14: An Inconvenient Detour

"Lands of great discoveries are also lands of great injustices."
― Ivo Andrić

The patrol from Feathermoon marched down the trail with determination, their elven armor resplendent even in the hazy morning light. Rin saw them taking the bend in the road in time.

"Edward! Ya have to hide."

"I never hide from battle." The warlock stepped beside him with Zirak sniggering in tow.

"This doesn't need to become a battle if ya hide. I'm a druid: I have a safe passage letter from da Circle." At the warlock's hesitation, he insisted, "Now!"

The undead cast him a disapproving glare before retreating into the bushes behind them. Agitated voices erupted ahead: the patrol converged on him.

"Stop where you are!" one of them cried in Common.

Rin turned to face the small patrol: he found swords and nocked arrows aimed at him.

"It be a good ting I speak Common, yah? You might be wantin' to learn a few greetins if ya gonna be patrolling so close to Horde encampments," he stated calmly, raising up his hands to reveal he was not engaging in combat.

"This is Alliance territory," a young night elf soldier protested. "State your purpose."

"Okay. Here be an easy one, for starters: Mok'ra. That be a polite greetin'—try that instead, next time ya engage with da Horde."

The edge of a sharp blade slipped under his chin.

"I asked you a question," the night elf continued in a hostile manner.

"And I be askin' ya another in turn: what be your purpose, mon?"

The tip jabbed his flesh.

"Captain!" the soldier called out, turning his head slightly to the side just as a second patrol caught up to them. One of the tallest night elves Rin had ever seen paraded up to him, his face stern and cold.

"Search him." The night elf held his gaze.

"Don't forget to check behind da ears." Rin smirked. "Mine be bigger than yours." He winked at the soldier who approached him.

"My soldier asked you a question: state your purpose."

Rin sighed as the soldier began to manhandle him, tossing his pack to the ground so they could riffle through the contents. His belongings were unceremoniously fanned over the dirt ground.

"I be here on business for da Circle of Cenarion. I be a druid, ya see."

"Can you prove it?" The night elf eyed him suspiciously.

"Ah, sure. Ya can either read da letter you dumped out on da dirt over there, or I could be turnin' into a bear and maul ya." He grinned. "I suggest ya go for da letter," he whispered encouragingly. The soldier patting him down gave him a hard shove.

"What business is this you are involved with?"

From the looks of captain hard-ass, he suspected this was going to quickly devolve into a complicated matter. If it didn't just deteriorate into an all out "incident."

"Farmsteaders near Isildien called upon da Circle for its aid. They suspect corruption. I be an expert on da matter." At the unimpressed looks he received, he added glibly, "So? May I be on my way now? I have a letter of safe passage from da Circle."

Without breaking eye contact, the captain turned to one of his men and began speaking quickly in Darnassian. Rin's jaw tensed.

"You're coming with us to Feathermoon," the captain announced after the exchange.

"Ah! Now that be very inconvenient," Rin quickly declared, speaking louder and hoping Edward was within earshot still. "Because it will severely interfere with my travel plans. I still need to head southwest for another sixteen miles, and set camp within a mile north of Isildien's ruins!" he groused theatrically.

"Not my problem." The captain shrugged his shoulders. "Take him."

Rin tried to stay calm as the soldiers bound his wrists and took his daggers. One of them shouldered his pack. Rin tried to peer into the woods, hoping Edward had taken mental note of the directions.

"I really hope to be on my way soon," Rin explained loudly, a last-minute effort to dissuade Edward, in case he was plotting some fel-raising rescue effort.

"We'll see," the captain quipped dryly as they began to head down a trail toward the sea.

"May I know why I am being held even though I have done nothing?" Rin wondered after a few minutes of silence.

"You may be a person of interest." The captain marched ahead of him, his height and broad back blocking his view.

"Hmm, interesting in what way?"

"We are collecting information on a murder case," the captain informed him. "It's connected to the farmsteads in that area."

Rin's blood froze.

"Murder," he managed to utter. "Who was murdered?"

The captain turned his head to examine him, probably making a note of his ashen features. He smirked cruelly.

Things were becoming unexpectedly complicated.

Feathermoon came into view not too long after they set sail from the docks. Soldiers kept watch port and starboard, wary of naga attacks. The boat approached the island from the wooded coast, crowded with large, overgrown pines that soared into the sky. They bobbed over the waves as the boat angled itself over the choppy waters toward the dock. Along the shore, smaller fishing shells were moored. A group of people had congregated around something Rin eventually realized was the beached corpse of a large naga warrior.

I just be wantin' to get out of here.

He was marched passed curious gazes up a ramp into a room hollowed out from the base of a large tree. It took his eyes a moment to adjust to the darkened room. He was pushed down onto a bench.

"You. Here. Wait," a female night elf soldier commanded him. She was young, Rin gathered, despite the heavy armor and fierce expression. Her Common was heavily accented. He cursed himself over the fact that the only terms he knew in Darnassian had to do with sexual acts. It was unlikely that whatever matter the elves were investigating had something to do with Leighton and that rotten rune business, he tried to reassure himself. After all, there were several farms, many people living in the farmsteads and the town. The likelihood that anything had happened at—

He winced, trying to keep nagging negative thoughts at bay.

I hope nothin' happened to Sahar. He finally exhaled loudly, tossing his head back with impatience. The mere thought of her in distress, in pain, in any type peril, he realized, made him want to throw his easy-going caution to the wind and rage-fight his way out of the stronghold in classic berserker mode.

A soldier ran out of the building after conferring with the unpleasant captain.

Patience, he warned himself. He opened his amber eyes and sought the hulking figure of the captain. He did not know if there was a chance that his colleague Leafwing would be at Feathermoon and not off on some mission, but he had to try.

"Captain, if ya be holdin' me here, I would like to request that one of my colleagues from da Circle be notified."

"We are trying to corroborate your claims." He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "We are trying to locate one of our druids."

"Who?" Rin asked hopefully.

The captain turned away from him.

Fucker.

He'd been drowsing. Rin awakened with a start as he caught his body lurching forward. It couldn't have been for long: the same group of soldiers, including the captain, remained in the room with him, speaking quietly in Darnassian.

I'm not the first, nor will I be the last troll to undergo such treatment by da Alliance, he consoled himself. And it goes both ways-I hear it not be much better da other way around. He glanced down at his bound wrists, the rope wound tightly, cutting into his skin. It could be worse, he knew. Much worse.

"How much longer…" Rin finally ventured.

No one answered him.

The shadows in the room had shifted, grown longer. He was not alone, but there were different soldiers stationed in the room. The captain was gone. He smacked his lips and tried to catch one of the men's attention.

"I be feelin' thirsty. Can I have some water?"

The soldier hesitated.

"I don't…You have to wait."

For what? He just wanted water. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. A brief regret surfaced: I should have attacked. With Edward, I could have downed da entire patrol. It was a short-lived regret. A wishful fantasy. The repercussions would have been disastrous. It would have affected him at the Circle—in the best case scenario, the Circle would cast him out like it did most druids who put faction over loyalty to druidic doctrine. The worst? Imprisonment.

Not that I be feelin' terribly free now, he thought wryly.

He let his head hang low, feeling tired, achey, and frustrated. He thought often of Sahar, her forehead pressed against his so affectionately.

I'm going to miss you while you're away. I wish you didn't have to go.

Me too, he answered her longingly in his thoughts. Me, too.

It wasn't until dusk that he became aware of a small commotion outside the room. His head snapped up, alert, and one of the soldiers craned his neck toward the door to watch what was unfurling.

"At once!" the voice boomed indignantly.

"You can hardly condemn us for our actions, given the situation!" Rin recognized the captain's voice. It contained an edge of defiance.

"I should have been informed at once! Rin'Seyi is an esteemed member of my order on a mission!"

Rin smiled wanly in the gloom. He'd know that arrogant, pompous tone anywhere. Leafwing.

What took ya so long, pretty boy? He inhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over him as he sat up straighter.

Rin rubbed his raw wrists before gripping the goblet of fresh water Leafwing was offering him.

"I am deeply sorry, old friend," Leafwing quickly offered. "I would have come sooner, but apparently the latest trend here at Feathermoon is to convict suspects before even speaking to them!" He directed his simmering outrage to the captain, who stood stoically by the open window. "I was informed earlier a member of the Horde was impersonating a Circle of Cenarion member in connection to that ghastly Isildien homesteader business. They even told me to take my time; they were handling it. But I had an uneasy feeling. I'm glad I pressed them for more details. Besides, I am sure the naga off the Isle of Dread won't miss me too much."

"You perused my belongings, but failed to see the letter of safe passage granted to me?" Rin addressed the captain very deliberately.

Leafwing turned to glare at the captain as well.

"You didn't even acknowledge the letter? A letter written by the Circle? A neutral entity?"

"We must take every precaution. After the attack at Thalamar…"

"Perhaps ya be new to these parts, but I be a troll, not Grimtotem," Rin protested, standing up and rolling his shoulder.

"Why bring up Thalamar at all?" Leafwing puzzled, pouring out a goblet of water for himself. "I've lost count of the number of times the Grimtotem have tried to attack Thalamar. It's hardly news that-"

"This attack was different," the captain explained in his strained manner. "It definitely was not Grimtotem this time. The Horde's presence in Feralas is growing and it is behind a spate of attacks on our outposts and camps. The forgery of a letter of safe passage is nothing for the members of the Horde to pull off if it helps them achieve their goals."

Leafwing nodded.

"I understand and commend you on your precaution, Captain Whitewind, but there are laws, secured by treaties, regardless."

"This is war," the captain stated plainly, averting his gaze.

Leafwing glanced at Rin apologetically.

"Such are the times. What is Azeroth coming to?" he muttered softly before sipping from his goblet.

Outside the window, the first stars had emerged in the sky.

"You are free to go," Leafwing assured him, as if guessing his thoughts. "Were you planning on departing tonight? I was informed the boat will not attempt to cross until morning. It's too dangerous to attempt it with the naga about like this."

"I might fly out." He surveyed the sky: it was a clear, starry evening. "What be this business about da naga, Leafwing?"

The elf huffed tiredly.

"We have seen a disturbing uptick in Hatecrest attacks to our fortifications."

Rin couldn't help thinking of Edward.

"Honestly, I have to commend ya people on puttin' down outposts right next to Grimtotem encampments and to da Isle of Dread…Ya certainly like to live dangerously. Or was da real estate cheaper?"

Leafwing smirked.

"'Great location and bad neighbors' is a Darnassian saying." He acknowledged the captain sullenly standing a few steps away from them. "Elder Auroch wanted me to report back on what might be causing the Hatecrest to become more bold and aggressive."

"And?" Rin encouraged him. "Oh, and where be my pack?" he asked the captain. The elf stared at him, as if begrudging his impertinence before stepping out of the room.

"I am alarmed by the increasing number of attacks. These aren't the usual patterns we've come to associate with them, either. I have reason to suspect the Hatecrest are allying with other naga clans to mount bigger incursions. They tend to be very insular, so this is an alarming development. I wouldn't be surprised to discover outside forces have been meddling with the naga." He glanced at the door. "It'll be a matter of time before they breach the fortifications on the atholl at Sardor island," he explained in a lowered voice. "I don't need to tell you what the repercussions would be for this fortress."

Both men considered the possibility mutely.

"So, what is this murder business?" Rin finally asked. "I imagine it has nothin' to do with my case. Otherwise, ya be tellin' me right away. Right?" He watched the elf shrewdly. "Is my partner all right?"

Leafwing rubbed his head tiredly.

"We received a message from Stormwind three days ago—"

"Who's dead?" Rin insisted, the rising anxiety causing his chest to tighten.

"The communiqué stated that the relatives of an herbalist named Phinneas Thornton have not received news of him since he departed from Stormwind three months ago to accept a position as the herbalist to the homesteaders near Isildien."

That be a heap of bullshit.

"Uh-huh. Tell me another one. Like Stormwind be carin' enough about some lowly herbalist up Feralas' asshole. That be coded talk for 'where be our operative?'" Rin grimaced. "It was a message from SI:7, wasn't it?"

Leafwing hesitated. "That's classified."

Rin rolled his eyes.

"But yes," he whispered. "And you didn't hear it from me: it was an SI:7 communiqué. Blasted—they think they're so stealthy, but they might as well have Darkmoon Faire barkers in front of their headquarters."

"What if I told ya I was just with this Thornton guy recently?"

Leafwing's eyes widened.

"I intended to reach out to you for help about this. Exactly how long ago?"

Rin shrugged.

"Two days ago?"

"I'd say that's impossible."

"Don't believe me, ask my partner. Da man's alive and is such a bumbaclutter, I'd never be believin' he be one of Stormwind's finest."

"This is very alarming." Leafwing leaned forward. "You see, a few weeks ago, one of our patrols found human remains in a shallow grave near the bend on the road leading south from the Twin Colossals."

Rin was about to interject, but the elf raised his fingers in a gesture of patience.

"I know: clashes around here are not unusual. Not the first time we find remains. Nevertheless, we follow a protocol: we seek to identify the dead. The soldiers will seek to identify as much as possible."

"I presume that be for da Alliance? What do ya do when da remains are from races in da Horde?" Rin questioned.

He said nothing.

"I have little control over these things."

"Right: because we, senseless brutes, aren't even worthy of proper burial rituals." He ran his hands through his hair

"Look, you know I don't think like that; I'm a druid: we are druids. And although I respect life in all its forms, if I tried to approach a Horde camp with the remains of one of their dead, you and I know I wouldn't be feted as a hero."

He had to admit the elf was right.

"Go on."

"Most of the corpse's belongings had been stolen—he was found clad in stockings and a tunic. Our healer thinks the corpse is at least a couple months old."

"Cause of death?"

"Bludgeoned. The man had been sitting quietly before a campfire when he was attacked. Never saw it coming." He poured himself another goblet. "The thief stole the man's horse and most of his belongings, but he missed a letter of commendation from Stormwind for "Thornton" hidden in the man's stockings. An authentic fake, of course. Captain Whitewind might not be a pleasant host, but he's right to be suspicious of forgeries: he is well aware his own government is doing it."

"There must be some confusion then: I saw Thornton with my own eyes," Rin countered, unconvinced.

"You don't seem to understand, Rin: there is no Thornton. The man was made-up, played by an agent who was killed. Whoever you met has to be an impostor."

Just then, the captain returned to the room, tossing Rin's pack on the ground.

"Thank you," he muttered to the night elf. "Did ya put everytin' back nicely?" he teased.

"Your daggers will be returned on the way out." The captain made his way to the entrance and stationed himself outside the door.

"Hopefully not plunged into my back," he mumbled to Leafwing.

A powerful restlessness overcame him.

"I need to go," he announced.

"Why don't you stay at least until daybreak?" Leafwing looked out the window.

Rin was not interested—he collected his belongings and headed to the door.

"Whoever that Thornton be, I need to be findin' him. He may have some answers for me regardin' my mission."

That business only grew stranger and stranger. He thanked Leafwing, and under his watchful gaze, leaped over the rocks perched over the beach, the tip of one his conjured wings grazing the surface of the water before he gained momentum and soared over the sea toward the looming woods.

Da impostor was supposed to meet with Sahar yesterday.

He couldn't beat his wings fast enough.

I need to get to her now.