Battle for Gilneas, Entry 6

Oh sweet Spirits what a day. When I woke up from my nap Lorna, true to her word, was able to finish deciphering the last few pages of Bradshaw's journal.

"It took a while," She told me. "But I think I've put together what happened here. At least partially. There were survivors of the Curse in this town. They've joined others in the mountains, in Tempest's Reach. Everyone left, except the man who kept the journal, old man Bradshaw. He noticed that the worgen attacks stopped all of a sudden and decided to venture into the Blackwald. There is an abandoned mill just northeast of town, it was where Bradshaw lived. See if you can find any clues there."

First: Thank goodness. I think the news that there were other survivors that managed to get away had really lifted people's spirits (I know it has for me) and that there is another safe place that we can go to should we need it is a huge relief. I overheard Liam saying that he would send some runners to Tempest's Reach to establish some communication between our two camps.

That leads me into my next thing. The mill, where Bradshaw lives? Burned to the ground. I was afraid that I'd have to leave empty handed. That's when I caught a glimpse of her and I… Wow… A Night Elf an honest to Gods Night Elf.

She smiled gently when she saw me, wide eyed and jaw on the ground. "Greetings, I've been expecting you, Riendeau. Do not be alarmed." Hard not to be, when she knew my name. "My name is Belrysa. I am a Priestess of the Moon... a Night Elf. You might not know my people, but the destinies of our two races have been linked since the Curse befell you."

Distantly I thought that the game did not do Belrysa and her people justice. She was just more… There. Real? Her form seemed to take up more space within the dilapidated mill, despite being several inches shorter than I was and probably about one hundred pounds lighter. Maybe that was because she's a Priestess of Elune?

Regardless she continued on. "You must have many questions, Riendeau." Yeah I do, for starters how the hell do you know my name? "And they will be answered in time. I know why you're here and what you're looking for. I can't lead you there with the enemy tracking you. One of Sylvanas's scouts has been following your movements. You can't lead the Forsaken to the place you seek. Take this talisman and walk along the road just north of here." She handed me the talisman, a trinket really, carved to the likeness of her Goddess, Elune. "Let the ranger lure you to her trap and use the power of the talisman to break free and counterattack."

I ran around the side of the mill to the road to the north and got about three feet when the Ranger struck. Ice encapsulated my body. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't speak. The world around me became muffled and cold.

"Such easy prey. Sylvanas will be most pleased!" She drew her bow and the panic… The serge of fear that ran through my body must have activated the talisman. The ice burst apart, on my knees now I was gasping for breath. Shocked, the Dark Ranger could only stare at me. I called upon the roots to tangle her, giving her no time to recover I dragged her down under the earth. Just like the foot soldiers I had dispatched, just like now, I felt her life-force flicker out.

I stayed there for a while before stumbling back to Belrysa. She seemed pleased, almost to pleased, that I had taken out the Dark Ranger so brutally and efficiently. That face slid away and replacing it was the serene face of a Priestess.

"There are others like you, Riendeau. And they too, were lost and confused. There is a place where you belong. Tal'doren, the wild home, was once home to an order of druids who took the shape of wolves. It is there that you will find the answers you seek. It is also there that you will find someone who can offer guidance. An old friend."

I did not know who she was referring to at the time. Old friend? Doubtful.

Regardless I made my way to Tal'doren in my cat form, shadowed, unseen, even by the banshee spectral that haunted our land.

Once I got past them the rest of my short journey was completely uneventful… With the exception of actually seeing Tal'doren.

The tree it's self was massive, the whole thing was covered in black bark and large roots covered in blood red thorns. There was a Moonwell too. Fused to the tree, the shining blue waters cascaded down and around Tal'doren, casting it in a beautiful blue glow. The inside was hollow and resembled a large cavern, one that you'd find in a cave. That was where I found them, dozens upon dozens of other worgen, just like me. I felt… I still feel, at ease. Surrounded by my own kind.

My pack.

Remember that 'Old Friend' Belrysa mentioned? Not three steps into this wonderful place I'm swept off my feet into a bone-crushing hug.

"You're all right, Riendeau! I've been waiting for this day for a long time, it truly is great to see you lass." My 'attacker' said, before he set me down.

I gasped, Crowley. Crowley was alive. "C-Crowley? How-? Your alive!"

He smiled, "Aye, I've heard of what you've done and I'm thankful... especially for Lorna - she's all I have left. I will send for her right away. But first, there are some I want you to meet."

We walked deeper into Tal'doren, Crowley told me about this place, about the Night Elves, the Druids of the Pack, that allowed to become more beast than man, that they were banished to the Emerald Dream where they sleep for eternity under another Tal'doren and that, unfortunately, the spread of their curse was not stopped in time. But the reason that the Forsaken are here are not just for our lands. The Scythe of Elune, an ancient Druidic artifact of the Night Elves holds sway over all Worgen. Crowley's spies report that the Forsaken plan to use the scythe to spread the Worgen curse to the rest of humanity.

That cannot be allowed to happen.

"What can I do, Crowley?"

"First I ask that you clear the way for us, as I'm sure you've noticed Sylvanas' banshees have taken up residence nearby. Get rid of as many as you can."

I nodded, "Can do."

"Excuse me, young druid."

I paused mid-step, turning I found another Night Elf a few paces behind me. She too, was a druid. "My name is Vassandra Stormclaw, I was hoping that while you were out clearing the way for your brethren that you would consider doing something for me as well."

I faced her fully now. "Of course," I said with a small bow. "You and your people have already helped us, I would be honored to help you in return."

"It is not only for your benefit, but for the benefit of all Worgen." Now that got my attention. "The Moonleaf, a simple plant that grow by Elune's grace, will help your mind understand the need for balance and your soul will permanently earn mastery over the beast. Today our ceremony will restore balance to your people. Bring me the leaf that grows only in Tal'doren's vicinity."

"It will be done," I turned to Crowley. "I will return."

"Light be with you, Riendeau."

"And with you Crowley."

Off I went, it didn't take me long to gather the Moonleaves nor dispatch the dozen or so banshee littering the area. With that done I returned to Tal'doren. I gave the leaves to Vassandra first, she told me that it would take some time for the ceremony to get ready so I left to go find Crowley.

"You are as good as I remember, Riendeau." Crowley told me with a laugh. "It is good to have you back. Now," His face tightened. "Ever since the Forsaken invaded Gilneas, we've tried to keep the location of the Scythe of Elune secret. We moved it at night to one of many safe locations. The Dark Rangers got close, but never found it... until now.

They were last spotted at the Woods' End Cabin, west of here. Blow this horn when you find them and Tobias and his trackers will engage the Dark Rangers. Only then will it be safe for you to venture inside the cabin and take back the scythe. Hurry, Riendeau. It must not reach Sylvanas."

I took the horn, calm and collected and unafraid. "I won't fail you Crowley. You have my word."

After that I was off again. I shifted into my cat form as soon as I left Tal'doren and stuck to the shadows. Five fast/slow minutes later I found the wood cutter's cabin with Dark Rangers crawling all over, ducking behind a tree I shifted back and blew the horn. The sound echoed violently through the forest and for a moment I thought Tobias wouldn't come, that my location would be discovered and that I would be killed on the spot.

Only seconds after I thought this did Tobias leap from the trees, sharp daggers in hand, his warhowl echoing through the clearing and a snarl on his lips, "Keep them occupied, my brothers! Allow Riendeau time to retrieve the scythe!"

With a furious roar Tobias and his Trackers engaged Sylvanas' Dark Rangers and I took that opportunity to slip inside while no one was looking.

I tore through the house looking for the scythe, eventually finding it hidden inside an ornate box that was shoved under the bed. Grabbing it I made like Hell's bells to the tree line, Tobias right on my heels calling for a retreat.

We returned in good time and I handed the scythe over to Vassandra, who passed it onto the only male druid of their group.

She smiled, "Thank you, Riendeau. Without you the Scythe would have been lost to us forever." She looked to her companions, both of whom gave her a nod in return. "It is time, Riendeau, to drink from the waters of Tal'doren and make peace with yourself."

I went to the male druid first, Talran I've since learned, and drank quickly.

"Let the Scythe unbind that which was not meant to be bound! Let the soul master the beast, lest the beast master the soul!"

I felt a shift, a tempering of my impulses as a white ethereal light surrounded me.

In a daze a moved onto the next Well, Vassandra's, and drank.

"Just as Dral'nir soothes the cursed druids who gave into the beast and abandoned balance, let Tal'doren soothe Riendeau."

I felt peace, perhaps for the first time in years, warm me from my core. The white light surrounded me again and I wondered if Elune had something to do with it.

I moved onto the last druid and drank from her Well as well.

"Just as Goldrinn's spirit once blessed our druids, let Riendeau be blessed with the wisdom of his race and the ferocity of the wolf god."

Goldrinn was there. Judging me. I felt him. His fury. But it was tempered, used only to protect those who were weaker than myself, who could not defend themselves. I was to act as he would. Protect them, protect the world.

I stumbled away from the Wells as others sought to bring balance to themselves. Crowley was there, leading me along after I nearly face-planted onto the ground. Sitting me down he made sure I had some water before drinking from the Wells himself.

It's been a few hours since then and everyone has since drunk from the Wells. I wond—

Lorna!

Lorna's here! And oh she looks so pissed. Yikes I feel a little bad for Crowley now.

They hug and there are some sli—

Oh great Godfrey's here too. Well I'm on dictation notice.

Shall I make it eloquent? Ah screw it. It'll go to fast. I can always rewrite it later.

Godfrey: *red faced* Crowley! You and your elven allies are hereby ordered to serve along the king's army. Cursed or not, you are still bound by Gilnean law!

Enter Greymane

Crowley: *growls* *Gamma challenging an Alpha* Does this toad speak for you, Genn? Do you come to our dwelling as a friend? Or do you come as a tyrant?

Greymane: No, old friend. I've come to you as an equal.

Greymane changes into his worgen form. Everyone proceeds to lose their shit.

Godfrey: *Shocked* Impossible!

Crowley: *eyes Genn* Aye, Genn. It is not law that binds us. It is something far stronger. My men are ready to give their lives under your command.

Greymane: *seems to be an understanding between the two Alphas* It is decided, then. We will unite all Gilneans and drive the Forsaken from our lands.

Godfrey sputtered a bit before sodding off. Good riddance, I say. Bigot can take a flying leap off the nearest cliff.