"My son,"
Deep within the frozen solid ice mountains of Icecrown. There on the frozen throne, the Lich King sat in a deep meditating like trance. Within his mind, he remembered the words his father once said to him long ago.
"The day you were born, the very forests of Lordaeron whispered the name... Arthas."
Waking up from his trance with blue glowing eyes, he got up from his throne and began walking off. For some time unknown he journeyed across the barren frozen wasteland. The icey cold wind blowing heavily which made his long black cape flow in the air. Eventually, he arrived at a certain spot. Kneeling down and wiping the snow away, he examined the frozen ice that served as the ground before standing back up.
"My child."
Moving his cape a little, he reached for the handle of his sword, the infamous Rune Sword, Frostmourne.
"I watched with pride as you grew into a weapon of righteousness."
With his sword fully drawn, he raised it to the air while snowflakes slowly dropped towards it.
"Remember, our line has always ruled with wisdom and strength."
When the snowflakes touched the blade of his sword, it's runes glowed with a blue aura as he readied his sword.
"And I know you will show restraint when exercising your great power."
Without wasting anytime, he stabbed his Runeblade deep into the ice ground. The blade's power surged into the ice, sending the snow that covered the ice ground away to reveal something buried within. Cracking the ice all around followed by an earthquake, something began to arise. As the Lich King stood up and looked out into a distance a skeletal dragon claw tore through the ground behind him. Slowly the skeletal remains of Sindragosa, the mighty frost wyrm queen herself, tore through her icy grave and stood up. Taking her first few steps to crawl out of her grave she stood high above a mountain edge, blue magical energy coursing all around within her. Looking around her and spreading her frozen skeletal wings wide, she took flight into the air. Hundreds of the Lich King's undead army of the scourge watched her in awe as she flew above them.
"But the truest victory, my son, is stirring the hearts of your people."
The mighty Sindragosa continued to fly into the air looking below at the army of the undead and gave out a chilling icy roar of terror. The undead below her soon followed her by sample and let out chilling yells of horror while blue magical energy glowing within them. The Lich King himself watched from atop of the mountain the countless glowing blue lights that showed his army of the undead. As he did this he continued to remember the last few words his father once told him
"I tell you this, for when my days have come to an end"
The Lich King looked upwards to the distance towards Sindragosa as his eyes glowed with a bright blue aura.
"You shall be King."
Unknown to the Lich King and his army of the Undead. Deep below underneath what was the frozen grave of Sindragosa. There was a frozen room, basically untouched by the outside world, there stood a large grouping of frozen ice, a being trapped inside. However with the magic of Frostmourne still coursing below, it infested into the wall that held the ice intact. Turning them a glowing blue color they shattered, and the being inside sank to the floor. Revealing a twisted dark and terrifying looking undead creature. He had unkempt shoulder-length black hair, his skin was gray and rotting, his muscles and bones were exposed, his jaws had larger more exposed and vicious-looking fanged teeth, and his fingers and toes were completely lacking skin leaving only bones to use like claws. Apparently lifeless, the Lich King's power infused into the creature. His slow, shallow, deep breaths were soon echoing through the room. With a sudden burst of life, the creature lifted his bone clawed hand up and slowly tried to get up on his knees. He took long deep breaths before opening his sinister blue glowing human eyes to look up to the frozen ceiling of the room. Letting out a piercing loud scream of terrifying horror and agony.
The growing threats of the unknown hurled throughout the city, the guards were kept busy as always as the dire needs of security have grown more than ever. As such the city of Stormwind increased its number of guards at a majority of its place of interests. Mostly the Stormwind Keep. All the guards prepared to what events may transpire along the way in the near future. The roads were kept busy, the farmers hoed down the land to produce for them, such as the miners hammered the rocks with their the steel crushing the rocks under its weight, determined to supply the growing needs of the city.
A man screamed down to a row of soldiers as the men of arms readied. Armed and hoisted itself up to his orders, and before long the commander left to rest himself to his tent. While his men put themselves to back breaking labor.
A tan colored skin human with hazel colored eyes, and short black hair with a matching designer stubble facial hair, stood guard close by. Standing to a height of Six foot two, relatively average for the human height. He was dressed in a standard issue Stormwind guard uniform with it's size matching his frame and without his helmet on. He had a fierce look to him that yet contradicts to his smile that was imprinted on to his lips.
"What are you smiling about Larkon?" The human heard someone call to him
He turned to see a fellow guard that stood just as tall as he is. "I'm being called to the post, Captain Jorden wanted me inside his tent, he says that I might like the new post that was assigned to me." Larkon answered his fellow friend and comrade at arms.
"That's what he says all the time before assigning us some kind of job that makes us look bad and general Moira all that special." The guard says with a loud sigh while taking a seat.
"Can't be that bad. After all he has to take orders from General Moira which is out of his hands"
"Oh yeah, he assigned me to the castle's molt. Close to the city's sewage dump. Any idea what that's like and how long it takes to get the smell of shit off of you?" The guard asked him.
Larkon just chuckled "Yeah, I can imagine."
His fellow comrade raised a question. "Hey Larkon, do you like how the General Moira is treating us?"
Larkon turned, somehow a bit surprised. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"Like the things he had been doing to us, does it make you a bit…..unsatisfied?" He replied.
Larkon thought about it, though he had a point, but it mattered not to him now. It was his captain he owed for at least pulling him away from the slums of whence he came. Not the General. "I know, but at least the captain had given something, enough to sustain myself. I owed him to the extent."
"In other words you're okay with kissing his ass?" The guard asked.
"Kissing ass would not be the term, but rather grateful to the one who pulled me out from the streets. And in return I'm loyal to him, rightfully so." He snarled.
The guard shrugged "I guess you're right. When do you have to meet with the so called fearless leader captain?"
"I'm meeting with him when I finish my post and tomorrow I'll move to my post." He answered.
"By the way your gonna need to put your helmet on. For some reason they want all guards with helmets on and anyone without their helmet will be given five lashes as punishment. I guess they're trying to make sure we don't take an arrow to the head. After all, remember how Jonathan took an arrow to the knee last week?" The guard asked.
Larkon chuckled at his lie. "That's not what I heard in the reports, the punishment only would be to move to more 'grotesque' post. And for Jonathan, that was during a archery target practice session when he accidently took an arrow to the knee trying to show off infront of some pretty ladies who were watching at the time."
He grunted. "Your one of those who smiles a lot, not because of a funny joke but because you enjoy watching some people get hurt because of their stupidity of making an ass out of themselves, you know that right?"
"Yep. At here in the keep there's more to life than just surviving." Larkon answered with a smile.
The guard stood up. "Well I best be off back to the city's molt to get covered in shit again just for guarding the post. I'll leave you to your little whatever job captain hard ass has for you. Take care of yourself Larkon." He waved at him before walking off.
Larkon takes a look at him one last time before drifting his eyes back to his business and takes a look at the worn out clock. "Six PM." He muttered before standing up. "Perhaps I'll go now." He whispered to himself before taking his leave from the camp.
He locked his stare at his camp, and then shifting it to the streets. He thought about what he had said, perhaps was more to life than just being a guard and laughing with some friends. He pushed those thoughts on the back of his head and returned his attention back to his order, and finally moving his feet. It did not take him long to find his commanding officer's tent as he entered inside ready for his next orders. His captain, Jorden, wore the same Stormwind uniform as he did without his helmet on as well. He was a regular muscular fit human with brown eyes, chin length brown hair with a matching facial beard that both had traces of grey on them. The look of his eyes had the focus and look of a soldier who had rightfully earned his position as captain of his squadron. At the moment he seemed busy looking at a map seriously not even paying any attention to notice Larkon entering his tent.
"Um, you wanted to see me sir?" Larkon asked.
Jorden suddenly notices Larkon. "Oh there you are Larkon, I was just about to send someone for you."
He takes a couple of steps before responding to his captain. "I am here now sir, you summoned me because of a new post that you would assign to me?" He said.
"Ah yes the new post. Please have a seat I need you to be fully focused on what I will tell you because I won't repeat myself once more." He mentioned.
Larkon took a seat as he requested. The captain took a look back at the map once more before fully taking his attention to Larkon. "The royalties and nobles have been summoned to the palace for a special occasion: A royal banquet would be held there and all of the ones of High ranks have been invited." He said so seriously as he stood up. "Even the high priest of the Church of the Light will be there, and so will the Paladins and their Priest and Priestesses, so this would be a task that I would entrust you?" He stated to him very seriously.
Larkon nodded obediently as he accepted. "Yes sir." He said while he saluted to his commanding officer.
"Good, the banquet will be tomorrow. You will be given your assigned post tomorrow morning and I expect you to be there exactly on time. With that said you are dismissed." He nodded to Larkon and went back to looking at the map.
Larkon slowly backs off from the tent and went outside to return to his camp for the news. He took a deep breath and moved his feet towards the camp, it would only take him a little time to get there yet he went down back to the streets. The memories swirled inside his mind, though the city changed in structures but it was still all familiar to him.
Before he knew it he found himself back at camp close to his tent. He looked to see some of the men were already by the fire, some were laughing as the dwarves behind drowned themselves in ale. Though he usually joins them in the excitement and happiness, but this time….it didn't turn him on at all, it only made him disgusted to himself. "Is everything in my life would be just…...this?" He asked himself in the form of a whisper before proceeding to his tent, with his fellow footman he talked earlier was talking with a woman whose heart he had captured.
"I'll see you tomorrow." He said before kissing her lips, and by then the woman smiled and left with a wave.
His friend noticed and walked over to him. "Sorry I was just saying by to the lovely woman that my heart belongs to. Please don't report me in." he begged.
"I'm not, how long have to you two been with each other?" Larkon asked curiously.
"Oh for a year at best, I've seriously thinking of asking her if she would love to be my wife but I haven't a clue how to do so." The soldier told Larkon as the two sat down on a nearby bench.
"Well, atleast you have a woman." He said as he lifted his feet up and landed his foot towards the bench as he tried to unstrap his armour. He noticed the frown of Larkon, and that it only made him smile as he suggested with some tricks of romance as he realized his envy.
"Oh come on you'll find one that you'll grow close with. The only hard part is the introduction but once that's done the rest is easy from there." The guard tells him.
"Hungh." He grunted and showed his back to him, annoyed.
"Those were my words when I thought it would be impossible but then it happened and yeah. And if can happen for someone like me of course it can happen to anyone including you sir. And perhaps we don't know yet even if you haven't tried, like who could the lucky woman be? Those dreamy purple skinned tall Night Elves, those blue eyed High Elves, or even the Space goats, uh I mean Draenei, or could it be just of the same race." The guard suggested
Larkon turned chuckled. "I don't think those six feet Night Elven women would be the one I am interested in, High Elves maybe….but..Draenei's?...Perhaps." He answered to his suggestion.
"You never know sir. It can happen at any moment just it did for me. All it takes is one look to know exactly you've found the right person for you." He mentions.
"Alright, alright, quit the fuss, I'll try when I see one, but, let's just get some rest for now it's already…" He takes a look at the old clock. "Nine PM, and still some of us are still getting drowned in wine, so it's best to get some sleep for our assignments for tomorrow." He said, takeing off the last of his spaulders and discarding it to the nearby trunk where all of his belongings were kept.
"Yeah and my shift begins now. Take it easy sir I'll see you when my shift ends in the morning." The guard says before walking off to his post.
He exhaled loudly before continuing to take his armor off. When he finished getting all his armor off he headed inside his tent, walked towards his matt, and dropped his head down to the soft cushion of his bed. "Yeah you do that." He sighed.
Time passed by as the birds chirps and the rooster wailed, signaling the morning light. A loud horn call from the camp along with the bumping the the wall made the brows of the sleeping Larkon narrow in discomfort.
"Time to get up, you will be assigned to your post today." A guard said.
He lifted the burden of his body and rubbed the morning eyes of his with his fingers, trying to adjust the rays that hit the pupils of his eyes. "I will ready myself." He said, before standing up and walking towards his trunk that contained his formal armor. Just as he was about to open the trunk, a hand was raised to block his way.
"You are not going to wear that dreadful armor no longer." He said before adding. "You will be wearing these." Another guard sloppily pulled a trunk towards the door.
It got the brows of Larkon raising. "What are they?" He asked.
The man smiled. "You'll see." He said before walking away without any other word.
He watched him leave before opening the trunk to see his new uniform. It was the same as his old one but more refined like, and more sturdy. He sighed to himself annoyingly, doing something that to him felt unecesarry. Such as wearing a new uniform that was almost no different than his old one except being newer, sturdier, and more refined. He could only guess it was because he was going to be in the palace and was expected to dress nice even if he was just going to stand guard.
Without wasting anymore time he quickly puts on his clothes and tucks them all under his new armor. Once dressed he puts his helmet on, sheathed his sword in the scabbard attached to his belt on his left hip, and proceeded to make his way to the castle.
Once he finished, he moved his arms and legs to test the armor. He sighed, the feeling was no different from any other, it only made him look like a fool with a shining armor, but in truth, he appeared to be of noble descent with his armor, save for the scars on his skin.
"Though, I don't like fancy stuff, but at least it functions just the same like the others." He said to himself before walking outside the tent where the two guards he had been talking to just earlier was waiting for him, but this time, Captain Jorden was with them.
"Ah, I see that it fits you well." The Captain greeted with a complement.
"Thank you sir." Larken greeted back as he stood ready.
Jorden nodded in respect to his formality as a soldier. A royal escort comes with a horse and a cart caught their attention. Soon the group saw one of the Generals of Stormwind, General Moira exit out of his tent. Their General, Moira, was easily recognized from his full suit of armor that was white in color but had gold trims to it. It eagle head crest pauldrons that featured feathers while holding a long flowing red cape, and a gold lion crest on the upper chest of his breastplate. He was an average light skin youthful looking human with curly blond hair and blue eyes. When Moria came out he looked at all of the men and towards Jorden.
"All preparations are in place sir." Captain Jorden tells his commander.
"They better, I don't think I need to remind you of how important this is to my career Captain." Moria reminded the Captain.
"Yes sir." Jorden agreed.
Moira put a smile onto his lips as his ride had come. "Ah, it is my time to leave." He said, but before he walks towards it, he turned one last time to the soon to be palace guard. "I tell you Jorden. If you or any of your men disappoint me, I'll see to it that it won't go unpunished." He threatened, into which it did infact frightened the soldiers for a bit, as he was used to the threats of their commander. Never once he mentioned their captain's name during all those times. It was indeed different.
"Ouch, he actually mentioned his name." One guard mentions to Larkon.
Larkon exhaled through his nose with sorrowful look underneath his face concealing helmet. "I see that I won't indeed disappoint General Moira." He said before shifting his eyes towards his fellow soldiers and back to Moira
He stared at General as the Moira walked towards the cart and entered. Before long the sound a whip contacting the skin of a horse was heard signaling the hooves of the horse to move towards the palace.
"I got a feeling it's going to be a long, long night." Larkon groaned as he started walking towards the Keep.
Captain Jorden gently stopped Larkon for a moment and looked at him with a serious look. "I want you to keep a special eye out. I don't know but ever since what's all been happening recently I got serious feelings in my gut that something may not be right tonight. Stay at your posts. Keep a sharp eye out, and do as you're told. Because believe me kid, this is the worst kind of job for a guard because one screw up and you're done for." Jorden said seriously to him before giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder and walking off.
Larkon watched his captain walk off, it wasn't everyday the Captain showed concern but when he did it really meant something. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Larkon began his walk to the keep. He walked for about some time as he was halfway to the Stormwind Palace, that was close to the church just beside it for a five minute walk. When he arrived he could tell its must be a big banquet they were planning as he saw several chariots carrying important members towards the palace. At some point he decided he might as well take another direction so he wouldn't get in their way. As he grew closer to the keep he noticed something strange closeby. He looked behind him to see some kind of hooded robed figured apparently following him. He wasn't sure how long he had been doing this but Larkon felt something off from this figure, like he was being watched or something he wasn't quite sure. So when he stopped, he turned around to see the figure had vanished.
Odd he thought, one would not simply vanish before him, but maybe it was just his imagination that was playing tricks on him because of the nervous feeling he felt in his chest. Like as if a rope caught his lungs and began constricting it. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly and went on towards his post. Unknown to him, the robed figure was keeping watch of him above the roof of a building, watching his slow progress to the castle.
He entered the the palace by the front gate, and for the first time in his life he finally entered the place. Though he saw the palace from the distance, he never thought once that he could enter it. The palace was enormous, it's transparent mirrors surrounding the roof glowed as the rays of its light contacted with it. A giant chandelier hung well from above, as the crystals of its decoration illuminated the palace by the rays of its candles. A giant table rested in the middle of the palace as the throne of the mighty King of Stormwind rested in front of it. The walls of white ceramic marble was so smooth, as smooth as silk as he touched the the edges of it. He was amazed to the extent of gazing endlessly to it's beauty, but his day dreaming came to an abrupt end when a loud voice interrupted him.
"Hey stop gazing and start working." A palace guard beside him stated.
"Sorry." He quickly apologized and moved to his post to stand guard. He still could not help that he was still being watched by the hooded robed figure. As he either somehow entered into the palace or was observing him outside.
His thoughts were brought back into reality when one of the palace servants was announcing the names of all the special guests who were now arriving and entering the Keep. The guards kept their body straight, and their hands on their sheaths as they waited for the palace gates to open.
"Welcome Our Guests of the King of Stormwind Varian Wyrnn and the Crown Prince of Stormwind Anduin Wyrnn!" A royal servant began. "Ladies and Gentlemen, let us welcome Tiron Fordring! Jaina Proudmoore! And Our High Priest and Paladin Grayson Shadowbreaker and his right hand Paladin Tera! " He announced their names one by one as the palace guards, butlers, servants, nobles who were already inside erupted in cheers.
Larkon and the rest of the guards cheered and clapped for each special guest that arrived. Though Larkon deep down was somewhat bored in a way. Nevertheless he had high respect for most of these special guests and the accomplishments and sacrifices they have made in the name of the Light.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, let us also welcome Knight Commander Alexia Ironknife! Lord General Farius Cowley and his son Paladin Jalven Cowley! Mistress Serena Archangel! Lord Paladin Joven and his daughter Priestess Alura!" The announcer said next.
Like the other guests, everyone applauded and cheered for them as they entered. Yet Larkon only stood straight, his head held high with his hand on the sheathe of his sword, not breaking the formality of his composure. His eyes darted one by one as the guests walked past in front of him. He observe every detail of them, from the color of their hair to the ends of of their sleeves. Especially General Moira who was greeting them one by one.
One such guest that allot of people were in awe of was Lord Paladin Joven. The Draenei famous for being one of the heroes who helped slayed the Lich King Arthas years ago, and one of the very few survivors of the massacre of the Draenei on Draenor Thirty five years ago along with Vindicator Maraad.
He was slim yet very muscular Draenei with pale blue skin, luminescent blue glowing eyes, no facial tendrils, and had two fairly small horns on his fan-like forehead plate. He had long snow-white hair that was tied in a long ponytail, while two locks of his hair fell loose framing his face. He wore a set of Paladin Holy Warrior Plate Armor. Including the chestplate, shoulderplates, wristguards, gauntlets, legplates, and greatboots of the Holy Warrior. Over this he wore a Tabard of the Lightbringer, the girdle of the Holy Warrior wrapped around his waist, and a cloak that matched his tabard wrapped around his neck.
"Welcome Lord Paladin Joven, on behalf of Stormwind we are honored to have you here as our guest." One of the castle's servants greeted Jovan.
Joven remained calmly quiet but shooks hands regardless with a calm emotionless look on his face. Standing with him was his daughter Priestess Alura of whom Larkon was unlucky enough not to see her personally due to the many castle servants in front him.
He followed queue when the horns of the guards were blown, and the sounds were filling the atmosphere. One of the more high ranking servants approached the guests and bowed before them, muttering some words whom he did not hear. The servant turned around and announced.
"I present to you the Royal banquet of our generous King Varian Wyrnn." He said.
The guests proceeded to greet one another as the banquet began. Larkon narrowed his eyes as Moira proceeded with them. He was indeed trying not to disappoint him, no laughs, no cheers, no claps, just pure formality.
"Proceed to the gates of the entrance to the garden." A voice spoke to him. He turned around to see a palace guard with a pole axe standing beside him, with his hand gripping it.
Larkon nodded and asked. "Which way should I go?"
The guard turned to a smaller gate which was just a little bit beside the table banquet. "It's just on the side of the table over there." He instructed.
Larkon nodded and proceeded to make his way over to where he was instructed to go. Once he got halfway there he heard the servants blow the horns again to the signal the approach of the king himself.
"Most honored ladies and gentlemen. I present to you His Majesty Varian Wrynn, the King of Stormwind and his Royal Highness Anduin Wrynn, Prince of Stormwind." The main servant announced.
Looking over towards the large stairway, King Varian Wrynn and his son Prince Anduin Wrynn walked down. Once their presences were seen, everyone in the room applauded and cheered for them. From the looks of Prince Anduin he still appeared to be recovering from his injuries as evident with a sling around his arm and a bandage wrapped around his forehead.
They all sat down as the King Varian announced, but rather than joining with them, Alura proceeded to walk away, to at least explore the vestiges of the castle. She took a quick look towards her father who king Varian himself personally walked over to and gave him a brotherly hug as if he was greeting a close best friend of his.
Alura used this opportunity to walk away and began her sight seeing around her castle. Her glowing blue eyes hovered as she gazed the chandelier above. Becoming amazed by the beauty of it. She was used to this kind of models of buildings, as the church beside the palace where she spend her time as a priestess was similarly built like it. Nevertheless she was amazed.
She was so hypnotised of the ceramic marbles of the walls that she didn't see the large frame of a human clad with armor, conversing with a noble that was draped in a green robe. She didn't stop her tracks till she accidently bump into him.
Moira turned around, somewhat angered by the recklessness of whom who bumped into him, but it all waned when he saw her.
"Oh evening Priestess Alura what brings you to my presence?" He asked with a smile.
"Oh uh, I apologize for recklessly bumping into you and don't mind me I was just...exploring that's all."
"Not with your father Lord Paladin Joven?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I do not have the trait of the nobles, so It would be best just to stay away from such travesties." Alura replied, avoiding the gaze that Moira imprinted onto his eyes.
"But my dear lady most people would kill for the honor that you have. As most would do the same for me. For example, allow me to introduce myself, I am General Moira Charlton, the Son of General Elfred Charlton, and the descendant of the great Aristocratic warrior Wallach Charlton. I am also the proud commander among the campaigns during the incident of the Cataclysm, and it was by my hand that were able to push back the savage hordes of cultist in the Grim Batol and allow us to live in decent times with less barbarians in it." He said with pride
"Is it not the hand of the warriors who died in the forsaken cave who helped, that allow us to live in decent times?" Alura pointed out. Her white brows was a bit narrowed to his words.
"Oh yes but that is not the point I am trying to get to. My point fine maiden is that most would kill for the honor and privileges we both have. You being the daughter of one of the mighty heroes who stopped the Lich King Arthas. And me, being one of the Generals whose strategic and brilliant mind put an end to the hordes of cultist in the Grim Batol." He comments with a smirk on his face, as if very proud of himself.
Alura chuckled to his words. "Perhaps people would want to kill for food in their mouths rather than the honors Generals and others today receive. Perhaps your titles and honor bare no significance when warriors put their lives to save us while we who are the sons and daughters of honorable men and women hide behind a tent." She said, before adding. "Perhaps this conversation should be put to an end until we learn to put our pride down." She walked past him.
He suddenly stopped her by grabbing her left arm with a little force to it. "Incase my words did not reach you. I did not hide behind no tent when I lead the siege to purge those savages. And…"
Before he could continue, her father Joven showed up looking at them both with his usual calm look.
"Oh Lord Joven my apologies I was just giving priestess Alura a small history of my success back in Grim Batol. Though she seemed to take it the wrong way…" he said quickly and let go of her arm.
Joven didn't say anything just stared at him with an emotionless yet calm look.
"Um I will be right back I need to attend to some other guests. When I return I need to discuss with you on matter regarding the recent events regarding the Dark Portal." Moira said before walking off.
Joven watched him walk off before looking back at Alura. "You did not wish to sit with us?" He asked her calmly.
She shook her head, and replied calmly yet felt tension in her words. "I would like to see more than eat with you and the nobles" She said.
"I wasn't hungry much. Just wanted to see some old friends." He said calmly.
"You can't find old friends in your daughter." She said before walking away elegantly.
He softly and very gently stopped her with a soft touch of his right hand on her shoulder. "Was that man bothering you?" He asked calmly.
"No, he did not. I accidentally bumped into him and we exchanged words. Now please, let go so I may sightsee." She replied
Joven calmly noded and lets her shoulder go. "Don't wander off too far please." He requested gently.
Alura places a hand around her wrist and rubs it softly. "A palace is small enough not to get lost." She said before walking away.
He watched her leave and sighed softly before walking off. He whispered "Be very careful," to himself.
Larkon put his attention back to his post as a guard, but he was anxiously looking back to the Draenei who was walking towards his direction. His eyes studied her form as he looked at her.
She was an incredibly and exotic beautiful young Draenei woman with a beautiful face, pale blue skin, luminescent blue glowing eyes, and slender arms. She had long pure snow-white hair that reached down to her waist. Along with beautiful horns that curved along her head, making them look like an elegant headdress even compared to the rest of her kind. Her snow-white hair beautifully matched both her pale blue skin and her horns as she elegantly stood before him. She was a bit short for her race, perhaps half a head shorter than him, yet it only serves to beautify her even more with her extremely gratifying figure. As the curves of her body caught his eye, her firm perky and remarkably large breasts looked so perfect as it matched the curves of her slim waist as it trailed to the beautiful curves of her child bearing hips and plump rear.
She wore a long silver robe with the sleeves of her robe ending at her wrists, the lower portion being parted at the sides, and a gold lining running across the edges. Underneath her robe she wore a light pink legging for both her legs that also had gold lining running across the edges. Over her robe she wore a beautiful light pink vest with gold lining running across the edges, and a beautiful light blue sash wrapped around her waist. Finally she wore a pretty silver pendent necklace around her neck.
He dared to approach her, step by step as he swallowed the nervousness in his voice, but just as he greeted, his voice also greets with her. "My lady, welcome to the palace, may you give the time to have a conversation with a mere guard?" He greeted as he formally bowed.
"It's bold for you, a guard inside the palace to greet one's guests. Don't you think?" She stated, her eyes shifted above to match the level of his eyes as it seemed he was taller than her by half a head. But she was indeed slightly short for her race .
The man opened his mouth to say a reply. "Does it offend you that a mere guard would greet and talk to you my lady?"
She shook her head and smiled at him. "No, It does not, I'm just a bit surprised and relieved at least to the extent, as everyone here that I have took time to listen to would just brag about their achievements and wealth. I'm just glad one would give a pleasant conversation, after all I'm just a mere priestess as of to you for a mere footman." She replied, letting whatever misunderstanding between them fly away from the window.
"Ah I see, and to think that I have thought of you shunning me away." He said making the priestess raise her brow to his statement.
"What makes you think I would shun you away from the conversation?" She asked, raising her white brows, confused of his statement on to why would he consider such.
"I saw that you shun away the General, General Moira is indeed a very imposing man, that's why I received the Idea of you shunning me away as it compares I'm just a palace guard." He answered.
"I give my attention to those who who give a pleasant and humble conversation, not a braggart whose pride is bigger than his head." She chuckled as she put her finger tips on the front of her lips.
"Oh I see. I also saw your father come in, you didn't want to sit with him or the other guests?" He asked.
"He had plenty of opportunities in the past to sit with me, but he did not take it, now that I no longer desire to seat with him, he want's to sit with me. So it is a bit of a paradox between us. A short and burly dwarf would give more attention to me like a father than him to me as a real father." She replied, her voice bringing in tension to the mention of him.
"Wow, I didn't think Lord Paladin Joven was like that. But I'm sure he was just very busy." Larkon suggested.
She acknowledged his concern between him and her, yet she trumps down his excuse for his father. "His title as a high a ranking Paladin is more of a nuisance than a helping hand of my extent." She stated before quickly adding. "But come now, let's put it aside, I want to explore more of the palace, and it would please me if you would be the one to help me do that." She said.
He almost choked when he heard those words."Oh okay um, where would you want to see first my lady?" He asked slightly nervous.
"The garden in front of us would not be obvious?" She says sarcastically.
"Oh okay, um just follow me Priestess Alura." He asked nervously and escorted her towards outside towards the garden. "So, is this your first time here at the Stormwind Palace Keep?"
"It is." She answered softly. "And I see none who could match its beauty, and I've seen a fair share of beautiful structures, like the church where I spend my time as a priestess. Yet it feels short compared to this. It is quite…...hypnotizing."
"Well I'm glad you are enjoying your stay so far." He smiled underneath his helmet.
She smiled and looked at him. "I may have not enjoyed my stay in the palace had I not met you…." She mumbled.
"Huh, oh um, I'm happy to help, so how do you like the view of the garden?" he asked next.
She gazed on to the flowers and smiled. "It's very beautiful, I see that the servants have cared for it very much. People no longer desire such activities anymore, but nonetheless I enjoy still seeing that some still consider keeping the activities alive." She answered. She then turned her attention to him, who was also gazing down the roses. "What is your name?" She asked softly with a smile, as her hands intertwined and rests on to her stomach.
"Uh, oh I'm just a nobody normal guard. In fact this is my first time guard posting in the castle." He answered nervously.
"Well, I want to know the name of a self proclaimed nobody. Who is also visiting the palace for a first time. So please, take off your helmet and tell me your name, you do know it is disrespectful to deny a maiden?" She chuckled.
"Perhaps, you are right its just its standard protocol for soldiers to keep their helmets on at all times. Removal of the helmet without permission or order from a higher up usually results in being stationed to guard grotesque parts of the cities such as the sewers." He answered a little more nervous.
She smiled. "Well, a man who values his oath is commendable, but would you not give an exception to a priestess?" She asked.
He looked in all directions to make sure no one else was looking. With a sigh he took his helmet off to show his face to her while smiling nervously. "Hi, my name is Larkon."
She nodded and looks up at him as she offered her left hand for a handshake. "Hello Larkon, My name is Priestess Alura." She said, before asking another question regarding his name. "But, I wonder, do you not have a second name? I see that humans have indeed a second name." She stated.
Larkon placed his helmet back on quickly since he didn't want to get in possible trouble with disobeying regulations. "Well my lady I do not have one." He answered truthfully.
"Oh." She sighed. "Why would it be?" She then asked.
"I grew up in the life of an orphan never knowing who my real parents were. So I have no second name."
Her lips curled into a frown as she heard this. "Oh….how tragic." She commented with a little sadness in her tone.
"It is alright my lady. I am fine and well with my life. I was brought into the guard by my captain Jorden. He's a hard ass and is very rough on us but I know he always means well. So um, where do you wish to see next?" He asked.
She smiled. "How it brightens my day to know that, who endured a tragic life yet is still happy in the end." She said, before commenting. "But I must warn you with your language Larkon, it would not please any ladies that would come about in the near future." She chuckled.
"Oh I am deeply sorry my lady it's just that's the nickname we give him. But I wouldn't say my life is that tragic compared to others I know who have suffered more if not worse than I have." He mentioned as he started escorting her to another location of the castle.
"I see." She said, before looking at him as they walked down the halls of the castle. "I would like to see you more Larkon, I enjoyed this conversation and activity very much, and it would please me to do this more often." She said, stopping his tracks.
"Really my lady?" He asked a little dumbfounded as if he was surprised to hear that.
She nodded. "Yes, I would, I stay down inside the church beside the palace just a few walks from here, perhaps you could give some time to meet my presence?" She answered.
He tried to contain the joy he held in his heart "Well...I have been needing to find time to visit the church more since I'm in need of some spirituality so indeed I do think I can find time in my schedule for that my lady."
"Then the church would be the best place for us to meet. I would-" She heard the call of the horns as the banquet had move to another stage to it.
"Looks like dinner is being served. I will leave you to enjoy your meal, I need to return to my post before one of my higher ups throws a fit and makes me stand watch at the sewers. Until then I will see you at the church my lady." He bowed his head to her in respect.
"Goodbye Palace guard Larkon, I expect to see you in the church in the near future." She said before waving her good byes. "Farewell." She then walked away.
He sighed in relief as he started making his way back to his post. As he got there, he saw General Moira waiting for him with his arms crossed.
His eyes widened as he saw the gleaming anger of the general. "Oh, General Moira, I thought you were joining in with the banquet..." He said, trying to make an excuse.
"I will be in a moment. In the meantime I need to ask you a little question and then I need you to go do something." He said in a calm manner.
He nodded nervously. "Yes general." He replied and he walked towards him.
"First off, who gave you permission to leave your post soldier?" He asked seriously.
"Uhm...Priestess Alura requested that I escort her in the palace sir, I tried to say that it was not of my power to leave my post, but she insisted sir, and I had no choice." He answered as he held his head down to avoid his stare that dug holes onto his skin.
"You did have a choice, you chose to leave your post instead of staying put. But I don't know you and you seem new, so I'm going to let it slide because at the moment I have a bit of an issue I want you to take care of." Moira tells him.
"Yes General sir." He responded with formality as he placed his hand on his sheathe with a straight composure.
"There's been some reports that some guards haven't reported back from the castle's library. I've sent some men down to check out why but they haven't reported back. I do not want a scene or incident occurring while the king and his guests are enjoying themselves. So I want you to go down to the library and find out why and if there's something going on I want you to take care of it quietly. You do not want the king's banquet to be ruined in front of his guests because I promise you it will not look good for me and if it does not look good for me then that means it will seriously not look good for you as I will personally see to that. Are we clear soldier?" Moira stated and asked very seriously.
Larkon saluted and answered. "Yes sir."
Moira waved him off. "Then get going. Now." he ordered before walking off and purposely bumping his shoulder against his.
He rubbed the spaulder of his shoulder, looking back at the young General with narrowed eyes of annoyance and relief at least that he gave. "Alright." He whispered to himself before moving on to continue with his orders.