A pitiful wreck of a boy. He couldn't be older than nineteen, and would normally have been handsome. A strong jaw and no teeth missing. Tall enough, with an average build. A fighter all right, but his hands spoke of being raised comfortably. Of course, the bruises hid that fact at the moment.
Blood matted his dark hair. His naked body was crisscrossed with bright red lines, where the whip had sliced open the flesh. His left eye was swollen shut. The boy breathing was ragged, and bloody bubbles dotted his lips. The torturer had punctured his lungs expertly. It would take days for him to die. But Arthas felt merciful. His daughter had been so sweet the last couple of days. She had drawn him a picture of a woman impaled on a spike, and actually obeyed every order he had given her. That put him in a good mood.
He pulled out Frostmourne, the hilt comfortable in his hand.
Another vision came back to Arthas.
The whip lashed down across Sapphire back. Her back arched in pain, and she whimpered.
One, Arthas said with a satisfied tone.
Again, the whip connected with Sapphire's skin. She screamed. Arthas knew it was necessary to punish his daughter, but it did not sit well to see his own flesh being abused. However, he did what was needed.
Two. Shed tears, and I'll make it fifty. Do you know how painful fifty lashes will be, my sweet little Sapphire?
A third time, and Sapphire screamed again, writhing in agony. Her hands clenched into fists against her bonds. Blood dripped down her back.
Three...How does disobedience feel? Where is that boy Calwood now? He hasn't come to save you, now has he? How does betrayal feel?
The fourth whipping made Sapphire snarl in defiance.
Arthas had tormented her in all of the pain, telling her about her little boyfriend, and how he would be going behind her back and everything. When she had reached twenty-eight lashes, the Lich King let her go.
The feathers of the gryphon were soft, and Arthas laid his head down on the brown feathers. Ethan did not need his help. The boy was leading the two gryphons, and they were flying over the marsh.
Arthas felt elation at the thought of the pain he caused. Wanted more. He smiled weakly, and groaned.
"Light, May I be forgiven for my dark sins..."
The gryphon was slowly gliding down. The man looked back up from his spot sitting on its back. Ethan's gryphon was lower down, circling down to a town of some kind. Wind blew into Arthas's face. The gryphon squawked.
They landed smoothly, and Arthas was quite glad to get off of the bird creature. It did however nuzzle him with its razor sharp beak. It watched him with intelligent eyes.
Ethan came up to him, and the man saw the weak, injured boy that he had killed. He was alive again, but only just. It would be so easy to kill him again...The boy trusted him now.
Instead, Arthas did nothing. "Sapphire is here?" He asked.
Ethan shrugged. "I hope so."
Rot and Terra hopped off the back of Ethan's gryphon. They trotted away, and started barking. Arthas narrowed his eyes. If Sapphire did not come out by the sound of the dogs, then he guessed he would just have to go and destroy the town to get to her. That made him smirk, which he hid from the younger deathknight.
Bolvar groaned. He had fallen from the Frozen Throne, and now lay at the foot of it, agony in his body. Chunks of ice was scattered around him. Pain stabbed him, and he felt the fire throughout his body. His distress had called out to all of the closest undead, and they had come running. Cultists and undead swarmed him, frantic at the sight of their injured master.
Sapphire had imbalanced everything. It was not her fault, for she had no idea what would happen. But, it had happened. And now it needed to be fixed. The girl had wanted to come and help, but that would just make things worse. Not only must there always be a Lich King, but there must also only be one. And Bolvar did not want Sapphire to risk becoming the Lich King...Queen.
She was much too precious for a life like that, even if she felt otherwise.
Bolvar felt hands pick him up, and as they did so, something fell from his hand. A cultist looked down.
A flawlessly cut sapphire skittered along the floor. The woman frowned, and picked it up. Bolvar extended his hand, and the burnt skin glowed dangerously.
"Give...that to me...I need it."
The cultist bowed, and quickly placed the sapphire on her master's palm. His fingers closed around it.
Sapphire left the swamp rat infested inn that she had spent the night with Karanda and Lily. Karanda had paid, and when they had seen the two beds, and the scurrying rats, Karanda had offered to sleep with Sapphire. Lily had glared at Sapphire, as if daring her to protest. The girl was stuck, so she agreed to the arrangement. Karanda had been okay, except for the fact she snored.
Now, since it was morning, Sapphire fled the bedroom. She ran out, and breathed in the fresh, humid air.
Dogs barked, and Sapphire blinked. Two puppies came over to her. Rot and Terra hopped up and down in place. Sapphire stared in shock.
Ethan came forward, and folded his arms. He wore shining armor, a snarling dog head was the helm, the boots and gloves covered in fur. Dog was everywhere on the armor.
And Ethan's face mirrored his helm. "You are in serious trouble."
The girl took a step back, and looked down. He looked so handsome in that armor, and carried himself with dignity. Bolvar was wrong. He thought Ethan did not deserve Sapphire, but it was actually the opposite. She did not deserve Ethan. She was messed up, prone to panic attacks. He was perfect.
"I'm sorry..."
Ethan's face softened. "Please...Sapphire. I don't want to lose you again."
Sapphire bit her lip. He had no idea. He had no idea how lonely she had been, how frightened she had been when she was alone with just an undead horse as company. She had wanted always to go find him, but she had been afraid of herself. That fear was resurfacing. She wondered if Bolvar was okay. The girl frowned, and backed away again.
"I...Ethan. I'm sorry. I'm not going back with you."
The boy frowned. "Then I guess I will come with you like before."
"No! Don't you dare!" Sapphire said, panicked.
"You can't stop-"
Sapphire's eyes flashed dangerously, and ice sprang up around Ethan. He cried out in surprise, and chains materialized around him. They tightened around him. Icy Chains, something deathknights could do. The girl snarled, and then the wooden buildings of the town erupted in sickly green fire. Instantly, there were screams of terror, and people ran around frantically. Arthas came up running, and stopped at the sight of Ethan trapped and Sapphire just standing there.
"Sapphire!" Ethan yelled in surprise. "Stop...I won't follow you! Calm down!"
The girl turned and fled. Rot and Terra yipped in fear at the sight of the flames, and they ran after Sapphire.
Sapphire ran into the marsh, and started sobbing. She brushed away leaves, and vines. The girl ran for she did not know long. Her vision blurred. She tripped over a root and fell into muddy water. Water splashed around her, soaking her to her skin. The girl cried out, and stayed in the stagnant water. She gasped, and tried to shed tears, but none would come.
There was more splashes. Sapphire looked up, expecting to see a hungry crocolisk, but it was just Rot and Terra, paddling over to her. She lifted a muddy hand, and petted them in turn. Despite the sunlight, Under the trees was dark, and sweltering. The girl was not used to such, and sweat mixed in with the mud.
"You know, child, that leeches live in water, and will find the warmest, darkest, place to latch onto you to suck up your blood. It is not comfortable."
Sapphire whipped up her head, and looked up at a hooded figure.
"Medivh...What do you want?"
The man was not Medivh, and his voice was a rasp. "Sapphire...Surely you know me?"
The voice was very familiar. Sapphire tried to look into the hood, but there was nothing but darkness. The girl slowly stood up, dripping.
"No. I don't. Now, go away, before I boil your blood."
The figure threw its head back and laughed. The laugh was also familiar. Very familiar. Sapphire stared in horror.
"Dad? But-"
"While that simple-minded paladin has my body, I am actually your father. Now, get out of that water."
Sapphire frowned. "I do not understand."
"You do not need to, stupid girl!" Her father snapped. He reached out with a bony, desiccated hand. Sapphire retreated in disgust, but could not avoid the hand. She was grabbed, and pulled toward the man. She yelped, pressed against the chest of the man. The cold breath of the man blew into her face, and his body stank of embalming fluid. She bowed her head submissively when he twisted her wrist painfully.
"Good girl."
"How did you find me?" The girl whispered.
"My servants are everywhere. Now, I suppose you are upset from that boy? Get over it."
The smell was overpowering. Sapphire grew lightheaded, and frowned. "Why do you smell like that?"
A swift hit on the head made her whimper.
He hissed, "If you must know, I had to find a body as soon as I could. I did not have much alternative."
Sapphire saw movement in the woods, and looked on fearfully as undead came forward. And one person in particular. Lily smiled, and bowed to the hooded man.
"You are welcome, Master."
"Thank you, little servant. Now, my precious Sapphire. We need to talk."
Sapphire struggled, and that earned her a punch in the face. She fell to the ground, and cried out in pain. Hands grabbed her arms, and she looked up at the one who sounded just like her father, and even treated her the same way.