Chapter 13 - The Shadow of the Legion

A week passed. Things did get better... But at the same time, worse. Reports were coming in from the inhabitants of Ambermill and Pyrewood Village. Reports of missing people, howls during the night... Especially at the Shadowfang Keep. An incursion was sent to try and rid the place of the infestation, but they all changed their minds very quickly when, allegedly, 'a warg the size of an ellek scared off the horses, forcing us to retreat.'

Due to the threat of worgen attacks at night, a curfew had been put into place. No one was allowed outside after the sun went down. The guard had increased, and repairs to the wall had already been finished. Things were finally coming back to normal.

Felrus' arm healed rather quickly. His face did not change much... But for some reason, he still wore a pad over his right shoulder. "Ah, this?" He had said when Dalrus inquired about it. "It's still sore... I think one of the beasts bit me there. Who knows what's into those fangs? The priest gave me some good medicine, and I've been applying it regularly... But I think I'm starting to grow hair there!"

Now that the war had literally knocked on their gates, many people - Darius Crowley especially - were loudly demanding that Gilneas took part in the greater battle. The call from Jaina Proudmoore was still fresh in their minds, and many were asking for the army to be deployed. Many more, however, were doing the exact opposite - hundreds of people were killed or injured. King Greymane was adamant that they should ready themselves should the undead attack them once more. Kalthuz' father was beside himself.

"THE BLASTED OLD FOOL WOULD HAVE US WAIT UNTIL THOSE MONSTERS RECOVER AND ATTACK US AGAIN!?" He had screamed as he flipped his desk while Dalrus chewed on an apple and his brother sat quietly by his side. "HOW ABOUT WE JUST LEAVE THE BLOODY GATES OPEN NEXT TIME AND SPARE THEM THE TROUBLE!?"

"Father... You can't deny that we must continue to protect our home." Felrus had said. He did absolutely nothing to hide the burn scar on the left side of his face, except maybe for the fact his long red hair partially hid a fair portion of his jawline. "If we are attacked after sending the main army off, we would be annihilated. There would be no home to return to."

"Blast it, Felrus! There's a difference between being cautious and doing absolutely nothing!" Kalthuz sat down on his chair and stared at his overturned desk. "Has he learned nothing? Are we to simply wait for the next attack? Bugger it all! We should move. We should act. This Jaina... She's said what we need to do. Where we must go. We have ships in our docks, we could send just one battalion, at the very least! What are we waiting for?"

"Old Greybeard don't wanna waste no troops." Said Dalrus with a mouthful of apple. He swallowed, then said: "After that fiasco with the worgen, and Arugal going mental and nesting up inside the Keep, he's gonna hole up more than ever. I mean, the guy thinks we are invincible so long as we got this here wall. Though not being allowed outside after sunset is a bloody pain in the arse."

"The people are growing restless... Many don't know, or understand what the worgen are." Felrus sighed and crossed his arms. "Crowley is speaking of tyranny... And I even heard a few whispers about taking some radical action about it. Last thing we need right now is a civil war, though."

"I think we should-" Kalthuz began to speak, but then there was a knock on the door. A second later it opened, and Silvius peeked his head in. "Howdy. Hope I'm not interrupting."

"What the- I locked the bloody door!" Kalthuz almost screamed, his hands curling into fists.

"Yeah, I noticed. That was cute. Anyway..." Stepping inside, and taking a glance at the flipped over desk in the middle of the room, Silvius put what appeared to be a long silver bolt back inside his pocket. "You got a visitor."

"Do I look like I'm taking any bloody visitors right now, Silvius!? You get the hell out of my study, and don't you pick any more locks within my house!" Dalrus could see a vein was pulsing on his father's head. He took another bite of his apple.

"Oh... Well, alright then. Up to you." Then, stepping outside, he spoke loud enough for everyone in the room to hear: "Sorry, Darius. He's not willing to see anyone. Come another time, eh?"

All color left Kalthuz' face, then he scrambled forward so quickly he tripped over his upturned desk and broke one of its legs off. Cursing under his breath, he hopped to the doorway and shouted: "WAIT! Darius, one moment...!"

Minutes later, Dalrus, Felrus and Silvius were laying on the couch as Lord Kalthuz and Darius Crowley hugged each other and chatted. "Bloody hells, it's wonderful to see you! I didn't even have the chance to thank you for rescuing Dalrus!"

Crowley took off his hat and smiled at the old warrior. "As if I could stand still as the lad went and risked his neck off on his own. He showed more courage than a lot of people thrice his age..." And here the man turned to face Dalrus. "You earned my respect, son. Even if Genn had kept the gates closed, I'd jump after you myself if I had to."

Dalrus lifted his apple in salutation and nodded as he continued to chew. "Aye, thanks for saving my neck back there. Really owe you one, Mister Crowley."

"No need for formalities between us, lad." Crowley said with a courteous nod and a friendly smile. He then turned to Dalrus' brother. "And how are you, Felrus? How's your face feeling?"

"Cold at times, sir. But other than that, I was told there's no nerve damage. Fortunately, other than looking ugly, there were no lasting effects." Felrus stood up and stepped forward, his hand outstretched. Crowley gladly shook it, saying: "I don't know about that. I've met a fair share of ladies who are rather fond of war scars, my boy. Don't be ashamed to show that you were in a real fight and lived to tell the tale." Felrus chuckled. "I'll take those words to heart, sir. Thank out."

Once Felrus sat down, Silvius, who was laying against the edge of the couch with one elbow over the armrest and his chin resting upon his fist, said: "And I'm also fine, by the way."

"Ah... Yes. I figured it would be folly to ask, Silvius." Crowley grinned at the old rogue, who scoffed, then became more interested in wiping his nails against his dark leather tunic. FInally, Crowley faced Kalthuz once more, his expression becoming more serious. "Old friend... I have some heavy words to share with you. Shall we go someplace more secure?"

Kalthuz looked back at his family on the couch, then back at Darius' face. "My son Felrus has every right to hear as much as I do, old friend. And I'm afraid we could go to the ends of hell itself and still those two would find a way to eavesdrop, so we might as well keep them around this time."

"He's not wrong." Silvius casually said as he admired his nails.

Crowley hesitated for a moment, then an amused expression took over his face and he shook his head. "Very well, then. I trust you, Plaguefang. So if you believe your family is trustworthy as well, I shall believe you." Taking in a deep breath, he stared into Kalthuz' face and declared: "I am sending a brigade to aid in the war against the Legion. The ship leaves tomorrow at dawn. I am sending them under the banner of the 'Gilneas Brigade.' Genn has already forbidden it, but I can no longer sit cross-armed. If he won't take action, then I will. Are you with me?"

Dalrus saw his father's chest inflate as a light gleamed in his eyes. He had just placed his hands on Crowley's arms and opened his mouth when suddenly his gaze shifted to the three men sitting on the couch. His eyes then shifted to a wall to their side, and Dalrus knew that direction was his mother's room. Then the old man closed his eyes, smiled, shook his head and took a step back. "Nothing would give me more pleasure, my friend... After all you have done for me, gladly I would risk this life of mine for your ideals, and our land. But I'm afraid there's something greater that keeps me here. I must ensure that the land my children will grow on, and my wife will grow old, remains safe and intact. I am sorry, but I must stay."

Crowley nodded at that, his one good eye staring at Khaltuz. "I understand, my friend. You needn't say any more. Well, then... I must be off. I still have many others to speak with. Wish you good fortune, Khaltuz. Be well." And with that, he put his hat back on his hed, nodded farewell to the other people in the room, and began to leave. Dalrus already knew what was going to happen then, so he leaned to the side just the moment before Felrus suddenly jumped up and said: "I'll go."

Khaltuz frowned at him. "Felrus, you are still recovering from your injuries. You are in no condition."

"Father, I can still hold my sword. I can still raise my shield. And I can still hold a line alongside my fellow soldiers." He turned to face Lord Crowley. "Sir, all my wounds are superficial. Nothing hinders me from battling. Let me join you!"

"Don't you turn your back on me, boy! I am not going, and neither are you! You have a duty to fulfill!" Khaltuz snapped, then as he began to march towards Felrus he tripped over his desk once more and broke another one of its legs. "MOTHER-"

"Father, I understand your concern. I, too... I have felt it. But now... I am experienced. I am no longer a green boy in the battlefield. I can help make a difference. I know how to fight the undead now... Both in defense, and offense. They will need me!" His expression was fairly determined. "You said it yourself... We should be ending the bigger threat. This is our chance! We can truly end this war! I can go and make sure the undead won't threaten Gilneas ever again!"

"Lad... I won't lie." Crowley turned around to confront Felrus. "This battle... It won't be anything like the past few days. This time, we had our home field advantage, and the safety of our walls. But now... We are taking the fight to them. And it won't be just the undead. Demons... The Burning Legion itself. There's no shame in backing down from a fight like this. It's not the kind of thing mere mortals like us should be meddling with."

Felrus did not seem deterred, however. He closed his eyes for an instant, then looked at his father, then at Crowley, with renewed determination. "I know. But I can't just sit still and wait for them to come to us. I have to do this... My part in this war. To defend my land. My home... My very world."

Khaltuz let out a deep, long sigh and wiped the sweat off his face as his other hand rested upon his hip. "Listen to you... It's already plenty different from those words we heard a year ago. You've matured faster than you should, son... But war tends to do this to people." Letting out a sad little chuckle, he stepped over his ruined desk and embraced Felrus. "Son... You're a man already. As your father, I wish you to remain here with your family in safety... But your sense of justice must speak louder. I have fought by your side, I have bled and killed on the battlefield alongside you. I know you're capable. If you feel your place is there, then I have no right to stop you. I ask only that you make it back in one piece."

Hugging his father tightly, Felrus was silent for a few moments. Then, finally, he whispered: "I will make you proud, father. And I will make sure our home is safe."

"Yeah, sorry to cut your little love moment short, but..." Silvius's sarcastic voice cut through the air like a whip. "You do realize... Greymane is gonna flip out when he hears about this. He may not tally up all the people who left, but he sure as hell will know who's behind it. Don't think you'll make it out of this one scot-free, Crowley."

The nobleman straightened his back. "I am well aware of this. And I will face the consequences without regrets. If Genn is truly so blind as to see my actions as those of a traitor... Then so be it. I have made peace with my choice."

Dalrus was idly spinning the core of the apple on top of his finger, now that he had finished eating the whole thing. "So... What time you leaving tomorrow, bro?" He casually asked, his eyes fixated upon the remains of the fruit.

"Ah, yes... Be prepared before sunrise, lad. I want to be on the waters by dawn already, but I don't want to deny anyone the opportunity to join." Crowley said. "It will be a long and harsh trip through the ocean... Make your preparations. We will gather at the pier when the time comes. Now, if you'll excuse me..." And with that, the nobleman left.

"The sea, eh..." Dalrus flipped the core high into the air, then smacked it towards the garbage can by the corner of the room. It landed without a hitch.

"Yes... Kalimdor... The forgotten lands to the west." Felrus looked out through the window. Sheer cliffs hid Kel Harbor from sight, but still, hearing the crashing waves against the sheer cliffs that surrounded Gilneas was no issue. "I'll go prepare immediately. Father... Dalrus... Uncle..." And with that, he left as well.

Silvius looked around, then spoke up."Welp. That was a fun exchange. I'd offer to go myself, but I'd rather not get killed and eaten by demons. Besides... There's a ton of work around here as is. Something about a warg the size of an ellek up there in the Keep... Arugal's little pet, they call it. Be seeing you." And then, he, too, got up and left.

Dalrus stared at the mortal remains of his father's desk, then looked up at the man himself. "And you're OK with this?"

Khaltuz took in a deep breath, then squatted down and began to pick up the splintered pieces of his desk's legs. "Blast it, boy... Of course not. I have fought demons before. I have fought wars before. I have seen many people die, and I killed many others. War... Dalrus, it's not a place where you win or lose. It's a place where you try to survive. And you can't survive a war unless you sacrifice something." The old warrior sighed and stared at the broken wood piece in his hand. "Some of us get scars. Others lose our wills. Some people lose their humanity. Many more lose friends, companions... Something precious. No one makes it out of war unscarred, son. We all change, and we all lose something. But unless we do that... We will end up dying." He peered out through the window by his side. "It's a bloody, nasty mess, I'll tell you that. But at least the orcs were fighting for something, you know? Believe it or not... They also have families. Wives, children. They were helping defend something that was important to them in some way. But the demons... The undead... The only thing they fight for is fighting itself. They don't think about it, they just go and do it. It's their nature, it's what they do. And that, son... Is why I think no matter how big a threat, we will always come out on top." He finished tossing the wood splinters on top of his table and stood up wiping his hands. "Because me, you, your brother, the king, everyone... We all fight for something we love."

A sad smile took over Dalrus' face. "Sacrifices, eh... I think I know a thing or two about that." He hopped off the couch and stood up. "Well, then. Guess I'll go... Yeah." Waving at his confused father on his way out, Dalrus strutted down the hallway. The Plaguefang Estate was as it always had been. The servants were cleaning, preparing meals... Dalrus could see one returning from the river with a basket full of freshly washed clothes. The sun was high in the sky, marking the middle of the afternoon.

Dalrus made his way outside, through the backyard. His little training ring was still there. It was odd to see everything undamaged and in its original state after all hell broke loose for the past few weeks. He remembered how he single-handedly saved the city from a demonic ritual. He pulled one of his daggers from his belt and idly threw it up and down, pondering. He had been very happy when his father had presented them back to him days ago, saying that Crowley had pulled them out of the carcass of the worgen he had killed. They had been sharpened and kept in perfect condition.

"And you're OK with this?" Came a voice from his side. Dalrus didn't need to look to know Silvius was laying against the tree, maybe looking down at poisoned daggers in his hand.

"It's his life. If he wants to go, that's his choice." Dalrus said, now twirling the blade back and forth between his fingers. "I'm not gonna try to stop him this time."

"Based on what happened last time, you're more likely to prevent his departure by doing just that." Silvius chuckled, then Dalrus heard the man approach him. "I know this isn't anything new to you, boy, but... Good work. You saved a lot of lives that day."

"What, aren't you gonna smack me across the head and say something like... 'What the hell were you thinking, you blimmerin' idiot!? Jumping off the wall and getting a pack of worgen to chase you!?'" He smiled up at his master, now tucking his dagger back against his belt.

"Well... I suppose I should. But then again... If you couldn't even make it out of a situation like that alive... I would be one lousy master for you, wouldn't I?" Silvius was now standing next to Dalrus. The old rogue had his hands on his pockets, gazing towards the horizon over the wall. "You put your training to use. You did what you thought was right. In the end, everything turned out fine. I guess I'm past the point of telling you how to live your own bloody life." They both looked over their backs towards the Plaguefang Estate. All windows were open now, and Dalrus could even see his mother peering out of her window down at them. They both waved, and as they did so, Silvius said: "You know, she pulled off the same trick once."

Lifting a brow, Dalrus turned to his uncle. "Oh, really?"

Nodding, Silvius said: "Yeah. Long time ago, your father's platoon was holding a key position against the orcs. But they were cut off. It was a sheer cliff, so despite the size of the orcish horde, his small force could still hold them off without getting surrounded. But it was just a matter of time before they were overpowered. So your mother goes and sets explosives around the cliff above. She creates a landslide with the explosion, and most of the orcs get swept down. Only problem was she was also cut off from her retreat. So your father goes and single-handedly pushes his way through an orc battalion to rescue her afterwards. And that's how things began to get all sweet between the two."

Dalrus was smiling widely now. "Yeah, well, don't worry. I don't intend to get sweet and lovey with any of the people I rescued." They both watched as Lady Dallys continued to peer out her window for a few more minutes. Eventually she came back inside, leaving the boy a little sadder. "You think we can actually do this? I mean... Win this war?" He said after a while.

His master took a few moments to respond, a time during which he stroked his short-bearded chin. "Hmmm... I have no doubt we will make it through, boy. But to actually win the war... The thing about a war is, you never really win it. It's all a cycle. We beat an enemy, another one shows up. Another threat to the world. Then something really big shows up, and we put aside our differences for a moment so we can take down that threat. As soon as that's over with, we turn on each other once more. That's how Warcraft works, boy. It just never really ends."

Dalrus scratched his head. "Hmmm. Sounds like a really repetitive game." He comments.

"Somewhat. But then there's this fun little thing about it... Each new war, there are new elements in it. New enemies, new weapons, and even new places to fight over. Keeps things fresh and interesting, eh? Your brother is off to a new continent now. Who knows when we'll be fighting this Legion again?" Silvius let out a dry little chuckle. "Almost wish I could go along. But I got my hands full enough as is over here. Those damn worgen won't handle themselves. Or maybe they will, I'll be buggered if I know how those beasts work."

"Hmmmm... Yeah, I guess we do have a pack of crazy wolfmen living in our outskirks now." Dalrus shivered as he remembered the big brown one he had killed that day. "I sure hope Arugal unleashing them against the undead doesn't end up coming back to bite us in the arse any more than it already has."

"Yeah, you said it. Anyway, I'll leave you to your things now. Like I said, tons of stuff to do." Silvius patted Dalrus on the shoulder as he began to walk back towards the Estate, leaving the boy alone. Much like his master, Dalrus placed his hands in his pockets, then he closed his eyes and leaned his face up. Sunlight washed over his eyelids, making everything look red. He could feel the warmth spread over him. A smile crept up on his lips. 'This sure feels nice.' He thought.

"Bask in the Light while you can... Soon, all will be in Shadow."

'Bloody hell, mate. Are you just gonna show up and say random dark things each time I close my eyes now? Because sooner or later one of us is gonna have a problem with this attitude.'

"The Legion comes from the Void itself. It will never die. Their essence returns to the Twisting Nether, then reforms to once again invade other worlds. You cannot win. They cannot be defeated."

'Yeah, yeah, I heard this story before. Despite that, if we kill enough of their critters, eventually we'll strike a blow at their leader. That's gotta count for something, eh?'

"You only prolong the inevitable. Your end can be delayed... But it will come."

'Well, then! Maybe if I delay it long enough, I'll be able to leave up to my kids, eh? Now be a good voice in my head and shut up for a moment. The sun feels really nice today.'

"You cannot escape the Shadow. All you hold dear will be consumed."

'Funny story, mate. Now zip it.'

"The power of the void will-"

'I SAID BLOODY ZIP IT!'

He opened his eyes.

The sun was still high in the sky. Light and warmth spread all around the grass that surrounded him.

But to the far west, over the cliffs that surrounded Gilneas, over the walls that protected them...

Dalrus could see that a dark cloud was forming over the distant sea.