So I've gotten alot of positive feedback so far regarding this, and that's good. This -is- my first Warcraft fic, and it's definitely the first time I've put any of the lore I know into effect. After heavy debate, I finally found a name for my RP char, whom you know as the Draenei in this story! So, without further ado, here's to you.

To all who reviewed, thank you kindly for the kind words!

Disclaimer: I don't own any races, places, let alone any of the names in this fic aside from Sin'Kiel, my own Draenei. Enjoy.

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Nails of Eschatology

A World of Warcraft Novel

Within the continental boundaries of the Eastern Kingdoms lies a hidden world covered in white. Tightly secure and secret, unlike the sloping hills of Winterspring, Dun Morogh is the crossroads of the Alliance, providing sanctuary to all who consider themselves a traveler of any sort. Safe from the ever watching eyes of the Horde, the Alliance make their business through the area, confident of its protection. Flight paths and stone pathways into the mountainous region are heavily guarded by Dwarves, armed with mounts, hammers, and the finest make of armor the Alliance can provide. If not for the overwhelming amount of security, one would miss the reason for such. Carved deep within the ridged mountains lies Ironforge, home of the Dwarves. Surviving even the greatest war of Azeroth, the city remains the commercial center of everyday activity. Although hidden, all races have heard of the underground city, some making a living of finding it, of living in it, of living for it's future. Whatever the reason for visit, no one dares miss the opportunity of setting eyes on the grand city.

An Elekk made its way through the grand doors of Ironforge, shaking snow off of its feet as it passed by a pair of Dwarves clad in armor. Without the aid of reins, it made its way east of the entrance at a quick yet safe pace, careful of the less careful citizens. A few humans greeted its rider, who replied with a kind smile and a quick wave. Passing through the military ward, the two 's ears filled with the sounds of battle; warriors, mages, and other skillful combatants testing their skill against training dummies lined against the wall, bearing flags of the Horde. Immersed in their imagination, the fighters neglected noticing any passerbys, lest they get in the way. A large set of gears twisted above an open doorway slowly, and the Draenei's smile grew larger. Entering the passageway, her Elekk came to a slow stop within Tinker Town.

"Sir, Sin'Kiel has returned!" A small pink-haired gnome hung over a platform, clinging to the gear-shaped surface, her feet dangling below from the lack of height. Two bright green optics perked up over the gear immediately in interest, looking towards the herald, then the entrance. With an enthusiastic jump, he leaped up, dropping his tools and dashing to the Draenei.
"Oh blessed be, Sin'Kiel! I've been so anxious to hear from you the past few hours I've nearly gone insane. My advisers insisted I work on something, so I opted to trying to fix the hole in my boot." He lifted a foot, jumping on his other to her, showing her the unrepairable hole, his toe wiggling out of it. The Draenei chuckled, kneeling down. Dropping his foot down, he removed the goggles, his blue eyes looking at her in anticipation. "Oh please, tell me everything!"

"They are fine, my king." Sin'Kiel replied, removing the set of scrolls from her bag and handing it to his shaking hands. He tore the seals, reading through them quickly, his mouth silently saying the words. With each new line he grew less excited, but relieved nonetheless. Geblin Mekkatorque gave a deep sigh of relief, looking up at her.

"Thank you so much, my lady. You really have no idea how much this means to us, especially to me." He said. "I have to reward you somehow, you must tell me what you want." Sin shook her head, passing his offer with a wave of her hand.

"No, I won't take anything from you. I don't want anything, and anything I need I surely can afford myself. It's reward enough to help you," She answered, eying him. "I know what it feels like to lose a home." He eyed her in return, and then nodded, glancing back down at the papers.

"I really wish you'd let me repay you properly. It's not right, even if you do enjoy the work." He turned to return to his previous position, and paused. "...Did you see him?" Sin'Kiel frowned, looking over Gelbin's head as one of his gnomes took her Elekk to a stable master. Her gaze returned to him, and she shook her head. He returned the frown, and sat down on the ground, setting the papers down.

"I can't get him out of my head, Sin. No matter what my advisers and friends tell me, even the Dwarves, I can't forget what he did. It pains me every day to know that I could have made a difference." She sat next to him, watching him.

"You are the king, and you have your advisers. You're confident on their word to help you make decisions. You didn't know he was like that."

"I should have known. What kind of idiot am I, Sin?" He looked up at her in grief. "What kind of king lets their entire city suffer, and then leaves it to rot?" Sin's eyes narrowed, and she picked him up into her lap, pointing at him.

"You're no idiot, Gelbin. If you were, don't you think the remaining gnomes would have deserted you? Or thrown you out of office?" At this, Mekkatorque frown grew.

"Some have, my lady. Some have."

"Then they're the idiots for giving up on their own race. Thermaplugg did what he did for personal gain. No matter what decision you made, you made it for the sake of your race, and that is by far the most you could do." Gelbin twined his fingers together, picking at loose linen on his gloves.

"...Do you think we'll ever return to Gnomeregan?" Sin looked at him in silence, until he stopped fidgeting with the gloves and returned her gaze. She sat upright, mocking a proud pose.

"We will retake Gnomeregan, Sin'Kiel. We will not stop until the city is back in our control. If you wish to join in the fight, a simple task I ask of you: Kill the betrayer. Destroy Mekingeer Sicco Thermaplugg." Gelbin stared at her, giving a knowing look. She smiled at him. "And I won't stop looking for him, Gelbin. You know this. I come to Dun Morogh every time I am free from my duties to help you. I believe some of the guards know me by name." They laughed, before they finally got to their feet. "Here you go, Miss!" The pink-haired gnome returned, reins of her Elekk in hand, the beast hovering over her small stature. "All cleaned and ready for take off!" She boasted with a grin. Sin returned it, handing the gnome a small bag of gold.
"Thank you. She looks gorgeous An--" Sin paused, and grabbed a hold of the small gnome, picking her up and stomping her hoof down in place. A sickening squish and a small squeak emitted from her hoof as she crushed the roach beneath it. Gelbin and Anise stared at the roach in surprise.

"You've got quick eyes," Gelbin commented. Sin stared at the roach, removing her hoof, then looked at Anise who was staring at her hands.

"Not quick enough," She replied, glancing at the gnome's hands. A strange green glow began to steam from the hands, and Anise began to freak. "We'll be back." Sin said quickly, dropping the Elekk's reins and bolting out of Tinker Town with Anise in her arms. "Diel shala, diel thori." The vision of a cheetah passed between her hooves, and she began sprinting.

"W-What's happening?"

"Relax. An infection is running throughout the planet, and it's beginning to get into the cit--"

"Like Gnomeregan?" Anise panicked, looking wide-eyed at the Draenei as they rushed through the Military Ward. Sin shook her head quickly.

"No, that won't happen. I promise you that." She replied. As they passed out of the ward to the commons, Sin'Kiel spotted the brightened Argent Dawn banners, and slowed, stopping before a healer. Kneeling, she held Anise outwards.

"May the Light purge your infection, brave ones." The healer replied, holding her hand outwards. The warm yellow glow surrounded the two, until the green died from Anise.

"Thank you." Sin nodded in thanks, setting Anise down. The gnome calmed, but her hands still shook slightly.

"Thank you!" She jumped, hugging Sin's leg. Sin chuckled. "Guess you'll have to get an exterminator."

"Yes, very much so."

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"Where are you going for today?" Gelbin asked as Sin'Kiel packed her bags on her Elekk's side.

"Stopping by Kharanos first. I hear a certain gnome misses me," She said with a chuckle. Gelbin stared at the hole in his boot again.

"Nowhere outside of these mountains you'd rather be?"

"I'd give anything to be home," She paused. "...In Winterspring." She added, but Gelbin caught the hint in the pause and nodded. She stopped packing, and sighed, looking at him. "I'm truthfully at a stand-still. I haven't received any more clues regarding where I should be next." He nodded in understanding.

"You're always welcome here, Sin'Kiel. We appreciate your help all the time."

"I know, which is why I plan on staying here. I have faith in the stable masters at home to take care of my pets for me, so I have no real need to go back right now."

"It's always nice to visit home, Sin'Kiel." Gelbin hinted, stepping back up onto his platform. She looked up at him, watching. With a small nod, she mounted, and the Elekk disappeared through the gear-shaped passage. It's always nice to visit home, She thought.

If only I could.