Back from my vacation to Europe, yay! Thank you so much for all your reviews, I really really appreciate them. I'm trying to work harder on my proof reading so hopefully I caught most of my grammar and spelling mistakes.

Disclaimer: don't own War Craft…did however make up my characters, yay!


The street that had been so packed earlier that day was now deserted. Carya and Illyath stood silently in the street, neither wanting to look at the other. She knew that she could hide in the darkness, let it slide over her and try to forget about what had happened. However, she knew that it would be taking the easy way out and besides…she had not been the only one hurt. Finally she allowed herself to look at Illyath's bloodstained face, his head was bowed slightly.

"It was my fault really," he muttered softly.

"What was?"

"All this I guess. I should have known what would happen…he swore he would never become drunk ever again…but…you know…we were having fun...and I encouraged it…when I should have let him stop."

"It was his choice, he could have stopped himself."

"I know that, but…I encouraged him when I knew it was wrong. He wanted to stop but we were too caught up in it."

"What happened…the last time?" It had been bothering her since he had first mentioned it.

Illyath shook his head at the memory. Once again it had been partially his fault although like Carya had said, Agraelith could have stopped if he had truly wanted too. "We were still in the King's Guard, had a night off. Of course the first thing everyone did was head to the nearest pub…"

That night was now a fuzzy memory but it was there none the less. Agraelith was new to all of it; he had drunk ale with his meals but never for fun. Now however, there were drinking games with a raucous atmosphere and women with low cut dresses hovering about. The rational side of him had told him not to take part in the 'madness' but then again, what was the harm of it? He was young, restless, tired of the seemingly endless training with no time for fun. Now was a chance to let it all out and well, let everything go.

"He umm…it was the first time he'd ever gotten drunk…and that day was probably the worst day for it to happen. He'd been in a fight with someone earlier, but Agraelith being Agraelith had let it slide off of him earlier. He hated fighting with friends, didn't see the point of it when there were orcs enough to fight."

The fight, if you could call it that had been over, of all things, Agraelith's sister Elayna. The man had claimed that he loved her and word had gotten to Agraelith that his intentions were less than honorable. He had of course confronted the man being as most brothers were, protective of his sister. Then he had laid it out for him and basically said that if he tried anything he would personally, and more than happily, throw him off the top of a tower. Of course the man had responded by first denying the rumors and then when he realized that Agraelith knew the truth he had began insulting him.

"Well, all of us were drinking and we were all pretty much drunk beyond the point of rational thinking. The man who had been insulting him earlier started up again, saying insults and all but this time he brought Agraelith's sister into it. Calling her a wench and that sort, normally Agraelith would have reasoned with him but not this time. Oh no, it happened so fast no one even saw it coming, he had the man pinned on top of the bar with his dagger against his throat. Had to pry him off and by that time he had nearly chocked the man. After that he swore not to drink again but I guess tonight neither of us really thought about it."

Carya let it sink in, "I do not understand…he never seemed like he would hurt anyone…"

"He won't…unless he has too much ale in him. I've never seen a man change so much as he does, but whatever it is…it happens."

One thing was still bothering her, "He never told me he had a sister. I suppose that I do not actually know as much as I thought I did."

"It isn't something that I would have expected him to tell you. She…well…she died, he took it quite hard."

"How?" she asked softly.

"In childbirth…the baby was given to a friend to rise, then when she was old enough Agraelith took care of her. He told me about it all yesterday…his niece…she was killed…when the town was attacked."

Suddenly Carya's anger at Agraelith receded slightly and she felt sorrow. She could not imagine how hard it must have been to lose not only his sister, but the only living reminder of her. "What was her name?"

"Calythene."

They may have stood there a brooding a little while longer but Carya remembered Illyath's nose. She led him over to a fountain that was spitting water into the air and they sat on the edge of it. They rhythmic sound of the water was soothing. As carefully as she could she cupped her hands around the broken nose, letting her fingers rest on it gently. Illyath tensed and she knew he was unsure of what was going on. "This will not hurt, do not worry it will be over quickly."

She closed her eyes allowing a clear picture of Illyath's face earlier that day to fill her mind. His nose had been straight and perfect, her focus remained on that and under her breath she began to whisper an ancient chant. Her fingers felt alive and she could not help but smile slightly, she had not used magic since the fire she had lit and it felt good. It was over in a moment, pulling her hands back revealed a shocked but happy Illyath. "Thank you," he murmured.

"You are welcome, here…" there was still blood on his face and she pulled a scrap of cloth out of her pouch and dipped it in the fountain. She lifted it to his face and he took it from her, his hand resting on hers for a moment.

"I can do it…wouldn't want Agraelith to see now would we?" Though it was nothing to joke about seeing as what had happened less than ten minutes ago, there was still a twinkle in his eye as he said it. Carya could not help but laugh.

"Ahem, erm…what was it you're planning to do exactly?"

"What?"

"It just seems like you had an idea of where to go when you stormed out…"

She did have a plan actually; one that she knew would make Agraelith mad. It was childish perhaps to want to do something simply because it would anger him, a way of getting him back so to speak. Although it was something that she needed to do, but she knew that he wanted her to wait for him. "I am going to talk to the orc…the one that was brought in earlier."

Illyath stared at her over the cloth, "You plan on what!"

"I need to speak with him."

"I do believe that Agraelith wanted to accompany you, in fact I believe that you agreed to him accompanying you…"

"And I do believe that at the moment Agraelith is in no condition to go for a little visit with me," she snapped slightly.

Illyath could tell that she was a bit testy at the moment and decided not to try her patience. "All right, but at least let me go with you then. Although I'm pretty sure that Agraelith will kill us both."

"At least I will not die alone," she said with a half smile.

"Very true...er…I suppose you don't want this back?" he said holding up the bloodied cloth.

"No, you may keep it." Without having any other place to put it, Illyath rolled it up and shoved it into his pocket.

"Shall we proceed then?" he asked lightly considering what it was they were about to do. If anyone in the town saw than it was guaranteed that they would be in the stocks by morning.

"Yes…but…maybe it would be best if I went alone…there will be guards and I have the power to well…blend in with the night." Illyath looked at her confused. "Become invisible," she stated bluntly.

"Ah, that seems useful."

"It is, especially when hunting and…" she let it go at that, not wanting to go into detail about what else she had done.

"But I still can't allow you to go by yourself."

"What about the guards? I can pass by them unseen but what about you?"

He grinned, "Don't worry about it, you can ask Agraelith, I'm an expert at getting in and out of places most people can't. Although how exactly are you planning to speak with the orc without the guards hearing? They're going to be standing extremely close."

That posed a problem, but a fixable one. Why had she not thought about beforehand? "I can fix that."

"Please tell me it does not involve weapons, excessive bleeding, and death." He really did not think it was a good idea to kill off the guards. After all, it was their job and they were only trying to protect the people of the town.

"No, I believe it involves this," she pulled something out of her pouch and held it up. It looked to be a folded piece of worn leather. Illyath looked at it skeptically, he did not understand how some folded piece of animal was going to help them.

"And you're going to do what exactly?"

"Hold your breath," she opened it, careful not to spill any. It contained what looked like an assortment of ground up jewels. She closed it again, making sure that none had escaped before she breathed in again.

"What exactly is that?" he asked curiously.

"Breathing in the smallest amount of this will cause one to fall into a deep sleep. To much of it can put one into a permanent sleep."

"And it's safe to use this? It doesn't sound very pleasant."

"I have used it before and never has anyone been harmed. If used properly it wears off in a few hours, giving us enough time to speak with the captive and leave undetected." She did not mention the time when she had been practicing with it and accidentally put her elder in a sleep that lasted nearly three days. It was something that Illyath was much better off not knowing.

"Well, sounds good then. I'm assuming that you're going to turn invisible, go up there, give them a little whiff of it and then once they're knocked out then I'll join you?"

"Yes." Carya was happy that she had come up with a plan that actually sounded well put together. Her elders she knew would be proud of her. Normally she hung back and let others plan everything out. Not that she did not have any ideas herself…she just felt that they were not good enough to compare with the others.

They sat for another moment, Carya trying to collect her thoughts and questions. Illyath tugged on the leather gauntlet that he was fond of wearing. Not that he really needed it; he wore it because after he had deserted the King's Guard, he felt naked with out it. One who knew him well would have understood this gesture to mean that he was setting himself up to do something that he was nervous about. He knew that really Agraelith should be going with Carya, but the night elf turned out to be quite stubborn when she wanted to. It did not help that Agraelith was…well…in no position to be leaving the inn.


The room was silent when he staggered in, cursing himself, cursing Illyath, and cursing Carya. This night had turned out much differently from what he had wanted. He had no idea what had possessed him to drink like that. Memories of the last time he had been drunk entered his head. Ryland, that had been his name. He still remembered holding the blade up to his throat, remembered the pure fury that coursed through his veins. He could have killed him, he may have killed him had the others not dragged him off.

Slamming the door behind him he made his way shakily over to the bed, tripping on the edge sending him sprawling onto it. He started laughing but soon they turned into choking sobs. He felt Star land nimbly beside him and her silk fur tickled his face. "I've made a mess of things, by the gods but I've made a mess of things…"

He tried to remember all that had happened that night but his memory took him back to the previous time. What had been the argument then? He barely remembered his mind had been so clouded…not only with drink but with white hot anger. His sister…Elayna…she had been the youngest of them and the only girl. When he was young she had always tried to follow himself and Illyath on their "adventures." Of course he always told her to go away and leave them alone, that she was a girl. Her beautiful little face had always scrunched up and her large blue eyes had icy. Then she had tossed her white-blonde hair over her shoulder and stuck out her tongue calling him all the names she could think of. It was quite amusing actually.

The day that she died had been a blow to them all. He ached inwardly for not being there when it had happened. He had been far away by then and word had reached him in a letter. He remembered the day that he had followed Illyath's lead and deserted. She had found him, her long hair framing her flushed face. It was clear that she had ran through the entire city in search of him. Leaning over gasping for breath she had pleaded with him not to do it, to return to the guard. He had of course not listened to her, instead he had taken her into his arms and kissed the top of her head telling her that one day perhaps they would meet again. They had not though, occasionally they would write to one another, but he was mainly on the move at that time and it had been hard for the letters to reach him. The last letter he had received from her was when she had told him about her pregnancy, that she was about to have Ryland's child. How he had wanted to kill that man.

The next letter he had received was not from her, but from their elder brother, telling him of her death. Pleading with him to come home for a few days, he had not known what to do with the child that had managed to survive and he was grieving for Elayna. Agraelith regretted what he had done, instead of going back he had moved farther away, and moved their permanently. He was through of running from his problems now, as sleep came over him he knew that in the morning he would apologize to both Carya and Illyath.


The streets were completely empty and the moon was barely enough to provide any light. The way to where the orc was being kept proved to be somewhat of a maze and Carya and Illyath found themselves wandering in circles before they finally neared it. They knew when they were close because they saw the line of guards. It would be harder then she had originally thought, though her powers would make things much easier.

"Wait over there," she pointed to an alleyway and he complied silently. She let herself slip into the darkness and sighed contentedly, it was where she belonged. There was no sound from he footsteps as she walked and she confidently walked up in front of one of the guards, he was looking straight at her and for a moment she feared that perhaps she had lost her abilities but he made no move as to indicate that he had seen her.

Careful as to make not the slightest noise she reached in her pouch and drew out the leather packet. Unfolding it she held her breath as she took a pinch of the colored substance in her fingers. She stood back and made a sweeping motion with her hand, covering her nose and mouth with her other arm. One by one the guards dropped to the ground, none of them realizing what was happening. The two guards who stood directly by the cage strode forward, swords drawn. Taking a breath into her arm she held it again as she pulled out a much smaller amount and then cast it at the two unsuspecting guards. They too dropped; it was over in a matter of seconds. Swiftly she refolded the leather and stuffed it back into the pouch.

Cautiously she moved her arm down and breathed in, nothing happened. She waved for Illyath to come before realizing that he could not see her. Picking up one of the guards fallen swords she waved it in the air. Illyath appeared from the alley and quickly caught up with her.

"Where are you?" he hissed.

"Here. Hand me that."

"Hand you what?"

"This." She reached out and took the blue cloth that he wore tied around his neck. She tied it to her wrist, "Can you see it?"

"Yes, this has to be the oddest thing that I've ever been involved in. I'm following a talking, floating, cloth."

Carya could not help but laugh, it was amazing how Illyath could keep so amiable about everything. Approaching the cage, Carya scanned the grounds to make sure that all the guards had been taken care of. They were the only ones there. "Stay back," she whispered.

"No, I'm going with you, Agraelith would kill me if I let you go up there alone."

"Illyath…I will kill you if you do not let me go alone. This is something that I must do, I do not want your life to be at risk."

"What? Why would my life be at risk…I mean, he's in a cage that he can't get out of or else he would have already done it."

She sighed; apparently he still was not fully comprehending the situation. "What he has to say may be…important in the upcoming days. The less you know, the better…just in case."

"Carya, I'm not letting you carry this alone."

"I have Agraelith." She said it without hesitation. It was the truth, though that night he had failed her, she knew that he would be there to help her, to protect her.

"I can help you both; I already said that I wanted to."

"Yes, but—"

"Just let me help you," he pleaded.

"Please Illyath, I must speak with him alone…"

He looked like he was about to respond but then shrugged. "Fine, but if anything, anything at all, goes wrong then call me. I'll keep watch."

"Thank you," she hugged him gingerly.

"Interesting."

"What?"

"Hugging someone invisible is interesting," he said with a small laugh.

"Wait for me here," with that she left him to keep watch.

The cage hung over a pit filled with charred embers and various bits of bones could be seen poking through the black. Carya had handed Illyath back his bandanna and now she was completely invisible. She opened her mouth to speak but the orc spoke first.

"A night elf are you? Very interesting," his voice surprised her. He sounded almost…pleasant. "Come on elfling, no need to hide yourself. Who else could have taken out all those guards without showing themselves? Besides, I saw you earlier in the crowd, not hard to miss."

Carya said nothing; she had to admit that she was surprised. The orc had already seen her and besides, it was not like hiding was going to accomplish anything. She allowed herself to become visible and the orc nodded at her.

Her hand leapt uncontrollably to her mouth. It was beyond her how anyone could act so normal when they were in his condition. His wound was still gaping and he sat hunched at trembling, eyes half closed. She knew he was dying, and it would not be long before he drew his last breath unless she intervened. She was loath to heal him but unless she did something he would die before she was able to get any information…and information was something that she was desperately in need of.

"Hold still. I am going to heal you, but if you try to harm me in any way you will be dead before you can cause any damage."

"No need to worry about that elfling. I've no need to harm you," he said with a chuckle.

"You and I are nothing alike," she spat. "I am a night elf, my people are good and pure…you…you are nothing but a bunch of savage, murdering beast."

The orc's reaction was exactly the opposite of what she had expected…he started laughing again. "I see you don't understand me. You and I are alike, not our races. You are not the same as all the other night elves, nor I the same as all the other orcs, can you really classify me by my race?"

She stood stunned for a moment. He was right, she hated to admit it but he was right. He shuddered suddenly and she remembered what needed to be done. "Please, do not move." Reaching her hand through the bars she gave an involuntary grimace as she placed her hands on his open wound. Thick blood covered her fingers and she had to fight back her revulsion. Closing her eyes she concentrated on what his skin would look like whole again. Fire seemed to spread down her arms, it took much more magic to heal this than it had Illyath's nose. Not only did she have to heal the skin but she had to replenish some of the lost blood. Her hands began to shake and legs nearly gave out as she felt the muscle tissue weave itself back together. After a few moments there was no mark to indicate that he had been near death only a minute before.

Gasping for breath she fell to her knees, it had been years since she had last had to heal something of that magnitude. The orc poked the spot then looked down at the elf in surprise and gratitude. He had not actually expected her to listen to him. "I…I…thank you…" he growled.

Carya remained on her knees for another moment and finally pushed herself up. Her whole body felt weak, that was enough magic for one night. "I did not come here to help you," she stated. "I came here because I need to know what is going on."

He looked at her quizzically, "What do you mean."

"How were you injured?" she asked, it seemed a good enough start.

"I was on my way to the town when knights found me and tried to kill me, I took a few out…but only in self defense."

She pondered this, "Why were you trying to get to town?" she asked.

"I had heard that there was a certain person that I should talk to…one who may actually believe what I say…"

"And this person…what is his name?"

"Her name…Carya," he said looking straight at her. She shook her head in confusion. What was going on? "I know it's you little efling."

"But…but how…I don't understand."

"Would this help?" he opened his enormous hand to reveal a single crumpled black feather. "He told me that you would be needing to know some information that I have."

"And you're willing to give me the information freely?"

"Of course."

Carya considered this, "The upcoming war, what do you know about it?"

He sighed, "I know that there is an army of the undead headed this way…an army accompanied by Arthas, an army that wants to completely destroy this town."

She shook her head, "But why? It is a merchant town, why would they want to destroy it?"

"It is THE merchant town, if they burn it to the ground they cut off a supply route."

"But why would Arthas come? Is he not to important for something like this?" It did not make sense to her. Thal-Morian was not even a kingdom, why would they be so bent on destroying it?

"There is something here that they want," he said simply. She waited for him to elaborate but he said nothing more.

"What is it that they want, it must be important."

The orc shifted uncomfortably, "Apparently word got out that there's a night elf here…Arthas is interested."

For a moment the meaning of what he had said did not register. "Arthas is coming because there is a night elf…" suddenly it hit her. "He wants me…he is coming because of me?"

"They were coming anyways, he just decided to join to see for himself what a night elf was doing out of her glade."

This was not exactly what she had wanted to hear. "How do you know this?"

"I uh…have my ways," he said finally. "I'm no spy if that's what you're talking about."

"And how is it you speak the language of humans so well?" she asked once more suspicious of him.

"That my little elfling is of no concern of yours…although I could ask you the same question."

"Carya!" a call came from behind her and she spun around. Illyath was waving frantically to her.

"Go on elfling, if they let me live come back and I'll tell you the rest of what I know. But let this be goodbye for now."

"Thank you for telling me what you know. And if you tell anyone of our encounter you will not have to worry about the humans killing you."

The orc chuckled as Carya and Illyath sprinted into the night. She had seemed intelligent enough and he had enjoyed talking with someone who was not attempting to shove a sword through him. He hoped that he would live long enough to tell her the most important information that he had gathered. While he had no love for humans and no ties to the town, he would rather not see this one in the hands of the undead.


Hope you guys enjoyed it! Please review and let me know what you thought of it and how the story is progressing.

Next Chapter: Apologies, lectures, and Agraelith and Carya finally confronting what both have been denying J