Chapter 2
The pair had a hard time traversing the crowded streets out of the bazaar district, but staying close together they at last made their way to the main entrance of the city, known as the Shepherd's Gate. Blood Knight guardians stood watch attentively on either side of the gate, dressed in their uniform regalia of mail hauberk and leggings overlapped by a tight-fitted and sleeveless crimson robe adorned with flowing symbols and elegant patterns. In one hand they held an uncharacteristically thin shield as tall as the guards themselves, and in the other a double-bladed sword that was undoubtedly as keen as it looked. One of the guards gave Ramael and Rhynnian a suspicious look, but did not actually proceed to hinder them as they passed by.
The two of them said nothing until they completely cleared the gate and were walking well within Eversong Woods, heading west.
"Blood Knights. They must think they own the city and everyone in it. Did you see the look that guard gave us on our way out? As if he was trying to make us feel guilty for having done nothing wrong!" Ramael grumbled to his sister.
"I'm sure that particular guard gives everybody dirty looks dear brother. No need to get upset over such a trivial matter."
"I suppose you're right. I shouldn't even care, now that we're leaving." Ramael conceded. Rhynnian turned to him with a soft smile, but he didn't notice, being so wrapped up in his own thoughts.
They were now crossing the Dead Scar, a desolate path running north from Deatholme in the southern Ghostlands, where the undead Scourge army cut a swath through Quel'thalas leading to the Sunwell during the Third War. No grass grew there, as the dirt upon which they tread was completely black, and here and there, were soot-ridden bones protruding from the ground. The whole area smelled of decayed flesh, a sign that even mighty Silvermoon City had not completely recovered from the devastation wrought by Arthas years ago. The two of them crossed the path in silence, and were listening anxiously to their surroundings. There was nothing, save the soft whispers of the eastern wind blowing. After what seemed like an eternity, which in actuality amounted to ten minutes or so, they reached the other side, and their tense posture became noticeably more relaxed.
Eventually, they reached the point where the road diverged into a northern path and a southern one. The road heading north led to the ruins of Silvermoon, west of the Dead Scar. It constituted the part of the city that was as of yet un-restored from the Scourge invasion, yet recently Blood Elf forces had established a foothold in the old Falconwing Square, and were working to reclaim the ruins wholesale. Ramael and Rhynnian's destination, however, was at the end of the southern path, where Fairebreeze Village and their foster father were.
They saw him even before they had reached the village, lying underneath the golden boughs of a grand oak tree with his eyes shut. If they didn't know any better, they might have mistaken him for a corpse. He was completely still, and sprawled out on the grass, and they could see dirt and dried blood staining his robes. Rhynnian feared the worst, but Ramael knew better. They halted when they stood directly above him. A few seconds passed before Magister Darenis, their foster father and magic instructor said anything.
"It's about time you got here. I've been waiting all morning for the two of you." He opened his eyes and sat up slowly, giving Ramael a stern look. "I imagine it was your sister's good sense that led you to show up at all. Otherwise I'd be waiting quite a while. Isn't that right?"
Ramael responded by shrugging and giving him a dry smirk, which prompted Rhynnian to nudge her brother in the ribs with her elbow. "Ow! Well, I mean uh, it might've slipped my mind. But that's why I always stay close to Rhynnian."
Darenis stood and gave them a tender look. "Well, no matter. You're here now after all. Let's head into the village and discuss things over lunch." He started walking ahead of them even before they had a chance to agree.
Ramael and Rhynnian's foster father was a reputable magister in Silvermoon City, and had taken both of them under his wing when they became orphans from the Third War, as teenagers. Darenis was close friends with Ramael's father, and an acquaintance of Rhynnian's mother and father, both of them magisters who fell before the onslaught of Arthas' s Scourge during the sack of Quel'Thalas. Darenis possessed a rather rugged face, though clean-shaven, with a broad chin and sharp nose. His dark red hair was similar to Ramael's, though parted to the right and slightly upraised in the front, showcasing his entire face.
They reached their destination in a matter of minutes as Darenis had set himself to wait for his children fairly nearby. Fairbreeze Village seemed fairly inconsequential with only a few domed buildings in the ornate and distinct style of the Sin'dorei, but its strategic value had increased tenfold since the Third War, for it was the only Blood Elven settlement west of the Dead Scar. The trio headed towards the largest building in the village where Darenis kept his temporary residence; the inn. Entering the top floor by means of a spiraling ramp, Darenis hastily settled into the closest couch nearby.
"You certainly seem weary father." Rhynnian commented. Darenis simply gazed into the wall ahead of him. "Father?" repeated Rhynnian.
"My apologies dear, its just… I lost many close friends and allies during the attack on Deatholme."
Ramael's eyes grew wide. "Wait, you were the one who killed Dar'Khan?" he asked. The atmosphere in the room grew solemn as Darenis answered.
"There was a whole company of us. Farstriders, Blood Knights, and Magisters all banded together for the attack. Not only that, but our Forsaken allies to the south contributed a fair number of troops for the assault as well. None of us would've made it out alive if not for them. I didn't kill him, personally. But I was there, along with a dozen others who headed into the main ziggurat. I could feel the malice in his dark eyes." He paused.
"What happened next?" Ramael asked, cautiously. After a moment, Darenis continued.
"I recall undead shades materializing out of nowhere when the fight began. We were caught off guard and completely surrounded in that chamber. But, we brought a secret weapon. One of the Blood Knights with us wielded a blade imbued with the energies of the Sunwell and in the ensuing chaos, dealt the killing blow by stabbing him in the chest and incinerating him into ash."
"Wait, if he was burned to ash, how did the town crier reveal his decapitated head to us in the bazaar this morning?" Ramael asked, confounded.
"The Blood Knights wanted something to show for all the blood that we had shed, and made the decision to present a counterfeit head to the masses. We were naturally sworn to secrecy, but seeing as you're my children…" Ramael and Rhynnian both nodded, silently complying with their father's wish of confidence. "Well, what's done is done I suppose. I hope you're both hungry, because I'm about to order a feast?" he concluded.
The two siblings gave one another a look, but said nothing. Darenis, ever observant, caught their exchange and brought his suspicions out into the open. "What's the matter? It looks like something is on your mind."
"Darenis, Rhynnian and I are going to Outland, to join with Kael'thas and his people. When news of your victory against Dar'Khan reached Silvermoon, Lor'themar made the decision to allow pilgrimages to the Dark Portal, and beyond. We plan to be part of the first group of pilgrims to go." Ramael said resolutely.
Darenis stared at the two of them, but he hardly looked surprised, as if he expected this newest development to arise sooner or later. "Very well, do what you will. Though I do not believe you to be ready for this kind of endeavor."
Ramael, prepared for this debate with his father, responded without hesitating, "Experience will have to be the best teacher then, from here on out."
"I see you are determined to carry through with this. All right then, I'll see what I can do to help, come tomorrow morning. I've a number of things I've been meaning to give to the both of you anyways. But first, sit and have lunch with me. I haven't had a good meal since before I was ordered into the Ghostlands." Darenis conceded, as both Ramael and Rhynnian breathed a sigh of relief.