Chapter 2: The Underbelly
Fire is all around her. Draenei are spread out awkwardly on the floor killed brutally and surrounded by a bath of blue blood. Vindicator Maraad walks over to her, hammer in hand orc blood on his face and the last remnants of rage leaves his eyes.
Kyline bolted up to a sitting position as she woke up from the nightmare, drenched in her own sweat. With freezing cold hands she threw the heated blanket off herself. She is alone. On Northrend not on Draenor. Taking deep breaths to calm herself, she sat on the edge of the bed. Knowing the implications of her dream as memories, she attempted to push the memories aside.
Finally composed, Kyline shedded her clothing and cleaned up as best as she can. Inspecting the gash on her shoulder she puts some healing salve on it then a netherweave bandage in hopes that her spaulders will not chafe the wound. She put on her warm woolen shirt and pants to fight the cold, then grabs pieces of her signature black and golden plate armor equipping them, careful to avoid getting her hairless purple tail caught in her legplates. Testing movement with her left shoulder she felt a bearable dull ache.
Fully equipped with the exception of her helmet she pulled on her frostweave backpack underneath her cloak. Her shield then got strapped to her back over her cloak. Other bags filled with jewels, preserved food and cheap drinks got attached to her belt alongside her glowing golden axe. She puts her brown hair up in her favorite style of two high pigtails, which accentuated her glowing light blue eyes and jeweled tentacles that originate from behind her ears. Lastly she put on her mother's tail ring and the Naaru's ring on her middle finger.
Looking at herself in the mirror satisfied with her elegant yet intimidating appearance, she noticed the little discoloring of her skin on her head below the natural triangle plate growth on her head. Giggling to herself she shrugged off the minor change having suffered worse injuries, and walked out of her room. Looking out the only balcony of the floor she noticed no sun in the sky but the light coming from a large full moon. Shrugging at how late she woke up she walked down the only set of stairs to her right.
Kyline heard the sweet melodic harp music as she reached the ground floor of the Legerdemain Lounge. This was the busiest time for the Lounge where the regular drinkers gathered. Every table is filled with every race possible, including a table consisting of only Blood Elves. In a calmer demeanor than earlier that day, she was able to contain her anger for the race, but still expressed her extreme dislike quietly. The few Draenei in the establishment also threw a few unnerving glances towards the Blood Elf table, but more towards the orc's behind the Blood Elves. Noticing the innkeeper at the bar she headed in that direction. The same Blood Elf bartender as before gave her a suspicious look, but using all her strength of will she ignored him.
"My apologies for the disruption yesterday that was very unlike me." She said to the human in scantily clad clothing.
"Kyline you are a very frequent visitor here lately and I have never seen such an incident. I will let it go once but, keep in mind I cannot have a rage fuelled Draenei in my inn." She replied "You know it's bad for business."
"I understand Amisi. I apologize again, must have been the hungry and sleep deprived me."
"Excuses will not help your situation Kyline. I do give you your warning." Moving to a lighter tone she said "Oh and there are a few letters that arrived for you in the mail."
"Thank you very much. Good luck with your rowdy patrons here." She replied giving her a sly wink. After many times of associating with Amisi, Kyline is aware of her other side occupations.
Kyline walked out of the large open door and rummaged through her mailbox full of advertisements. Eventually she found two letters, one from Vindicator Aalesia and one from Angela. Kyline opens the one from Aalesia knowing this will be her more detailed orders.
Dear Kyline,
I have heard great deeds from you in Storm Peaks. This is good for it will improve your chances of becoming a Vindicator, after the final interview and assessment of your work.
Onwards to your next orders. You will rent a griffon and head to The Skybreaker in Icecrown. There you will meet Möbius who will help you climb the horror gate of Ice Crown Citadel and kill 10 Harbinger of Horrors. There will also be a Vindicator there, waiting for you and tell you more details about your Quest.
Good Luck,
Vindicator Aalesia
Kyline was very perplexed of Vindicator Aalesia's orders. In Dragonblight and Storm Peaks they were much more specific. Deciding to not worry herself about it until the moment comes, Kyline opened the other letter.
Hey sleepyhead,
I need your help. I know you are taking a few days off before your last Vindicator test but I could really use someone with your specific skill set. Not to mention I know how much you like some crazy adventure anyway. Meet me at Violet Hold at the moon's zenith (so 12am ish) and I shall explain more.
Angela
Angela knows Kyline too well, a few days off is only nice to get out of the cold but can get very boring for Kyline. Kyline walked into the Lounge again and asked of a nearby dwarf what the time is.
"Lass idddd a be 12:30 am." He said interrupted by a large hiccup.
She thanked the drunken dwarf and headed off to Violet Hold as fast as she can. Upset she doesn't have her Vitreous Stone Drake Galena, for many reasons she used the power of the Light to speed up her progression on foot. As she made it to Violet Hold she saw Angela snoring on the steps outside without Garaan. Giggling Kyline nudged Angela awake.
"I thought you were doing some black market trade investigation. You do know that a job like that would be much better accomplished in the wee hours of the morning; however, forgive me for not seeing the significance of you sleeping on some very filthy steps." Kyline said.
"UUUGGGH." Angela retorted as she groaned from her rude awakening "I have been waiting for you."
"It's only been 45 minutes, that is nothing in the grand scheme of time"
"Yeah says the 814 year old…"
Kyline waited for Angela to awaken a bit more from her slumber, before she started prodding her about this mysterious adventure.
"Even for someone as old as you are, Kyline you sure are impatient."
"What? How? I haven't even said anything."
"You do not have to you're an open book to me sister." Angela grinned. "So pretty much what is the problem is lack of man power. I have to infiltrate and observe for myself, the black market but I cannot have Garaan with me for that is not accepted even among warlocks. No pets are allowed! Or so I was told. I need you to come with me in case there is a problem."
"Why on earth would a paladin, champion of the light and destroyer of evil, go into the black market trading?"
"You forget that there are more than one different kinds of paladin's, you may be the destroyer of evil but that does not mean you cannot be doing some mercenary work on the side. For you will be my body guard. Seems like most of the traders have one. You know as well as I how terrible I am with close combat fights." Angela said nudging at the short sword on her belt.
Kyline furrowed her brow not too impressed with Angela's idea of adventure for she has no experience with such deceitful endeavors. Becoming a paladin Kyline was told that stealth was one of the few attributes that a Paladin would never resort to unless absolutely crucial. For it was not the way of the Light. Thinking it over Kyline realized that if she does not go with Angela, she would put Angela in grave danger. Sometimes being the bystander is more of an injustice than using a little deceit for information.
"Angela yes I will help you out." Kyline stated reluctantly.
"Thank you sister you are doing me a great favour and the gods must forgive you for that."
"Let us hope." Kyline said knowing the consequences of not honoring her vows. Omadera once a respectable paladin went rogue to avenge her mother's death. Not following her vows she was shunned among Draenei, the Naaru, and the alliance. She serves as an example for every paladin of not honoring the Light.
"Okay lets go! You don't have to say anything at all for this is my mission just look all imposing and such." Angela said smiling.
"I follow your lead and let the Light protect us."
Angela untied her horse from a statue by Violet Hold, which was missed by Kyline's previous observations. Angela mounted the horse and led the way. Kyline sighed outwardly to demonstrate her discomfort of not having Galena with her started walking alongside Angela as she led the way.
Kyline and Angela walk/ride to the entrance of the Underbelly. Kyline is not surprised that the Black market is in Dalaran's Sewer system called the Underbelly, but she finds it perplexing to choose the most conspicuous of places. Kyline gave Angela a confused look but got no reply as they walk down the ramp into the sewers.
As the entered the Underbelly Kyline smells the strong sewer. The further they get down the winding ramp the stronger the atrocious sewer smell got, being the strongest and almost overbearing for Kyline at the end of the ramp. She covered her nose with a fingerless armored hand envying Angela for her lacking sense of smell. She continued on with a look of disgust etched upon her face. Looking around Kyline noticed that the Underbelly looked like a large "corridor" with sewage running along the concaved indent running along the brick. There are various tunnels that branch off from the main one leading into different areas of vendors and a bar. Walking to the right of the flowing sewage Angela led Kyline into a circular sewer tunnel, which has some remnants of maggot filled waste products on the walls and the lower part of the tunnel. The tunnel has torches providing enough light to see the many cobwebs on the top of the tunnel with various insects caught in them but, not enough to see what is at the end of the tunnel. Angela dismounted her horse, then tied its reins to a row of metal hooks to keep the steed in place.
When they entered the tunnel Kyline understood why there are hooks for mounts. For the floor of the tunnel is very slippery eventually causing Kyline to fall face first in a large pile of excrement. With her hooves it made it extremely difficult to walk along the tunnel. Already covered by a great deal of waste Kyline struggled to get up while trying not to throw up from the overwhelming smell. As Kyline got her bearings back together she triumphantly got herself up. She looked up and noticed Angela making a sore attempt of stifling a laugh.
"What are you looking at?" Kyline asked, spitting filth out of her mouth.
Angela burst into laughter, unable to answer Kyline's rhetorical question. Kyline sighed, soaks a linen bandage with water and wipes the muck off her face and horns. Looking at her armor with disgust she concluded that cleaning will have to wait. Noticing that Angela still has not composed herself Kyline threw the linen bandage at Angela. The bandage landed squarely upon Angela's scarlet hair. Kyline satisfied grabbed a leather pouch of dire brew and took a swig. Angela finished laughing and noticed the dirtied bandage upon her head. Physically shivering she asked for some dire brew from Kyline.
"Your form of entertainment is quite odd to me." Kyline said as Angela took a sip of the red pouch.
"Oh Kyline you would have laughed if I fell, be honest!"
Kyline shrugged and motioned for Angela to continue forward. Angela adjusted her bow and resumed her previous expression of indifference as they continued forward. From the entrance the tunnel seemed much longer, but after a few minutes Kyline and Angela reached the end.
They walked upon some decaying wooden boards that are about one foot away from monster invested waters. There are only three merchants; one alchemist across from the tunnel, a stolen goods vender to the left, and a specialized leather armor vender to the right. Angela went to the goblin stolen goods vender and Kyline followed.
"Wazzap?" he asked
"I am here to see Razkal!" Angela said.
"And are ya expected?" the goblin asked sarcastically
"No."
"Well stop wastin' my time then… I go' transactions to make. " the goblin flicked his hand shooing Angela away.
"But I have money." Angela said calmly.
The Goblin stopped for a moment pondering on the chance of a significant sum of gold for little effort. Kyline wondered if he would buy the bait, but knowing little about goblins Kyline expected the answer to be no.
"Now ya talkin'. Gimme the coin. I show you the way."
Angela gave the goblin 25 gold. Kyline quirked an eyebrow at Angela for the steep price but Angela just shrugged. As the goblin went to the corner of the makeshift room he started climbing wooden boxes.
"Goblins are greedy little things, they will take money for anything as long as it is a sufficient amount to them." Angela whispered to Kyline
"Ya commin or what?" the goblin said dragging out the a's.
Angela reached the box the goblin is on when Kyline climbs the box underneath. Kyline confused as to why they are on top of boxes near the wall of the room, waits for the goblin's next move. The Goblin pulled out a netherweave cloth and wipes the wall with it. After time, an indentation is shown of a crest of some sort. The goblin then pulled out a necklace from under his leather jerkin, and placed it into the groove. Kyline then heard a clicking and grinding noises from behind the wall. Then a piece of the wall falls down right in front of the goblin and Angela. The goblin told Kyline and Angela to stay while he goes in first. A few moments later his green ugly head popped up in the entrance and told them to follow him.
Angela walked in first, Kyline followed after. All that Kyline saw is that she is in some closed off room, with hay strewn upon the brick floor. The one piece of furniture is a rotting wood table with two chairs on either side. The little light that is visible is from a chandelier on top of the table making the corners of the medium sized room beyond visibility.
"Ya sit down and Razkal will see ya soon." He said pointing to Angela
"Thanks goblin."
"Heh heh. Glad ta help!" he said then left via the way they enter the room and put the stone back to where it was. With the door closed Kyline notices no distinguishable doors giving her the impression of being trapped.
Kyline started pacing as they wait for Razkal. Hours later they heard a whirring sound from the side of the room. The wall broke off forming another makeshift door, just like the one they entered. A group of goblins entered. One goblin clad in extensive leather armour, shiny necklaces of all colours and large rings on every finger led the group over to Angela. The leader goblin which Kyline assumes is Razkal sat down in the only other chair available while three other goblins surrounded Razkal. Kyline thought she saw five goblins.
"I've heard about ya looking, for me. Or so they say." He started "But before we start any business I will have to ask for your weapons."
Angela nodded and grabbed her bow strapped to her back. She placed it on the table as Kyline unsheathed her axe and placed it beside Angela's bow. Two goblins moved forward as Angela placed her quiver of quicksilver arrows and her short sword on the table. The two Goblin's grabbed the weapons off the table then looked to Kyline indicating to her shield. Kyline reluctantly hands it over to the goblins and they dropped all the weapons into a pit under the hay.
"Now what da ya like human?" Razkal asked
"I would like to participate in a business endeavor with you." Angela said calmly
"I thought about it when I heard of ya two days ago. Even when ma associate told me ya was here." He said lightly with a frown on his face. "Until I also heard ya had a Draenei. Not just a Draenei but a paladin."
"Yes and your point?" Angela asked. Kyline got nervous.
"Tis a rare occurrence to see Draenei in ma business. Paladin is unheard of. You are fools to think I'd believe ya!" he said lightly.
"You are mistaken Razkal let me expl…"
"Don't ya tell me excuses girl. I ain't no fool," he interrupted "I'm not sorry 'bout this."
Razkal jumped forward on the table and threw a punch towards Angela's temple before Kyline or Angela could react. Normally that weak punch would have done nothing to Angela, but he had brass knuckles on. Angela fell out of her seat on the floor knocked out, with a large bruise starting to form underneath the small incision. Kyline started towards Angela and the Goblin until she received a kick in the knee from behind. She fell onto one knee as it gave out. Then she felt a hand lift up her delicate chin, exposing her neck to the sharp cold steel blade that rested upon her exposed neck. She smelt poison.