Ch 14 - Reunited and Healing
Thrall and Jamiy arrived in Shattrath and looked about. A'dal was hovering nearby. They quickly went to find mounts to take them to Shadowmoon. They were, however, intercepted by a blood elf woman.
"Lord Emberblaze." She said addressing Jamiy.
He looked at her. The slight woman was taller than he was. Her eyes swirled with wisdom well beyond her physical youthfulness. Her green eyes regarded Thrall a moment. The title was not lost on either man, however. Jamiy was so focused her did not heed it as a sign of whom she served. Thrall knew that the twins and Rhenn bore this title, but had never hear it spoken.
"Who are you?" Jamiy asked. "Why do you hinder us when we must move fast?"
"I was sent to aid you in your quest young one." She said.
"Young one?" Jamiy blinked. "You cannot be more than twenty."
"Careful Jamiy." Thrall said. "There is more than appears here." He sensed this woman was very magical though she did not feel like a threat.
"Indeed." She said. "For example, I am the fastest way to Shadowmoon." She said and with a flash of light she transformed into her true self, a large red female wrym. She lowered her monstrous head to look at Jamiy with her multifaceted eye. "I was sent to aid you." She said again.
Jamiy stared at her. "You are Alas, one of the handmaidens of the Dragon Queen." He said.
A deep rumble was heard and Jamiy looked up started to hear the great beast laughing. "Of course. You have never seen us in your adult lives, there has not been a need for our help." She said. "I was at your birth, young paladin, and your life is but a brief spark to mine."
Thrall stood still watching the dragon. She could have easily dispatched them if she had wished to. "My lady." He said. "You said you can aid us?"
"Helene lies dying. I must do what I must to prevent this." Alas said. "Come." She lifted her foreleg. "Mount. We will be in Shadowmoon within three hours."
Jamiy mounted grabbing a large neck spike to pull himself to her shoulders. Thrall followed. Her back was wider than the drakes he had ridden before. She shifted and he felt the powerful muscles between his legs as the dragon moved. The scales were slick, but he did not feel any danger in falling unless she suddenly had to do an unexpected maneuver.
Thrall settled behind him and she spread her wings. With one great wing beat they were airborne. The two men held on as she gained altitude to sail over the trees of Terokkar Forest. She then glided; almost effortlessly it seemed, toward the home of Illidan Stormrage and his Black Temple.
Thrall looked about as the wind rushed by his face. The air in the forest smelled fresh and like the trees, but as they neared the borderlands the smell turned acrid. Alas suddenly banked and the two dropped low and felt a fireball go by them. Thrall turned. It was green in color. Fel magic.
The dragon flew past them and more cannons fired. Thrall heard them. Alas dodged them all. All, but the last. She had rolled down away from another and it struck her right back leg. She bellowed in pain. Thrall lifted his hands and he used the element of water to cool the flaming glob of Fel magic. It fell from her hindquarter, but left pink and blackened skin behind.
"My thanks." She said. He looked up and noticed her head was arched back looking at the damage as she hovered a moment.
"My pleasure, my lady. I will tend you when we find a place to land."
"No need. I will regenerate." She said. "I will drop you at Wildhammer Stronghold and I will rest." She said. "I will aide you when I can, but the flower you seek is only a few miles from the Dwarf stronghold."
Jamiy looked back at Thrall who nodded. "She must rest. The burn could infect and she could lose a leg or more."
She glided toward the stronghold. The fortress loomed up and she stopped and hovered as three Wildhammer dwarves on their gryphons waited before her.
"Who are ya?" One called.
"We are from Stormwind on a mission." Jamiy called back.
"You have an orc." Another said.
"He is no threat to you." The dragon answered. "I will answer for him."
The dwarves seemed to consider that. She then passed them and went down toward the ground. She landed and hissed as she hopped sending her cargo to the earth harder than she had wished.
"My apologies." She hissed and transformed into her Blood Elf form. She lifted her robe to her thigh and looked at the angry burn that looked waxy. She took a step and hissed in pain.
The gryphon riders had landed as well and seemed surprised to see the blood elf. They lifted their weapons, but another called to them to lower them.
"Peace, lads." Jamiy looked at the tattooed dwarf before them.
"Please. Our friend requires medical attention and my friend and I must find a plant on the magma fields to save my sister." Jamiy said.
"You trust a Horde?" the dwarf asked.
"Yes." Jamiy said.
The dragon in human form faltered and Thrall reached and held her elbows to keep her upright as Jamiy reached and swept her legs into his hands. The dwarf nodded for them to follow. They moved quickly to the inn within the heavily fortified walls of the fortress.
They laid her on a bed. She gasped as her leg bumped the bed.
"I thought dragons could withstand such attacks." Jamiy said.
"We can, but Fel magic is evil and sucks the good from us. Then it burns us to the very soul." She sighed. "I was not prepared for such an assault. Forgive me." She said.
Jamiy took her hand and kissed it. "Rest." He said.
Thrall ripped her robe to reveal the injury as they woman protested, but she was fading. Jamiy brought clothes and salve to help. Thrall bond the injury and looked up at the woman. "Stay still for a time." He warned. "Flying us to safety has cost you."
"I vowed to protect you and Emberblaze."
"We can handle it from here." Jamiy smiled at her. "I know you will join us soon."
She nodded and closed her eyes.
Thrall and Jamiy asked the Thane for aide. He was too busy keeping his Stronghold from attack, but he did offer them advice. He knew where the plant favored, the rocky outcroppings where the lava poured off the continent. He also offered them gryphons on the promise to return them.
Kurdran Wildhammer was taller than most dwarves that Jamiy had encountered and he seemed to be a fair man. He promised to keep the dragon woman safe from harm as she recovered. To him it was a privilege to have such company.
Jamiy walked out and met Eli Thunderstrike, the gryphon keeper. Sky'ree, Kurdran's own mount was among those there. She watched the newcomers with interest. The two birds were quickly saddled and were named Kyrie and Jay'ree. Thrall took the larger male Jay'ree. The green armored gryphon allowed him to mount and walked out of the pen. He cooed at his passenger softly in acceptance.
Kyrie was armored in blue and seemed sadder than Jay'ree. Eli explained that it was good to have her fly again. She was in morning for her companion whom had several months before. She seemed to welcome and accept the human paladin as worthy of her. She ruffled her feathers as he mounted and settled on her. He reached forward and tenderly caressed her neck. The feathers lifted revealing her skin. She cooed as his finger caressed her softly.
Eli was impressed. "She has never allowed another to touch her so. Not for many moons." He said.
"I remind her of her master, perhaps." Jamiy offered.
"Jymara was a good man, they know the heart better than us." The dwarf nodded.
"We best get a move on then should we not, brother?" came a voice near them. Jamiy whirled in his saddle and discovered Prince Anduin sitting on a bronze drake.
"How have you come to be here?" Thrall asked.
"I could not let you have all the fun could I? Besides," He scratched the drake's neck affectionately. "I had to see how my new friend flew." He smiled at Jamiy. "How is Helene?"
"Weak." Jamiy said. "The poison will kill her if we are not quick."
Anduin frowned. "Come let us help her." He clapped his hand on Jamiy's back. "I know she is your twin, but I have always seen her as my sister also."
Jamiy nodded. "Thank you, your highness."
Anduin shook his head. "I am not the Prince to you."
They lifted into the darkened sky lit only by fel magic streaming across. The gryphons flew where their riders wished. They flew toward the Netherwing Ledge and found the lava they were looking for. Also they noted blood elf patrols would make it difficult.
They landed in what they thought was a spot clear of the patrols. As Thrall looked about he found the plant. There were three together and he quickly set about digging up the bulbs in the volcanic soil. He found the soil was nearly burning, but he needed the roots to save Helene.
Anduin and Jamiy stood guard. They noticed a large lizard ambling toward them. It paused and then sent a fireball of green flame toward them. Jamiy pushed the Prince from harm and the fireball passed by and dissipated.
Jamiy crouched as the beast came for him and snapped at him. He dodged and hit it. The blows were glancing off the heavy armor the creature had for scales. Anduin had rolled away and recovered. He joined the fight. Anduin was pinned down by the beast. It snapped at him. His shield kept him safe. He then heaved and plunged his sword into the beast's jaw.
It fell dead.
Thrall had two bulbs and was working on a third when a sword at his throat made him freeze.
"What is this? Horde and Alliance as one?" Came an arrogant silky voice. Thrall looked up. "I would have not guessed an orc could be off his guard."
Anduin and Jamiy lifted their hands as blood elves surrounded them with large bows.
"We are no threat to you commander." Thrall said noting the man's rank by his clothing. "We are on a mission of mercy. Please allow us to return to her."
"Her?"
"My sister is dying." Jamiy said.
"And you had to come to this hell to find a cure?" The blood elf cocked his head. All three nodded. "What do you take me for a child?" He asked. "You are spies."
Anduin looked at the man's tabard. "The Scryers are not known for attacking people."
"Times change and we do not know you."
Thrall rose to his feet. The commander took a step back.
"Bring them to the Sanctum for questioning." The commander ordered.
Some hours later the three men sat at a table with the commander, named Hobb, and several of his guards who watched the three strangers for any sign of aggression. Thrall was seated to the left of Anduin who was seated facing the blood elf. Jamiy was seated to his other side and shifted absently.
"I am the Crown Prince of Stormwind. I demand to be let go." Anduin said. "My companions and I are on a mission to save my sister from certain death. We required a plant."
Hobb watched the prince. "A plant will save her life?"
"She was poisoned." Thrall said.
Hobb seemed to consider that as he looked at the bulbs before him. "This plant is rare." He said. "We use it for…"
"Dragonmaw!" A lookout barked from above them in the tower.
"How many?" Hobb barked.
"Two score!" The lookout said. "Perhaps more."
Hobb reached for his ax and bow. "If you excuse me I must defend the tower."
Jamiy rose to his feet. "Let us fight and help you." Jamiy looked about. "You do not have the man power to defend against so many foes."
Hobb's eyes narrowed. "If I freed you, you would escape."
"I give you my word we will help you. My honor to the Light." Jamiy said. "I am a paladin, my brother is a warrior, and Thrall is a shaman. We could help you."
Hobb drew his dagger. "Betray me and I will feed you to the Netherwing dragons at our door."
"If we help you, let us go free and save out sister." Anduin said.
Hobb nodded. "Very well. I will send you more dried herb if you aide us in defeating the corrupted orcs." He cut the bonds of the three men and nodded to the guard at the door. "Give them their weapons." He then looked out and saw the Dragonmaw force gathering. "Show them no quarter!" He barked as he ran to a small assembled group before the stairs leading to the tower's rise.
Thrall summoned his totems as he stood ready holding his hammer. Anduin drew his twin polearms called Lotrafen and Black Ice. He stood ready as Jamiy drew his own weapon and raised his shield ready.
The Dragonmaw attacked from their Netherdrake mounts. Hobb used his bow to shoot at them. The angered orcs drew closer allowing Jamiy to strike at them. Thrall called upon the elements and lighting sprang from his finger jumping from one Dragonmaw to the next in a chain jumping six individuals. The last two hits caused the riders to fall from their mounts charred from the energy build up from the chain. Anduin shifted to the right where two high elf women were battling and dodging the drake's claws. He sliced the animal's feet causing it to roar and pain and throw its rider to the earth. Anduin slashed him as he lay stunned. The prince looked up in time to just barely duck from another set of fearsome talons.
Several high elves had fallen, but the three members of Stormwind battled alongside the Scryers. The waves of Dragonmaw kept coming. Jamiy was pinned down by two orcs that had leapt from their mounts to fight when he looked up and ducked as flames arched over his body burning the orcs. They screamed in pain before falling to the earth near him. He gagged smelling the burned flesh and turned to see a great red wyrm standing nearby. She blew her flame into the air. Several Netherdrakes back-winged to avoid the fire, but several more fell victims to it. The rest turned and fled the area not wishing to challenge a fully grown dragon that had a free will.
Jamiy came to her and bowed. "You have good timing as always Alas." He said ruefully. The great head dropped and the multifaceted eye regarded him.
"Indeed Lord Emberblaze." She said.
The high elves were all knelt before the great creature.
"How are you fairing?" Thrall asked walking to her haunches to inspect her from where she had been injured. It was completely healed.
The neck swiveled to him. "I told you I would recover. The Wildhammer dwarves were very courteous as well." She said.
"A full grown dragon is not something you would wish to be on the wrong side of." Anduin said. "My lady." He bowed to her.
Commander Hobb looked up. "I never thought I would see a dragon of the red dragonflight." He said, clearly in awe.
Her head swiveled back and moved so the eye was looking at him. "You imprisoned these people when they were on a great errand. Tarrying here costs a friend of my people her life as it slips away."
"We are not used to having friends in this hell where the Light does not reach." Hobb said.
Jamiy stepped forward. "He was doing his duty." He said.
She lifted her head. "Very well." She said. "If Lord Emberblaze forgives you, so too, will I." She said.
Hobb rose to his feet. "Hennal, fetch the herb they require." He said. The woman near him rose and with her head down ran to the tower passed the great bulk of the wyrm and her tail. He looked about. "You have the thanks of the Scryers for this, paladin, warrior prince." He said nodding to Jamiy. "Should you require aide, do not hesitate to call upon us. Any of you." He said.
The woman handed Thrall the herb. He nodded.
"It is far to Shattrath." The woman said. "Allow me to make you a portal. It will save you time." She said.
"Thank you." Anduin said.
She conjured the capital and Thrall stepped through. Alas transformed into her humanoid high elf form to the dismay of the high elves about them. She smiled and nodded to Hobb. "Your generosity will not go unnoticed." She said and stepped in the portal. Jamiy and Anduin followed.
They looked around the room where A'dal hovered in the center. Once together they all walked to the portal that took them to the mage quarter of Stormwind. The three moved quickly to the Cathedral of Light where Helene was waiting. It was raining hard as if the weather itself was mourning Helene and weeping for a cure to her affliction.
Hartley, Grekko, and Archbishop Benedictus were all focusing on keeping Helene alive as her body fought the poison that raged her body. Beyond delirious her body contorted in pain as sweat dropped from her. Rhenn and Tirion Fordring tried to keep her still, but binding her to the bed she lie in would do more harm than good. They pressed cool clothes to her brow and whispered soothing words to her. The three priests and paladin prayed and healed with the Light, but as the hours continued, they feared they would lose the battle. Her nose bled and trickled down her cheek. It was a sign her body was losing.
Jamiy, Thrall, and Anduin all came into the Cathedral very sodden from the rainstorm raging outside. Alas was behind them her dragon form casting shadows upon the walls as lightening crashed outside. The crowd of family and friends around Helene as she laid the chapel bed looked up. It was all they could do to keep the young woman comfortable.
Hartley stepped forward and took the herbs that Jamiy held for him. He then went to his twin and sat beside his mother. Tirion nodded to his subordinate as Hartley began to brew the tea. He came after it had cooled. He sweetened it a little with honey. Tirion and Jamiy held her up as Hartley helped her sip the drink.
Hartley brewed the tea once and hour, every hour until it was nearly midnight. Tirion had sent everyone except Hartley to rest when she no longer fought them after supper time and she rested comfortably. This night would tell if Helene would live or die. Though they did not sleep they all sat in a different room and allowed the Paladin and priest heal her.
Tirion entered the room where everyone had gathered. Everyone looked as exhausted as he felt for it was emotionally draining to watch the girl's life slip from her body. He smiled and nodded. "Her fever broke. She will live." He said.
Rhenn gasped and began to weep though she was smiling. Grekko kissed her and held her close rocking her.
Jamiy rose to his feet. "May I see her?"
Tirion nodded. "For a few moments." He said softly. He led the way back to the sleeping form. Hartley and Tirion had changed the sheets and changed the shift she wore. She looked peaceful now as she lay curled to her side, snoring lightly. Jamiy noticed Highlord Morgaine watching her sleep. The Death Knight leader was an odd sight here, but it also gave comfort to Jamiy that he was watching out for his sister as much as the rest of them. He was holding her hand.
Hartley looked up from dressing her head. He nodded to Jamiy.
Morgaine looked up at Jamiy. "Good. You are here. She has been asking for you." He said pressing her hand into her brothers lightly as he spoke softly. "She is strong in spirit. She will recover."
"Yes." Jamiy agreed. "Thank you for watching over her."
"Your sister has always been good to me. I would miss her friendship. Come stay with her. I must go check on my Death Knights staying here."
Jamiy took his sister's hand and kissed it as he held it. He then pressed it to his cheek as he began to weep. He bent forward and pressed his head to her shoulder as he let his grief and relief show.
Morgaine looked at Tirion who dipped his head to him. The Death Knight was not used to such emotion.
Helene's eyes opened. Though she looked very tired she reached and touched her brother's head. "Jamiy? Why are you crying?" She asked innocently. "Did something happen?"
He looked up and then smiled down at her despite his free flowing tears. "I thought I lost you. I was so afraid." He said. "How do you feel?"
"Tired." She said. "Everything hurts. Did I have a nightmare?"
"Yes. A bad dream." He nodded. He gathered her in his arms and they held each other softly.
Tirion stood nearby and smiled. The twins had a bond like no other. Helene was safe and Jamiy's soul was again whole. Soon they both would be again fighting the Lich King together and whole.
.