Sapphire crept to the door on all fours. She pushed it open, and light came into the room. She was in the inn at Wintergarde Keep, and was now looking out of her room, trying to eavesdrop on Ethan and Lethumo, who stood right outside. Ethan had got a room for Sapphire, and the night elf
Rot came forward, sniffing her. The plaguehound sneezed, and left. He came back with a bone larger than any of his own bones. It came from the plate of food the girl had left untouched. It had a large chunk of meat on the end, greasy and cold. Sapphire ignored Rot as he sat down next to her, and started to chew on it.
"-not going to like this."
"The Highlord thinks she might be useful-"
"She doesn't know anything," The boy growled. He rubbed his shoulder. With his armor off, Ethan looked smaller, and more vulnerable. Bandages, stained red and yellow, were wrapped around his chest, and arms.
"She can hear, can't she? She must have overheard something that you didn't. And she knows more about the Lich King than anyone...Speaking of which, why is she still alive?" Lethumo asked curiously.
"I don't know."
Rot sneezed. Sapphire looked at him, and put her finger to her mouth.
"Quiet," She mouthed to the dog. The puppy did not understand. He stood up, and moved closer to her. He tried to lick her face. She waved him away, and pushed his chest away. He stared at her.
Lethumo laughed at something, and Sapphire mentally sighed in exasperation. She had missed part of the conversation. The girl withdrew from the door. She went to the desk, where her food sat. There were two more bones with meat, a slice of bread, and a bowl of stew, with strange things in it. Sapphire put her fingers in the stew, and took a green thing out of it. Ethan had said it was a table or something. She studied it, and put it into her mouth. She instantly spat it out. It was disgusting.
Pieces of paper sat on the desk too. A stick of charcoal was too.
Sapphire looked at the paper and the charcoal. She took one sheet of the white, clean paper and with the charcoal, started writing.
Dear Dad...
She finished writing the letter, and reread it. Twice. Then she folded it. It seemed perfectly acceptable to her. Maybe her father would not be so angry now.
"Rot..." Sapphire whispered. The plaguehound's ear perked up. He trotted over to her, and twirled around into a circle. The animal panted happily. Sapphire went over to her belt, and went through the pouches. She took out a smooth stone, and held up the folded paper. Rot sniffed it, and understood. He took it gingerly into his mouth. Then the girl tossed the stone at him. The animal touched it with a paw. There was a flash of green light, and he was gone.
The door slammed open. Ethan barged in, runeblade out and glowing. He sighed with relief when he saw Sapphire.
"What happened? I felt-"
"Don't worry. I sent Rot back home with a Scourgestone."
Ethan stared. Then he exploded.
"What are you doing with a Scourgestone!"
"I...I brought it just in case-" Sapphire stuttered.
The boy kicked at the desk. The papers, bowl and plate of food fell to the flood. The girl flinched.
"I just wanted Dad to know I'm okay! I wrote a letter."
Lethumo came in, and smirked. He favored his arm.
"See? She just wanted Daddy Lich to know she's okay," He said mockingly. Sapphire stiffened.
Ethan placed his hand over his face. He groaned.
"...Oh, why, Sapphire?"
"I'm sorry! Just because I don't want to go home doesn't mean I want my father to worry!"
The night elf nudged the human boy. "Such a lovely daughter. She cares about her father's feelings. Can't get mad over that."
The girl nodded. "Thank you, Lethumo."
He gave a formal bow. "You're welcome, cultist."
Ethan went over to the wall, and gently hit his head against the wall. The elf sniggered.
"Relax. She sent the puppy. Who cares if Arthas crushes its skull beneath his boot?"
The girl's expression turned into one of horror.
"Oh, no! Not Rot!"
"You're an ass, Leth-"
"Language! There is a girl in here. A very pretty one."
Ethan strode out of the room. The night elf and girl were left alone.
Lethumo leaned against the wall. Sapphire stood up, and went after Ethan. She heard the elf mutter to himself. She went downstairs of the inn, and asked the innkeeper if he had seen Ethan.
"Yeah, he went outside."
"Thanks..."
Ethan was around the back of the inn. Ni'kua was too large to hide in his pocket. And most of the living did not appreciate undead. Lethumo had followed after them and brought Ni'kua with him. The plaguehound had bit the elf, and broken Lethumo's bone, but only because Ni'kua did not like him.
Ni'kua was laying in the snow. Ethan knelt next to him. He was rubbing the dog's muzzle. The plaguehound yawned, and licked the deathknight affectionately.
Sapphire came forward and sank down to sit. She patted the dog's fur. He woofed, and dug his paws into the snow.
"I'm sorry, Ethan."
The deathknight looked up, glaring at her.
"Next time, Warn me," He growled ferally. Sapphire nodded.
Ni'kua growled too, and stood up. He moved from the middle of them, and pushed Ethan to the girl. The boy scowled.
"No. I am mad at her. You cuddle with her."
The plaguehound snarled, and butted the boy in the back. Ethan winced. His back had not been neglected when he was tortured. Sapphire smiled.
"It's okay, Ni'kua. I'll start it."
She scooted to Ethan, and hugged the boy. Gently, to avoid the injuries. He recoiled, but the dog woofed, and sat in the snow.
"What did you write in the letter?"
"Just that I missed him, and I told him not to worry. Also, I told him to reconsider killing me. I don't want to die..."
"Kill you?"
Sapphire explained sadly. Ethan looked at the necklace. He made as if to touch it, but thought better of it. Instead, he touched her collar.
"Don't worry, Sapphire. I'm sure we can find a way to get that collar off. I know someone who will want to know about this...new kind of undead."
Sapphire laid her head onto the boy's chest. She saw a long, pale grey scar on his stomach. She wondered if that was how he died.
Ethan sighed, and wrapped his arms around her lower back. They sat there until Ethan felt the girl shiver. He helped her up, and escorted her back to the room. She gladly retreated to the bed, and curled up under the blankets.
Rot slid across the smooth saronite floor. He scrambled after the letter. He had dropped it, and it had flown away. The halls were empty. No undead were to be found. The plaguehound trotted through the halls and found the room where the man was. The horrible, terrifying man. The dog stopped, and lowered his head submissively. His tail drooped, and he walked into the room.
The Lich King sat on the Shadow Throne. Frostmourne leaned against the throne. The man looked up at the approaching animal. Rot stopped. He dropped the letter, and barked. The plaguehound curled up in terror when the Lich King stood up.
Rot watched as the man came forward, and picked up the letter. The Lich King read it.
Thunder boomed outside. Sapphire gasped, and sprang up on the bed. Despite the warm blankets, the girl was cold. Sweat dripped down her face. Lethumo was sitting in a chair, head held down, but he looked up at the sound of her gasp.
"What's wrong, cultist?"
The girl shook her head. She could almost hear the voices. The necklace was still around her neck. A bestial roar reverberated in her head, but it sounded like it was far away.
She laid back down. "Nothing..."
