Chapter Two - Answering the Call!
The young guard next to Callidus let out a loud yawn, and leaned heavily on his polearm. The eyes closed rather then scanning the area for any danger that could be creeping up on them.
Callidus glared at him out of the corner of his eye. If looks could kill, the powder blue eyes could have done the job more then effectively. He was thoroughly disgusted with the other soldier that was on wall duty with him. Fully intending to file a detailed report the moment they got off work.
Sure, peace had arrived in Hearth Glen, the new founded home of the Argent Crusade. Callidus, however, had sworn loyalty to the Argent Crusade before that. Even before the main force had moved into the icy reaches of Northrend.
The day he had received his indoctrination to the Order of Light, Callidus had boarded a boat for Northrend under the command of Tirion Fordring. The Supreme Commander had written Stormwind's High Lord Fordragon, and requested Callidus Tenebrie's service by name.
Callidus had stood strong against the Scourge. Even being used as bait and possible cannon fodder, if need be, for the Crusade. Now his body bore the scars of combat, but not as openly as others. If he were to remove the plate armor, anyone could see where he had been almost rent in two by a Frost Wyrm. Many others he had been with injured beyond further duty, and more still were dead. He watched many good soldiers break from the Crusade after Arthas, the Lich King met his fate at the Ice Crown Citadel. The horror of their memories breaking them in a way the combat never could.
Callidus stood with the few who remained from those days. He had simple reasons, wanting nothing more then to honor the lives of those lost to death and decay within the walls of Icecrown Citadel. Too keep the Scourge at bay for the rest of his days. For this he was willing to pay any price. Leaving the Crusade was not something he could do.
Another reason was being branded Alliance by his race, but not by his heart. Having worked so long aside the Horde races making it impossible for him to take up arms against them. It left him little choices in life. The Argent Crusade was the only place he could feel at home. So in that he will continue to follow the path set before him by High Lord Tirion Fordring. Even if, he was still considered a mere foot soldier. Hands tightening on his polearm with frustrated anger, as the man next to him actually started to snore on duty.
"Callidus!"
He look to see another soldier rushing toward him. The drowsy companion bolting awake at the woman's approach.
"Thank the Light, I found you!" Sara Donally was panting as she stopped before them. Taking a moment to rest her hands on her legs before looking up. "You have been summoned by the Supreme Commander! They have a special assignment for you to do."
Callidus jerked up in more shock then excitement. It was something he had waited years for. This moment when he would be called up to assist in something more then low grade work. All his stalwart training and behavior finally coming to a moment of fruition. It took everything he had not to push past Sara, and race to the main keep to receive the orders. The Paladin's training used to compose himself as the leader he always dreamed of becoming. "Are you here to merely tell me the news, or relieve my post as well?"
The woman blinked, and waved toward the main keep. "But the High Lord..?" She looked to the lazy guard shrugging next to Callidus. The other man making it clear he didn't care one way or the other who stayed with him. Sara clearly did not want to spend her free time on the wall either. She had long since passed the rank for such menial work. She bit her lip, trying to think of some way to get Callidus to comply without having to stay. "You were summoned."
"So I am to retire my post without a replacement?" Even under the helm, Callidus cocked up an eye brow in a bored motion.
"Callidus, sometimes you the most arrogant ass, I have ever had the displeasure of meeting." Sara growled back at him. The bunched up fists coming to settle on her curvy hips. She looked his fine body over and thought of the nights she had spent with him here in Hearth Glenn. Would it be worth it to tell him off and forgo his favors? The answer came clear. "Fine, I will take the rest of the damn shift. Go see what High Lord Fording wants from you."
Callidus clapped her on the shoulder and move past.
"You owe me one for this Callidus." She called after him, but he merely waved a hand over his shoulder at her. There is no way he was going to waste any time turning back to acknowledge her subtle hint as to what she wanted from him. Still, if the news proved to be good enough he was willing to get her the best bottle of whiskey he could find. Even if he had to travel to Ironforge to get it.
Once Callidus reached the door of the main keep, he noticed all the soldiers were outside practicing maneuvers. Then stopped short at the guards stationed at the doors. More correctly, they were not guards at all. Rather all upper level officers. He stumbled over his own feet for a moment. The pace slowing considerably. Why would they be playing at guard duty given their station?
"Callidus." One of them nodded to him. "The High Lord is waiting. I trust you know your way in?"
"Yes, Sir!" A respectful salute, as this made less sense. How did this man know who he was? He had never served under the other Paladin before him.
"No time for that man. Get a move on." That order more like what Callidus had come to expect from the ranks above him.
Callidus felt his smile fade. Something feeling terribly wrong the moment he entered the stone fortress. The keep was dead inside. No one walked the halls, as he made his way to the conference room upstairs. Callidus's feet felt like lead as they slowed his pace. He knew he had done nothing wrong, but this had the air of a death sentence to it. Swallowing hard, trying to think what was happening. He forced his chin up, and came around the corner into the main chamber where the Supreme Commander resided most of the time.
Standing in the large room, just as suspected, was the Supreme Commander of the Argent Crusade, High Lord Tirion Fordring. He was pacing the floor boards. It could instantly be seen that he was distressed over something. That could not be a good omen. Not even Ice Crown and the Lich King had caused this man to flinch for even a moment. The other two occupants almost made Callidus want to go to his knees before them. Lord Irulon TrueBlade and Crusade Commander Eligor Dawnbringer were in deep counsel with their High Lord.
Callidus could not stop himself. He scanned the room in desperation. Surely, there were others called forward for this honored mission? After all he was just a low rank of no real account to anyone.
Dawnbringer looked over and saw him. He turned slowly to face Fordring. The low tone of his voice was almost hushed. "The boy has arrived, High Lord Fordring."
Boy? Callidus's brain flashed to moments when he had charged into battle against the undead years before. The times he held the line against the Frost Wyrm unaided. The brilliant blue eyes narrowed. Boy? Certainly not. There were several women in this very town, that could speak to his defense in that respect. If anything they were old, because he was no boy. Clenching his jaw to keep his disrespectful comments about his age at bay before his superiors.
Fordring stopped his pacing, and stepped off the platform toward Callidus. He stood with the Ashbringer in one hand, between his most trusted officers. The looked cast over Callidus moved slowly, and it was like he was seeing him for the first time. Assessing the only Paladin he had ever personally requested to join his Order. "There is no doubt. Of the men we have on hand Callidus is the very best we have at our disposal." The High Lord's voice rang out into the silence.
Okay, That did it! Suddenly Callidus felt like a peacock, and all was forgiven. He curled his fists so tightly they hurt. Anything to keep himself from bursting into a childish smile of giddy glee.
"High Lord Fordring, he has been above reproach since he came to service, as you well know. The file on Callidus Tenenbrie says, he is from a strong family line, not noble, but his father is Ghale Tenebrie a fellow Paladin of the Oder of Light in Stormwind. There is also a sister, Goya Tenebrie, who currently serves the Order of Light in Stormwind in name only. She has been reported in many battles around the whole of Azeroth, even assaulting Naxxramas with various Heroes."
"Loyal to the Alliance are you?" Fordring nodded his head toward the young Paladin.
"No, Supreme Commander. I am not loyal to the Grand Alliance." Okay, Callidus should not have been so pleased with the look of shock that passed over the other men.
"Excuse me?" Tirion's eyes flared in challenge.
Callidus held his ground in this stand. He would not waver on his morals. "I never served the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind, where I did my training. I signed up with the Argent Crusade, shortly after taking my vows to the Light. Only my Human race ties me to the Alliance now. I have served with the Horde members to long to view them as my enemies. It would be hard to slay Horde knowing the could be family to my comrades here. My only loyalty is to the Argent Crusade and to you, Supreme Commander."
"Fancy words, son." Tirion's expression went stern but there was a twinkling in his eye. "But can you back them up?"
"I would like to believe my service records will do that for me."
Tirion looked to Trueblade. The other man lifted a heavy file with both hands, "You can read through it yourself, but it is extensive, and very positive."
Fordring reached over, and took the papers. "Considering, what I intend to ask of the boy, I will be looking it over myself." Turning he walked to the war table, and dropped the file down hard. "Come over here, while I assess what this has to say about you, Callidus Tenebrie. Pray to the Light, I find no fault in it."
The High Lord was thorough in his pursuit. Page by page was read carefully with extreme attention to details. Deeds were called out, and conformation was demanded. Individuals named in certain services were brought in to be questioned. Past bunk mates, that were no longer stationed within Hearth Glen, had already been sought out to give personal accounts to Callidus's character. To Callidus's horror even the local tavern keeper, and his barmaids appeared before the High Lord to be interviewed. The invasion of Callidus's privacy went on long into the night. It was one of the few times in his life, he thanked the Light for his long shifts on duty. They just prepared him for this stressful evaluation. Just when Callidus was about to ask if the High Lord Fordring would be in consideration of checking the color of his underwear, the torment was stopped as suddenly as it had begun.
Fordring looked up, and rubbed his beard. The wise eyes coming to Callidus. "I am pleased with what I see here, boy. You just might be what I have been looking for."
"Thank you, Supreme Commander." Callidus sighed in obvious relief.
"You may go to the armory. Collect what you feel will suit you in open combat. I will summon three of my best champions to meet you at the arena out front." Fordring dismissed him as he started reorganizing the file.
"Excuse me?" Callidus felt his mouth open in horror. He felt much like a fish out of water. Flopping on a river bank surrounded by predators. "Supreme Commander, but shouldn't I, at the very least, have some time to prepare? Do you not want me to have a good showing? Maybe, a little time before meeting your Champions for the best assessment of skill?"
"Time? Session? You misunderstand me, Callidus. You will face them all at once. I want you at your worst. When the time comes to fight it will not announce itself. You have to be vigilant always." Tirion stood up and leveled the Ashbringer toward him, "The task I am considering you for is close to my heart. Failure is not an option."
Zepporah's Journal Entry
Dear Diary Book Journal Thing!
Today I bought you. New chapter. New Book Diary Journal Thing.
New Chapter?
Yes. New.
After receiving the letter about how "greatly disappointed" my mentor is in my complete lack of progress, I have decided to step it up. Not because of her letter. My mentor, her, I do not know her, except for some random letters she sent. I mean "greatly disappointed," that should be what I am saying about her. I've never actually met her. Rumor has it she's even seduced my godfather, but I've never seen her. My trainer said she'd be the best match due to my "unique" circumstances. My trainer is a jerk and I think he wants me dead. Jerk.
Anyway, I'm off to Outlands to learn how to destroy the Burning Legion, and come home a normal girl, with a normal life, and to fall in love. Ha.
But first – I'm ditching that poor babysitter Poppa is trying to saddle me with. I have Mezz. He's perfect. Faithful and doesn't talk back. Best voidwalker ever. He's more than enough.
Love Zepp
Author Note: The diary entries are written by LostKiwi. She promised me she would have one for the end of each chapter. Remember to fan and favorite for updates. Drop a few words in review to keep us motivated. I will be back with more story soon!