Divided Paths

Well, it has been a while. I've been re-working the plot and expanding more on of the larger plot going on. It has grown beyond Darion and Taynia although there little drama plays a central role to how things are unfolding and going. This chapter is long as more is revealed.

I know now how all of this must end. So now I can get moving ahead, the older chapters re-written and the plot solidified for the upcoming chapters.

Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Masquerading

The night was silent in Duskwood along the river. The moon reflected off the water that looked like smooth glass, not a single ripple to be seen. The scene was peaceful, almost as if frozen in this moment for nothing moved. Nothing, that was, except for a shadow hurrying through the brush, leading a far to skinny horse behind them. The figured moved cautiously, looking about and stopping once in a while to listen before moving on. Stepping into the moonlight at last, the figure became more clearer They were a hunched figure dressed in a black cloak, the horse's body gleamed dully showing that the beast was no more living but only re-animated bones with eyes blazing with a sickly purple glow.

The figure came to a stop at the river bank, casting a look around as it patted the neck of the undead horse, "...if you are here, dear brother, I came alone as promised,"

"and with the promised payment for risking my reputation and life to come out to this little meeting, brother? You know how much I hate these little risky rendezvous if they aren't worth the effort..." a voice drawled.

From the shadows under a drooping tree, the arrogant Roland Blacklake, the younger Blacklake as it were, stepped forward, a frown on his perfect face. The human was tall and carried himself with an elegant poise. His hair was midnight black and matched the neat goatee he kept. The eyes of the esteemed lord Roland were a sharp green shade that glowed slightly with a feverish fel fire denoting his status as a warlock. Carefully, Roland adjusted his black riding gloves as he eyed the other figure over, "But you wouldn't have called me out here for nothing, dear Claus. That was never like you, even in life,"

The undead chuckled as he lowered his hood revealing his rotting features to his living relative, "True, and yes, to answer your question, I brought the payment. Really what I have to ask you is personal. It concerns the fair lady Taynia Feildstron,"

"The late Taynia Feildstron," Roland said with a smirk crossing his arms, "the little lamb finally caved in. We were wed a year and three months ago,"

"Ah, so she is now Lady Taynia Blacklake. Such a name doesn't fit her sweet nature," Claus said with a chuckle and shake of his head, "And where is your blushing bride now? At home nursing a horde of children?"

Roland laughed a bit, "Oh no, she is too ashamed of things. She left on a journey of self discovery after our wedding and honeymoon. But I know where she is. I always keep tabs on my beloved,"

Claus inclined his head slightly, "Ashamed? Would her shame have anything to do with a death knight?" Clause questioned carefully.

The warlock paused, fixing Claus with a steady gaze before smirking, "Yes, a death knight. Darion Mograine in fact. My naughty little lamb decided to bed him in a fit of passion instead of remaining faithful to me. Not that I care. I should thank Darion for deflowering her and forcing her to me in tears to confess her most "heinous" act," Roland gave another cruel laugh, "It was always her mother's fondest wish to see the two of us wed and settled down to start a family of our own,"

"Yes, Lady Feildstron was a stoney women. Never a suitor to take after her husband despite the many suitors that came. I feel she arranged the marriage between you two when you weren't even properly introduced at times," Claus said with a nod, "So...the late highlord of the death knights is her lover..."

"Yes, but now a question for you, why is it important for you to know this?" Roland asked fixing his belated brother with a penetrating stare.

Claus chuckled again but gave a curt bow of his head, "It is only fair. You gave me what I needed so I will tell you. The late highlord retired and has been looking for your lovely wife. I think he may be a bit infatuated with her. Death knights are impulsive creatures. They act on their basic instincts. Nothing more than rash, brutal, emotionless, and at times, lustful, minions of the late Lich King,"

Roland gave a smirk, crossing his arms, "the poor son of a bitch. Probably doesn't even know he was played for a fool. Or perhaps he did and is looking for a second round. By all means, he can go ahead! The more he taints her with sin, the more Taynia is willing to rush to my arms for comfort again!" the younger Blacklake gave a laugh, shaking his head, "But frankly, I wondered why Arthas gave his knights such an appetite, even in death,"

"That is an obvious answer," Claus said with a shrug, "they are men and women of the greatest depravity on earth. Desecrating everything that a virtuous follower of the light has before the end was one of his favorite games. Rape was said to be common to the foolhardy in Northrend who encounter a Death Knight still under Arthas's thrall,"

"And the more 'virtuous' Knights of the Ebon Blade try to justify their desires and maintain control over their darker aspect," Roland concluded, giving a wry grin, "how noble and sad,"

Roland's tone though held nothing but sarcasm and no pity for the Knights of the Ebon Blade. It wasn't in his nature to care about anything more than his own gains and lineage, "Anything else you need to inquire about my personal life, brother?"

Claus paused for a minute before glancing up at Roland, "Where is your lovely lady now?"

The warlock was silent, his eyes narrowing at the Forsaken before him, "Why? Are you planning harm to her?"

"No harm will come to her. No, we just need bait for a certain hot headed pain in my lady's side," Claus said, "I can guarantee she will be safe,"

"And my son as well," Roland added, giving a wry grin, "Only a few months old. I don't want my heir coming to any harm,"

The forsaken gave another bow, "Of course! You think just because I am dead I would wish harm upon my new nephew? His safety and that of Taynia will be forefront in my mind. Only Darion will come to harm. The lady has special plans for the disgruntle knight,"

Roland was again silent as he regarded Claus closely before letting out a sigh, "She travels to Northrend. She is taking up residence in Westguard Keep her last letter said. Of course, she also implored for me to perhaps move up there and try to shore up the past between us, but you know I am a busy man,"

Claus gave a hollow laugh, "Busy with your own gains and ignoring the needs of everyone. She still thinks you had a hand to play in the deaths of your companions?"

"Oh I did, she is still suspicious of it all," Roland admitted with a sneer, "They were un-needed and getting in the way of my plans. Always watching me. I hate it when people decide to get involved with my business...Taynia was the only one kept in the dark,"

"An innocent and foolish twit to the end dear Taynia is," Claus said with a laugh and a shake of his head, "Ah well, she is doing her job and gave you an heir...what is the name?"

" Alexandros Haramad Fieldstron Blacklake," Roland said, giving a slight frown, "At first when she named it, she didn't tell anyone it was my child. It was decided that the child could have both last names, after all, Feildstron is a very well thought of name in the community of the light. Might come in handy,"

The forsaken nodded turning to his mount to undo the bags of agree upon compensation for the meeting, "An odd name though. I see she named the boy after the father of Darion Mograine. I would go as far to say that she is a bit smitten with the death knight,"

"Yes, but she would never divorce. She would be shaming her mother, and as you know, Taynia wanted to abide by the last wishes of her mother. It matters little to me in the grand scheme of things. I just hope your scheme is not to be detrimental to my own well being," Roland said, eying Claus up as the forsaken approached him.

Claus shook his head, giving a humble bow as he handed his living brother the agreed upon amount within the sack he had taken from the saddle of his mount, "No, no, no, of course not! Darion Mograine has just always been a pain along with his faction of misfits. No, removal of them will have nothing against you except probably a small bristle of your hot headed king,"

"Ah yes, Varian will no doubt be calling for war again," Roland said with a sigh, taking the sack with a nod, "Another reason to start a war. I'm sure your new Warchief will be just as quick to respond,"

"Perhaps. Ah well, tis no concern of ours brother," Claus said with a shrug moving to mount his undead horse, "I thank you for coming out here. Your information was invaluable. Now, again, we must part dear brother. May fortune favor you,"

Roland gave a smirk as he watched his belated brother turn his mount about and head back the way he came at a full gallop, "It always does," he drawled, with a vicious grin.

…...

The sun was high in the muggy sky giving the wetlands and even worse smell then usual. It was a low lying stench that seemed to make its way into every crevice, every stone, and every nostril and refused to yield. Darion was immediately reminded of fetid ghouls, rotting zombies, and the vomit of an abomination all mixed together and left to bake in a dry heat.

"Who knew a death knight was so appalled against the smell of festering Wetland," Adoin said with a smirk from astride her gryphon, petting her fox curled up in her arms.

The death knight gave her a withering look as he leaned back slightly in his saddle, rolling his shoulders to work out the kinks that had developed in the hard ride north, "I might be dead but I haven't lost my sense of smell and believe me, the things I've smelt would make your skin crawl and stomach turn,"

"Oh I bet," Adoin replied, although, her tone held a snicker, "I'm sure you are a connoisseur of rotting vegetation and bodies living in a crypt most of the time,"

Darion bristled slightly at the comment, "Acherus is no crypt. I would mind my tongue when speaking about another's home,"

"Home? I thought you were from Hearthglen, Darion,"

The former highlord blinked, tensing up a he turned to fix her with a cool, level stare, "...I lived there briefly in my youth during the early days of the third war," he said stiffly.

The huntress just nodded her head giving a faint hum, fixing her gaze ahead not elaborating on how she knew. Darion kept his suspicious gaze on her, eyes narrowed slightly, "But it is far from being a home for me,"

"So is home in the arms of this Taynia woman? What if she isn't the one for you?" Adoin asked scratching her fox behind its ears causing the beast to let out a happy yip.

Darion frowned, "That is none of your business. I need to find her and that is all you need to know,"

"So why go to Theramore? I thought it would be more logical to ask around Stormwind where she lives," Adoin said, changing the topic.

The death knight gave a shrug, his frown deepening, "I need to speak with Jaina Proudmoore. I really should have went to her first...she has ways of finding people and connections,"

"Heh, that is what you get for running around with your head cut off," Adoin jeered, grinning wide.

Darion felt his temper flare and he quickly turned to glare at his companion, a sneer on his lips, "And you are an infuriating bitch,"

"Oh temper, temper, Darion. I was only stating the obvious," Adoin said with a smirk nudging her mount closer to Darion's, leaning up over lightly. She worked her lips into a pout giving him a sulky look, "I was only trying to help you. A frown just mars your features, Darion..."

She reached hand over lightly trailing her fingertips over his pale skin. He scowled lifting a hand to roughly grab her wrist pulling the hand away from his face, "Don't touch me. I don't like being touched," he growled.

Adoin laughed and tilted her head with an amused look, "What you mean is you only like it when certain women touch you. I bet you let Taynia touch you in less than noble ways, yes?"

Darion felt the heat in his cheeks and he hated himself for blushing at the comment. Quickly he let go of her hand and rubbed roughly at his face as if to rub away the accursed blush, "What would you know, you strumpet?" He hissed, kicking his deathcharger forward into a gallop.

Adoin only laughed and kicked her gryphon forward, the powerful beast taking to wing to catch up with the angered death knight, "Well if I am a strumpet, I won't charge you for a night if you ever get the desire," She said with a wink before slapping the reins of her gryphon, sending it forward.

The death knight gritted his teeth, wishing his glare had the power to drill holes in the back of the damn half-elf bitch's head. She made him feel a heat that wasn't just a blush. It was a different more wild heat. Ever since he met her, she teased him, humiliated him, tormented him, and her eyes always followed him like a vulture on a dying man. She wanted him to break. Darion knew her game and yet he felt like he was losing whatever game they were dancing. He hated her yet...

"Damn her to the burning neathers..." Darion growled picking up the pace charging down the path after her towards Menethil Harbor.

Menethil Harbor had seen much better days since Taynia had last visited it long ago. For one, the town seemed to have sunk into the swamps slightly, what with the inches of water that covered the streets and the ruined buildings. It seemed a lot had changed in Azeroth since the cataclysm had ripped through it.

"You alright Taynia? You seem distracted," Orlon said, leaning heavily on his staff, one hand holding the reins of his old elek.

"Mm? Oh, I'm alright. This place just has a lot of memories," Taynia said with a smile.

Indeed the Wetlands did hold memories. Memories of a great wall of water descending upon her, her arms around the waste of a man she loved dearly, her eyes closed tight thinking she was going to die, and then the relief of surviving the whole ordeal because of that man. A pang of guilt shot through her as she thought about Darion and how she had lied to him and betrayed the honor and integrity of both of them. Young Alexandros shifted in her arms, fussing and the priestess carefully rocked the child shushing it lightly, "Now, now, Alexandros...when we get on the boat, then mommy will feed you, okay?" she cooed softly.

The babe had grown in the past months. His bright eyes, the color of a stormy sea, looked about happily and a thick fuzz of coal black hair was coming in that refused to be tamed. He looked a lot like his father which brought a stab of pain to Taynia. She had wished that the boy's father had been Darion and not Roland. Wishing though, was never enough in this day and age. Taynia hefted Alexandros up to her shoulder as Gezhe approached them looking pleased.

"I got passage booked for Northrend. You are lucky I am with you. I got us a nice discount for comfortable rooms for the ocean journey. We will be in the Howling Fjord soon and then from there, to Westguard Keep and a new life for all of us,"

Orlon grunted a bit patting the trunk of his elek which was loaded down with their few belongings, "You better be right about this ethereal. I don't like being dragged about on a wild talbuk chase,"

Gezhe raised a hand and shook his head, "It is no wild chase, I'll assure you of that. With the Lich King gone, the land is ours for the taking to prospect. Taynia and I will handle the legwork and you can watch after young Alexandros. The cold weather will do your old bones good and not to mention you can try some of the most delectable dishes around, so I hear,"

Taynia laughed as she patted her son's back, heading towards the docks, "By the light you better not be fibbing! Orlon puts great importance on the taste of a good meal. He'll set you alight if you are telling tall tales, Gezhe,"

The ethereal gave an elegant bow with a chuckle, "I pray that my sources are right then, my dear. Come then. The boat should be here soon,"

Taynia smiled and gave an amused look to Orlon, "He is starting to grow on you, isn't he?"

"Oh, I wish it wasn't true!" Orlon grumbled, "But more and more that damn ethereal is working his way into this odd little family we've started..."

The priestess laughed again, "Yes...we are an odd family but somehow we will make it and perhaps my husband will join us at last,"

"Maybe.." Orlon murmured. Truly though, the broken one wished that Roland wouldn't show up just for the fact the man seemed to rob Taynia of a true smile and cause her regret. He did not know what to think about this Roland character, but he was sure he most likely wouldn't like him. Gezhe probably felt the same way. Probably.

The screech of a gryphon echoed overhead causing the broken one to look up. The beast dive bombed into the landing post, its rider swiftly dismounting, a fox leaping after her into the water. Taynia looked curiously at the woman as she held Alexandros close, tutting slightly, "Such reckless flying...you could break a limb riding like that," she said softly.

"Aye, but you young ones are always out to break bones and heads in your reckless fun," Orlon said with a chuckle, patting Taynia on the back, "Let us get going to the docks before Gezhe has a heart attack about us being a second late in his master plan,"

Taynia nodded, "Yes. The boat should be here soon..." she paused as she heard an irritated whuffle of a horse followed by a string of curse words that would make an orc grunt blush. Then a familiar figure rode into view.

Quickly she turned her head, ducking further within her hood, praying to the light the familiar death knight did not recognize her. Darion Mograine hadn't changed a bit. He was still that scowling, ill-tempered glacier of a man, cutting a striking figure in his armor and on top his deathcharger. He wasn't wearing his helmet, showing that he still was keeping himself clean shaven, his ice cold eyes, slitted as he glared at the gryphon rider. Truth be told, Taynia noted, he looked more peeved then usual as he dismounted and stalked towards the woman who had just ridden the gryphon in recklessly.

Taynia couldn't help but give a small smile as she heard the tell tale sound of Darion going off on someone. She also felt a deep pang of hurt go through her as she remembered how he used to do the same thing to her. It hadn't always been pleasant but he had always apologized in his own way. She had somehow grown to love that bad temper of his to some extent. Now though she wondering if he had moved on so quickly to find someone else for he seemed to know this women gryphon rider well. He didn't tend to yell like that to random people. But then if he had moved on, she had no one to blame but herself. It was her own fault for leading him on, falling in love with a dead man, and betraying her mother's final wishes. The priestess knew she had to let go of him.

Lowering her head and pulling Alexandros closer to her bosom, Taynia followed after Orlon giving a prayer to the light that Darion didn't recognize her and that he didn't come over to her and demand answers, holding her in his piercing, wild gaze. She felt eyes on her and she resist the urge to turn and see who it was or to confirm that it was his eyes on her. Half of her wished it was while another half dreaded what that could mean. Taynia swallowed and picked up her pace, passing Orlon, "We better hurry, seems like the boat is pulling up to dock now. Gezhe said the boats were always quick to depart,"

"Aye, he did. I for one will be thankful to sit down and not have to walk or ride anymore!" Orlon said with a chuckle, "I'm getting to old to be on adventures but a change of scenery could do these old eyes some good,"

"And I'm grateful you came, Orlon. You are a wonderful foster grandfather for Alexandros and help keep an eye on him while Gezhe and I make a few gold to feed the family," She said offering him a smile. The feeling of eyes upon her had passed and Taynia glanced back.

Darion and the wild gryphon rider was gone. Taynia felt a lump creep into her throat but she turned around, fixing her gaze on the ship and squared her shoulders slightly. There was no going back to the past. There was no point in chasing fairytales now.

"I wish I could only do more for you," Orlon said with a faint smile, noting her nervousness and the sudden sadness that had fallen over her despite her smiles. He wouldn't press it for now. Later though on the ship, he would ask her about it.

Orlon knew something wasn't right. He gave a sigh as he tugged the reigns of his elek, moving towards the boat, "These youngsters are so confusing, aren't they Toomo?"

…...

"So I see, dear Mograine is madly in love with another man's wife now. How charming,"

Blacklake gave a nod as he bowed humbly before the banshee queen, "Yes, so now we know his motives and why he has passed on his seat as highlord to someone else as well as finding appropriate bait to ensnare him,"

Sylvanas nodded, grinning lightly. She leaned back, crossing her legs, "And it is such a simple simpering thing. I could almost laugh at how delusional Mograine has become in death! To think he actually thought that we that are no longer can feel anything more than a want to life again," she laughed, "But it doesn't matter. No, things are still proceeding and without Mograine in the position of power as highlord, kept in the dark, and detained, the easier are task becomes,"

A dry chuckle escaped Blacklake as he straightened up, his rotting eye holes glimmering with a faint yellow light, "Ah yes he seeks the council of Jaina Proudmoore now,"

"He seeks it a little to late now," Nathanos said at length glancing to his queen, "Now we simply have to await the next phase of the plan,"

The self style queen of the forsaken gave a cruel smile as she leaned back, tenting her fingers in front of her, "Yes. We have the bait for dear King Varian to bite into to help further my goals. It is so easy to control the living once you know of their weakness, don't you agree Koltira?"

The death knight in question blankly stared at Sylvanas, "Of course milady. Emotions. The foolish fancies that one can care for another person or people to the point they would willingly give their life. There is always a selfish goal we refuse to admit..."

"True, and that is something that the bastard Lich King taught all of us," Sylvanas said with a frown, "He was a monster yes, but he was an honest monster, ironically,"

She laughed again, leaning back more, "In a few short moves, the Horde will look to me as its leader as it should have after Thrall departed," She said confidently, "then the knights of the Ebon Blade will finally bend knees only to me,"

"As they should," Koltira said with a bow of his head to Sylvanas. Blacklake grinned, clearly in agreement with his lady's carefully laid out scheme. However Nathanos frowned slightly, the glow of his eyes dimming slightly, clouded by thoughts of long ago and thoughts he still held onto. None of this sat right with him, but another emotion kept him from following his virtue. All of them were hypocrites. That is what Lich King Arthas had taught them.

If it was impossible to feel emotion then why did he allow the death knights to feel hate, delight at the death of the living, the euphoria of destruction? Why could those no longer living hate those that still drew breath with such fervor if they were not envious, mournful, and lonesome? They had all been to quick to simple decide they were simply undead and nothing more than vessels of vengeance.

Nathanos's grip tightened on the hilts of his weapons. There was something else he was feeling about this situation but he couldn't grasp it because he kept writing it off simply as his own blind faith in Sylvanas bringing about concern...or was it something more then that. He was concerned for her but it could be said he genially cared about what could become of her if she followed this mad path to the end.

"You have been quite Nathanos. Does something trouble you?" Sylvanas asked fixing an unblinking stare upon him.

"Nothing milady. I was merely wondering where you will need to direct me next," He said giving a bow to her.

The banshee queen smiled wide, then she laughed, the sound echoing delightfully in the crypt-like silence of her inner sanctum.

…...

The winds howled over the land. It was a fare off lonesome sound but was a comforting sound. To Zeliek it sounded almost like an old friend or a kindred spirit, but then, maybe freedom had that lonesome, empty feeling that spoke of a lot of things that could come now.

"No matter if you are living or dead, the cold always seems to cut right through you," his companion grumbled.

Zeliek chuckled, "Funny thing to hear coming from someone who can't even feel the wind as I can. Barely any skin left on your bones,"

"No skin left," his companion corrected, "but I can still remember what it meant to be cold and feel the wind, and sometimes the mind can make things more real than reality itself,"

"Still a scholar even after all this time," Zeliek commented, pulling his cloak tighter about his shoulders.

"And you are still a paladin after all this time. Arthas was a great leader. He had some foresight and even he understood there was a fraction of humanity to be maintained in all his upper class followers," his companion said sagely, with a bow of his head.

Zeliek glanced over, arching an eyebrow, "A sense of foresight? That vile, heartless, devil of a man?"

His companion nodded again, "Yes. You have to remember that he was a man with feelings that he didn't remove until later in his reign...that part that remained was around when we were created, so I sometimes wonder if he did it with another goal left...or a desperate hope,"

"Or an unspoken plea," Zeliek murmured, brow furrowing.

"Or perhaps he was really just a monster but never figured out the best way to entirely erase the memories of life," his companion added, "All possibilities are open and endless. So really, why bother thinking about it? That is philosophizing, not scholarly pursuits,"

Zeliek laughed as he began to descend the sloping trail into the Howling Fjord, "and necromancy was?"

"Among other things," his companion commented dryly, "I think you could say it became an obsessive hobby in my later years, rather than a means to help humanity,"

The snow crunched under Zeliek's boots loudly, but his companion left no trail, made no sound for his passing. It was like being with a ghost, a ghost that continued and continued to endure despite the attacks and "deaths" thrown at it, "I don't see how but I guess things always seem for the better at the time,"

"Oh I think the best is always to come and is always the most frustrating because we can never predict it. Who would've thought we would go from enemies to comrades?" His companion mused, idly watching the wind stir up the snow.

Zeliek laughed again, "That is true, but I guess there is a shred of decency in even what appears to be the most repugnant and dark soul that is somewhat redeemable...and you seem to have some sort of goal in mind,"

"A goal? Perhaps..." his companion said with an air of mystery, "I was always a man that liked to be employed. I need to get my way back into the good graces with my enemies to enjoy the benefits of having goals to strive for again. What about yourself?"

"Me? I see myself as your warden I guess. Someone to make sure you don't stir up the world and scheme like you did in both life and death," Zeliek said, musing out loud slightly.

His companion laughed pausing at a ridge overlooking the slowly emerging woodlands of the fjord, the wind dying down to a soft whisper rather than the howl it was usually known for, "We will see how long you will think that needs to last...but for now, the goal is more...a calling,"

"A calling?" Zeliek asked coming up besides his companion.

The figure nodded lifting one hand, "Undead of my caliber are, how shall we say, sensitive to small nuances. The Lich King's call was like a crushing weight on the mind, now it is like a soft echo that is easily pushed aside... it was a way to have us completely under his thrall at all times. I think only one of my kind managed to break free. It is not as easy for us to escape like you death knights,"

Zeliek crossed his arms, closing his eyes, "And this call now...is it like the call of the Lich King?"

His companion tilted his head, the only indication that he was musing on the question," No...I wouldn't even compare the two...this one is like... well the best way to put it is like an annoying yet familiar dog lost in the alleyway whimpering miserably. It is odd though. I am drawn to it although I could easily ignore it,"

"So just going with a gut feeling?" Zeliek said smirking slightly.

"If I had any guts to speak of, then yes. Call it a mage's magical intuition. It is something to look at. Perhaps it is someone in life that left an impression on me, or just someone that is dabbling in necromancy...whatever the case, I feel this is where we should be..." His companion heaved a sigh, shoulders dropping, "Maybe I've really gone mad finally, my mind dropping out the bottom of my empty skull at last,"

"Or maybe you are imagining life too vividly. The possibilities are endless so why think about it? You are a scholar, not a philosopher," the knight gave a faint smile before glancing over the landscape thoughtfully, "We will have to keep to the wilds, out of the sights of the living or those who would take one look at us and destroy us, you more than me. If you feel we have a goal here, a reason to still be alive..."

"Then we have to make sure we figure that out before the end, yes?" his companion said gesturing grandly over the land, "Enough chit chat. I was not a man to indulge in long winded speeches like this. I was always looking for answers and striving after a goal even if I had to trudge forward on my own two feet onwards to the frozen wastes of the far north,"

Again the death knight laughed shaking his head, "And now I know why the Lich King kept you around despite all your deaths...lead the way then. I'll keep an eye on you to whatever end,"

The wind picked up again, swallowing their words as they moved into the wilds of the Howling Fjord, disappearing into the swirling snows of the incoming storm building over the land.

…...

So chapter three is done. Onto Chapter four. Less about Darion and Taynia, and more about all the other pieces being dropped into play now. What is going on with Jaina? How is Sylvanas going to take control of the Horde and Knights? Who is the person Zeliek is traveling with? Will Darion finally realize that he was just a stone throw away from Taynia?

Find out next chapter perhaps. Well, at least ONE of those questions will be answered. The rest? You'll just have to stay along for the wild ride to the end.