**THIS STORY WAS RECENTLY REVISED! By me. February 2011. Just so you know... LOTS has changed.**
DISCLAIMER: This entire story is Copywrite. MINE. Got it? World of Warcraft, however, is NOT. Most characters are my own, except characters like Thrall and such. The world, too, belongs to Blizzard.
-x0x-
Chapter 2: Past Peril and the Ironforge Invasion
We came upon Dun Morogh before I realized it. We put our jackets on right away, though they didn't really help. Didn't help me, at least. It seemed to be fine for Kujajin and Alpine. His cat was fine the way it was. The snow was falling hard, and it was getting difficult to see. I tried to act as though it didn't faze me, but my body forced me to shiver unintentionally. I grunted stubbornly and pressed on. Shivering is an odd feeling, when you try to stop it. I mean, when you're alone it's okay to shiver. It feels good and all, but when you try and hide it, it seems that the only thing you can do is chatter your teeth. My body betrays me on purpose, I swear.
"You cold?" Kujajin's voice came right next to my ear, warming it with his breath.
"A—a little." I stuttered, instantly missing the warm feeling on my ear and the nape of my neck. I was pathetic sometimes.
"Not me!" Al roared with a triumphant smile, "Us Tauren are always warm! Plus, if I get cold, I can turn into a bear." He laughed with a roar, like some kind of half bear, "Ah, the perks of Druidship."
"Help! Help!" A Dwarf ran down a large hill towards us.
"Huh?" I rushed over to him, pushing past the two boys in front of me.
"Ugh!" He fell to his knees, and I knelt next to him, putting my arm around him to support him. "The-the... Horde… They're attacking," He coughed, "Ironforge!" He managed to say through his teeth as he groaned in pain.
Though my mind was stalled by the familiar sight of blood and pain, my mouth moved without consent, "Anyone know first aid?" I asked.
"Uh, a little," Al said nervously, raising his hand to his shoulder.
"Stay here and heal him." I commanded, "I'm going to see this for myself."
"Wait!" Kujajin called after me as I sprinted towards Ironforge. He couldn't keep up.
I rushed up the snowy hill stealthily, and climbed quickly over rocks to remain unspotted. I guess when you're really set on something the getting there is kind of like being on autopilot, because I hardly noticed the biting pain of the frost on my fingers. I reached the entrance rather quickly, too. From the outside, all looked relatively normal. But that's hardly ever the case inside as well. I snuck inside, into the Gates of Ironforge, only to find it was uninhabited. I heard loud noises from deeper inside, clanging and slashes, and continued on. I slowly peered around the corner, and had to slap my hand over my own mouth to keep from shouting.
It was a slaughterhouse. The Dwarves and Gnomes were greatly outnumbered by all classes and races of the Horde, and were all being killed like a massacre. It was sickening, and the scent of death was pungent like the smell of rotting cabbage. I could barely hold the bile in my stomach, even though this was nothing new to my eyes. I swallowed hard and defied the weak shaking of my form with the tenseness of my muscles. It was hard to bear, but I felt I needed to face it.
I got an irresistible urge to rush in and save them, though my head was still spinning nervously. I didn't know if I could bring myself to save these people, for I knew the means by which I had to do so. I pushed my conscience away, though it was an obstacle I had rarely had the privilege of feeling, much less belying. My fingers twitched with want, as my Rage began to generate, but I tried to force it back down. The pull was too strong, and I quickly took a battle stance and drew my father's sword, ready to make a battle shout, at least to release some Rage. I took a few more steps out, but something grabbed my hand and yanked me back.
"What are you doing?" Kujajin whispered quickly to my eyes as he held me by both shoulders tightly.
"I have to do something, goddamn it, they're all dying!" I argued, struggling against him and gripping his wrists tightly as they clung to me.
"If you go in there, you will too." He said sternly and level-headedly.
"So we're just supposed to sit here and do nothing?" I almost shouted, not remembering the close distance between our fierce argument and the vicious battle only steps away.
"Yes, better than rushing in, maybe taking out one, then getting ripped apart." He reasoned, his form sturdy and just. He didn't know what it was like to feel Rage. That made me even angrier.
"Then there'll be one less fucking murderer!" I cringed and pulled away from him, darting towards the battle.
Before I got three paces his arms locked around me and pulled me into a small crevice in the wall, next to some kind of pillar. One arm was around my stomach, and the other was around my neck. I held back a chocking sound and resisted. He pushed his back against the wall and held me so tightly it was like I was bound by metal. I remembered long ago, the last time someone restrained me like that, and the thought pushed me onward.
I struggled and struggled to get free, even though I knew he was right. I was more afraid of his grip than I was of the sure death across the hall. I don't know if you've ever felt this kind of feeling, where it's like someone has taken every inch of our power. I was so angry and full of Rage at that moment that not being able to move was killing me faster than any shank. It terrified me, and filled me over the brim with anger. I groaned and pushed on, until finally my body wouldn't move any more. I was still shaking, and I clamped my eyes shut. The anger just fell out of me, as I accepted the fact I was useless. He loosened his grip around me and I stopped all attempts to struggle.
We waited a little while longer before returning to Dun Morogh to find Alpine again. I needed some time to find myself again. Finally, though, we had to leave the screams of the dying and the sounds of the dead being dragged. It was arguably the hardest thing I've ever had to do, walk away. We were walking silently down the path, which was quieter than I could have imagined. I stared at the ground, still embarrassed about earlier. I scuffed my feet and watched my warm, white breath in the cold air.
"That was really brave…" Kujajin spoke up at last, breaking the silence and almost startling me with the volume.
"Huh?" I looked over at him, feeling my big round eyes almost plead for him to go on.
"Stupid… but brave." He smirked, still feeling the need to poke fun.
"Sorry," I muttered, narrowing my stupid brown eyes at the ground.
"Don't be," He looked over at me, "I think it's brilliant… I've always admired Humans for their lack of concern for themselves when others are in danger. It's endearing, really."
"Yeah well…" I glared at the ground more intently, trying to shake his stare.
"I envy it… I've always thought before I acted, and I wondered what I would do in a life or death situation." He went on, "I've always been taught to save myself, you see, and think of no other… I just hope that one day, I'll be like you." He sighed, looking away.
"It's not as hard as it looks, trust me." I smiled to myself. Yes, the hard part was seeing others die before you. Going in for them, that came naturally. To me, anyway.
We finally approached where Alpine had been with the Dwarf. I knew something had to be wrong, because I didn't hear his obnoxious voice right away. We rounded the last corner to find Al completely wrapped up in bandages, as well as the Dwarf. He was rolling around like a worm trying to break free. Next to him, Maximilianus sat, not even paying attention to the guy, licking himself.
"Ah! You're back! Quick, help me!" He pleaded, squirming towards us.
"You'll be the death of us, I swear." I sighed, walking over to him with my dagger and slicing open the bandages.
"Owie! You nicked the skin!" He whined, as he always did.
"Suck it up buttercup, it probably doesn't even hurt." I growled, still irritable I suppose.
"Well," He stalled for a moment, "no, but it's the principal!" He went on.
"Say," Kujajin stepped forwards, for he had been standing a few feet away, "what's the point of having that tree on your back anyway?" Kujajin spoke up.
"Hmm? Oh, this old thing?" He did a spin and posed, while Kujajin rolled his eyes, "I, well, I don't really know." He admitted bluntly. "I just like being strong, and this boosts my strength by 50%, and I'll be extra fast when I take it off!"
"I suppose, but really, you look ridiculous." I agreed, nodding evenly.
"Quit it, you guys are teaming up on me!" He whined again. Sometimes it was annoying, and sometimes it was entertaining. I guess it depends on my mood.
"So, how is the Dwarf?" I asked, changing the subject.
"I'm fine, lassie." A mountain of bandages replied.
"Good to hear." Kujajin nodded, not moving to help the man.
"How were things up in the city?" Al asked suddenly, becoming serious.
"A mess," Kujajin replied shortly, "one of the worst raids I've seen in a long time." he shook his head solemnly, responding vaguely as to spare me.
"I told ya so lad, we 'ere outnumbered by th' dozens." He sighed, "I hope my brother's al' right, he darted up the path'ay uphill when the raid began, while I came down 'ere."
"So," Alpine stifled a giggle, "you're saying he took the high road, and you took the low road?" Al said, almost laughing.
"Aye lad." The Dwarf rolled his eyes, "Speakin' of things, why's a Human such as y'rself," he addressed me, "wonderin' 'round with a Blood Elf and a Tauren?"
"They're, well, they're my allies." I replied slowly, tasting the word as foreign on my tongue.
"Really? You consider me an ally?" Al took out a notebook, "So can I add you to my friend's list, then?"
"Ugh," I groaned, putting my hand on his little notebook and pushing it away, "This is not the time, nor the place."
"I say we keep going," Kujajin said abruptly, "if we're going to make it to the harbour by sundown." he suggested.
"Where're y'all off to?" The Dwarf asked, somehow finding his way through the bandages.
"We're gonna save the Worl—" I kicked Al's shin as hard as I could, stopping him mid-sentence.
"I'm visiting my uncle in Auberdine." I said simply. There was no need to divulge the information right away.
"Aye, good enough for me." He nodded, "I'll be stayin' here if ya don't mind, to wait for ma brother. We 'ere in th' middle of a drink."
"Understood." Kujajin nodded and took my hand as he began to walk off, dragging me with him.
"Keep ya feet on the ground." The Dwarf said as we left.
"Y-yes sir." I spun around and gave him a faux cheery salute as I yanked my hand away from Kujajin and Al dragged his feet across the ground as if trying to do what the Dwarf suggested.
"You know, Viola," Kujajin said in murmur as we got father away, "I couldn't help but notice the Warrior technique back at Ironforge." he said lightly.
"Hmm?" I hoped I heard him wrong.
"That stance," He started, "that was a battle stance, only Warriors can use that." He looked over at me.
"I... I don't know what you're talking about," I denied it, fidgeting with my fingers.
"Come on," He spun around in front of me, causing me to almost bump into him, "I know a Warrior when I see one."
"It's no concern of yours." I said quickly, trying to push him aside, but he would not oblige.
"Tell me," His eyes peered down at me almost threateningly suspicious, "Why can a Rogue use Warrior techniques?" He asked.
"…" I remained silent, avoiding his eyes.
"And why did you get so angry all of a sudden up there?" He asked another difficult question, "I want to know." He pressed the subject.
"Fine… you really want to know?" I stared him dead in the eyes and waited, before he nodded slowly, "I'll tell you," I inched backwards and looked beside me at nothing in particular, "But it's not a pretty story."
"That's fine." Kujajin urged me on.
"I was just a young girl, one of the peasants on a farmland in Elwynn Forest, but it didn't matter to him…" I said, not wanting to say his name aloud.
"Who?" He asked softly, knowing it must be difficult to talk about.
"The Lord of our Manor had a son, around my age, maybe a little older. I don't remember. Though his father treated us like swine, us peasant workers, and taught his son to do the same, he always seemed to be kind to me. He was the only other kid around, see. I befriended him at a young age, and we kept our friendship a secret. His Father would have greatly disapproved," I continued, "because back then in that place they found it dishonourable to befriend the help."
"Father, I have finished my training and my chores, as you instructed," I said to my father as I knelt respectfully in front of him. He always had me do that since he took me on as an apprentice.
"Very well then, you are dismissed." He turned away, as if knowing where I would be headed after our interlude. He wasn't a stupid man.
I nodded and left the house, as quietly as I could, for I knew my father was a silent kind of man. I ran as soon as I got outside, though, through the fields, over the crop, through the livestock pen, and through the cornfield. I came upon the Lord's house, which was extravagant to say the least. We didn't have enough money at the time to own our own land, so we had to live under the watchful eye of the landlord. I crept behind the house and waited under the old oak tree on the windowless West side of the house. All their windows were on the East side. I guess they were sunrise people.
"Psst… Hejan, where are you?" I whispered to the wind.
It was silent for a few seconds, and I strained my ears to hear a response, but none came. I looked around cautiously, hoping that his father wasn't anywhere around. He sometimes goes around the farmland in his oversized horse-drawn transportation device and wonders why the wheels get stuck in the seed lines on the dirt. It was almost laughable how a man could own such proud land and know nothing of it. I guess I was thinking for too long, because I had stopped listening to the breezes.
"Here." A voice tickled my ear as someone grabbed me from behind, spun me around and held my hands above my head while pinning me to a tree.
I swiftly kicked the bottom of the sheath he had hanging on his hip, sending the contained sword out of it. It sprang up, and I bit the handle in my teeth. I wielded it with my mouth and guided it against his neck. We were still for a moment as our eyes clashed. He grunted an almost unnoticeable grunt before he released my hands.
"I almost won that one." He grinned at me.
"Yeah, well…" I dropped his sword to the ground and put my arms around his neck, pressing my chest against his almost seductively, "Maybe next time, hmm?"
"Maybe I should actually try attacking you for real…" He said arrogantly. I didn't know if he was joking or actually had some kind of superiority thing.
"Oh don't be a sore loser, Hejie…" I mocked him back and giggled before pulling away.
"Come now, you're no match yet," He said surely, "You haven't learned how to use or even unlock the energy called Rage." He told me, and I couldn't disagree. He seemed to catch my disappointment, and tried to cheer me up, "I have a new Warrior technique to teach you…" He said with a smug smile. He always made me work to learn new tricks, and he was simply handed them.
"Really?" I perked up and smiled back.
I don't really remember what we learned that day. Maybe I didn't pay close enough attention, or maybe it was overshadowed by other events. Anyway, after that lesson, I remember walking home in a daze, my thoughts taken over by him. He always seemed like such a great guy. I arrived at the house very late, and I remember thinking it odd how the house lights were still on. I took slow and short steps inside, and saw my father conversing with a servant of the main house. That didn't happen very often, especially in our house.
"Father?" I called softly, my hands delicately grasping the door frame.
"There you are, child." The servant walked over to me, "You've been summoned by the Lord, hurry with me."
"Y-yes sir." I nodded obediently and followed after him, peering back at my father helplessly. He only watched me, his eyes stiff and serious as they always were.
The walk over there was frightening. All the thoughts swirling through my brain were enough to drive me mad. I entered the monstrous house and followed the servant down the stairs and into a relatively small room. The only thing inside was a bookshelf and a small table. I stood next to the table and rested my hands on its soft wood. There wasn't even a chair to sit in and collect myself. They wanted me to tremble on my feet.
I had never really been inside this mansion, it was kind of taboo for a servant. That's why this was so strange, and scary. In my head, the inside of the house was even more incredible that the out, but as I stood here in this plain, dirty room, I pondered whether this landlord was really so high and mighty. I would never reveal it, but these people were like perfection to me. They were the whole of what life should have been like, and what I would soon construe death should have been like...
I remember I was waiting for an extended amount of time. I couldn't really concentrate. The thoughts of why he had summoned me kept me still and silent, and the thoughts of what must have been keeping him. I drummed my fingers on the table as I leaned over it, and for a moment found that fascinating. I smiled a little, small smirk, finding myself a bit more at ease. But the next thing I knew, someone had jumped on my back. I hit my chin on the table and then the ground, with the weight of two bodies. Whoever it was picked me up quickly and had a strong hold over my neck and stomach. He forced me still and spoke into my ear.
"Calm down… or you'll get us both killed." Hejan's voice rang through my mind.
"What's going on?" I asked urgently, not minding his brutality for the time being. To be honest, it wasn't too much worse than what he did to me in training.
"Oh, I'll tell you that much." The Lord said as he stepped through the doorway at last, in a long robe, "I know all about your little meetings outside the manor."
"W-what?" I was shocked, and suddenly found myself feeling vulnerable in Hejan's hands.
"I've known for a while now, I was just waiting for a time to do something about it." He acted like it was some kind of sick sport, "I've been so busy, you know," He added tiredly, "I've already lined up replacement workers for you, and the others." He laughed, and I didn't quite know what he meant, "Your father was right, a Warrior's life is no life for a girl. Not to mention, you've grown too skilled to go ignored."
"What are you talking about?" I groaned with a tight voice, my throat restricted.
"You probably don't know yet," He almost groaned, as if he didn't want to talk to me at all, "I needed a bit more time with you father," he started on the subject, "He's been helping me with some special potions and mixtures in the building by the barn," the one my father told me never to go near, of course, "so long as I let you go ahead with your Rogue training," He glared then, "I never said anything about letting you train to be a Warrior, though."
"My father would never-" I started, but this was not a dialogue.
"He's finished now, though," He continued, "he's done very well, keeping me on good terms with the Undercity, they should be arriving later tonight to pick up their requirements," He added in a mutter, possible making a mental note about something, "So he's no longer of use to me. Just as you are no longer of use to my son."
"That can't be true," I looked back at Hejan, hoping he'd suddenly release me and save the day or something stupid and naïve like that.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you now." He said it dramatically, and as if it was an easy thing to do, "Pity," he shook his head, for subtlety was no more his forte than it was mine, apparently, "you were a good farmer." He snapped his fingers, "Hejan, this is where you test your loyalty to your city, your oath, and to me."
"Yes, father." He said emotionlessly. His tone hurt more than his grip at that moment.
"Stop it Hejan, this isn't funny." I began panicking and struggling.
"You know," He removed his sword from its sheath, a sickly metal sliding accompanying it, "It's funny," He raised it slowly; "This feels very easy for me. I didn't think it would, but it's really exciting. All this time training, I was practising killing you. Now I really get to, and I'm truly excited."
"What are you saying?" I shouted, grabbing his wrist and twisting it until I heard a sinister cracking. I flipped him over me and pinned him on the ground, "Get a hold of yourself!"
"I have more loyalty to my father than a peasant any day." He struggled against me.
"As we'll soon find out." The Lord chuckled, not even flinching from his stance in the doorway.
"You shut up!" I pointed at him rudely, hating even hearing the voice of this man who had manipulated Hejan.
"Mistake." Hejan stated as he shoved me roughly onto the floor and pinned me to the ground, straddling my stomach.
"Ugh," I groaned, as he was quite heavy with his armour on, "why are you trying to kill me?"
"You should know that training someone not of noble blood to battle like this is against the law of the land, Hejan told you that when you first started out," The Lord spoke up, "Only our family can know it, you peasants have no right."
"Why did you teach it to me in the first place, Hejan," I looked up at him, "if you were going to kill me anyway?"
"I needed a training partner, and you seemed to show interest in me," He said as if I were an animal, "I wanted to test myself."
"You bastard," I groaned with the last bit of air in my chest.
"No matter..." Hejan put both hands on his sword, and the sword near my neck, with a crooked smile, "Dwelling on it will only make your last thought a bad one."
"Get…" I put all my weight on my shoulders and back, "the…" I began to raise my legs, "fuck…" I locked my legs around his neck from behind him, my feet under his chin, "off of me!" I shouted, yanking my legs back down to the ground and tossing him away from me.
I jumped up , quickly wiping the blood from my chin, and leapt out the window hurriedly. I landed quietly on the ground and began running towards my house. I sprinted as fast as I could, tears streaming down my face. I just couldn't be anywhere near the only man I ever had a connection to. I approached my house; not even noticing how even with the lights on it wouldn't have been that bright, even on a dark night such as that. I hadn't noticed the sky cloak itself, either.
Suddenly, the heat and smoke caught my eye. I snapped to attention and focused to see the fire through the busted windows. For a moment, I was cold and still, but then my body moved of it's own accord. I ran to the door and kicked it down. The hot air threw me off for an instant, before I gazed inside. My blurred vision swirled around like the fire until I wiped my eyes with my fingers. My smoke filled breath was caught in my throat upon realization.
My father and brother were but shadows cast upon the cracked and cindered hardwood. They danced in the light of the fire, their lifeless eyes refracting and reflecting light like sparks of life. Like the hill of dirt you sweep up with a broom and tuck in a corner, they were left, forgotten. The blood was everywhere. A large pool of it was shimmering in the light of the fire. A man stood above them, and I recognized him as a trusted servant of the Lord. I didn't know how on Earth he had been able to stand up so easily to my father, or my brother, who had always been better in Stealth than I. He looked back at me, and something in his eyes made me snap. Or more like… something that wasn't in his eyes. Staring at him, just the same as the way Hejan's eyes had looked, I saw no regret.
I felt it then. The Rage that Hejan had told me about. You see, with learning Warrior techniques, you must also learn how to use Rage. It's an energy source locked within a certain type of person, and apparently I had mine hidden rather deeply. I hadn't truly felt it before that moment, but in the fire and smoke it seemed to fill me like the heat itself. It was a burning, stinging kind of pain. A shaking, trembling emotion, one which made my muscles hurt before they even moved. My forearms felt the most of it, as they yearned to release the pressure. My chest felt like I had just been run through with a Polearm. It was a blur from there on. I remember removing my father's sword from a spot on the floor a few feet away, covered in, presumably, his blood. I cut through the servant like butter, as well as the few others that had followed me from the manor. The Rage had captivated me, and I had no control over it at all. It's a dangerous thing, indeed. I rushed through the field once more, over the crop garden, the livestock pen, and the cornfield. I killed everyone at the entrance of the manor as if I were harvesting crops, and in no time I came across the Lord. I suppose through all his pride, he was a man after all, and every man must die one day. And that was his day.
My final target was standing with his back against the wall, cowering. I didn't know where his pride had gone, but in my Rage I couldn't even look upon him with compassion, a trait of mine I held dear to my heart. I suppose I was a pretty frightening sight. A seventeen-year-old girl covered in blood, hair all over her face, with a blank expression, wielding a longsword. The next thing I remember was standing in the middle of the room panting. Everything around me was dead. I looked around, and couldn't bring myself to believe that I had done this. The Rage had finally subsided, and I was left with only the emptiness of solitude and the horror of regret.
So I ran. And I ran, I ran as far away as I could. And as I was leaving, a Stormwind city guard saw me, covered in blood, and running from the manor. He called for backup, and it took four of them to hold me, without killing me of course. I guess Rage wasn't the only thing that kept me going, it was fear and pain. I never wanted to see the faces of any other man again. They held me in their custody for two days before I escaped. But by then, they had found out exactly who had massacred the manor.
"If I could go back in time and stop myself, I would have," I finished, "It's a part of my life I never want to remember." I paused, "That's why I can't stand innocent people dying," I looked away, "I'm a murderer."
"That's the horrors of Rage," He said quietly, "I've never myself seen it's true potential." He shook his head though, "But murderers don't regret their actions, Viola." He argued, "I'm sorry, I never knew,"
"Don't give me that," I snorted, "it's not like I died back then" I said, though the thought of others dying did pain me more indeed, "Everyone is a troubled orphan in this world."
"Zoh my god!" Alpine said clapping like a wild man, "What a story!"
"That was four years ago." I told them, then I laughed lightly, "I never even finished my training. I hadn't properly gone over evasion yet."
"But you're a Rogue," Alpine reminded me, "you're pro dodge!"
"I never found a teacher of Rogues or Warriors to teach me about evasion. I taught myself, that's why I'm not good with avoiding attacks," I informed them, "It's stupid."
"I can teach you it." Kujajin spoke up, as if he was a master.
"What?" I spun around and looked at him, for I had been staring at the ground for the past few moments as I went over the events. I couldn't look at them as I told it.
"That was one of my first lessons, I'm very skilled." He smirked. His pride was the true horror here.
"Isn't that a little demeaning?" I raised a brow with a low tone.
"What's this? Too proud?" He mocked, and I snorted. He really shouldn't throw stones.
"Says Narcissus," I murmured.
"Um, hey guys," He glared over at him. Well, I glared, Kujajin just glanced, "Oo-oo-oo!" Alpine raised his hand and waved it around like he was asking a question.
"What?" I asked, rather annoyed.
"I gotta pee!" He announced bluntly. He was good at that, too.
"What, what are you, five years old? Go do it, you don't need permission," I growled, waving him away.
"What a weird guy," Kujajin whispered as Alpine ran off, smacking the tree on his back against a low branch and falling backwards, then rolling around back to his feet, "Okay then, you ready?" He turned to me.
"Wait, right now?" I asked, taken aback.
"Yes right now," He shook his head with a smile, "When would you prefer, when we're in Orgrimmar?"
"I see your point," I muttered, glaring at nothing through the corner of my eye.
"Here," He reached around my waist with his right hand and plucked a dagger from the sheath on my hip, "Let's see you dodge this."
"Hey, what-" I barely got a word out before he flicked the dagger at me, and I just barely avoided it, being caught off guard. The dagger landed in a tree a few feet behind me. I let out a huff of breath, feeling rather pissed off, and cast my glare dead in his eyes, "What the hell was that —you could have killed me!" I said very quickly.
"Let me show you," He strode over to me, and I stiffened, prepared for another attack, "dodging relies mostly upon the waist." He placed his hands on my hips.
"What's with you and getting so," I took a huge step backwards, "close?" I narrowed my eyes again and raised my hands in a loose stance, in case of sudden movement.
"Fine," He put his hands up defensively, "I'll just tell you. The first secret to evasion is in your core. It's all about fluent motion, thus using your stomach as your centre of balance. Instead of just sidestepping, try planting your feet and leaning to either side to evade."
"That makes some sense," I said, though reluctant to agree with him, "I guess."
"Good. Now you just need practice." He smiled and turned away, "Come on, we have to keep moving, this can wait for now. We'll get back to it later. Now where is that Alpine guy…"
"Ah," His voice came on cue, "Feels good to empty a leg," Alpine mused as he came out of a bush.
"I'm sure." I replied monotonously as Kujajin shook his shoulders in a hum of a laugh and gestured for us to follow him. Like I didn't know which direction we were going.
"Come on, Al, I guess we're moving on." I followed obediently, and figured Alpine would do the same.
"Hey Elfboy," I came up beside him and clasped my hands behind my back as I walked, acting nonchalant I suppose, "how long until we get there, anyway?"
"Just over this cliff here is a large drop, and we'll see it." He explained simply, "Why is it that I'm the one leading, and yet you're the only one of us who can even take the boat without having to fight?"
"Just because it's an Alliance dock doesn't mean I've been there before," I snapped back, acting distant and almost snotty. It was a subtle mockery of him, though I don't think he caught on.
But sure enough, as we reached the end of the snowy area, there was a large cliff. Just as that know-it-all had predicted. Down below, the climate seemed different. Less snowy, and it seemed wetter and greener. It was almost a relief to get out of the cold, though it wasn't what I'd call tropical here or anything. As we looked down we saw some kind of vineyard, a few trees, and just a short while into the water we saw a chunk of land with docks, and boats, bustling with people. I assumed that's where we were going.
"We are now in the Wetlands." He introduced, "And that little bit of land is Menethil Harbour."
"Wooh!" Alpine gasped melodramatically, "Let's go!" He darted for the cliff, as if it was some kind of amusement park ride.
"Wait, what are you—" I called after him, stopping once I saw Alpine jump over the cliff, my jaw dangling open.
"Wee-ee!" He cheered as he fell. We stood still, shocked, for a moment before following quickly after.
"Alpine?" We rushed over to the side just in time to see him slide down the rock, smash around like a rag doll, and land perfectly fine on the soft soil at the bottom. He sat up and shook his head, tapping his ear like he had water stuck in it.
"I'm okay!" He called back, giving us a thumbs-up.
"Well, I suggest we take the stairs." Kujajin shrugged and walked past me casually.
"Stairs." I repeated sceptically, watching him with my eyes.
Sure enough, as I peered over the left side, there were rocks that could be used perfectly as stairs. I'm sure it wasn't really meant that way, but I suppose it's just mother natures little gifts. I laughed to myself and followed him down the rocks, with his cat following behind me. It didn't take long to get down to the bottom, it wasn't a terribly long drop. We helped Alpine to his feet when we found him at the base, and I scolded him for being so reckless. He didn't seem to heed me, though. Finally, we looked across the small bit of water at the floating bit of land.
It was strange to me, to have the harbour on a kind of small island. It was like a peninsula I'm sure, the water probably wasn't very deep between the mainland and the island. Regardless, it does me no good to question why something is the way it is. Now, it was getting this pair of Horde characters onto a boat without being murdered that would be the issue.
"Well," I spoke up, my tone commanding, "since I'm the only one here who these blokes will talk to, you two stay here and wait for me to find us a boat. Understood?"
"Why can't we just swim over there and sneak onto one?" Alpine asked simple mindedly.
"Uh, for one thing: it'd get your clothes wet, which is unnecessary seeing as how there is a dock. And for another thing, I'm sure I can find someone who'll take you two with us. Without us having to be stowaways." I explained to him.
"So long as we're not flagged for PVP," He joked, I think, "and I can always take my clothes off, see?" He began removing his clothes.
"What?" I jolted, my eyes widening in surprise.
"..." Kujajin growled angrily and slapped his hand over my eyes, even Max made a grunt of displeasure.
"Wo-oh!" I heard a loud splash as Alpine dove in the water.
"Okay, I can keep him occupied swimming here, you go find us a suitable boat." Kujajin told me as he removed his hand from my face, and picked up Alpine's clothes.
"Pfft." I ignored the fact that he was telling me to do what I had already plotted up myself, and went ahead with finding a boat anyway.
"Hey guys, look at me! I'm a fountain!" Alpine tipped his head back and spat water out of his mouth; Max then ran into the water after him and began swimming. "A cat that likes water… that's awesome!"
"I'm leaving." I said in an annoyed way, storming off.
"I think you need to relax a little." Kujajin suggested as he leaned on a rock and watched Max swing around with Alpine.
"Want me to give you a full body massage?" Alpine perked up from the water.
"No way, no way in Hell," I shouted back, walking faster.
I slowed down once I was out of their view, and sighed to myself. Finding a boat, or a captain that would take with him a Tauren and a Blood Elf was somewhat more difficult than I had anticipated, but I did, in time, find one. It was a humble little ship, probably a kind of cargo ship, seeing as how there was plenty of space occupied with materials for all kinds of things. He said he's be glad to take us, and that we were going his way. He said he could take us to Auberdine, for a low cost. Auberdine was the closest we were going to get, unfortunately, since he had to bring his shipment there as soon as possible, so he couldn't drop us any closer to the East side of Kalimdor. I told him that was fine, it was only a few flight paths away anyway, or another long walk I suppose. I went around the island and grabbed my companions. After brief introductions, we were sent to find some room in a cabin below deck. Honestly, I was surprised Alpine even fit through the hallways, especially with the tree on his back and all.
"I call top bunk!" Alpine yelled, tossing his things on the top bunk.
"Cot." I said simply as I walked to the other side of the room and placed my things on the end of the bed.
"Yes," Alpine hurried over and jumped up on the top bunk.
Immediately as he landed on it, it collapsed and landed on the lower bunk, pretty much crushing it. Al looked beneath him and saw the other bed barely peeking out from beneath his. He coughed nervously, and tip-toed off of it as easily as he could. I spun around to see him standing beside a large broken bed with a guilty smile. I just stared blankly for a few seconds, and he waited, as if I was going to punish him for it.
"Woopsie," He mumbled, his cheeks a tint of pink.
"Great, I call that spot on the floor next to the dust bunny." Kujajin said sarcastically, walking fully into the room at last.
"Don't worry, my friend," Alpine picked up the top bunk off of the bottom bunk almost effortlessly and tossed it into the middle of the room, "See?"
"No, wait a minute here," I stood up and walked towards the bed. I pushed it further away from my cot, until it was a couple feet from Alpine's and a couple yards from mine, before walking back over to my bed to take off my weapons, "That's far better."
"Why did you do that?" Kujajin asked, walking over to his bed somewhat slowly.
"She thinks your gonna rape her." Alpine said laughing, as a joke. I didn't think it was particularly funny, so I didn't include my input.
"Ah, my naïve friend," Kujajin spoke as a professor might, "you can't rape the willing." He grinned and winked at me.
"Excuse me?" I whirled all the way around with a surprised and more than peeved expression, I murmured my response, so it was even hard on my ears, "You couldn't rape me if you had Alpine hold me down,"
"I don't believe in rape," Alpine continued, as if we were listening, "'cuz my Grandma used to always say "a girl can run a lot faster with her dress up than a boy can with his pants down", or something like that."
"Can we change the subject, please?" I turned back around and removed the daggers from my hip, placing two under my pillow, "Plus, I'm not exactly wearing a dress, now am I?" I added to myself, looking down at the hard layer of protective armour in admiration.
I'm not much of a dress or skirt kind of girl. I'd hate to be a Blood Elf, because most of the armour made for them is made particularly low cut and revealing. It made me cringe to even think about it. You see, I wasn't exactly the kind of girl that liked to dress, I don't know, girly. It sounds kind of stupid, an backwards, but whatever. Dressing in tight, short vestments constricted your freedom of movement, and gave you little protection, and ultimately gave you a disadvantage in battle. I'd rather be a tank than a skank.
"Well," Kujajin walked towards the door, "I'm going to go outside for a little, to look around."
"Fine by me." I said flatly, though I hardly meant it to sound so harsh.
"Max, stay here," He ordered his cat as it laid down on the floor lazily, "See you in a bit, Vi." He waved without looking back at me, obviously trying to annoy me.
"Viola," I corrected quietly, for I would not give him the satisfaction of an outburst, and then sat down on the side of my bed.
"So," Alpine walked over and sat on my bed, a few feet away from me.
He looked over me, I saw with my peripheral vision. After a couple seconds of silence, he scooted over, closer to me. I felt the movement from the bed as he raised his arm behind me, then placed it around my shoulders. I would have laughed if I didn't think it would hurt his feelings. Plus, I wasn't much in a chuckling kind of mood. I didn't really know what he was trying to pull, but I felt the need to correct him as well. And bluntly.
"Take it off or I break it off." I said simply. Simplicity is kind of my forte, remember.
"Got it." He removed it quickly, and sat with his hands awkwardly in his lap.
"If you don't mind, I think we should just hit the sack." I said with a tired sigh, looking outside to see the dark sky.
I didn't know what hit me all of a sudden, that happens to me sometimes. I'll be either irritable or sarcastic, then the next second I'll be dull and sad. I don't know, I get like that at the weirdest times. I'll be having a great time horsing around and kicking ass in Gurubashi Arena or something, and next thing I know I'll be walking out solemnly, for no reason. I don't know. Maybe I like being sad. I'm crazy, I swear I truly am. I act like a grumpy old man. I do.
"Yeah, sure." He shrugged and walked over to his bed, slowly of course. I don't think he wanted to go to bed yet. He liked being social, especially when no one else wants to be.
"Okay." I laid down in my bed and pulled the blankets over me, up to my stomach. I didn't much feel cold or anything, my chest piece was very warm right now. Without the wind chill from the snow, like I had been accustomed to for the past few hours.
Before getting too comfortable, I took off my wrist braces and boots, as well as all other unnecessary paraphernalia. I didn't take of everything though, just enough so that I wouldn't get all tangled up in the sheets, or accidentally stab myself in my sleep. My armour was kind of sharp. I looked behind my head, by tipping it backwards, to see the sky through a porthole in the side of the ship. The easy rocking back and forth on the waves was intoxicating and soothing. I loved the night sky, like most girls in that regard. I read it once that women are like the ocean, in a way. We're swayed by the moon. But the moon wasn't the only pull on me, the stars were just as alluring. Not to mention, I had begun to sense some kind of connection to this Elf character, though I hardly knew the guy at all. As much as I tried to pull away, some part of me just felt comfortable around him. I don't know, maybe I am crazy. Or going crazy.
"I love watching the stars…" Alpine spoke up in the silence, and for a moment I was sure I had just thought the voice in my head. But the more I echoed it in my head, the more realistic I remembered it. He did say it, and I hadn't said anything back.
"…" I hesitated, "Agreed."
"G'night," He said quietly, so softly I was sure it was either the rock of the boat or the door creaking open, though Kujajin hadn't returned quite yet.
"Yeah," I mumbled, as my eyelids dropped.
I heard Kujajin come back in the middle of the night, though he tried to be stealthy and quiet. I'm a very light sleeper, like he said. I always had been. My father used to wake me up by just walking down the hall to get a glass of water in the morning. Not like I'd ever say anything to Kujajin when he walked in, I don't think he would have wanted to know that he'd waken me. I was just being polite.
-x0x-
Preview of Next Chapter:
It slipped out unexpectedly like the sea breeze had pulled it from Pandora's box.
There was a silence as it sank in. I didn't really want to disclose it right away, but it was more of a slip of the tongue than anything. I immediately frowned at myself, glaring at my fingers as if they had handed it over like a gift. I do that a lot. I say things I don't really want to, and as soon as I do I know I regret it. I don't know why things don't sound the same in my head. I'm careful with my words, but not careful enough, clearly.
"Why would you hide it?" He said softly, moving a little closer.
"I've never really liked my name, I hate the goddamn thing," I lied vaguely. Of course that wasn't the only reason.
"Why? It's a beautiful name," He replied, though I was sure he was only trying to flatter.
"Hm." I smiled to myself, "Perhaps." I let it slide for a moment. "To be honest, I just don't like people knowing it." I couldn't look away from my arms, crossed before me, "It makes me feel more vulnerable, you know, when people actually know your name, it's like they know who you are. And I don't want to get to know people any more..." I was really on a roll today.
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