Chapter 13

"Are you sure you wish to know?"

"I do believe I have the right to know what information you have. Anything is better than the black hole in my memory."

The commander looks around; making sure nobody is listening and starts in a low whisper.

"Your horse was found a few miles from Eastvale, an arrow in its left flank. My scouts found you a little further…you had been captured by the Horde. They'd bound you to a tree."

That explains the marks on my wrists. But I don't understand why his voice sounds so scared. Isn't he supposed to be this hardened soldier?

"When we arrive, the forsaken had already put you under a spell, and the others, trolls, were taking…advantage of you."

If it hadn't been for the meaningful look in Benjamin's eyes, I wouldn't have understood the full meaning of it. It explained a lot, the pain, the cuts on my body, the nightmare. Both men look at me like I'm going to pass out or something. I think I should have, but with hardly any memory of what exactly happened, I can only feel confused. I knew now what had happened to me, but it didn't even budge my memory.

"What happened to them?"

"We killed one, the Forsaken and another are in our custody…"

"But?"

"Two escaped. My best scouts attempted to follow them, but we lost them."

"Ah"

Well I guess that's justice for you. I don't know how to feel now. Should I be happy that I finally have something to fill up the hole? Should I be distressed for it? Or should I be angry because two of them got away? Taking a deep breath I want to say something, but Pagrin whispers in my ear.

"I didn't know that was the reason kiddo. Sure, we registered a definite taint in your aura, but if I'd known the reason, I would've been a lot nicer about it."

Before I can answer or even blink, Benjamin pulls down my hood and draws his sword. I look at him in shock as I jump backwards, trying to escape the sword. His face is filled with anger and contempt. What's going on?

"You are one of them!"

Before the eyes of everyone in the tavern, he lunges for me with his sword. I want to be able to run, to disappear. I want to do something, but I'm frozen to the floor. All I can do is squeeze my eyes shut as the blade nears my heart.

"NO!"

The sound of metal colliding with metal enters my hearing. Opening my eyes I see an armoured back in front of me. Creton jumped in front of me. He saved me! Wait a minute… he saved me? Why?

"Step aside soldier. Under your custody or not, this is a warlock. She deserves nothing but death for the path she chose." Anger sparked from the mans voice, but Creton didn't even flinch.

"I will not."

"Why do you protect her?"

"Because she did not choose this path, it was trust upon her. I will not let you kill an innocent."

How did he know? How the hell did he know I was a warlock? I look at Pagrin, who stood on the table. I don't need to ask.

"I never said I was invisible kiddo. I can be seen by anyone who can sense shadow."

As to prove the point Benjamin turns towards Pagrin. He takes out a dagger and throws it towards the poor imp. I can't help but scream. But the dagger flies right through it, leaving him unharmed. I can hear Pagrin laugh and my heart slows down a little. Several more daggers follow, but none of them harm the imp. Giving up on trying to kill him, Benjamin turns towards me again, but Creton still stands between us.

"I do not wish to kill you boy, but if you do not step aside, I have no choice."

"And I thought paladins were honourable."

Creton and I turn around, seeing Jalane and several other warlocks standing behind us. Their looks mean business.

"You! You shouldn't be allowed to see the light of day, warlock!"

"And you shall never see it again if you lay a hand on either of them."

Being clearly outnumbered, I figured he would put down his sword at least. But he just throws me a look of utter disgust.

"As of today, you and your creature are banished from Stormwind and any other city belonging to the Alliance. Step foot on our territory again, and it shall be your head. You have till sundown to be as far away as possible."

Creton sheathes his sword and without saying another word he turns me around and guides me out of the tavern, Pagrin following close by. We walk for a bit in silence, and I can feel glares in my direction. A small rock hits my shoulder and I look at the direction. It's a child, barely 5 years old. The disgust in his eyes will haunt me for the rest of my life, I'm sure. Jalane puts an arm around me. I hadn't even noticed that she followed us.

"Don't blame him, he was raised in hate."

"But…Why?"

"You are walking in front of a member of the guard, head down as if you were guilty, besides a known warlock. People draw quick conclusions."

I say nothing as my eyes start to burn. Only yesterday people were smiling at me. And now, just because they know I am a warlock, they throw rocks and glare at me? I don't even know where we're walking as several more rocks hit me, along with rotten fruit and other things. Creton guides me in his house and gives me a towel.

"Have a seat."

Again, I hadn't realised that Jalane had followed. She's sitting in front of me now, a gash in her temple, probably where a rock hit her. She smiles sadly at me. I think it's a way of apologizing without words. I don't get why, it's not like it's her fault, was it?

"Thank you for saving our lives."

"You were lucky we were in the tavern at the time. I should thank you for saving her."

"But what now? If she is not out of the city by sundown she will be killed."

"There is someone in Ratchet who could train her. If we leave now, we might be able to catch the last boat."

"Then we should make haste."

"You sound as if you are coming too paladin. Surely you will stand trial for treason."

"Treason or not, Merrilynn was assigned to me. The least I can do is make sure she reaches Ratchet safely."

Normally I would've spoken up because they were talking like I wasn't in the room, but it was all happening so quickly. Right in front of my eyes, Creton was holding some kind of truce with a person he had promised to kill not long ago. Next thing I know we are walking in the city again, the three of us cloaked, Pagrin hiding underneath mine. And this time, instead of throwing things at us, the people just walk by. The wonders of a cloak. Arriving in the Trade district again, Jalane makes for the stables, but Creton stops her.

"It will take us too long by horse."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Follow me."

And he leads us up a ramp; a horrid smell enters my nose. It's like a stable that hasn't been cleaned in years, only worse. But as we enter a large building I forget all about the smell. There are at least twenty nests in the room, not counting the ones on the walls or hanging from the ceiling. Everywhere around me are gryphons, flying, sleeping or playing. In the far end there's a rack with saddles and a single man, looking out one of two large windows.

"Hey Dungar"

"Creton, what can I do for you?"

"These two ladies and I would like to go to Booty Bay." The man gives us a quick look, his face becoming grave.

"I don't know my friend; the area has been a bit rough lately. Already lost two of my finest birds."

Creton dug in his pockets and got out a few gold pieces. Seeing the glimmering coins a smile lit on the mans face

"But what sort of friend would I be, if I didn't help out one in need."

The man whistled and two gryphons flew towards us. I took a step back, afraid they would crash into us with those sharp talons. Saddling the birds he gave them a few instructions. I later learned that for every place, a gryphon had been taught another codeword. But now I only looked at the man confused as he seemed to speak gibberish to the birds. Creton helped me up on one bird and sat behind me as Jalane jumped on hers. They seemed to be comforted enough, but that couldn't be said of me. I'd never ridden a gryphon before and I could only hold on as tight as possible as the bird took off towards the place Creton had called Booty Bay. I hoped we'd be there soon. Apparently riding gryphons makes me queasy. But it's not like I can just get off.

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Woohoow, another chapter done and she'll be finally leaving for Horde country. But being banished from every alliance city? Harsh… At least now she knows she gets gryphon sick

Gameplaya: I can't really stick a figure on how many chapters I'm going for…When I started writing this I didn't even know what was going to happen in the next chapter. But now I got a general idea

Hope ya liked the chapter.

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