Chapter 13
The ride to Stormwind was indeed short, lasting only a few hours. Arkerya wasn't all that impressed. Compared to Lordaeron, Stormwind was a bit run down and dirty, but the troops stationed there were no less poised or imposing. Arkerya had wondered how strong the armies of the south could be now that their neighbor to the north had been decimated. I guess we're not quite so beaten after all.
"This is The Valley of Heroes, Arkerya," Callencia said. "As the heroes of the north, including Uther, stood in Lordaeron, the heroes of the south stand here in this valley, ever vigilant as they were in life. Honor them, for they fought and bled for much that stands before you today."
Arkerya had never paid much attention to history, only tales considered to be myth or legend. Uther the Light Bringer was the only exception to this, due to his modern day legendary status, but she didn't recognize any of the statues before her. Uninterested, she remained silent. Callencia droned on.
"Agamand the True, Conjurus Rex," she said as they passed the many stone statues. "Aurius the Pure," Kaonus chimed in. Solwein averted his eyes from the statue of Aurius. "Aye him as well, I met him once a long time ago. He passed through Tarren Mill to the Hinterlands when I was a boy, though I can't imagine what a paladin would be doing all the way out there," Novacon said. Solwein attempted to change the subject.
"Master's Zhor and Ignas, have you any interest in these heroes? Our archives as well as the city's library are filled with the history of these men and women. I would be happy to show you," he said.
"Perhaps later. I am more interested in seeing what Arkerya can do. You did take her in on a whim after all." Ignas's bluntness was unappreciated by all, especially Solwein, for the others had questioned his decision to even visit Northshire in the first place.
"Secrecy is of the utmost importance," says the prophet. Well secrecy can't be maintained with so many loud-mouthed buffoons around here. Solwein's thoughts weren't bitter, only slightly frustrated due to his inability to speak to anyone on the matter. Yet again, he tried changing the subject.
"Arkerya, I would like to arrange a meeting with the king as soon as possible. Callencia will groom you, dress you, and teach you what to say for the rest of the day today. I should return to our quarters in the dwarven district by dusk. I will speak with you then. Callencia, prepare her," Solwein said.
Callencia nodded and Arkerya blinked, obviously petrified at the idea. "Worry not lass," said Arhen. "King Varian Wrynn doesn't stand on ceremony. In fact, he sent me away the first time I met him. Apparently he prefers armor to fine evening dress. You'll be fine." Callencia peeked back at Arkerya with a soft and reassuring smile. It didn't help.
As the group passed into the trade district at the center of the city, Callencia veered to the right towards Old Town where SI:7 was located to arm and fit Arkerya. The remaining six continued forward to the canals and then onward to Stormwind's keep where the king dwelled.
"Solwein, are you sure it isn't too soon to take her to see him? She isn't even equipped yet and I haven't seen her perform one single spell, holy or otherwise," Novacon said. Solwein bit his lower lip, knowing that this dreaded conversation couldn't be avoided for long. Kaonus looked over at him in an inquisitive way. Damn it all. Oh well, I suppose I can't keep it from them forever. Solwein looked to his left to find The Gilded Rose, Stormwind's most popular inn. With all the commotion in there, I'm sure we won't have to worry about our privacy.
"Into the inn, and prepare yourselves. Master's Zhor and Ignas, might I ask that you take your leave so that we may talk?" Solwein said to the Draenei. The two nodded shortly and trailed toward the cathedral district where they were quartered as ambassadors.
The four who were left dismounted and tied their horses outside the entrance to the inn. As they strode inside, they got the usual greeting from the barkeep and took a seat in a booth by the back window. Once seated all eyes moved to Solwein and his own stared at the table. He hesitated, unable to think of a way to tell about the prophet without compromising the secrecy of his quest.
"What will it be, masters?" said the nearby barmaid. "Four beers. We need to keep the drinking light today," said Solwein. Kaonus was the only one at the table that didn't instantly look suspicious, for he knew what Solwein had to say. At least, he thought he did.
The barmaid returned with the beer and set one in front of each paladin, promptly leaving them to their conversation afterward. "Well?" Novacon said. Damn, I don't know how much I can tell these guys without creating any liabilities. Solwein said nothing but continued to stare and think deeply, desperately trying to think of the right way to say what needed to be said.
I can't just tell them to have faith in me. That wouldn't get us anywhere. "Master Solwein?" Arhen chimed in. "I'm thinking!" Solwein said a little too loudly. His outburst attracted momentary attention of the other patrons. Solwein was so nervous about speaking of the prophet he barely noticed them. The dull roar started up again and Solwein took a deep breath. Well, here it goes.
"Something happened in Durotar when Arkhel, Kaonus and I were recalled to the east," Solwein began. Arhen and Novacon leaned forward, sensing the seriousness in his voice. "Novacon, as an avatar of the new Silver Hand, I expect you to never breathe a word of what you hear today in this booth," Solwein said, staring into Novacon's eyes, which were now wide and wary. "Arhen, you are an adept of this organization. I only recruited you in recent months, but I have spent time with you and learned a great deal. I believe I can trust you with this information, so in order to have a connection with Arkerya at a lower level, can I confide this information in you?" Solwein said ascetically.
"You have my word as a paladin of the holy light. Will that do?" Arhen replied. Solwein stared at the table again, fearing what he was about to divulge. "Aye, that will do." With one last look around the table and a long swig of his beer, Solwein began his explanation.
"Arkerya is the next light bringer," he said quietly. Novacon's eyes became fiery and dangerous and Solwein was quickly reminded that he was no longer in the absence of his superiors.
"You speak heresy! How dare you!" Novacon spat. Kaonus pulled from under his cloak the codex he and his brother had recovered from Stratholme and flashed it to Novacon carefully to avoid being seen. Novacon's rage quickly turned to surprise and confusion as he looked between the two of them.
"I assume you know what that is, master Novacon?" Solwein asked formally and courteously. "If I wasn't versed in holy energies, I would say it was a fake, but yes I do, Solwein errant. Why have you withheld this? You should have involved myself and the other avatars as soon as you returned here," Novacon replied.
Solwein took another deep breath. "I was visited by a prophet on the night that my legion was recalled to the east," Solwein said, staring into Novacon's eyes. Solwein remembered exactly what the prophet had said to him and recited the powerful words to the three.
"You must find the only one who can defeat your adversary. This one is powerful beyond imagination. This one has been a creature of the dark, one of 'his' minions. This one⦠is the next light bringer. Find this one, the heir to Uther's legacy, and guide them. Through you they will gain the ability to end evil forever, but should you fail, the light will fall and the world will forever be shrouded in the plague. That is what the prophet said to me." Kaonus looked at Solwein, bewildered. Arhen and Novacon however bowed their heads in understanding.
"What's a prophet?" Kaonus asked shamelessly. "I'll tell you later, foolish brother," Solwein replied indignantly. "Solwein errant of Lordaeron, I don't need to tell you that your words are that of a heretic if you haven't solid proof of your claims and as an avatar of the Order of the Silver Hand, I am obligated to hang you for them. That being said, you and that book have my undivided attention. Speak carefully," Novacon said dangerously.
"Yes sir," Solwein said fearfully. This was the first time Novacon had ever acted this way in front of them and all three of the younger paladins at the table were wrought with apprehensiveness. Solwein then told him of the battle at Stratholme and the guidance Aurius had given them. He told him of the link he had with Arkerya and also of the hilt of the Light Bringer.
Novacon's attitude changed definitively when Solwein pulled the broken weapon from under his own cloak. For a long time, Novacon stared at the table, apparently deep in thought. As Solwein started to speak again, he was interrupted by the all too familiar sounds of battle in the distance.
The other patrons in the bar began flocking to the streets to find out what was happening and all four paladins jumped up, for they felt the same presence that brought fear to even the most powerful of holy warriors.
"For now, I grant you a period of grace so that you may serve your oath one last time, Solwein," Novacon said, drawing his silver claymore.
"You're tense. No holy power will escape your body if you can't relax and use it," Callencia said gently to Arkerya as she wrapped her hair into a bun. Arkerya said nothing back, aware that Callencia didn't know of her recent experiences. Instead, she attempted to do what the Callencia said and relaxed a little. This armor is heavy old woman, so of course I'm tense. Oh well. No sense in wallowing in grief. Time to knuckle up and do what needs to be done.
"You know, the light grants something of a sixth sense to paladins. I can piece together what you are thinking," Callencia said playfully and seriously at the same time. Arkerya whipped around slinging her hair out of the neat but unfinished bun to face Callencia, wide eyed and visibly violated.
"I'm not that much older than you anyway," Callencia chuckled. "Still, you do have a point; there is no sense in wallowing," Callencia said as she turned Arkerya's head back around to fix the bun. Her voice became more serious as she continued. "The path of the paladin is one of great hardship and obtaining the title in the first place won't be easy either," Callencia said.
"I have my motivations," Arkerya replied simply. "And what are those?" Callencia asked. Arkerya again said nothing and this time cleared her mind. Callencia paused for a moment, obviously trying to invade Arkerya's thoughts again. After a few seconds she began again. "Good," she said, finishing the bun.
"Look at you, all suited up and fitted. You might pass for a paladin yet," Callencia said optimistically. "Follow me and we'll choose a weapon for you," Callencia said. "A weapon? I thought that paladins were issued the same universal weapon, the silver claymore," Arkerya replied as she followed Callencia down the corridor to the armory.
"Nothing about a paladin is universal. We each serve and connect with the light in our own way. For instance, Kaonus is strong, very strong, but his strength isn't that of a man but instead divine strength. The light grants it to him because he can use it most effectively. Paladins like Solwein or myself are more thoughtful paladins, wielding the light in the form of magic. The same goes for all other matters concerning the holy light and it's servants. The claymore is simply the most common," Callencia explained.
When they reached the armory, they were greeted by a thin and dashing man with a black pony tail and sea faring clothes, much like that of a pirate yet still dignified enough to wear in public. "Ahoy, avatar Callencia. You look lovely as ever," said the man.
"Hello, Drogin," Callencia said, annoyed. "And who the devil is this sweet and slender young woman?" Drogin said boldly. Callencia narrowed here eyes and glared at Drogin. "Ahem... yes, what can I do for you ladies today?" he said more courteously than before. "This one needs to choose a weapon. Show her the way. And for heaven's sake, try to be professional for a change you shameless thing you," Callencia said, holding back a smile. "Aren't I always?" Drogin chuckled. If Callencia was amused, she hid it well. A short, awkward pause followed and then Drogin spoke again.
"Right... anyway, right this way missy," he said. Arkerya went behind the front counter to the many rows of weapons stacked neatly in their racks, leaving Callencia behind who went back to the corridor to wait. Getting closer, Arkerya could see how deep Drogin's roguish charm went. His eyes were sharp and hazel in color and his lips were slightly pursed in proportion to the rest of his face. The only thing that stood out on him were his rosy cheeks. Arkerya smelled whisky on him, but she couldn't help but feel like it fit his personality and he wouldn't be complete without the stench.
They came to the center of the room where a single chair sat. "Have a seat, my dear," Drogin said shamelessly. Arkerya sat down without taking her eyes off the audacious paladin.
"Now close your eyes," he said. Arkerya gave him a wary glance. "Hah! Worry not, my redheaded beauty. My right hand is the touchy one, but fear not for I am left handed and will easily be able to restrain it," he said. What a strange man.
Content to see Callencia peeking in from the doorway vigilantly she closed her eyes. "Now think of a single golden orb floating in front of you. Clear your mind of all other things and focus on this one glowing sphere. Watch it and wait for it to move," Drogin continued.
Arkerya did as she was told. The orb appeared in her mind and sat in front of her. "Are you sure about this?" Arkerya asked suspiciously. "Sure I'm sure. Just do as I say and follow that orb," Drogin said.
In her mind, Arkerya imagined the orb moving right. She tried to go to it, but for some reason, couldn't. "That's the way! Now stand up and follow it," Drogin said. Arkerya fought the weight of her armor and got to her feet and took a step to the right. Sure enough, she came closer to the orb. The ball of light moved a little more to the right and then straight forward. Arkerya obediently followed it.
"Don't open your eyes. Just concentrate on that orb and stay with it," said Drogin. Arkerya followed the orb as instructed quite a long way, all the while worried about tripping on something, but she never did. Finally, the orb came to rest in front of her.
"It stopped," she said. "Good, now grasp it with your dominant hand," Drogin said. Arkerya reached out with her right hand and took hold of the orb, grasping what she presumed was the handle of a weapon. "Now open your eyes," Drogin instructed.
In Arkerya's hand was a double edged, medium sized silver rapier of fine decor. At the back of the guard was the head of a lion, Stormwind's standard, and the pummel was lined with gold trim, the mark of a holy weapon. Arkerya felt at ease with her surroundings for the first time since before the invasion of Tirisfal. A warm embrace of intangible energy blanketed her and she felt free and clear.
Her secure feeling was short-lived, however, and suddenly an intense fear and unease took her. Her heart started to pound and she backed into a corner, rapier at the ready. Drogin was looking at a different wall, obviously aware of something she wasn't.
"Drogin, Arkerya, quickly!" Callencia beckoned. Drogin took Arkerya by the wrist and pulled her across the room to Callencia. "We must bring Arkerya to Solwein. We'll head to the trade district and search for him there," Callencia commanded. "What just happened to me?" Arkerya asked frantically as the three ran out of the armory building to the streets. "You were in touch with your inner light and something nearby has disturbed the light. Surely you knew that already, having received the training necessary to perform that kind of exercise," said Drogin, far more serious than before.
"Training?" Arkerya replied. "You haven't trained at all? Avatar Callencia, has she been trained?" Without missing a step, Callencia looked over her shoulder and shook her head. Drogin turned to Arkerya, eyes wide and mouth agape. "Just who are you exactly?"
The three passed the auction house to find Solwein and the others sprinting out of the inn, swords drawn. The city warning bells began to chime in the distance.
Solwein spotted them immediately and hurried to Arkerya's side and stayed close to her. Arkerya felt a little uncomfortable.
"You should be more worried about what we're running to than Solwein's intentions, Arkerya," Callencia said. Damn it all woman, leave me alone! They all came to a stop behind a battalion sized group of Stormwind footmen that were forming ranks in front of the main city gate in the valley of heroes.
"Solwein, stay with Arkerya and protect her at all costs," Novacon commanded. "The rest of you, follow me to the front." The five of them began shoving their way to the head of the formation.
This is crazy! "Master Solwein! What is going on?" Arkerya demanded. Solwein looked over at her and bit his bottom lip. "The scourge..." he said. "Well then what are we waiting for? To the front I say," she replied.
Solwein admired her eagerness, but knew better. He grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her in the direction of the cathedral, the most heavily guarded dwelling in the city. "Master Solwein! I want to fight. Arthas could be..." she was interrupted as Solwein came to an abrupt stop and looked at her. "You're right. Arthas could be out there and if you are out there he will take your life ending all hope the living have," he said.
Arkerya was taken aback. It was now clear that Solwein hadn't been telling her the whole story. The shock had brought some form of composure back to her. She stared at him, expecting him to elaborate.
"I promise I'll explain later, but for now you need to concentrate on staying alive," Solwein exclaimed. Once again, Arkerya felt a strong urge to place faith in Solwein, so she did and the two continued hurriedly to the cathedral district with droves of civilians.
As Callencia and the others neared the front, they spotted Zhor and Ignas deterring the entry of the scourge outside the walls. Upon reaching the front, the vastness of the scourge horde in front of them became clear. It was immense.
"Avatar Novacon, with Arkhel dead you are the ranking paladin in the order. What would you have us do?" Callencia said as the drawbridge finally began to close.
"They will not retreat, so we must simply destroy them all," Novacon said. Of course that's what we have to do. There is no other way to beat the scourge.
All seven of them knew that there wasn't any known way to defeat the scourge other than complete annihilation and, though stalwart and composed, they all were uneasy at this fact.
"I shall lead the defense from below. The rest of you make good on your holy advantage and spray them with as much magic as you can from above with the archers. Enchant their arrows and swords if necessary. Hell, bless stones and throw them at the scourge if that's what it takes. They most likely have a way over our walls so you all will probably come to close combat before they ram through the gate," Novacon instructed.
All the others nodded in understanding and moved up the stairs to the rampart above, ready for battle. Once on top, they had a clear view of the scourge army. All of them immediately began searching for the same person, Arthas. Callencia was able to see the farthest.
She made out many skeletal giants that she had never seen before as well as dozens of meat wagons and abominations. Necromancers and bone wizards were poised to begin their magical assault and the insane amount of walking corpses, skeletons, and mounted bone lords covered the green land of elwynn forest. Among the droves of undead were several liches, bearing a resemblance to the notorious Kel'Thuzad, though not as decorated.
The scourge was still assembling from the rear on the horizon as the front began their advance. A large and long tree was carried by several abominations to ram the gate and long ladders came into view very quickly underneath the grey veil of the scourge.
"Bit of a rag-tag strategy isn't it?" Arhen said. "Not at all," replied Callencia. "You will come to find, young paladin, that the best way to fight the scourge is to fight them head on with holy magic. I hope you've been practicing."
The resounding roar in the distance echoing off the cathedrals massive walls chilled Arkerya to the bone. The memories of Lordaeron played out in her head like a picture book that needed no words. Inside the chapel already were the clergy and many civilians, all busy barricading any entrance. It won't work.
Among them was Archbishop Benedictus. Other than Solwein, the Archbishop was the only one who seemed formidable in his own right. Though aging, like much of the clergy, he stood upright and boldly. His stature, however, was mostly unfounded due his almost scrawny physique and grey hair, but still tribute to his mysterious power that Arkerya could somehow feel. His blue eyes were glowing, a well known attribute of powerful holy mystics.
The dull roar to the south east continued to drone on but no sound of battle could yet be heard. Solwein had retreated to a side chamber of the hall and knelt down to meditate. Arkerya wasn't sure he was actually meditating instead of praying for a miraculous escape. That's what she was doing.
"Hold on. Don't block the last window. Solwein has asked you let him exit to fight on the outside before sealing the chapel," Benedictus said. The peasants halted their labors and Solwein emerged from his meditative retreat.
"Master Solwein, surely you can't hope to hold them alone. Let me fight beside you," Arkerya said running towards him. Solwein turned over his shoulder and sharply pointed toward the back of the cathedral. "You'll stay here, Arkerya. Until you're ready, you'll only do as I say," he commanded.
Arkerya was visibly dejected by his dominant tone. She did as she was told and moved backward to the large mass of people inside to wait out the battle.
She must survive. If she doesn't, all is lost.
The scourge had now amassed an army so huge that its rear flanks were shrouded by the woods. If not for the heavy contingent of paladins in the city, both of the order, the Argent Dawn, and freelance clerics, Novacon would have ordered an evacuation by sea.
Luckily, droves of them shuffled to the front to counter the undead and with such a potent blend of holy warriors and mages, a full frontal assault would decimate the undead front lines.
On top of the robust holy sect of fighters amassed there were SI:7 black op assassins, arena bruisers, heavy dwarven artillery, wizards from the north and even a small group of night elf druids visiting from Darnassus. No major battle with the scourge had been won to date, but the far corners of Azeroth were quickly realizing that the problem lay not in the enemy's strength, but in the lack of unity among the people.
Old alliances had been rekindled, broken bonds repaired and Kaonus then looked back at the diverse mixture of raw warfare behind him and saw the cherry on top of the proverbial cake.
"Make way for the king!" shouted a royal guard as a cluster of keep guards pushed their way to the front. In the middle of the group was the long lost king of Stormwind, Varian Wrynn.
"I seek Novacon. Where is Avatar Novacon of the New Silver Hand?" called the king. "Here my liege," Novacon bellowed in reply, bowing as is custom on the battlefield.
"As you were. Where do we stand?" Wrynn said. "Our holy forces are standing by at the front awaiting the order to charge. Cavalry is mounting up but we'll have to hold them off long enough to get the horses into position. On top of the walls are archers, mages and several of my best paladins ready to rain hell. We were just waiting for you, my king," said Novacon.
Wrynn drew both of his massive swords, adorned with sapphires below the guard and cool blue runes on the blades, and stared into the deep withering wood. The plague was beginning to take effect and would soon consume the forest in disease.
Wrynn turned to face the living army. They were surprisingly skittish, for word from the north had spread and the tale of Gunhilldur had been told. Even though the living had finally banded together to a degree, the odds could have been much better.
"I'm sure that you all have heard the tale of Randall Von Gunhilldur by now. Outnumbered and totally unprepared, he stood strong against a similar foe as the one before you. He fought, died, and lost. His fate was sealed the moment he took up his sword and faced the most unspeakable of evils. He and three hundred men proudly stood in defiance of the coming storm. You are men of Stormwind, the fearless and benevolent kingdom of men. With our allies from all over the world, we too will stand against them. On Gunhilldur's side were three-hundred rag tag militia men and a small formation of wizards and dwarves. On our side now are paladins, assassins, gladiators, druids and battlemages. With the glory of light, the fury of nature and tempered steel, we 'will' drive the scourge away today at this battle for Stormwind. We 'will' send the scourge running. History be damned with the rest of the undead horde, we 'will' win this fight. Remember Lordaeron! Now for ruin and hero we'll charge, until the final soul falls."
The words of the loved and respected king resounded in his people like a burning flame. A once nervous army was now loud and fierce. For the first time since the days of the first alliance of man and orc, a land stood united.
"Archers, mages and artillery, begin your volley!" shouted Varian to the top of the city gate.
The roar of magic and the thunder of guns shook the bridge in the valley of heroes and scores of undead infantry flew in all directions down range. The masses began their approach to the barred gates.
Up above, Callencia, Arhen, Kaonus, Drogin, Ignas and Zhor blasted magic into the hordes. Lightning, fire and water rained on the helpless corpses below, searing them to the bones and beyond. Arhen chanted holy text from his tome and instantly blessed arrows in flight, exponentially increasing their destructive power.
The artillery on either side below the bridge thundered endlessly and rained small bombs onto the undead scourge. Callencia blessed the mortars in flight and the cannons below, exponentially increasing their destructive power.
The remaining paladins channeled their magic together to create a concentrated ray of holy light, exponentially increasing their destructive power.
Over mounds of fallen comrades, the scourge drudged forward with ladders and a massive battering ram. Few ladders made it to the wall and fewer still were able to erect them. The ram, however, was wielded by a company of abominations. The abominations protected the ram by using themselves as meat shields, the smaller shielding the bigger. In no time at all, the ram began pounding into the gates.
"Hold the gates. Don't let this trash into the city!" shouted Novacon.
Upon the ram reaching the gate, dark magic began flying over the wall, corrupting all it touched. Callencia blocked a shadow bolt with her tower shield and Ignas dodged another. Novacon conjured a wide shield to lessen infantry vulnerability and cancelled out the dark magic for a few seconds.
The gate was becoming weaker with each passing thrust of the ram. The tireless scourge would soon be inside the city.
Arkerya paced restlessly. The sound of battle was no longer a dreaded noise, but instead a call to her. No longer was she afraid to fight. Her anger and hatred churned her stomach at the thought of waiting in the cathedral for the scourge to arrive. She knew that Solwein had gone in an attempt to best protect her, but it still felt more like he abandoned her.
Stay here he says. Do as I say he says. Why is he being this way when I could help him? Why even bother bringing me to the city? Arkerya continued to pace and drew the attention of the neurotic bishop Benedictus, who was easily agitated by these nervous habits.
It was almost as if she could feel his cold and repudiating stare on her. Though indignant at his arrogance, she couldn't help but sympathize. Unlike Solwein and the others, she was an untrained newcomer, inducted into the order on good faith. The bishop must have a lot of contempt for me.
"Will you sit down? We've enough trouble with the current situation as it is without you walking back and forth making everyone even more anxious," Benedictus said. Arkerya didn't protest and did as he said.
In her mind, she occupied herself by trying to devise a plan to escape the chapel and join the others at the front. Futile as she knew it was, there was an almost insufferable burning in her heart to help in some way, a yearning to be useful if only for her own selfish reasons.
Solwein had been right about one thing. She wasn't a normal girl. Deep in her heart she could sense a meaning to her life that she hadn't had before and she had a pretty good idea what had caused it to manifest. The scourge experience had opened her eyes in a way that only something of equal or greater suffering can. She thought perhaps it was the call of the holy light, whatever that really was.
"Archbishop, may I ask you a question?" Arkerya said. Benedictus glanced her way and cocked an eyebrow. "What is it?" he replied.
"What is it that drives you forward? How does the light press you to do what you do?" Arkerya asked boldly. Benedictus's demeanor changed almost immediately from agitated to surprised. He walked over to the step Arkerya had sat on and sat down next to her, much to Arkerya's surprise.
"The holy light affects everyone in a different way. To explain to you how it drives me forward would most certainly confound and frustrate you. Only through soul searching and time can you really understand the way it affects you," he said.
"Please sir. Please tell me how the light entered your heart. I must know," Arkerya said back. Benedictus rubbed his chin. "With its omnipotent presence, it changes my perception of things. It presents me with a subliminal, yet indisputable, end goal that I can't ever hope to reach. Though my efforts may be futile, I know that there are many forces working to an opposite end and if I should falter in my endeavors, they would surely prevail," he said.
He sounded enlightened to Arkerya, as if he still knew something she didn't and wasn't telling the whole story. "That's all there is to tell really. The holy light works in mysterious ways and will inspire us to do things we would never do otherwise." Benedictus got up and faced the cathedral doors. "Solwein seems to have a great deal of faith in you, even against all the skepticism of his superiors and peers. You can bet the light has a hand in that as well," Benedictus said, once again sounding condescending.
Arkerya already knew why Solwein was doing what he was doing, but what she didn't know is to what end. She was sure that the scourge couldn't be stopped. In her mind the war was already lost and all living things would succumb to her fate eventually.
"All rampart troops abandon your positions! Join the front line and prepare for the gates to fall!" Novacon yelled over the roar of battle. Callencia gave one last shield bash to a dreadbone warrior and leaped to the bottom, followed shortly by the other paladins on top.
Together they lined up shoulder to shoulder and steadied their weapons. Zhor and Ignas hoisted their hammers over their shoulders and spread their stance in preparation for the incursion. Drogin swung his saber and bared his teeth. Novacon and Kaonus stilled their claymores in the ready position and Callencia braced herself behind her shield, long sword at the ready.
At last the gates came crashing down with one final push from the scourge. The paladins lashed out together. Callencia immediately leapt high in the air and crushed a ghoul on her way down under her shield. Ignas and Zhor worked in unison, smashing skull and bone in quick succession and consecrating the ground with every step.
Drogin, the fastest paladin in the current company, quickly rolled between the legs of an abomination while simultaneously slicing clear through the things left leg, followed closely by the right. As it fell the ground, Drogin jumped onto its back and thrust his sword into the back of its head.
Kaonus and Novacon also worked in unison. Utilizing their holy enchantment abilities, their blades burned bright gold and cleaved through undead flesh with ease. When given an opportunity to heal an injured footmen, one would cover for the other, allowing them to carry on the fight.
An abomination's meat cleaver crashed down where Callencia stood a split second before. She countered with a swift spin and slash from her freshly enchanted blade, putting a long gash into its arm. Behind her was a skeletal footman, which Drogin quickly vanquished with a holy shock of lightning.
Another abomination's club began its rapid descent toward Ignas. Together with Zhor, the two massively strong Draenei blocked the tree trunk sized club and heaved it aside, making way for their counter attack. "Hit it high, Ignas," Zhor shouted. Ignas heaved his hammer back and crashed it into the things chest while Zhor swung his own hammer like a croquet mallet. The abomination, crushed in whole by the two war hammers, fel to the ground, no longer functional.
With blinding speed, Drogin diced a small group of walking corpses into many pieces. Without missing a step he leapt headlong into the middle of the horde and consecrated the ground beneath him, sending over twenty corpses and bone soldiers to a fiery doom.
Novacon and Kaonus fought back to back, covering all advancing scourge in their vicinity with holy magic and viciously swinging their swords. In perfect unison they spun to face each other and clashed their blades together creating a small explosion of holy magic. The result was a momentary hole in the previously crowded area.
Callencia fell to the ground, wounded by an abomination. Four of her peers encircled her and the sixth healed her instantly with a quick holy spell.
Slowly but surely the scourge advanced and the battle had been taken to the heart of Stormwind's trade district. Determined to not allow the undead to advance further, Novacon let loose a technique he rarely used. He plunged his sword deep into the brick road at his feet, stunning the scourge long enough to conjure two hammers of light. With one in each hand, he spun around and around with great speed and absurd power. His unstoppable cyclone singlehandedly gained back lost ground and the choke point of Stormwind's entrance was maintained.
King Varian Wrynn saw this and quickly became competitive. "Oy, Master Novacon! I bet I can do better!" he bellowed. Novacon found his king's lack of seriousness disturbing, but relished in the idea of his huge swords spinning like his hammers had.
Wrynn's boasting was not unfounded. As the king of Stormwind began his own tornado of carnage, even more lost ground was regained. But silly, yet effective, tactics like this wouldn't hold off what was coming next.
"Gargoyles!" yelled a footman. Black stone monsters began their rapid descent into the streets, picking off dwarves and small men. The push on the scourge side resumed and a little more ground was lost.
A barrage of holy magic flew into the air at the gargoyles, but few hit their target. The winged terrors were agile and managed to dodge the better part of the magic. To add to their threat, corpses were now being launched out of the meat wagons outside the gates and the dreadbone giants had made their way to the front.
The paladins had focused their energy on thinning the massive waves of walking corpses and had successfully crippled their numbers, but the bone giants and gargoyles were beyond most of the footmen and cavalry. The giants began their rampage.
Novacon and Kaonus boldly charged the giant, but met only with a crushing blow that missed them by inches. Callencia, Zhor and Ignas lashed out together with holy shock spells that momentarily stunned two other giants.
The paladins were outmatched and the ground troops were helpless. With each passing minute, more and more troops were snatched up by the gargoyles. The scourge invasion of Tirisfal Glade was only an initial attack and not meant to be an unstoppable forward assault. This horde, however, was.
The sounds of battle were ringing louder and louder by the second from the city streets. Though Arkerya wasn't panicked, the familiar cries of a losing army was certainly taking its toll on her. Despair was setting in again as she mulled the idea of becoming a scourge again. Bet this time there won't be anybody willing to give their life to bring me back.
Benedictus was looking worried. For the great power he wielded, it was apparently no match for what he surely knew was coming. Arkerya assumed that he could feel the presence of the plague and that he could also gauge the coming storm. She, on the other hand, didn't have to. She remembered the gravity of what lurked outside.
The more she thought of turning undead again, the more frantic she became. She drummed her fingers nervously and her eyes began to dart around the room looking for an escape that she already knew had been boarded up. The sounds of battle grew ever louder until a dull roar became loud shouting and distant ringing became shattering shields. The scourge was pushing into the cathedral district and drawing near to her and Solwein.
Hopelessness gripped her like a bitter wind. Desperate and forlorn, an impulse came to her. It was something she had never done before and never given much thought to boot. It had always been something left to the clergy or the paladins as they fought their wars far away. She turned around to face the altar and dropped to one knee.
She didn't know how to begin. A higher power was something she thought of as immaterial. Um, I'm not sure who I'm praying to. I don't even know if I should be speaking out loud, but I hope that someone will... I hope someone will hear my plea. I've never shown any devotion to you, whatever or whoever you are. I don't know how to address you or if you require some kind of offering. I just... hope you're listening. There is a champion outside who will soon stand alone against many undead. He chose to stand alone and yet I yearn to help him in some way. O' holy light, bless him with the might to save us. Surely you can't have any love for the scourge, so save us. Give our champion the strength to save us all.
The situation was dire and the paladins were running out of options. All were exhausted and their holy power was all but spent. In a desperate attempt to halt the giants and the Necromancers had taken to the sky by the talons of the gargoyles and were raising fallen soldiers as they fell. Having withered the potency of holy magic among the living ranks, the frail but powerful bone wizards had advanced close enough to launch a magical attack. Once the holy ground of the cathedral district was defiled, the rest of Stormwind wouldn't stand a chance and would surely fall.
Solwein watched as the rear flank of the living army entered the cathedral courtyard. The stench of rotting corpses filled the air and made his stomach writhe. He had seen the bone giants before in Stratholme and was not at all happy to see them in full force. But unlike Arkerya, fear was not his enemy. It made him sharp and perceptive. He could feel it rising in him, making him stronger and faster. His magic swirling in his core and his muscles pulsing with the adrenaline in his veins.
He felt powerful, more powerful than ever before. This was his final push, the last march of Solwein of Lordaeron. Having left his home so long ago, the echoes of Lordaeron never really reached him. His heart was in the light and nowhere else and now the light was with him. He was about to die. He was about to truly live.
He pushed off with his right foot and charged the rear flank. He shoved his way past the rear echelons to find Novacon, Callencia, Ignas, Zhor, Drogin and Kaonus working tirelessly to keep one another alive while simultaneously fighting the scourge. Further left of them he spotted more paladins of his order. Tia, Peat, McDonagal, Dangiel and Natarazono were all fighting with the same tenacity and desperation.
Just as he reached the front of the formation to face the giants, the necromancers and the wizards, a sliver of grief tinged his mind. He knew that survival was secondary to victory and only if one was worthy to fight another day. Still, his friends were all fighting so valiantly for a cause that was clearly lost and a battle that he knew, in his heart, was unwinnable.
In his anguish, he failed to notice the silver glow gathering around his body and the wings of gold that spread from his back. All he could think about was giving it everything he had one last time. He found his first target and let loose a powerful swing of his sword.
The devastation was absolute. With only that single blow, a massive wave of holy magic flew from his blade sending a bone giant to the ground, utterly decimated. A platoon sized group of wizards and abominations went flying to the rear flank of the scourge horde.
The battle almost came to a standstill, including the presumably mindless scourge. The living army stared in disbelief of the impossible event that just took place. Solwein himself staggered backwards at his awesome feat.
"Don't stop! What are you waiting for? Send these wretches back to their master Solwein!" Wrynn yelled.
Solwein looked back to the scourge who immediately focused their full attention on him. The power coursing through him finally became palpable and the mighty paladin swung again. Two bone giants fell this time, leaving five that rushed toward him.
They were closer together now and with a third swing of his sword, Solwein obliterated them all at once. The Gargoyles made a move on him now and he swung upward furiously, inadvertently creating a tornado of holy lightning.
His footsteps shook the very ground each time he moved forward. Blue fire rose from the ground throughout the district that seemed to have no effect on the living, but catastrophic effects on the scourge. In his hand he created a hammer from holy magic that grew to a size implausible for one man to create. He heaved it into the scourges ranks and then resumed his relentless assault.
He was closer to the Liches in the rear of the scourges army and could hear them speaking now. They were ordering a retreat. They're retreating. The SCOURGE is retreating. They'll not get away!
In minutes, mere minutes, an undead army like the world had never seen lay unrecognizably annihilated on the city streets of Stormwind. By the feats of one man, the scourge had been defeated in whole. Not one single soul escaped the wrath of Solwein.
The remaining fighters gathered around Solwein. Nobody spoke a word as Novacon, Callencia and the king stepped forward to meet him. Solwein's wings faded into dust and the silver glow around him dulled and disappeared.
Boards fell off of the windows to the cathedral and Arkerya emerged first. She rushed past all the soldiers to the center of the circle. The eyes of all who knew who Solwein thought she was moved to her momentarily and then back to Solwein.
King Varian Wrynn dropped to one knee followed by the rest of the crowd. He spoke proudly. "All hail Solwein the Light Bringer. For the Alliance!"
