Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Warcraft or World of Warcraft or the Character's there-in. Nor do I own, Twinky, Azidan, or any other named character in this story outside of Liselitha and Laur'eal, those characters are owned by their respective account holders, I'm just playing with them in my twisted sense of fun.
Author's note: I need to explain a couple of story mechanics that I started in the chapter. When I was first writing this, my personal playing experience was a BIG contribution. At the time that I was writing this particular chapter, I had not (and still have not FYI) gotten passed Thorim and Freya and I was still fairly new to my current guild even though 3.2 had been out for 2 months. Also, Instead of one challenge after another, I've changed the tournament mechanics to one challenge per night over the course of a week. This was done to further the plot and because outside of the game and the raid setting it really didn't make sense to have one challenge after another in this particular story. Another game mechanic that I altered is the use of resurrection and tanking mechanics. With the amount of energy it takes to just heal a target, resurrection would kill the person casting it. While I've tried to hold true to tanking mechanics, it was hard. Anyway Please Read and Review. No Flames but constructive criticism is welcome
Chapter 2: The Tournament
Liselitha hated waiting, She was ready to give her latest report from Ulduar to Rhonin. Six months in that god forsaken (or rather God-inhabited) complex, and not one showing of the old god. Instead, they had found the titan keepers being held against their will and brain washed. Frankly, she was glad to be participating in the tournament tonight. It would be a change from spying on the mountains over looking Icecrown Citadel, or continuing to help in the fight of retaking Ulduar. Light, where the hell was he? She still had to respond to an incident at Utgarde Keep, on top of her daily errands for the tournament, and Rhonin was wasting valuable time. Emerging from the room on the left side of the Violet Citadel, Rhonin finally made his way down to the impatiently waiting Blood Elf. "Pardon my tardiness, Liselitha. There were a few morning issues that needed to be cleared up." Liselitha was tempted to sigh, but withheld it. "It is no problem, Rhonin. I am merely giving an update on the situation at Ulduar." Rhonin inclined his head urging her to continue. "While Freya and Thorim are greatful for being freed of Yogg-Saron's influence, we have had no success with Hodir or Mimiron. In fact, Hodir is holding four of our best spell casters hostage. Efforts are being made to free them, however it will take more time to get them out safely." Rhonin cursed as he heard the news. The fact that four of the best people he could send in aid of the situation at Ulduar were captured was not good. "Alright, keep up the efforts to retrieve them, Liselitha. I expect a report back from you in three weeks. For now, I would like to speak with you in private." Liselitha raised an eyebrow. Usually she was dismissed, or if there was an incident Rhonin usually just gave her a warning and then dismissed. Following Rhonin to his office, Liselitha grew suspicious of what this "talk" might entail.
Rhonin closed the door behind her and motioned for her to sit in the chair opposite his side of the desk. "Liselitha, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to move to The Filthy Animal. These fights and disruptions are becoming too frequent." Liselitha shook her head. "And again, I don't start these incidents, Rhonin. I have much more important things to do than to start fights." "But you certainly seem to have time to finish them." Rhonin quipped. Liselitha flushed red with restrained anger. "Rhonin, a human waitress would have been raped and humiliated had I not stepped in when I did." Rhonin looked at her thoughtfully. "I will admit, we've had less harassment of the citizenry since you've taken up residence there. But, no. I will need you to move. I can reach you just as easily from The Filthy Animal, as can Tirion Fordring." Liselitha was now angry. While she didn't like dwelling on her past, there were a few good memories that had been kept alive because of the Legerdemain Lounge. "I will move as you request, Rhonin. But as I will be participating in the Tournament this week, I will not be able to get back to Ulduar until next week." Rhonin nodded in understanding. He knew she was angry, but he had to stand firm on his subordinates. She rose to leave and gather her items from the Legerdemain Lounge. "Liselitha, is there any particular reason why you insisted on staying at the Legerdemain?" She turned and again, her eyes turned the brief shade of blue they had been before she had drank the fel blood. "It reminded me of a home now long gone." And with that she left, leaving Rhonin very confused about that particular Blood Elf.
Liselitha flew over the war torn landscape of Icecrown. Scourge crawled over the tundra looking for the precious saronite that was the base for their armaments. She also kept her eye out for a vein of titanium. The rich ore was needed to blend with the raw elements of Northrend. This blend when hardened was more powerful than any other material known in Azeroth. But the making of this metal was so intensive that only one bar of it could be created in a day. Alas, though there was no titanium to be found today as she flew to the Argent Tournament Grounds. She landed near the Sunreaver's Pavilion, where her friends were already gathering. "Hey, Lis!" She supressed a shutter at the shortened form of her name, then turned to find Babylon motioning for her gather round. Most of them were here, Azidan, a blood elf mage with black, spiky hair, was the unofficial leader of their group. A mish-mashed group of heroes of the Horde, they had all met recently, with Liselitha being the newest. None of her new friends knew anything about her past and she wished it to remain that way. They all had their own stories, their own hardships, she could not be so selfish as to divulge her troubling past. "Liselitha Sunweaver?" An argent squire came running up to her. "Come with me please, High Lord Fordring would like a word." The confused looks that her friends gave her made her uneasy, they would probably ask questions. "It's probably nothing. I'll be right back." She motioned for the squire to lead the way and she followed.
The scene that greeted her as she entered the Argent Crusade Pavilion would have been comical if an all out war were not about to break out. Thrall and Jaina Proudmoore stood on opposite ends of the tent as both King Varian Wrynn and Garrosh Hellscream stood in the center screaming insults at each other. Tirion Fordring stood in the center trying to break up the two hot-headed males. Instantly seeing why she was summoned, she cast a repentance at Garrosh and a Hammer of Justice at Varian Wrynn. Silence reigned for about 10 seconds, which was all Tirion needed to move Varian and Garrosh back to opposite ends of the tent. "If that is all I was needed for High Lord, I would highly recommend returning to your trainer to learn of those two spells." Liselitha commented drily. "No, Liselitha, I wanted you to give your report to both sides to confirm what I have been trying to say." Then the silence ended. "This is a waste of my time. You bring a traitor and an outlaw here to vouch for you, Tirion? You might as well have Arthas brought here." Varian spat angrily. "Liselitha is neither a traitor nor an outlaw, King Wrynn. She is a former pupil of Uther the Lightbringer, and knows more about how Arthas fights than any gathered here." Thrall looked at her with a new found interest.
Then the repentance spell wore off from Garrosh. "For once I agree with the pompous king. She should not be here, in fact for even casting a spell on a high ranking officer of the Horde, she should be sentenced to death." Liselitha bit her tongue. Garrosh was an ass, even for an orc, but she didn't need Thrall agreeing with him. She wanted to return home someday, and she couldn't if she were branded traitor and had to seek asylum with the Argent Crusade. Instead, she turned to High Lord Fordring. "What exactly are you wanting me to report, my lord?" Tirion looked at her curiously. "the most recent events, of course." Liselitha nodded and kept her eyes on Fordring. "The scourge seem to be keeping closer to the citadel than the past. Ymirheim is receiving another envoy of troops from Utgarde Keep and Jotunheim. New wards are being placed around the citadel as well as more guards. While we're busy fighting at the base, more reinforcements are being placed in the higher reaches. This has been going on for the last few days." Her latest report was essential. "As you can see, the time to march is now. New armor is being forged for our heroes that would march with us as we speak. It will be rewarded in the Tournament to those who are found worthy." Then the fighting started again. "My lord, I must return. My friends are probably wondering where I have gone and we are due in the tournament arena soon." The leaders of both sides looked at her then. "You...You are to fight in the tournament?" Varian Wrynn began laughing, followed soon by Garrosh. "A tiny woman as yourself has no hope of ever living through such a rigorous trial, return to the mountains where you belong." She bristled in anger, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Azidan had followed her and had heard everything, he motioned with his head to follow him. She nodded gratefully and left the asses laughing on the floor together on another point that they agreed on.
"So when were you going to tell us?" They were walking slowly back to where their group was gearing up and getting ready to enter the Colosseum. The trip had been mostly silent until he asked. "Never. I liked being just another new hero with very little under her belt." Azidan nodded. "But it's a lie, you were trained under Uther himself, at the same time as Arthas?" Liselitha sighed heavily, she would have no peace now. "Azidan, that is a past that I reveal to very few. Yes, to both of your questions, but I would appreciate it if you did not mention it to anyone." Azidan pulled her to a stop, "Lis, you sure you don't want anyone else knowing? That's a cold, lonely road to walk." She smiled up at him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I appreciate the concern, but I like living with the illusion that I am just another hero. Even if it's only for a short time." She heaved a sigh and started walking again towards the tournament ring.
The Coliseum was huge. Rising over three stories in height, it was made of solid stone and wood. Liselitha was overwhelmed at the shear grandness of the craftsmanship. The spectators where a full story above them offering a safe distance from where the action was going on in the ring, yet providing an unparalleled view of the ring. Directly above them were boxes where the supreme rulers of each faction sat. On the right was King Varian Wrynn, escorted by Jaina Proudmoore. On the left was Thrall, accompanied by Garrosh. In the center, opposite of the entrance for the various challenges that they would be facing today, stood Tirion Fordring. Calling upon the light, she began saying prayers of blessing over her friends. She felt herself begin to swell with power to enhance her spell casting, she felt the many spells that her friends incanted begin to swell and fill her with power. Someone then set up a feast of Northrend Fish delicacies. She began to feel the heady feeling of the many spells and being well fed, to the point where she felt the mana inside her pooling, waiting to be released. Azidan gathered them around for one more quick prep speech. But her mind was on the five people above them who had their eyes trained specifically on her. Tirion, Thrall, Garrosh, Varian, and Jaina, she knew that Varian and Garrosh would want to see her killed in this ring. To Thrall, she was probably just a curiosity. The only two that she didn't feel confusion or hostility from were Tirion and Jaina. Then the circle broke and Azidan gave a nod to the herald.
"Welcome Champions!" Fordring's voice boomed over the coliseum. "You have heard the call of the Argent Crusade and you have boldly answered! Hailing from the deepest, darkest caverns of the storm peaks, Gormok the Impaler! Battle on, heroes!"
Anticipation settled into her gut as the gates as a Magnataur ran into the ring completely confused as to his surroundings. He was huge, a full 12-14 feet in height, with a huge sword caked with blood and jagged edges. Immediately, she called upon the light and created a beacon upon Babylon. Any healing prayers that she said over her injured friends would then be also cast upon him. As the battle began, she began her incantations, using her mana to keep her friends alive...until the beast threw a fire bomb her way. Searing heat enveloped her as she ran out of the burning pitch that was still to hot to go anywhere near. Then she felt the cool sensation of a wave heal that a shaman healer had incanted upon her. She returned to her concentration on keeping the two people up front that traded taunts when the beatings go to be too much for one of them. It continued on like this, the beast throwing fire, sometimes his snobold vassals would jump onto random people stunning them until they could get to help. Then, he faltered and he crashed into a dead heap upon the floor, his body smoking from all the spells that had been cast upon him.
"Steel yourselves, heroes, for the twin terrors Acidmaw and Dreadscale. Enter the arena!" The voice rang out over the arena like a death knell. Two Jurmungers then slithered into the arena. They looked like the kind that would have no problem eating anything smaller than them, even if it were smaller worms. She braced herself, feeling the mana slowly begin to deplete. She would need to call upon the light soon to replenish the source of her healing abilities. Then the battle started. Back and forth, Babylon and Vindicator ran around the arena keeping the worms from attacking other members of their party. She had to keep concentrating on the delicate incantations that she had been trained on. The worms had an annoying habit of infecting people with different types of bile. Then, Acidmaw dropped, yet the other remained, and he was pissed. As if brought on by a second wind, Dreadscale began pounding on Babylon, and it took more and more of her concentration to focus on keeping him alive. Sweat beaded on her forehead as Dreadscale dropped dead next to the other worm. Panting for breath she called upon the strength of the light and she felt the tightness in her stomach start to loosen.
"The air freezes with the introduction of our next combatant, Icehowl! Kill or be killed, champions!" The yeti that entered was almost comical, until she got frozen in place. However, when he managed to knock everyone into the wall, it was funny again. If you ever looked an angry, starving yeti in the face, you would run as fast as you could to avoid being his next meal. However, Icehowl wasn't so bright, instead of following his next course around, he ran into the wall and stunned himself. Seeing the advantage of this, everyone began attacking whenever he did this. Hence, he was defeated much faster than his predecessors.
"Congratulations, champions! You're new armor shall be awarded after you have completed all the tasks of the tournament. Go now and rest, you've earned it."
Liselitha collapsed onto her cot inside the Sunreaver's Pavilion after removing her armor. She would have to take it over to the Argent Blacksmith in the morning. Her friends had insisted on celebrating their victory until late in the night. She was tired however, healing to that intensity always drained her.
She was walking through the rose garden in the Castle Lordaeron. It was one of the few that Terenas kept in memory of his late wife. She had been here for three years under Uther's careful tutelage. And, much to her chagrin, paired with Prince Arthas as her training partner. "They are beautiful, aren't they?" She turned to find King Terenas surveying her with a friendly smile on his face. "Yes, My Lord. They are very beautiful. I believe your wife would be proud." A brief look of sorrow passed over the king's face, but was quickly replaced by the friendly smile that had been there when he had first engaged her. He offered her his arm and continued walking with her slowly through the garden. "Lord Uther tells me that both you and Arthas are exceeding his expectations. You are progressing in your healing abilities far faster than my son, while he is more practiced in the harmful spells that a paladin can wield." Liselitha nodded at the assessment. "I had begun training as a priestess in Quel'thalas, but there was something wrong. I could do the basic healing spells but none of the enhancement spells. Then they saw me wield a polearm. And it decided that my family should look to the humans to train me in the ways of the paladin." King Terenas was amused at the story. Many of the High Elves he met would consider it beneath their station to accept training from a human.
"Liselitha Sunweaver?" Their walk was interrupted by a courier. "Yes?" The Courier handed her a letter and then went about his business. "If you will excuse me, My Lord. I believe this is from my sister. One of the major tests to become a ranger in training has been issued and I have been expecting to hear from her if she passed or failed." King Terenas nodded and she walked up to the small room she used during her years of training. She sat at her desk, opened the letter carefully and began reading the flowing language of her home.
"Dear Liselitha,
I hope your training is going as well as mine. I am being personally trained by Sylvannas Windrunner herself, the Ranger-General of Quel'Thalas! I do hope that you and Prince Arthas are getting on better. Nathanos and I are good friends now. Who knows maybe one day we will all get together and introduce our own special pains in the ass. I miss you Lis, I hope that we see each other soon. Father says that he's petitioning Uther to let you come home at least for The Feast of Winterveil. We have been personally invited by King Anasterian as a thank you to Father for forging Prince Kael'thas' new daggers. Father also is wondering if you've kept up with your training in the smithy, even if it is from clumsy humans. He also has a present for you when you return. I know what it is, but I'm not telling you. Anyway, I am now rambling. And before I forget. I passed my test, as did Nathanos. We'll be starting the third stage of our training soon. I miss you, sister. Write back soon.
Your Loving Sister,
Laur'eal"
It was a knee-jerk reaction. She had felt someone touch her, grabbed her dagger from under her pillow, and had it at the offender's throat within a split second of being touched. Unfortunately, the Warchief of the Horde did not look amused, and was in fact fighting the urge to disarm and gut the Blood Elf. "Steady, Hero. I only wish to speak with you." She looked outside and could see that it was still dark but the faint light of the false dawn was starting to make it's appearance. She nodded quietly and sat up. Thrall turned away when he noticed that she wore nothing but her tunic. She quietly pulled on some pants, armed herself with her mace and pulled on her cloak. She then motioned for the warchief to lead the way. She noticed that he headed for the stables and made his Windrider ready. She sent a sharp, quick whistle through the VERY cold morning air. By the time he was ready, her drake had landed, given her a disapproving look and allowed her to mount. He flew past her heading toward the Silent Vigil, the place where she had buried Bridenbrad's body after A'dal had saved his spirit. This was probably going to be one long talk.
Author's Note: Please R&R
