Dark Iron

The wind blew across the grassy knoll as a lone elf hurried up the steep slope. Reaching the top he scanned the ground below him, there was a small town nestled in a horseshoe ring of high cliffs. There was a wooden makeshift wall of spikes surrounding the front. Standing not too far out from the gate to the village was a human dressed in white robes. His bald head shined with sweat under the moon, his silver goatee dripping with moisture. The man dodged and parried with a long wooden staff, the long swords of his opponents barely grazing him on occasion. He was surrounded by five Dwarves who appeared to have glowing red eyes and dark skin. A beam of light flashed and a bubble of energy surrounded the lone human.

The elf whistled and seemingly appearing out of no-where a saber toothed feline stood next to him, her back rising to about his knees.

"Chichi, go!" he yelled pointing down the hill. Chichi took off at a sprint, Whist followed her closely. He notched an arrow in his bow aiming. When he got in range of the closest Dwarf he let loose his wooden shaft. Without flinching as the arrow soared by her head, she pounced onto her target to the left of the human as the arrow buried itself into the skull of the Dwarf on the humans right. They both fell into a heap, Whist notched three more arrows into his bow string and pulled them as far back as he could.

Releasing them as he shouted, "Donax, down!" the human ducked as the arrows soared over his head and pierced the three Dwarves in-front of him. They fell to the ground as his shield crumpled into small motes of light.

Donax ran back to where his rescuer was, he placed a hand on his shoulder, panting to catch his breath. "you didn't have to hurry on my account," he said as he fell to the ground and took out a flask of sweet water. "what took you so long anyway?"

Whist grinned at his half-brother as he sat down across from him. "Oh, well, you know there was this beautiful barmaid who just started working at the Inn over at Menethil Harbor, so i just had to sit down and order a drink from her."

Donax eyed him up, seemingly trying to determine if it was the truth or not. "Didn't you use that excuse the last time you almost let me die?"

Whist looked around, "Excuse? I'm hurt! You know that i never have nothing better to do than to come save your ****." Smiling, he ripped a piece of meat apart and threw it to Chichi as he took a bite himself. Chichi sniffed the meat and grunted at her master.

Donax looked over at her, "Now what's her problem bro?"
"She wants a piece of steak, i told her that you carry it just for her." Whist shrugged as he took another bite.

"Now why did you go and do that for huh!?" Donax reached into a pack that was hidden under the folds of his robe. After a few moments he pulled out a rolled up sheet of white paper. "This stuff aint cheap you know, the wolves have been getting most of the cows around Stormwind recently." He unwrapped the paper and tossed the whole chunk of salted meat to Chichi. She eagerly and greedily took it and began gnawing on the tough jerky.

"And there are no soldiers to kill the wolves because they are too busy in some far off land to bother with the well being of their families." Whist sighed, "Honestly, what goes through those human brains of yours?"

Donax rose and dusted himself off, "Thanks for the help, where you headed to now?"

The elf looked around from where he sat cross legged in the grass. He then pointed down the road away from where he had come. "That is the gate to Arathi Highlands right?" His step-brother nodded, Whist continued. "I think i'll head that way then. Some of the sailors in menethil pointed me to one person in particular who might have some 'jobs' for me to do."

"Your not still bounty hunting are you?" Donax questioned as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I thought Night Elves frowned on such use of the Hunter training."

Whist grinned as he rose, "I wasn't raised by Night Elves, no was I?"

Donax sighed, "No, you weren't, unfortunately."

"Whats that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means, little brother." Whist cringed at the title his brother used. Donax only ever used that title when he was genuinely annoyed and worried for his step-brother. He turned and began walking back to the overturned wagons that Dwarfs from Ironforge had taken refuge behind. "Just be careful ok? Arathi is a dangerous place."

"With a lot of bounties." Whist added in a whisper. He whistled and Chichi rose with her meat in her mouth and went to her master. They began to walk towards the large stone bridge that connected the two lands. He turned his head and shouted over his shoulder, "Donax, you might want to get that dress fixed, i think i see your panties."

His brother smirked, "Don t forget to hug a tree before crossing the bridge, there aren't many in Arathi, I hear."