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Disclaimer: Never will own War Craft...please don't hurt me
The next few days passed with what could only be described as pure happiness. Now that Carya and Agraelith had finally gotten around what they had been trying to avoid, their lives were much less complicated. It was not all easy however. They had been walking down the street and Carya was receiving her usual amount of looks when Agraelith firmly placed his arm around her waist. The looks had turned from curiosity to surprise to disgust. This was how it was wherever they went; the people of the town did not seem to like the idea of a human with a night elf. In fact, most of the people did not seem to like the idea of a night elf being there at all. That coupled with the fact that an orc had been brought in had caused uneasiness in the town and tempers were now quick to flare.
This being the case they decided it best if they waited until speaking to the orc again. It was still being kept alive, apparently the soldiers had decided that it may have some useful information…useful information that could not be gotten out of it. So there it sat, proudly one might say, for while the citizens through their curses and taunts it remained always with humorous expression on its face. It seemed to find the humans amusing, and so the humans took this as a sign that it found itself better than they and their taunts also turned to the resident night elf.
Carya was glad to have Agraelith with her, not only because she loved him but also because with him the people were less likely to insult her. This did not stop everyone much to her chagrin. Though some, like the girl and her brother, took her for a sign of hope.
Agraelith was already dressing for the day when Carya woke up. They still slept in their separate beds; she did not think it proper to do otherwise. Star began pawing her arm, mewing.
"I think she's hungry," Carya announced sitting up.
"You or the cat?" finished securing his leather belt he turned with a grin on his face.
"Both."
"All right then, and I suppose since I'm the one up and ready it's my job to get the cat food."
"Of course," Carya flopped back down on her bed, pulling the pillow under her head.
"The least you could do is get up," he was smiling at her.
"No, I do believe I can stay here as long as I like."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but you can't."
"And why not may I ask?" She knew what was about to happen and firmly grabbed a handful of sheets
He grabbed her around the waist and tried to lift her off the bed but her grip remained firm, the sheets did not. They gave way causing both of them to fall into a tangled, laughing, pile. "Ouch, I thought I told you to remind me not to do that again," he rubbed his back.
"That was not my fault besides; the blankets should have broken your fall." She stood up and helped Agraelith untangle himself then spread the sheets back on the bed. "At least you succeeded in getting me up."
Normally she was the one up first but recently there did not seem to be much of a point in getting up early. Agraelith left to get something for the cat to eat and Carya brushed her hair and pinned it up, something she had never done until she a few days ago. It seemed to be the custom for women here and she wanted to fit in as best she could. Although there was not much that she could do, everything about her stood out from her pointed ears to purple skin. Not only that but she still was forced to wear the dress that the maid had allowed her to borrow, which was much to short for her.
There was a knock on the door and Carya opened it apprehensively only to find Agraelith standing there with food in one hand and a package in the other. He threw the package onto the bed and dropped the slivers of meat on the floor for Star. The kitten eagerly began devouring it.
"What is that?" Carya gestured towards the package which seemed to be a neat lump of brown paper and twine.
"Something you'll be pleased to have. Here, open it," he picked it up and handed it to her.
Carefully she untied the string and let the paper fall to the floor, holding up a dress. It was the one made of deep green and soft purple material, it was beautiful. "She had it delivered to the inn for us. Go ahead, put it on."
"Turn around," Carya said and Agraelith gave a fake sigh.
"If I must."
"Yes you must." She waited until he was facing the other direction and then pulled off the threadbare dress she had on and exchanged it for the elegant one she now held.
The material was soft but a little heavy, she twirled around allowing the full skirt to swirl about her feet. The sleeves were slightly off the shoulders but draped around her arms like those of a robe. She secured the sash tightly around her waist before she touched Agraelith on the shoulder. He turned and said nothing for a moment, she was afraid that he did not like it but those fears were turned aside rather quickly.
"You my little elf, are beautiful," he easily picked her up and swung her around. "Simply beautiful."
It was already near noon by the time they finally left the inn, they were both startled to find Illyath lounging on the steps waiting for them.
"About time you two got here, I haven't seen you for days. What have you been up to?" He took another look at Carya, "You look lovely today."
"Thank you," she smiled at him and for a moment Agraelith wished that the smile was directed at him, but he let the feeling pass.
"Ahem, I really came here to talk about something. You can't stay at the inn forever, I mean it costs money and so forth and I just don't see the point when you can stay at my place. I have more than enough room."
"And this couldn't wait?" Agraelith asked; his friend could be puzzling at times.
"Well, I figured why wait, the idea came to me this morning and I haven't seen you in a few days so I figured why not now."
"I don't know…What do you think Carya?"
She thought about it for a moment. He did have a point, their money would run out soon and Star had to stay in that cramped room all day…Agraelith had known Illyath for ages and from the time that she had spent with him he seemed sincere enough.
"I think it is a good idea," she said at last.
"That's what I thought too, it must mean that it's a good idea then," Illyath grinned at Agraelith who could not help but laugh.
"All right then, if both of you agree on it then I suppose I do too."
"That's what I thought."
"Do you mind if we look at it?" Carya asked; she knew that Illyath said that he had enough room but she wanted to make sure. She did not want to impose upon him.
"No problem, now?"
"We don't have anything else to do." Agraelith had decided that it was probably for the best if they lived with him for a while.
They made their way past a few shops then down a narrow street until they reached a few run down houses. For a moment Carya thought that one of them was Illyath's but he kept walking, he lead them down another street past more shops and then past more houses until they reached an archway with a solid wooden door. Carya glanced at Agraelith but her thoughts were confirmed when Illyath pulled out a giant iron key and opened it. He ushered them in and Carya's mouth dropped.
They stood in a stone courtyard with a small fountain in the middle, a huge stone house stood behind it. Vines dotted with white flowers had climbed their way up the walls giving what would have been a dreary appearance a quite lovely one. It was by far not the largest house in Thal-Morian but it was grand.
"Welcome to my lovely home." Ilyath opened the door and lead the way into the hall. Every room was illuminated by candles lining the wall, hardwood floors reflecting the soft glow. Books and maps seemed to sprawl over tables and chairs in every room. They followed him up an enormous staircase and down another hall, this one lined with paintings framed in gold.
"This my dear, will be your room," he pushed open a door and allowed her to enter first. It was the most exquisite room she had seen in her entire life, much different from the living areas of the night elves.
The bedroom could have fit four of the rooms that they were currently staying in. A canopy bed stood against one wall with red velvet sheets lined with gold silk. Opposite of it a large fireplace stood, the marble mantle held various decorative items. She knelt slightly to run her hand over the white and black fur rugs that covered nearly the entire floor. "Illyath…this is…this is wonderful…"
"And looking for some use, no one's stayed here since I bought the house."
While it was a very nice house, Carya wondered why anyone would buy such a thing when they would not use all the rooms. A smaller house would have worked just as well. Not only that but how had he gotten the money, he had assured her that his ways were perfectly honorable. From what Agraelith had told her the day before while walking past a few mansions, merchants in these parts were very rich. However, while Illyath was merchant she did not figure him to be a prominent one. The answer would have to come later she supposed.
Next they visited the room that Agraelith would stay; it was across the hall from Carya's. The room was equally as large with a four poster bed but it lacked the fur rugs, not that this bothered Agraelith. All the fur on the floor had been a bit too much for his taste.
"Well, what do you guys think…still want to move in?"
"Yes, and thank you for allowing us to do so," Carya was truly grateful, she had not realized how small the room at the inn was until they had come here.
"How long are you planning to stay in Thal-Morian?"
Carya and Agraelith exchanged looks, they had not really talked about it but one thing had been decided on for certain. "If there truly is a war coming, then we'll stay until it passes." Agraelith said at last.
"Well, you're welcome here for as long as want." He looked around, "Do you want to go ahead and get your stuff now? Or you can wait until later…"
"We can go ahead and do it now, get it over with…that all right Carya?" She nodded.
It did not take them long to gather their belongings and soon they were back at Illyath's house. Once they were through the door Star leapt off Agraelith's shoulder and began a thorough investigation of every inch of the place.
"You do not mind her, do you?" Carya asked. She had forgotten to warn him about the panther cub.
"Not at all, always wanted a pet."
They talked for much of the afternoon, sitting on the carved chairs at the dining table. Carya studied one of the maps while Illyath was busy talking to Agraelith…something about it drew her attention. A spider web of paths had been traced from Thal-Morian to other various towns, marks had been made where certain ones crossed and a list ran down one side. She tried to read it but forced her attention back to the conversation before Illyath saw her, she would have to look at it later.
"You know that they moved the orc today," Illyath was saying.
"What? Where?" Agraelith looked slightly worried now.
"To the prison, decided he was safe enough to throw in with the rest of them."
"How are we supposed to get to it now?"
Illyath laughed, "Ah come on, it should be easy compared to some of the stuff we used to do."
"You do have a point…still need to talk to it Carya?"
"Yes, there was something else it wished to tell me but did not get a chance…" she was curious as to know what it was. She still had not Illyath or Agraelith exactly what it had said to her.
"Want to go now?" Illyath stood up, tugging the bottom of his jacket to straighten it.
"But it is still day, should we not wait?" Night she knew was the optimal time to go, especially if it had been moved to a prison.
"Don't worry, we can go now, get it over with."
"Illyath, she's right, there's no rush."
"Actually there is, right about now the guards on duty are going on break. When they go on break the next shift comes in…but the next shift will take their time getting there, trust me on this one…now is the time."
"Illyath, I swear that if you tell us wrong then I'll—"
"Don't worry about it, come on now," with that their friend bounded towards the door. His energy was astounding.
The prison was a stark stone building with a threatening air about it. A pock-marked guard stood by the heavily barred oak door.
"This way," nonchalantly Illyath switched directions and lead them around the back talking loudly about something or another.
Carya wondered how exactly Illyath knew the grounds of the prison so well. There was a service entry door where the guards could go in and out, one was stationed on the outside. Illyath walked up to him and whispered something in his ear, then handed over a hefty bag of coins. The guard smiled and opened it for them, smirking at Carya as she passed. Agraelith put a protective hand on her arm; she smiled and took his hand in hers.
Torches periodically lit the hall they were walking down, finally they came to a set of stairs and they made their way down into the darkness. The smell was wretched, a mixture of sweat and sickness. There were no guards at the bottom and they passed freely looking in each cell for the familiar lump of an orc. They heard his laughter long before they reached him.
"Ah, I was wondering when you'd come to visit me again," he growled when Carya approached the iron bars.
"There was something else that you wished to tell me, what was it?"
"What, no greeting for me?" he put on a hurt expression.
"Just talk orc," Agraelith had come forward, his arm automatically going around the elf's waist.
"Not to polite are you? That my little elfling is why we should stay away from them, and they call us barbaric."
Agraelith looked like he was about to retort but Carya cut him off, "Please, we must know."
"All right, all right, at least you're polite about it. Where did we leave off?"
She glanced nervously at Agraelith, the orc saw this and said, "Sorry human, this is between the elf and my self."
"Please Agraelith; let me speak with him alone."
He looked at her as if she was mad, "What? Carya listen to me, I'm staying right here."
"Please?" she kissed his cheek and he sighed in resignation.
"All right, but remember that we need to be out of here as fast as we can."
Once he and Illyath had left to keep an eye on the entrance, she turned her attention to the captive orc. "Thank you…"
"No problem, I'm guessing you haven't told him about Arthas coming because of you."
"No, I haven't…but what was the other thing that you wished to tell me?"
The orc leaned back against the grimy cell wall, "So you know that the army of undead is coming…but what you really need to know is that it's coming in two parts. The sole purpose of the first is to wipe out the town; the sole purpose of the second is to finish whatever the first didn't."
"How many?"
"That I'm afraid I can't tell you." There was something about the way he said it that made it seem like he knew but was not telling, but she did not pry.
"Is that all?"
"Pretty much, except I also wanted to warn you that the chances of this town surviving are very small. It would be wise for the people to evacuate."
"They can not do that; it would be giving our lands to the undead. It would be handing them victory, I would rather die fighting here than allow that to happen."
"I know little elfling…but this war does not look like it's going in our favor. We are too divided…how can we fight if we continue to fight against each other?"
"I have felt the same, but there must be a way…there has to be. We can unite."
The orc gave a hearty laugh, "I know that you and that human have managed to unite but what about the rest of the world?"
Heat rose to Carya's face, "We must try at least, we two are making progress are we not?"
"Yes, but like I said before, I don't represent my whole race just like you don't represent yours."
This seemed to be getting her no where, "Have you spoken to the sorcerer, the raven?"
"Not yet I haven't, but I've heard of him…and it sounds like I need too."
"I believe you should, if I see him I shall inform him of your whereabouts."
"This conversation has been a lovely one little elfling, but I do believe the guards are due any minute. Promise me one thing before you leave," he had reached over to grab her wrist; she was surprised to find that she did not fear it at all.
"Yes?"
"If a war does come, promise to get me out of here, I want to fight. You were right, we can't hand it over to them."
She grinned, "I promise." He released her wrist and she made her way back over to Agraelith and Illyath.
"Learn anything important?" Agraelith asked while glaring over at the orc.
"Yes, but come, we must leave before the guards arrive."
Carya lay curled up on top of the soft covers, Star once in a while batting at her feet. She wanted to sleep but found that she could not. It was the first time that her life made no sense and her mind was trying to untangle it all. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening, she looked up.
Agraelith slid down next to her, pulling him into his arms. She loved the way his beard tickled her face. "Can't sleep?" he asked.
"No…"
"Well, neither can I…maybe we can help each other."
She lay in his arms; his warmth seemed to soak into her. In his arms she let her tangled thoughts go and concentrated only on his rhythmic breathing. He was comforted by her as well, loving the way that she seemed to fit so perfectly against him. It took them only a few minutes before they were finally asleep.
And another chapter done, yay for me! Pweeze review, I wuv you! Ahem, anyways…
Next chapter: umm…hmm…ah yes, how Illyath accumulated all his money, Agraelith does something without telling Carya, and…you'll see :-)
I really want to respond to some of your reviews but sadly it will have to wait, thanks once again for them (the reviews that is)!
