Chapter Eleven
Obito glanced over at the silent guardian standing at attention in his cell. He had been at Obito's side since they had moved him to a new cell yesterday. The hunter had to wonder if the explosion earlier had anything to do with his extra sentries. There was a loud clank and moment later his door was opened and the Grand Magus entered. If it was possible it seemed to Obito the mage was in a worse mood than usual.
"You, child, are more trouble then you are worth," Rommath growled.
Obito raised an eyebrow and looked at him puzzled. He had been relatively quiet since the manacle scare. Not only because the glyphs on his neck, but he had just come to realize he couldn't fight the strength of Silvermoon on his own.
Rommath walked over to where he sat and motioned him to stand. For the briefest moment Obito pondered ignoring the grumpy magus but his desire to live overruled that notion and he stood facing him. His chin was roughly grabbed as his eyes were forced up to meet the gaze of the Magus. He could feel the power of the other enter his mind and he wasn't careful with his search causing Obito to flinch from the mental attack.
"How much do you know about the path you stumble along like an ogre?" Rommath asked.
"Stop it, Rommath!"
The Magus broke contact and glared over at the other that had entered the cell. "This is none of your business, Halduron."
"The child is a ranger of Silvermoon, which makes it my business. Now if you would kindly explain to me what crimes he's accused of." Halduron Brightwing moved into the cell and placed himself between Obito and the Magus.
"It is of no concern to you," Rommath said.
"Then whose concern is it? It's not our Regent Lord's he knew nothing of this imprisonment … nor would I have if not for that explosion earlier which you have once again expertly avoided answering for."
"I only answer to our Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, you do remember him?" Rommath snarled.
"But the Prince is not here," Halduron said.
The Ranger-General stood in front of Obito, with his back to him. Obito's gaze was drawn to the elder's hands which were clasped behind him. When he opened his right one there was a hearthstone in his palm. Rommath's attention was focused on Halduron; Obito carefully reached out and took the stone tucking it behind his own back.
"I demand you explain yourself to me and the Regent Lord … now!" Halduron said motioning toward the door.
Rommath frowned but nodded. "As you wish, but Ravenwind stays in his cell."
"For the moment," Halduron said moving toward the door. As he did his leg caught some books that were resting on the cot and knocked them off. Without much of a thought Halduron bent down and picked them up returning them to the bed. At least that was what it looked like to anyone else in the room that wasn't trained in the ways of the hunter. Obito saw the subtle movements that indicated a trap had been laid.
The two elders left the cell with the heavy iron door locking behind them. Now it was just Obito and the lone Silvermoon Guardian. He eyed the guard judging the distance he had to cover and where the invisible trap rested. Hearthstones weren't instant if the guard yelled before charging him there was a possibility the guards posted outside would interrupt the casting of the stone.
It was a chance he had to take; the trap wouldn't last forever. He triggered the stone in his grasp and as he hoped the guard charged him setting off the ice trap, freezing himself in a large block of ice. The frozen guardian's eyes flashed as the ice around him shattered from a spell cast. However, the slight delay was long enough and Obito vanished as the guard's hand brushed his shoulder.
Obito landed inside the Shattrath Inn running. His feet and chest were bare, leaving the glyphs the Magus used to mute him visible. He did not head for the elevator instead ran out to the balcony and jumped over to the rocky mountain side below. As he slid down the rough surface, the rocks cut at his feet. He landed beside a worg who decided he looked a lot like lunch. The spell-lock had not only stolen his voice and mental cries, it had taken his ability to cast spells.
With no magic or weapons Obito could only hope to out run the wolf like creature. He took off racing with the worg on his heels. He didn't get far when the fangs of his pursuer clamped down on the back of his leg causing him to fall. He rolled over and held his arm up protectively as the worg attack, letting the teeth bite down on his forearm instead of his throat.
At that moment a blue blur knocked the beast off him, the wolf rolled through the grass with a yelp. Obito held his bleeding arm to his chest as he struggled to stand. In front of him a large hunched over troll charged the wolf, bring the hilt of his sword down on its head with a sickening crunch.
Without waiting to see how the fight ended, Obito turned and fled deeper into the woods. His only thoughts were to get as far away from the city as he could. He stumbled into a small stream, the cold water felt good on his swore feet but he didn't have time to enjoy it. Off to the side a large basilisk was eyeing him. Swearing Obito continued his painful trek, suddenly a strong arm wrapped around him and he found himself thrown astride an armored wolf.
"Mon, you are one hard pup to save."
Obito looked up into the face he knew well … the troll companion of Rater Grimshade, Nity. He let out a silent yell and tried to free himself from the grasp of the other.
"Mon, hush now … I mean it … stop!" The troll swore and the next second brought his thick skull down head-butting Obito. The hunter groaned and stopped his struggles.
The wolf carried the both them out of the forest, easily outdistancing anything that gave chase. The troll only pulled his mount up when they had reached the swampy lands of marsh. He uncaringly dropped Obito to the ground, still holding his arm the hunter struggled to his feet. However, found himself back on his knees as the leg that had gotten bitten earlier refused to hold him.
"Mon, nothin' but trouble," the troll said getting off the wolf. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a roll of bandages. Without speaking he squatted down beside Obito and taking the wrist of his bleeding arm dumped some water on the wound and then started wrapping it in the dressings. After tying the bandage off around his wrist the troll roughly pushed Obito on the chest knocking him over. Then taking the injured leg ripped the pant leg away revealing the jagged bite marks, which received the same treatment as his arm.
Afterwards Nity dismissed the wolf and whistled. A shadow crossed Obito's face and a large wyvern landed beside them. "I suggest you don't struggle, Pup, da fall from dis critter might be a tad bit painful" the troll said lifting Obito up and dropping him on the back of the beast. He swung up behind him and grabbed the reins. The winged beast took off with a roar.
Obito's stomach lurched slightly at the abrupt launch and he found himself tossed against the chest of the troll. He hadn't reached the skill level to ride a flying mount and found the experience slightly unsettling.
"No fallin' mon, your Mother would have my hide," Nity said.
"Mother!" Obito thought silently. He twisted around in the saddle to glance over his shoulder causing the beast beneath them to tilt dangerously to the side. Obito fanatically grabbed at the mane of the wyvern while the troll behind him swore and adjusted their weight to compensate for the sudden roll.
"Pup!" Nity growled, one of his massive tusks scraping Obito's cheek, drawing blood. Obito laid down across the back of the wyvern hugging its neck and closing his eyes. He could feel the strong muscles of the beast working as it beat its leathery wings. He chided himself slightly, trying to convince himself it was no different the riding the wyverns from various Wind Rider Masters, though those were so tamed they never flew off course or threatened to spill you off their backs.
Opening his eyes Obito watched the changing landscape below; maybe it was the stress of the day or the motion of the wyvern but a moment later his stomach heaved as he lost what little food he'd eaten back in Silvermoon. He sat up slightly, feeling shaken and a cool armored gauntlet rubbed his sweating back. "Ah, mon, we're almost dere, though I feel sorry for dose people below us."
Obito weakly smiled as he laid back down and closed his eyes wishing for the flight to end soon even if it meant being back in the grasp of Grimshade. There was an explosion followed by the wyvern beneath him letting out a painful screech.
An arm wrapped around his abdomen, pulling him back into a sitting position. "Ah shit, didn't tink dey would be dat upset. Hold on Pup … seems dose Alliance want to have a chat about the shower you just gave dem."
Just then the beast beneath him gave out another howl and suddenly Obito felt himself falling.