Zerodigriz of Self, a Story of the Silvermoon Guard

by Rillan macDhai

I've recently started playing WoW on the Moon Guard roleplaying server. This story is background for my Death Knight and will also contain some background history (though rapidly becaming an alternate prequel) on the firesworn warmage of my Rogue Magick stories. Zero is mentioned in Rogue Magick, but hasn't put in an appearance there yet. PG for now, since I'm not sure what will happen on Zero's journey, it will probably eventually be K+ or M for the sites ratings.

"Thank you for the audience, Milady."

The Forsaken Death Knight remained kneeling. He was well aware of the Banshee Queen's short temper and impatience with delay, so despite his misgivings, he continued. "I ask for leave to return to Silvermoon."

Sylvanas growled low, "You waste my time asking this? There are no restrictions on where the Forsaken may travel."

The former rogue, once elven, once simply Forsaken, and then one of the rare Forsaken Death Knights, kept his eyes on the stone of the floor, though his voice remained easily heard, "You misheard the emphasis on the words, Milady, and I could have put it more bluntly. I ask leave to –return- to the quel'dorei. I want to go home and stay."

He heard the ranger queen hiss an unnecessary breath. After a long moment of silence, Sylvanas said, "You will not find acceptance there, Slippery diGriz."

The death knight raised his head and arched his emaciated, skeletal body until his back was perfectly straight again. "I do not go there to find their acceptance. I go there to find my own. And to recover some of what I lost."

He remained sitting on his legs, but his gaze now fixed on Sylvanas. "You led the way, Ranger-General. I but seek to emulate what you have done."

The Banshee Queen stared back at him.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked dangerously, her bow suddenly in her hands.

The former elf smiled. "You reclaimed yourself," he said simply.

Sylvanas studied him for another long moment before reslinging her bow. "Continue," she said.

"At the moment, I remember Thalassian if I see it written, but I can't un-jumble it if I heard it or try to speak it. I want that back . . . and I want to be myself again. Or at least look like myself." He suddenly grinned and for a moment a hint of the rogue he had been shone through. "Besides, the rest of the brotherhood are getting all the girls."

Sylvanas gave him an affronted look and moved toward him in anger before stopping herself. "You never had the sense to be afraid, Zerollen Silverice."

"Never," the other cheerily agreed. "But please, Ranger-General, save that name for when and if I redeem myself. My working name of Zerodigriz Darkice is more suitable until then."

He shifted gracefully, kneeling now in the manner of a knight seeking a boon. "May I be released from your service, my Queen, so that I might journey home?"

Sylvanas studied her former scout. He still wore the armor he had gained among the Scourge, but there was calmness about him few Death Knights ever achieved, that and a spark of the Light almost suitable for a priest or paladin. If he ever realized his potential, he would be formidable indeed. She would have had him stay, before. Before the rebellion in her own city. Before Varimathras and Putress. Besides, she recognized a kindred spirit, one who would never be willing to live under the shackles of another.

"I release you from your service to the Forsaken, Sir Darkice," she said. "You may return to your own land. If you succeed, I would ask one thing of you?"

"Nearly anything, my Queen," agreed the knight.

She frowned at his impertinence, but Slippery ZerodiGriz had never taken authority seriously when he'd served as a scout. It was somehow heartening to see he had retained that part of himself as well; perhaps he would have the strength of will to reshape his undead body or at least create the illusion he had done so.

"If you regain your form, return here that I might see you."

Electric ice blue eyes met her red gaze and a remarkably relaxed and happy smile brightened. "Nothing would please me more, my Queen."

"Arise then, and walk free, Sir Knight."

"Thank you, Milady. Suffer well."

Again, she gave him one of her piercing stares, but it was clear he meant no mockery by his words. "Suffer well, indeed, Sir Knight."

He bowed deeply.

Spinning lightly about he started out of the audience chamber, before suddenly pausing and patting his head with a slender bony hand. Looking back he asked, "Your pardon, Milday, but … do you see my ears laying about anywhere?"

Sylvanas ducked her head, hiding a laugh. "Your hood, sir death knight."

Zero pulled his battle hood from his belt. Sure enough, distinctively pointed elf ears were sewn to the fabric where the quel'dorei sometimes made holes to let a hood fit without crushing their own. "Thank you, Milady."

The fallen elf slipped the hood on and settled it into place. Saluting off-handedly, he headed out of the chamber, the words of a bawdy drinking song drifting back into the room as he began to sing in an amazingly pleasant voice for a death knight.