First chapter went over better than I anticipated. I'm happy for the good words people have been giving me. As we move on, we'll see the other side of the coin... I'm starting to think it might have been better if this was part of the first chapter, but whatever. What's done is done, may as well move on.
For the record, I already have all of the characters I'm using for this story. The entire plot, scene by scene, has already played out in my head. I just need to add some things, flesh it out, finish it off. Bada bing, bada boom. But I'm only going to post a chapter once every bit of days. Maybe 3 days, maybe 4 days to a week. Who knows. Whatevs. This chapter isn't as long as I would like either, but what the heck. it's longer than chapter one, and hopefully I'll be able to make later chapters longer when things start heating up. Not sure how many chapters i'm aiming for but we'll see what the future brings.
Without further delay, here's chapter two!
Chapter 2: Hero's Call
A Night Elf donning white, holy robes and a bright, purple staff walked through the districts of Stormwind. Her glorious, silver hair flowed as a river in jungles of Sholazar Basin, and in her hands, she carried a scroll held within a silver case. Her name was Ailyne, and she was sent to Stormwind from her home in Darnassus to deliver a message. Normally, a sentinel would do the job, but this was a matter of importance – though Ailyne did not know what. They hadn't told her what it was, and while she was curious, she didn't peek at the scroll.
She walked through the streets toward Stormwind Keep, where she was to meet someone from the 7th Legion. Passing through, she got a few looks from some humans. She didn't have a particular fondness for humans, some of them were good and honorable, although some were less than so. She got a few… dirty… looks walking through, but she kept her head held high and walked as fast as she could without looking strange. She didn't have a particular fondness for Stormwind either. It was a good city, for what it did. She just found she preferred the moonwells and wisps back home to the constant sounds of craft going on through the day. As she approached Stormwind Keep, a Draenei stepped out in front of her. A female Draenei, although instead of the bright blue skin that Draenei normally have, this one had darker skin, and her glowing blue eyes gave her away as a 7th Legion Darkcaller – a Death Knight. She had a heavy Runehammer strapped to her back, and it gave off an eerie blue glow.
"You are the courier from Darnassus, yes?" The Draenei spoke. The sound of cracking ice could be heard in the Darkcaller's voice.
"My name is Ailyne, Priestess of the Moon. Here is the message. Might I ask what is it for?" The Draenei didn't answer, and opened the case, and look at the scroll inside. She nodded, and smiled.
"Yes... This is just what I was waiting for..." She closed the scroll. "My name is Nelaniena, you can call me Nel. I'm sure you're wondering what this is for?" Ailyne nodded. And Nel smiled sinister like. "We're planning an assault, in Ashenvale, against the Orcs. We of the 7th legion won't let them push you Elves around anymore." Ailyne's eyes widened. Ashenvale was ancestral homeland to her people, its forests sacred to them. Long ago, Grom Hellscream – the father of the Warchief Garrosh – had brought the Warsong Clan of Orcs into Ashenvale in order to harvest lumber. This never sat well with the Night Elves, and when their Demigod Cenarius arrived to defend the forest, the Orcs, infused with the blood of demons, killed the demigod. They've warred ever since. Ailyne herself did not like war. While it was understandable that the Orcs and Elves would fight, she always hoped herself for a more peaceful resolution.
"Well… When and how is this supposed to happen, Darkcaller?" Nel smiled and answered.
"All will be revealed, if you'll follow me. We asked for you to deliver this, instead of a sentinel, for a reason. We need soldiers to send to Ashenvale, and we require you're help to heal our wounded so we can prepare them for battle." Nel smiled again. "Surely you would help us prepare the troops to aid your people?" Ailyne nodded.
"Of course, if you'd show me to them, I'd do what I could." As they walked, no human looked in her direction. It was odd, to say the least. Normally, at least a few humans turned eyes when a female walked by. Nel could notice the look of confusion in Ailyne's eyes.
"Don't worry, none of them will bother you as long as you're with me." Nel grinned. "If they do, I'll have some fun with them myself." Death Knights had a built in need to inflict pain upon other beings. And Nel looked as if it wasn't something she was above doing to a commoner if it was needed. Then again, Ailyne was appreciative of the protection. You never know what kind of people you'd meet in a city the size of Stormwind. It was massive, much larger than Darnassus (Though smaller than Teldrassil which Darnassus was inside). Thousands upon thousands of people lived in the city. They passed through the Dwarven District toward Cathedral Square, where the wounded were taken for healing and prayer. As they walked into the Cathedral, there were more wounded than Ailyne had expected.
"Oh wow… How many do you have here?" She asked.
"Nearly a hundred, but not quite that much. Many of them are wounded from the wars against the Twilight's Hammer. Most of them aren't as wounded as you might think them to be at first glance, the wimps." Ailyne chuckled and murmured a soft prayer to Elune to bless her healing abilities. As they walked through, Ailyne couldn't help but notice a scantily armored human. She was a female in plate armor, quite revealing plate armor, that shined a bright golden color alongside of her bright skin. Nel couldn't help but laugh at the expression on Ailyne's face. "Surprised? Would you believe me if I told you she was a Paladin?" This made it even stranger, as to why someone of powerful faith would dress as such – in a Cathedral no less – was quite odd indeed. "Come, I'll introduce you." Nel led Ailyne to the human. "Lull! I've brought the Priestess!" The human turned to face them. The human's golden hair was complimented by a rose she held in her ear. She smiled cheerfully at the two as they approached.
"Hello there, Night Elf. My name is Lull, Champion of the Argent Crusade." Ailyne bowed, somewhat at a loss for words, and Nel laughed in her twisted, Death Knight way. Ailyne finally worked up the courage to speak.
"Pardon me for asking, Champion, but… Why do you wear so little armor? Surely it can't be a boon in battle." Lull merely smiled and answered.
"I wear it to make a point. I don't need heavy armor to protect me in battle. The Light is my shield, and it protects me from harm. As long as my faith is true, this shall remain so, and I will not falter in battle." Indeed, none of her open spots had any signs of battle scars or bruises, and her weapon had obviously seen battle, as it was worn. Ailyne smiled.
"Your faith is so strong, and it shows." Ailyne bowed again, before turning to a nearby soldier to heal. Many of the soldiers were only barely wounded. Others had massive cuts and broken bones. This was going to be a lot of work, but Ailyne knew it was nothing she couldn't handle.
Roughly an hour had passed, and Ailyne and Lull together were able to heal and release every soldier in the Cathedral. Some of them said prayers to the Light as before they left. Nel approached the two.
"Alright, time to get down to business. We're to meet with King Varian Wrynn himself in order to plan this assault. I don't think he'll be in the battle personally, but he is to help us make a plan." Lull and Ailyne nodded, and as they went toward Stormwind Keep, Lull had all the attention of the passer-bys. This made Nel laugh, and she glared at a few humans who got too close. As they walked inside the Keep, the Guards saluted their entrance. The King was sitting on his throne. "Wait here." Nel said. And they both did. Nel saluted as he approached Varian, who saluted back. They talked for a moment before Nel gestured for them to approach.
"Good day, ladies." Varian spoke. The three of them bowed in the presence of their King.
"Your majesty..." Lull spoke. "The Priestess is here. Her name is Ailyne. Now, what would you have of us?"
"Nel already knows of what is to transpire. You three are to lead an assault onto the Orcs in Ashenvale. Nel has told you?" Varian turned to Ailyne.
"No, she didn't!" Ailyne nearly panicked. She didn't like battle, even watching one was hard for her, and the Orcs were a particularly savage enemy. "Forgive me, your majesty, but I don't think I'm cut out for a battle such as this."
"They will need your words of healing on the battlefield, Elf. The words of a Priest or Shaman could turn the tide in a battle. And this... This could be our chance! The Orcs, from what I've learned, are already losing ground in Ashenvale. Now is the time to deal a killing blow." Ailyne merely nodded. Lull spoke.
"Don't worry, your majesty, Light willing, I'll make sure she's ready in time." Lull smiled.
"If it's all the same, I'd like to return to Darnassus first. Pray a bit, seek words of wisdom from the druids and priests." Ailyne gave a soft smile. Varian nodded.
"Well then. Let's get down to business." He took the scroll, and began to speak strategy. "You begin at Astranaar. From there, Nel will lead the charge on Hellscream's Watch." Hellscream's Watch was made to do just that. It was the Horde keeping a watch over Astranaar. It was a small outpost. A few guards, some armorers and Wyverns. It was an easy target for the 7th legion. "Once there, it is important that none survive." Ailyne's heart skipped a beat. "None. Not even the Wyverns must be permitted to escape. With anyone left alive, there is a chance they could escape to Silverwind or Zoram'gar. Take no prisoners." Nel cracked her knuckles.
"Just how I like it... Tomorrow then? How will we be getting there?"
"A ship is arranged to take you and Lull, as well as your small army, to Darkshore. You move from there. Stay out of sight of Zoram'gar, and kill any Horde you find." Nel nodded, and gave an evil grin. Ailyne seemed a little distraught.
"After Hellscream's Watch is taken, use any of the weapons or armor you find there to your advantage. When night falls, you move with the Sentinels to the Peak." He spoke of Thunder Peak, a small mountain in the middle of Ashenvale. When the Cataclysm hit, it became an active volcano, toped by an angry fire elemental named Lord Magmathar. He has since been banished back to the Firelands, and the volcano is no longer active. "Under the dead of night, the Sentinels and any other Elves will be invisible. You are to open fire on the working Orcs, and then the 7th legion will make their charge. Leave no survivors. Once Silverwind is retaken, we'll use it as a staging point to destroy Splintertree Post." Varian marked an X on each of the three Horde encampments - Hellscream's Watch, Silverwind Refuge, and Splintertree Post. Ailyne nodded and held her arm.
"I guess I'll see you two in Astranaar in a few days." She spoke. "I'm glad to meet both of you." Nel grinned.
"We will shed Horde blood together, and then we shall become sisters of battle." Nel clearly reveled in combat. It wasn't an unusual trait for a Death Knight to enjoy fighting either. The aura of cold Nel gave off was a bit unsettling. Ailyne thanked Elune that she was on her side.
"May the Light bid you rest upon your return home, Ailyne." Lull smiled and seemed to radiate pure light, a good counterpoint to Nel's dark presence. She gave Ailyne a light hug, and Ailyne hugged her back.
"I'll say a word of prayer for the both of you when I return. Thank you." Ailyne pulled away and pulled a small stone out of her satchel. The stone was adorned with blue runes, giving off a faint glow. The glow began to intensify, as she closed her eyes and pictured her home in her mind. With every passing second, the mental image started to look more, and more real.
Upon opening her eyes, she was back in Darnassus. The tool she used was a Hearthstone – a rare, magical artifact one can use to return to a place they had attuned themselves to. She relaxed, relieved to be home. As she walked through the city, she felt comfortable around her own people. The aura of the World Tree Darnasuss was built inside of consoled her, strengthening her for the battle. She sat by a moonwell and thought about the days to come. As the aura around the blessed waters filled her spirit with strength and healing, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to nap, leaning against the side of the well. It was rest much needed, for the days ahead would prove much more than she would anticipate.
Pyronaptor hopped on the back of a Wyvern. Titanrage and Korojin we beside him.
"What happened to Jorus, Pyro?" Titan asked. Pyronaptor sighed and responded.
"He just up and left one day sayin' dat dere was some'tin important he had to do. I miss him..." Veloci cuddled against her master, comforting him. Jorus was a dear friend of Pyronaptor's - A Nether Drake. During the War in Outland, many heroes arose to help the Netherwing Brood or dragons against the corrupted Dragonmaw Clan of orcs. These were different than the Dragonmaw in Azeroth, in that they were Fel orcs, infused with demonic power. Many answered the Netherwing's call, and some made friends within the flight. Drakes, like Jorus, vowed to carry their heroes to the end of the land and back.
"I'm sure he shall return soon, friend." Titan's words gave Pyronaptor more confidence. The three looked up, and saw Hecatomb walking up, his Felhound not far behind. Pyronaptor gritted his teeth slightly.
"Necrolyte, dat was a bold move of ya to speak out against Garrosh like ya did. Do ya be havin' a death wish?" They all looked to the Warlock.
"No, I do not. I just spoke my own mind. Surely we're all guilty of that from time to time." He crossed his arms. "Off to Silverwind, are you?" They nodded.
"We are to double the lumber productions. Hellscream needs that word for his machines and weapons. And by my axe, he shall have them." Koro spoke with confidence. He seemed to be a true warrior in Hellscream's Horde, proud and not afraid to fight. "We'll need all we can get against the Twilight's Hammer, and Deathwing. Are you coming too, Heca?" The Warlock smirked at his new nickname.
"Heca? Am I in your little group now as well? No. I'm going back to Silvermoon to do some errands of my own, visit the Sunwell. But surely you three are more than enough to chop some wood." He said jokingly, and laughed.
"We go wherever the Horde needs us. And if we need to chop wood, then that's what we'll do." Titan held a hand over his chest, a Horde salute.
"Well, I wish you luck. Kill some Kaldorei for me while you're there." Kaldorei was an ancient word for Night Elf. There were daily assaults on Silverwind, but with the three of them there, lumber production would increase without a hitch. They nodded goodbye to the Warlock, and on their Wyverns, took flight toward Silverwind.
What! Silverwind! Isn't that where our Alliance heroes are heading!
Things are going to get dicey for our heroes, Horde and Alliance alike. I wonder what'll happen next? Come back next time!
*queue Saturday morning cartoon credits*