Chapter 4

Onyxia's Beginning.

"The story of Onyxia and her brood is a strange one, full of legend and myth" Said Sasparela quietly "legend has it that sometime just after the fall of the Burning Legion, an extremely powerful warlock, who's name is never mentioned in legends, had lost all of his work at the hands of the coalition, years and years of work and research into shape shifting and magical power, lost in an instant, he knew the basic ideas and theorems, but had lost all of the actual research he had collected by his experiments." she looked around, as if imagining the horrible experiments, looking slightly uncomfortable she continued, "what he would do is after the raids conducted by the Burning Legion, he would take what prisoners were left, and cast enchantments on them, and he developed potions and elixirs, the kinds that would induce a radical physical change from the original form, many of his subjects died from the research, but it is widely believed he had nearly found and way to grant the patient shape shifting, much like that of a druids, but before he could test everything properly, the Burning Legion had been defeated and he was forced to flee."

"Indeed" Medion suddenly burst in, he walked to where the gnome was standing and turned to face the others, "He was a very gifted and powerful warlock, he was also a former member of my Order, after he fell from grace with, even then, experiments of a...shall we say, less moral nature than usual, he disappeared, wandered the wastes until we think he was picked up by the demons of the Burning Legion, there he showed great skill, and was allowed to practice his twisted magic and corrupt skill, you are right" he said looking at Sasparela " he did flee after the Burning Legion was defeated, but not into hiding, he sought a way to research his old work, for he had so nearly had it, but he needed someone of immense physical and mental strength, for he could only take one subject every so often, for the Alliance and Horde were both still on the lookout for any trace of the Burning Legion still, he lay low, and scouted for the perfect subject." Medion sighed and shook his head slightly, questions burst into the minds of the others, did he find someone? What happened to him as well?

As the four companions glanced at each other, the question finally burst from Gambourne's lips.

"But what happened to him? Did he do it?"

Medion looked at the group, sighed and said what they feared.

"Yes he succeeded, but let me show you, I meddled with the laws of time and space to gather this information, and nearly perished in the attempt" Before the group had even begun to ask what he was talking about, he began muttering an incantation, suddenly, the ruins of Stormwind vanished, and before them was a large and impressive manor house, light split out of the open door, it was dusk, and it seemed a small group of people were leaving the house, laughing and talking, perfectly at ease, not one of the seemed to notice the five people standing outside the door.

"Are we in a sort of memory?" Sasparela asked Medion

"Yes sort of, it was the memory I could bring forth from the past of the Warlock and firstly who he managed to capture, although the story will unfold before your very eyes today, now pay attention." Recognising the dismissal Sasparela turned to watch the group of people at the door, they seemed to be saying their farewells, a women, tall and proud stood in the doorway, she wore an expensive dress of crimson silk, and her long dark hair fell down to her shoulders, the women must have been a Human Noble of some type, the group of people walked on to the end of the lane, still laughing and singing, it seemed however that a man had held back at the door, talking to the women, his companions noticed and called to him, waiting at the end of the lane, he waved them down, shouting that he would be there in a minute, he turned back to the women.

"I apologize my love, but." he grimaced "duty calls" he finished with a slightly mischievous grin. The woman was also smiling, a warm smile.

"Do not worry, I know that the duty to the bottom of a tankard of ale is important for you, go now, be with your companions, I shall see you when you return home" she kissed him, they embraced, when they broke apart, the women hesitated, it seemed some feeling of danger and mistrust had fallen upon her, she looked into his eyes, the eyes of her childhood sweetheart, and with a tenderness so sincere said "I love you Darian"

"I love you to Katrina" replied the man, they embraced again, and then they broke apart and he hurried off to his friends, she watched the group walk around the corner, and out of sight.

"Lady Katrina Prestor was the wife of Lord Darian Prestor, Lord of the Arathi Highlands, a Noble and wise Lord, always putting the needs of his people way above the needs of himself, a truly selfless man in every respect" Medion informed them as the image melted before their eyes, it changed into the same house, it looked like it was still the same evening, the windows shone with a golden light and smoke furled from the chimney, an old man, hobbled up the lane towards the door of the impressive manor house the group had seen in the last vision, the man wore a very long travelling cloak, it was weather stained, as if he had done many days worth of travelling, he leaned heavily on a staff "of course that was also Lady Prestor's weakness."

The old man had reached the door, the group moved closer, they could see that he carried many trinkets under his robes, which were dirty and stained, he had a weathered face, which showed wisdom and power, many lines of care were etched into his forehead, and in his eyes a faint light seemed to shine, he reached the door, and reached for the brass knocker, knock, knock, knock, he waited.

A moment later and Lady Prestor was framed in the doorway, a candle in one hand, her dark hair ruffled by the breeze slightly, a look of surprise and concern at the old man's condition, now the group was closer they could see that Lady Prestor was a very fair woman, and not a day over 25 they would have guessed, the youthful fire still in her eyes, her movements graceful and elegant.

"Good Even' my good sir, and how can a humble Lady of the house serve you tonight?"

"Please, I have been travelling for days, I have had very little rest, and have been chased by wolves" he coughed, he seemed to have a little trouble breathing, wheezing as he did, "Please fair maiden, a drink and a bite would be kindly received, I have travelling long" The group expected the women to waver, they expected her to say that the inn would be a better place, but she surprised them all.

"Come in, come in," genuine concern in her voice "I have a pitcher of fresh milk, and bread and cheese" she stepped back to invite the old man in, and as he went in the group proceeded to follow, they found themselves in a big living area, there was a table set up in the corner section and around the big fireplace, where a roaring fire was merrily burning, there were an assortment of chairs and cushions, obviously she had been entertaining quite recently. "My husband will be back soon, do you have anywhere to stay for the night?" she led him to the chairs by the fire, while asking him.

"No not yet my dear lady, but I wont trespass upon your hospitality for very long." said the old man, taking off his cloak and handing it to her then sitting in the seat that Lady Prestor was indicating to, "If its agreeable with you, I shall just rest for a bit and be back on my journey."

"As you wish" said Lady Prestor, taking his cloak to the hanger by the door, and bustling about the kitchen, the group took this chance to actually look around the house, on the walls were paintings of various places and people, they recognized the one above the fireplace as both the Lord and Lady, Lady Prestor was sat on a chair and Lord Prestor was stood behind her, they both wore expressions of great happiness. Just to the right of the door there was a shield and a long sword, the shield looked like it had seen battle, there were scratches down the face, and it was notched on the sides, the blade however looked nearly new, it was obvious that Darian Prestor was a man of war, and knew how to look after his equipment,a voice made them look around.

"There you go, please take your time, I shall be upstairs, I shall return momentarily." Lady Prestor said, handing a wooden tray with milk, cheese bread and some butter, to the old man, with a swift smile after he began eating, she swept upstairs.

After a couple of minutes, the old man looked around himself, as if to check that he was alone, Lady Prestor could be heard upstairs busying herself with the household tasks, the old man stood up, all age seemed to be falling from his limbs, he straightened out, he must have been just shy of 6 feet tall, a power seemed to radiate from him, his face was smooth and clean, he had long hair, and a full beard, with striking blue eyes, eyes which held power and malice, he closed his eyes and began muttering, and incantation of sorts, a shimmering barrier appeared over the doors and windows, blocking any exit, they heard Lady Prestor coming down the stairs, she reached the bottom and looked at the new man stood by the fire, muttering, she seemed to understand straight away that he was saying an incantation, there was a look of panic in her face, and then it was gone, replaced by a look of determination, she ran, ran towards the door, saw that it was barred and turned to face the man, who had now stopped chanting and seemed ready to address her.

"Hello Katrina Prestor, I have watched for a very long time, to make sure that you are the right" he hesitated ".... Candidate" he grinned, like a sharks grin, showing his teeth, it was more a leer than a grin, Lady Prestor just stood there, she seemed to have lost the power of speech, then suddenly.

"What do you mean? Candidate for what?" she asked

"Why for my experiments of course, I needed someone who was strong of will, you certainly seem to fit the bill." he was still leering at her, edging ever closer now.

"What experiments? What are you going to do to me?"

"Oh don't worry dear" he grinned "you'll find out soon enough" he took another step closer, they were now only 6 feet or so apart, Lady Prestor looked tense, ready for anything, the man seemed to examine her for a second, his head tilted to one side slightly, he made a move towards her, and in an instant she had seized the sword of the wall next to her, she had it pointed at him, and she held it steady, it had seemed that she had been trained with a blade.

"Don't come any closer." she said, slight panic in her voice now

"Or?" the man enquired "You'll attack me, I think not my dear lady" and as he said that his raised his hand toward the sword, now shaking slightly, and in an instant it was blazing hot, Lady Prestor dropped it and gasped in pain and surprise, hand still raised, he made a swift movement, like a flick with his fingers and ropes appeared from nowhere, and bound Lady Prestor, she couldn't move, as he came closer, she was now shaking in full, terrified of what was going to happen, he reached out, touched her forehead with his index and ring fingers, she fell into him, unconscious, he lifted her up, put her over his shoulder, lifted the enchantment of the door, and strode off into the dark.

When Lady Prestor awoke, lights were all around her, a mass of blurred light, that hurt her eyes like daggers, she tried to stir, but found that any movement was impossible, however she couldn't feel any ropes binding her to what she supposed as a table, she began to panic in earnest, as her eyes became accustomed to the lights she noticed she was in a large stone room, many tables were lined up against all the walls, and one wall was completely obscured by bookshelves, at least 12 feet high, many faded leather volumes stood on the shelves, their peeling letters too small to read from where she was bound. The tables around the other walls were laden with alchemy equipment, scrolls and various other magical research equipment, she wondered what she was doing here and why the strange man had chosen to take her.

"Ah I see your awake once more my dear" Said a sneering voice from the corner behind her. "good, now I can begin"

"Begin what?" Shouted Lady Prestor "What are you planing to do with me?"

"Why spoil the surprise so early?" said the man, as he walked into her field of view, grinning slightly he continued "oh were in for a lot of fun, you an I my dear" he walked forwards, an extremely old and beaten leather covered book open in his right hand, "Lots of fun" he tapped her on the forehead again, and she knew no more.