Sorry about the wait, but now next 3 chapters are up, and now i'm gunna write the next batch in a bit.
Stratholme burned. As Uther and the others rode through the charred streets, survivors and soldiers drafted by King Terenas to save who they could piled the dead and the scourged on every street corner to be burned. All eyed the Paladins suspiciously. After all, it was a Paladin who authorized the culling, and Uther had done nothing.
"Adrien, Tirion, Ava. Do what you can." Uther ordered wearily.
The three split up. Ava headed for the crowds of wounded. Tirion went in search of any survivors who may be trapped within the cathedral. Adrien ran to one of the piles to talk to a soldier bearing a captain's badge.
"Name?" Adrien asked.
"Captain Morgraine, sir." The captain replied.
Adrien blinked. "Darion?"
"That's right, sir."
"I didn't know you were in the King's Guard."
"Drafted, sir. Seeing as it's a time of war and all."
"Well, whaddaya know. How's your father?"
"He's well, thank you sir."
Adrien sighed. Darion was obviously stone-walling him, and to be honest, he didn't blame him. The order would have to work hard to shake its now apparent reputation.
"Sir, would you like to do the honours?"
"Rather have me do it than put the task on someone else." Adrien sighed, concentrated, focused on the image of this pile burning in holy fire...Heard Ava scream behind him...
...span around and fired the charged holy energy as the Ghoul sprang at Ava's throat while she knelt to inspect him.
"Whoa!" The woman sprang back just in time as the Ghoul was obliterated. "Watch it!" she snapped.
"Sorry. Was going to burn the pile with that."
Ava harrumphed as she went back to her work.
"Captain!" A footman ran up to Darion. "The corpses have started rising! We need to evacuate the city, now!"
"Right. Tell the rest of the squads as fast as you can." As the soldier sprinted off in the direction of Elder lane, he turned to Adrien. "There's no way we can evacuate everybody in time." He said grimly.
"I'll get you time." Adrien said. "Ava!" the Paladin looked up. "We need to evacuate the survivors. Where are the others?"
"Uther's in Festival lane. I think Tirion's in Crusader's square."
"Okay. Do what you can to help the soldiers. I'll go find everyone."
Adrien whistled. His Charger ran towards him, its armour looking majestic, and...
...ran him down.
"OW! Goddamn bloody demon of a horse." Grumbling, he slid onto his saddle and rode through the city.
"Tell me, Jaina! Where has Arthas taken the fleet?" Uther actually grabbed her by the shoulders this time and shook her.
"Northrend. He's gone north to Northrend." She said quietly, staring at her feet.
Uther sighed. He'd never understood what she saw in that boy. He might have been a good pupil, but he'd had a lousy personality.
Adrien rode up, a runed helm and gloves on. "Uther! We need to evacuate the city before it's overrun by undead! Get anyone you find outside the city as fast as possible!" he said as he slapped on his boots.
"But then what are you going to-"
But Adrien was already gone, hurling towards the crusaders square.
Tirion dodged a frenzied claw as he backed out of the cathedral, pursued by the ghouls who had, presumably, eaten the monks, clerics and Paladins that lived there. Either that or they were them.
"No." He mumbled. "This is all wrong. The Light shouldn't fall to the Scourge. You're not meant to DIE!" He screamed out the last word.
"Tirion!"
A ghoul growled, leaping at the Paladins throat unchallenged.
A golden figure barrelled into the ghoul, sending him flying back. Drawing his Greatsword, Adrien swung. The blade glowed red as the runes danced, flashing vividly across the blade as it sliced a ghoul in half. Back-kicking Tirion out of his way, the Paladin swung his sword in wild arcs, decapitating the ghouls in their mindless advance.
"They're all dead, they're all dead, this wasn't how it's meant to be..." he heard Tirion moan.
"Tirion! Snap out of it! Where are the Priests?" he turned around.
"There..." Tirion raised a shaking finger over his shoulder.
Adrien spun as a huge ghoul bore him to the ground, pressing the flat of his sword against the Undead's face as it tried to chew on his face. Oddly, he recognised it.
"Hello, Landgren." He said. "How's undeath been treating you?"
The ex-high abbot screamed, drooling and gnashing his teeth in anger.
Flicking his free hand out, Adrien ejected the hiltless knife he'd built into his gauntlet. He brought it round and into the remains of the ghoul's ear, spurting blood everywhere. The sheer force of the strike sent the ghoul keeling off to the side, as Adrien swung back up, raised his sword high in the air, then brought it crashing down to its head (causing a event that only really happens in horror films.)
"Right." Adrien wiped his cheek and started counting. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven...yup, that's all of 'em."
"Ugh...you're covered in blood..."
"I get the feeling that very little of its mine, so I wouldn't worry about it." Adrien grinned as he sheathed his sword.
"Sir!" A captain ran up to the pair.
"Ah, captain! How's the evacuation going?"
"Everyone's out, sir, but we need to hurry! The Undead have congregated and are marching towards the Main Gate!"
"Oooooooh-kaaaaaaay." Adrien said, thinking. If the city was empty, he could use his technique to safely hold off the Undead while they escaped.
"Tirion, captain, take my charger and use her to leave. I'll stay behind to hold off the Undead while the Evacuees get clear of the city!" he said, heading for King's Square.
The captain shrugged and climbed on, but Tirion hesitated.
"But-"
"GO, Tirion! Ava needs you!"
He dithered briefly again, but then nodded and climbed on the charger too.
As the horse rode past him, Adrien took off his right Gauntlet, Revealing several white and black bands. He would never allow anyone but himself and Uther to see this, but seeing as no-one else was in the city, no one could get hurt.
Hesitating only slightly, he took off the straps, and felt the Light flow through him.
Yup yup, thats how its written! ^.^ you should review me to say how much you agree!
