A/N: Please note that this is of course Fan Fiction, therefore the events described would be slightly deviated from the orginal telling.
And nope, I in fact do not own Warcraft or anything else I write about.
Chapter 16
A tremendous explosion echoed across Silvermoon and through most of Eversong Woods. Arlandria's horse rose up high and nearly threw her off in the beast's fearful reaction. The Elven troops steadied themselves as the roaring blast of sound slowly died down. Out of the shattered gate the unit moved aside as Prince Kael and his faithful Archmages rushed back to join them, apparently unscathed.
"It is done now, priority number one is complete. Now onwards to the second," said the Prince to Arlandria and the small gathering of officers around her.
"But Prince Kael," began one of his officers. "The city could be crawling with the Scourge, and that explosion will surely attract even more of them here."
"That is why we must work quickly. We are the only ones able to hunt those responsible for all of this," said the Prince as he gestured to the destroyed city around them.
All nodded in agreement that it was either now or never. An opportunity like this with so many Elves prepared for combat could perhaps never happen again.
"Now then, we will split into two equally numbered groups. I and my Archmages will lead the first, Arlandria and your officers will lead the second. In case we find ourselves in over our heads, send a flare up to signal reinforcements. Do not let yourselves become surrounded and do not waste lives on killing the undead, hunt the traitors only. Search quickly and return to the palace square in no less than twenty minutes," said the Prince.
With a few hand motions from Prince Kael the formation split in half and moved across from each other.
"Be safe, now go!" the Prince said as he rode to the front of his unit and led them away.
Arlandria took hold of the reins on her horse and spurred her onward. She raised her arm up with her bow in hand to rally her forces.
"Forward quickly, search and destroy!" Arlandria called out as her troops assembled in neat rows behind her.
The pace was kept at a near sprint as they combed through the city streets, eyes kept open for any activity. But only ruins and destroyed buildings past by their eyes, the city seemed completely empty now. The Elves became more confused as they marched on with no ambush, no roaming bands of undead seeking to devour them. Just an empty bombed out shell of a city, one that even the undead seemingly could not substain themselves in.
At last Arlandria's unit came to a halt at the last gateway of the city, meaning that they had searched their entire section of the city. Though they had made no contact with the enemy,yet the Elves did not enjoy any feeling of safety. The very essence of Silvermoon now seemed cursed, both in their hearts and in their memories. Arlandria made a round about motion to signal the return to the palace. No sightings of a flare was seen during their search.
When they came into the square a few minutes later, Prince Kael's unit already stood in the center waiting for them. All looked as unharmed as Arlandria's unit.
"My Lord," Arlandria said and saluted to the Prince. "We searched thoroughly, but we found nothing."
"As is the same wi-" Prince Kael began.
"Then perhaps you should have looked a bit harder, sapling Prince," a voice echoed out.
Everyone quickly looked around for where the voice came from. Until at last all eyes fixed upon several Elven figures that stood on the edge of the palace roof. All were clothed in black and looked ghastly even with the sun shining upon them. The Prince and Arlandria both gave the motion for the Elves to prepare to fire as they quickly drew arrows back. The dark Elves on top of their high location did not seem to be the least bit worried.
"That will not be necessary, after all, your time is far shorter than ours," said the same Elf as before.
"I will have your head Dar'Khan, you will pay for your crimes!" Prince Kael shouted fiercely.
His arm dropped as a barrage of arrows and fire from the Archmages rushed towards them. The small band of dark Elves teleported away before they were touched, their fiendish laughs lingering behind.
End of Chapter 16