Chapter 10~ Hints and Clues
We were back at Stormwind. We had survived, but not everyone was so lucky. We came back here with heavy hearts, with the news of Lyliona and Merryna's deaths. Their families will be devastated. I hadn't even known they'd died. Aysa told me, once we were alone in the boat back to Stormwind.
"You have done well, Tuarwen, Aysa." Said the King as we stood before him. "You have done more than well. You have saved an entire race from extinction."
It still disturbed me that the end of one race could be brought by just one person.
"What about Lyliona and Merryna...?" I asked.
"Naturally, they will be sent back to their families, with a considerable ammount of gold, which should be more than enough for the families to take care of the funerals, and live off of the gold for a little while without worry."
...
The King gave us a few days of rest for what we had accomplished, giving us the time to replenish our strength, and to visit Stormwind. Have a little fun. We were walking in the park, which was between the cathedral square and the mage quarter.
"I have been thinking, Tuarwen..." Started Aysa. "...we came very close to death, especially you. I am not afraid of death, but I could've missed so much, if I had died. It made me think of what I wanted to do the most...of what I came here for." We stopped walking, our eyes locking. "I want to pursue the path I have chosen, and spread the tushui way. This is my mission."
Her eyes were burning with passion, and her voice vibrated with the strength of her words, and the power of her will. I placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Make your dream a reality, Aysa." I encouraged.
She smiled, nodding.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you on your next missions, Tuarwen."
"That is fine, we will find the time to, someday."
We spent the next five days visiting, tasting human alcohol, visiting weapon shops, playing in the fountains sometimes, trying the mounts, visiting the Elwynn forest...but our vacation had to end, for Aysa was impatient to begin her new journey, and so was I.
...
I spent the next five days helping the people of Stormwind, battling bandits in the forest, and anything causing harm, in order to protect the farms and unprotected houses, or helping in the city, carrying barrels, boxes, or delivering merchandise from merchant to merchant. People in the trade district were starting to know me, getting friendlier and friendlier.
More pandaren were coming to Stormwind to Aysa's delight, installing themselves a little bit outside the city, in a calm amd peaceful environment next to the water and between tall trees. They reproduced a small nest for us pandaren that was very lovely, and looked a lot like home. Aysa was settled there, and I stayed in the inn, at the expense of the king, to reward me for stopping the traitor.
Although this was all very pleasing, I was starting to get impatient. But just when I started to wonder what I would do, I received a letter. A letter from the elves, from Teru, to my surprise. I opened it slowly but eagerly.
But it was strange. She spoke without saying anything, without revealing anything, if that even made sense. Which didn't. She said their situation made her anxious, and many would be relieved if I was amongst them, along with Aysa. She spoke of the "traitor" coldly, and without really explaining why, said they needed me to be there. Apparently, this was a personal request, her leaders hadn't asked me to come.
Since I had nothing better to do, I decided I would go back to the elves land, even though I just came back from it a week ago, I would love see them again.
...
I enjoyed this boat ride as much as I had enjoyed the first one. The food was good, the bed was comfy, and the breeze outside was fresh, not to mention the crew was nice, amd they had recognized me from last time. It was a shame Aysa couldn't join me. Of course, before leaving, I had come to see her, showing her the letter. She had the right to know. But she said she trustest the elven people into my hands, and if there was any trouble, I only needed to send a letter, and she would come. Still. It was a shame she wouldn't see our friends.
When the boat arrived, I jumped down onto the bridge eagerly, and started running, for at the other end, was waiting Teru. Her long green hair fell down her back as she wore a white robe that covered all the way up her neck. She smiled when she saw me.
I didn't hesitate to hug her, and although she stiffened at first, she hugged me back.
"It is so good to see you !" I said, grinning.
"Likewise, Tuarwen. Now, you must be tired."
"Not at all, I have slept almost the whole time I was on that ship, so believe me, I am quite well." I said as we started walking side by side.
"That is to good to hear, my friend. Tuarwen, is Aysa not here with you ?" She asked as though suddenly noticing.
"I'm afraid not. Aysa is presently occupied with her own mission, but she will join us if the need comes."
We walked into the pink portal and were transported to Darnassus. Last time I had stayed in the village, but as Teru explained to me, I would stay here along with her. When I settled in my room, she finally explained herself.
She sat on the chair, and sighed. "The situation isn't urgent. Some of our people are still sick, but they are gradually healing, although they still remain in danger. My sister," she said with much difficulty, "refused to tell any of us anything. Tuarwen, the blood she used...she did not procure it herself, it was given to her." Said Teru, a grave look on her face.
I might as well have face-palmed myself. Why did I assume everything was okay last time we were here ? I had forgotten something extremely crucial. As Teru said, Nerewin couldn't have procured that blood herself, so it must have been given to her- and I assumed those people were members of the horde. Only them, could get their hands on blood like that.
Our quest had never been completed ! And it won't be until I find whoever is behind this, or the nightmare could start again, someplace else.
...
I walked down the stone staircases that led to the underground prison, where Nerewin was being held. Her expression was dark, barely recognizable. She glowered at me.
"Nerewin." I said.
"Well well well, look who we have here. I was wondering when you'd show up. Almost believed you had died from the poison." She smirked at me.
"As if." I said, unfazed.
"So what do you want, oh Tuarwen, warrior of justice ?" She asked sarcastically, her voice mocking.
"I came to ask you where your allies are."
She stared at me dumbfounded, before exploding into laughter. "Are you so stupid to the point of thinking I'd tell you where my allies were ? Ha !"
I knelt by her, face to face. "What if I could bargain for your life ? You tell me where your friends are, and I convince your people to keep you alive. What about it ?"
She snickered. "My people have almost never held executions. They do not like bloodshed, and will avoid it if they can. But this is too big for even them to ignore. They will not keep me alive, no matter what you say."
"How could you do that to your people ? Innocent people !"
"INNOCENT ?!" She then shouted, wrenching herself against the bars.
I flinched back, startled.
"ALL OF THEM wanted my parent's death, eager to see them disappear, and the humans accepted the task to excecute them far too eagerly." She said with hatred.
"Did you not ever think your parents brought this upon themselves ? They killed hundreds of people, do you not think it is normal then for your kind to wish their death ?" I said, trying to reason with her.
She chuckled darkly. "Do you not see Tuarwen ? I do not care."
"Oh, I see now. It was pointless trying to make you see some sense. You've become insane. I pity you." She glared at me.
As I walked up the stairs to outside, I bumped into someone. I looked up, my eyes widening in surprise, immediately recognizing the silvery white hair.
"Silvanus !" I said, startled but happy to see him.
"Tuarwen." He bowed. "It has been a while."
"Merely a week." I said, chuckling.
"Too long for me." He then said.
My heartbeat quickened it's pace, at his words.
"It's good to see you, my friend." I said.
"I've heard you've come back to aid us once again."
"Perhaps." I said, a smug smile on my face.
"Let me help you."
"What ?" I asked, dumbfounded.
"Let me assist you in your mission. You've saved my life- and my people, let me return the favor."
"But..." I said hesitantly.
Did I have a reason to refuse ?
"And I'd like to have the opportunity to make use of my abilities."
"Abilities ?" I repeated, curious.
"Yes. I am a mage."
I stared at him, surprised. "I didn't know."
"Well ?" He then said.
"Huh ?"
"Will you let me join you on your mission ?"
"Oh ! Um." I thought about it a little bit, before answering. I nodded. "Any help, would be great."
A smile appeared on his face, his eyes glistening with excitement. Was he that happy to be able to help ?
"Where do you wish to start ?" He asked.
"I'd like to see Nerewin's hideout, where she'd hidden us."
"Come."
...
Everything in the little cave had been vacated. There was nothing, except for the trace of what was once here. There was no magic left either. However...
I slid my hand on the walls of the cave, sniffing it while I was at it, searching for any indication of a secret passage. I knew Silvanus was watching me, but to my relief, he didn't say a word. Thirty minutes later, I'd searched the entire cabe over and over agin, only to come out with nothing.
Seeing my expression, he said, "Do not worry, they are still many other places we could search."
I smiled at his attempt to cheer me up. "Thank you, Silvanus."
He nodded, smiling back.
I stopped dead in my tracks when an idea hit me.
"Silvanus, the demon head. Do you still have it ?" I asked in hope.
"No. A warlock named Ignatius asked for it. We gave it to him to thank him for his help." He answered.
I frowned in annoyance and frustration, before another idea struck me. "Do you know where he might be ?"
"I do not know anything, except that he was sent by the human king."
"Then we need to go see him right now." I said, determined.
...
We'd catched the ship right before it would return to Stormwind. Settled in a cozy room, we sat quietly, deep in thought.
"May I ask what it is that you are thinking ?" He asked calmly.
I then realized I'd made Silvanus come with me on this ship to Stormwind, without telling him anything.
I looked at him intently. "That demon head was given to Nerewin by someone of the horde. However, you can find this demon in only one particular place, and that species is almost extinct. I don't know where that place is, but I'd like to find out."
"Why ?" He then asked, confused.
"So that I can go there."
"You wish to go into Horde territory ?" He said, raising an eyebrow at me.
I nodded. "Yes. In order to find whom killed that demon. Then I'll have to find out if the person whom procured that head to Nerewin is the same person whom hunted that demon."
"I see where you are going. But it is too risky."
"I know. But it might be the only chance we have."
To be continued...