Woot. Another chapter done. I threw in a bit at the end that I've wanted to include from chapter two. I also experimented with a different writing style or two. For the most part, I've been using one character's perspective throughout an entire chapter. But for this one and the last one, I've been bouncing between different perspectives, and trying to make it flow smoothly. I hope it works for you guys. I've also tried to include a lot more detail and description. With any luck, its not TOO much. I was reading Tom Wolfe's A Man In Full, and was really inspired by his writing. So I decided to try it out. : P Anywho, I'm gonna get back to work hammering out the next chapter. Big twist (sorta) coming. See you guys soon. Oh, and I've made a few changes to a couple chapters. Chapter two has a minor revision (Illaria is now only 7' tall). But chapter five has had a little blurb added to it ("why couldn't Illaria heal Rayford?!"). The reason I use is cheap, but whatever. : P

"What do you MEAN there aren't anymore riding bats?" A voice rang out.

Standing near the zeppelin tower, Illaria tried to keep herself wrapped up in her cloak and blended in. As far as anyone knew, she was just a Blood Elf traveling to Karazhan with her guild. The last thing she wanted to do was be discovered in the middle of a Horde base camp. Fortunately, she had no doubt that Bog, who knelt next to her as he fed his worg, would protect her. And if worst came to worst, the rest of the Keepers, all of whom were behind her, near the entrance to the zeppelin tower, would jump in as well.

"You already SAID that. I want to know WHY. Give me answers, not excuses, dammit!" Came the voice again, angrier than before. "I don't give a shit about what others want. I've got a lot of people with me that need bats, and we need them now." The voice paused. "So what? You got the letter from Warchief Thrall, correct?" Another pause. "There. That settles it. Either get us some bats right flippin now, or not getting paid will be the least of your worries!" Another pause, followed by a loud sigh. "Ya know what? Fine. But so help me, they better be ready. Otherwise we'll introduce you to a particularly mean worg that could really use a snack right now. And after its done, then we'll turn you over to Thrall."

A few moments later, and the owner of the voice rounded the fence that separated the flight master from the zeppelin tower. As he approached the group, Illaria couldn't help but note the forlorn expression on his face, and felt an immediate urge to go to his side and comfort him. But she kept her mouth shut and squashed down the urge, waiting to see what he said. He took a moment to compose himself before he said anything, taking several deep breaths before he began speaking.

"We've got a few problems here," Rayford said. "First," he extended one of this three massive fingers. "There aren't any riding bats. Either here or at Booty Bay.

Second," another finger. "There won't be any coming in tonight. And third," the third finger. "The road to Stonard is blocked off right now. Some farmers or...something..have made a blockade, and they're not letting anyone through."

Though they had heard his side of the conversation with the flight master, they hadn't heard what the problem was exactly, and the group let out a collective gasp at this revelation. Illaria, not knowing what this meant, looked around at each member, trying to interpret its significance. Finally she looked to her right, where Bog now stood. Meeting his gaze, she raised an inquisitive eyebrow. He returned her unanswered question by silently mouthing the word later. Around her, she heard several whispered conversations erupt. From her left, one voice spoke up.

"But Ray, is the Swamp of Sorrows not on a coastline?" Taur's voice was quiet, but firm, cutting through the chatter.

"Yes, it is," Bog cut in. "So?"

"Could we not sail around the southern tip of Stranglethorn Vale, and make landfall at Swamp of Sorrows?"

Ray shook his head. "Nope. The coastline is all shear cliffs. It'd take us almost a full day to climb those. In addition to the half days sail. We'd be too late, and we'd miss our deadline. But its no big deal. There will be riding bats in by dawn tomorrow. So we leave then, then we have a two hour flight to Swamp of Sorrows. Then its just an hour ride to Kara, and we have plenty of time before our deadline. For tonight, we're staying in the inn. Pair up, grab a room, and be ready by dawn tomorrow." With that, the group dispersed, leaving only Ray, Bog, and Ria.

"So, ya have a question there, tiny?" Bog asked as he turned towards her.

"Yes. I do not understand. What is the problem?" She spoke softly, hoping that she would not draw undue attention from the guards who stood nearby. While she might be able to pass as a very tall Blood Elf, if anyone got a good look at her, or heard her voice, it might compromise her disguise. For that reason, she tried to keep her head down at all times, and to say very little.

"Ah," Ray began. "Well, its simple. The Alliance has three flight paths in close vicinity to Karazhan. The Horde has one. With no bats to fly us there, we'd have to ride our mounts to Karazhan. But with the blockade on the pass, we can't ride there. So for now, we're stuck here."

"Ah," she said. Now she understood everyone's shock and disappointment. If they didn't make it to Karazhan by their check-in deadline, then the guild that had been chosen as their seconds would be tasked with doing what the Keepers had originally been assigned. If that happened, their reputation would be tarnished, plus they would lose the reward money, the items given as a reward, and when the time came to call upon a guild to handle such a tough task, the call may go to another guild. A great deal was on the line. "Well, I now have a second question. Where am I to sleep tonight?"

"You and I will share a room," Ray responded so quickly, Ria felt her cheeks turn a deep blue as she blushed.

"Bullshit," Bog cut in. Ria widened her eyes in in shock at the sudden outburst. "You're getting a room to yourself, Ray. I'll stay in Ria's room and play guard. YOU need to sleep. No women. No all night drinking. No wandering out in the middle of the night. Just sleep." As he spoke, Bog's voice became more authoritative, and it was clear that he would not back down on the issue.

Ray merely stared back at the Hunter, neither of them blinking. After several tense seconds, Ray sighed and dropped his head, and Ria felt her heart go out to him, though she couldn't quite understand why.

"Fine," he said, his voice heavy with resignation. "Fine. I'll sleep. But Bog? Do you know whats its like to see your death played out a hundred times before your very eyes, and there's nothing you can do to change it? Do you know whats its like to know what will be used to kill you? And who it is thats going to kill you?" At this he raised his head, and in his eyes she could see the pain and fear that he felt. He took a shuddering breath, and when he spoke again, his voice trembled with emotion. "No creature should know how its going to die, Bog. Nothing. Not even the Scourge or the Burning Legion. I can't sleep without seeing it. It plays over and over and over again." He chuckled lightly, but there was no humor in the sound. "Its getting to where I see it when I blink. Now tell me. Would you want to sleep if you saw that?"

For a few moments, Bog said nothing. He simply stared at his friend as if Ray had sudden taken off his own skin and revealed himself to be an ogre. Thats what he has been going through. And all because of me, she thought. Finally, Bog snapped out of his spell, and, putting an arm around her shoulders, turned her towards the inn. Together they walked towards it, leaving Ray to himself. As they turned into the door, she twisted her head around to look at the Shaman. But he was already stalking off in the opposite direction, his posture revealing none of the emotion he had just displayed.

Darkness fell slowly, quietly. Around him, he could feel the world tugging him every direction. Normally, under such conditions, he would have closed his eyes and meditated, feeling the world and the elements around him. But if he did that, then his vision would come back to him. And that would most certainly not help to calm him. So instead he sat cross legged on the ground and blocked everything out. Breathing slowly, he proceeded to unfocus his eyes, seeing everything and nothing at once. Then he drew in on himself, trying to find his center again. The part of him that he always went to when he needed peace. He had always imagined it as a small flame or candle, something warm and comforting, but with power and the potential to do great damage as well. It gave him solace, and helped to ease any troubles he felt.

So focused was he that he didn't even hear her walk up and sit next to him. Initially, however, she thought he was simply watching the final rays of sun set into the ocean. It was peaceful here, and the view of the ocean and sunset were dazzling. There they sat together, neither speaking a word. She knew that Taurgard, Sukar, and Miyari were all in the woods somewhere, out of sight, but watching her. Had she felt the need, she could have reached out to the forest to reveal their locations. But she didn't. She simply sat, quietly, in the clearing with Ray, silence embracing them. Finally he said something. It was so sudden that it caught her off guard.

"Trianna..."

She didn't know what it meant. But still, it drew her attention. She looked over at him, hoping he'd explain who Trianna was. What a beautiful name, she thought to herself. But who IS is? Unexpectedly he sighed. It was a long, shaking sound that seemed to come from the deepest part of him, as if he was trying to exhale all his stress and pent up emotion. She knit her brow in confusion. The Tauren had been acting strangely since Cairne Bloodhoof had revealed their shared destinies, and the tragic result of Ray's. Still she stared, examining as much of his face as she could see. And yet still, he said nothing. Finally, she reached out a hand and laid it gently on his arm. His brown fur felt surprisingly soft beneath her hand. So much so, that she couldn't believe that she hadn't noticed it before. The thought flickered through her mind as another appeared on its heels. Ray hadn't registered her hand on his arm.

Softly she cleared her throat. No response. She cleared it again, this time a bit louder, and with more force. Still, he stared ahead, never blinking. Timidly, she spoke his name, "Ray?" His only reaction was a shuddering breath. She glanced around to see if any of her bodyguards had revealed themselves so that they might help the leader of their raid. But still, the clearing was empty. Finally, in one last attempt, she positioned her hand in front of his face and snapped her fingers. He jumped and twisted towards her, his eyes seeking the face of his intruder. Vaguely, she was aware of his right hand pulling back and forming into a fist. But he relaxed when he recognized who it was.

"Ria," he said, his voice surprised. "What are you doing here? How long have you been here?"

She felt her cheeks grow warm as she blushed, but she couldn't understand why.

"I thought you were watching the ocean," she responded. "So I thought I'd come sit with you, and we could spend some time together." Immediately she recognized how that sounded, and her cheeks darkened more. Frantically, she thought of something else to say. "Though, um, if you want to be alone, thats fine. Uh, I just...You know. Um..." She sputtered the words, and somewhere in her mind, she realized how much she sounded like a dithering idiot. Mentally, she kicked herself. She looked down at the ground, avoiding his eyes in embarrassment. "I'll just go."

But he simply chuckled. It was a deep, hearty sound, with none of the pain he had expressed mere moments before. Gently, he reached out a hand and wrapped it around hers, preventing her from leaving.

"Its fine," he said. "It'd be nice to have the company." Maneuvering his head, he looked up at her. He's eyes are an awfully deep blue, she thought to herself. Somewhat numbly, she nodded her consent, and sat down again, folding her legs beneath herself and resting her palms in her lap. Ray, on the other hand, uncrossed his legs and stretched them out before him. Leaning back, the Shaman then placed his two massive hands behind him, and rested his weight on them.

They sat silently at first, neither wanting to break the peace of the moment. As surreptitiously as she could, she studied him. She had little doubt that the Shaman could crush her with one arm if ever he felt the desire. She noticed a number of places where he had obviously received wounds from battle. Fur missing here. A scar there. This surprised her. Normally, injuries treated with healing techniques healed faster, and more often than not prevented scarring. So why would he keep them, knowing that they may mar him the way that they did?

"Something catch your eye?" His voice sounded so loud. But immediately she realized why. Caught up in her pondering, she had begun staring openly. Gasping, she felt herself blush for being caught.

"Uh, no. Sorry," she answered, looking at him directly. She had intended to leave it at that, but then changed her mind. "I was just noticing how many scars you have. And I was wondering why you did not choose instead to have them healed." She continued looking at him, determined to keep eye contact this time.

Her question caught him off guard. It was not at all what he had expected, and for a moment his mind reeled with surprise as he dumbly looked down at his own body. It took him several moments, but his mind finally caught up with what he wanted to say.

"Well, I guess I've got two or three reasons for it. The first is that these were all minor injuries. If its minor, there's no need troubling both a healer and the elements for a heal. Second is that I like to push myself. To see how well I can do when I'm at less than 100. And third...Well, the third is the most important. I look a lot more dashing with the scars!" He flashed her his famous grin. The one that women loved.

Illaria laughed at his response. She was sure that he had been joking with her in his last response. But there was a look in his eyes that told her he thought it was true at the same time.

Silence again enveloped them. But as it did, a new question rose in Illaria's mind. And before she could begin to think on it, she heard it pass her lips.

"Ray? Who is Trianna?"

He rocked visibly from her question. A number of questions quickly ran through his mind. How did she find out? What should I tell her? Should she know the truth? Should I lie? What if she asks someone else?

She could see the internal battle he was waging with himself. She hadn't known that it would bother him so much, and she regretted her curiosity immediately. Snapping her face forward, she apologized profusely. "I'm—I'm sorry," she sputtered out. But the damage was done, and she knew it. After a few seconds, she glanced at him again. She could see the sadness in his face. But something else, as well. She could see resolve.

He locked eyes with her. He didn't know why. He just felt the need to explain, and have her believe what he said. Gazing into her eyes, he said the words that he knew would shock her more than just a little.

"Ria, Trianna is my wife."