25 - Indulgence
Portalled into a war zone, the rogues had no choice but to rally and come to the aid of those still fighting.
The gates had been breached at ground level too and the orcs had poured in, bringing with them some of Gul'dan's loathsome aberrations, the Death Knights. It was difficult to tell which terrified the people more – the enormous, muscle-bound giants or the cold, necromantic cavalry.
The scene in the plaza was a slaughterhouse; walkways, alleys and buildings spattered with blood and body parts. Although the humans numbered greatly in the dead, some of the Draenor invaders also lay still or dismembered in the streets. Soldiers of Lordaeron had fought fiercely, setting upon each orc with an almost deranged vigour as they chopped, hacked, stabbed and clubbed the giants. Their zeal did not let up until they were certain the beasts would not rise again.
Then the Death Knights stole their way in through the gates. The emaciated steeds automatically created a path as both warring sides tried to get out of the way of their death chill. The reanimated riders slew humans with enormous unhallowed swords often sending limbs and heads hurtling through the air. As they swept further into the plaza, their diabolic presence started to syphon the pugnacity of the Alliance. Soldiers noticeably flagged, their weapons seemingly too heavy to wield anymore and their ability to do their duty sucked from them.
An eerie fog started to build, rolling in behind the undead knights to claim those that lay lifeless on the bloodied streets. The ultimate horror of the once brave defenders being reanimated to then fight for the Horde would soon be a reality if the macabre fetor reached the bodies. The secular creatures had to be stopped at all costs.
Sa'themar gathered the rogues within shouting distance. Quickly scanning their numbers he realised some were too far into the plaza to hear him. He did not have time to go searching and together with the mages and priests he led them towards the battlements.
The heavy thwack and thud of ballistae, springalds and catapults, along with the clash and clank of steel, iron and armour surrounded them as they made their way to the foot of the wall. Together with shouts and screams of soldiers, roars and grunts of thundering orcs, the sounds of battle were deafening. Unnervingly, the ghostly, metallic voices of the Death Knights carried above all the others.
As the troupe fought their way through the carnage, Sa'themar kept a close eye on the enemies coming through the gates. A sense of doom gripped him when he heard another horn sounding, albeit a little distant. It was not like that which announced the arrival of Turalyon and his armies. This was definitely ominous. What had happened to the Alliance reinforcements? he wondered. Had they been defeated? He leapt up the stairs to the parapet.
King Terenas was ordering the re-positioning of the oil cauldrons and ensuring archers and magi were focusing their efforts on the gates. The ballistae were realigned but still aiming at the Horde's war party charging towards the city entrance. He caught sight of Sa'themar as the high elf crested the stairs. He could read the look on Sa'themar's face. "I'm glad to see you made it, my friend," the king said, his voice weary.
"And you, Sire," Sa'themar replied, clearly wanting to hear about the allies.
"The Horde numbers were greater at the entrance until some were drawn east, to deal with Turalyon, no doubt," Terenas offered in answer to the unspoken question.
The troupe were now assembled behind the guild leader, Sauren at the forefront. Briefly, the king looked at him with tired eyes. The half-elf inclined his head in respect.
"That horn," Sa'themar said, drawing Terenas' attention again. "Their reinforcements have arrived now, haven't they?"
The king held him in a steady stare and with an adamant jut of his chin he answered. "Yes, but we will not relent. They shall not have my city!" He turned and signalled to Belo'vir who stood at the ready with his battle mages.
The cauldron was tipped and the magi set the oil alight. A river of fire poured over the orcs and Death Knights below. The spell-weavers maintained their casting, the flames reaching out claiming more victims.
Again, the horn sounded but this time it was prolonged; the order to retreat. The king, bolstered by the sound, ordered his people to keep fighting until every last one of the enemy was either dead or fleeing.
A foot soldier clambered up the stairs and clanked his way to Terenas. Enervated, the young man took a few deep breaths before bowing and gasping his message. "Your Majesty. King Thoras Trollbane has seized the Alterac kingdom and the way back to the mountains has been barricaded by troops from Stromgarde."
Terenas smiled. "The Horde is trapped then." He looked out over the battlefield. "They are flanked by the Alliance armies." His voice rose in triumph as he saw the enemy gathering their resources and retreating. "The Alliance of Lordaeron has prevailed. We are victorious!"
Staring out over the battered wall the defenders watched as the fleeing orcs stumbled and limped their way over fallen comrades and smashed artillery.
Exhausted though the people were, a steady cheer rose throughout the plaza. Those around the king were hailing the Alliance, their loyalty and pride being generously voiced. Terenas faced the magi and assembled rogue troupe. "Thank you all, for your help in winning this battle and securing our city."
He turned to Sauren. A benign smile graced the royal lips. "As for you, young man..." All eyes fixed on the young Nightflame.
The half-elf held the monarch's stare. For all he was filthy and stank like a sewer, Sauren was nonetheless egocentric, his poise confident and proud as the king approached him.
"Your powers of deduction and utilitarian way of thinking have indeed impressed me. You are a credit to your father. Perhaps one day, my son, Arthas, and you will unite in another campaign for the securing of Capital City and Lordaeron."
"Thank you. It would be an honour to fight beside Prince Arthas, just as it has been to fight alongside Your Majesty these past two days." He finished with a respectful bow.
Terenas moved away and engaged in conversation with Sa'themar and Belo'vir.
"You reek!" Don whispered beside Sauren.
Merely inclining his head a little so he could keep watch on the king, Sauren replied. "You don't exactly smell of roses yourself."
Reed was quick to cut in. "He was referring to your pompous, narcissistic, over-inflated self-opinion and your kissing of the king's ass."
The silence which followed suddenly left Reed bereft of any self-worth he had felt for his part in the undercity defence. It also made him question if he had seriously over-stepped the mark with the half-elf.
Sauren turned to face him, slowly. The boy stood, staring into the mahogany eyes with as much confidence as he could possibly hold on to.
"He didn't..." Don injected, also feeling a tension in the air between the two. Sauren silenced him by simply raising his hand.
"Well, that certainly makes a pleasant change from being called a half-breed," Sauren said flatly. A grin slowly spread over his mouth giving way to a smile.
Don managed a relieved guffaw and Reed's shoulders relaxed. Both made Sauren laugh. "Oh, really! Lighten up you two. We have just survived one hell of a battle and you think I will be offended by something like that?"
The two lads smiled and laughed freely.
Sauren looked over his shoulder still maintaining vigil on the king with his father and the magister. "Just make sure you enjoy your next meal for you won't be able to taste another once I remove your tongue." His eyes turned back to the two young rogues. Their laughter dwindling in their throats.
It was pointless, Sauren just couldn't keep up the pretence. He slapped the side of Reed's arm. "I'm joking! For goodness sake. You have survived... but I seriously think your sense of humour died in the battle."
"Sometimes, Sauren..." Reed breathed.
"I know! At the risk of sounding vainglorious, life with me is never dull." He smirked.
Sa'themar rejoined the rogues and as always, his presence demanded their attention. "Well done everyone, it was a hard fight and you all did exceptionally well. We will now all return to headquarters. There are enough people in the city to aid the injured and start the clean up for the time being. Whoever wishes to return here and help later may do so, but I strongly suggest we all clean ourselves up and rest for a while. We also have our own losses to see to. It has been a long two days."
He was answered by unanimous consent.
The next few days were spent helping the citizens gain some sort of normality back into their lives following the siege.
The unpleasant task of heaving unidentifiable, scorched creatures from the streets as well as the fallen orcs both in and outside of the defending wall needed to be tended to first. Bodies were loaded onto carts and taken to a mass grave outside the city walls.
The sun had returned and as such the stench of death was almost overwhelming. It clung to the individuals aiding in the necessary work. Vigorous scrubbing at night followed, in a vain attempt to rid them of the putrid smell. But it wouldn't be until all the dead were removed and buried before the malodorous air would clear.
Flies had already made some of the corpses their feeding and breeding grounds and wriggling clusters of fat maggots fell from the carts as they trundled and bumped their way to the grave. Some children, morbidly fascinated by the relocation of bodies, followed behind stomping on the bugs, seeing who could achieve the loudest squelch underfoot. The children were repeatedly chased but soon returned once another load of bodies started the final journey.
The clearing of the rubble, broken statues, fountains and burnt timbers was next on the agenda. Again, cartloads were shifted allowing masons and carpenters to restore the buildings. It would not be a quick recovery, but in time the city would heal.
The boys had taken a break from their lifting and shifting and sat with backs against one of the ruined buildings. They welcomed some cooling lemonade offered by the shop proprietor whose damaged premises they had been helping to clear. Chatting and joking, the boys relaxed, faces to the sun, eyes closed to the brightness.
"Damn, I could do with seeing Madelyn & Sasha again," Reed said out of the blue.
Don agreed. "Oh, yes! I think we deserve a little pleasure after all we have been through."
Sauren's lips split into a smile. "I will see what I can arrange. There is always Odette's if the ladies are too busy."
"Who is Odette?" A female voice startled the three boys, their eyes springing open and being automatically blinded. A young woman stood in front of them with her back to the sun and appeared momentarily as a silhouette, the bright rays spreading out like an aura around her.
"Piper?" Sauren asked, pushing himself up.
"You remember," the girl replied.
"Yes. I do indeed." He straightened before inclining his head in a polite bow. "What are you doing here?"
"We have been here since the day I first met you. We couldn't leave as originally planned because - well, because of the orc problem."
Sauren's eyebrows flexed at her term. He knew his two friends would be suppressing their laughter and was oddly relieved when they said they were going to get back to work.
Returning his undivided attention to the young woman in front of him, he quickly took note of what she was wearing. Dressed in a plain, sage-coloured gown which accentuated her slim waist, she still looked rather refined and somewhat more mature than when he had first clapped eyes on her. The chestnut hair was worn in a loose ponytail with one or two loose strands floating around her face. Her blue eyes darkened as he met her gaze. "So what brings you to this part of town?" he enquired.
"A number of us have been helping at the infirmary and we make rounds to ensure the people who perhaps cannot make it there are offered aid as well."
"Most charitable." He watched her skin flush when he smiled at her, the colour creeping slowly up from her neck. She seemed lost for something to say so he eased matters. "Would you like me to accompany you? It may still not be safe in some areas."
"I am with four others," she said quietly looking behind her at the young women who checked in doorways and through broken windows for anyone in need of help.
"Oh, I see. That's a no, then?" He enjoyed watching her blush, it was endearing.
"Well, to be honest - they are rather dull company," she whispered.
He smiled broadly. "I hope you will forgive my poor attire then, we have been somewhat busy ourselves," he said, offering his arm for her to link.
Her lips curved in a smile, emphasising the dimples in her cheeks. "We cannot expect to be in our finest at this point in time carrying out such duties, Sauren." Accepting his arm, she happily stepped in beside him and they started along the street.
They strolled in silence for a while, occasionally stopping at the entrance to alleys and buildings to check if anyone was injured or hungry. It seemed most had been tended to or indeed did not require assistance.
"I am surprised your mother allows you to venture out in this way," he commented, noting her perfume; the delicate orange blossom pleasing to his senses as was the way she moved next to him.
Piper laughed lightly. "She is not quite the stern matriarch she appears to be."
"Oh, I merely noted she was most protective of you that day at the stalls. I was not implying anything unkind about her."
"I didn't for a moment think you were. But yes, she can be a little overbearing when she chooses. Other times she is quite, lenient. Even indulgent sometimes actually."
Sauren subconsciously caressed her fingers as she flexed them lightly around his forearm. "In what does she indulge?" The huskiness of his voice a little daring, testing the water. He was pleased to see she was not offended, but the colour of her cheeks did flare slightly.
The tip of her tongue traced along the crease of her mouth before she answered. "Why sir, I do not know you well enough yet to divulge such secrets."
The inveiglement of her answer amazed and pleased him equally. His eyes dropped to her neckline just for a beat, then quickly looked away as he felt stirrings which he really could do without when walking along city streets.
Her voice lowered as if to ensure no-one but he heard her. "Talking of indulgence, who is this Odette you mentioned back there with your friends?"
Sauren looked to the sky. This young woman was full of surprises and not at all dim. She was as sharp as a knife. Hoping he had read her right, he chanced another audacious retort. "Why Miss Alston, I do declare that if I revealed such a secret, you would not wish to know me well at all."
Her soft laughter thrilled him. She threw him a sideways look, her lashes blinking slowly. "Oh, I think I can guess what Odette does, but do not assume that you know what I wish, Sauren Nightflame."
"You think it is my mere assumption?"
Stumbling on the cobbles her pedantry faltered slightly, but her riposte was once more open to interpretation. "I think this conversation is in danger of becoming a battle of wits, Sauren."
And at that, his perfect teeth flashed in a victorious smile and his eyes raked over her. "I am done with battles for a while, Piper, they are too messy. Now, I will focus on a straight win and I intend to get what I want."
His reply caused her to gasp. At the same time, a shrill voice called her name. They turned to see her mother coming towards them with a man in a dark, tailored suit. Sauren gathered this was Mr Oscar Alston, the illustrious engineer.
Piper stepped back from Sauren, dropping her hand from his arm.
Catherine Alston bittled up to the young couple, her haughty countenance no more than Sauren expected. "Piper, I thought you were with Charlotte and the girls helping..."
"Good afternoon Mr and Mrs Alston," a chorus of female voices called over. Mr Alston waved cordially.
Catherine looked momentarily chagrined at the timely arrival of said girls. Her mouth tight, she looked back at her daughter for an explanation. Piper, however, added to the woman's displeasure and introduced her father to the gallant half-elf instead. "Sauren very kindly escorted us through the plaza and adjoining streets. Many of the buildings are still unsafe and he did not wish us to come to any harm."
Mr Alston readily accepted his daughter's explanation and shook Sauren's hand, thanking him for looking after his daughter.
"You are most welcome, sir. It was my pleasure." Sauren responded.
"Duncan has told me, well – Piper, mostly, quite a bit about you and your father," Oscar said amiably. Catherine huffed. "I believe also that you were instrumental in securing the catacombs. You kept those foul beasts at bay. Well done, young Sauren. I doubt we would be standing here had you not been so assertive and decisive."
Mrs Alston's demeanour completely changed. A moment's stunned silence was then broken by her breathy, "Quite!"
The revelation that this had been open discussion also took the half-elf by surprise. The acknowledgement, although somewhat overly embellished, was nonetheless welcome. He nodded gratitude for the accolade. "Thank you, you are most kind. I must, however, return to work."
He turned to Piper, his eyes warm and slightly mischievous. She offered her hand and lightly taking it, he brushed his lips over her knuckles. Her returning smile held a hidden promise. Facing her parents once more he bid them good day. Even the previously stern Catherine bade him a courtly farewell.
Moving back towards the plaza, he turned to look at Piper once more. She had been waiting for him to do so and offered a coquettish smile and nod before she caught up with her parents as they headed towards the city centre.