Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. So sorry! Because of your wait, here are two updates!

Northrend

Book Seven, Part Two

Long moments ticked by as I held my breath. Then to my left was a rustle of vegetation. Still on guard, my right hand instantly went to my dagger as my muscles tensed. Whiplash arrived out of the plants, trotting quickly and with a hint of bounce as she came straight to me. Admittedly, I sighed in relief at seeing her alive and in one piece. Already the silly horse and I had been through tough times together, and our bond, although still forming, was present.

I looked the white horse over quickly for any scrapes or bites, and thankfully found none. Whiplash seemed unaffected by the incident; even her demeanor was the same.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked from behind me. I turned quickly, my eyes coming across a tanned male Human as he approached us. He didn't seem very dangerous—he was unarmed except for a wrench, and a large pair of goggles gave him a silly appearance even as he raised them onto his forehead. Brown hair sat atop his head, matching the grime and dirt smeared along his body.

I had already decided the man wasn't a threat, but he still held his gloved hands in a peace offering. "It's okay, I won't harm you…" Saying nothing, I instead opted to allow him to reach us. "I'm based here," he continued carefully. Apparently, he decided the situation was stable as well; he held out his hand carefully. "My name is Vic. I'm a pilot."

I shook his hand with a small smile. "I'm Grace. I'm sorry if our presence has startled you and the others," I nodded toward the other few people now along the lake's shore further back, "I was just…passing by…when I slipped."

"Slipped is an understatement," Vic muttered, his finger scratching his temple. "You're bleeding. Allow me and my colleagues to lend you some help…"

"I'm really okay," I insisted, a bead of sweat trailing down my neck and causing me to shudder. "I can take care of myself." Even as I spoke I ignored the pangs that began to throb along my entire body. "I'm really in a hurry. I'm on my way to Icecrown-"

"Icecrown?" repeated the pilot, his full interest now on me. He leaned in closer.

"Yes," I answered bluntly. "Everyone around here seems to have the same reaction," I grumbled more to myself. "But it's important I get there."

"Well, if you're heading towards Icecrown straight North from here, you won't make it," Vic said. My face flushed, the fluster creeping through my blood vessels. "There's a mountain chain bordering Icecrown north of here. You wouldn't be able to pass it."

"I see." Frowning, I couldn't believe how unlucky I was. Heading north wouldn't do…I had never thought to consider any obstacles. "This is such a disaster," I whispered, wanting to shift my weight but wary of my sore, delicate body.

"I'm sorry about your misfortune," Vic offered. My anger towards everything almost flared up—misfortune was an understatement. "I'd offer you a ride on my airplane, but the design is still unstable…"

"It's quite alright." I forced a smile, the corners of my lips almost forming a wince. "Thank you for the offer."

Vic glanced behind his shoulder, where I now noticed a small Gnome tinkering with what I assumed to be the airplane model. His hair was a bright green—but I paid no head to the color, considering now I was learning to expect the unexpected and then some. A Human girl was near him, but her attention was definitely more on me even as she hovered over the Gnome's work. "Tamara!" called Vic, motioning toward the girl. She smiled nicely as she approached us, bright blue eyes glittering as she shook my hand.

"I hope you're okay!" she said, hands hiding as she held them behind her back. Her blue overalls were as dirty as Vic's clothing. "That was quite the spill!"

I opened my mouth to insist I was okay, but Vic beat me to it. "Actually, Tam, I was wondering if you could help our visitor bandage up? She claims to be okay, but I won't have any of our friends leaving here worse off than they arrived!"

How I wanted to object to quite a few things Vic said. First of all, I didn't need help bandaging, whether or not the injuries were serious enough that they needed wrapping. Second, I wasn't a friend. And third, technically, I arrived in a pretty bad condition to begin with, so leaving in this condition, technically, wasn't leaving 'worse off.'

Tamara applied some herbs to my scrape on my face, and even to my leg. The trio wouldn't even let me depart without a meal. Finally, after the group was satisfied, I was given permission to leave. I gave my deepest thanks—even if I hadn't initially wanted the help, perhaps it was beneficial in the long-run.

It was much later in the day now. Whiplash trampled back up the ridge, hooves pushing through thickets even more carefully now. I didn't dare push her too hard; not until I was completely convinced she was recovered from the incident earlier.

I couldn't go any further north. Unsure of what would be in store for me in any other direction, I decided to head back south in search of direction. I was losing time, and Valiance Expedition was the option with the least variability.

Once the sun slipped beneath the horizon, I could see my breath when I exhaled. Before long, Whiplash and I had stumbled upon a small camp of people—many probably took cover within the tents supplied, but a handful of others remained outside.

It was a cold night, and perhaps the group had answers I was seeking. I couldn't sense anything unfriendly about the place—some of them were members of the Horde, but they co-existed with Night Elves. One such elf was walking about, back and forth, as a Tauren watched with a sigh.

"It's well past dusk, Saina. I think the creatures are safe until tomorrow."

"They're never safe," muttered the Night Elf in a pout. Dismounting, I kept my pace steady toward the pair, hoping they wouldn't consider me an enemy or spy for lurking in the shadows. "Trust me, if I could wipe them out all in one-" The elf spotted me and my partner, her aura flaring in curiosity.

"Sorry to frighten you," I piped. "I was just passing by, and-"

"Oh, look at the poor thing!" quipped the Night Elf, her hands clasping together. "Probably exhausted, with no place to rest!"

I sighed in relief at the welcome. "Well, actually…"

The elf's dress slipped across the grass, her small hands moving to my horse's black mane. "What's her name?" she asked, using the same coo as before.

I perked an eyebrow in confusion. "Uh…her name is Whiplash."

The woman giggled as the Tauren folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "What a great name!" With a glance to me, she smiled, eyes alit in the dark. "Would you like a place to rest tonight? Whiplash seems tired, and I have just the remedy to get her cheered up!"

"That'd be nice," I said. At least Whiplash got us a place to stay for the night. The Tauren begrudgingly did as the elf was told and took Whiplash towards the food stock as Saina lead me to the fire. "So, what is this place?" I asked simply, eyes scanning over a pair of orange banners I could barely catch in the dark. The female Tauren reappeared, her large mass even blacker than the nighttime.

"We're from DEHTA," answered the Night Elf cheerfully. "My name is Saina. The sour puss over there is Zanthar." The oversized cow gave an appropriate huff in response.

"I'm Grace."

"Pretty name," complimented Saina. Her eyes glinted in the moonlight like Taellor's had.

"Thanks." After a few moments of crackling embers from the fire, I broke our silence. "What's DEHTA?"

"Oh!" piped Saina. She smiled once again. "You must be new to these parts. As members of DEHTA, we vow to protect and defend the wild animals of the tundra from poachers and looters!"

"Oh." Trying my best not to frown, I slouched the slightest in my spot. "Protecting the wildlife. How…valiant."

"We try!"

I forced out what would have been a sigh and disguised it as a loud exhale. "There are many of you?"

"Mhm," nodded Saina. Her silver hair glinted in the moon, and even at night I could see her soft features. "From the Horde and Alliance. We work together."

"Yeah, I noticed," I commented lightly.

"Our two sides have more in common than many like to believe."

For a moment I thought back to the fight in the Plaguelands, when a group of Horde ultimately allied with us to vanquish the common Undead enemy. "I can believe that," I surmised.

"You must be terribly exhausted, traveler, and here I am chatting away!" announced the small Night Elf in her high pitched voice. "Zanthar pitched an extra tent for you, so go ahead and rest up. Tomorrow's a new day with new challenges!"

Nodding, I forced my body to stand and painfully hobble to the tent. "Thanks so much," I said.

Before falling asleep, I covered my wounds with some herbs (courtesy of Vic's squad) and re-bandaged my leg. The injuries weren't too gruesome—pain came from the tumbling and bruising I had endured over the day. After the bandaging, it wasn't difficult to find sleep, even with such a harsh sleeping ground.

When I awoke, the crackling of the fire was absent, but it was replaced with the murmur of conversation outside. The sunlight added a bright glow to my tent's coverage. "A Human girl?" came a rumbling male voice from outside the tent.

"Mhm." With one simple phrase I knew it was Saina responding. "She needed rest overnight. That's her horse over there. Isn't she the cutest little thing?"

"Is she lost?" asked the male.

"The horse? I don't think…"

"Saina, my dear, the Human," corrected the other. His response wasn't in agitation, though by his tone I could presume he'd become accustomed to making such corrections.

"Oh. I don't believe so. I mean, not lost in the sense of hopelessly lost. She actually looks quite prepared for anything, with her daggers and all…"

The male—probably Night Elf—had a flare in his aura. "She's not a poacher, Saina. Don't tell me you welcomed one of them into our camp."

"Heavens, no!" piped the female. "She's too nice, Darin."

"Darin!" came a loud, heavily masculine voice from the distance. "Darin, you tree hugger!" the voice boomed.

"That can't be Vii, can it?" asked Saina.

"Vii should be traveling south," answered Darin. "It shouldn't be."

"Dar!"

"But it is," added Darin.

Deciding the buzz about me died down enough, I stepped out of my tent. Saina, of course, I could recognize-her petite form and silver hair hadn't changed with the arrival of day. With her was a much taller, more haggard looking male Night Elf.

His skin was a very mystifying purple; loose, midnight-blue hair reaching his back. His pants were simple cloth, and he wore a jacket that exposed his fit shape. He glanced me over, eyes scrutinizing my appearance until he silently decided there were more important matters to worry about. His gaze instead shifted ahead of him, and curiosity forced my eyes to follow his.

Approaching the small DEHTA camp were two male Draeneis atop large, purple eleks. One was much taller, more built, and older than his partner, though they shared a common skin tone of blue and black hair. The taller Draenei also had a dark beard, held in a tasteful style with three golden metal bands. A similar golden piece decorated the younger Draenei's left arm. Both men were covered by sufficient armor, bearing a more important aura than the silly DEHTA camp. Hidden behind the larger Draenei was a silver mace, the symbol of the Naaru gracing its blunt. His young companion must have been a hunter—a large snow-white tiger stood ready at his side.

"Shouldn't you be on your way to your base?" asked Darin, his aura of slight irritation completely absent in his tone of voice.

"I was," announced the loud voice I recognized as the "Vii" from earlier, "until this morning, one of those poacher traps nearly took off Blizz's leg." The feline with the group rumbled, one paw feeling the ground as the other was drawn up toward the stomach. It looked well-bandaged, but the smaller Draenei looked severely concerned. "Kae helped wrap her up to the best of his ability. But I figured your people would have a good herb medicine for the wound."

"Of course we can help," Darin acknowledged. Almost automatically Saina was falling back toward her hut, determined to uncover a medicine for the feline.

"I should also inform you, my good friend, that these vile poachers are traveling further south, closer to the keep. If something isn't done about this, Darin…"

"I know, Vii," interrupted the male Night Elf. Any other race speaking like such would have sounded rude, but Darin's Night Elf nature softened the interruption into an assurance. "We're trying our best with the numbers we have."

Vii nodded as his younger companion's hooves shifted in the dirt. The younger's eyes remained on the white tigress as she sat quietly, tail twitching slightly. "Your numbers are low, I know." Vii's eyes shifted to me, a large eyebrow quirked in curiosity. "Have the druids resorted to recruiting Humans?"

"Uh, no," replied Darin. His tone never broke, but the hesitation caused Vii's aura to flair with interest. "She stayed the night."

"Ah." The large Draenei nodded, eyes distant. "Night Elves and their generosity. How could I forget." Darin pretended not to hear his friend's undermining comment.

"We couldn't let her wander around at night all alone!" piped Saina. "She'd been traveling all day-"

"Where are you heading to, lady?" asked Vii. He looked me over with a patronizing smirk.

"Well," I sighed. "I need to head to Icecrown. I was heading north, but apparently it was the wrong way. I'm backtracking to Valiance Keep."

"What do you know!" Vii bellowed in his obvious Draenei accent. "That's where Kae and I must head!"

"To the keep?" I asked.

"And then to Icecrown, of course. We're part of the Argent Dawn's crusade here on the continent."

I paused. "You are?" Vii nodded, the smirk refusing to leave his face. "That's coincidence. I heard the Argent Dawn is leading the attacks…you can tell me where to go?"

"You have to travel up and over Valiance Keep, east towards the Unu'pe colony. They're very friendly people—well, beings. They have a turtle route there. Takes you up toward Moa'ki…"

"So, I head east from the keep?" I asked carefully.

"Yes, but you must be careful, there's hunters and poachers and the…" Vii sighed. "You know, it'd be easier if I took you. That way…"

"I'll be fine," I announced defensively. "I'm a rogue. We don't…work well with others." That was a very potential lie. But they didn't need to know that.

"Oh, Grace!" Saina chirped in her high pitched voice. "Vii's right! He's been all over the land, and I'd feel better if you and Whiplash had company. I know you're well equipped, and you can probably handle yourself, but…you and Whiplash would fare better."

The horse. I forgot. This was about Whiplash's safety. Never mind the fact that she threw me off her back twice. I was in more danger because of her, not the other way around.

"At least go with them to the keep," offered Saina. "It's not far. Then if it's not working out, you part ways."

Finally, I sighed in defeat. "I suppose it couldn't hurt."

"Excellent! We'll leave as soon as you're ready. Grace, was it?" inquired Vii. I nodded. "Excellent then, Grace."

Quickly I gathered by bag, despite the urge to slack and attempt to delay. I walked back toward the center of camp to find my horse equipped and ready. With a gruff neigh Whiplash begrudgingly followed my lead toward Vii and the others. "Tell me about it," I grumbled, rubbing her nose. She huffed again.

Vii and Kae were already mounted on their huge eleks. Hesitantly, I grabbed Whiplash's reigns and lifted into her saddle with a small prayer.

The horse didn't buck or scuttle, to my relief—my behind was still sore from the last time. The three of us, plus Blizz the tiger, turned to begin our journey. "Thank you, friends," Vii called. "For the ointment! Kae is very grateful!"

"Anytime, Vii. Bliz'll be pouncing about in no time," encouraged Saina.

We continued after goodbyes. After a few moments down the path, Vii nodded. "This is probably best. You may be skilled, but if a handful of Horde attack, you're relying more on luck."

I held my tongue, deciding it was best to keep our travel as detached as possible. The eleks made soft thumping noises as they walked. One of their strides equaled a gallop of Whiplash's. It seemed Whiplash was as enthusiastic about the other larger animals as I was the Draenei.

This wasn't the best option. Company equaled a chance of distraction. And if I lost focus…

"So," began Vii wish his jolly smile, "why are you willing to endanger yourself by going to Icecrown?"

I debated with whether or not to answer. Finally, deciding it was harmless, I kicked Whiplash in order to catch up to the eleks. "My brother. He was based in Icecrown."

Vii held back a chuckle. "Did your mother bake a Mulberry pie to send him?"

I didn't know whether to smirk or scowl. "He was in Icecrown. He's disappeared. I'm here to investigate."

Silence. I continued in pace with them. "Where you from, Grace?" Vii asked.

A headache started to peck at my temples. "Stormwind," I answered. "I was trained at the SI:7 base there."

"Rogue," Vii acknowledged with a nod. His smile, if possible, widened. "Triple threat." Even Kae stifled a chuckle.

"Triple threat?" I repeated.

"Well, that has to be the most difficult combination to deal with!" Vii explained with a shake of his head. "Female human rogue! What a fickle…" I shook my head, at a loss for words. Not even halfway into our journey yet, and the bantering had began. "This isn't a stroll in the gardens, child," Vii mentioned. "One can't simply…solo the entire continent. There's plenty of Hordies 'round here just waiting to pounce. And the Scourge is always looking for opportunities to sink their teeth into the vulnerable…"

"They've taken advantage of those opportunities already," I bit, the bitterness more harsh than I intended. "Teeth and all."

Kae and Vii were silent for a few moments. "You survived an attack?" Kae asked, breaking his silent bout.

"Two attacks," I answered shortly.

It was fairly silent within our party the remaining distance to Valiance Keep. Vii and Kae held conversations, of course, but I made no effort to join in.

The more I listened, though, the less offended I was of Vii's comments. He was a jolly Draenei, and his banter was only meant for laughs.

After some traveling, we finally were in range of our destination. The familiar dirt was beginning to replace the reddish hues, and the smell of sea water was growing stronger.

"We just need to touch bases with a few people in here, and then we'll head to Icecrown," announced Vii. I nodded.

Before the fort was even within our sight, Kae stopped suddenly, his elek's thumping strangely absent. "What?" asked his older companion, instantly tense.

"Something's wrong at the keep," Kae murmured. "There's a…large number of Undead…they're something I can't pinpoint."

I had been distancing myself from anything that affiliated me with the Lich King, in fear of having a confrontation I couldn't handle. The pull was getting stronger, and avoiding a crossover was becoming more difficult with time. My knack for sensing Undead had grown especially lax with the new companions who could sense Undead.
Now, without a thought, I triggered my potential. The throb in my temples increased, but within a split moment my senses were heightened, the stench of Undead magnifying and almost causing me to swoon.

Vii must have felt my aura shift, because instead of looking toward the keep, his eyes landed on me.

"He's right," I mused. "Some kind of darkness is clouding the fort."

"I feel it as well," Vii added. His paladin abilities were finally applicable to something. "It's definitely a different aura. We'll have to be careful."

My heart was pounding. It was about time we had a bit of action around here.

Once we could see the keep, our eyes could match auras with beings. Spider-like things were attacking the front doors of the fort. They were numerous—enough to cause a dense blanket of darkness—and seemingly determined to break through the ranks of soldiers around the outside walls.

It must have been fairly early in battle. A few spider parts were strewn around the terrain, crimson blood reflecting in the sun. The insects were massive. The silvery-blue bodies were quite the match for the soldiers geared in mail—long thin legs were lost amongst silver swords.

The shrieks were the worst. Even from above on the path I could hear the piercing cries of the spiders. It made me clench my jaw in unease—the sound seemed to rock straight to my temples.

"Hell," Vii grumbled. He leaned in a tad, obviously already attempting to devise a plan. From what I knew, I could assume there was no alternative way in. The real brainstorm was within how to get through the mess of a fight. "Okay," Vii finally announced. "We'll have to leave behind the mounts for now. They'll be too big of a distraction in battle. Kae, I want you to run Gracie Girl inside and then-"

"What?" I snapped. "We just went over this. I'm a rogue. You can't keep me out of a good fight!"

"Please, Grace," Vii stated. "We specialize in things that refuse to die. You just make sure you get to safety."

My mouth fell open, shock causing my face to flush. "What? Why you-"

"I'll lay a consecration, of course. Burn up as many as I can. Kae, protect Gracie's behind. Have Blizz help take down as many as possible, of course. Let's show them how an alien invasion really goes down!"

I growled, already sick of being underestimated. With a heave I was off Whiplash. "Stay," I commanded. "You're safe here. I'll come back for you. Got it?"

No response. Vii and Kae were already off their eleks, weapons drawn as they leered out our daunting task. "Once you get inside, be sure the women and children are safe," Vii explained. I rolled my eyes as we trudged through the field, immersed in the action surrounding us.

Blizz hissed, claws retracted in eagerness as she slinked beside her young owner. Kae seemed collected, but he still seemed too young to be wielding a mature bow. He was the first to act—I stood between the two Draenei, watching as Kae swiftly drew an arrow, slid it along his bow, and aimed and fired with deadly precision. The spark of violence had me itching for my daggers. "Normally, I respect my elders," I grumbled. "But I've broken commands before, Vii."

I felt Vii's aura prickle with disbelief. My hands were finally wrapping around the hilts of my daggers. "Girlie!" growled Vii. "Unless you want to die on this battlefield, you should listen to my instructions."

"Triple threat, remember?" I growled as a hurl of spiders turned their attention on us and began their attack. "Female human rogue?"

Blizz charged with an animalistic growl, teeth sinking into the nearest body. Kae swung his axe just as Vii unleashed a consecration that lit up the ground beneath me.

"Don't make me tag stupid onto that list!" roared Vii. I merely grinned as my daggers popped loose. With a swift swipe I severed off a pair of legs from the closest spider. Crippled, it only made a hobbled crooked step before I managed a deft blow into its chest. It cracked under pressure. "Get inside!" Vii barked again.

I rolled my eyes. "No."

It wasn't a direct breach of orders anymore. I continued to slash away, mind numbed from the screeches of death. The aura of the Scourge drowned my senses, acting as a drug. I could push away realities like love, pain, life, death—Undeath.

Right now it was just me and the enemy. And an adrenaline rush that intensified with the spilling of blood.

Vii's consecration again scorched the ground below us, looking like webs of Light ready to entangle enemies. Unlike my burning run-in with the Blood Elf paladin's consecration in the Plaguelands, this was painless. It was only warmth beneath the soles of my boots, but it torched the Undead things around us. It burnt their legs, sending screeches of pain through the battle that meshed with the stench of scorched flesh.

Blizz was to my left, ripping apart whatever part of an enemy she could bite into. Vii's mallet, combined with his Light, crushed opponents fairly quickly. Kae was a skilled archer—he stayed ranged whenever possible. Usually his arrows would finish off the spiders Blizz was mauling, but every so often an arrow would soar into my own target's body.

They were accustomed to handling these kind of beings. Undead things. It was a small relief to know I didn't have to watch everyone else's behinds as closely as my own.

Once the enemies around us were vanquished, Vii turned to me, his chest heaving with the effort to breathe through his heavy armor. Dark red painted his body, and I assumed my armor wasn't much better off. "You are stupid," he articulated. "So you're bloody lucky that you're skilled."

I smirked. "Those were too easy. You're familiar with the Scourge, you know that." I wiped my blades off as Kae arrived, Blizz loyally arriving at his side. He listened in, at the same time bending over to dislodge any used arrows he could reach. I shook my head as I scanned the battleground. "Arthas is experimenting here as well. It shouldn't come as a surprise, but…" I sighed. "They're petty. He's throwing his toy puppets around, testing them while keeping the living ranks distracted. He's got bigger plans…" My lips tightened as I thought out loud; I then noticed Vii's perked eyebrow.

"You're from Stormwind?" he asked. "You're new to Northrend, and yet you seem very aware of what's going on."

"Arthas' power is expanding," I mentioned casually as I began to walk through the keep's huge walls. "His forces have sprouted elsewhere, including in the Eastern Kingdom. It's spreading like a disease."

"It is a disease," grumbled Vii. "It's a damn plague."

Once we reached the inside, news that the enemy had been kept at bay had traveled. Most of the soldiers were returning to their proper places, although some had been assigned to cleanup. Town life was beginning to return to normal.

"We'll head to the war quarters," Vii instructed Kae. "Hopefully we will accumulate more support. I'd hate to say it, but maybe the attack has them shaking in their mail boots." Kae chuckled as Vii turned towards me, the sunlight catching the metallic surface of his mace. "And what about you, rogue?"

"I wouldn't want my stupid human feminism to get in your way," I declared with a sarcastic smile. "I can do this on my own. I was trained for the-"

"Trained or not, rogue, you're still new here. You don't know the geography, the people…you'll run into difficulties. Even you're stupid side should be able to acknowledge that."

"I'll be a burden," I grumbled defensively—even though I wasn't quite sure what I was defending anymore.

"You can hold your own in battle. That's not a burden. So," Vii rolled his shoulders, probably relieving them somewhat of the heavy armor. "We're going to plead our cause to the proud, benevolent people of Valiance Expedition. Successful or not, we're traveling back to Icecrown. You're welcome to join."

I sighed. I couldn't deny the partial truth—I definitely didn't know the layout as well.

With a bit of a drag in my stride I followed the two large blue figures, noting how their exotic tails swayed with their strides.

We entered one building I assumed to be the war quarters. The main room was large, with many different people of all kinds of races.

Vii introduced himself as well as Kae, saying they were a part of the Argent Dawn. Many people listened intently, except I just couldn't remain focused on the situation.

I felt antsy. Vii's booming, jovial voice had settled into the background, becoming no more than a murmur. I blinked, and a flash of blue flooded my eyelids. My body swayed, and I forced my eyes open. Reeling backwards as quietly as possible, I tried to remain calm.

My spine jarred up against the stone wall, but the pain didn't distract me from the obvious discourse my mind was wrestling with. I was fading in and out, vision growing fuzzy and refocusing too quick for my brain to fathom.

Don't let go, I growled at myself. My fingernails dug into the stone behind me. Don't lose it.

The blue haze remained, so intense I had to force my eyes shut. It took control immediately.

The Lich King stood at a balcony. Or, rather, it was me now standing there. White strands of hair tried to block my vision.

We have more loyal servants, my King, someone announced from behind me. I didn't want to be curious, but I wanted to learn more. When his body turned towards the voices origin, I didn't try fighting out of consciousness.

He followed behind his Undead minion, heavy boots clanking across granite as he reached a circular room. Now in front of him were three haggard men—two humans and a dwarf. None adorned any part of an Alliance uniform—or even an Argent Dawn tabard. They had been stripped down to bare minimum, their skin a sickly purple color from either cold, exhaustion, or torture. Under their eyes were sallow bags, making their eyes look even darker and distant.

I was pleased. They were weak, empty of any trace of hope or vengeance, or any other petty human trait. It was perfect. Are you ready for your real purpose? my masculine voice asked. I already knew the answer. It was blatantly obvious on their faces and in the way they stood.

"No." It was my own voice, but I couldn't tell if I had actually uttered it in my own body or simply thought it.

The Lich King's helmet cocked in interest just the slightest. No?

It felt like the walls of his realm were collapsing around me—the pressure caused my blue surroundings to dim around the edges. I didn't want to be there, but it was like polar opposites of a pair of magnets—I had gotten too close and now it was difficult to discern myself from him.

The realization itself was force enough to throw me back into my body with a fierce shove. My breathing was shallow as my legs gave in and I sat against the back wall. The others were still murmuring in the center of the room—from Vii's tight expression I could guess thing's hadn't been settled yet.

At least my episode had gone unnoticed.

"Are you okay?"

She's still being a nuisance.

With gritted teeth I focused on Kae's concerned form. In and out of focus the Draenei went, and I was having flashbacks of the voyage to Icecrown.

It was getting dangerous, and the fear of slipping away had me pulling away—or trying to, at least. I concentrated on Kae. "I'm fine," I forced.

"Are you sure? Your eyes…"

I blinked. "What?"

"They're purple."

I withheld a growl, knowing full well that any kind of anger could kick me into the Lich King's realm. "They've always been purple."

If we ever cross paths, you vile human wench…

"Well, are they always glowing like that?"

Frowning in confusion, I tried not to reveal to Kae that I was genuinely surprised. I was fairly certain that admitting an affiliation to the Lich King was a promised death sentence.

We will cross paths, I thought, not trying to communicate with the sick lich but certain I was. I'll be sure of it.

It was as if I had been held underwater, deprived of air and awareness. My full consciousness rushed into my body as if I'd broken the water's surface and hitched a full inhale.

I fully escaped the Lich King's consciousness, but how I had done so was beyond me. I couldn't dwell on it further—Kae turned towards his uncle, who now nodded approvingly.

"I suppose that is only fair," Vii commented. "If your scout comes with us, I am fully confident that you will only gain a full certainty in our righteous cause."

"I'm glad you agree, paladin," said a man of the keep. His hands were clasped behind his back as he addressed Vii. "I'll send a scout with you to your base in Icecrown. He'll spend a few weeks in your presence as he sees fit, and give us news of what he sees."

"He will see a very organized, very lethal movement," assured Vii.

"I am looking forward to his return," the Human said. "For your enemy is our enemy as well, friend."

"I couldn't agree anymore."

The Human soldier smiled, shifting his weight. "Sergeant Graystone!" he called.

"Commander!" called one among the ranks along the walls. The accent should have clued me in—a stout, broad-shouldered Dwarf stepped up to his leader, boots clipping as he did so. His beard and braided hair were a vibrant red that accented the obvious glint of agitation in his green eyes.

"You are to accompany these members of the Argent Dawn to their base, where you'll monitor their progress as well as the advances of the Scourge. Keep a log. I expect very detailed reports, Sergeant. I'm entrusting this responsibility to you, Graystone."

"Of course, Commander." Graystone's superior saluted the Dwarf, who returned the gesture. When the Human turned back towards Vii, however, Graystone had a hard time hiding a roll of his eyes.

"I suggest you head out as soon as possible," announced the commander. "There's supposed to be a winter storm rumbling in from the west. Hopefully it misses you on your journey."

"Then I suppose leaving now is advisable," agreed Vii. "Thank you again for listening to our pleas. The Argent Dawn would be very fortunate f we gain allies in your people."

"Go with honor, friend."

Vii bowed, almost the Human's height as he did so. "May the Light bless you."

Kae stepped toward the exit, meeting his Uncle near the doorway as the disgruntled Dwarf fell in-step behind.

I followed as well. As I fell into rank next to Graystone, the Dwarf tossed me a curious glance. "You too, eh? Scoutin'?"

I smirked. "Not scouting. But yes."

"This just keeps gettin' better," grumbled the Dwarf. "Send the midget fireball, he'll make a wonderful scout with 'is bowed legs an' oversized axe." I couldn't help but giggle.

Graystone gathered his gear and horse as Vii lead me to a small food store. It was near high noon when the four of us reconvened. The Dwarf tossed one large pack onto his large steed's backside, then stuffed two large bottles of ale into the small pockets. Vii's eyebrows rose as Graystone placed one foot in a stirrup and barely managed to launch his body up onto the saddle.

"The bottles," began Vii. "…I suppose they're not filled with mana potion?"

"It's me special beverage," Graystone corrected, patting the bottles affectionately. "I'm gonna need 'em for this trip."

With a chuckle Vii started off, our small caravan falling in behind him. Whiplash behaved as we trotted along. Vii and Kae and their eleks led on as my horse kept in stride with Graystone's.

Judging by the axe, I'd say Graystone was a warrior. Nothing surrounding him emitted a mystical aura like paladins or priests had. I almost asked the fiery-haired male, but his obvious unhappiness had sealed my lips shut.

We weren't riding for very long when Graystone pulled out his first bottle. He uncapped it with a loud pop, even as I watched him with a perked eyebrow. "It helps thicken yer skin," he muttered, taking a quick swig. "Keeps the body warm."

"Are you any good with that axe, Graystone?" Vii asked innocently.

"Course!" piped the stout man, back straightening with pride.

"Excellent," Vii said. "Because when it comes time to fight, and you're sliding off your horse and the axe is swinging you, I'm not going to cover your wobbly behind."

Graystone actually chuckled, even as he put the bottle to his lips for another drink. "Everyone's always gotta crack the funny drunken Dwarf jokes," he commented lightly, downing another swallow of ale.

I tried to ignore the group as we traveled. Every so often, I felt a smile pull at my lips. But it hurt, because I couldn't be truly carefree with my goals in mind. My brother had to be found. I had to reach Icecrown and find out where he was. Everything I had worked for, for so many months now, I had left behind. I lost my father. I lost Dennis. I turned away from Zen. And I'd never be able to face my mother or Matthew if…

Reach Icecrown. One step at a time.

The foreign surroundings had my senses in overdrive. My head ached, and I was growing anxious about my vulnerability to the Lich King's thoughts.

For the first time in my rogue career, I felt that perhaps I was in over my head.

It made my heart flutter.

"So these…creatures…are friendly?" I surmised, noticing how the strange beings seemed very kind as we walked through the peaceful village. Large masses of bones seemed to make up the infrastructure of buildings. Different hides acted as material.

"Of course." Vii bowed at a few of the tusked creatures, who smiled in response as we trotted toward the dock. "We are very blessed to have the Unu'pe tribe's cooperation and willingness."

The turtle ride was interesting. Surprisingly enough, the ride was smooth—smoother than the journey on the boat to Northrend.

It was a lengthy trip. I kept mostly to myself. Whiplash stood on the shell, cautious as the sea creature made tiny changes in its course. She stayed close to me as the waters lapped against the transportation system—her hind leg was touching my shoulder as her tail flicked.

My chin rested on my knees as I focused on thinking about nothing. I was doing well until Kae's bulky form approached me. "Are you going to explain what happened back at the keep?"

I felt my throat tighten in unease. Vii and Graystone were holding a large, obnoxiously animated conversation. It could have very well been an argument. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kae smirked, though it wasn't a conscious display of arrogance. It was a soft smirk as Kae gazed out at the waters. His legs were bent in front of him, hooves steadying his position on the turtle's back. "You thought I'd forget about it. Shrug it off."

"It would be for the best," I surmised.

"I don't forget things very easily," Kae said lightly. "Ever since my parents died, I make sure I remember details. There are some things I never want to forget."

My lips tightened in a grimace. "I'm sorry about your parents."

Kae looked up, toward the sun. "Don't apologize. Everyone carries their own pains. That's why I'm with my uncle."

Why the young Draenei, usually so quiet, now tried talking to me, was beyond my understanding. But as long as the subject remained on him, and not on me, I was satisfied. "Did you want to be a hunter?"

"In order to remain with my uncle. I had to train for some sort of class. I wasn't incredibly gifted with anything spectacular, so I chose hunter. My Uncle Vii is my only blood relative to survive. He travels constantly, but I wanted to remain with him."

"I see."

"What about you?"

I sighed. "I suppose I got pulled into this mess on a whim. My teacher realized I had talents for remaining undetected. Being a rogue was an easy choice."

"If it's so dangerous back in the Eastern Kingdom," began Kae with genuine curiosity, "why didn't you remain to defend it?"

"My brother is missing on this continent. I have to find him."

"Right," Kae muttered. "But…you know this war. You know the consequences of war, and you had a duty elsewhere. What made you get up and act?"

I grimaced. Damn. "It's complicated," I insisted obtusely.

"Does it have something to do with what happened earlier? In the war room?" pried the Draenei.

My face twisted into a frown when I realized the young hunter had very accurate assumptions. "What makes you think that?"

"You won't talk about either subject," Kae coolly explained. "You can't hide behind your aura much longer. It perplexes me. One moment your aura is as solid as felsteel, and then the next moment, it's static. There's no definition, just…bursts going to different extremes of temperament."

"I'm under a lot of stress," I explained. Quite the understatement, all things considered.

"Sooner or later, you'll have to stop shutting out the world. You have to remember we're all on the same side."

Shutting my eyes, I tried to block out the memories that seemed to fade into my thoughts. Hadn't I heard that before?

"You're jumping to conclusions, girl," Zen stated. Swiftly he pulled me through the streets. "You need to remember that we're on the same side." A sharp left turn as I tried not to get my shoulder slammed into a corner. "Nothing should stop your desires…"

Suddenly, any motivation to talk and share my story seemed extinguished. Kae seemed to notice my reflections, and he kept his thoughts to himself as I clenched my jaw.

Thinking of Zen was bittersweet. It kept my concentration off of the throbbing headache. The pull toward the Lich King could at least be ignored, if not avoided. But it introduced a different pain, a guilty pang that made my shoulders tense. We were close—we were getting closer, at least, before I left. I had thrown it in his face. As a companion and a former apprentice.

Kae's words stung a bit—I wasn't normally a heartless rogue. I normally didn't shut people out. I was becoming what I accused Zen of being—a robot. Grimacing, I shook my head. Ironic, that I had been trying to coax Zen out of the same thing I was now becoming. The tables had definitely turned, and they didn't seem to be in anyone's favor.

But it was necessary. I was protecting those I loved by leaving, and I was protecting those I met by keeping them away. And most importantly, I had to keep the Lich King out. I couldn't really do that if my moods stirred dramatically.

Of course, the stress of thinking on it probably didn't help.

I couldn't let myself act normal. It would harm everything I was working toward. Keeping my distance was the best way to keep my allies safe, wasn't it?

Wasn't it?

3ritti