Ch 11 - On the Front Lines of the Three Sided Battle
Grekko and Jamiy stood on the front lines among the paladins of the Argent Crusade and the Knights of Ebon Blade. They flanked Highlord Tirion Fordring who was shifting idly as he flexed his new armor. The robes made of a cloth covering over the plate armor beneath. It was a good day to break the new armor in and let more Scourge taste the bite of Ashbringer. The redeemed blade was at his side and glowed with the radiance the Light had granted it when it had been purified at Light Hope's Chapel.
He looked at Jamiy who was wearing the armor of the crusaders of the Argent Crusade under his Stormwind tabard. It had been a gift from Tirion for his bravery and honorable nature when fighting. Already his protégé was becoming much like him. He was the son that he had hoped Taelan would have become. A powerful warrior and a man full of honor. Jamiy was every inch what a paladin stood for, warrior one moment and compassionate healer the next. He had been in a small town while Jamiy was still training to be a full paladin. The Scourge was attacking the small village in the foothills they were patrolling. He found a pregnant woman and her young children hiding in a burning building. He managed to save all three and defended them as they fled. In the forest the lady's time had come upon her and Jamiy delivered a perfect son into the world. This ability to flawlessly go from warrior on the battle field to calm collected healer as people needed it was the true paradox of being a paladin
When Tirion found them Jamiy was holding the small babe in one arm while he comforted the new mother. The two children were close. Tirion had checked over the young man's work and had approved. Both the mother and new babe were well. The children looked up the young paladin as a hero. Pride could affect a paladin, but Jamiy did not allow his to get in the way of his skills.
Now Jamiy was nearly his equal in fighting skills and he carried the Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros. The weapon, like Tirion's own weapon, Ashbringer, was one of the legendary weapons that had been forged anew. The pieces had been collected and were waiting for a worthy handler. The weapon chose the carrier. Jamiy had heard his name from the pieces in a box in the armory. Alarmed he had informed Tirion and wondering if he was hallucinating. He was not. The blade had chosen its master and he was worthy of it. His twin carried Val'anyr, Hammer of the Ancient Kings. She likewise had had the great hammer call to her. It had been Alexstrasza, the Life-Binder herself, whom had convinced the young priestess that she was not mad for hearing the soft voice calling to her and used her own dragon's fire to forge the weapon.
The mace could be seen strapped to her back from there he stood. The young priestess stood in her own battle robes. A soft breeze blew her golden hair about her shoulders from under her cowl. She was as proud as her brother and nearly as able in battle. She had been taught at an early age by her mother and her own godfather, King Varian how to fight. It was a rule of the Lady Marquise. All her ladies and her children learned the arts of war and fighting for she well knew that women who did not know how to fight could still die by the blade.
Rhenn was a curious mix of shaman and mage, an oddity and only one of her kind. Her children were all distinct walks of life and training, but Rhenn's training had blurred the lines. The powers of the Light flowed through her as did the elements. She seemed to have mastered the element of water and could bend it to her will, which was no easy task. She could take the form of a white wolf and create totems that aided her in her fighting. She rarely fought, however, preferring to be a diplomat, but her Tuskarr mentor had taught her well. Her daughters and son were as able as she was and inherited her mercy and her sense of diplomacy in their lives as well.
Tirion regarded Jamiy as a second son. He was after all the child's godfather so he at least had some claim to his education and teaching. Rhenn, however, for her part had two amazing children in her twins. The third, Alanis, was often in her studies and in the company of Rhonin. She would soon be a full member of Kirin Tor and he hoped the third would join the other two. A healer, a paladin, and a mage would be a formidable unit and they were bonded closer than any unit Tirion could have designed.
He looked back up the slight grade uphill where Helene stood with Thassarian and Crusade Commander Entari. The officers would keep the healer safe as well as plan attacks from the vantage point above the battle.
Grekko was in his battle gear and leaning against his staff as he surveyed the land before them. It was bleak as all Icecrown was. Near Stormpeaks they had decided to make a stand. If the lines broke they could reform as they retreated up the hills low passes. The Argent Vanguard was less than a mile away and that fortress had withheld the Scourge numerous times. The priest had been at that very spot when Tirion and his Argent Crusaders had created it and then later defended it from the Scourge coming through the low pass known as the Breach from Scourgeholme. He also had fought beside his friends when they had taken Crusader's Pinnacle above the hellish necropolis below.
The priest was a good fighter and healer. He could change roles easily. While his daughter preferred to heal and stay back, which he was thankful for as a father, naturally, he preferred to fight beside his comrades. He mouthed the words to a spell and then became transparent and glowed softly in the low light that seemed to be what qualified as daylight in this nightmare place. Shadowform was hard to master and his daughter rarely used it, though he had become tuned to it and the dark forces it called upon flowed through him. For a man who served the Light this was a dangerous line to follow. One could get lost in the dark ways of the world, but Grekko was of strong mettle and had conquered the demons of the shadows.
For now Tirion looked out across the waste to where the Scourge was gathering. Stitched horrors, large stitched giants, ghouls, geists, skeletons, and gargoyles. Tirion shuttered. Many of the ghouls and skeletons were the fallen in battle. They now were forced to serve the Lich King as mindless undead and kill those whom they once cared for and annihilate the cause they died for. Though there was hope. Highlord Darion Morgaine and his Knights were proof as were the Forsaken.
Morgaine shifted restlessly nearby. He picked at the bare dirt with the toe of his plated boot.
"Patience, my friend." Tirion said. "We will let them make the first move. It will allow us to counter with strength."
Morgaine sighed. "True, though I would rather just cut through their ranks."
"That failed the last time we engaged and we nearly lost Emberblaze and we took heavy losses. They will not be repeated." Tirion said. He watched as a Hulking Stitched Abomination walked toward the front. The large monstrosities were hard to kill because they were so tall and evil. Made from several bodies they had little intelligence other than to wreak havoc on those in their way which could include their own faction if they got in the way.
The skeleton commanders seemed to be taking in the field as much as the Alliance. All at once they lifted themselves into the air and began to cast their spells of ruin. Tirion lifted Ashbringer as he watched the advance of the Scourge. "Now brothers and sisters, fight for the Light!" He barked and the front line advanced.
Morgaine cut two down in his first swipe as Jamiy went for the frost mage skeleton officer who was casting spells at the fighters to freeze them into place. It made it hard to counter the attacks, but the Crusaders and the Knights fought as a cohesive unit with the Alliance.
The mage turned his attention to Jamiy as Jamiy wounded him, severing a bony arm from its masters. The mage turned and screamed the unholy scream that the Scourge often used to communicate frustration. Jamiy held his weapon ready for the skeleton to make a move.
The skeleton lifted itself in a cast and Jamiy struck it before ducking away from the frost bolt. It struck the ground forming a crater. The mage screamed again raising hair on the back of the living's necks nearby.
Tirion and Morgaine stood back to back killing anything that dared come close to them. The flanks were holding and Tirion looked up at the ridge where Helene and the other officers were directing the flanks to push forward as needed. The girl learned quickly and was a military genius. She learned well from her readings and trainings under Tirion, Grekko, Varian, and Thrall.
Joining Helene was Jayde, a blood elf, one of the best warriors of Ebon Blade. Highlord Morgaine did not admit to feeling a strange form of affection to the young priestess, but he wished to insure her safety as Tirion did. Tirion had noticed the banter that passed between the two when Morgaine thought no one was paying attention.
The battle waged with neither side having a clear advantage, but neither side taking heavy looses either. Night would soon be upon them and the battles would become harder. They would have to tactically withdrawn to Argent Vanguard until morning and drive the Scourge back. A loss of ground was of little importance. The Alliance had pushed them backward into Icecrown's bowels. The hope was to drive them to Cathedral of Darkness and from there challenge the Lich King in his own sanctuary. This battle would only be a piece of the war.
A cry was heard and Jamiy, Morgaine, and Tirion all struck down whom they had been battling to see what the outcry have been.
Jayde heard something and whirled about to see an army coming up their back left flank. "Helene!" She leapt before the priestess as she turned. She ducked as the death knight's blade narrowly missed her as and orc fell dead at her feet. Helene drew her weapon and crouched in a battle stance as she realized the Horde were attacking. She was shocked. They had been in Zul'Drak at the last report and Tirion once he had a firm hold in Icecrown again was going to turn to his brothers and sisters in the troll lands.
The officers cried out calling for aide as Garrosh himself appeared.
Jamiy cried out seeing his sister was in the midst of a battle. She and Jayde were battling hard. Crusaders and Knights were moving quickly to aide at the sudden assault. Jamiy looked to Tirion who nodded to him to leave the front line and aide the officers. Grekko was also fighting his way toward the flank. This betrayal by the Horde was felt by all on the battlefield.
Helene cried out as a Horde ax sliced though her arm near her shoulder. Jayde had pushed her down to prevent a fatal blow. The blood elf then was separated from the young priestess who was casting a spell to heal her protectors about her. A circle of light flowed outwards from her and touched her comrades surrounding them with the light as well. They felt refreshed and looked to the priestess as Thassarian leapt to guard her as Garrosh stepped forward. He recognized the healer among the officers.
"That one! I want that one alive!" He barked pointing at the young woman. Helene and Thassarian both turned to meet the onslaught as Horde members fought towards her. The twin glowing blades of the Death Knight soon were dulled from the dark blood that wetted them as he kept the priestess behind him so she could cast her healing spells upon him and others in need.
Jamiy fought and found his father was making his way toward the flank where the Horde was attacking. There were not many, but enough that the surprise attack on the officers was causing the Crusaders and Knights to fall back.
Suddenly Jamiy was frozen in midstride and found his legs bound to the earth by snow. Ice crystals were falling upon him from the sky. He lifted his shield to keep the shards from damaging him as he looked about for the mage that has attacked him.
He spotted the skeleton nearby whom was casting the icy spell on Jamiy and those around him. Jamiy growled and cut through two ghouls that attacked him before he threw his blade. His aim found its mark and the mage fell with the great blade sticking out from its ribs where its heart had once beat. The icy prison shattered and Jamiy saw his sister was cornered and moved to run toward her as he drew his sword from the mage with a bone crunching thud.
Thassarian found himself immobilized as he pushed Helene in front of him. "Go, my Lady, Run!" He cried. He turned to face the Horde.
Garrosh easily side stepped the stunned Death Knight. Helene turned to face him and started to cast a spell drawing Light about herself. He knew the spell was meant to damage him. He moved quickly while she was still and casting to strike her temple with the butt of his ax. She dropped like a stone to the ground the light leaving her.
Smiling Garrosh looked back as Jamiy and Grekko fought their way toward him. "Portal, NOW!" He called.
A Forsaken mage began to cast the spell as Garrosh bent and lifted the unconscious woman. He threw her over his shoulder like she was a slab of meat not a living being. He turned as the portal formed and smirked at the two humans. He then stepped through the portal. The rest of the small company followed that yet lived.
"NO!" Jamiy cried.
Grekko looked about. He caught a fleeing Forsaken priest and cast mind control upon him. The Forsaken froze and turned back toward them. Tirion arrived with Morgaine as they ordered the retreat back to Argent Vanguard. Darkness would soon be upon him.
"Where are you taking her?" Jamiy all by screamed at the undead man.
"Going to Undercity. Prisoner of war." The voice rasped.
"This whole attack was to capture her?" Morgaine asked.
"Yes." The man said. His eyes held venom as he answered. Grekko held the control on him as he glared at the man.
Tirion Fordring laid a hand on Grekko as the Forsaken lifted his dagger upwards. He knew that the father was intending to murder this man with his own hand. "No do not sink to this level, Grekko. We will get her back. Come." He said.
Grekko's gaze shifted. He nodded lightly and let the dagger drop. He dropped the mind control.
The Forsaken man dropped to his knees. He looked up at the leaders gathered about him. He smiled wearily. "I am Forsaken." He said.
"You are dead…again." Morgaine growled and beheaded the man with his blade before Tirion could stop him. He looked at Tirion before he continued with the Knights. Tirion laid his hand on the father and son. "Go!" He ordered.
Jamiy stared at the Forsaken at his feet and then fell into the retreat with his father and Tirion at his side.