Author's note: You may have noticed that my chapters have been getting shorter as the story progresses, and I apologize for this. Until things really begin heating up, I will have some difficulty extending the chapters and not be saying too much at once or just rambling. I know plenty of people would prefer longer chapters, heck I'm one of 'em, but that's how I write. Again, I apologize for any irritation this may cause.
The same evening, a clearing a short distance from the camp
"What do you want to say to me?" Harben asked seriously. Clare had approached him during his and Raki's conversation and pulled him away from it with considerable urgency; she obviously had something on her mind. "Why were you so insistent on fighting me?" Clare half-demanded. "Besides exercise?" Clare stared at him. "Alright… if you must know, it was to keep my hunger in check..." Whatever breath Harben had in him was forced out when Clare rammed him into a tree, pinning him, "I was right," she said coldly, "you are a Yoma. Did you think releasing Yoki right in front of me would go unnoticed?" Harben looked insulted, "I am no demon!" he retorted. "You must have heard Raki and I discussing Death Knights, right?" Clare nodded, not easing up on Harben's body, "If you would release me, I can explain my apparent similarity to Yoma." From the expression on her face, it was obvious Clare would prefer to kill him just to be safe, but she let him fall to the ground.
"My thanks, now this is going to take some time, so bear with me." Harben drew Plaguerend and laid it across his lap. "This sword is more than a weapon; my soul is bound within it. It is what condemns me to a life of undeath, and it also reminds me that I am an abomination, doomed to walk the land until I die in battle, but even that will be only a temporary respite since I will rise again when my blade calls me back." He paused and stared at Clare, trying to communicate the suffering he had seen. "Death Knights are born in war and baptized in blood. It is in our nature to seek combat. In fact, it is a need; if we do not feel the rush of battle, we feel pain that I cannot begin to describe. You did me a service when you agreed to duel me, my hunger was sated." Clare was surprised, to say the least, she had expected a half-baked tale coming from a Yoma trying to convince his executioner that he wasn't what he was, not this matter-of-fact explanation. "If you are not a Yoma, then why were you emanating Yoki during our fight?" Harben seemed puzzled on that point, but offered an explanation nonetheless, "Perhaps you were sensing my Unholy Presence. Did the supposed Yoki vanish towards the end of the fight?" She nodded, "It did." "Then that was it. It seems that the Unholy energies I was channeling were similar enough to Yoki that you were able to sense it."
Harben stood and shouldered Plaguerend, "If we are done with this interrogation, can we go back to the camp? Clare nodded, apparently still hesitant to trust him.
Back in Azeroth, more specifically, The Ebon Hold. About 100 days into Harben's flight
"Knight Deathchill is officially MIA," Thassarian announced to the gathered officers of the Knights of the Ebon Blade, "He has not reported in in nearly four months. Up until this point, it was believed he was participating in an experiment in Area 52 in Netherstorm, but I contacted the Goblin heading it, Rocket-Chief Fuselage, and he reports that Knight Deathchill has not been heard from since this experiment. On a related note, the Rocket-Chief refused to divulge what this experiment entailed. We all know that Knight Deathchill is one of our finest Death Knights, and will be invaluable when we finally assault Icecrown. It is my proposal that we send a small force to discover his whereabouts and render aid if needed." Koltira Deathweaver shook his head dismissively, "We are aware of Knight Deathchill's strength and military value. We all fought beside him during the Battle at Light's Hope, but I believe risking more soldiers on a retrieval mission is unacceptable."
"I agree with Koltira," said Lord Thorval, "Our current priority is building up our presence in Icecrown and sending men out would only weaken our defenses of the Shadow Vault." Amal'thazad turned his skeletal head to Lord Thorval, "Would you rather certainly lose someone who Arthas thought was powerful back when we were serving him, and has only grown stronger, or possibly lose a couple of Initiates who can barely control their Runeblades?" "I am not, nor was I, a gambling man, Amal'thazad, and I can not see this plan having any immediate benefits." "You obviously don't understand what the Lich is saying, Thorval," groaned Lady Alistra, "We have little to lose and everything to gain. I support Thassarian's proposal completely." Everyone, even Thassarian, shot her a look that told her they knew why she supported his proposal. The Unholy Mistress Alistra was known to favor her disciples, granted by "favor" it was meant "treat marginally less harshly," and she enjoyed arguing with Thorval, The Lord of Blood, to no end.
"It does not matter what you think," Highlord Mograine finally said, he had been entirely silent during Thassarian's report and the following debate, and had finally made his decision, "What matters is my verdict on the matter, and, for my part, I believe Lady Alistra summed up my reasoning perfectly. I will sanction this mission on the condition that Thassarian present the Knights he plans to send to me for inspection. I am willing to risk Knights on this, but, like Lord Thorval said, we cannot afford to compromise our strength. Koltira, I want you to contact Rocket-Chief Fuselage and arrange for whatever transport may be necessary. Meeting dismissed." Everyone stood, saluted the Highlord and went about their business.
Author's Note: Thanks to those who reviewed the first two chapters. There aren't many of you, but it is very encouraging to see people interested in what I write.