Thanks for the reviews RDF-73, and Nara Bluestar!
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Eamden was about to ask where the captain was, When a large brutish, man approached him.
"What are ye doin' up here?" the man said in a rough, garbled tone. "You en't part of the crew so I'll be expectin' ya tah head below deck."
"Uh, Okay. Thanks." Eamden said, having slight trouble understanding the sailor's guttural common.
He and Rynd were only able to take a few steps before the man called them back. "Wait just a secon' there Elf!" He yelled. He pointed a large, dirty finger at Rynd. "No pets in the passenger quarters. He'll have tah stay in the storage room!"
"But he's very well behaved, and he won't make a mess, you can take my word for it!" The elf said, hoping to convince the sailor.
"Hmm." He said, hand tugging thoughtfully at his short beard. "Lemme think about it…."
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Eamden sat quietly in the ship's storage room, while Rynd happily gnawed on a tough piece of dried meat. A lantern flickered on top of one of the food barrels, creating a dim area of light around the two. The hunter felt like he was going to go insane with boredom, when he suddenly remembered the items Aneren had left him. Except for a glimpse at the journal he hadn't seen anything else.
He found the brown sack sitting next to his pack, bow and quiver. He quickly snatched it up, and placed it next him. He opened it and reached in to pulled out a large quiver, and then reflex bow. Both were stunningly made, and looked like they were in pristine condition. Eamden, noticed that both the quiver and bow, were carved with strange, and intricate designs. It was an unusual design for a night elf bow, he had never seen anything like them before.
He placed the bow down gently, and examined the quiver more closely. It had a lid on the top to protect the arrows inside, and as Eamden tried to open the lid, it wouldn't budge. He pulled even harder, but it felt like The quiver was made of steel. The hunter let go in a tired gasp, and tossed the quiver aside. It was bound by very strong magic, which rendered it nearly useless.
"Why would Aneren leave me a quiver I can't even use?" He asked, leering bitterly at the quiver.
Eamden finally brought his attention to the Aneren's old journal, which laid peacefully near Rynd.
"I'm sure Aneren wrote a few pages about Westfall in here." Eamden said, as he picked up the book.
He made himself comfortable under the lantern's light and began to read from first page…
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Eamden had meant to skim through the book until he had reached the part where he was looking for, but as soon as he read the first few words, he couldn't stop. The hours evaporated into thin air, as he read of Aneren's adventures, discoveries, and battles throughout Kalimdor. It was about half way into the book's pages that the young hunter found what he was looking for. He began reading with renewed vigor…
….Our ships anchored as close as they could to Westfall's shores without damaging the hulls on the reef. Silmarith and I, and a few men, paddled a small boat to the sandy shore. One of the warriors asked what we were doing here, and why we were so far from our home. The same question's were going through my mind, but Silmarith quelled them, saying it was a request of the Alliance to scout out this land under suspicion of hiding Horde soldiers. He also added that it was our chance to show the other Alliance members our good will, and intentions….I hope we find nothing, for it does not bode well to anyone who's enemies are right outside their gates….
….I took only a few steps on the shore before making my first discovery. It was a small creature with a fish-like body, and thin limbs. It's skin was coated with scales and slime, and in it's small hand was a rusted blade. Upon seeing us the creature let out a loud gurgling noise, and ran off. A few of us laughed. It was an odd looking thing….
….The treacherous cliffs on the shore looked like a dangerous climb, but Silmarith's pet, Nolan, discovered an easier path hidden in the rocks. It was just wide enough for us to walk in a line, but much preferred to testing ourselves against the cliffs. I was not sure what to expect when I would reach the top, but when I did I was relieved….
….Green rolling hills lay before me, and farms dotted the land . Unfamiliar creatures grazed contently in the fields, while farmers tended to their crop. Everything seemed perfectly in order, until a young man, approached us. There was panic in his eyes, and blood on his hands. We let him catch his breath before he spoke….
….He told us things that darkened our spirits. His name was Fen, and he had fled from a town called Moonbrook three days ago. It had been seized by thieves called the "Defias Bandits", who were using it to hide an army of Orcs! There was only one thing we knew to do, we had to attack now while our presence had yet to be noticed. I tied a note to Serlias' leg, and sent her to fly back to the ships. Our fighting force would join us when the night sky will keep us hidden. I hope there are no complications….
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Eamden was about to turn the page when he heard yelling up above, followed by a rough stop. He and Rynd simultaneously raised their heads at the commotion. Eamden had never been at sea, or had previous dealings with sailors. "Maybe it was a normal part of sailing a ship." He thought to himself as he turned to Rynd, who tilted his head and let out a whine of suspicion.
"Let's go look boy. I'm sure it's nothing out of the ordinary." the hunter said, more to himself than to Rynd. He grabbed his weapons and walked up the rickety stairs. As he neared the top, he felt footsteps loudly stampede out onto the deck.
When he peaked his head out into the open night, he discovered the crew and a few curious passengers had grouped together at the deck. They were facing a large ship that had anchored next to them. Eamden could tell the ships purpose by the many cannons that protruded from it's side.
Men and Goblins alike had quickly boarded the smaller ship. One of the men, a flamboyantly dressed buccaneer, presumably the captain. A woman from the group calmly approached him, arms outstretched to show no ill-intent.
They each stood with their respective forces behind them. This unknown captain with his bloodthirsty pirates, and this young woman with her hardened sailors. Each eyed each other for a moment before the woman spoke.
"I'm assumin' yer pirates, eh?" she said with a smirk.
The captain pulled off his hat, and took a deep bow. "At your service." he said with a raspy voice, and toothy, yellow grin. The men behind him chuckled loudly, to which the woman didn't flinch.
"Not very smart pirates are ya?" She said. The men silenced. "I don't know any pirate that chooses ta' board a ship with no plunder. Every ship in these waters knows that "passenger" ships only carry passengers." She said mockingly, to which of few pirates grew angered.
The captain smoothly placed the wide brimmed hat back on his head, and motioned for his men to quiet. "Well, not a lot of Stormwind soldiers patrollin' these waters lately. That leaves most any ship in my book as fair game, and I think you're the only foolish one here m'lady. Only a man with a death wish sails these waters without any valuables, to "donate" to our noble cause!" His men laughed raucously with their captain.
She drew her cutlass and held it out threateningly. "Well, I'm sorry to be disappointin' ya, but you won't find any of that here, so why not be gone, and plunder the next treasure-less ship that comes along."
"I don't think so, m'lady. I can't have a bunch of seadogs like yourselves tellin' everyone where we be hidin'. The creatures of the deep'll feast on yer corpses tonight…" At that moment every pirate tore out there weapons, and prepared to attack.
Eamden who had been listening the entire time, pulled an arrow from his quiver. He aimed it with masterful precision and fired. The pirate captain, who was about to attack, only had time to turn his head in the direction of the arrow as it lodged itself in his skull.
The ship was dead silent as his body lifelessly dropped to the floor, and lay in it's own blood. But as quiet as it was one moment, the next it exploded into a heated battle. The better armed pirates squared off against the more numerous sailors. Eamden calmly fired an arrow into the chest of a pirate who tried to get close enough to run him through with his sword. He crumpled to the floor, dead.
The hunter strung another arrow in time to see a man aim a long pole at him. He rolled to the side as an explosion sounded from within the end. It propelled out a small metal ball, which tore through the area he had just occupied.
"Damn!" the man cursed, as he quickly began to load another metal ball. Eamden was about to take aim when he saw Rynd run at full speed towards his assailant. The man let out a cry of surprise, and was quickly dispatched as the wolf's jaws clamped on his throat. Eamden turned and saw two pirates rush at him. One was a man, and the other a goblin. He released the arrow he was holding, and watched it punch head on into the goblin's gut, causing him to fly back a few feet. Eamden slung his bow, and pulled out his axe and dagger to fight him up close. The pirate slashed angrily with his sword but the elf leaned back, dodging it's metal edge by less than a foot. The hunter then blocked his second swing with his axe, and stepped in close to stab the dagger deep into the base of his neck. Deep crimson blood spurted from the man's fatal wound. He made a few gurgled sounds before being dispatched with an axe blow to his head. Eamden looked around searching for anymore pirates, but they had all begun to retreat as their numbers continued to drop.
As a few brave sailors tried to follow the pirates back to their ship, they were shot into the freezing waters by goblins carrying more long poles. This was followed by a yell. "They're aiming the cannons!" A sailor yelled, who spotted the large guns swiveling below.
"Those cannons'll tear right through us! Hoist anchor, it's now or never boys!" The same woman from before yelled.
The men quickly abandoned their fighting and sprinted to their stations, trying to escape the coming fire. Eamden stood unsure what to do, when from the other ship, a goblin peaked his wicked looking head over the rail. With a sneer he tossed an object onto the other deck. A large bundle of lit candles rolled to Eamden's feet. He picked it up and examined it, unsure why the goblin would throw such a thing..
"What the hell are ya doin'?! The large sailor from before yelled over the other men. "Throw it back!"
Eamden was unsure about what this device would do, but took the man's advice. He ran to where the two ships met and peered down. Spotting an open window in the side where a cannon was absent. With a light throw he tossed the candles back into the other ship. He heard a few screams of terror, before the ship suddenly erupted in flames. Eamden cried out in surprise and was knocked back violently from the force of the blast. His ears were filled with a piercing ring that blotted out all other sounds. He looked in the air, from his back, as debris flew over head, along with the bodies of a few pirates. The young hunter's vision quickly blacked out…
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Eamden awoke lying in the middle of the desert, The full moon hung quietly overhead, and the scarred wolf sat from a distance away. His tail slowly whipped from side to side, and his yellow eyes peered at him through the darkness.
"Who are you?" Eamden demanded to know, rising to his feet. He remembered this dream before as if it were yesterday.
"Hello my son." A voice echoed through Eamden's head. "Do you remember me?"
"Father?" Eamden asked, before shaking his head. "No. You're dead you can't be him." He said simply.
The wolf continued to sit pensively. "Believe it Eamden. I may have passed on but I'm no illusion. I've been watching over you from the other side, since you were a child. You've grown into a fine elf!"
Eamden stood, still weary. "If you've been watching me, then why have you come? Why now?"
"I come bearing only a warning. I have seen your future, and it will not be an easy one. There are many hardships ahead that will test, not only your abilities, but your judgment. These foreign lands are very different to the ones of our people, Eamden."
The hunter creased his brow. "What's going to happen?"
"I cannot tell you." Silmarith dismissed. "But have heart, and know that you'll have friends to help you when the fire rages."
Eamden was about to open his mouth when all of a sudden, a harsh wind began to kick up sand. He brought his hand up to protect his eyes from the buffeting sand.
"Wake up, my son." The voice said, weaker, as if it was distant.
"Wait!" Eamden called out to no avail. His dream world had begun to disintegrate.
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Eamden awoke to a wet tongue brushing gently against his face. He opened his eyes to a pair of yellow ones that were looking back down at him.
He nudged the wolf's heavy frame off from on top of him, with a groan. "You're not a pup anymore Rynd."
The wolf disregarded the statement and happily stared at him, waiting until Eamden needed him.
The young hunter looked around the room to see that it was nothing like the storage room. In fact it was a bedroom, with an open window that let in the salty air, and a fresh meal left for him on a small stool.
"Well this is surprising." Eamden concluded with a nod. He was about to get to the bottom of this, when he heard a hard rap on his door.
The person didn't wait for an answer and stepped inside. It was the woman from before who lead the fight against the pirates. She had a surprised look on her face. "I didn't expect ya ta up on yer feet so quickly, night elf."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"You been asleep fer 3 days. The crew was certain you'd never wake up!" She said with a joking grin.
"3 days!?" Eamden yelled in surprise. "Did we pass Westfall?!"
"Hmm…" She mumbled, much to the elf's fear. "Should be reaching' there in about'n hour. Maybe less."
"Thanks!" he said, before rushing out. Rynd hopped off of the bed and darted out of the room after him. Eamden was relieved, but there was no time to lose. The Eastern Kingdom was close. Very close...
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I need a small break to try and focus on my other story, but I'm not forgetting about this one! (Reviews will help this story along, so just drop a comment and I promise to reply!)