This chapter is a lot smaller than the last, feel free to review to review and share your thoughts
Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = ...
Voices = "..."
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Kingdom of Quelthalas: Windrunner village
Vereesa point of view:
The sun sat height over the skies, a few dark clouds standing out from the rest of their white silk bretheren, with a soft breeze blowing from the west that carried the faint smell of salt from the sea. From the far distance, it could be heard the chirping of the birds and see flowers blooming. The village down below was also blowing with activity as people walked around the streets as they continued their daily lives.
By all accounts, it clearly looked like a good day to go around instead of staying in doors.
Yet it is said, that when one never looks for trouble it may find its way, on reverse. Sometimes, such nuisances could be found in the strangest of ways….or times.
``This dress looks lovely on you, mistress, I can say without a doubt that you will steal the spotlight during the festivities…. ´´ Came the cheerful voice of Melisara, a young elf that had come to work at the Spire a long time ago under Sharlindras command when neither she or Sylvanas had been born if she considered to be true Alleria's words.
Thin like a stick, and with curly black hair gathered in a small bun, the girl served as the head maids second in command.
And now that Sharlindra was away, the girl had made its mission to aid her preparing what set she was gonna wear and what alterations were needed in case something left her unsatisfactory much to her dismay. She just wanted to rest on her room...why couldn't she understand that?
Truly, she was glad for her aid, though there was one thing that bothered her. How in the Light could they expect her to breath with this bloody corset crushing her ribs like a hammer striking down a sword over an anvil.
It should be illegal wearing this silk made prisons!
A rather unladylike groan escaped her lips when she felt Melisara's hands tug over the ribbon located over her bare back, applying a bit more pressure over the until she heard a soft clip.
``Perfect, now we only have to add the and we will have finish with this set, my lady. And it only took us an hour to get this done, this is a rather good start, a good one indeed´´.
There is more...!? Beloree save my soul She cried internally, incapable of voicing out her thoughts to not sadden her aide.
Melisara, ignorant of her mistress distress, continued to wrap another pair of cords around her left arm before giving then a small pull, to check they would not be let loose when she started moving. She then placed a small purple veil over the backside of her head before taking a few steps back, gazing at her with amazement and pride.
`` Beloree….you look fantastic...its almost as if you were a fairy…... By the time the day comes, you would look like a princess...the boys and gals alike will flock to you like bees to honey, dear. There is after all, no women more lovely in the entire kingdom than a Windrunner´´. She said excited, giggling without control as she held both of her hands together like in prayer.
Vereesa stroked her neck, a bit embarrassed about the way she was acting about it. ``I doubt anyone would want to be with a ranger, besides I am not looking for a relationship Meli …., its just a party with my friends, nothing else´´.
Melisara did not look deterred in the slightest, placing one of her arms around her waist. ``Nonsense, its not a matter to look for relationships my lady, just have a good time…..and what best way to do so than to be completely outstanding!? And if they don't see what they are messing? Their loss...I bet that they wouldn't know where to start with a woman even if one walked naked before then´´ She replied with confidence, a playful smirk on her face as she toyed with a loose strand of hair.
Vereesa could not help herself but snort at that, sometimes Melis crude yet affable nature was a welcome change from the usual mannerism of the servants. ``I have to say…., that it feels like you are more thrilled about this than me, have any plans for that day? Somewhere to go…..? No…., someone to meet, is that it?´´ She probed, flustering her in the process.
``M-me!? W-well...nothing too serious´´ She replied with haste, waving her arms to the sides in a placating gesture but it would not be enough to hide away that redness popping around the corners of her cheeks.
``Really?´´ She asked, not buying it at all, a brow widen slightly.
``Yes, really! Now..., instead of speaking about little old me lets finish with this, let me show you how you look my lady, you are for a surprise´´. She then walked away as she went to grab a large oval mirror that was laying to their far left, before placing it before her.
Melisara wasn't lying when she said she this would be interesting. She looked a lot like one of her favourite, the only thing she needed where a cape that shined with the light of the starlight, and fairies flying behind her back
``Melisara´´ She called out.
At the mention of her name the girl stood a bit more straighter, her head turning at her, yet her face showed no other emotion rather than expectancy. ``Yes mistress?´´
``Are there any news pertaining about my sister? Or something of the matter….?´´
For a few seconds she remained still before she shook her head ``No mistress, no letters have arrived from the General nor any messenger have come from the capital. If the royal family wanted to discuss things of state then it must be still a bit early for her arrival, there has also have been nothing worth of mentioning. I hope that my words pleases you, my lady´´.
She left a sight escape her lips while she closed her eyes, she knew. She turned back to meet again Melisaraa who was waiting patiently for her.
``I see, would you mind taking these boxes to the attic? Down here they doing nothing but occupy space, and I would prefer not to step on them or have them block my movement while here. I take that that Sharlindra has taken care of the moths? ´´
``It would be my pleasure my lady´´ She replies, quickly bowing her head `` And yes, Miss Sharlindra has told me of her success of exterminating those insects from the room, it would be long before they try to come back´´.
``Good, we wouldn't want them to eat the cloths we had so much trouble finding and working on after all, wouldn't we? She replied sarcastically, though to her annoyance the girl remained silent, merely giving her a wordless nod.
Oh come on….you at least could try to follow the joke... ``Anyway, be on your way…..I will finish this on my own´´.
``As you wish, mistress….´´. With that said the servant left the room, her thin arms trying to grab and hold with difficulty the boxes as drag them around.
Once again, she remained alone in the confines of her room, a tired sigh escaped her lips when nothing but her own beating heart and breathing was all that she could heard around her. Absent-minded she caressed the medallion, her fingers trailing down its cold surface as she gazed at her own reflection.
Four days had gone by after their little shop trip to the capital, ten more without the slightest of clues about her sisters whereabouts or what she was doing in Silvermoon, or if she was still there, that is.
Speaking of which….she had heard from some of the rangers posted around the village and the office that there had been some moves over the capital and the fringes territories of the kingdom, or at least that was what they said.
Orders to forge weapons, redistribute supplies, and even increase the military presence in the south, The king and its collective had no utter a single word about why, nor she expected them to do so anytime soon, or ever.
What this events may intel for the near future? She did not know, but she had the nagging suspicion it was linked some way with her sister, if she was not at the core of it she at least had a hand on it.
Her brows frowned, pulling up the collar as she gazed intensely at the gem in deep thought, the light of day refracting over its fragile structure. Perhaps it was nothing and she was just stubbornly childish….but the lack of any answer whatsoever left her felt unease.
At least she wasn't hearing them again…..so that was a good thing on her book.
Just as she was about to place the necklace around her neck a soft knock came from the door, startling her for a second. Then, as if the force behind it had find out about her surprise came again, this time knocking the door twice in a rapid fashion.
She cleared her throat before speaking out loud. ``Busy!
To her surprise she heard the doors hinges creak slowly before a few seconds later heard the soft mechanism of the door closing.
She took a deep breath, perhaps he or she did not heard her, these walls could be quite thick. ``Sorry but right now I am unavailable, came back at a later moment´´ She replied calmly hoping that it would be enough to quell this individuals curiosity, or if the person had not been able to heard her before.
``Not even for your own sister?´´ Came a soft voice behind her back.
Her heart skipped a for a seconds before she managed to held herself together, turning back she was met with none other than her sister, her head covered mostly by her hood while the strong scent of fresh leafs of morning emanated from her. She was standing over the doorway, her back against the wall.
Before she took a more serious semblance. ``I didn't thought that you would arrive today….nor that you made any effort to warn in advance´´ She said, earning a chuckle from her sister.
`` Neither did I, all I wanted was to come here as fast as I could, but a series of events forced my stay, also the king used that opportunity to have a talk with him. You know how the old vermin tends to be...intrusive as he is petulant´´ She muttered those last words with barely held resignation.
``That sounds like him…..´´.
``Yeah, you have no idea´´ She replied with a scoff, putting down her hood, releasing her long golden mane that fell around her shoulder pads. ``Anyway, how have you fared in my absence? What were you doing here?´´ She said calmly while she crossed the room with four long strides and took a sit in one of the available chairs.
``Lia came home for a visit, a pity that you could not be there to see her, sis´´.
``Liadrin…..?´´ Muttered her sister, her voice low while her ears perked up with curiosity. ``Is she still here? Its been a while since I last saw her´´.
She shook her head. ``No, she left a few days ago, though brief it was a rather pleasant surprise her arrival. How things went in your end?´´
``I see...´´ She tapped the wood softly, the corner of her lips taking a faint downstroke ``I am fine, sis, if not bored, my talk with Kaelthas proved to be…. rather informative´´.
She cocked her head to the right, puzzled at her Sylvanas choice of words. ``Informative? That's a bit...cryptic, what did you talk about if you wouldn't mind that is?´´
``That would be telling, but it showed to be a bit more….serious than I anticipated, but nothing to worry about right now´´ She readily replied, cutting any other avenue of questioning. Had she left her concern show in her face?´´
``I see, well, whatever it was I am sure that you will fix it. Leaving that aside, there was something that I wanted to speak with you´´.
``If its about those clothes…. I would rather not´´
``Its not…..´´ Not entirely though….
``Is that so? Well, then what are you waiting for. Shoot´´.
``Its about the incoming celebrations….´´.
Sylvanas turned her head to the left, a hand scratching her head ``What of then...?´´
``Well, to be honest this its not entirely my idea but I have decided to call the group so that we can gather at the day of the Foundation in Silvermoon, and pass the time together, like old times´´.
``And?´´
``And I decided to attend with them….I was waiting for you to arrive to tell you about it´´.
``That's….that's great, sis, what made you change your opinion? ´´
``Well, a lot of things actually….but I don't have the strength to list them all, so lets say that I grew tired of me being secluded from the rest and that I decided to take some air….´´.
``I suppose that it explains why I saw Melisaraa walk to the attic with such heavy load…. you have been busy, haven't you?´´.
``Well….you take your god damn time coming back, and since Liadrin tried so hard to convince me, I believed that it would be of poor taste to just go back on my word, and you know it already, a Windrunner never goes back on their word´´.
Sylvanas face remains impassive, with only her eye browns lifting up slightly but she gave her a nod of appreciation. ``That we do, good to see that you have not forgotten our traditions. So who is coming?´´
``Well...I, things are underway, there is no need to worry about it´´.
``I get it, you didn't told them..´´.
``Of course I did! Why would I….no I did not...´´. She muttered looking away from her sisters gaze, sheesh, what was that that she could not fight against those eyes.
``Why not? You see them every day at the workplace´´.
``Not everyone! Besides, it's...it's not that easy alright? When was the last time we did something like this? Also...´´ She scratched the back of her head in deep thought. ``I wanted to make sure that I would not back down on this and that I had everything under control. In case something went wrong….´´.
Sylvanas stares down at her, but after a while she gives her a weak nod ``I see, prevent before cure? An idea that I can get by….still, talk to them. I don't think they will bite your head off when they heard you´´.
``You may be for a surprise...´´.
Sylvanas rolls her eyes before she places a hand under her mouth, a fake expression of shock all over her face `` O~oh my...I didn't take you for a shy one, Little Moon. I suppose one learns something new every day´´.
``Hey!´´
`` And that dress? It fits you quite well, from Cianamon Village I supposed…?´´ She said, ignoring her glare as she pointed at her.
She held her head low, it seemed that nothing escaped her sisters eyes. ``You suppose well, again, how do you manage?´´
``I have my secrets´´.
``That you do….so, will you attend as well? I am sure that they would be overjoyed about it´´
``Me? Oh sis...you flatter me, but I am sure that I will be very b-´´. Her words came to an end as she cut her in.
``Nah, not happening. I told Lia that you were delighted about the idea and that you had decided to come with us, because you missed them terribly...´´. She cut her sister in.
A frown It was nothing but a second, yet she could have swore she saw her sisters eyes twitch before she hide it away as she brought one of her hands up, pinching the bridge of her nose.
``Ah….Vereesa….you little minx...´´. She said in almost a whisper.
``I take that as a compliment, so…. Yes or-´´.
``So…..like the old days….?´´ Was her sisters moment to interrupt her, her gaze wandering away from her, if not slightly.
``Yes, like the old days…...´´. She nodded, not really sure why she had used that statement.
Sylvanas stood still for a few moments, her face a cold mask of indifference that did not allowed her to peer through her true thoughts. The silence that came between them was so thick that she was sure she would have heard a nail being dropped on the cellar from where she stood. Just as she was starting to think that her sister was not going to give her a response the tension of her shoulders lessen and a sigh left her lips.
``Since you have gone this far to drag me away from my duty's...´´ She dragged the word, a hard glare sent her way that made her wish she could be anywhere else. `` I guess I cant outright refuse…., so yes, I will attend´´.
That's wonderf-´´.
`` But don't do this again, Little Moon…. , unless you wanna be placed under Nathanos command for half a year´´.
``U-understood!´´ She would do her best to not forget that. Anything was preferable than to be under that arseholes command.
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Even within the depths of the tunnel, a cold, unnatural breeze could be sense as it brushed his body with ease, spots of frost already settled between the empty spots of his armour. What left him intrigued was the direction that it came from, not from the frozen wasteland that laid out in the surface from where they had come from with haste of being detected by Malganis servants, but rather it came from the interior. And it only grew in power with each step he took.
Craaack….
The ice below his feet crackled slightly under his weight, but to his relief it did not give in, he then tapped with the head of his hammer the floor before him, making sure there would not be a thin layer of ice for his next step. A scowl formed around his face as he repeated this menial task for the twentieth time.
For such an inelegant and crude pathway, this corridor was rather tricky, and the last thing he needed was to fall right down a trap set by who knows how many years ago. He ignored the blunt reflections that the icy surface reflected back at him, ignoring the terrible appearance that they portrayed.
Slowly, he continued to walk forward. When he had first found it, the room had been completely shredded in darkness, the light of day not been able to reach the deep underground cavern. That had not did not deter him.
Not long ago that very same hammer had shone brightly like a small sun, now only cinders remained of said power.
Yet, not even the frozen wastes of the lost continent had been enough to placate his wrath, the cold? He never felt it, his anger boiling within his plated chest offered more comfort and reassurance than any tent, spell or soothing word his men could ever provide him.
``Lad…..w-wait! Came a ragged voice from behind. He sighed, holding his head with one of his arms before he went to meet the owner of such voice. There, a few meters away, over the slick ice stood an elderly dwarf, frost had to both his armour as well as his thick brown hair.
It seemed that his feet had taken a bad step and he had fell on his back.
For Lights sake..…. This was the fourth time that it had happened. What would it take for his companion to take more than five steps before falling to the ground? It couldn't be that hard….
``We cant slow down, Murhadin, especially not now, not when so much is at stake´´ He replied in a condescending tone, he should had known by now that nothing was going to go out the way he wanted.
Fate seemed rather stubborn in that regard.
Murhadin small body swelled up and down as he took a series of deep breaths, with difficulty those diminutive eyes rose to met his gaze.
``Aye, aye…..but going with haste, without knowing where we are going will lead us nowhere near you wish to go, lad. Besides, with this blasted ice its rather hard for my legs to get a good grasp of the field...its nothing like the peaks of Iron Forge´´ He mumbled that last part with annoyance, tapping down at his reflection on the ground as if it would answer back.
``And here I though that your kin were excellent climbers and explorers….., if you cant keep up with me, you should had turn back when you had the chance. Now you will have to deal with it´´ His words may have sound harshly, even coldly, but right now there was no place for sentimentalism. Not even for someone he could consider a real father.
The dwarf snorts, his nose taking a deeper shade of red while a faint breath can be seem leaving his bearded mouth. ``And leave you to your own devices after what I have seem you do? Madness! I will tail you until my last breath if necessary, Arthas. You may need all the help you can have if we find more of those monsters….´´ He said, giving a gently rub to the double edge axe hanging from his back.
There would have been a time he would have laughed at the old mans insistency, that desire to tag along, no matter what…
He no longer felt that way.
``I don't need your help, Muradhin. I don't need anyone's help, I will do this on my own if necessary, have no doubt about it...´´ He said coldly, his mind recollecting some vivid memories from the culling. His teeth grinned against one another with such ferocity that it would have surprised an external observer of how resilient they remained, while another flash of hatred came to life in his eyes.
That day he had learned that friendship mean nothing, that love and loyalty were nothing but a few pretty words that people used to adorn themselves, but when things turned ugly, those who once claimed companionship will turn tail and flee.
Now he knew the truth, he could only count with himself. At least, he alone could not betray himself….of that he was certain.
``No one should carry such weight alone, lad, not even the greatest of kings have ruled alone. I thought that by now you would know´´ Said his old mentor, not hiding away the apparent sadness slipping by his words as he gazed at him with pity.
"How could you even consider that!? There has to be another way!"
"You are not thinking clearly, allowing your passions taking over you...all this bloodshed, all this suffering and yet you have learn nothing!".
"You have yet much to learn my son….only then will you lead your people to greatness, but never like this…."
"Why..? You are our prince….yo-you were suppose to protect us….."
He gritted his teeth, the sound of his knuckles creaking below the steel plate of his gauntlets. That was it, isn't it? That was all they knew to do. To judge him….to chastise his every thought, his every action, never giving a solution of their own.
To leave him behind with an impossible choice while they ran away, forcing him to dirty his hands with the blood of countless innocents that had counted on them, that had awaited with hope in their eyes….. and yet were giving the only thing he could grant them. A cold, swift end.
Uther and the Silver hand had abandon those they had so callously sworn to protect, they had left him to pick up the pieces of their meaningless worthless words and hollow honour. And still they were revered as heroes, as if nothing had happened while he was the one vilified, the one lectured, the one gone astray, the one gone mad….
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't bloody fair, but just as the countless lessons he had gone through, he had learned something about this. He had managed, perhaps for the first time to peer through the veil that had covered his eyes all this time he had been blinded with one sided adoration.
He wasn't a failure….
They were!
If they had some sort of sense inside their heads they would see what he was doing, what was needed to be done….and yet this constant stream of betrayals had started to vex him greatly, weighing his soul down more than the weight of his armour could ever hope to amount.
Who thought Muradin he was to chastise him like that at every turn? If so mad he was he would have just let him die at the hands of the undead instead of wasting precious time saving Him and his useless friends when he could have gone straight for the blade.
He could have put an earlier end to Malganis
Now he was paying for his mercy. No good deed goes unpunished...eh? Now it was too late to think of alternatives, he had come here to do one thing and one thing only. No one would go home until he had brought justice to the fallen.
Not the Scourge, not the weak whining of his troops on this forsaken land and especially not his traitorous father and mentor will stop him from doing what was right.
``We need the Mourn Blade to kill that bastard, Muradhin... or have you forgotten that we have no way to leave this place as long as he still breaths?´´
``How could I….when I was there when you set them on fire? He mumbled.
``What was that?´´ Inquired Arthas, his brows narrowed in both suspicion and annoyance while he swinged up his war hammer over his back. He had no need to hear what his former mentor had said, he could already imagine it.
``Nothing….just and old man rambling about on his old age, lad…., lets continue this quest of yours, I would be dammed if I survive all of this only to die by frostbite´´ He replied sadly, his eyes not meeting the young prince, instead deciding to set upon the frozen walls of the cavern.
Arthas gave out a scoff before he shook his head. ``That's more like it, now go, I can feel it in the air, we are close, very close…...´´ He continued to walk down the icy path, not bothering to look back if Muradhin would follow him or just stay put in the pathway.
His people needed him, the cries of agony of the fallen, the scent of burning flesh and fresh spilled blood, the feeling of betrayal and abandonment….they fuelled his mind, his resolve, his desire.
His hands tightened to the point of been numb as his teeth grinned against one another. He would never allow anything to hold him back.
Never again…..