Ch 15 - The Call of the Crusader.
Highlord Tirion Fordring was a man of honor and a man of vision. Neither quality could be denied about him. He had been exiled because of his sense of honor, he had left his family because his honor, he had saved the life of an old orc because of his honor, and he looked for ways of peace between the Horde and the Alliance to work together to fight the scourge rather than fighting on two fronts and losing countless lives in battles that did not need to be fought so.
Perhaps the way to uniting the forces was to use the pride of the Horde and the Alliance against themselves. It would require soldiers of the toughest metal to face foes that would ready them for the Lich King himself.
In secret Tirion had been building a base camp in Northern Icecrown on the cliffs near the sea. He had his men capture the most fearsome creatures of Northrend and hold them captive until ready to be used as tools of war.
As they were building some of the foes came to them and Tirion made full use of this fact. While working on the coliseum some of the Lich King's female winged Lieutenants flew and tried to disrupt the events happening on the grounds below. Confessor Paletress and two of her priests were able to shackle two of them and hold them prisoner. They would be a fine test for the elite group.
He sighed. Would there be soldiers who would volunteer for this. Perhaps they would lose and the strongest warriors would be lost, but on the other side of the coin if the beasts and opponents were beaten, the whole of Azeroth would follow the heroes. It was a gambit, but one Tirion knew he had to risk.
He had sent out the invitations to King Varian and Hellscream calling for any they felt worthy of the challenge to come to the Tournament Grounds. There would be an armistice there that would be controlled by the Argent Crusade. Those who broke the laws of the land they maintained would be punished, perhaps even killed. Fordring did not sugar-coat the warning knowing that the Horde and Alliance would try to exterminate each other rather than fight the true foes in the arena.
Herald Beluus yelled into the air, "The Warchief of the Horde, Garrosh Hellscream, and Chief of the United Tribes, Cairne Bloodhoof, have arrived upon the tournament grounds! Clear the way to the entrance!"
The two had arrived by windrider at the Sunreaver Pavilion and slowly made their way to the coliseum entrance. They observed some of the fighting commenting on how well the mounted Horde members did very well in mounted combat.
Tirion waited for his guest to arrive. He stood at the entrance to the coliseum grounds. "Welcome, Warchief Hellscream. Chief Bloodhoof." He said nodding to each. He noted the honor guard behind them.
"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Fordring. We look forward to observing these games." Cairne said shifting slightly on his hoofed feet.
Hellscream looked ready to spit in the dirt. "Speak for yourself, Cairne."
"I hope you'll see the merits of these events in time, Garrosh. We cannot win against the Scourge if we continue to war against one another." Tirion said.
Cairne regarded him. "Wise words." He said.
Hellscream hissed. "Words of a fool, you mean. The Horde will destroy the undead without your aid, human, or that of the pompous king."
Cairne turned to the orc. "Garrosh, enough! We cannot win this war alone. We need strong warriors to lead the Horde."
Tirion nodded to Cairne. "Under my roof, gentlemen, I trust you will behave."
Cairne turned back to the human paladin before him. "Of course, Tirion. I apologize for his outburst. It will not be repeated." He said casting a look to Hellscream.
"Bah." Hellscream grunted. "I suppose I will watch for now…"
Tirion nodded. "Good. If you will follow me, then." He said and turned about to walk into the coliseum. The other two followed with the small honor guard behind them.
More than an hour later the herald again was on the corner of the great wall calling out the new arrivals of importance. "His Majesty, King Varian Wrynn, Marquise Rhenn Ambrose, Priestess Helene Ambrose, and Lady Jaina Proudmoore have touched down upon the tournament grounds! Make way!"
Rhenn sat upon her proto-drake Emerald a few more moments as she looked about the grounds. "So much for coming here quietly." She said. She scratched the eye ridge of her mount affectionately.
Varian chuckled as he helped Jaina down from her gryphon and then Helene. The young priestess still had her arm bound to her in a sling. It had only been a month since the attack on her person, but physically she had recovered well. Lastly he came to her just as she was sliding from her mount toward the ground. He caught her and held her as she found a steady spot for her feet on the graveled earth.
"Welcome to Icecrown, my lady." He said formally. He nodded to Jaina. "How do you find it?" He asked as he stepped back from Rhenn. She reached up and unhooked her staff from the great beast's side. She held her and leaned against it looking out over the sea.
"Bleak" Jaina said.
"I agree." Helene said. Both she and the mage were in battle gear should there be action. Rhenn wore a heavy dress of the Stormwind court with her hair pulled back from her face in twin buns behind her head. Enveloping her completely was a long robe that was clasped at her left shoulder. It seemed very impractical to wear in a place where there were Horde that might try to do them harm regardless of the edict against it. Varian and Helene, however, trusted her judgment and knew perhaps she was more prepared than they gave her credit for.
Tirion was awaiting them at the entrance as they walked from the Silver Covenant Pavillion to the coliseum entrance. Behind them walked two battle-mages and two Home Guard. Crispin stayed near Helene and Rhenn as he had been instructed.
Varian regarded the paladin before him as they came to him. "Tirion." He said by way of greeting.
Tirion nodded to them. "King Varian, Ladies Jaina, Rhenn, and Helene. Welcome to the tournament. Your place in the coliseum is waiting." He said.
Lady Jaina Proudmoore nodded to him and bowed slightly. "Thank you. It's the least I can do to support this; we need to stand together."
"Indeed." Rhenn said.
King Varian Wrynn regarded the elder paladin. "You ask much of me, Tirion, to sit and watch, trusting the savages to keep themselves in check."
Tirion did not flinch and nodded to the King. "My people are here to ensure that they honor the rules of engagement. It will do your subjects well to see you in the stands."
Lady Jaina turned to Varian trying to soothe him. "I'm sure Hellscream will have his people under control... "
Helene snorted. "Hellscream does not believe in control. He believes in intimidation." She said. She involuntarily shivered as she spoke of him. The memories of her brutal attack were still vivid in her mind and it had taken much talk with Varian, Jamiy, and Tirion to have her come. In the end Tirion had won out when he went to see her again after the others had left telling her the best way to combat her fear was to stand up to it and to be visible to Hellscream showed she was not broken and as strong as ever.
Varian looked at her and then at Rhenn. "What say you Marquise?"
"If champions come of this, it is well worth it. Who better to lead the vast Alliance army to battle against the Lich King?" Rhenn asked.
King Varian regarded her words a moment. "Perhaps. I doubt the effectiveness of this gambit. We would be better served preparing our armies for the final assault. But if my presence is required in these games to gain your support in the battle, then I will remain. For now." He said looking to Tirion.
Highlord Fordring nodded and gestured for his guests to follow.
Varian took Rhenn's hand and held it as they walked behind Tirion. Rhenn looked at Ashbringer bound to the paladin's back. She had never seen it up close. The mighty blade with its glowing orb was meant to kill the undead scourge. Having had three masters since it was forged, the third reforged, cleansed blade was more powerful than forged and the corrupted blade.
Tirion led them to their place surrounded by flags of the Alliance. Rhenn, Jaina, and Helene had seats. Varian gently held Rhenn's hand as she sat in the bowl chair and looked out over the floor of the great coliseum.
Across the way Hellscream and Cairne watched the Alliance leaders take their places. Hellscream noticed Helene was there. Her arm was bound in a sling as of yet. No other mark was visible on her at this distance that she had been attacked. Garrosh regretted nothing in his life, but this one act he would. He cared for her and wished his animal lust had not come upon him. Perhaps if he had contained his need for her he could have seduced her and had her willingly or even as his mate.
"The Lady Rhenn is as fair as they have told me." Cairne remarked. "I normally do not put stake in gossip, but for once they were right."
"Her daughter is even fairer." Hellscream said.
Cairne looked more closely across the way. "Perhaps we should agree that they are two of the fairest humans." He said. "Jaina is not bad on the eyes either."
Hellscream nodded conceding. "The daughter could not have had such looks without her Dame." He snorted. He looked at Rhenn whom was seated in the enveloping cloak. "She looks the same as she did when I first met her." He said. Though he hated to admit it, yet another regret was when he had thrown her out of the way in order to reach the King of Stormwind whom now stood beside her. Garrosh well knew had she been killed he would have not walked out of that room unscathed. One or the other of them, either he or the King of Stormwind, would have been stains on the Violet Citadel floor
The King leaned toward her speaking to her. Garrosh watched. The two were far more intimate than he would allow his mate to be with the king. She suddenly laughed and her smile was radiant despite her serve clothing and hair style. He wondered how her mate stood having them so. He looked about for Grekko, not seeing him he shook his head. Perhaps that was the answer. The priest had stayed home in shame or perhaps had been ordered to stay behind so the King could seduce his wife.
Helene looked over and their eyes locked a moment. She then looked down and acted as though she could not see him. He hardly blamed her after what he had done. He had been such a fool. With the daughter of the Lady Rhenn as his mate he would have had the Alliance in check. Now he would have to think of other ways of subduing the troublesome Alliance.
Tirion Fordring took his place between the two factions. Flanking him were two Argent Crusade flags. He stepped forward onto a narrow platform over the arena floor. "First to compete will be four teams of three against Horde and Alliance Champions." He looked to King Varian. "First an Alliance trio of Jamiy Ambrose of Stormwind, Greta Hollen of Genn Haven, and Brenda Sorrow of Stormwind will face three challengers. They are one of the best three man team I have seen with the skills of paladin, priest, and warlock. They will challenge Runok Wildmane, shaman of Thunderbluff, Eressea Dawnsinger, mage of Silvermoon, and Deathstalker Visceri , rogue of Undercity." He looked down as the Horde Champions appeared with three guards on mounts. Jamiy and the two women were mounted off to the side waiting. "Fight well Champions and with honor. Begin!"
Rhenn and Helene watched the mounted battle below. The guard for each champion was easily dealt with and they fell easily to the team-worked charges. The champions were not so easy to unseat from their mounts.
Jamiy took the active role of moving them about so the two women could attack them. First to be dismounted in the joust was the rogue followed quickly by the shaman. The mage was harder as she rode her hawk strider.
When all were dismounted after a long jousting fight the three opponents walked to the far side of the room to wait for the three to challenge them.
Jamiy and his teammates quickly changed weapons and then advanced to the three Horde players of the Argent Crusader. The three took down the rogue avoiding his poisons. He knelt waiting for the fight to be over. Next was the shaman who was healing the mage as well as himself. Finally, he was defeated and it was down to the mage. The mage changed Brenda into a sheep twice and used her fireballs to attack Greta and Jamiy before she was finally defeated.
They put loot into a large box in the center of the room before walking to the door and exiting the arena floor. The three looked at the treasures inside. Gold, an item for each of them, and pearls to be used to buy more loot when enough had been accumulated were all within the chest. The three smiled at each other and congratulated each other on a job well done.
Tirion stepped out onto the platform over the arena so all could see and hear him. "Well fought! Your next challenge comes from the Crusade's own ranks. You will be tested against their considerable prowess." He said. He looked below him as the teams below gathered ready for the next on slot.
Arelas Brightstar, the Herald, yelled from his place on the coliseum floor. "The next combatant is second to none in her passion for upholding the Light. I give you Argent Confessor Paletress!" He said as the Argent Confessor walked in accompanied by three groups of Argent Crusaders.
The audience cheered for the new challenger to the teams below.
Paletress stood by the great entrance door. She carried a long staff in her hand as she bowed to Tirion. "Thank you, good herald. Your words are too kind. May the Light give me strength to provide a worthy challenge."
Highlord Tirion Fordring nodded to her. "You may begin!" He said and returned to his place.
Confessor Paletress stepped forward. "I would speak first, Highlord." The Argent Confessor looked at the brave teams before her. Two teams for the Alliance and two teams for the Horde. On the battlefield the teams seemed to be able to tolerate each other.
"Very well." Fordring nodded to her. She often had words of wisdom and he felt indulgent to her.
"Thank you all for attending this sermon before I test your skills. It's wonderful to see so many familiar faces! Today I would like to touch on the three virtues of the Light. These are dark and difficult times for us all. The armies of the Scourge amass to the south. Companions fall on the battlefield and rise to serve our enemy moments later. Many of you have experienced a betrayal of trust. Yet you persevere, as we all must. In these times, no one is a stranger to the virtue of tenacity. In the face of despair and hatred, we continue to stand true to our beliefs and fight on. There can be no doubt as to your tenacity... but there are other virtues to consider. Respect is the first virtue taught to those joining the path of the Light. Look across the aisle to those you would call enemy. Despite the hatred that separates you, there are qualities to respect in your opponent. Their prowess should be acknowledged. All of us gathered here have a concept of honorable combat. Conducting yourself with honor and treating your opponent as you wish to be treated shows respect. Respect your opponent on the field, whether he be your brother or your sworn enemy. No matter where your beliefs truly lie, such respect is acknowledging a connection...and in acknowledging those connections, you are closer to the Light. There is one further step on the path of Light: compassion. Rivalries abound in this day and age. It is easy to see differences wherever you turn. The challenge is in looking beyond appearances and understanding our similarities. Through this understanding, you can feel compassion for the losses others have suffered…even if the victim bears another banner. By feeling and understanding compassion in enemy and ally alike, you reaffirm your connection with the world. Acting on these tenets, these virtues, help make the world a place we all can appreciate. A world of honor and justice. Think on my words, friends. In the darkness that surrounds us all, the Light is needed more than ever."
Rhenn nodded to Varian. "She speaks wisely." She said.
Varian nodded slowly. "I am not sure the Light will save us."
"Do not blaspheme, Varian." She hissed in warning her nails digging slightly into the flesh of his scarred hand.
He looked at the side of her face. "I did not think you believed in the Light." He cocked his head. "Were you not raised shamanistic?"
"Yes, but Light, Gods, or Fate? What does it matter as long as you believe in something to keep your heart and soul well."
"Now who blasphemes." Varian said lightheartedly.
They watched as Jamiy charged the left hand side group of three underlings to the Confessor. The priestess cast and made a fountain that shot light out from the bowl at those about her. The monk punched at Jamiy who ducked away from most of his punches as he locked with the healer priestess. Once subdued, the priestess knelt before him and he turned to the Light-wielder. The paladin locked weapons with Jamiy as his teammates healed him and attacked his target. The Light-wielder then knelt before him and the monk was easily dispatched. Jamiy gasped as the man knelt and surrounded himself with Light. As he moved away he found his movement impaired and he turned back to the man who then fell to the floor dead.
He looked up at Tirion who nodded for him to go on. Tirion, however, did feel the loss and was still wondering why the monk had given himself to the Light so. Perhaps his sacrifice would better the three man team.
Jamiy and his team worked through the other two groups and then stood to the side of the arena as they healed and readied for Paletress as she stepped into the middle of the round coliseum.
Jamiy took a breath and pressed his sword into the earth as he knelt and prayed to the Light. He then rose and looked at the two women to either side of him who nodded to him. He then charged forward to Paltress.
She smiled. "Well then, let us begin." She said as she readied her staff to face Jamiy as he ran at her his blade ready.
Brenda Sorrow stood behind her and cast he time delay spells that ate away at her life. Greta stood in her werewolf form and healed Jamiy and Brenda. Paletress seemed to weaken until she lifted her hand and all three were forced to their knees. "Take this time to consider your past deeds." Paletress said.
From the floor came a shadowed form of Onyxia. Rhenn gasped as Varian drew his sword. "What magic is this, Tirion?" He barked, drawing Shalamayne as he stood before Rhenn and Helene. He had killed the black dragonflight's brood mother. Now she was there anew.
Tirion lifted a hand. "It is but a memory from the past, King Varian." He said.
Varian watched as Jamiy stood up and turned to the dragon as the shadowy form walked to him. Rhenn looked as the shadowy dragon used magic against her son and his teammates, but the three made quick work of the memory and it dropped to the earth.
Paletress nodded. "Even the darkest memory fades when confronted." She said.
Jamiy turned back to her and the three battled the Agent Confessor down to within an inch of her life. When she had had enough she turned and ran from them to the middle of the room and summoned a treasure chest.
"Excellent work!" She said turning back to them as she began to heal herself.
The loot was divided among the three players as before. Each had an upgrade, some gold, and a small chain of shells they could turn in for other loot the more they collected.
Tirion stepped out onto the thin platform again. "Well done. You have proven yourself today. Now you shall face the final challenge of Eadric the Pure. The paladin will test your skills and…"
Arelas Brightstarlooked up from the floor below him. "What's that, up near the rafters?" He asked. Everyone turned to look.
Riding a gryphon of that was made of bones, a scourge beast, was the Black Knight. Varian looked to Tirion who seemed equally shocked by the intrusion. He landed and dismounted. The gryphon flew away and he turned to Brightstar his undead face twisting grotesquely. "You spoiled my grand entrance, rat." He growled as he cast a spell against the bewildered high elf. The elf was thrown back and snapped his neck a wooden pylon of the coliseum. He dropped lifeless to the floor as Highlord Fordring, King Varian, and the others looked on in horror.
Tirion drew Ashbringer. " What is the meaning of this?" He yelled.
The Black Knight smiled up at him from under his helm. "Did you honestly think that an agent of the Lich King would be bested on the field of your pathetic little tournament?" He drew his own blade and looked at Jamiy and the two women with him. "I've come to finish my task."
Jamiy looked upwards as he stood before the two women watching the Death Knight carefully. The Black Knight then charged him as he summoned a ghoul from the lifeless body of Brightstar. "This farce ends here!" The Black Knight cried.
Jamiy parried the attack and looked about for the ghoul. Greta had shackled it away from them as she turned to heal him. Brenda looked about wondering what to do.
Varian looked down at her. "Don't just stand there, kill him!" He barked to her as he stood ready to defend the three women with him should the Black Knight try to come near them. He was considering dropping down and aiding Jamiy as well, but he would allow the young man his turn to try first.
The three defeated the Black Knight, but he rose again causing Jamiy to take a breath as he stood summoning ghouls to him. "My rotting flesh was just getting in the way." The Black Knight, now skeleton taunted them.
Brenda cast rain of fire on the ghouls killing them, turning them back to dust. She jumped from the desecrated earth that appeared under her feet. The skeleton then dropped as well, but the last ghoul stood shaking.
Jamiy backed the two women from it as it explored revealing a wraith. "I have no need of bones to best you." The wraith growled and floated to Jamiy.
The last fight tested the three and all dropped to the earth as the wraith dropped dead once and for all. Jamiy turned to the two women and saw both were wounded, Greta more than Brenda. He rushed to the young priestess who was whimpering softly as she lay in the dust.
"Greta?" He asked. He touched her muzzle softly. Her eyes opened revealing the pain she was in reflected in them.
"Hurts." She muttered. He nodded and used the powers of the Light he had as a paladin to start her healing. Brenda lifted herself to her feet. She was shaking, but seemed to be well enough. He lifted Greta in his arms and walked to Brenda.
"Can you walk sweetheart?" He asked softly.
She nodded looking at him. She reached and took his shoulder to steady herself.
Highlord Fordring joined them in the center of the arena with King Varian and Lady Rhenn. "My congratulations, champions. Through trials both planned and unexpected, you have triumphed." He said as he nodded to two Argent Crusaders carrying a chest between them. "You three have earned these tokens from the Argent Crusade for defeating the Black Knight. Go now and rest. You've earned it." He said nodding to Argent healers to bring stretchers for the women.
Jamiy laid Greta on one stretcher. She took his hand in her paw. "Forgive me for my weakness." She said.
He held her paw. "No weakness. Go let them heal you." He lifted the small bag of gold and new weapon. He set them on the stretcher beside her. "These are for you, Greta." He smiled and watched her. "I will go see you soon."
King Varian nodded to the three. "You fought well." He nodded to Jamiy. "You are to be made a General of Stormwind." He then looked at the women. "You two will have places of honor in the Alliance for your deeds today." He looked at Tirion. "You seem to be proving the mettle of people here today, Tirion." He said.
"That was the intention." He said. "The strongest compete and will lead the armies against the scourge." He watched Jamiy walk after the stretcher that carried Brenda as he carried her new helm and gold as well as his own reward of gold and bracers.
Varian nodded.