Chapter 2 – The Magistrate

Bamington, atop Cranky, arrived at Valgarde after only an hours ride. Behind him, Bam could still see the fires of the battle outside Utgarde Keep. Though he hoped the battle went well, he had little to worry about. It was not inconceivable that Kazuki could defeat all the Vrykul by himself, as long as they didn't start wearing fire-retardant armor.

As he rode in, one of the Valgarde soldiers approached, offering to take Cranky's reigns. Bam waved the man away, knowing that Cranky would find his own place to settle. He dismounted and gave the golden strider a quick pat. "Wait here, Crank. Behave."

Bam left his steed and approached the camp at the center of the settlement. He first looked for Tisha Longbridge, the local Engineer. She'd quickly became a friend of Bam's, and of Cranky's.

"Tisha!" he shouted, seeing her green hair sticking out of a large wooden crate. At his shout, she popped her head out, goggles sitting atop her head and spanner in hand.

"Bam, hi! Cranky here!?" she asked.

"Yes. You'll find him down by the gates." Bam replied, pulling out a few gold pieces. "Can you give him a quick look-over?"

Tisha grinned; "Sure! Just got some more goblin fuel sent over from Gadgetzan this morning. Should give him some kick!" He excitement lead her to almost leap out of the box of parts, knocking a toolbox over and dropping her spanner. Bam grinned at her clumsiness and left quickly, heading toward the keep.

As he walked, he practiced what he would say over his head. He had returned to Valgarde to give a combat report to the Magistrate. Magistrate Randalvarr was Bam's sort of leader – the half-elf had once been a scout and warrior for the alliance, and although he had now given up the military profession, he maintained a great understanding of warfare.

Inside the keep, he climbed the great wooden stairs upto the war room. The stairs were human sized, and therefore each step was almost a leap for Bam. He finally arrived in the war room, and was met with the warmth of the various torches, mounted in sconces, around the room. The walls were made of sturdy dwarven brick and elves wood. In the center was a large table with a map of the Howling Fjord spread upon it. Various clay figurines, made to represent forces from the various factions in the area littered the map. Around the table were a half dozen figures, only two of which Bam could recognize. The first was the Magistrate – A blond hair, blue eyed half-elf dressed in a deep blue tunic and matching pants. The man would look the perfect politician if not for the short-sword strapped to his belt. The other person Bam recognized was Anchorite Yazmina, the local physician. In all Bam's time, he had not met a better medic. The pale-blue skinned Draenei stood tallest amongst the table, dressed in a blue and bronze robe, identical to that which the other doctors and medics wore around the camp. Bam often found it odd that she dressed the same as the rest of the physicians, despite being their superior.

"Bamington Spannerhammer!" the Magistrate called, turning to notice him enter the room. "Soldier, Tinkerer, and dear friend. Welcome back from the battle, master-gnome!". His up-beat attitude was most welcome, and once again Bamington was reminded why he appreciated Randalvarr – this was a man who did not get bogged down with politics and diplomacy. He was a man of action and reaction, a man who dealt with problems, and not created them.

"Magistrate." Bam said, formally. Bowing his head. "The battle goes well. We have the Vrykul on the defensive."

"That is good news. How are our numbers?" the Magistrate asked, frowning a little from the question.

"They are fine, sire. We have lost few. For every man the Vrykul take, we take four of them. Not to mention the mages."

"Yes. I've heard they have few defences against our magic." the magistrates smile returned. "I trust your friend Kazuki has taken his fair share of victores, too?"

"Indeed. The man is a powerful conjurer."

Randalvarr's frown returned. Kazuki's first day in Valgarde, he had managed to 'accidentally' burn down half the tavern while showing off his fire-juggling skills. Since then, Magistrate Randalvarr had been somewhat skeptical of Kazuki's worth. Only the mans prowess in battle had kept Randalvarr from throwing the man out of the settlement all together.

"Sire, if you'll forgive me, I'd like to return to the battle." Bam said, turning to leave.

"Actually, I've someone for you to meet before you go." Randalvarr stated cheerily, gesturing toward Anchorite Yazminda. "This is Ancho-"

"Anchorite Yazminda, yes. We've actually been introduced. How do you fare, Anchorite?"

Yazminda smiled, her bright white eyes seemingly brighter as she turned to face him. "I am very well, Master Sergeant. I am glad to see you remain uninjured."

"Uninjured enough." Bam replied, rubbing a bruise under his heavy steel pouldron. The shoulder-armor was sturdy, but a Vrykul mace still had quite the force behind it. The Anchorite kneeled down, her hooves clicking against the polished wooden floor as she did. Her pale blue hand wrapped around his shoulder, slipping under his armor. Her other hand held a small amulet around her neck. Slowly, whisps of golden energy spun around the hand that held his shoulder. Bam had seen the light at work thousands of times before, but still he found the energy to be brilliant. The bruise on his shoulder, and the pain that came with it, melted away quickly.

"Thankyou Anchorite." He said, a sincere smile on his face. The Draenei rose to stand, the glow of the light fading away as she returned to normal. "You're most welcome, Master Sergeant. I also have some news for you. From a friend."

This intrigued Bam, and he couldn't help a surprised expression. He'd made many allies over the years, but few friends. And anyone who had been in war, like the Anchorite, knew the difference. "Whom have you spoken with?"

The Anchorite smiled that warm smile once again. "Narion. I believe he aligns with the Argent Crusade now, though last you saw him he was probably fighting under Stormwinds banner, like yourself."

That Anchorite Yazminda had seen Narion was good news. Narion and Bam had met many years ago, during the third war. Together they defended Stormwind from the scourge, and fought together with the seventh legion at the battle of Mount Hyjal. He had not seen Narion since then, with the exception of a few brief encounters during the incursion of Quel'Danas.

"I am glad to hear Narion is alive, Anchorite. He fights for the Argent Crusade? Where is he stationed?"

The Anchorite furrowed her brow; "You have many questions, Master Sergeant. I am afraid I have few answers. I know only this: He has asked for help – yours, to be precise. He stands guard at Wintergarde Keep, fighting with the 7th Legion soldiers there."

Bam grimmaced at the mention of the 7th Legion. He'd fought with them at Mount Hyjal, and then again at the closing of Ahn'Qiraj. They are the most efficient soldiers in all of Azeroth. They're also the most brutal. The Anchorite noticed Bam's discomfort.

"Yes. Perhaps that is why he called for you. A more fragile touch may be required."

Fragile touch? Bam thought, For what?

"What does Narion require my assistance with?"

The Anchorite frowned, a very serious look across her face.

"He wishes to destroy Naxxramas."