Ch 2 - Dragon Dreams
Your presence is requested in the Caverns of Time.
Chronormu
Jamiy looked at his note. He then looked to his sister who was also looking down at her own summons. Together they walked toward the Stormwind Keep courtyard where they were surprised to see Nebyuleh, Alanis, and Anduin all holding like gilded pages in their hands. Alanis looked up at her brother and sister.
"Do you know what this is about?" She asked. Her Kirin Tor robes swirled about her as she stepped toward them. Alanis looked very much like Grekko in her face, but the rest of her was small and elf like as her mother was. Both Helene and Jamiy were taller than their mother, Jamiy by more than a foot.
Neb stood wearing more conservative clothing than man night elves wore, especially druids, but she leaned against a staff speaking softly to Anduin.
There was a flash of light and suddenly in the courtyard was a small gnome woman. She had her silver hair pinned to the side of her head in two ribboned buns. She held a staff and smiled at them. She was of slightly taller stature than most gnomes, but still only came to Jamiy's armored knee. She wore white robes and she smiled up at them. "Hello travelers."
"You must be Chromie." Anduin said.
"You are correct young prince." The gnome said smoothly. Anduin bristled slightly at being called young, but Jamiy laid a hand on his brother a moment.
"Why do you wish us at the Caverns of Time?"
She smiled at them and lifted a hand. "I will see you there, then." And she was gone.
All of them blinked and looked at each other. Alanis lifted her hands and started casting a spell. When she was done a portal to Theramore was before them. Jamiy smiled recognizing the tower that was in the wavy reflection. He patted her shoulder at her forethought and stepped through. The others followed and they found themselves in the tower of Theramore itself. Alanis was the last through and as she stepped in the group found themselves surrounded by guards.
Jamiy spread his hands as did Anduin. The three women spread out revealing they were all Alliance. The guards stood down, but kept a wary eye on the newcomers as a messenger was sent up to fetch Lady Jaina Proudmoore and tell her about her guests that had arrived rather suddenly.
The group had tea and scones as the woman listened to the notes. The sorceress did not have many answers for them. "The Time Lord Aspect controls all time and keeps the time lines from crossing or being disrupted. Perhaps something has gone wrong."
"It has." A small voice said.
They all turned and saw a gnome standing there.
"You are Chromie." Jamiy said.
"Yes."
"Why the summons?"
"No time. Sleep now, and come with me." The gnome-dragon said turning her hand. The five dropped to the floor. Jaina looked at the dragon in her gnome guise. She simply placed a finger to her lips and suddenly the group and the gnome were gone.
Jaina stood alone.
Light help them.
ZzZ
King Varian Wrynn fidgeted as he looked out over the city. In the room he could hear the rhythmic tapping of wood against metal. Rhenn, his beloved queen, was laying on the floor her left arm out away from her body. Several cuts had been made in her flesh and the tapping being done by a tuskarr female was putting ink into the clotting wounds to color them. The inks were made from shellfish and squid ink. The vivid blue was made by a rare, shellfish that only came into the bays during certain seasons. The cuttlefish and squid inks made various shades of gray and black when mixed with sea cow blubber.
Varian could not believe his wife was not crying out in pain. He had been able to endure the first score made in her flesh, but then had to leave the scene. How had she endured having most of her right side and the right side of her face cut and inked so. It did explain why there were many small scars on her face and side. She had told him her face had been the hardest. It had been part of her womanhood rite to endure the fourteen hours of being stabbed with and then ink being added to the needle marks on her face. The needle had been made from a sting ray spine. This tattoo was taking more than three hours, how long had she endured the others?
Varian had a new appreciation for the tuskarr people. All their tattoos marked life events and this tattoo his wife was gaining was no different. She was having two banks placed on her arm that interwove to symbolize herself and Varian together. Grekko and herself were represented on her back she had told him one day when he had asked about her tattoos. Her children were down her right arm, and soon one would be added for Thea. It was taboo to place a tattoo before the child was older than six because of the high infant mortality rate among tuskarr pups.
The tattoos were fascinating even more so when she explained what everything meant. Mourning, joy, life, and death, were all in her tattoos. It was making a living, breathing monument to one's family and clan.
Varian felt a hand touch his arm. He looked down at his wife. She was red faced, but smiling up at him. Her arm was bandaged with kelp and poultices to keep out infection. She was sipping some sort of drink that had a high alcohol component. He could smell it from where he stood. He smiled down at her and then pulled her into a hug. "My brave wife. I am not sure I could endure such torture on my body."
"Torture? Sealily is very skilled." Rhenn said looking back at the tuskarr woman cleaning up behind them. "She is one of the few masters left."
He lifted her elbow gently and looked at the bandage. "I am sure, but I do not like to see my queen bleeding."
She smiled and clicked her tongue at him. She walked back and bowed to the master artisan before the two of them went to a small shrine Rhenn had built. Though she worshipped the Light as most of Stormwind did, she still had her own traditions she would not and could not let go of. Varian watched the two of them offer sea cow milk and sweet blossoms to the effigy of the elder and bow their heads in prayer.
He did not move until Rhenn rose to her feet and the elder tuskarr woman left with a bow to her and a bow to the king. She would remain a guest for a month or so. She had wished to see Stormwind after hearing about it and had offered to visit them. Rhenn had asked for her tattoos and had gone through the purification rituals that were required for it.
Rhenn walked back to her bed and sipped more of the fermented drink. Varian followed watching her. "So when do I get to see this art?" He asked.
"In a week or two when it heals." She smiled and laid back. "But for now I am going to sleep so I can ready for the state visit tomorrow." She said stifling a yawn.
"I did not know alcohol affected you so." He teased watching her.
"Only when it has a heavy sedative in it." She smiled and shut her eyes.
Varian watched as she nearly instantly slept. No wonder. A sedative would ease her mind into oblivion. After the trauma to her arm he had no doubt sleep was the best thing she could do for it. He smiled and kissed her cheek lightly before leaving for his council chamber to set everything in order for her state visit to Ironforge. Moira and the other two of the Council of the Three Hammers had wished for the Queen of the Alliance to visit for some time. Rhenn had received a letter and had accepted the proposed date.
He chuckled. As leaders of the Alliance, their lives were now rarely, if ever their own.
zZz
Jamiy woke. He looked up and saw trees above him dancing in the light breeze. Sunlight trickled down from the gaps in the leaves. He watched a moment before he sat up. Near him were Helene and Alanis. To his other side was Nebyuleh. Where was Anduin?
A hand gently touched his shoulder and he looked behind him. Anduin looked about wearily and then nodded to him as he moved to the Night Elf.
She looked up at him startled. "Where are we?" She asked.
"I am not sure." Anduin said pushing his long braided hair back over his shoulder. He looked at the water. It was clear and pristine. A small fish jumped and left behind ripples. It was oddly serene.
Jamiy was looking at the water. This waster was not a river, but a lake. At one end of the lake was a gleaming white-washed tower and wall. A city. A large city.
"Where are we?" Helene repeated as Jamiy helped her stand.
"Stratholme." A small voice said.
They all turned and saw Chromie. "To understand the future you must first understand the past, but be warned, if you die here, you will no longer exist in the present." She looked at them. "We must preserve this timeline before it is too late."
They followed the little gnome around a corner and froze. Chromie was gone, but there was a grouping of men outside the city gates. On the air was the scent of baking bread. It had an odd scent to it. An off scent. A pungent almost rotted smell.
"Light's mercy…" A captain gasped in horror. "It has begun."
Alanis looked down. "We are in different clothing." She said.
Jamiy looked down as well. "Lordaeron." He gasped. He looked up and saw a flaxen haired knight standing on a rock nearby. He held a hammer, one commonly used by the paladins of the Silver Hand. "We are back in time." He looked seeing a woman and man approaching. He knew the woman. It was Jaina Proudmoore of Theramore Isle. The man was an elder knight and looked much like Tirion only a little younger.
"Glad you could make it, Uther." The young knight said.
Jamiy looked at them as he pulled the group to one side. "Arthas." He whispered. Anduin looked at the man who appeared to be younger than all of them. He blinked. This…this was not right. Why were they here?
"Watch your tone with me, boy. You may be the prince, but I'm still your superior as a paladin." The elder man snapped. His voice was soft, but carried the strength of the legendary man behind it.
"As if I could forget. Listen, Uther, there's something about the plague you should know. Oh no. It's too late. These people have all been infected. They may look fine now, but it's a matter of time before they turn into the undead." Arthas continued turning to look at the town.
"What?" Uther gasped in shocked horror.
"He is right. If they have eaten the bread that came from Andorhal than they will turn even if they look normal now." Jaina said. "We have seen it."
"Can you not smell the disease on the wind Uther?" Arthas asked. "This entire city must be purged."
"How can you even consider that? There's got to be some other way. This isn't a blighted apple crop, this is a city full of human beings!" Uther said.
"Damn it, Uther. As your future king, I order you to purge this city." Arthas commanded shifting the heavy hammer in his hands. He came within inches of the elder Knight's face.
Jaina gasped and tried to move between them fearful they may turn to blows.
"You are not my king yet, boy. Nor would I obey that command if you were!" Uther's voice was deadly calm. Jamiy had heard of his patience and ability to keep calm even in dire circumstances.
"Then I must consider this an act of treason." Arthas stepped away from them.
Silence fell over them for a moment. It cracked with tension.
"Treason? Have you lost your mind, Arthas?" Uther cried.
"Have I? Lord Uther, by my right of succession and sovereignty of my crown, I hereby relieve you from your command and suspend your paladins from service." Arthas said his face holding purpose and anger.
"Arthas, you can't just..." Jaina tried to protest.
"It's done! Those of you who have the will to save this land, follow me. The rest of you... get out of my sight." Arthas said walked toward the city. Two captains followed him. Jamiy nodded to his group to follow as well, even as a light rain started to fall as if the earth itself was weeping for those whom would perish.
"You've just crossed a terrible threshold, Arthas." Uther said in dismay and mounted his horse.
"Jaina?" Arthas asked turning back once.
"I'm sorry, Arthas. I can't watch you do this." She said mounting behind Uther as he helped her up. "I can't watch the innocent die."
Arthas's face went hard as he turned back to the town and entered it. The smell of the tainted bread was almost stifling.
Arthas saw a couple people moving towards him. "Prince Arthas." They said. He lifted his hammer and swung it felling two with one blow.
A third gasped. "Why, why are you doing this?"
"I do what I must for Loredaeron." Arthas said. He lifted his hammer and struck the third in his head killing him instantly.
A captain gasped looking through the gate. "They are already turning, your highness." He said drawing his sword.
Jamiy stood ready lifting his shield and sword as the ghouls, who had once before only moments before been human lumbered toward them.
Into the middle of the street was a crack of lightening. A dreadlord appeared and he smiled at Arthas. "I've been waiting for you, young prince. I... am Mal'Ganis. As you can see, your people...are now mine! I will now turn this city household by household...until the flame of life has been snuffed out...Forever!"
"Never!" Arthas cried. "You brave souls with me! Keep the undead back while I deal with the others."
Jamiy nodded as the ghouls noticed him and attacked.
Alanis was already casting a powerful fire spell. Anduin and Jamiy nodded to each other and ran toward the undead beings. The ghouls turned to them, reaching cold bone fingers toward the paladin and prince. The fire spell swirled around the ghoul behind the others as Jamiy held the two before him at sword point while Prince Anduin slashed at them.
Jamiy moved quickly as they fell seeing another group. This one had a necromancer, whom he charged at. Jamiy was often almost reckless in battle knowing his sister was near to prevent his wounds from becoming too debilitating. Helene shone with the light of the Light as she stood back allowing her brothers to keep the undead away from her. Near her Nebyuleh transformed into a purple furred cat and leapt into the fray. Alanis glow orange as her fire spells radiated through her.
Three more groups were easily dispatched, but then a loud voice was heard. "Play time!" It howled. The very earth nearby shook as a large abomination came into view, its putrid guts oozing over its grotesque torso.
Jamiy lifted his sword and readied for the great beast. It spotted them and charged. "New Toys!" It said with horrific glee.
He turned suddenly away from Jamiy and threw chains at Helene. Bound within them she stood imprisoned until Alanis was able to free her. Jamiy nodded seeing she was free and then turned back to the ugly creature before him. With a yell of pain as Anduin slashed through the stitched midsection it collapsed into a pool of blood and guts of an untold number of beings. "This is not…fun…" It whimpered pathetically before it stopped moving.
Helene took a breath and Jamiy wiped his hand over his brow. Neb was again in her beautiful human form seeing to Anduin where he had failed to duck fully out of the way of the abomination's great meat hook. The slash was minor, but keeping the cut clean was the greater concern.
"You are too late Champions of Lordaeron, the dead shall have their day." Came a sinister voice behind them. They all turned and saw a necromancer grinning at them as he stood tall before them with a skull over his brow.
Anduin charged forward. The necromancer grinned. "Ahhh the entertainment has arrived for old Salramm."
The necromancer summoned skeletons to attack Helene and Alanis, but Anduin quickly headed them off and they dropped quickly to his blade. Salramm fell hard to his knees as Neb clawed him. Anduin swung his sword and decapitated the master of the dark arts. He fell and all took a breath as Arthas again joined them along with Falric and Marwyn. The three had been systematically going from house to house killing all within to prevent them from becoming undead.
They all ran to the town hall where several of the citizens were standing. Arthas charged and tried to kill one and they suddenly became dragons with black scales. Jamiy's eyes widened as one came toward him. The inky scales were unlike any he had ever seen before, but as the claws reached for him he sliced upwards.
Alanis yelped as a fire ball grazed her arm. Angry she whirled and sent a frostbolt rocketing toward the next fireball. It froze it and the female black dragon looked up in surprise. The moment of distraction cost her as a great bolt of ice with fire about it propelled toward her killing her almost instantly as it burned into her heart.
Arthas continued up the stairs of the great hall and more dragons appeared from a swirling bit of light. Falric nodded to Jamiy as they attacked one dragon and Anduin with Marwyn took another. Alanis and Arthas were engaging the female.
Bodies were on the floor and another light gleamed and from it stepped a large upright walking dragon. "Prince Arthas Menethil, on this day, a powerful darkness has taken hold of your soul. The death you are destined to visit upon others will this day be your own." The dragon's voice had an odd echo as if he were far away and close to them at the same time. He wielded a great ax and looked at the Prince.
"I will save this city and neither your words nor actions will stop me." Arthas hissed.
"We shall see about that, young prince." The dragon came toward them twirling his ax in his hands before him. Arthas and Jamiy hit the two sides of the long handle as the others battled him with various forms of attacks.
He was determined and growled. "My master has other plans for you, prince."
"I have other plans than being delayed." The Prince hissed and the dragon fell hard shaking the floor. Before he had fully stopped moving he disappeared as if had been no more than smoke.
The group looked at each other, but an evil laugh gave them pause. They all tightened their hands on their weapons as Mal'Ganis again appeared. He flapped his wings restlessly and smiled. "We meet again, good Prince."
"I will destroy you." Arthas hissed. "My fellows and I will see you fall."
"This will be a fine test, Prince Arthas." Mal'Ganis smiled.
The group spread out, but at once Mal'Ganis turned to Helene and Alanis. "Sleep, my dears." He said and the girls dropped to the earth unconscious.
Jamiy cried out, but his attention being diverted cost him being unscathed. He felt the razor sharp claws rip through his leg and cried out. Channeling his pain into anger he fought harder. The demon finally had enough of the gnats about him and threw them backward with a heave of his powerful wings.
"Your journey has just begun, young prince. Gather your forces, and meet me in the arctic land of Northrend. It is there we shall settle the score between us. It is there that your true destiny will unfold." He folded his wings and disappeared.
Arthas cried out. "I will follow you to the ends of the earth if I have to. Do you hear me! The ends of the Earth!" He turned back and saw Falric and Anduin helping the two women to their feet. They looked about somewhat in shock, but the two men smiled even as Arthas continued. "I will gather my men for a journey to Northrend to finish this. Whatever the demon left behind is yours. Take it as your reward and spoils. Falric, Marwyn. Gather the men." He said walking away.
"Right away highness." Falric nodded.
The five watched them go. Neb nodded to Jamiy's leg. He called on the Light and she called on the healing powers of Elune. The flesh seemed to knit before their eyes.
A great dragon suddenly appeared and they all jumped back. There was a flash and Chromie appeared smiling at them. "Hello again." She said cheerfully. She nodded to them. "I will take you home now."
They all nodded and then found themselves looking at each other in the room they had left. Jaina jumped in shock to have them back in the positions they had left. "You are back!" She cried.
They all nodded looking at each other.
"Did that really happen?" Alanis asked.
"What?" Jaina asked cocking her head.
zZz
"Her majesty, Queen Rhenn of the United Alliance."
Rhenn stepped forward and bowed to the three members of the Three Hammers. Though her daughter had been missing most of yesterday, the lords of time had delivered her back to them at dinner time full of stories about the Infinite Dragonflight and learning about Arthas's decent to darkness. Varian had not been pleased at this undertaking, but he had little choice as he well knew when the Dragon's wished to have help from the moral races.
Rhenn's clothing was befitting for a state visit and her large headdress and elaborate hairstyle all were marks of her station. The dress was made from an older queen's dress with old symbols on it, but the newer fabric gave the older more definition. It was heavy, but the queen moved with the grace of someone adept at wearing such clothing.
Rhenn noted that Dagran was standing where his mother had been. So the young man had finally come of age to take his place. Moira was there and stepped forward and bowed to Queen Rhenn before they embraced. They had been friends for a long time and formality was hard between them.
"Ya are most welcome. Come we have refreshments waiting for ya."
Rhenn smiled at the thick accent of the dwarven woman. She followed as did the Home Guard with her and her handmaidens Helene and Emily, whom she had chosen for the trip. She had only brought ten people with her for this state visit. Ironforge was a very safe place and never had there been a problem.
She sat down to eat a delightful looking pastry when a cry came from the Great Forge outside the High Seat. She looked at her hosts. The three men made ready to fight as the Home Guard stepped to the queen.
Into the high seat came a fire elemental. Its great angry mass swirled about it as its gaze fell upon those in the room.
"Elementals? How?" Muradin gasped gripping his weapons as the guards moved to engage the great angry elemental.
"Are there more?" Falstad Wildhammer asked. He lifted his hammers and jumped onto his gryphon that was nearby. He flew up striking the elemental as he swooped past and out the door. To his horror elementals were all over the city.
Moira lifted her hands and moved to fight with her son as he stood his ground. "Get her majesty out of here and safe!" She cried.
Hartley pulled Emily and Helene to Rhenn and then moved the women to the royal entrance to the high seat. Rhenn allowed herself to be pulled along as they found themselves in the Common area of the great ring of Ironforge.
Rohan, the High Priest spotted them as Hartley looked about. There were many elementals moving about and sending fires into houses. He came to them. "There is no way out of the city right now. We will have to fight."
"The queen." Hartley said as Crispin and Matthew joined them.
"The mystic ward or Tinker Town." Rohan said. "Either are far more defensible than here."
Crispin nodded and they moved along the wall toward the Mystic Ward. They did not go unnoticed, however. A fire elemental spotted them and moved to them in a torrent of ash and fire. Crispin and Matthew engaged the great being as the others tried to make it for the home of the paladins and priests.
They crossed the great hall and had nearly made it when a floating box exploded near them and released an angered elemental before them. Rhenn froze and saw a bucket nearby. Calling upon the element a water elemental rose from it. It looked at the fire and then raised its hand and fired a water bolt at it. Distracted the fire moved toward the other elemental.
Rhenn closed her eyes. "Stop this." She whispered. "We are not you enemy."
*Caged usssss…* The fire elemental hissed. *Freee must burnnnn.*
*Brother, stop this.* The water begged. *I have no wish to harm you*
*Foolish pet of a humannnn.* The fire raged. *Burnnnn. Burn it alllll!*
Rhenn's eyes opened as she moved. Fire burst from the elemental running toward her in a line. She jumped out of the way, but his second cast did not miss. She gasped in pain as the fire on her person burned her flesh. The cloth, new and old had been burned away leaving her skin visible. It turned red as she cried out trying to extinguish the flames about it.
Emily and Helene gasped and tried to help even as Rohan cast a shield about her. Hartley jumped before her as a fire spell was cast. He cried out as he took it and his flesh burning as he pushed them all into a house and stood in the doorway. He was in mid cast to put a protective bubble about them when the fire elemental bellowed and sent a fire tornado toward Hartley.
The priest was hit from the side and had not seen it coming since he was concentrating on his task to protect the queen. He cried out and was lifted into the air. The fire elemental loomed over them as Rhenn shift to try and defend herself even though she was burned.
"Come'ere you big lug!" A dwarf called and struck the elemental with a hammer. Falstad stood ready and charged the great angry elemental. Crispin and Matthew joined him as they worked to defeat the enraged elemental.
Rhenn scrambled to Hartley who had been dropped to the earth in a careless heap. "Hartley?" She said softly pulling his head into her lap. He was bleeding and severely burned.
He looked up at her as Rohan joined her looking his friend over before he turned to the queen. "Let me see your arm, majesty."
"I am fine, help Hartley he…"
Rohan shook his head sadly as Hartley opened his eyes. "There is nothing he can do, sweet lady." He said softly. He gasped and his eyes opened wider a moment. "Go shelter yourself, my queen. You have many concerns and one that is growing."
Rohan paused as he was gently binding the queen's arm to consider the words. Hartley's eyes were losing the light in them and Rhenn pulled him to her. "No!" She screamed.
She looked about them and everything seemed to slow as Hartley reached up and took Helene's hand as she tried in vain to heal his mortal wounds. "I have a daughter, Neumu. Care for her as if she was yours. Her mother is already dead. She is in Shattrath. Please…"
Helene was weeping as she took the hand in hers. "I will adopt her." She said. "Shagara always wanted a sister." She said softly.
He nodded. "Thank you." He took a shakily breath. "The Light calls me." He said and as he exhaled the light in his eyes faded. Helene sniffled and gently closed his now sightless eyes.
Rhenn sat back in shock, but even as she did she could hear the muffled sounds of others weeping and the calls of others trying to locate loved ones. Rohan removed his cloak and put it over the Draenei's now peaceful face.
Rohan gently pulled her to her feet and led them into the mystic ward and up the ramp to the sanctuary. Helene followed in a daze. Rhenn let the high priest push her onto a cot as he looked closer at her right arm and side. "Are ya in pain?" He asked
"Nothing that I cannot handle." Rhenn said through gritted teeth. "Go find others in more need of your attentions, Rohan. I am just mildly burned."
"But ya also carry a child and it makes it more a concern." He said firmly.
"What?" Helene asked.
Rhenn rose to her feet and shook her head. "No, I am barren. I no longer quicken with my husband's seed. It is well enough. He has a princess and is content." She said.
Rohan smiled almost sadly. "There is a life within ya, majesty. Hartley knew it because he was on the line between life and death. It is said to give one clarity." He gently came to her. "Rest. I will attend the others here." He said already hearing voices and pained whimpers below.
zZz
Varian arrived with several of his SI:7 and Home Guards. Crispin met him at the entrance of the Mystic Ward. Wounded and dead were being accounted for. Among the fallen were Hartley and Matthew who had charged too close to the elemental and suffered its rage. However, the move weakened it enough that the other two could kill it and prevent harm to others. So far the butcher's bill was 93 wounded and fifty dead.
Varian looked grimly at Crispin and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Stormwind suffered little better. The wind and water elements stuck the city hard."
"Water?" Rhenn said appearing then, still wearing her dress that was covered with other's blood and a bit of her own. "I could have helped, I should have…"
Varian went to her and clutched her arms lifting her bodily from the ground. "No." He said shaking his head. "The cultists imprisoned them. They were enraged. Even the shaman of the Earthen Ring could do little to pacify them." He noticed his wife biting her lip and tears in her eyes. He set her down and she let out the breath she had been holding. "Forgive me wife. Are you well?"
"She suffered burns." Rohan said appearing near them as he wiped his hands on a towel. "Mostly her upper right arm and torso. Fairly minor, much like a sunburn, but could have been far worse. The Draenei died defending the women."
Varian listened with half an ear as he pulled his wife gently into a hug as she began to weep, not due to physical pain, but because of the mental anguish of losing a friend. "Hartley…" She whispered. He was careful of her burns as she stood in now burned dress that revealed the soft bandages on her like a arm and side. He pressed his lips to the top of her head as he rocked her gently. He looked about them. So many injured… So many dead…
Helene looked up at him from where she was wrapping a bandage on a small dwarf boy's leg. "Why? Why did this all happen? One day I am watching Arthas turn to a monster and the next I nearly watch my mother die, a friend does die, my mother is with child, and there are many dead because of elementals. I wish Thrall was still alive."
Varian nodded and then froze looking down at his wife whose make-up was smeared. "You are pregnant?"
Rhenn shrugged unsure what to make of everything. Varian gently helped her sit and sat beside her as she remained still for sometime just looking forward at the cloak draped body of Hartley.