Chapter 4
It was a four day journey but being brought back from the dead had its advantages. I didn't have to stop for food or drink or even rest. Looking up at the sun it appeared to be about midday as I reached the giant arches to the city, my city. I got off my horse and we walked down the path and into the main square. If I had been a lesser man I would ve been hit by the apple flying at my head. I deftly dodged it only to have another flung at me; the people were through trash, food, anything they could at me.
"Traitorous dog!" One woman spat.
"My family was killed by the scourge!" A man yelled as he threw more fruit at me. Even the guards joined in spitting and throwing what they could find within reach at me. I understood their hatred and for the first time I felt remorse, for all the killings we had done, for the killings I had done. I endured more insults and various items thrown my way, not bothering to stop it. I deserved it and more for what he had made me do. I made my way to the city's keep where the kind was. Highlord Mograine had given me a letter to take to the kind. The guards stopped me outside of the throne room and wouldn t let me pass. The commotion at the door alerted those inside and as the big wooden doors swung open, I pushed out hard with my all my energy, knocking guards back all around me and ran to the throne, throwing myself at the kings feet. I held out the letter and to my complete surprise he took it and read it silently to himself.
"Stand, death knight, tell me your name, though your skin is that of a dead mans and your eyes are dull and blue, I feel we have met before." I stood up, looking around me. I was met with the seething hatred held in the stares of the men surrounding me. All but one and the kind looked at me as if I was filth, she stood to the king s right, long flowing robes about her, a high priest from the looks of it. Her eyes met mine and for the first time I didn t see fear or disgust, she didn t recoil at my gaze and a small part of me was filled with hope, hope that my life could once again be lived on my own terms and not those of a madman drunk with power. I straightened up and addressed the king as clearly as I could, my voice raspy from my time in the grave.
"King Wrynn, you are correct in that we have met before. I was once an officer in your personal guard; I am Dalstan of Stormwind, son of Thaodin. I was a great warrior and servant of this kingdom. I do not come seeking your forgiveness for my atrocities; I only come in the hopes that I may find some semblance of a life here in my former city." He looked at me long and hard.
"Let it be known, this man, Dalstan, son of Thaodin, is no longer on the side of evil and he and the order he belongs to have pledged their services in our fight against the Lich King and his forces in Icecrown. This man and all death knights are to be treated with respect, the same you would give your own brother. From this day forth the city of Stormwind opens her doors to the Knights of the Ebon Blade." The guards all saluted and while the fire in their eyes still burned, they wouldn t dare break a direct order from the king. I caught the eye of the woman again, this time she looked away first, an almost imperceptible blush creeping over her face.