A/N: Hey, y'all. I am back. It's been a while, hasn't it? Work has been so busy, so I haven't had a lot of time to write. It's been two months, actually. I wrote the last few chapters in a few days, back in November, so I feel a little rusty. I am debating on letting this story come to an end after a few more chapters. My drive to keep it going for chapters more has dulled, but we shall see how I feel after writing this one. As always, I hope you guys enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Katryn Silverbane. All rights for World of Warcraft belong to Blizzard Entertainment, including places, events, and characters.
Of Blood and Arcana
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I Found
Shadowmoon Valley was quiet.
The sun had set long before, and a dull lilac hue filled the sky. Stars speckled the heavens, casting small bursts of light here and there, dotting across the treetops. The moon was full, like a silver galleon on the horizon, and it actually almost blinded Katryn. She clung to Nimera's feathers, the cool air of the valley blowing directly into her eyes, causing them to water. She craned her neck, searching for Lunarfall below, squinting to see the towers, the fires, and…
The soldiers.
Katryn winced – she knew this plan wasn't the best plan in the world. If the soldiers caught them together in Lunarfall… If they saw Garrosh… She didn't want to think about it. Her shoulders drooped slightly, and she inhaled slowly. Behind her, Garrosh huffed. He sounded annoyed… maybe tired? She felt his grip on her waist tightened slightly, and a small smile flitted across her lips, but she didn't turn. She didn't have time to worry or care about it right now. They hadn't exchanged any words since leaving Nagrand, and had been flying for almost an hour now. They had kissed, Katryn knew that, and she knew Garrosh did, too. Things felt… different now. But, Katryn had other things to focus on. Despite how much she wanted to know how he was, if he felt different since his revival. If… She felt her lips begin to form his name, as she began to turn –
When suddenly Lunarfall came into view.
It was a tiny dot, growing in the wake of the forest. Katryn veered Nimera, and the hippogryph turned, her wing taking them downward into the underbrush. As the canopy of trees enclosed them into darkness, Katryn's eyes adjusted to the night. She slipped off of Nimera's back, her feet touching down onto the dewy grass beneath. Her newly short hair tickled the nape of her neck, and she hissed, reaching up to scratch her skin, her nails making raking noises into the silence.
Behind her, Garrosh slid down as well. As he did, Katryn's staff banged against Gorehowl, and it fell from the saddle, crashing towards the ground. Katryn leapt forward, her hand extended, expecting the weapon to shimmer, and cease movement. When it didn't, and instead landed on the ground with a long clang as it struck a rock, she looked down at her hand, her brow furrowed.
Garrosh was watching her, his yellow eyes unreadable. "What's wrong?" His tone was gruff, barely audible.
Katryn blinked once, realizing she was still staring at her hand, before she looked back up at him. "Nothing." She smiled plainly, before walking over to the staff lay, gathering it up in her arms. She wasn't ready to tell Garrosh she had lost her magic after resurrecting him. She didn't know how he'd react, and frankly, she didn't want to know. They had bigger things to focus on… like stopping a raving lunatic.
It was darker beneath the trees than Katryn had anticipated. She squinted into the darkness, struggling to make out the shape of Lunarfall through the trees. The gently shooed Nimera away, and the hippogryph took flight, disappearing off into the underbrush. Katryn took a breath, steadying her heartrate. It was now, or never. She had to get a move on, and get her things from Lunarfall, as expeditiously as possible.
"Stay here."
She found herself speaking before she became of aware of it. Her voice carried through the night, a whisper upon the breeze. A few dark strands drifted across her face, and she exhaled softly. The air felt cold, and a chill passed through her.
"What?"
Garrosh's own voice sounded grating against the silence, not caring to keep it down. Katryn cast him a look, before replying calmly.
"Stay here," she repeated, facing him fully, "I'll go alone and meet you back here as soon as I can." She moved to go, but as she did, she felt his hand close over her upper arm, spinning her around. She was facing him again, and was face to face with his chest. She turned her gaze upwards, to see his yellow eyes looking down at her, glowing brightly in the dimness. She cocked a brow, giving him a quizzical, sarcastic smirk. Judging by the look on his face, he was about to complain. Even after all this time – after everything they had been through, she still found it funny.
Garrosh was scowling – of course he was. "Like hell I'm staying here." That time, his voice was softer, but no less irritated at her request. She realized his hand still encircled her arm, but the grip had loosened. They stood in silence for a moment, looking at one another, sizing each other up, as they so often did before an argument. Katryn sighed, being the first the cut the tension.
"Garrosh, please." She gently pried his fingers from her arm, aware of how cold and thin hers were compared to his. "I don't have the time or patience for your attitude right now." Her smirk widened when he let out a low growl. She shook her head, slowly reaching upwards to gently take his face in her hands. As she did, he jerked away slightly, but calmed when she did not release it. When she spoke, her tone held empathy, and yet commanded authority. "If they see you, you're as good as dead." She paused, feeling a small stab of pain in her chest. "Again." She managed to get the last word out, her voice not breaking this time.
Garrosh said nothing for a moment, his own gaze not leaving her face. She was so used to these looks by now, and they brought her back to all those months before. Nostalgia filled her momentarily, but was brought back by Garrosh's unceremonious. "Hmph."
Katryn sighed, laughing softly. She stepped away from him. "Growl all you want, it won't change my mind." She looked up the nearby slope, towards the garrison. "I'll be back soon." She didn't look at him as she began to make her way towards the slope, but stopped when Garrosh called out to her.
"Katryn."
She turned back. "Yes?"
He didn't speak for a moment, he just looked at her, as though wondering what to say. Finally, he uttered, his eyes not leaving her face. "Nothing. Just… don't loiter." He squared his shoulders – back was his stoic resolve. "We don't have all night."
Katryn gave him a rueful smile. "I'll keep that in mind." She threw him a long look, before raising a single hand in farewell, turned on her heel, and sprinted away into the darkness towards the garrison.
Breaking into the garrison wasn't as easy as Katryn had thought it would be. Well, it'd have been easier, had she still had her powers, anyway. She could have just teleported into her room, grabbed her stuff, and ran. Instead, she had to resort to something much riskier, and time consuming.
Somehow, and Katryn really couldn't explain how she had done this, she had managed to scale the back wall of the garrison, and up onto the ramparts. She narrowly missed a patrolling guard, as she snuck, surprisingly stealthily, into the keep. She crept through the shadows, actually removing her shoes at one point, careful to make as little noise as possible. If only she also moonlit as a rogue…
The stone floor felt cold against her feet, and sent a chill through her core, as her silent movements eased her closer and closer to the wooden door at the end of the hall. Finally, she reached it, extending a lily white hand, skin glowing in the moon's glow, and turned the brass handle. The door creaked open, and Katryn slipped inside, shutting it behind her, with a dull thud. She turned, facing the room before her, surveying the area. It was as she remembered it – smaller, slightly cramped, with weapons strewn about, daggers here and there, and a huge lightning staff resting against the stone of a dying fireplace. As she looked on, she saw the bed, a large canopy surrounding two very distinct figures, lost in sleep, and twisted up together like some weird, troll/elf monstrosity.
Aryaa and Daja.
Katryn exhaled – the sight of her two friends brought her some much needed relief. She had missed them, and now, she needed their help more than ever. She scurried across the hearth, careful to step over any pointy daggers, until she came to the side of the bed. She looked down at the two, sleeping so soundly. One of Daja's tusks aimed so precariously as Aryaa's head, and the night elf, so deeply asleep as she was, looked younger than Katryn, then, despite being ten's of years, perhaps even hundreds, older than Katryn herself.
"Aryaa." Katryn hissed into the darkness, her voice, to her, sounding much louder than she had intended. Her friends, however, did not stir. Katryn scowled, and when she spoke again, it was louder. "Aryaa!" At that, the elf stirred, her silver eyes opening slowly, as they came to focus on Katryn's face.
Upon realizing who she was looking at, Aryaa's face changed from sleep, to panic "Hnngh… Katryn – mmph!" She was silenced when Katryn clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle her cry.
"Ssh, it's okay," Katryn said gently, her eyes searching her friend's face, imploringly, "it's just me." When Aryaa licked her hand, she recoiled in shock and disgust, while the elf bared her pointed teeth in a grin. Beside her, Daja had awoken as well, and was looking between the two women in lazy curiosity.
"Katryn? What be goin' on?" He stretched, and the sound of his joints popping and cracking pierced the silence.
Katryn, while wiping her hand on her pants, looked between the two of them, her face grim. "I need your help. Can you meet me on the roof?"
"So, that's it. That's everything."
The moon was getting low in the sky. Soon, it would be dawn, and Katryn had to sleep. She was so tired now that her eyes were having trouble focusing on her surroundings. She had spent the last hour telling Aryaa and Daja everything that had happened in the last few days, since she had left. Now, they sat on the roof, where she and Aryaa had spent many evenings talking, and the elf and troll were both staring at her in disbelief.
"He's… alive?" Aryaa breathed out, her shock almost palpable.
Katryn nodded slowly, her stature wary. "Yes."
Aryaa leaned back on her hands, watching her friend, her gaze filled with both amazement… and pity. "And… your powers… Does he…?" She trailed off.
Katryn shook her head, leaning forwards. "No. And he can't know, not yet, anyway." She looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap, fidgeting. "I don't know how he'd react."
Aryaa reached out to her, grasping her hand and squeezing. "Katryn… are you alright? This can't have been easy for you." The elf gazed at her, perhaps trying to give the former mage some sense of peace, but it wasn't working. Not now, anyway.
Katryn forced a pained smile. "I'm fine. Or, at least, I will be." She sighed, scratching her head. "It'll be an adjustment." She let out a nervous laugh, as Aryaa pulled away, taking the hit that that part of the conversation was over.
"But… where is he?"
Katryn pointed off into the darkness. "In the forest. I couldn't risk anyone seeing him, so I came here alone." She looked back at them, "But, I also can't risk anyone seeing me. That's where I need your help – both of you."
There was no hesitation from either of them. "Anything, you name it." Aryaa gently assured her, as Daja nodded in agreement.
Katryn had to swallow once to force the lump in her throat down. She was deeply touched at their willingness, but now wasn't the time for sentimentalities. "Thank you." She mumbled, lamely, before clearing her throat, and getting on track with her plan. "My room is on the other side of the keep; that's why I came through your window. I need you to sneak into my room and get my things. I figured since you're a rogue, Aryaa, you can go unnoticed. Daja," she addressed the troll, as Aryaa nodded a little too enthusiastically, "if you can keep watch, I'll meet you both back down the embankment, in the forest. I can sneak out easily enough."
"Katryn, what ya be plannin'?" Daja's voice was soft, but the shaman looked serious.
Katryn exhaled, "The troupes, including your sister," she looked to Aryaa, "are heading into Tanaan Jungle. I don't know if they've left already, or in the morning, but they are. They're going to need all the help they can get." She sat up straighter, "I won't sit by anymore – I have to do something."
Aryaa's tapered white brows creased together. "Does the Horde know of this?"
Katryn shrugged, "By now, I'm sure they do. Knowing Grommash – well, what little I do know of him, he's probably already on the move, too, meaning Durotan likely also knows. Gul'dan must be stopped." She looked to the sky in worry. "We don't have much time." She stared at her friends, her eyes pleading.
Aryaa was nodding again. "Alright, go. Go back to Garrosh; I'll get your things. Daja will keep watch, and we'll meet you in the woods." Daja got up, slid down the roof, and positioned himself by the door, and as Aryaa moved to follow him, Katryn caught her arm.
"Aryaa… I can't thank you enough." Katryn's voice, despite her earlier attempts, was thick with emotion.
Aryaa smiled softly, reaching out to wipe a single tear from the human woman's cheek. "You changed your hair." She grinned toothily, and Katryn let out a watery laugh.
"I'll see you both soon." Aryaa hugged her once, before dexterously leaping from their roof spot, to another, and out of sight.
"You're back."
Garrosh looked bored. Katryn had made her way back to the clearly as quickly as she was able. Upon seeing her, Nimera had squawked loudly, and Katryn had had to shush her. Now, the beast was sulking over by Garrosh, who was equally as sulky looking, seated at the base of a tree.
Katryn felt her mouth tug in a smirk. "I am." She came and sat down beside him. She exhaled, shutting her eyes for a moment – maybe she could sleep for five minutes…
"I thought you were getting something?"
Garrosh's voice startled her, and her eyes flew open. She turned to look at him, her eyes half closed in exhaustion. "I was – just in a more creative way."
Garrosh threw her a suspicious look. "What are you…?" They were interrupted by the sudden, very sudden, appearance of Aryaa and Daja, as if out of thin air. Both Garrosh and Katryn were startled, and Katryn leapt to her feet, planting herself between everyone, just in case. Garrosh was staring at the two with steely resolve, and Katryn knew he had had bad blood with the trolls, though she was certain Daja wouldn't start anything, on hers or Aryaa's behalves, anyway. Garrosh, not so much.
"Garrosh, may I present Aryaa, and her mate, Daja." Katryn spoke quickly, eyes darting through the group. "They're my friends." She added, casting a long look at Garrosh, whose defensive posture quickly seemed to evaporate. Instead, he looked slightly surprised.
"You two are…?" He sounded dumbfounded, and Katryn sighed in exasperation.
"Eloquent." She muttered.
Garrosh scowled, looking a little embarrassed, amazingly. "I asked a question."
"You can't just ask questions like that!" Despite the fact Katryn had herself, she still chastised the orc, who looked slightly more murderous now.
"Look at you two, bickering like an old married couple!" Aryaa chirped, and that shut them both up. Aryaa grinned, moving to Katryn and handing her a large leather bag, clanking as she did. "I have your things, is this all of it?" Katryn opened it, peered inside, smiled, and shut it again.
"It's enough, thank you." She tossed it onto the ground near the tree, as Aryaa spoke again.
"I managed to grab some food and water, too, and bandages. I also got you a polearm, just in case." Daja, who had had the weapon strapped to his back, removed it, and handed it to the woman. Katryn examined it – it felt lightweight, which was good. If she had to swing something around, she wasn't wanting to fall over doing it.
"Why would she need a polearm? Her entire arms are their own weapons." Garrosh scoffed.
Katryn rolled her eyes at the "joke." "Clever. Don't worry about that now. What matters is we have what we need." She threw Aryaa a smile, and the night elf stepped towards her.
"Here, Katryn, take this." Seeming to materialize out of nothing, Aryaa produced a breastplate, and handed it to Katryn. That, was a lot heavier than the polearm.
Katryn grappled at it so as to not drop it. "Where do you hide all this stuff?" With more effort than she'd like to admit, the armour joined the rest of her things at the base of the tree, with one difficult toss.
Aryaa winked, "Trick of the trade."
"But why a breastplate?" Katryn asked, turning back, confused. She had never had to wear armour before…? Oh, wait.
"You never know what might come in handy." Aryaa shrugged, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder, and squeezing once.
The lump in her throat was back. She swallowed once. "Thank you, Aryaa."
Aryaa sniffed loudly, quickly wiping her own eyes. Neither knew what the dawn would bring, and it would be hard enough to say goodbye now. "You two should get some rest, the sun will rise soon enough, and you must sleep before the journey ahead." Aryaa pulled Katryn into a tight embrace. "Good luck, my friend." Katryn felt a few of the elf's tears wet her hair, and her own fell for an instant.
"Thank you both, so much. For everything."
Katryn bid her friends farewell, and watched as they faded into the ever brightening backdrop of trees and shrubbery. She took a moment to collect herself, before turning around, and beginning to build a fire. She mentally cursed that she couldn't just light one with her fingers. Behind her, Garrosh asked the one question she had been dreading.
"Why did she give you a weapon and armor?"
No, not now. Katryn didn't want to have that conversation right now. "As a precaution." Her hoped her curt reply would shut him down, but when that failed, her heart beat a little faster.
"Katryn." His tone had a warning in it, as if he knew there was something she wasn't telling him.
She kept her cool, looking up at him, with an expression of mild confusion. "Garrosh?"
The orc narrowed his yellow eyes. He was having none of her shit today, it would seem. "Why?" His voice cut the air like a blunted sword.
She sat back on her heels, looking at him. She didn't want to have this conversation, not one bit. She had been avoiding it because she knew he wouldn't like it, and frankly, neither did she. She didn't like the fact she didn't have her magic anymore. But… the reason behind why… Well, she couldn't put her own price on it. Even though she was angry, having Garrosh alive was so, so worth it. Even if he didn't understand.
But maybe he would one day, she mused. She looked at him, taking in his features, how he looked at her, how she felt when he did. She shut her eyes for a moment, before slowly opening them. It was now or never.
"Look," she began, her voice low, gentle. "I didn't want to tell you this way, but… When I brought you back, you weren't the only one who had to… change." She chewed her inner cheek, watching for his reaction.
"What do you mean?" Garrosh's face was a cross between concern, frustration, and anger, as, Katryn supposed, he had a right to be.
It took her longer than she wanted to reply. "I had to give something I exchange for your life."
"Katryn…"
She had to say it. Just get it over with. If she didn't, it would hang over them. She looked at him, her eyes begging him to understand why she had done what she had done, why it meant more to her to have him, than have her magic, and nothing else. She reached for him, as the words came spilling out. "My powers are gone, Garrosh. My powers are gone."
There was a heavy silence. He stared at her, and she at him. He looked frozen, his eyes wide in what could only be described as horror, or perhaps mild shock? She couldn't really tell. Either way, he looked statuesque, frozen in time. Katryn felt her heart ache. This was it – she had changed in his eyes now. She had done something so colossally stupid that he –
She didn't get a chance to further her melodramatic inner monologue, when Garrosh suddenly moved, with speed that surprised her for his size. As he came closer, he didn't say anything. Instead, he dropped to one knee, grabbed her by her upper arm, and hauled her to her feet. As she began to protest, he drew her into a bone crushing hug, holding her to him, so tight, that for an instant, she couldn't breathe.
"Garrosh?" She gasped out, her hands, so small compared to his, slowly reaching up0 to touch his exposed him. It felt hot under her fingers, and she felt his head lower, resting atop her hair.
"Katryn, I…" he was at a loss for words, and when Katryn heard the emotion in his voice, something so foreign for the former Warchief, the lump returned to her throat. This time, she didn't fight the pain.
She smiled gently, and under the dark canopy of night, a few crystalline tears fell.
"I know."
Her whisper was carried away by the breeze, and into the dawn.
A/N: Yay, fluff! Good way to stretch my writing muscles again, methinks. See you guys later!
