It has been a while since my last update so here, have a funny incorrect quote.
Falric: Hey Marwyn
Marwyn: Yes?
Falric: Can a person breathe inside a washing machine while it's on?
Marwyn: ...Where's Sapphire?
The mountain snows of Drustvar paled to the extreme cold that Ethan now experienced. Dragon blight spread out before him and his small group. The clear skies allowed him to see nearly everything. The Wyrmrest Temple dominated the landscape and made the giant skeletons around it seem small. Far away to the north, the mountains hid the Crystalsong Forest. Ethan knew Dalaran floated somewhere above, but from that distance he could only see it as a dark blob on the sky.
He was not interested in these locations. His attention was drawn to the obscured northeast, where clouds loomed. Somewhere in the dark clouds was Icecrown Citadel.
"Am cold," a small voice whimpered.
Ethan immediately turned to look down at his small companion. Despite having fur of her own as well as thick custom clothes, Chompers shivered. She was a gnoll from the more temperate forests of the Plaguelands.
The paladin knelt down and checked her clothes before giving her a reassuring smile.
"It's okay. I'll find a place for us to spend a night and we can have a fire."
Chomper huffed. "Want fire now!"
Next to her, the hyena Stub made an attempt to calm her by nuzzling her with his snout. He fared no better, and Ethan could see the hyena was cold himself. Finding some shelter would have to come sooner rather than later.
"Okay, go find some wood and we can spend the night over...there," Ethan said, pointing to a ridge close by. It would protect them from the wind and hide their fire from any of the dangerous things lurking amongst the snow drifts. He had seen roving packs of starved hyenas as well as a horrifyingly large worm like creature that plowed through ice and snow as if it were nothing.
Chomper happily ran around picking up scraps of wood from the scraggly trees that scraped out an existence in the harsh landscape. Stub carried a large stick himself. Ethan got large pieces of wood that would help the fire last all night, though he knew he would have to find more.
In the small ridge of rock and ice, Ethan hesitated for a moment but then summoned a tiny spark of light that would sear the wood until it caught fire. Beside him, the gnoll made a noise of amazement.
"Pretty Light! Can I has?"
Ethan smiled. "Maybe!"
Almost everyone in Hearthglen had been adamant that the Light would never be called down by a creature like a gnoll, Tirion Fordring had encouraged Ethan to take Chomper under his wing before he left.
It had been hard enough to get Chomper to start listening to him and speaking Common. She was only a baby as far as Ethan could tell, but that didn't stop her from being a fast if stubborn learner.
Ethan pulled his pack around and pulled out some hard tack and water. He had stocked up on food for three, but Stub and Chomper refused to eat any of the hardtack or dried foods he had brought.
Chomper turned her nose up immediately and ran off with Stub. Ethan immediately called out to them.
"Don't go far!" He warned, again thinking of that giant worm he'd seen in the distance.
He imagined Sapphire knew Northrend like the back of her hand, and would have been able to navigate the wild Dragonblight with ease. She was the reason for him even being here.
Ethan looked down at the brand-new tabard he had made a few months back. A deep blue two headed eagle on a field of white. After spending days in the Hearthglen library, Ethan discovered the tabard's origin.
Lordaeron was majorly represented with the L sigil that adorned crests, shields and tabards. The two headed eagle were the family crest of the Menethil family, who represented Lordaeron. He had found the tabard in Uther's tomb, just after asking if he should tell others of Arthas and Sapphire Menethil. It felt like the Light itself had given him an answer. He kept their secret, and planned to go find Sapphire after she had run off. Where else would she go except for the place she knew best?
After his simple dinner, Ethan set up their tent against the ridge of rock, out of the worst wind. Chomper and Stub approached the small fire that he had set up, drawn back to it due to the cold. The little gnoll came over to nuzzle up against Ethan.
"Am cold," She repeated. Ethan put his arms around her and tucked her tightly against him.
There was little to do as night fell except collect more wood for the fire and to cuddle against each other. Stub was the unofficial guard of the small group because his senses were stronger than young man and gnoll girl.
Just before he went to bed himself, Ethan tucked little Chomper into a bundle of spare furs and blankets that they had brought along. He made sure the fire was mostly embers before he two retired into the tent. Stub trotted over to the front of the tent and circled for a moment before laying down next to Ethan and Chomper. He looked out of the tent attentively and silently.
"Breakfast!"
Sapphire did not want to get up. She pulled the blanket over her head, feeling its roughness against her face. Yet it was poor protection, for it was forcefully yanked off her. This led Sapphire to glare at the deathknight standing over her with a tray of food.
"I'm not hungry."
Marwyn frowned. "You haven't eaten in two days. You must be starving."
Her stomach threatened to rumble and prove her a liar. Sapphire sat up in her bed and took the tray from him unhappily.
For the past several days, Marwyn had desperately tried to keep Sapphire happy.
Nightmares plagued Sapphire for several days. Most of them consisted of burning cities drenched in blood or being chased by creatures made of night. If only waking could provide relief. Instead, it was replaced by the cold monotony of being a prisoner in Icecrown.
Marwyn tried to argue against calling her a prisoner, but whenever she asked if she could leave, Marwyn went dismally silent on the matter. Still, he tried his best to keep her in a good mood.
He broke into her father's old study and found her all kinds of books. He tried to convince her to play various games with him, but she never took him up on any of those offers. Though he could not cheer her up, he at least tried to feed her even if sometimes she refused.
But even these attempts were mediocre at best. There was nothing in Icecrown's larder but frozen old foods. After some convincing, Falric went out hunting for fresh meat. It was better, but not good. She missed Lethumo's cooking. Even some fresh octopus babies would be better. When she suggested to Falric to go fish for some, he just gave her a look of disgust.
Marwyn had brought her some hot tea, freshly baked bread and soup. Sapphire took the loaf and tore into viciously. He was right. She was starving. Pleased by her cooperation, Marwyn sat down in front of her with a smile on his face.
"So, what would you like to do today? You know, I found some rope. How about we climb down to the hot springs cave?"
Sapphire did not answer him, still devouring her food and gulping down the tea. Marwyn's forced smiled shrunk.
"What if we-"
"-I don't want to do anything," Sapphire cut him off.
Marwyn's smile disappeared and he sat down next to her on the bed.
"I'm sorry. I just hate to see you looking so miserable...I should never have found you again."
Sapphire heard the pain in his voice, regretting her recent actions. He was trying to help her in the few ways that he could as he had done for her entire life. At least this time, the situation was better in a way.
But she did not even have Rot to be consoled by or Tanomoan to cuddle. Falric claimed to have looked for her friends, but they had not been at the necropolis. Sapphire doubted Falric's truthfulness on the matter. She put the tray of food aside and reached out to him. She took his cold hand in her warm one.
"I guess we could do something."
The deathknight immediately got to his feet.
"Great! What if...Oh! We should go ice skating! I'll tell Falric to find a decent spot. You used to love doing that!"
Sapphire scowled. "We can't skate in the citadel."
Marwyn smirked evilly. "I'm used twisting my orders to suit my own needs. I consider everything behind Corp'rethar as Icecrown Citadel's front yard I suppose. So technically we wouldn't be leaving now, would we?"
He dramatically opened the door to her room and waved to her to leave first. She got out of bed and left. The deathknight, despite wearing heavy plate armor, practically bounced with each step.
"Do you still remember how to skate?" He asked enthusiastically.
"Of course."
The deathknight found their skates and dug them out of the ice He looked at Sapphire's pair then at the girl.
"Oh, I hope they still fit! You've grown up!"
Sapphire pursed her lips and said bitterly, "Not that much. I'm still small."
"Nothing wrong with being small! Makes it easier to avoid being killed! Less of a target. Just ask Falric, he hates trying to kill things smaller than him," he said cheerfully.
As they made their way to the entrance of the Citadel, a plan formed in Sapphire's mind. She would regret leaving Marwyn and even Falric, but she refused to be held against her will by anyone. By turning into an owl, Sapphire could fly to freedom over the spiked ramparts. It would be simple. She hoped that Marwyn and Falric had forgotten she had mentioned how she could turn into an owl.
Outside, glittering ice grew over the neglected Citadel. Wind blasted Sapphire's face, sweeping her white hair out of her face. She lifted one hand to look out at the expanse of glacial ice past the heavily fortified walls. A glimpse of freedom.
Sapphire felt a great rush of adrenaline as she prepared to fly off, but suddenly Marwyn grabbed her arm.
"You know, I'm really happy you are back. I know that you are upset...but things happen for a reason. Maybe you were supposed to come here?"
This statement concerned Sapphire a bit and plans of escape fled her mind. She looked up at Marwyn's sincere face.
"I...I think we should head down before Falric gets bored of waiting."
Marwyn grew a smile before nodding in agreement. The two descended down the stairs leading to the icy ground.
"So you remember how to ice skate right? I expect at least one double axel or no dinner for you!"
Sapphire bit her lip. "I think I should start out slow just in case."
Falric stood in a cleared out smooth area of ice, arms folded and with smaller than usual scowl. Marwyn rushed over to the other deathknight, glancing at the ice critically.
"Impressive! Thank you, love." Marwyn said before planting a small kiss on Falric's cheek.
"I only did it because I am bored. Stop talking and start skating."
With that, both Sapphire and Marwyn put their skates on. The man got his own on first and immediately got onto the ice, happily gliding onto the ice. Sapphire, still alive and mortal, had to warm up her muscles first but eventually she clumsily followed him by lifting foot after the other.
The skates' blades scraped against the ice loudly. Sapphire started to enjoy herself as she started to remember her skills. Sapphire stroked her skates against the ice more confidently. Marwyn skated toward her and grabbed her arm before twirling around with her.
"I see you haven't forgotten the bad habit of looking down at your feet!" Marwyn reprimanded teasingly.
"Oh stop!" She snapped back, barely holding back a smile.
He let go of her and swooped away along the ice before sliding to a stop.
"Try a jump," He commanded.
Sapphire built up some momentum and prepared to do it, but before she could she heard a loud shriek in the sky. She looked up and stumbled before collapsing backwards on the ice.
A gargoyle fell from the sky and crashed yards away from Falric, who had been watching. The deathknight quickly ran over to the beast as Marwyn skated over.
"What the hell was that, Falric?" The man said as he helped Sapphire to her feet.
Falric studied the gargoyle for a moment, then looked back at the two.
"Arthas found this scout and decided to send a message," He hissed, lifting the half shattered torso of the gargoyle, splattered with blood with a letter clutched in a paw.