She tried to smile, but all she mustered was to stand in silence and watch as the ship took sail for the wide horizon. The sound of a hippogryph from far above, between the branches of the great tree, claimed her senses back and she walked towards the flight master.
Atelniar's gaze drifted towards the bowels of the great tree where the harbor was, wishing he could be a little more tactful in regards to her when next they would meet. With the great tree in the distance behind them the elves traversed the sea. With the exception of whipping rain the weather held up well for a travel at sea. The wind was strong and howled at the sails, causing them to bloat majestically with the Darnassus sigil declaring their presence on the waves. Space was limited in the crew's quarters and the priestesses were prioritized ahead of the druids and sentinels when it came to comfortable seating. In fact, Atelniar found himself hunched down with his back against the wall underneath a ledge on deck as the rain prickled against his forehead. It changed its nature with time, in his mind Atelniar grew to hate the salty droplets of fresh rain that constantly washed over his face, as the wind made it even worse. Sleep did not come easy, but it came in minor dozes as the journey went on.
After a long and tedious voyage the sky began to darken and on the horizon was the unmistakable outline of the Eastern Kingdoms. The dusky shroud that made it impossible to mistake it for anything but Gilnean land loomed along the entire coastline. Before anyone could muster a single word the sky tore open in a fierce flash and a rumbling roar of thunder shook through every elven ear within reach. Atelniar planted his palms against his ears and glanced up at the sky, which had ripped apart in a bright flash only to grow darker and thicker where the rift of fiery lightning had formed. A deep rumble echoed through the air, sea and the very woodwork of the ship itself. The likes of which the druid had never before witnessed in his days. A great storm, one that would shake the very fabrics of the earth and crumble all hope, had finally been unleashed. The Cataclysm struck as a dark shadow grew ever more prominent above the darkest skies of their time.
