Chapter 5

A result of a habit

Our three companions were hastily walking through Greytown, with Myriam leading the two. Their haste caught attention of the towns' citizens, but luckily they were wearing hooded cloaks, which should have saved them from it, but had the opposite effect and made 90% of the people they pass look at them.

"So will you be telling me why we're going to the forbidden lands in such haste?"- Myriam asked after slowing her pace and positioning herself next to Sitrim.

The recipient of the question did not seem very willing to answer the question, but after a few moments replied.

"Those lands were once the lands, from which I launched my offensive on the continent. Not only that, but my castle was also built there."- Sitrim slowly spoke, with his sight turned towards the horizon – "It's time to carry out my postponed plans" – He then added while turning his cold eyes at Myriam.

The female mage looked at Sitrims eyes for a while and after getting a strong chill down her spine looked away.

"Very well, we'll go the recruitment office and check If there are any mercenary requests for the forbidden lands"- She then said and was about to add something, but was interrupted by loud voices.

It seems there was a commotion in front of the three companions, near a food stand. Four heavy armored high elves with blood red armor, that had golden writings going in spirals written on it, were the reason for that commotion. They were carrying large shields that were in the same color and interesting looking weapons. The weapons were long swords, with a sword edge coming out of the handle into opposite directions. It seems that the high elves were not satisfied with the food given to them and were expressing their dissatisfaction, which in turn was in the way of our threes journey.

"You call this food?"- One of the high elves shouted –"How dare you give us such filth? Do you want to be imprisoned for insulting the kings' royal guard?

"Those are members of the Crimson Legion, the royal guard of Sin'Lamor, the king of Quel'thalas. Not the friendliest bunch"- Myriam explained, once they reached the commotion.

But Sitrim did not stop to look at the sight, he marched in a straight line, even though the high elves were in the way.

"Move"- He said to the four, once he reached them.

The elves were shocked at such rudeness, but after a few moments regained their composure, the one in charge approached the rude stranger.

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"- He asked.

But it did not seem like it mattered to Sitrim, he slowly lifted his arm and placed it on the elves shoulder. Strangely it seemed like SItrim was a whole head taller than the elf.

"Move"- he repeated in a chilling voice, which released a strange force all around, making everyone feel quite uncomfortable. The elves instinctively got out of his way, and Sitrim walked past, with Zal'jin and Myriam behind him.

"For a second there I thought that you'll kill them in the middle of the square"- Myriam then said, once they walked further away from the commotion that they themselves now created.

"That was my intention, if they wouldn't have moved"- Sitrim replied reluctantly, and received a long look, filled with dissatisfaction from the female mage.

"Well it's good that they moved then"- Myriam added, after looking away from her target of observation – "We've almost reached the office, wait outside while I investigate. And try to not kill anyone while I'm away"

"You be watchin your tone Myriam" – Zal'jin then interfered, with obvious anger in his voice.

"Ok ok, I understand, wait here"- She then replied and entered the recruitment office, which they luckily reached just in time.

The recruitment office was a medium sized, two-story building with flyers all over the walls, which indicated wanted people and jobs. There were quite a few dangerous looking personas all around, either hanging around or looking at the flyers.

While Sitrim and Zal'jin were waiting for Myriam, a group of shady figures approached them. They numbered in four, with a goblin in front, following two humans and an angry looking ogre(all ogres look angry. Yes I'm racist) behind them.

The goblin stepped forward towards the two.

"Haven't seen you around here before. You looking for work?"- He asked, but didn't get a reply – "Not the talkative type huh? Well if you're looking for work here, you have to pay a fee. Or I'll have to introduce you to my big friend back there"- he explained with a grin on his face, while pointing backwards at the ogre.

The ogre made a growling sound and stomped his foot on the ground, with the intention to scare our two companions. But all that did not seem to work, as neither Sitrim nor Zal'jin reacted to such talk, which made the goblin quite unpleased.

"Hey, did you hear me you trash?" – The goblin then said and was about to pull on Sitrims cloak, but was stopped by Zal'jins kick, which sent the small goblin flying back to his friends.

Obviously the unwelcoming group did not just stand and watch as their goblin friend coughed up blood beneath their feet.

"You'll pay for this!" – One of the humans shouted and charged at Zal'jin with two short-swords drawn and his companions' right behind him.

It seemed like a bloody fight was about to erupt, but the three attackers froze the second it began as the first human fell to the ground unconscious and surprisingly – without an arm. Blood started spilling out the wound and it looked like the poor guy will drown in it. As for his two companions – neither the remaining human nor the ogre could move a single step as they were watching in horror at Sitrim who was standing in front of them, with his large sword drawn. It seemed like a dark, paralyzing force was swirling around him, keeping the two from moving. But as soon as they realized that, the dreadful aura disappeared and Sitrim sheathed his sword, turned around and walked towards the recruitment offices' entrance, with Zal'jin remaining behind for a while longer, checking if the two try anything stupid.

The human and the ogre quickly realized their situation and picked up their unconscious comrade, with their tail between their legs they walked away, together with the goblin leader, who was still having a hard time breathing. Zal'jin then picked up the arm they left and threw it to the three thugs.

"You be forgettin somethin'"- he said and turned around to follow his master, who has already entered the office.

Once the troll entered, he found Myriam arguing with Sitrim (which was totally one-sided).

"Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have left you out there. The world already reached the office, that some strangers took care of a gang outside. I told you not to kill anyone!" – She shouted.

"The human did not die by my hand" – Sitrim replied.

"What do you mean he did not die by your hand? You cut off his arm god damn it!"- Myriam continued.

"He died from blood loss"- Sitrim then replied, leaving Myriam speechless. And after a few moments she hit her forehead with her palm and was about to turn away, only to be interrupted by an unexpected "guest" in their conversation.

"I couldn't help myself from overhearing your dialogue"- A nigh elf with light silver chainmail said, while approaching the two, with Zal'jin a few steps away. –"Hello there, my name is Ildrin and I'm in charge of a mercenary caravan to the forbidden lands. It seems you are the ones' who took care of Drizzles gang"- he said, while looking at Sitrim and Zal'jin. – "I could use such strong men, would you be interested in joining me?"

"What's the pay?"- Myriam quickly replied.

"2000 gold coins for everything. You get 500 up front and the rest once we get back." – He explained.

"Ok then, we have a deal"- She then said and extended her hand, only to remain in the air without a reply.

"I don't remember inviting you?"- Ildrin then said, while coldly looking at our female mage.

"I'm a mage and as far as I know, there's a lack of them among mercenaries. I think I'll be of much use"- Myriam explained, while still keeping her arm extended, and receiving company this time, as Ildrin shook it.

"Very well, you made your point. We leave in 3 hours, be at the west gate"- He then said and turned towards the entrance – "See you until then".

"Damn homosexual nigh elves"- Myriam then murmured and turned to her companions. – "We got lucky, since I did not manage to get a job on my own. It seems your habit of killing people turned out for the better this time – she then said while looking at Sitrim.

"I do not have a habit of killing people. They just die too easily"- He replied and left the office with Zal'jin behind him.

Meanwhile at the royal quarters of Graytown.

We find ourselves in the throne room, with (obviously) the landlords' throne being at the end of it, and a tall and quite stuck up looking High elf sitting in it. As he was being taken care off by three lovely ladies of various races, the doors to the chamber at hand was suddenly opened and a figure barged in, wearing simply fabulous clothes followed by four high elf soldiers in blood red armor. The figures walked to the front of the throne and stopped, kneeling in front of the landlord.

"My lord, I regrettably bring you these soldiers to be punished, for disgracing the Crimson Legion in public"- the fabulous figure spoke – "It seems they were pushed around by some stranger, after causing a scene in front of the commoners"

The landlord did not seem to be pleased with the words he just heard. He quickly waved his hand and the ladies keeping him company scattered to the sides. He then stood up from the throne and slowly walked towards the soldiers in question.

"What will the culprits say in defense? "- He then asked.

"The human who humiliated us was not normal. It was as if we had no choice but to listen to him" – One of the soldiers replied.

The lord slowly walked past the soldiers after hearing those words and seemed to be lost in thoughts. But after a few moments he simply stopped.

"You humiliate the royal High Elf legion to this extent and that's all you have to say in your defense?"- He then replied, in a trembling voice.

And before the soldier could even say anything in reply, he was lit on fire and burned to ashes in a matter of seconds. His comrades received the same treatment moments later, after given enough time to realize the horror that awaits them. After finishing them off the landlord turned towards his seat of power, and sat down again.

"Clean up this mess. I will not have such filth in the Crimson Legion. Especially now, when my plans are about to be carried out"- he said – "Send a message to Silvermoon, I need a confirmation of the kings support in the upcoming events"

"The remaining figure of the five that entered the room nodded his head in reply and after standing up quickly left the chambers, leaving the pile of ash to be taken care of by the servants who quickly swarmed the new-made mess.

After the "guest" left, the king waved his hand again and the ladies that previously scattered to the sides quickly ran to him with a goblet and wine. After handing it to the High Elf, full of wine, they scattered to the sides again, with only one remaining by his feet. The landlord slowly drank from the goblet while looking at it intensely, while slowly spinning it in his hand.

"Yes"- He whispered to himself"- things will be changing soon"