Ch 5 – Word from Dalaran
His vision swam. All he could see were distorted images of people. He heard talking, but could not hear the words.
Then as if by magic one image came sharply into focus. The golden haired woman the firelight behind her giving her a glow as if she were an angel. She was beautiful though he could not see her clearly through his blurry eyes.
"Karanda?" He whispered. He did not remember his wife having golden hair. Perhaps it had been so long since he had seen her he had forgotten. He had not seen her since his fight over the fact that not all orcs were demons. He had not spoken to her since, though he knew she had supported his son while he was in exile. He had been long without a woman. He needed one soon and…
The figure moved closer. He saw she wore a cloth over her mouth and nose. The eyes were startlingly green as she moved closer. A cool cloth was pressed to his brow. He had not realized how warm he was until the cool seeped into his pores. He closed his eyes a moment.
He took a breath and then reopened his blue gaze to look up at the sweet angel once more. She smiled as she wiped the cloth down his face gently. "Hello Tirion." She said softly. "Stay strong." She whispered to him softly.
Of course he would be strong. He was Tirion Fordring of the Argent Crusade. What kind of fool did this woman take him for…?
She smiled lightly. "I brought you some broth. Do you think you can manage?" She asked softly paying no heed to his frowning face. She turned her head to the side and tucked a loose bit of hair back behind her teardrop ear.
He knew her then. This was not his wife whom he had long since given up on, but a friendly face he knew all too well. The two had been close since he had discovered she lived in Wyrmrest Temple after birthing her twins more than two decades ago. He frowned a little. Was he really that old?
She took a spoon and dipped it in. He struggled to place her name. His mind was wondering and he could not concentrate. He tried to lift his hands to touch her to make sure she was not another dream as he often had of his one-time beloved spouse. He found his arms bound. He looked up questioningly at the woman. She offered a gentle smile and pressed the hand down that reached upwards.
So she was real. He took a breath and then felt the spoon press to his lips. He took the warm life-giving liquid without a word of protest. It tasted good and he found he wanted more. She smiled and already had another spoonful ready for him. He took it and swallowed.
He looked up and met her gaze. He sighed and then smiled lightly. "Rhenn." He whispered.
Helene walked through the streets of Dalaran. Her brother walked beside her. The summons to the Northrend capital city had not been a request. People were dying of a disease that had been brought back from Icecrown. As Crystalsong was once again encroached more people had fallen to it. Rhenn and Grekko were already among those helping.
Rhonin greeted them. "Thank you for coming. We are in need of your skills Lady Helene. Since your mother is serving here we as you to go on the diplomatic mission." He said walking through a hall of the Violet Citadel.
"For what?" She asked.
"The cure." He said. He lifted a curtain to reveal Rhenn and Grekko together with a man. The gray hair and handsome face looked older and sickly. Jamiy gasped recognizing his mentor immediately. "Highlord Fordring." He said. "What…what is it?"
Rhenn and Grekko both wore cloths over their faces. Rhenn looked up as she pressed the spoon she held into the broth she held and lifted it to her mouth. She blew softly and pressed it to Tirion's parched lips. The man was only half conscious as she gently fed him to try to give him strength. The young paladin saw that his mentor's wrists were tied with cloth to the bed frame. He watched his mother as she gently pressed his hands down as he tried to reach for her.
"We do not know what it is? It seems to be a malady that can be treated." Rhonin said. "The goblins gave us a bark for a high price. Those who were given it have recovered to near full health." He took a breath. "But we have run out with all those who have become ill. Tirion refused to take any until his men were better." He shook his head. "I do not have to tell you what will happen to the war effort if that man falls."
Helene looked up as her father came to them. "Father." She said.
"Helene." He smiled as he pulled the cloth down. He looked very tired. Beyond Rhenn was still feeding and soothing the great paladin with soft words as his fever raged.
"They die of a fever?" Helene asked.
"The fever takes away their strength and it burns high enough if not helped to cause them to become mad." He took a breath. "We had two men throw themselves from the battlements because they thought they could fly home to their wives."
"Where do we find this bark?"
"The Ethereals of the Outlands, the Goblin cartels, and the Kurenei." Rhonin said. He sighed. "Two pirates and one faction that would rather see many of us rot because they have their own issues."
"Hence you need me to help." Helene said.
"You managed to bring the worgen to the fold, my dear. The Broken maybe about the same. Three Draenei are going to travel with you to aide you. The Broken have closer ties with them." The Archmage said.
Alanis came to them. "Rhonin, Vereesa seems to be better. She sleeps."
"Has the fever broken?"
"No." she said. "She, however, is peaceful." She said.
"It is not as advanced as many." Rhonin said.
She nodded and turned to go. Her hand went to her head as she faltered. Rhonin touched her shoulder. "Alanis?" He asked.
She looked up at him and blinked. "I feel faint. Sorry. Give me a mom…ent." Her knees collapsed and Rhonin reached her first sweeping the young girl into his arms. She blinked and he pressed a hand to her head. Sighing he shook his head and turned away from Jamiy and Helene.
"Leave now before she infects you." Rhonin ordered.
"Infects us?" Jamiy asked. Grekko stepped forward to take his daughter from the Archmage. Rhonin nodded and let the priest take her to a back room. "She is our sister. Father, what of you and mother?"
Grekko turned back a moment and sighed. "Do not tarry."
"She burns with fever. She has been attending my wife. She has the illness. Go now." Rhonin said. "You have a general, my wife, and your sister to save among others." He said.
"You are not infected." Jamiy said.
"Perhaps I am. It takes a few days to make you ill." Rhonin said. "If you or anyone of the group you take feels a fever separate them from the group. They will make the whole group sick if left un-quarantined"
Helene nodded and pulled her brother with her. "Come Jamiy." She said.
Her brother nodded. He saw the three draenei including Hartley waiting for them outside. He took a breath and gathered some men willing to go. The small group of ten walked through the Shattrath portal into Outlands and to find the Broken or the Ethereals whom could help them.
Helene looked about the Terrace of Light of Shattrath City. The mage portals of Dalaran teleported them to the capital worlds away. A soft ringing noise was heard in her ears and she turned to see in the center of the room was a dais. Floating above it was a figure of light. She cocked her head and drew closer looking as the figure moved as if in a soft breeze, though remaining where it was. Helene blinked remembering her lessons. Was this a Naaru, a light being, that the Draenei held in deep regard.
Yes, child. A soft voice said in her head. It was lyrical and soothing, but still made her jump and look about her. Her twin was looking up at the white being as well.
"You can hear my thoughts?" Helene asked softly.
Hartley smiled and laid a hand on her shoulder as he stood behind her. He had always been a good friend of the family, helping Rhenn when she needed it and helping her with the children. Helene had even studied under him until she became of age to be an Initiate. She was selected out of a hundred to study under Archbishop Benedictus himself. He leaned down. "Yes, he can. Meet A'dal, Lord of Shattrath and leader of the Shatar." Hartley said and bowed to the being.
Helene dipped her head. "My lord." It was then she noted there were two others on the balconies above. They seemed smaller and darker than the almost beautifully white and glowing A'dal.
No need for formalities child. I know why you are here and what you seek. The Naaru said in her mind. The Broken are not easily swayed to help outsiders. They do not trust easily and help must be earned. He said. They do have many enemies. Should you wish to win them over, I suggest you start by flying to Telaar in Nagrand and seek out the Broken leader. He will have an audience with you, if you come bearing this.
A flash of light made her cover her eyes a moment before she looked up and saw a staff before her floating at arm's reach. She took it and felt the ripple of power from it.
She nodded. "Thank you, A'dal of the Naaru."
I know of your mother. Send her my greetings and my well wishes on her happy coming event.
Helene looked up and cocked her head at the cryptic message. "What happy event?"
To reveal too much of the future is to change it. You will soon know. Also an old friend will come to her. She will understand why. These things will happen soon.
"How soon?" Helene asked.
A chime in her head reminded her of the happy laughter of the Dryads she had met that were friends to the Night Elves. I call all time soon, child.
She nodded realizing he would tell her no more on the matter.
She turned and the others followed. "Hartley?" Helene asked.
"Aye, Lady?"
She shook her head at the formality. "Who are the others?"
"Lucretius and Gynan?" Hartley asked nodding to the two draenei behind them.
"Yes."
"Luc is a shaman trained by Farseer Nobundo himself. Having dealt with Broken much of his life Velen thought him an asset." He said. He nodded to the young female. "Gynan asked to come. She is friend to your sister."
Helene nodded.
The group mounted gryphons and flew for several hours to a town on a bluff overlooking a basin. Telaar was beautiful. Surrounded by waterfalls that flowed from rocks above the town and a deeply cut canyon it was isolated and majestic.
The group landed and several guards approached with weapons raised as they approached the strangers. Lucretius calmly stepped forward and spoke to them in their native tongue. They lowered their weapons slightly, but nodded to the humans in the group. They did not seem to object to the draenei, but the humans there seemed to worry them.
"We would see Arechron." Hartley said. The group looked at the Draenei priest and nodded slowly.
Lucretius nodded. "We need help."
The Broken guard's eyebrows show up. They then nodded and had the small group follow them to the building overlooking the great gorge below them. Standing on the balcony was the apparent leader. He was larger and his gaze was not welcoming when they came towards him.
Lucretius bowed. "Hail leader of the Redeemed." He said.
"Greetings travelers. Welcome to Telaar." The Broken nodded. "What service can I give you?"
Helene stepped forward before anyone else could stop her. She had seen the gaze and knew that perhaps as a woman she could sway the man more than the others. "We came to ask for help." She said standing before him. "Now I come to beg from you." She said dropping to her knees before the man.
That took the elder Broken by surprise. No one had placed themselves lower than a Broken and to bow so was putting herself at his mercy. He looked at her and cocked his head.
Lucretius watched and placed a hand on Jamiy's arm as the young paladin moved to collect his sister. "No. She may be able to get through to him faster than we can. Let her try." He whispered.
Jamiy nodded slowly watching the Broken step forward. His hands took her shoulders and lifted her upwards as though she weighed nothing. "Do you mock me?" He asked eyeing her.
Jamiy and two others moved to defend the priestess, but Hartley and Lucretius stopped them with their arms out blocking the paladin from doing something rash.
"No." she said. "I merely wish to help my friends and family." She took a breath. "My sister is dying of a fever and we were told that you have a cure." She looked at him. "Please. She is only sixteen. A child…"
The leader set her on her feet gently. "Our medicines are not as gifted as the magically healing that humans can wrought." He said. "It is earthy." He lifted a piece of bark. "This "cure" is not a cure, but it does reduce the symptoms. Do the victims become delirious and fight?"
"Yes." Jamiy spoke up. "I saw a man in his death throws. They burn so hot and their body fights hard until they expire."
The Telaar leader nodded. "I will give you what you require, but you must first do something for us. Collect obsidian warbeads from the ogres near here. They are half witted murderers and they wish to do us harm. Bring me 50 strings of beads and the head of their commander. Then we shall give you all you require." He pointed south. "They are there."
Helene blinked at her brother. The two male draenei gathered the humans and female of their race and moved toward the bridge over the gorge. Once across Hartley sighed. "I know it makes you ill to take lives Lady Helene." He said as though he were reading her thoughts. "But think of you sister."
She nodded. "Yes." She agreed.
Gynan looked at her friend's elder sister. "I have been much in Nagrand." She said. She opened her pack and revealed that she carried thirty strings. "They offer friendship, shelter, and food for these beads, but it is better to use them to save the lives of many." The young mage said.
Helene felt like kissing the young woman, but refrained. Jamiy nodded and smiled at the young woman, whom was likely as old if not older than he was. He nodded to Hartley, Lucretius, and three others. "Come with us." He said. "The sooner we kill these creatures the sooner we may go home and help out family and friends." He then turned to Helene. "You and Gynan stay here. I would have you safe from harm."
She was about to protest when he pressed a finger to her lip. She sighed and nodded. She watched the group go along the road in search of ogres to murder.
It was at dusk when the small group returned. Jamiy was in the lead carrying something large in his hands. As he got closer Helene say it was the head of the commander. Behind walked the others. Jamiy had a small cut that oozed on his head, but the others looked just exhausted from the march.
The group filed across the bridge. This time the guards regarded them and nodded seeing the massive head Jamiy held by the horn. They walked straight to the room where Arechron was eating and talking to his commanders. Jamiy tossed the head before him on the floor and Hartley laid the necklaces near it.
The leader was clearly surprised. "I am surprised to see you returning so soon." He said. He stepped forward and kicked the head away in disgust. He nodded to the beads. "Good. You have proved your worth to us." He nodded to a large box near the door. "The bark is there." He smiled. "Thank you for aiding us. I hope you will not forget us."
"No." Helene said. She moved forward and embraced the leader. The Broken stiffened unused to anyone, not even his wife touching him so. He gently patted her shoulder. She looked at him and kissed his cheek. "You have saved my sister. Thank you."
He shook his head as he watched the mage cast a portal. "You saved her yourself. Go to her. Farewell for now."
She nodded and then Jamiy gathered her to him as they stepped through the portal together. Two men carried the heavy box through.
Hartley nodded to the Broken man. "This kindness will go you credit. I will speak kind words to my people about you. My thanks."
The man nodded. "Thank you."
The group were then were standing in Runeweaver's Square. Jamiy laughed and hugged his sister. "That was remarkably easy." He said. He looked about. "Now to help the Highlord and our sister. I pray to the Light we are not too late." He took her hand and noticed her hesitation. "Are you well, Helene?"
"I do not like the senseless murder of people." Helene said.
"Would you rather Lord Tirion and Alanis die?" He asked.
She shook her head. "Of course not."
Rhonin walked to them. "You return?" He gasped. "The Ethereals felt generous or…?"
Helene smiled. "We have the bark."
"By the Light. Your timing is amazing. Highlord Tirion is delirious, my wife slumbers, Alanis fights us, and your father also is in bed." Rhonin said. "Come."
The healers of the city quickly brewed tea for all the afflicted. Though many had died from the malady many were also saved as their fevers were brought down. Everyone given the tea improved within a couple hours. The dead totaled more than fifty and the weakened were in the neighborhood of three hundred. Alanis, Vereesa, Grekko, and Highlord Tirion all became peaceful and resting after drinking the tea.
Tirion's shifted in his sleep. His eyes opened weakly. He looked again at the flaxen haired woman at his bedside. She pressed a cloth to his brow and smiled down at him as she sat beside him. She brushed a loose bit of hair behind her ear. He had never seen her hair long and loose about her shoulders. The casual look did her much credit. "I know you." He said. His voice sounded distant to his own ears. He blinked again and focused a few moments on her. He then shook his head to clear the cobwebs from his mind. He felt utterly exhausted and was not sure why. His mind was muddled.
"Welcome back to us Tirion." She smiled. She looked up at another figure that stood beside her. She smiled. "His fever broke two hours ago. He is still weak and will need rest, but he will live." She smiled.
Tirion looked up. Two men stood beside him. Highlord Darion Morgraine of Ebon Blade stood over him. Tirion could not help, but offer a smile. "Good to see you lad."
Darion chuckled a little, his voice metallic as all death knights. "You have been catching your rest I see while we defended against Icecrown."
"You were not affected?" Tirion asked.
"No. The Knights of Ebon Blade were not." Rhenn said. "I guess because they are…" She paused as Darion looked at her. She swallowed. "Undead." She said. "The Forsaken of the city also were not afflicted."
Tirion nodded. He looked at the other quiet figure at his bedside. "Ahhh Jamiy. How are you?"
"Well. Good to know you will be back on your feet soon." Jamiy said nodding to his mentor. The young paladin had helped his mother when Tirion had fought her in his delirium. He smiled a little at the Argent Crusade leader.
Tirion looked at Rhenn. She moved to rise and he reached out and took her hand in his. "My thanks, Lady Rhenn." He said softly. "Your care and gentleness will not go without reward, I promise."
She waved him off. "Don't be silly, Tirion." She said. "I am glad you are well. Would you like something to eat to go with your tea?" she said wiping her hands on her apron.
Food. Food sounded good. He nodded. "I am most unused to having people wait on me." He said. He smiled as Rhenn smiled at him. "Well not since I was lord of Mardenholde Keep." He chuckled. "You make an odd nursemaid Marquise." He said.
She shook her head at him. "You are a very stubborn patient." She said in retort. "Now would you like chicken soup or oatmeal?"
Tirion sighed. "Soup." He said knowing from her stance she would not stop bothering him about it until he chose.
"Rest now Tirion. Crusader's Pinnacle and your other Argent base are still securely ours." Darion said. "We drove them back into the abyss from which they came."
"My thanks to you and your knights Darion." Tirion said.
Darion nodded and walked to the door. "I return to my knights now. I will see you when you are able Highlord Fordring." He bowed at the door and left.