Disclaimer: This is getting annoying, but yes, I really don't own Warcraft. It still belongs to Blizzard, though when my new invention is completed it may soon be mine! Evil Laughter But no, it belongs to Blizz. I'm too lazy to manage it anyhow.
A/N: Here we are again, a beautiful day in New England (not really, there's 6 inches of snow falling) and I'm here inside on this day writing fan fiction. Really, is there any surprise there? So anyhow, we left off in the fire in the caravan (a really mean cliffy ). But I am still going to leave you with such a mean cliffy for a while. Or at least half this chapter because we must now travel back in time a ways to the day that Yawna's village burnt down. You think straightforward, a village burns down and that is that. But there's something under there that you might have caught earlier. Like, what the hell was Thralk (that undead ) killing Two-Moons for?
Anyhow, I am basking in the fact that this story has such good reviews. You people make me feel fuzzy inside. . Crimson Reaper don't die I'm writing more! As for publishing it Thrawl, don't push me. I just might send it to Blizz to see what they say. Funny, your name is very close to Thralk. Strange. Also, I wanted to know what you guys thought of Var'Jun's hair in a braid. My picture of him is dashing, or at least in troll terms. And, for all those undead out there Thralk might be an undead but I have nothing against the race. They do make good enemies though. Sorry for my grammar mistakes I have problems in that department!
Read on!
Chapter Six: Malchior
The day was still fresh in Thralk's mind even though it had passed a while ago. He smiled to himself now, chuckling softly as he recalled Two-Moon's demise. The knowledge the tauren possessed had plagued him for a few days then, but it was over now. His old mentor was dead and what was his apprentice had been beaten to death by alliance marauders.
"Two-Moons," The summoner hissed to himself softly, "There was always something you could not see. My power was far stronger than yours could ever be. You could not admit that I was your better, and now you have paid."
The undead buried himself in memory suddenly. He recalled with little difficulty when he had first seen the tauren. His mother had brought him to the fabled seer in hopes that her son's strange powers would be quelled or stamped out altogether. When the tauren became his mentor Thralk recalled the burning annoyance that this old cow would be his teacher. He was more powerful than Two-Moons ever could be.
"Sir?" a voice interrupted his musings. A small undead wriggled his way into the dark tent that Thralk had called home for no more than two days. A temporary home yes, but his army required that he leave his usual luxury and spend days on the road.
"Yes?" Thralk spit impatiently. He stood slowly and let his robes drag out behind him. The undead in front of him whimpered softly as Thralk stood as a powerful figure. The young rogue had been told of the power of his master but never seen him in person. The undead was a startling sight.
"There's been word from the traveling troupes. They met up with the enemy and are battling as we speak." The undead stared at his feet. There was no rule in the army that said you couldn't shoot the messenger. His next words might make him a corpse to add to the body count.
"Go on," Thralk waited on baited breath. Hopefully his plans would go accordingly, otherwise something new would have to be devised.
"They are very evenly matched. Very," The undead choked on the words before spitting, "I'm not sure if any will make it out alive." He winced, flinching backwards and covering his head with his hands.
"You may leave," Thralk sat down heavily on his chair as the undead ran for dear life through the ten flaps. He waited until the soldier was out of earshot before beginning to laugh. It started as a low chuckle, then escalated slowly into a screaming laugh that ran insanely on until the undead summoner fell short of breath and had to gasp for air.
"Perfect," he hissed softly to himself, "Just perfect." He smiled as he thought of what Two-Moons would have said, that everything had a chance and the balance between life and death should not be tampered with.
"I have tampered with it. Poor me." The summoner chuckled darkly, then stood slowly. His hands folded along the flaps of the tent and he paused. The outside beckoned him, but the undead closed his eyes slowly and began to breath. It was a steady rhythm that began to beat the air. His mind began to wander and then to skip along the path of other beings. He clutched the minds of those it touched and began to wring their thoughts from him. Thralk's Awareness was strong.
His mind traveled to the battle field. It had raged for a while now, longer than he thought. The Plains of Mulgore were spread with blood. The fighters were beginning to fall on both sides and every mind that Thralk entered was filled with terror. But unlike the undead's adversary, Yawna, he felt only power and mirth as his soldiers died and suffered.
The undead stayed in his tent for hours on end. He had buried his mind deep within the battle, none daring to open the tent flap at the thought that their troops might be losing. They were the same troops that had fended off Alliance attackers in what was now Bloodhoof Village and their prowess was well known. But against the Alliance army or similar skill they were almost certainly doomed.
"It is a shame," Thralk mumbled, half to himself and half to Two-Moons as if he were chiding the dead tauren, "That I must waste lives like this, is it not. You would have told me not to, but they saw me murder you. Things like that can not be ignored and they can't keep their lips buttoned for long. Hopefully all will die."
The battle ended as the last Alliance soldier fell. He could feel no more life on the battle field, this summoner of extreme powers, and he was just about to recall his mind when he felt something stir. It scared the summoner and he opened his eyes wide as he realized what his own Awareness had picked up.
Another.
He pushed his mind through the battle field once more sensing something stir, a moving body that had survived the fighting. The undead cursed vehemently as he sensed the mind of the young tauren he had taken for dead. She was his opposite, a threat to what the undead had in mind. Thralk stood slowly, his mind receding from the battle. Though he knew to be alone the undead still pierced the dark corners of his tent with searching eyes.
"How did she survive?" he demanded and looked thoughtfully over at his staff. The gem on top began to glow with an eerie green light. Thralk smiled to himself, picking up the staff with a delicate hand and staring into the gem.
"Maybe it is time I gave Gwyneth a call."
As the fire burst through the tent flap and once again Yawna came face to face with the demon wolf all she could think of was one thing: 'Run.' Pure instinct wanted to take over, wanted to make her bolt into the open air and away from the heat. But her Awareness took over, picking up terror and pain through the tent and making her frozen to the spot.
The flames licked at dry tent timber. The supporting beams were rent through with the heat and came crashing to the ground. Yawna was standing directly underneath one, her eyes still focused on the wolf that no one else could see.
Gwyneth leaped, crashing her nimble form into the side of the heavy huntress. They were both propelled backwards as the beam smashed into the floor, the tauren mistress landing a bit of a ways away from the night elf. She sat up quickly as Weary Traveler appeared by her side, his teeth latching on to her sleeve and pulling urgently.
"Run you thickheads." Var'Jun growled as he blasted by them, dragging Kat by her arm behind him. The priestess had twisted an ankle diving out of the way of a falling flame. The troll was a little better though uncoordinated from his alcohol intake.
"We are," retorted the ruffled night elf as she picked herself off the floor, "Someone wasn't though." She shot Yawna an exasperated look before weaving her way quickly through the fires. The night elf was completely ignoring those around her, stepping over people who screamed for help as they were burnt alive. She didn't look down, only shook her head and kept walking.
"She's a lovely person, isn't she?" Kat remarked acidly before following the night elf. Her hands worked wonders, great balls of blue magic lifting beams to free trapped people. Var'Jun guided more out, his sharp tongue and quick demands causing people to act purely because he told them. Only Yawna remained routed to the spot, her eyes taking in what only she could see.
Unbeknownst to Var'Jun and Kat the Demon Wolf was moving among them. It's red eyes lingered on each dying person. Its mouth opened wide to inhale their souls, shining beacons of light that exited their mouth with their last breath. Yawna watched in horror as these bright lights disappeared down the open skull of the demon. It threaded its way through the exiting people until it was in front of Yawna, face to face with the huntress who had taken the bone from his leg and watched as he destroyed her home town.
"What's the matter Raincaller. Do you not appreciate my PAIN?" the last word burnt in Yawna's head and she yelled loudly as the pain of all the dying and wounded beings caught up with her. The huntress would have staggered back into a fire if it weren't for Weary Traveler, who had supported underneath her, she would have stepped right into the flames.
"Do not fret Raincaller, I will be here whenever the HATE calls me." The voice receded from her head and allowed her Awareness to pick up the pain of the others with more violence. Yawna screamed, her entire being rocking as if she were on fire and not just very close to being so.
"C'mon," Var'Jun's voice broke through the pain. Yawna was temporarily blinded, seeing only a deep red that flooded her senses and made her mind numb. She felt the troll latch on to one of her arms and what could only have been Kat's hands on the other. They began to guide her through the flames.
"We can call this even." Var'Jun offered in her ear with a slight chuckle. The cool air on her face made Yawna's impaired vision and she blinked away the scarlet cloak and looked about her. The good people of the caravan were fleeing, everything they had once owned now going up in flames. They were fleeing to the hills, only a brave few staying to try and douse the fires.
"This is terrible." Gwyneth interrupted the trio, her voice as calm and cool as usual. She came up behind them, her eyes taking in the scene almost lazily. "I've lived in this caravan all my life. It's like watching it burn away."
"Then go help," Var'Jun roared, his only free hand waving about. His other hand, or rather arm, was supporting Kat whose ankle was not allowing her to stand by herself. The priestess nodded vigorously, her hands desperately trying to cast a healing spell but to no effect.
"No, I have a job. My mother can handle this problem. Right now we have to get away from this area. There is a large Horde army headed this way that doesn't appreciate this caravan. We will have to flee and fight another day." With that the druid turned on her heels and stalked away, turning her back on her burning home.
The troll and human looked to Yawna. They were puzzled, the fear in their faces catching in the firelight. Yawna gulped slowly before turning to look at the caravan in which the Demon Wolf was still roving. It smiled at her, a macabre grin that made the tauren sick to her stomach. Weary Traveler whined beside her.
"She's right." Yawna replied finally, her breath rattling through barred teeth, "We are in no condition to fight. We would really only make matters worse. I suggest we follow her, I think Gwyneth has more than meets the eye to her."
The band trekked after the haughty elf, each buried in their own thoughts. It was a protracted walk. The fire still lapped behind them and the night air was cool on front. Neither tauren, troll, nor human knew exactly where they were going, only that they followed the tall silhouette on the horizon.
When they were far out of the sightline of the fire Gwyneth stopped. She had rested the group in a small valley in the middle of a rise of knolls all around, the protection it offered was needed. The group was faded, Yawna buried in thoughts of pain and sorrow that were coming from the caravan still within Awareness range. Var'Jun was beginning to slowly fall asleep as the alcohol he had drank took over. Kat was worse though. Her ankle had given out and she was practically being carried by the waning troll.
Gwyneth was the only one who had enough sense to build a fire. Her deft hands worked swiftly to create the source of warmth and even though is reminded her with a sting of what was happening to her home town she shook it away. The company gathered around her fire and the elf felt purposeful.
"I'm hitting it for the night." Var'Jun said softly. Luckily the group had brought their packs with them to the gathering and now had them after the fire. Var'Jun pulled forth not only his own sleeping mat but Kat's as well.
The human smiled graciously as the troll set her up, helping her over to the sleeping roll by the fire. She thanked him softly before lowering herself into the blankets and falling almost immediately asleep with the smell of smoke still in her nose.
"Poor girl," Var'Jun remarked with a chuckle as he watched the priestess. He then turned his attention to his other two companions. "Wake me up when it's my turn to take a watch. I'll take Kat's as well, I think she needs the sleep. I don't think she's ever been in a bar fight before." He laughed again, intoxication lacing his voice.
As soon as she was sure that the troll had dozed off Yawna began to question the elf. Her mind burnt with things that plagued her and she began to wonder exactly where it would lead.
"Why do you know about the Awareness." It was a simple question to start off with but it would take quite an explanation to make the tauren feel comfortable. The night elf laughed softly before answering.
"I can understand your thoughts but you have no reason to fear. Two-Moons told me of it. My mother and I are both sages, able to catch small glimpses of the future once in a while." Gwyneth smiled as the tauren relaxed at the name of her old mentor. "My mother used to take me there when I was young to hone my skills. Two-Moons is dead now though, I felt him die."
Yawna nodded. She paused, then yawned greatly. "I really need some sleep, would you mind taking first watch Gwyneth?" She was already pulling up her bed roll, humming softly to herself as she worked her way into it.
"No problem," she replied and added an afterthought, "Call me Gwyn though. If we are going to travel together, which we will because I want to find more of the Awareness, then we have to be on friendly terms."
The straightforward answer comforted the huntress and before Weary Traveler had even settled at her side she had already fallen asleep.
"We have to go back! They could be in trouble!" Kat argued loudly. She was livid now, half standing by herself and half leaning on Var'Jun. "They are your family, you need to support them."
"They do not need our help!" Gwyn yelled back, her foot tapping impatiently, "They are perfectly capable under my mother's orders. She will help them recover. And if you are going to find out who is causing these fires then we have to get going now."
"Gain control of yourselves!" Yawna yelled to be heard against the arguing Alliance members, "We can work this out without having to strain our lungs." She stamped her hoof impatiently, making ground beside her tremor slightly and Weary Traveler sniff angrily.
"Please ladies," Var'Jun pleaded, his hand pressed to his temples and his eyes closed tight, "No more yelling. My poor head's gonna burst if you all keep up at this level." He groaned slightly as Kat shot him a good, hard box on his head.
"You wouldn't have such a bad hangover if you hadn't drank all that beer last night." the priestess huffed impatiently as Var'Jun opened one yellow eye to look at her, "You might as well have injected it into your arm. No wonder your head hurts so much."
Var'Jun chuckled, still in a humorous mood despite his hangover. "You aren't going to give me any comfort Kat-girl. You seemed so ready last night." His hands crept up her arms and tugged at her sleeves
"Don't touch me you lecherous troll." Kat spit, swatting away his hand and trying to gain balance on her own. She failed miserably though, and her arms flailed wildly in an effort to stay upright before Var'Jun caught her again and sighed softly.
"You need a reality check, girl." The troll said almost lazily. He had pressed his hands to his temples again and was massaging them with the look of someone who was in deep regret, "And I do too. Why did you let me drink all that beer, Kat?"
The conversation between the two continued in this fashion before Yawna grew impatient with the pair and interrupted.
"It doesn't really matter who was the one who started that bet." She growled impatiently, "What really matters is what we are going to do. I think Gwyn is right, her mother seemed like a very capable person and we have a lot of ground to cover before we reach the area near Thunder Bluff."
Kat sighed. Yawna and Gwyneth were both two very strong voices of reason. She nodded in resignation and the camp was cleaned, the group headed off in early morning. The pace was quick, northward according to Gwyn's directions.
"Are you picking up anything on your Awareness, Yawna?" Gwyn's voice was piqued with innocent interest and she blinked in surprise as Yawna gave a short gasp and looked quickly over at Var'Jun and Kat.
"Her what?" Var'Jun asked and was quickly echoed by a sound of curiosity . The two now looked over at Yawna with questions dancing behind their eyes.
"You haven't told them yet?" Gwyn cut in before Yawna had a chance to talk. She blinked in surprise again before shaking her head. "And all this time I just thought that you two were intolerable and rude, or at least the troll was. Maybe you aren't then?"
Var'Jun began to protest but Kat silenced him with a look of venom before looking back at Yawna. "What is she talking about Yawna?" The name seemed almost familiar to the priestess, like a tale you were told as a child and only really comes up afterwards in life.
"Um, actually the truth is I'm not really sure. See, when I was a calf I was taken to a seer, Two-Moons. He made a prophecy for me and I was taught exactly what was going on because I was… Different I guess." Here Yawna paused, the looked ahead of her and sighed softly, "See, I feel the emotions of things around me. When people are really happy I get this immense feeling of joy, but when people are in pain… Well I feel that too."
"That's why you don't kill anything." Var'Jun exclaimed, "I wondered about that. Sorry Yawna, I teased you earlier about that. No hard feeling right?"
"Don't worry," Yawna waved it away with her hands, "You couldn't have understood. But yeah, my mother always saw it as a bit of a disappointment. I'm a hunter, my job is to put meat on the table. But I can't every time I see something or am near something that dies I feel like a tiny part of my heart dies with it. My mother Kiel always saw it as a bit of a disappointment. I've never killed anything in my life though I couldn't tell you how many times I've died."
"Never?" Gwyn exclaimed this with disbelief, "Not even a plainstrider or a wolf? Not even a bug?" She almost let a gasp escape her lips as Yawna shook her head. The elf had always been taught to kill what stood in her way, beast or being. The thought of blood-free hands made her look on her own way of life.
"That's amazing Yawna. What was the Prophecy, if you don't mind me asking?" Kat looked sheepishly down at her feet, "I've always loved lore."
Yawna cleared her throat and recited with practiced precision:
'Bonds of friendship must be made
In order to disprove what lies have been laid.
Where forces of hatred do conspire,
Only rain can quench the fire.'
"It came along with my full title, Yawna Raincaller. I usually don't use it but it rather scares me. It seems like a great weight on my shoulders and these outbreaks of fires make the quenching bit of it all the more real." Yawna sighed softly and her eyes held a tired look.
"Don't worry," Var'Jun chuckled, "We'll all help you. Where else would we go?" He smiled, but then his face fell. He stopped suddenly, shading his eyes with his hand as he often did when searching for something.
"Anyone else see that figure coming over the far hill?" He asked and Kat stopped beside him, her face alert. "Looks human by the way it's walking. Male too, broad shoulders. Limping though. Oh, no wait. He fell. We won't have to worry about him."
"What?" Kat cried out. She smacked the troll on the side of the head and making him feign fainting on the ground, "My ankle's hurt and what if I fell. Would you just 'not worry about me?'" She huffed, limping off to the figure in the distance.
"Not you Kat-girl. Not to you." He pulled himself up and scrambled after her calling, "I wouldn't mind it if you did take a break hitting me though." The troll's whining made the priestess speed up and he moaned softly as he trailed after her.
"Those two," Gwyn shook her head, "Irresponsible, the both of them. And bickering like they're a married couple." She chided them from a distance before following after them, her long legs taking her quickly to the receding figures.
Yawna sped up and followed them with Weary Traveler at her heels. The rolling grasses and dips in the ground made running hard, but she watched as the troll and human stopped up by the fallen figure. When Yawna drew closer she felt the pain from the man, but also a feeling of sincere relief and heartache as he caught sight of something.
The group drew up in the man, standing over the fallen warrior. He was dressed in silver armor that glinted like a new coin in the Mulgore sun. His hair was long and black, pulled into a tight ponytail at the nape of his neck. Sincere blue eyes peered out from his sun-beat face, a bit tired but full of recognition.
"Katherine!" He called out as the priestess pulled a bit closer to look down at the human. His face broke into a smile though Yawna felt the pain in his leg and spotted the trickle of blood spilling from the gaps in his leg armor.
"Malchior?" Kat declared, her face breaking into a smile and then her eyes filling with tears, "Oh Malchior you're alive?" She flung herself over the body of the fallen paladin. Her sobs of joy made the air stir and the paladin had a look of great contentment on his face now.
"My Katherine." Malchior said softly, completely ignorant of the people above him, "How I've missed you!" The knight drew his arms around the slim waist of the priestess and Kat stopped sobbing, her silence making the situation uncomfortable.
Yawna's awareness picked up something strange. She turned to see Var'Jun stirring beside her, the Awareness sensing jealousy and the troll's lips mouthing the words 'my Katherine?'
A/N: ACK BEDTIME! HOPED YOU LIKED THE NEW CHAPTER! GOT TO RUN!