(AUTHOR'S NOTE: The plot thickens when our heroes make a very significant discovery! Enjoy!)
Chapter 10: A Worthy Adversary
Draggo and Drake's expeditionary entourage had made marvelous progress. They had reached the southern Barrens area by nightfall and decided to set up camp. The Alliance and Horde forces seemed to spread apart for the most part.
"We have quite the adventure ahead of us don't we?" said Drake as he sat by the fire. He was speaking to Draggo. The orc was accompanying him and feeding his proto-drake.
"Indeed we do. Having a group without cooperative members is destined for failure. It seems that aside from us, Fenron, and Longshot our companions will be trying to kill each other instead of finding this Nal character." sighed Draggo as he tossed a large piece of kodo meat over to the dragon. Frostwing quickly went to work on the tasty morsel.
"But perhaps all is not lost. Look over there." said Draggo pointing to Fenron and Tygra. They seemed to be having a decent conversation.
"I doubt that. Tygra does not care much for the Horde. She only tolerates druids because of her own allegiance as one. More than likely that's all they will be able to talk about." sighed Drake as he unsheathed his golden blade and began to polish it.
"You seem have an odd fascination with that blade Drake. Every weapon has it's own story. What is the story behind that one?" asked Draggo pointing at Lion's Fang.
"This sword has a very rich history. You see my mentor, Darius Tyring, was once a great hero of the Alliance. He has participated in every war within his lifetime, aside from the past wars within the recent years. He was truly a magnificent soldier. He was able fight days on end with this sword and when the battle was done, he would stand over his enemies bodies as the sun gleamed off the blade towards another day; another day when Darius Tyring would slay his foes." preached Drake.
"Darius has been like a father to me. For him to bestow this blade upon me…It is truly a blessing…So then, while we're on the topic, tell me of your blade. As you said, every weapon has a story. I see you still hold the same sword from Northrend." asked an intrigued Drake.
"Well you are correct about that." smirked Draggo as he pulled out his own blade.
"Dragon Strike is an ancient blade amongst my clan that has been passed down through the main family from generation to generation. Like your sword, this sword has brought death to many. It is fabled that a dragon soul is encased within the orb at the bottom of the handle." said Draggo gently sliding his hand across the blade.
"Although this blade is more than a weapon to me. You see, the blade goes to the first born of every generation. Before my brother could accept the sword…Well as you saw in Northrend, his fate found him…" murmured Draggo sorrowfully.
"When he returned, or what was left him returned, he refused to accept the sword…When he passed away at Icecrown during that battle…Well you know the story. It just reminds me that I am fighting so good men must not suffer the terrible things my brother endured." said Draggo triumphantly.
"I see…Dragazar was a grand warrior. It was truly an honor to meet him all those years." whispered Drake as he stoked the fire.
"Thank you friend. Now is the time for rest. Fenron and Tygra will be shifting lookout shifts. We're leaving at first light." said Draggo as he crawled into his tent.
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The next day, the expedition continued. They came across a small group of dead Horde soldiers. They were identified as a patrol party. Their bodies had been burned to crispy skeletal remains. Draggo forced the men to stop each time to bury the dead, although Neluun voiced is dissapproval each time saying they were wasting time.
The group had arrived in Thousand needles when Longshot noticed something odd.
"Drake, Draggo, ye's might wanna be takin a look at these…" said the hunter as he stared at the ground from atop his bear. The two leaders approached the hunter and observed the ground.
"I don't see anything but dust and rock." said Drake. Longshot rolled his eyes.
"Of course ya don't, ya don't have trained eyes like I do. You see these marks? These are the marks we been seeing along the way. Im guessing thes tracks are the from our Nal fella." explained the dwarf pointing to some misshapen dirt.
"Well what's the problem then?" asked Draggo.
"Well these tracks are a few days old…But these tracks over here are the same tracks, but they are fresh. More than likely made not but on hour ago." said the dwarf pointing to marks that resembled footprints.
"Well what does that mean?" asked Drake.
"It means that Mr. Nal got whatever he was looking for and is headin somewhere else you damn fool." hissed Kataya
"You show Drake some respect you disgrace of an elf!" growled Tygra.
"Oooooo, a catfight…How fun.' giggled Crether.
"Ahh, kaldorei. They think so highly of themselves. It's is a shame you could not have evolved from your mangy, barbaric ways like the grand sindorei…"giggled Kataya.
"And become a mindless whore addicted to magic? No thank you. I have some class." snapped Tygra with an evil smile. Kataya began to walk towards Tygra with her hands wrapped in fire; Tygra walked towards the mage her hand become a large feline paw. Draggo stepped between the two before they could attack.
"That's enough! Kataya, respect your superiors! Like it or not, these are our companions and we are going to need their help." ordered Draggo. The elves exchanged nasty glares before receding back.
"Oh come now Draggo, you may be married but I know you can't hate the sight of two lovely ladies exchanging blows can you? Hehehe." laughed Crether maniacally.
"Stop instigating Crether. You're not helping the situation." barked Draggo.
"I see the mongrel thinks he can be civilized. How cute." mocked Neluun. Draggo simply ignored the comment.
"Uh, well…Yes, these tracks mean that our little Nal fella is backtracking." said Longshot, thrown off by the event. Drake turned to Frin who was trembling on Drakes horse staring at the intimidating elves.
"Frin, what's Nal's next destination?" asked Drake.
"Uh…Well we were heading for Tanaris, so it looks like after that he would be heading for Feralas." said the gnome.
"That's consistent with the track marks." said Longshot observing the ground.
"Good, that means he's close." said Drake. After he said that, a loud series of shrill centaur cries came from the north. Draggo and Drake quickly assembled their men and headed north towards the disturbance.
The group arrived at a scene of genocide. Slain centuar encompassed the village. All the bodies were either torn apart, burned, or in some serious cases even worse…
The bodies were fresh, very fresh. The murderer couldn't be any further than a few hundred yards from here. In fact, he was much closer than that. One of the Alliance guards spotted some movement near a pile of supplies. The group slowly approached and saw a gnome rummaging through some of the centaurs supplies.
The gnome had a very disturbing appearance. His skin was extremely pale and his hairs long and mangled. His eyes were very dark, in fact there was barely any white. He wore large extravagant gothic looking robes adorned with bones and skulls. He also had a large staff with an orb black orb wrapped in jagged bones and adorned with skulls. The gnome quickly turned and faced the group.
"And who might you be…" said the gnome whitely in a shockingly deep voice.
"Are you Nal?" asked Drake in serious tone.
"Perhaps I am. Are you looking for this Nal?" asked the gnome as he stared down the men. Something about him made the group unusually uneasy.
"Nal! Nal, are you ok!?" screeched Frin as he leaped off of Drake's horse and ran over to the gnome. Nal simply stared at Frin emotionless.
"Frin…What are you doing here…"asked Nal.
"Well… I was worried about you. With all these demons popping up I just…wanted to see if you were ok." said Frin nervously.
"Yes..I am fine…" said Nal still emotionless.
"You wouldn't happen to know why all these centuar are dead would you…" asked Draggo. Nal simply shook his head.
"Oh really mon? Maybe it be because ya be rummagin through their belongings or maybe it be because these bodies are fresh, but I don't belive ya!" snapped Drek'val.
"Well there's nothing I can do about that now is there? I see free things, I'm gonna take em. As for who killed them, not my problem." said Nal smoothly.
"Perhaps something you can tell us about is this map…" asked Drake holding up a map. Nal showed a shocked expression for a moment before simply smiling and turning to Frin.
"Frin…I thought we were friends." said Nal in a pleasant, tey uneasy tone.
"We are Nal, we always have been!" said Frin.
"No no no. Friends don't try to ruin other friend's plans!" snarled Nal as brought Frin to the ground with an abnormally powerful punch. Nal was charging a shadow blast when Kataya fired a pyroblast at the gnome. Nal grasped the fire within his hand it clenched his fist extinguishing the fire.
"Attack!" ordered Drake, his men rushing into battle. Draggo and his men charged as well. Nal simply giggled as his hands were engulfed in shadow. He thrust his hands into the air and gigantic green flamed boulders rained from the skies. The boulders crashed into the ground, exploding with the earth on impact instantly killing several Alliance soldiers. The boulders began to unfold and reshape into large monstrous Infernals. The first person to charge the Infernals was Neluun. He soared through the air with his hammer in the air. An infernal sired a torrent of flame from its mouth but Neluun called upon the elements and water shot from his hand extinguishing the flames. Neluun encased his mace in solid rock as he smashed the infernal in the chest. The monster went down with a shrill cry of anger. Neluun ripped his mace out from the creatures chest and avoided it's flailing limbs. He then smashed his mace into it's head, crushing it. The flames ceased to spread throughout the creature and it's limbs became simple rocks. Without Neluun knowing a large infernal was chargin behind him. He turned around to late and the creature swung one of it's boulder like hands at the draenei. Draggo leaped between Neluun and the Infernal, blocking the blow with his shield. Draggo leaped up and sliced the creature's rock body in half with on swift blow of Dragon Strike. Draggo turned to Neluun and smirked. Neluun replied with a look of disgust and continued to fight the other Infernals.
While the others were fighting, Crether went after Nal. Crether was a dedicated rogue and believed the mission always came first. It's how he made his money. He swiftly dashed past the bloody battle going on and raced towards Nal who was attempting to flee. Nal attempted to blast the pesky undead away from him, but Crether managed to doge whatever he threw at him by leaping onto high rocks and ducking behind large mounds of dirt. Crether pulled out a throwing knife and hurled it at the gnome. The knife caught the gnome in the leg and brought him to the ground. Crether sprinted towards the gnome with his sword raised when Frin leaped in front of his fallen friend.
"Stop! We had a deal!" called out the gnome.
"Out of the way munchkin!" snarled Crether. While the Forsaken was distracted, Nal fired a massive shadow spell at the rogue from behind Frin, knocking him to the ground.
"Well, maybe we are still friends…" laughed Nal as he rose to his feet and ripped the knife from his legs.
"Nal stop this! This isn't like you!" pleaded Frin.
"Oh no? Is this like me?" asked Nal as he aimed his hand towards the fallen rogue. A black mist came out from his sleeve and wrapped itself around the dazed rogue. The rogue began to violently flail about and howl uncontrollably. Nal cackled manically.
"Nal quit it, you're going to kill him!" cried Frin as he grasped his friend's arm.
"I don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't die…" giggled Nal. Crether continued to shriek in agony.
"No Nal! It's that pendant isn't it!? Give it here!" yelled Frin as he grabbed the pendant hanging from Nal's neck. Nal quickly turned around and pinned Frin to the wall by the throat.
"Look you insignificant waste of a man! Your friend is dead! I rid myself of all of my weaknesses so that I could become powerful! To obtain the power I desire I must rid myself of my wretched past…and that includes you doesn't it!?" snarled the gnome.
"No, you're still Nal! What would…What would Izzy think of you right now." gasped Frin as he tried to breathe through his gripped airway.
"Don't you EVER mention that name around me! EVER!" roared Nal as his eyes became engulfed in flame.
"Frin!" called out a voice. Nal and Frin both looked over to see Drake and Draggo along with what remained of their forces. They had defeated the Infernals.
"You fools! You can't stop what's coming! My Lord will engulf your world in shadow! Prepare yourselves for the end of the world! I leave you with a parting gift…Farewell!" called out Nal. He dropped Frin to the ground and fired several shadow blasts at gargantuan nearby peak. The peak began to crumble and collapse. Amidst the chaos, Nal summoned a winged demon and soared off into the skies.
"Everybody, run for it!" shouted Draggo. The soldiers began to retreat from the raining earth. Along the way , a rock smashed upon Drake's helm knocking him to the ground. Dazed and confused, Drake looked through fuzzy vison up at the fallin peak. Just as a large boulder came tumbling for him, someone began to drag Drake out from the chaos. Before he could see who it was, Drake lost consciousness.
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Drake awoke in a heavy sweat. His head was throbbing and he was slightly dizzy.
"Take it easy there, you took a pretty nasty blow." came a burly voice. Drake squinted and was able to conclude the voice was coming from Draggo. Drake felt his head and could feel a bandage wrapped around the top half of his head. He began to remember the events that had occurred in his last conscious moments.
"Wha…What happened…" mumbled Drake as he stared at Draggo in a confused look.
"You got nailed, that's what happened, and not in the good way." snickered Draggo.
"You picked the men of your little group wisely…or, in this case, women." said Draggo with a smile. Drake turned to see a woman with long black hair and elegant silk robes. He remembered picking her up for his group. She was a priest. Her name was…was…
"Sylvia?" asked Drake.
"It's good to see you're alright Sir Valarian." said Sylvia in a relieved tone.
"She's also the one responsible for fixin you up. She's a good companion." said Draggo
"Sylvia…I owe you my life…Thank you…" moaned Drake.
"It's quite alright. It's my job to look over my allies. It's why you hired me, remember?" chuckled Sylvia as she delicately tucked her bangs behind her ears.
"Nonetheless, thank you. I'm glad to see some of my soldiers survived the ordeal…" said Drake. Sylvia and Draggo both got looks of depression.
"Drake…Almost all the soldiers died…" whispered Daggo. Drake looked horrified.
"The only survivors were Neluun, Longshot, Tygra, Kataya, Fenron, Drek'val, and…" Draggo grimaced as he looked at the ground in shame.
"What of that Forskane fellow?" asked Drake.
"We got him out of there but that gnome did some nasty work on him…Hopefully he'll pull through." murmured Draggo.
"What of Frin? Did he survive?" asked a frantic Drake. Frin was the only one who could decipher the map.
"Yes, we got him out just in time. He's really torn up by all this." said Sylvia.
"Rest my friend. You must recover…" said Draggo as he left the tent. Drake fell back in his bed with his hands over his face. How could he let this happen!? He was responsible for those mens' lives and just let them all die!
"Sylvia, thank you for the assistance, you can leave now." whispered Drake. he just wanted to be alone.
"Well, uh...Sir Valarian...I, uh was intending on staying here…your wounds require much attention. I would rather not leave your side." mumbled Sylvia in an odd nervous tone
"Very well then…Thank you." Drake said. He rather not have her see him in such despair. At least he knew what he had to do know: he had to kill Nal!