Chapter 9

"B-b-Be carefull. I'm-m a-a-a vvvvery powerful mage…st-step back or be be be sorry."

The man chuckled. True, I didn't sound very convincing, but he was reason enough to be scared of, not to mention that thing that seemed to be looking at me like I was his dinner. Though I'd have to find out where its eyes are first. I'm dead, I know that for sure.

"Whether you are an all powerful mage or not girl, and I very well believe you aren't, you seem to be a little bit…outnumbered, don't you think."

I take a look around and see 6 of them surrounding me, not counting the thing and another pixie like creature that's glowing and hopping around like he's had too much sugar. The man is right, I'm outnumbered and probably in a lot of trouble. I've heard stories about warlocks. Vile and treacherous creatures that had a big responsibility in starting the first war. They were to be avoided and killed before they killed you. True, they didn't seem vile, much, but looks could be deceiving. I start to back up as the man moves closer, that evil grin still on his face. Finding my back against the wall I wrench my eyes shut and hope it will be over soon.

Nothing comes. No blast, no punch, not even a gust of wind. When I carefully open one eye the man is laughing at me, as are the rest of them. One of the females, once done laughing, smiles at me.

"Not all stories about us are true child. Yes we know the stories that forego our lore. We are summoners of darkness, we are nothing but evil, we do not belong in this world and every warlock should be executed on sight. Tell me girl, do we look like those kind of people to you?"

"N-no…" I look at the man again, apparently still scared as he has another small fit of laughter.

"I'm sorry about that kid; I do that to everyone who comes down here. I have to say you held out quite nicely, most people who see my little jhatie run away screaming."

"Jathie?"

"Jhaat'hun, actually, it's my felhunter...the red thing with teeth." He sighed as he noticed my look of confusion.

"So child, what brings you to our humble ground?" The woman asks me. Fair question I suppose, it's not like they have a girl in a nightgown interrupting their meeting every night.

"I-I don't know. I was running and ended up at the mage's tower. When I wanted to climb it I sensed this aura, and I couldn't help but follow it. I'm truly sorry for intruding; I'll be on my way."

One of the other warlocks spoke up at this.

"Sensing demons at this young age? Impressive, tell me young one, who taught you the lore?

"I'm just a humble mage sir; I have no idea what lore you are talking about. My father taught me how to sense people, not demons."

"Tell me girl, was it a bittersweet smell, that smelled like lavender and yet not?"

"Yes"

"Then you sensed demons, young one, more specifically Zggi here."

He was motioning at the jumpy thing, which was looking very insulted at the moment. Strange, it was like it understood what the warlock had said. The woman talked again.

"Zardeth, you know Zggi is very sensitive about that. And you girl, show me your hands."

"Why?"

"To truly see if you are a mage."

I still don't know why, but I hold out my hands for her to examine, perhaps I was under some form of spell. I see pity pass through her eyes as she touches the bandages on my wrists. But when she touches my hand I cringe. Her touch burns, like she reawakened the burns that had healed so nicely on my hands.

"You have been taught in the ways of the ways of the mage, yes, but you are not fit for that kind of magic my dear."

"How would you know what I am fit for?"

"Your hands are nearly charred by the pure fire it has to control. Your body was never made to shoot ice at people or transform them into sheep. You were made for the lore of shadow."

What? No way, I'm not one of those vile creatures as they are. I don't name teeth like they were my pet. I cannot and will not be a warlock. The burns are some kind of initiation, no more. I must have said something out loud because the woman responds.

"A lot of us thought your way when we found out. Me, a creature of darkness? It can't be, must be a mistake. Until I learned how to cast shadow and unholy fire. It never hurt anymore; in fact it felt quite pleasant. The power that I can wield makes me feel strong. Stronger and more reassured than when I was learning to be a mage. My body thanked me for my decision."

She shows me her hands, they're barely hands anymore, and most of the skin is shrivelled and black. It was like a look on the future. Was that what was going to happen if I continued casting fire?

"You see child, not every warlock chooses to become one, mostly, we get chosen by it. We are not evil, and we will never be evil. Yet because of the actions of some we are cast out like filth. They do not see the difference. The true evil ones have no more light in their eyes. They are just grey and the veins are clear to see. They have no reason or conscience. We do. We lost many of our kin because of that mistake. That is why we live in hiding."

I look down, trying to set everything in order. I was…chosen by the shadow? Meaning I had no opinion in this? It seemed so unfair. I want to cry out in protest, but the woman stops me.

"We are known warlocks child; this does not mean that you must live in hiding now too. Mostly we are tolerated as long as we don't conjure anything. But I suggest, that if you ever wish to learn the ways of the warlock, you go to Ratchet, there's a powerful teacher there."

"But isn't that horde country?" I don't like horde, especially not after what they did to my village.

"In the ranks of warlocks, there is no horde and alliance, only people who wish to lead a normal life, even though their families cast them out. It is the same with druids. Where they share the love and respect for nature, we share the unlucky fate and feelings of being different."

I don't know what to do. All I can think of right now is getting to Creton again and mulling over what the woman had said. Do I really want to spend the rest of my days as a warlock? I realise I don't know, I don't know anything right now.

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It seems like my imagination has come back a little, though I kept you all waiting a long time in the process. I'm sorry for that.

I tried earlier, but it seemed like I needed to reread the story and finally get myself a gamecard again before I could get in touch with my warlock once more.

What a contact it was…during my absence my very nice guild disbanded cries and the uber 1337 epixx that I worked my butt off for are USELESS compared to some of the new green content. Nice way of Blizzard to force you to buy the expansion, and make all your efforts laughable. (Omg you went into BWL at lvl60 omg, you sucker. We can do it in 20mins baha). But I will not yield I tell you….not at the moment anyway. According to my bro the questing is a nuthouse at the moment. And he's a rogue!

So again sorry for the long wait, I hope to be able to update at least every two weeks. If I don't you are all entitled to come and smack me.

Read, Review, Flame….gieev them to me