Chapter 12
The world all around was dark and nothing could be seen in any direction. Arkerya couldn't even see her own hand in front of her. There was no noise, only deathly silence, the kind she remembered from her refuge in Lordaeron. Only one thing let her know that oblivion hadn't swallowed the world, that she in fact still existed somewhere, somehow. That something was the bitter, bone chilling cold that encased her.
She had given up calling for help. For all of her efforts after her brief reunion with Grudamere to communicate with anybody, there had been no reprieve. Instead she simply sat down hugging her knees, waiting for an end she was sure would never come. She was still doing what Arthas wanted. She was still suffering. Damn you...
As her dark thoughts played out in her head, she closed her eyes. I'm going to waste away here for the rest of eternity because of him. More silent tears rolled down her face onto the black, invisible ground.
I'm going to suffer alone in this void, freezing, never to see anyone or anything again. What happens to those who die while undead? They end up here. I don't know if I prefer being a walking corpse, a conscious puppet for a traitor and unable to speak or move of my own accord, or this emptiness. Damn you, Arthas. Even from this place I'll get you somehow, she thought angrily.
Just then, a distant whisper issued from the nothingness. "Wake up," it said. Arkerya briefly hoped for a savior of some kind, but then quickly dismissed it as madness setting in and continued to sob quietly. "Wake up," it said again. Arkerya shook her head. Great, now I have to endure disembodied voices in my head. It will be a long eternity indeed.
"Wake up!" the female voice blared. Arkerya leapt back in surprise and opened her eyes. Before her was a bright light bursting through a gaping hole in the void. Beyond it, a woman with a soft face peered through. Her skin was even fairer than Arkerya's and her hair was so golden, Arkerya wondered if she was an angel. The mysterious woman was coming into focus. Her eyes were glossy and sunken as if she hadn't slept in a great long time. She whispered again to Arkerya. "Wake up, Arkerya." The hole in the blackness widened a great deal until the Arkerya could see the woman's torso and then more to reveal the wooden walls around her. She lay in a medical cot in the middle of the room on a small platform. All around were what looked like bottles of wine still in their crates.
The woman was now in clear view. She was dressed in a golden and brown priestess gown with head band to match. She smiled at Arkerya and put a warm hand on her face. "Welcome back, dear. I am Anetta," Warmth...
Arkerya couldn't think of anything to say. Instead, she leapt into Anetta's arms in an embrace of ultimate gratitude. This stranger, Anetta, had saved her from what surely must have been hell. She had brought her back.
For a very long time, Anetta cradled the full grown woman in her arms as though she were a little girl again, brushing her hair out of her eyes when needed. Arkerya savored every second of the warm woman who cared for her and never loosened her embrace. After some time, Arkerya fell asleep in Anetta's arms. The priestess put her gently back in bed and then went downstairs to find Arhen.
Northshire was as peaceful and tranquil as ever. With the exception of the kobold hiding in the mines, the setting was, in every way, paradise-like. Anetta set out to find Arhen.
She found him by the stables smoking his pipe under a tree. "Sir Arhen, Arkerya has awakened," she called. Arhen bit the end of his wooden pipe off and choked momentarily. Once he had recovered and spit out the wooden splinters, he got to his feet quickly and sprinted directly past Anetta and up the stairs to the abbey's attic.
He started for the sleeping Arkerya, but Anetta was close behind and took him by the arm. "Let her rest. When she awoke, she was very scared. It's best to just leave her be for now. She'll come out to us in time," Anetta said softly.
Arhen looked at Anetta and then back at Arkerya. He went to the chair beside Arkerya's bed and sat down. The burly man put a gentle hand on Arkerya's forehead. "She's not so cold anymore," he said to the priestess. "I believe she was in some sort of spiritual purgatory. That would explain why our healing took such a long time. I only called her by name out of frustration, but luckily for all three of us, it worked."
Arkerya rolled over to face the two and barely opened her eyes. Anetta moved to Arhen's side. "Where's Grudamere?" Arkerya asked. Arhen frowned and looked at the floor. "The ritual that brought you back comes with the greatest price," Arhen said sadly.
Arkerya sat up and faced away from Anetta and Arhen. She hadn't considered that Grudamere had sacrificed himself for her. The thought was almost as unbearable as the memory of her family and she wasn't sure what to make of this new information.
"I wish to be alone," she said. Arhen and Anetta obliged and descended the stairs out of the attic. "Who wants to be alone after purgatory anyway?" Arhen said, slightly abashed.
"If I had just heard that someone had given their life to save mine, I wouldn't know what to think. I'll bet she feels confused and humbled. It is likely that she feels vengeful too, considering what Arthas has taken from her," Anetta said.
As they reached the ground floor of the abbey, marshal Albus McBride, the local law enforcement officer, approached them. "Master Arhen, there are four of your order and two... others outside to meet you," said the marshal.
Arhen walked briskly out the entryway to find Solwein, Kaonus, Callencia and Novacon on horseback. Callencia's dark hair hung all the way down past her elbows and her piercing brown eyes were narrow and focused. She wore the same armor as the brothers and at her side was a silver long sword. Unlike the other three, Callencia also wielded a tower shield, as she refused to fight without one.
Arhen recognized Novacon by his crest. In the grand hall of Stormwind's dwarven district, there hung a crest for each of the orders avatars, the leaders of the Silver Hand. Two hammers descending on an anvil were engraved on top of his right gauntlet.
His short, unkempt hair was a dark shade of red that almost appeared black. His face was bright and proud looking. This included his soft, green eyes which always seemed to smile, even if his mouth was not. Though he wielded a silver claymore like most paladins, his armor was made of ring mail, indicating he held the billet of a scout among the order. He was the spitting image of a dashing rogue in a paladin's clothes.
The other two were creatures garbed in crystalline, purple armor with floating purple crystals hovering around their pauldrons. On their backs were identical hammers made of the same material. Their skin was grey, but not dull and instead of beards upon their chins, they had fleshy tentacles. Arhen was unsettled by their appearance, but said nothing.
Their mounts were twice the size of horses and from their faces where their noses should have been protruded a long appendage. They had long tusks coming from their mouths and a short tail. Arhen looked between them, bewildered.
"Have no fear, Arhen. The one on my left is Zhor and the one next to Novacon is Ignas. They are Draenei. I will tell you all about them later. For now, know that they are learned in the ways of the light and are allies," Solwein said.
Arhen nodded. "I assume that you are here to see her," Arhen said. "Aye. She was unconscious the last time we saw her. Does she live?" Kaonus asked. "She is alive, but until today, she has been in purgatory according to Anetta. She awoke not but an hour ago," Arhen replied.
The six of them dismounted and started for the entrance. "She has asked to remain alone," Arhen said, stopping them from entering. Solwein understood. "Then we shall leave her to her thoughts for now. I would probably feel the same way," Solwein replied, seemingly drifting in his thoughts as he said it.
"Well, there's nothing to do until she decides to come to us. Zhor, Ignas; there happens to be an exceptional ale vendor in the valley today. You wanted to know what it was and how it could be so wonderful, so follow me to the trade caravan and I'll show you," Kaonus said pointing to the trade carts across the way.
"Oh yes, I should love to drink some ale with you. I hope you will show me that game you spoke of," Ignas said. "The one with twenty mugs on a long table and two small balls? That's a grand idea! Maybe we can come up with a good name for it as well," Kaonus replied excitedly.
"Don't drink too much you great heathen," Solwein said. "We won't be staying long." Kaonus nodded and the three of them walked toward the trade caravan.
Arhen cleared his throat and turned to the remaining three. "It's probably none of my business, but if I may ask, what exactly has you interested in this girl, notwithstanding the redemption?" Arhen asked carefully.
The answer was loaded before any of the three spoke a word. Callencia, having still said absolutely nothing this whole time they had been here, turned away as though she was disgusted by the answer. Arhen's considerable size and stature seemed to diminish as Callencia turned away and stared at the entrance to the valley. To Arhen's surprise, Novacon spoke first.
"Other than that certain event that we do not mention in public, we seek information on the scourge. Not only has she been among them, she has actually been one of them and that makes her the closest thing to a spy that we can get in this war. Surely you knew that."
His tone wasn't cold, but it was slightly stern. Novacon's face was still as soft and unintimidating as ever, but his voice was almost condescending. "I was afraid you would say that, my lord," Arhen tenderly replied.
Novacon seemed content after Arhen addressed him formally. And now, a spark of curiosity flashed across his face. "Why would you be afraid of that, Arhen Gallant?" he said. Arhen loosened up slightly after being addressed formally as well.
"I've spent some time at her bed side here and there throughout her rest here. I've seen her sleep so soundly and peacefully. She was so serene and unavailable to the real world. But I have also seen her toss and turn and even scream in her sleep. I have witnessed her purgatory, her long trek through hope and despair, though I had no idea it was anything more than a dream at the time. If I were her, I wouldn't want to talk about it," Arhen explained.
"Purgatory?" Callencia said, looking over her shoulder at Arhen. Arhen paused. "Yes, my lady." he replied. All three of the avatars seemed slightly more intrigued. "What makes you think she was in purgatory?" Solwein asked.
"It is only what Anetta said, but after she said it, I remembered Arkerya's sleep behavior and it only presents more evidence in its favor," Arhen said. "Anetta said it then? I shall be having a word with her about that. Avatars Callencia and Novacon, please follow me to Anetta's study," Solwein said.
Arhen bowed and then allowed the three passage into the abbey. After they walked down the hall to Anetta's quarters, Arhen took a seat on a bench in the main hall. The half-spherical glass roof was a wonder to be sure. The light from the morning sun was hitting the glass just right, sending beams of light in all directions. The great tree outside casted a shadow through the lightshow, its leaves dancing on the stone walls. In his short stay there, Arhen had come to enjoy his time in the main hall.
"That's really beautiful," came a quiet voice from the spiral stair case leading to the attic. "Does this happen every day?" Arkerya asked. Arhen thought of calling his masters to inform them of Arkerya's appearance, but decided against it.
"Yes it does. I actually come here almost every day just to see it. The stars are beautiful at night as well," Arhen said. "I love the stars. I used to watch them every night at the top of the hill back home. No matter what happened that day, I could always look up at the night sky and watch them twinkle," said Arkerya. She walked to the middle and looked up at the sun. She quickly looked down at the floor and rubbed the water out of her eyes.
Arhen cocked an eyebrow. "You know, if you look up at the sun, it will burn your eyes. You really shouldn't," he said. Arkerya chuckled softly without smiling and looked up at Arhen. "I know that, but you see, I haven't seen the sun or the stars in a long time. Even if it burns me, I consider that a luxury in itself," she replied.
Arhen was a little unsettled from her words, but said nothing. Instead, he changed the subject. "How are you feeling?" he asked. She looked at him with an expression that said it all, but she said nothing out loud.
I can't get through to her. If I ask about one thing, she speaks morbidly. If I talk about another thing, she's morbidly silent. Talking to this girl is like talking to the enemy. Every subject is touchier than the last. Arhen's mouth dropped open as the concept hit him at last. Of course. This young woman has recently awakened from undeath. Of course she's feeling morbid. The trauma must have been unbearable.
Arhen was silent for a moment as he tried to think of what to say, if anything. He looked up at the ceiling and the sun burned his eyes. "You know, it really is beautiful in here, isn't it," he said half out of absentmindedness.
Arkerya smiled and looked at him blissfully. "Yes, it truly is." She strode over to the bench that Arhen was sitting on and stood before him. "Have you been here long? May I know your name?" she asked him.
"Aye. The name is Arhen of the Netherlands and I brought you here from Southshore after your redemption four months ago," he said. "You were unconscious until this very morning. Good thing too, considering that my superiors came to see you today." Arkerya looked slightly surprised.
"Your superiors came to see me? What could they want with me?" Arkerya asked quizzically.
"We just have a few questions for you, dear," Solwein said from behind the corner. Arkerya looked in his direction and seemed to shrink in his powerful presence. "I would speak with you in private, Arkerya, if you would so kindly oblige," Solwein said graciously.
"Well, I'll do the best I can," Arkerya managed weakly. Solwein nodded slowly. "Leave us Arhen," he said.
Arhen bowed and exited the hall to the outside, leaving Arkerya and Solwein alone. Solwein took a seat where Arhen had been before while Arkerya remained standing. "Please, won't you sit down and speak with me?" Solwein said gently.
Without a word, Arkerya quickly took her seat and sat curtly straight up. "Please, Arkerya, calm yourself. I am not here to interrogate you or anything else of the like. I won't force you to answer me, but would some time to rest help at all?"
Arkerya wasn't physically weary, as her body had rested for some time now, but her mental health had declined drastically. The trip through the dungeons of Lordaeron and Grudamere's daring escape were first to take their toll on her. Through that ordeal, her soul had been imprisoned and almost snuffed out.
Afterward came her redemption, a trip through the blackness and cold. While her body had recuperated, her mind was still constantly strained. "A great deal of time would be more suitable, if you can be patient, Sir Solwein," she replied formally and perfectly.
Solwein seemed halfway flattered but his face still frowned. "I'm afraid that time is of the essence, my lady. I need you to tell me of your experiences soon. If you cannot, then say so and I'll leave to find other avenues of information. I'll give you all the time I can, but remember that it is little to begin with.
Before the fall of Lordaeron, Arkerya could only run from the rage of war. After all that had happened now, however, she felt something more. "It started in the Lordaeron dungeons..." she began. Solwein bent closer to listen to her.
She told him of Grudamere and what had happened in Lordaeron. Then she described her scourge experience in great detail all the way up to her awakening in Northshire.
"Does that satisfy your questions, Lord Solwein?" she asked finally. "Aye, and then some. You have given me vital information that I can use against the scourge. I already have a few holy weapons in mind. On behalf of the entire Silver Hand, thank you for your cooperation," he replied.
Then Solwein bowed graciously and then stood up straight to face Arkerya. "And off the record, you are pure of heart. I can see it in your soul, so I have something to test on you if you would have it," he proposed suddenly.
Arkerya blinked and then mouthed the word 'test'. What exactly does that mean? I'm not some guinea pig. "I can see that you aren't too keen on the idea. Perhaps if I explain exactly what I mean."
Solwein reached into his cloak pocket to retrieve that which he had fought so hard to get, the Light Bringer's Hilt. "That's the sword of the Light Bringer!" Arkerya gasped. Solwein blinked.
"Aye, that it is. How did you know?" Solwein asked interrogatively. Arkerya stiffened as she answered. "I... I don't know. It's just what first came to mind," she said. Solwein rubbed his chin and finally began his explanation.
"My Lady, ever since laying eyes upon this hilt I have felt your presence. I first sensed you in Stratholme, though I said nothing to my brother or anyone for that matter. I didn't even dare think of it in the plaguelands for fear of dark magic that makes one able to read my mind. But you were there none the less, you and your weak presence," Solwein said as he stared inquisitively at Arkerya.
"But you knew, on sight, even though you have never seen or heard of it before; you knew this was the Light Bringers hilt. Since it wasn't until I saw it close up that I first sensed you, I'm certain that it was the hilt's doing. The evidence is engaging, wouldn't you say?" Solwein asked, rubbing his chin again as he thought.
Arkerya was now wide eyed and wary. "I have no idea what this all means. I may have survived the scourge, but I'm still a normal girl from the Hillside village in Tirisfal!" Arkerya said defensively.
With great speed, Solwein drew his hidden short blade and swung over head at Arkerya. Wrist straight... choke up... Arkerya answered with her elven short sword and blocked the attack.
"No normal girl from the Hillside village in Tirisfal has the kind of fighting spirit that you do. Your potential power puts mine to shame and as I get closer to you I can see further into your soul as though the light connects us in some way. This is unprecedented."
Solwein moved his widened eyes closer to hers and stared for a good long time. Arkerya, though nervous, didn't move and allowed him to see. After nearly ten minutes, Solwein backed away.
"Well...?" Arkerya asked. Solwein cracked a half smile. "My speculation was correct. You and I have been connected by the light for some reason. This means two things. One, it means that you are blessed by the holy light and therefore trainable as a paladin. Two, it means that I am supposed to train you. Before the fall of the Silver Hand, I achieved the rank of Knight-Gallant, the lowest rank allowed to take on an apprentice. The light does not make idol decisions and I shall follow it whole heartedly to the best of my abilities."
Arkerya narrowed her eyes at Solwein. "How do you know all this?" Arkerya asked cautiously. "As I said, I can see into your soul, and in peering into one's soul, you can see their destiny," Solwein replied.
Arkerya paused and stepped back. This makes way to much sense to me. Something tells me that he can be trusted and that he's telling the truth. In fact, I know he's telling the truth. Arkerya knelt before Solwein. "Master, teach me the way of the paladin. Teach me to do what you do. I am your humble servant."
Solwein bent down and raised her back to her feet by her hand ever so gently. "I will teach you the way of the paladin, but since the light has chosen you for me, you need never kneel to me again. Follow me to Stormwind, and the surviving masters of the fallen Silver Hand will begin your training," Solwein said.
"But you are my master. Why are you not teaching me but instead leaving me to one of your subordinates," Arkerya stopped and redirected her response. "I'm sorry master, I'm sure you have a good reason. I trust in you, Master Solwein," Arkerya finished.
Solwein sensed a fluctuation in Arkerya's energy. It lasted only for a moment, but Solwein was able to identify it as a holy energy spike, the kind that can be used to consecrate the ground. But nothing happened and the spike was gone in an instant; the atmosphere returned to normal.
"Follow me and my companions back to Stormwind, Arkerya," Solwein said. "Yes, my master," she replied. "I shall be packed and ready in a short while, as I have few possessions.
"Then we shall wait for you outside." Arkerya stood up first and bowed low. Solwein smiled and dismissed her.
As she rounded the corner and began her accent to the attic to collect her things, Solwein walked back towards the entrance and then outside, thinking deeply to himself. What he didn't tell Arkerya was that he knew the reason the light had paired them.
Everything the prophet had said is coming true. He said this one would powerful beyond imagination and that this one would have been one of his minions. I can't believe how easy it was to find her, although I'm sure that was the easy part. But this girl...
Solwein was full of doubt. The thought of Arkerya, a simple and frail looking girl possessing as much power as he sensed in her, baffled and humbled him. Though dedicated to the holy light and the spirit of righteousness, even Solwein was capable of doubt. She can't really be the next Light Bringer, can she?
Arkerya looked at her belongings on the bed that Anetta had laid out for her mournfully. A shirt, a dress, shoes, and a sword. That's all that's left... She picked up her elven short sword that had somehow found its way back to her and stared at the perfect blade, peering deep into her own eyes. What did you really see in these eyes of mine? A creature of darkness is all I see. Damn you Arthas.
Arkerya had been hiding something from Solwein. She had no intention of serving the holy light and no intention of being one of Solwein's order forever. The dungeons and the abyss were still fresh in her mind and her one and only goal was to make the man responsible pay with his life. "Vengeance will be mine," she whispered to herself.
It was a well known fact that paladins never engaged in battle for their personal vengeance, but rather in the name of the light. Arkerya saw this as a happy coincidence. She and the light had a common foe, one who threatened much more than the existence of both. She wasn't entirely sure of the scale of this fact, but it didn't matter to her anyway. Ever since the first day of her imprisonment and her excruciating conversion to and undead corpse, she thought only of spilling Arthas's blood.
Over and over, her weary brain repeated their names in her head. Drew, Mother, Father... Over and over she thought of her baby brother that never received a name. She had thought of giving him a name to remember him by, but she neither wanted to remember his short life nor give a name to a dead baby. The thought made her feel like she was doing something Arthas would do.
With a heavy sigh, she slid the short blade under the belt that Anetta had provided her along with the shirt and pants she was wearing and rolled her old clothes hastily before tucking them under her arm.
Despite her desire to kill Arthas as soon as possible, she wasn't eager to leave the haven of Northshire. The setting was even more beautiful than her home, though it may have been that way by comparison to her most recent experiences. Still, she felt a sense of peace here, a sort of belonging, especially around Solwein.
Forget that kind of thinking you stupid girl. Grow up and remember your goal in life. I go to claim Arthas's head.
With a mean look to no one, she descended the staircase and exited the abbey to find five mounted paladins and two quite odd looking humanoids riding even odder mounts.
Arkerya jumped back in surprise. "Fear not Arkerya. They are allies and paladins like ourselves," Solwein said reassuringly. "I do hope you can get used to our outlandish appearance, Arkerya," said Zhor. "I'll introduce everyone once we're underway. Please ride with me, Arkerya," Kaonus said cocking his eyebrows.
Solwein promptly shoved Kaonus halfway off of his horse. Kaonus came back with a "what was that for" look as he got all the way on his steed again. Solwein pursed his lips and shot a "you know exactly what that was for" look back. Kaonus paused and then returned with a "well... yeah..." look.
"You'll ride with Callencia," Solwein said. Arkerya obligingly climbed up behind the only female paladin and got comfortable, taking hold of Callencia's shield. "It is only a short ride to Stormwind. Hang on tight," Callencia said, obviously pleased at the added female company.
The eight of them then turned form the abbey and headed south down the road and past the stone wall at the entrance to the valley, bound for Stormwind to begin Arkerya's training. Prepare yourself Arthas. I know I am.