Tarantis:
The board was a call to Hero's, I am a hero...kinda. I wave a sword around and rescue innocents. The term 'hero' is a fickle term. Over the years I have walked this earth the definition is not set but rather a personal interpretation. I've seen a citizen rescue a cat and be called a hero and have seen blood spilled by warriors such as my self to protect innocents and it classed as 'what we do'. To be a hero does ones actions have to be recognised? Does ones intentions for raising the sword have to be clear...? To be a Hero to the Alliance could be a villain to the Horde, because of that realisation I enlisted in the Argent Crusade. To me they are the Hero's, people who can overlook differences and protect simply because one needs protecting. To do good without question. Sure they are not perfect but I have been alive a long, long time and right now this seems the most productive thing I could do to spend my time. Even though Arthas is no longer a threat, majority of the Argent Crusaders reside in Northrend. I have spent three weeks on this Light forsaken boat and Northrend's icy shores have yet to be spotted. The time spent means little to me, my race are known to live longer than most but this boat is small and the crew have questionable morals. I see some of the men eyeing me up, at first I thought it might be because they haven't seen a 'night elf' before, but the longer the stares the harder it became to justify their actions. These men do not have what it takes to be the consort of any woman much less a warrior elf who is probably seven times their age, I would unsheathe my sword and take a whetstone to it my stares making it clear what would happen to any who tried to act upon their lusts.
I walk out of the ships small excuse of a tavern and breathe in as the icy wind hits my face, my short blue hair whipping around my face. The light is harsh on my eyes, the little sun that there is amplified by the whiteness of the glaciers around us. I see what I think to be the outlines of a dock but I cannot be sure. I feel myself grinning as I notice a stray rope hanging from the mast, I run and leap onto it. The strain of my muscles a welcome feeling from the weeks of meagre practice due to lack of space on the ship. I pull myself up, laughing. The crew members grow smaller. I groan as I swing myself up onto the wooden supports and stand slowly careful not to lose my balance. I was correct...that is a dock! I laugh with glee not focusing on my balance as the boat hits a small glacier causing me to lose footing and fall from the mast. I twist mid air determined to land on my feet, but the force of impact is too much causing me to roll almost falling overboard if not for a strong hand yanking me just as I am about to topple into the frosty water.
"Careful, little one" a deep voice warns. I look up into the friendly face of a tauren
"Many thanks" I reply curious as to how he is here without being attacked before realising this is one of the Crusade's ships so of course there would be races of both factions on it.
"The names Xandern" The tauren says
"Tarantis"
"Like the rare spider near your factions capital"
"one and the same" I grin as Xandern laughs a deep rumble.
"it's what one gets when both parents were beast masters" I sigh
"were?"
I grin again "'tis a story for another day, my friend"
"friend?" Xander's eyebrows rise in amusement
"would you prefer enemies?" I smirk lightly touching the pommel of my sword
Xander raises his arms in mock surrender
"I wouldn't stand a chance" he holds out a hand "friends it is"
I laugh as I shake his hand.
The boat docks and Xandern and I get off, our packs swung over our shoulders.
"So the quickest way to get to the tournament grounds would be?" He asks
"hmmm, we could trek across the tundra, through Sholazar and across Icecrown"
Xandern just stares at me before sighing
"wait here"
"wait where are you going" I ask
"just" he holds up a hand motioning to stay as he walks away.
I roll my eyes and sit on my pack resting my elbows on my knees and my face in my palms watching my breath freeze, I sigh, it's going to be a long day.