Chapter Five
I do not own Warcraft
Stormwind City. Rebuilt after its savage destruction at the hands of the Old Horde it is a testament to humanities will and determination. Home to the last remaining Mage Sanctum in the Eastern Kingdoms, as well as the headquarters of the infamous S: 17, and the mighty Stormind Keep. The city was truly the heart of the southern lands.
It was here that Kantoris and Astevus found themselves two days after the attack in Elwynn Forest.
"It is…busier… then I remembered," murmured Kantoris as he attempted to avoid the stampeding flocks of citizens milling about the Trade Quarter.
Darus reply was only a grunt and not much of one at that.
Using Darus hulking mass as a shield the thin elf trotted behind the human as he wove through the cluttered streets with a practiced stride. In mere moments they arrived at their destination.
The Pig and Whistle Tavern in Old Town.
"They are all here?" asked Darus.
Kantoris shook his head, "No, they are with Rhiana at one of the safe houses. Bayren is here to lead us to them."
Darus nodded. Bayren Ironbeard was one of the elder members of the Swordsworn and had been with them since the beginning. He was not surprised in the least that he was one of the survivors.
Considering the dwarves drinking habit he was also not surprised that he had chosen the Pig and Whistle as their meeting point.
"What a dreadful place," remarked Kantoris. Darus shrugged.
Sure, the sweat and alcohol soaked exterior was a bit of a deterrent, as were the two unconscious drunks dozing outside of it, and the suspiciously man shaped hole in the wall of the building but all in all it seemed a well enough place.
"Let's get this over with," growled Darus walking inside.
The elf, after what he felt was an appropriate amount of prideful delay, followed.
The inside was not much more inviting. Cracked tables and chairs were strewn across the floor as evidence of a recent bar fight. Half a dozen men rested in a pile, beaten senseless on the floor.
Bayren with tankard of ale in both hands sat atop said pile.
"And that's why you never insult a dwarves mum!" he yelled taking a sloppy drink from one of the tankards.
It seemed the old dwarf hadn't changed at all since he had last seen him, thought Darus.
Then he spotted them. His one good eye grew wide.
"By Moradin…Darus is that you lad?" gasped the dwarf.
"Aye Bayren it's me."
"Bless my beard. When the elf said he had a surprise for us I never imagined id be you."
The dwarf waddled over to Darus and then gripped him tightlyin a hug.
"Is so good to have ye back lady!" he nearly cried.
"Bayren, control yourself," said Darus sternly.
The dwarf released him wiping away tears, though if they were from the multiple bruises on his face, the drink or Darus arrival that was causing them was unclear.
The few conscious tavern goers left in the common room were now transfixed on the trio. Kantoris cleared his throat.
"Do you have somewhere more private where we can talk?" he asked.
"Aye I've gots a room upstairs," said the dwarf motioning toward the rickety ramp that led to the second level of the tavern.
Together –with the occasional helping hand for the tipsy dwarf- they scaled the stairs to the room. Stepping inside Darus closed the door. The dwarf opened his mouth but the elf shushed him. Closing his eyes, his hands glowed violet. After a moment the glow disappeared and the elf opened his eyes, "We may speak freely now."
"Alright Beyran," began Darus immediately. "Where are the others?"
The dwarf wagged his fingers, "Not so fast. You've got some explaining to do lad."
Darus gave the dwarf a hard look, "I don't need to explain anything. I left and now I'm back to pull you lot out of this Light forsaken mess."
The dwarf shook his head, "That it eh? What about how you been doing all these years? What about how we been doing all these years?"
Darus frowned, "I hardly think this is the time to exchange pleasantries Beyran."
The dwarf opened his mouthagain but Kantoris cut in.
"Now is not the time for this Bayren. Please."
The dwarf glared at Darus with his one good eye. Darus folded his arm aloof.
The dwarf nodded, "Sort our priorities eh? Very well. Truth be told I don't have a clue where the others are."
"What do mean?" demanded Darus.
"I knew where the were but I doubt they're still there. I slipped away just as those red bandana buggers began attacking the village. I've no doubt they got out of dere alive but I haven't the faintest clue as to where they've gone since."
Darus face grew stonier. After a moment of silence he asked, "Are you saying they could be anywhere in Azeroth by now?"
The dwarf shrugged, "In short. Aye."
Darus cursed under his breath but Kantoris held out his hand.
"This is not nearly as bad as you think. Doubtless Rhiana is counting on Bayren finding us. If that is the case then she has simply gone to the nearest safe place she knows of. The men in red bandanas," he turned to the dwarf. "They weren't aiming for us specifically were they?"
"Naw. They wanted the town. That attack was just a spot of cursed luck."
Kantoris nodded as if confirming something, "If that's the case then she would have just headed for-"
It was at that moment that the room exploded.
A/N: Messing with the title a little bit. Mostly stuff you -if there are any of you- probaly don't care jack about but get on my nerves. We are right on track toward the crux of the story now. To be perfectly honest I've been thinking up nearly all of this on the fly with my general goals kept in mind. That being said I think it will only get better from here on out. Reviews in the form of apreciation or criticism are more then apreciated.