Another day, another chapter. First up, review response time. OutlastTheDark; glad you liked it, and also glad that I got Wrath's character right. I'll let you decide how that favour turns out, and as for who they are talking about...you'll see. Now, on with the show!
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Chapter 6- Sunshroud Manor
Malic tightened his grip on the reins as he made his way quickly through Eversong Forest...or rather over it to be more specific. After the amount of trouble he had just getting to Hearthglen and back to the Undercity her had opted to leave Boneshadow behind and had instead decided to fly to the High Home of the Elves. Under normal circumstances he would have chosen to ride his Armoured Bloodwing, Artemis, but didn't want to risk the danger of being spotted overhead by any Assassins lying in wait on the road. A standard Undercity Bat was more then adequate, the beasts being a common sight over the forests of Eversong as couriers and adventurers travelled between the two kingdoms.
Malic gently kicked the beasts side, elighting a shriek of acknowledgement from the oversized rodent as it hastened its speed. Under normal circumstances, the Bat would be heading to either Fairbreeze Village, Falconwing Square or even the Gates of Silvermoon itself. But today was different. Today the rider had another destination in mind.
On the Western Coast of Eversong sat a small island, large enough to house a moderate village and be free from local pests...a haven of sorts. That was the original plan as well, until the land was bought off by a small group of individuals who then sold ownership of the land to the same person Malic had come to see. The new owner then built a somewhat hideous house on the land, which now led him to his current predicament.
Malic began to pull on the reins as the Bat descended onto the ground, landing with a soft thud before shaking itself and hissing loudly. Malic patted the beasts mane as he dismounted, turning away as the Bat then flew off in search of something to eat. The creature would not go far, it was trained to wait on his arrival and return to the Undercity when Malic was ready. He didn't expect it to take too long, at least that's what he had hoped anyway. Malic then proceeded to take a Soulshard out of his pouch before he silently chanted a summoning spell, crushing the shard to dust as Khamû suddenly appeared, his armour materialising around his bulky frame.
"Gahhh! I detest that Realm!" Khamû muttered, shuddering slightly as he felt the rest of his form enter the physical world. "Took us long enough, where are we?"
"This my friend, is Sunshroud Isle." Malic replied, causing Khamû to turn and face the Warlock with a confused look. "Wrath said I could find someone here with information here."
"And you're certain we can trust him?" Khamû asked, following his Master as he made his way to the large Manor on the far side of the landmass.
"I haven't had a reason not to before." Malic replied, quickly approaching a black iron gate. "But there's a first time for everything."
"And if I may ask, just who are we going to be seeing?" Khamû then asked, his eyes narrowed in concern. He did not want to deal with another Wrath like character.
"You know how you loved Wrath," Malic answered, a large hint of sarcasm present in his voice, something Khamû picked up immediately. "She makes him look tolerable."
Khamû growled in disgust as his form quivered in rage, causing the Warlock to let out a small chuckle as he approached the black iron gates, a Blood Elf in what appeared to be servants attire awaiting him.
"Greetings Sir, may I see your invitation please?" the Blood Elf asked, his gloved hand held.
Malic fumbled around in his pouch as he pulled out the scroll Wrath had handed him, gently placing it in the servants hand. The servant quickly took the scroll, unfurling it as his eyes scanned first down the length of the parchment before flicking back and forth between Malic and the scroll. Malic went tense at this, most likely the servant could sniff something was wrong. Never mind, if he had to fight his way through then so be it.
"Is something the matter?" Malic finally asked, his hand slowly reaching for the grip of his scythe still strapped to his back.
"No Sir, everything appears to be in order." the servant finally replied, rolling up the parchment and handing it back to Malic. "Enjoy the party, Lord Sunsorrow."
"Lord Sunsorrow?" Khamû whispered once he was certain the servant was out of earshot.
"Wrath's friend, remember." Malic hastily replied, stuffing the invitation back into his pouch. "The invitation was for him, and thankfully he has never been to one of these parties before."
"I had thought we would also avoid such a fate..." Malic replied, seething in disgust when he saw a pair of Honeybees zip past them. God how he hated Life.
"As did I..." Malic sighed, shaking his head in disappointment as he approached the entrance of a rather extravagant Manor.
The building was obviously Elven in nature, the many brickworks coloured a mix of Ruby Red and Royal Gold with a trace of Fel Green here and there. As Malic approached the doors to the manor, another Blood Elf stood waiting, her clothing similar in style to the one that had been waiting on him at the gate. The servant silently turned around and pulled the doors open, gesturing for Malic to follow her. Malic complied, quickly approaching the door and following the servant through the long corridor. At the end was the entrance to a large room filled to the brim with Blood Elves, all of them dressed in extravagant clothing.
"I thought your friend Wrath had said that the guests were all Warlocks?" Khamû mumbled as he observed these so called practitioners of the Fel.
"So did I..." Malic seethed, walking briskly through the room as a number of 'Warlocks' turned their gaze away from one another to stare at the Undead, most of them with disgust.
Malic ignored the stares he received as he made his way through to the other side of the room where a small Bar was stationed, a servant tending the Bar whilst also serving thirsty customers.
"Good Evening Sir, what can I get you?" the servant asked as he spotted Malic approaching, looking up from his current task as he waited on the Undead.
"Nothing for now..." Malic replied, waving away the servant as he leaned forward on the Bar.
Malic instead opted to examine his surroundings, hoping to spot the person he was actually here to see. He didn't like being out in the open like this, too many places for the Assassins to get the jump on him.
"Well well well, I don't believe it." a soft female voice suddenly boomed across the room, causing Malic to turn and face its direction. "Lord Malic Felshroud in the flesh! It's an honour to meet you again."
Malic growled in annoyance as he finally spotted the source of the voice. Briskly walking towards him was a Blood Elf female clad in a tight black dress that seemed to make her breasts more appealing. Sleeved black gloves graced her arms whilst a black mask stylised after a hawk covered the upper half of her face, whilst her light blonde hair was tied in a bun. Behind her was a Fel Guard wielding a large Axe, a large spiked chain collar wrapped tightly around its neck. Malic's eyes followed the length of the chain and saw the end of it gripped tightly in the females hand. To see such a powerful Demon subjugated in such a way was amusing to say the least. To see such a powerful Demon subjugated by HER was a different story all together.
"Vanessa Sunshroud..." Malic replied, bowing lightly as the Blood Elf stopped a few feet in front of him. "Charmed."
"So I see," Vanessa chuckled, eyeing Malic up as she playfully bit her lip. "Well then, are you here for business or pleasure?"
"I think you know the answer..." Malic seethed, his hands clenching into tight fists. God did she infuriate him. Vanessa tutted in disappointment as she rolled her eyes before motioning for the Warlock to follow her.
"Very well, follow me."
Malic quickly followed Vanessa as she led him through the crowd, who were now discussing amongst themselves as to what their Hostess was doing with the Forsaken Lord. Malic followed Vanessa up the stairs to the upper levels of the Manor, which was restricted to the guests below, the only souls there being Vanessa, Malic and a few servants every now and then.
Eventually, they made it to Vanessa's room which the servants outside quickly opened the doors for them. The room appeared to be split into three segments as far as Malic could tell. One segment looked like a standard Bedroom, with a large bed and what looked like a segment for changing into clothes present. The second segment was laid out like a study, featuring a desk and a number of chairs as well as numerous books. The third and final segment looked more like something out of a dominatrix home, with large quantities of rope and...other items of interest littered all over the area. Malic was glad to say the least that Vanessa had decided to conduct their business in the second segment.
"So Malic, what brings you out of the Undercity to my humble parlour?" Vanessa finally asked as she turned to face Malic, her eyes narrowed inquisitively behind the hawk like mask.
"It's something dire I'm afraid." Malic calmly replied, watching as Vanessa took a seat.
"And you came to me for answers?" Vanessa asked, letting out an amused gasp as Malic slowly took a seat opposite her. "I knew you couldn't resist my charm forever."
"Believe me, I'd much rather not be here." Malic stated, causing Vanessa to roll her eyes in disappointment. "But our mutual friend said you might be able to help."
"You mean Wrath?" Vanessa muttered, letting out a disgusted noise as she turned away slightly. "Well that explains how you got the invitation."
"Yes, well can you help me?" Malic asked, staying silent as he awaited a response from Vanessa.
Vanessa sighed in disappointment as she turned around to face Malic again, her eyebrow raised slightly. "Very well, what is it you want help with?"
In response, Malic simply chucked the seal he had found on the Assassins that had started this fiasco in the first place. Vanessa quickly caught the broach and observed the symbol adorning it, turning it in the sunlight.
"Well, do you recognise it?" Malic asked after Vanessa had observed the broach for at least a full minute.
"I believe I do..." Vanessa mumbled, turning to face Malic again as she tossed the seal back to the Warlock. "Where did you get it?"
"Off of the body of someone who tried to kill me." Malic replied, storing the broach back in his pouch before turning to face Vanessa again. "Why? What do you know?"
"If my suspicions are correct, I believe that you may have earned the ire of a Cult known as the Shadow of the Harvest." Vanessa explained, examining her fingernails as she spoke. "That broach you carry allows the wielder to communicate telepathically with others of their order, as well as a symbol of their identification."
"The Shadow of the Harvest?" Malic asked, his own eyes narrowed in confusion. "They aren't related to the Black Harvest are they?"
"Only in name, but they idolise them." Vanessa replied, turning to face Malic once more. "Any attack made against them they see as an insult, which they respond to with extreme prejudice."
"Then why are they trying to kill me?!" Malic asked in exasperation, shaking his head in confusion. "I've had no dealings with the Black Harvest!...Except-"
"Except when you helped Wrath's friend defeat Kanrethad Ebonlocke." Vanessa interrupted, watching as the realisation hit Malic.
"Surely you can't be serious?! I may have helped him, but it was him who fought him and struck the finishing blow!"
"You helped him nonetheless." Vanessa continued, idly tracing a pattern on her leg with her finger. "No doubt their focus will turn to him once you're out of the picture."
"Shit!" Malic hissed, rubbing his forehead as he shook his head. Wrath had to be warned, of that there was no doubt. Neither of them were safe until this Cult had been dealt with. "How do you know all this?"
"I'm well informed." Vanessa simply shrugged, a playful grin on her face. "I'm afraid you have two options. A- just lie down and let the Shadow's get you, or B- attempt to find the Cult headquarters and dismantle it. Now as much as I enjoy your presence, option A is the most likely to happen."
"If you think for a second I'm going to give up without a fight, then you don't know me at all!" Malic hissed, looking up to stare at Vanessa with a glare.
"I'd hope you would say that." Vanessa chuckled. "But how do you attempt to find their headquarters? Every single Assassin you've come across has tried to kill you, and I doubt they'd tell you if you asked nicel-"
A shriek suddenly echoed throughout the Manor, causing both Vanessa and Malic to turn in its direction. The doors then suddenly burst open as a servant ran through, her clothing covered in blood.
"Assassins! Assassins are murdering every-"
The servant was cut off as she suddenly gasped in pain and fell forward, an arrow embedded in her back. The two other occupants backed away slightly before looking up, an Assassin from the Shadow of the Harvest notching a fresh arrow into his bow. Before he could even think about aiming, Malic sent a blast of shadowy energy at the Assassin, who began to writhe in pain as the bolt hit his chest before he fell backwards, his body dead before it even hit the floor. Malic then turned to face Vanessa, who seemed to be less then pleased about the interruption if the Fel energy dancing around her was any indication.
"Well, let's go ask them shall we?"
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Sorry it's short but hey, you win some you lose some. Liked it? Feel free to review and constructive criticism is welcomed. Any questions? Either leave in your review or PM me.
Raging Archon out.