Disclaimer: When I own WoW, lemons will fall from the sky. So far, I haven't seen it happen.
A/N: Ahhh, so great to update once more. I thank all of you keeping up with the Slayers of Destiny's tale so far, and wish that you continue to enjoy it in this installment. To Scion, thanks but no thanks, main character doesn't die... yet. Oooh! Spoiler? We'll see.
Destiny's Warriors
Chapter Four: The Trouble With Defias
The group made their way further along the road into Westfall, the snow rising up to their ankles. The sun had finally started to set, the twilight orange gleaming off of the white snow's surface. Cool breezes rushed past the six travelers, blowing their hair back. This was much to the chagrin of Aubs, and she vocally affirmed.
"Ugh! I just fixed this back in Goldshire!" she exclaimed, strands of golden hair obscuring her face. Although Aubs lamented it, the breeze didn't stop, nor would it anytime soon. Continuing on, they noticed a tower in the distance, signaling that they had finally almost reached Sentinel Hill. From here on, the road had been cleared of ice and snow, leaving Simonee and all to tend to their nearly frozen feet.
"So, who's doing the talking?" Simonee asked, looking around at each of his friends' faces. Several feet away, in a burrow in the snow, a cricket could be heard chirping. "Fine, nobody all volunteer at once..."
Unbeknownst to the cricket, a bird had been spying on it, and when the bird felt the moment was right, he snapped the cricket up in his beak.
"Looks like I'm doing it, then," the mage finally concluded.
After the slight interruption, the group moved on yet again towards their target. The moonlight now bathed the horizon in it's cool blue light, glowing off of the snowy peaks.
Finally, after the arduous trek, the six had reached the settlement of Sentinel Hill. Asking around for directions to Gryan Stoutmantle, Simonee finally set off to the top of the hill, in front of the tower from earlier. Leading the group up, the mage spotted a grim-looking knight standing watch over his town.
"Are you Gryan Stoutmantle?" he asked.
"No, I'm Arthas Menethil in disguise. I got bored of Northrend, so here I am," came the reply. This comment made Aeriah looked increasingly more nervous, obviously missing the sarcasm in Stoutmantle's voice. He spotted this and corrected himself, sighing. "Yes, I am he."
"Baros Alexston told me to come to you. I have this..." Simonee stated, handing the same note from earlier to the knight. Once again, a long look at the rather short note and a sizing-up of the group commenced.
"Very well," he finally said. "Though we can't do anything in the dark. Meet me here in the morning, the inn is across the street. Please, excuse the disrepair."
"Thank you," replied Simonee.
The group's spirits collectively rose when they heard mention of the word 'inn'. Then again, they may have missed the meaning of 'disrepair'. Inside the door, and immediately to the right, a hole gaped in the roof, where wood should have been. The pale moonlight filtered through the opening, and the occasional wind knocked snow from the roof onto the inn's floor.
Aubs was especially in awe over this, and was, once again, the first to voice displeasure.
"I can't have my beauty rest while it's snowing in my face!" she nearly screamed.
"Well, we can be glad to expect this much, with the attacks and all..." replied Aeriah, tired.
Aubs only grunted, and took a seat on the nearest bed to her. Within five minutes, she had drifted off to sleep, and her comrades followed suit. Soon, all but Simonee were asleep, as he pondered what exactly could be done about the Defias' threat to Westfall's general safety. Not lasting too much longer than his friends, Simonee tripped into a deep sleep, and dreamt of his troubled past.
What seemed like moments (although it was actually hours) later, the mage woke with a start, the sounds of battle raging outside. He jumped from his stiff cot and slipped his robes over his shoulders. Running outside, Simonee was met with the sight of ten swords, poised for the attack, pointed his way.
"Ah, welcoming commitee!" he shouted gleefully, with a chuckle.
With a wave of his left hand, he ignited the left-most Defias thug, leaving him to deal with the last nine, who were currently staring at the flaming corpse running around, screaming at the top of his lungs. One of the Defias pillagers had even gone so far to say "Ooh, pretty fire...". Taking advantage of this learning disability, Simonee turned his attention to the main group of attackers. Focusing his inner flame once more, he chanted ancient words, and after a few seconds, a pillar of fiery, destructive rage was summoned in the middle of the nine men. Now, the mesmerized Defias were being turned into melted Defias, the heat searing away several layers of dermis.
With that business taken care of, he ran over to Gryan, who was fighting his very own thug. A flick of the wrist later, and the man was dispatched in his very own 'flame of glory'. Elsewhere, the People's Militia fought off the remainders of knuckledusters and highwaymen that comprised the main attacking force, killing them systematically.
"Thank you, mage. Now you've truly indicated your worth to the militia. I have an assignment for you. Assemble your group and return to me here," Stoutmantle ordered.
While the tired mage woke his group, the twilight sunrise shone over the western horizon, the ray of hope, as it were.
When the five finally exited the inn and noticed the corpses, Dince spoke up and asked, "We miss something?"
Simonee replied with a sarcastic "Not really."
The mage sifted through whatever remained of the once-Defias' bodies, finding a few loose silver coins, most likely stolen. He distributed the coins evenly through the group, keeping a few for hisself. Finally ready, the group returned to Stoutmantle, to see what he meant by 'assignment'.
"Excellent! Now, we know where the Defias have set up their headquarters. Or, more accurately, this man does," Gryan said, pointing to a captive Defias member. "Escort him to the hideout, infiltrate it, and kill their leader. Simple as that. Of course, if he tries to run, kill him," he said, motioning to the Defias again. "After you kill the leader, bring me back his head."
"I'm going to leave a few here, in case the Defias attack again while we're busy meddling in their affairs. This okay?" Simonee asked, knowing the task wasn't going to be simple at all.
"That's fine, but hurry. We can't afford too many more attacks on Sentinel Hill. Get to the bottom of this and I'll make sure you're rewarded."
"Alright, Aeriah, Dagerly, you're with me. Hoardale, Aubs and Dince, stay here and do as Stoutmantle tells you, okay?" Simonee ordered.
"Yes, Light be with you, Sim," replied Hoardale.
"Light be with you as well," came the hurried reply from the mage. "Let's move. Expect us back by sundown."
And so, with the Defias traitor in tow, Aeriah, Dagerly, and Simonee set off, rather quickly, to the Defias' hideaway. By midday, they had reached Moonbrook, when the traitor pulled the group to the side.
"Now, this town is pretty much owned by the Brotherhood. They're going to want me dead for bringing you here, and they'll want you dead for being here," he said, with extra emphasis on the pronouns. "Just be prepared.
Warning in mind, the four set back off in the direction of the deserted town, watching for the random maniac with a death wish.
Nothing.
Bodies lied strewn in the town center, various limbs belonging to now-non-existant owners included. The smell of burning flesh and hair permeated the area. The center of such destruction? None other than a peppy young mage, standing innocently next to the fountain in the center of the town.
A/N: No, you won't learn Sim's background just yet. Savin' that jewel for later chapters. Anyway, review, give me opinions, things like that. VC comes next chapter, apparently, so be ready. Who is this new mage? Why is he here? All explained in the next installment of Destiny's Warriors, as well as bread!
