~ The unforeseen ~
~ by Anne Shard (alias Odeena Skywalker) ~
Chapter seven: Draenor
Maiev stumbled out of the portal, relieved to feel solid ground under her feet once again. She felt Illidan's strong arm encircling her waist, supporting her, and she clung to it, thankful for the help. It took her a few minutes until the feeling of nausea that had overcome her began to fade away. She pulled away from the demon and straightened her shoulders.
"I do not remember traveling through a portal being like that", she said after a few moments.
"Neither do I", Illidan replied, his voice bitter. "It was not supposed to be like that. Something is wrong."
Maiev looked around. "I suppose that we were not supposed to emerge here, either", she said. "We are in the middle of nowhere."
Illidan frowned. "No, my portal should have gotten us to my palace. I have no idea what could have caused--"
Unexpectedly, Illidan reached forward and grabbed Maiev's arm, pulling her aside as a green fireball hit the place where the warden had been standing less than a moment ago. A second fireball rebounded harmlessly off of Illidan's blades as the demon crouched next to Maiev
"What's happening?" Maiev asked, looking around in alarm. "Who is attacking us?"
But Illidan had already launched himself at an unseen foe. He slashed his blade through what appeared to be thin air, and suddenly a demon materialized before him, shrieking in agony as Illidan's blade slashed through its midsection. Illidan leaped in the air, dodging more fireballs missed him as he slashed through the air again, and another demon appeared and fell lifelessly to the ground.
Maiev had watched the battle startled, occasionally rolling to avoid more fireballs aimed at her. One of them was heading towards Illidan. The former demon hunter was unaware of the imminent danger.
"Look out!" Maiev cried, a moment too late.
The fireball had hit Illidan with full force, sending crashing forward. He turned around and held his blades in defense, deflecting more projectiles. A deafening shriek emitted from somewhere, and a demon appeared, clutching at its chest, where one of Maiev's daggers was impaled.
Maiev ran and crouched at Illidan's side. "Are there any more of them?" she asked, panting slightly.
Illidan shook his head and got up slowly. "Are... are you all right?" he asked after a moment.
"I am unharmed", the warden replied, sounding slightly surprised by the question. "And... and you?"
"It will take some time before my wounds heal", Illidan said, stretching his wings and grimacing slightly.
"What were those... those things?" Maiev asked, looking at one of the fallen demons. "Why were they after us?"
"The Draenei call them Radrene'kamai, The Restless", Illidan explained. "They haunt the desert and feed on the souls of those who venture too far. Their greatest advantage is that they can blend with the surrounding desert so well that they appear to be invisible. I, for one, am able to see their souls. However, the magical energies of Draenor are so strong that they can interfere with my Sight and distort it. That is why I did not sense their approach. Also, I believe that explains how we reached this place instead of my palace."
"How do we get there now?" Maiev asked. "By foot?" she added with a touch of dry humor.
"I will attempt to create another portal", Illidan replied. "This time, I believe it will take us where we want to go."
Maiev grimaced at this, as the perspective of traveling through another portal looked less appealing than ever. "Is it going to be as bad as last time?" she asked.
"It is possible."
"I knew it..." Maiev muttered.
The warden stepped back as Illidan created another portal. The demon cast a glance behind him, and then stepped through. Maiev braced herself, as she followed Illidan through. The world seemed to swirl and shatter around her once again, and she closed her eyes, praying that it would be over soon. A few moments later, she staggered out, feeling her head spinning and her mind reeling. Much to her surprise, Illidan supported her and helped her sit down on a rock.
Maiev held her head in her hands for several minutes, feeling her dizziness and confusion gradually lift, and then she looked up at her companion. "Well, we did not reach your palace this time, either", she said sourly.
"No, we did not", Illidan agreed. "But we got reasonably close to it, anyway. Look." He pointed to a dark mass just below the line of horizon.
"Is that your... palace?" Maiev asked, sounding slightly disturbed by the word.
"Such as it may be called", Illidan replied. "We can reach it from here."
"It is going to take us a while", Maiev observed dryly.
"Normally, it would", Illidan said. "But not if we fly."
"I cannot fly", Maiev reminded him, sounding slightly alarmed. "Are you going to leave me here now?"
"No, I can carry you."
Maiev stood up and looked at her compaion. "Do you really believe that I would trust you enough to allow you to carry me?" she asked, her voice increasing in intensity. "After everything that--"
"If I wanted to kill you, I would have done so by now", Illidan replied coldly. "Even now I could do it now. But I have no reason to."
"No reason, you say?" Maiev gave a bitter laugh. "I am the one who caged you. I am the one who hates you. I am the one--"
"It does not matter now", Illidan interjected. "We are allies, whether you like it or not. Should we both survive this war, and should my promise to Furion be fulfilled, we shall settle this. But for now, I give you my word that no harm should come for you from my part."
Maiev was slightly taken aback by Illidan's words. Finally, she gave in and gave a reluctant nod. "So be it then."
"Then I will have to ask you to remove your cloak and helmet and leave them here", Illidan said. "I cannot carry you if you keep them. I will later my Naga to retrieve them after we had reached the palace."
"But that would leave me defenseless!" Maiev argued, sounding outraged by the very idea.
"Not as long as you are with me."
Maiev seemed to ponder the situation for a few moments, and then she sighed. "It appears that I have no choice but to trust you", she said finally.
Illidan nodded, "Yes."
"Very well."
Maiev discarded her cloak and helmet and settled them on the rock she had been sitting on before. Then, she took a second to comb her fingers through her hair. It was tangled and dirty, and it must have looked terrible. Maiev thought about it for a second, then she shrugged it off. She was a warrior, not a maiden.
"I am ready", she announced, giving her cape and helmet one last glare as she was certain she would not see them again.
"Let us go then."
Illidan lifted her in his arms, much like he had done a few days before with the lost priestess. He stretched his wings, and rose swiftly in the air.
___________
Author's Note: Well, here's the next chapter! Sorry for the long wait - you know my standard excuse. Add to that the fact that I must read a 400 pages novel in two days and it's as boring as listening to... err... Furion lecturing about how people shouldn't use magic because it's evil etc. (couldn't find a better comparison there ^_^), and that in about a week I have a *very* important school contest, and you'll have a pretty decent excuse. Thanks for reviewing go to:
Warp da Warp Liger : Glad that finally clears it up ^_^
Dark-Elk: What can I say? It's an honor! Thank you!
darth: That's true, but since Illidan is their lord and master, they must do as he commands, right?
katylar: This is an alternate storyline. If you read the next chapters you'll find out why he's chained and not exiled. About your other question - well, I've read another I/M fanfic here at fanfiction.net, but I can't remember its title... sorry... I think this fic will have some sprinkles of romance later on, but I don't want to spoil the surprise just yet! :)
Destro1990: I'm one of Illidan's supporters, too. Don't worry, he won't die! ^_^ Also, best of luck with finding your boomstick! I don't like Britney Spears, either! Die Brit die! Mwahahahaha!!! *cough cough choke* Err... sorry about that, got a little carried away... ^_^
HuntressWarden: Thank you! School is evil I tell you! Evil!! ^_^ About the detail bit, it must be because I usually picture the scenes in my mind before I write them. You should try it, too ^_^ It's like mentally watching a movie or... something... *shrug*
Jays Arravan: Thank you!
PS: The last chapter had some typos and grammar mistakes. I corrected them. Sorry about that, it will never happen again. Well... at least, I hope not... although if I keep writing my chapters at three AM anything's possible... *grin*