Chapter One

Why we fight…

A question that probed at Tavin's mind as he stood atop the decaying knoll, the sound of preparing soldiers drifting through his ears from the chapel behind him.

He sighed and gazed out over the Plaguelands, the thick-yellowish haze hanging over the cursed land like a deathly fog.

He had long since become accustomed to the ever present smell of the lands, but he still snickered to himself as he watched new recruits arrive, and wrinkle their noses at the smell, of which they had not become accustomed to it.

He shook his head slightly, trying to get his brown hair un plastered from his head, after wearing his helmet for so long.

The land was just forsaken, overly hot and humid in some areas, then suddenly frigid cold in others… namely near the undead scourge, whom seemed to emit a cold aura themselves from their rotted grey skin.

He clenched and unclenched his shaking hand, which always shook as a battle approached, just a habit he involuntarily had inherited.

"I see your nervous too."

Tavin glanced beside him to see his life-long friend, and fellow captain, Byron, standing beside him.

He was of stocky build, with spiked blonde hair, with a wispy goatee (of which Byron always preened about, and of which Tavin ridiculed him, playfully, about)

"Aye, although you'd be a fool not to be a bit nervous about battling the scourge." Tavin answered.

His face grew grim, mouth setting into a straight line. "Battling a man who will fall once and remain dead is one thing, yet when that man rises against you and doesn't fall until he's unrecognizable… its an unnerving thing indeed."

"and an abomination." Byron added.

Tavin nodded slightly and returned his gaze to the west, gazing over the Infectious scar, slightly seeing Corin's Crossing through the sickly haze.

"Come, we should get ready ourselves… we depart in awhile." Byron said.

Tavin nodded and took a fleeting glimpse of the town in the distance, then stepped off the knoll and followed Byron to the Chapel.

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Tyr's Hand was fresh with activity this morning, although one could hardly tell night from day in this accursed land.

A young girl stepped out onto the ramparts, gazing over the land, her tabard waving in the slight breeze, the Scarlet Crusades vivid red flame insignia emblazoned onto the front of it.

She was eighteen, if that, youthful amber eyes and well kept blonde hair.

She was probably a new recruit.

Still, the crusade needed all the holy men, and women it could recruit.

News had arrived by the word of a messenger, originally five of them actually, but the one survived, that Saidan Dathrohan, the Grand crusader, was holding out in the fortified cathedral, in Strathlome.

Instantly, High General Brigitte Abbendis summoned a small battalion to go fortify the cathedral more.

The girl was in that battalion.

"Aydeline!" a voice yelled behind her.

The girl jumped slightly and spun around, her hand already snapping to a salute.

The High General smiled slightly and nodded to Aydeline, then walked over to the edge of the ramparts with her.

"How are you, sister?" Abbendis asked.

Aydeline sighed "Nervous slightly, but the Light does give me strength and patience."

The General nodded slightly "I take it you pray regularly?"

Aydeline nodded fervently "Yes, milady."

Abbendis smiled "Good, the Light blesses those who follow it with heart and mind"

Aydeline smiled nervously, then asked "Milady, if I may, can I ask a question?"

Abbendis nodded. "What differentiates us from the Argent Dawn, and the Brotherhood of the Light?" Aydeline asked, chewing her bottom lip slightly.

Abbendis was silent for a moment, then said "While we all battle the scourge, and follow the Light, we take different approaches to it." she continued.

"The Argent Dawn… they are… more passive, so to speak. While we battle the scourge on a full scale level. In addition, we oppose the forsaken, while the Argent Dawn accepts all races, although they tend to lean in favor of the Alliance, a tad more."

Aydeline nodded and said "And the Brotherhood?"

The General thought for a moment, then answered "The Brotherhood is small, and often unnoticed. While they do have a few good men, namely Eligor, they have made us become doubtful and suspicious of their actions and words.""Why?" Aydeline asked.

Abbendis sighed. "We succeeded in defeating Kel'thuzad once, and as you know, all lich's have a phylactery, and it was the Brotherhood who was entrusted with his, as were they supposed to destroy it with the help of the Argent Dawn."

Her face grew grim.

"Light's Hope Chapel never saw it, nor Father Inigo Montoy, who was supposed to deliver it."

Aydeline nodded and fell silent.

The General smiled and said "But do not fret, we are the greatest of the three, and we shall avail, correct?"

Aydeline nodded and said "Yes, General!"

Abbendis said "Light be with you." and then walked off.

Aydeline sighed and gripped her sword hilt, almost seeing the burning city of Strathlome in her mind.

Authors note:

Hey sorry its not too great now, yet it gets much better later in, and I also hope to make a sequel, and a sequel after that hopefully.

Read and review please and watch for updates!