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Chapter 2
Tyrion nodded politely to Deputy Willem as he walked past him, stopping only for a moment to listen to the Deputy telling him that he had something new for Tyrion to perform for the community, which he agreed to speak with him later after he had spoken to Marshal Mcbride in the Abbey as well as Brother Sammuel.
Once he entered the Abbey, he soon met Marshal Mcbride who greeted him warmly. "Ahhh Tyrion m'boy, it seems that you are slowly building a reputation for yourself recently in Northshire… Eagan just sent somebody to fetch a priest to bless and purify those diseased wolf pelts that you collected from him. He also asked that one of the wolf pelts is to be delivered to Stormwind to be examined by the people there to determine what kind of disease has been affecting those wolves in the forest."
"I see…." Tyrion said thoughtfully as he gazed at the Marshal's direction and said reather curtly. "Do you wish for me to deliver the remaining diseased pelt to Stormwind, Marshal?"
The Marshal chuckled and shook his head. "A tempting offer, m'boy… but I am afraid not. I have already asked one of my trusted couriers and priests to deliver them to Stormwind once they have acquired the package from Eagan… but thank you for offering your services in this matter. Besides, I have other tasks for you to complete here in Northshire still, so I am afraid I am not able to let you go just yet."
Tyrion nodded and said a bit thoughtfully. "I see… well, I really hope to see that those wolves are alright though. The sickness that they are suffering from doesn't seem too natural to me, but I could be wrong. Then again, Eagan has spent more time in observing those wolves than me so I do believe he is more knowledgeable than me in this matter, I am afraid."
He then paused for a moment before he shook his head and said sheepishly. "But I think I am straying off the main point of our meeting here… what were the tasks that you intend for me to perform, Marshal?"
The Marshal smiled and shook his head. "It is alright m'boy… it is good enough that you are so concerned about the well being of the creatures that live in the forest…" He said, and paused for a moment. "I think your attitude will be quite well received amongst the Night Elves, or even the Tauren, should you happen to wander into their lands, or meet them in person. It is no secret that those two races have somewhat similar views in terms of the natural world, and in fact the Tauren have somewhat of a cordial relationship with the Night Elves, even they belong to opposite sides."
Tyrion was slightly bemused by the Marshal's comments, though he did not make any comments just yet. It was common knowledge that the Night Elves revere nature, but he was slightly surprised that a member race of the Horde, the Tauren was somewhat similar in terms of their reverence towards nature. This piqued his interest, and while he was still distrustful of the Horde in general, this latest revelation caused him to have second thoughts about the Horde, at least about Taurens.
He then listened as the Marshal spoke again. "Well, m'boy… the latest task that I need you to do has something to do with those kobolds that I had you dispatch earlier. Earlier, I have dispatched some scouts to determine the true number of the kobolds that have been turning up lately, and the reports they gave to me were quite surprising to say the least."
Tyrion just quirked an eyebrow upward and asked. "Oh? And what does the report say, Marshal?"
Marshal Mcbride looked thoughtful as he replied to Tyrion's question. "Well, you see Tyrion…. Apparently the kobold infestation that is encroaching on Northshire is larger than we originally thought. In fact, my scouts reported to me that there is a small encampment of Kobold Workers that have taken up residence in front of the Echo Ridge Mine to the north. What I want you to do is go to the encampment and slay about ten of those kobolds, and scout out the mines for me for some time, and report back to me with your findings."
Tyrion nodded and said. "Alright, Marshal… but first I have to sell off some of the junk that I retrieved along the way, not to mention that I have to return some things to Eagan as well. I will return soon with the news of the kobold presence in the mines."
He then turned and left the Marshal and went towards the small market encampment that had many stalls selling various stuff that adventurers needed for their journey. He soon approached Brother Danil who was manning one of the many wagons that was on the edge of town.
He then said warmly. "Greetings, Brother Danil… how are you today?"
Brother Danil, who had grey hair, and slightly balding smiled and said. "Ahh, Tyrion… I have been fine, thank the Light. What brings you to my humble wagon today? Are you looking for some supplies for your own journey? I heard from Eagan that you have helped him with that problem of his, and that you are helping out with the community before going to Stormwind."
Tyrion smiled to himself at the Brother's words. Apparently, Eagan had discreetly mentioned his deeds to some of the townsfolk. It was good that he was building his own reputation in town, and while part of him enjoyed it, he reminded himself not too get too prideful, lest he fall into Darkness like one former Prince of Lordearon, Arthas Menethil.
He then nodded and said. "Yes I have, Brother… though I have some supplies picked from the kobolds that I dispatched earlier while completing the task that Marshal Mcbride gave to me. Actually, I wanted to get rid of these… and sell them to you."
He then withdrew the melted kobold candles as well as the chipped claws and broken fangs that he retrieved earlier and Brother Danil looked them over, before saying. "Well I suppose I can give you some coppers from them… these candles I probably could melt them down and make myself some new candles. And as for these chipped claws and broken fangs… I think you are better off selling these to goblins… I'll do that for you. Some of those more primitive members of the Horde still make some jewelry out of these." He then counted out around fifteen copper pieces, as well as two loaves of bread and gave them to Tyrion.
Tyrion looked slightly confused as to why Brother Danil had given him the two loaves of bread and he said. "It's my way of saying thanks for your efforts to help this community, Tyrion, and the two loaves of bread are a surplus from the baker's that arrived today, so take them. They are free of charge."
Tyrion nodded and thanked Brother Danil before he pocketed the copper coins, putting them into his money pouch and the bread into his storage space, and started to head north, when he was stopped by Deputy Willem. "Tyrion, could you hold on for a while? I know that the Marshal has given you a task to scout out the Echo Ridge Mine for him, but I have something that needs to be done as well."
He nodded and then said. "Sure thing, Deputy… what do you want me to do for you?"
"Well…" The deputy began as his expression turned grim. "I am sure you have heard that a group of unsavory characters wearing red scarves and bandanas covering their noses and mouth are spotted in the area, correct?"
Tyrion nodded and said. "Of course I have… my father mentioned this to me quite recently in fact, around two days before I went on this journey of mine. What does this have to do with the thing you want to speak to me?"
Deputy Willem nodded and said grimly. "I see… then it makes my job easier then. Those unsavory characters your father spoke to you call themselves the Defias Brotherhood, even though they have female members in their midst.
They are currently seen across the river to the east… actually close to where the vineyards where Milly Osworth plants her grapes."
He then paused for a moment before he continued. "Since you have shown to me that you are not afraid to get your hands dirty, and you have proven yourself to be a dependable person thus far, I want you to go and help Milly. She is a good friend of mine, and could use your help in whatever problems that ails her. To find her, you can go to the side of the abbey, and you can find her near her wagon, and tell her I sent you."
Deputy Willem paused once again, before he said. "Now that I have taken care of that, it's on to more official business… I want you to take care of eight of those red masked characters and retrieve their bandanas for me. This would be a slightly more difficult task for you to do, since it involves in killing fellow human beings, but know this… whatever it is that they are up to here, it definitely isn't good, so have no compulsions about taking care of them permanently. Do that for me, and I probably can requisition a weapon from the local armory for you, so please report back to me once you have completed your task."
Tyrion nodded and said curtly. "Alright, Deputy… I will." He then steeled himself as he walked towards the other side of the abbey, and true enough by the side of her wagon was Milly Osworth herself. She wore a purple shirt with blue overalls, blue pants and a pair of leather boots, and her short black hair was neatly combed. He then approached and asked. "Excuse me, ma'am… Deputy Willem asked me here to help you. Is there anything I can be of service? My name is Tyrion Silvermoon, pleased to meet you."
Milly looked at the young Paladin that her old friend sent to help her. He was fairly good looking, and was polite enough, which adds to his charm. If she wasn't at least ten years older than him, and is married to her work, she would have found him attractive. But she smiled softly and nodded. "Ahh, so the Deputy told you to speak to me, Tyrion? It is good that he did, because his duty at Northshire Abbey really takes up a big portion of his time, even though he is a brave man and always eager to lend a helping hand to whomever needs it."
She then paused for a moment, and said wearily. "But I suppose I have to tell you the root of the matter, to save some time." She then pointed to her vineyards and the group of red masked men and women, which incidentally were the ones that he had to dispatch for Deputy Willem. "I was harvesting the grapes in the vineyard just recently, and then suddenly these brigands whom call themselves the Defias have come and taken over the vineyard! I have reported this matter to the guards here in Northshire, and they assured me that they will take care of it."
She then sighed and said, looking at him with a weary expression on her face. "To be honest with you, Tyrion, I am more concerned about my harvest… I am afraid that the Defias might steal them, or worse they get trampled on when the guards decide to chase the Defias off my vineyards. My harvest is in some buckets that is in the vineyards, and I want you to collect them for me, and save them from those thieves! Can you do that for me?"
Tyrion smiled reassuringly at her and said. "Consider it done, Miss Osworth.. I have some business that the Deputy has asked me to regarding those thieves as well, so I think I can finish both tasks at the same time. I will return soon with your harvest." He then nodded his head gently to her, before he started off towards the vineyards.
He then drew his sword and started to make his way across the bridge when he met the first members of the Defias that he was supposed to kill. It was a man, accompanied with a woman behind him.
He then heard the man sneer at him. "Well, well, what do we have here… another do-gooder sent by the Stormwind Army… are you sure you are ready to take on the Defias boy? Turn around and leave… this Vineyard belongs to us now, got that?"
Tyrion snorted and said in disdain. "You are the ones that are supposed to leave, villains… surrender yourself to the guards, and they might just be merciful towards you."
"Surrender? Hah! What a joke…. Lana… this is your first test, kill this young upstart to prove your loyalty to the Brotherhood… if not, you know what is going to happen, don't you?" The man said with a sneer, and roughly shoved the young woman in front, whom shakily faced Tyrion.
"F... forgive me… I hope you don't blame me for this…" The young woman dressed in Defias garb said as she suddenly lunged at Tyrion, and he sidestepped, but hissed as her dagger managed to nick him on the right side of his arm, before he used his blade to parry her wild attacks.
As he did so, he studied her, and found that she swung and thrust wildly, without coordination, and her eyes… her eyes were full of worry, regret and fear, as well as unshed tears for some reason. Deciding that she would be better alive then dead, he made a slight feint, and when she tried to stab him, he sidestepped and delivered a hard knock to the back of her head, knocking her unconscious, and then faced her companion who scowled at him.
"Feh… useless bitch… I suppose that comes with being the daughter of a country bumpkin. Since she failed… I have just to kill you, and take her back with me now. She'll become a great plaything for Garrick and the boys when he is done with her." He said lewdly, an evil grin was evident on his face.
Tyrion, being brought up to respect women growled at the man's intentions, and a cold fury slowly burned in him. Without a word and warning, he soon strode forward, taking the man by surprise, and impaled his sword through the man's guts, before pulling it out, killing the man instantly. He then scowled at the man's cooling body and then readied himself as some Defias Thugs, attracted by the commotion closed in on his position.
Steeling himself as he faced the group of thieves, he found himself accompanied by two Stormwind Guards that happened to patrol the area. Feeling confident now that the odds were slightly evened out, he soon charged at the group, flanked by the guards.
The Guards with their heavier armor was more than a match for the Defias Thugs, despite their numbers, and Tyrion invoked his Aura of Devotion to strengthen the defenses of the group, before charging into the fray himself. He first assisted a Guardsman that was attacked by two male Defias Thugs, distracting one of them away and crossed blades with him, and then made another feint, which caused the thug to reveal an opening as he sidestepped, and was soon killed with a precise stab through the guts once again.
He then withdrew his blade, and sidestepped just in time to avoid the dagger that was intended to stab him on the side by a female Defias Thug, since he saw her charging against him as he withdrew his blade from her fallen comrade. He then crossed blades with her, and unlike the female Thug that he knocked unconscious earlier, her eyes were full of malice and hardness, and he wondered what happened to this young woman to join the Brotherhood. But one thing he does know is that this woman was a rather experienced hand, since her moves as she slashed and parried against his sword with her dagger were well orchestrated. This led him to the conclusion that he was facing a woman who willingly joined up with the Defias, and therefore showed no mercy as he made another feint, and killed her swiftly with another sword thrust through her guts.
Once he was done, he assisted the guards again, and soon ten or so Defias Thugs lay dead near the vineyard, and he searched their bodies, and relieved them of the burlap bandanas that the Deputy had him bring, as well as searching their packs for anything useful. He found as usual, the pouches containing the Spring Waters, which he stored inside his storage plane and to his surprise some hunks of bleu cheese that didn't smell. Wondering what kind of bleu cheese this is, he stored it for a moment to ask any of the vendors, or even Milly later if she has the time. He also looked at some of their gear, and they looked salvageable, though he thought they were not of good quality. Shrugging as he removed their gear, he stored them inside his storage space before he advanced forward towards the buckets of grapes that Milly had mentioned to him.
By this time, the two guards had already taken up position nearby and assisted him in fending off any Defias Thug that got too close as he retrieved Milly's harvest for her. He thanked the Guards when he was finished, and they accompanied him back to the other side of the river, where he gently cradled the young Defias woman that was unconscious in his arms and walked towards the direction of his home.
Edgar Silvermane was surprised, though a little annoyed why his son had returned with an unconscious young woman garbed in the dress of the Defias Brotherhood, and he was about to question his son's judgment, before Tyrion said in a curt manner. "Wait Father… I will explain everything once I have safely tucked in my bed. Then we can talk about this."
The retired paladin looked thoughtful for a moment, before nodding and said a little gruffly. "Alright my son… but I expect a good explanation for you bringing a member of that band of thieves unconscious into our home."
Tyrion nodded and simply said. "I will." He then carried the young woman into his room, and set her onto his bed, before removing the bandana that covered her mouth and nose, and smiled. She was a moderately pretty young woman, with fine features for a country girl, and she had long wavy brown hair that pooled around her shoulders. He could remember that her eyes was soft blue in color, and he had no doubt that she was quite a looker, judging by her figure, which made whatever lewd comments that those Defias Thugs made some sense.
Shaking his head slightly to that bad memory before he killed the Defias Thug that accompanied this young woman called Lana, he soon went to the living room and met up with his father, whom had an expectant look on his face. He then said calmly, though there was a slightly annoyed tone in his voice. "Sit down my son, and explain."
Tyrion nodded and sat opposite his father, before he started explaining from the top, about what tasks that he had done so far, as to why he brought the young Defias woman home. He then said. "You see Father… I think something is wrong with this young woman… call it a gut feeling, but I think she must be a raw recruit for the Brotherhood… and I don't mean the voluntary kind either." He then related about what he had heard from the first Defias Thug that accompanied Lana to his father.
Edgar looked thoughtful for a moment and then said. "I see… well, I suppose you are correct in knocking her out, my boy… and if what you say is true, she wasn't in the Brotherhood out of her own will, but she was forced to join for some reason. And it is a good decision to bring her here as well… Both Mcbride and Willem might sympathize with her if we knew how she was forced to join, but orders are orders, and she will be thrown to prison regardless of whether she joined voluntarily or not."
He then smiled wryly and said. "Thankfully, Mcbride is a good friend of mine, and I'll probably be able to talk him into 'ignoring' this little incident, not to mention that she would be better off waking up in a home rather than a military compound, or worse in prison. Return here once you have finished your current tasks… she would benefit from a familiar face when she wakes up. In fact, I think I had better go and talk to the man now, and Willem so that they will take no action against the girl, at least until both of us hear her side of story."
Tyrion nodded and said. "I will father… see you at home then. I will return as soon as I can." He soon exited his home and made his way back to Milly Osworth who looked happy to see him back.
"Ahh, Tyrion, it is good to see you back here… did you manage to get my harvest?" She asked with an expectant look on her face.
Tyrion just smiled and nodded as he took out the buckets of grape from his storage space and set them in front of Milly, who smiled gratefully to him in return.
"Thank you for your help, Tyrion." She said warmly to him. "You saved my harvest, and hopefully you managed to teach those Defias that they can't start up trouble here and get away with it. We might not have many guards around here, but I think with people like you around, we would feel safer around here."
Tyrion then smiled sadly and said. "Thanks for the show of support, Miss Osworth… but you do know that I still have to travel outside of Northshire one day right, once I have finished the tasks that I can do here?"
Milly nodded, since she knew what Tyrion said was true. "I suppose so… by the way, what's wrong with you Tyrion? Your smile isn't like the first time I met you… did something happen?"
Tyrion nodded and then she gently took him to the side and said. "Do you mind if you tell me? Since you helped me with my harvest, I suppose I can do something for you as well."
He then sighed and then told Milly a brief version about what happened earlier and she looked thoughtful for the moment and then she said. "I see… do you want me to go over to your place and accompany her when she wakes up? Though I suppose your father is right, about the part where she would be better waking up with a familiar face around."
Tyrion shook his head and said. "It's alright, Miss Osworth… thank you for the offer, but I think I had better follow my father's advice for now. Should I need your help, I will come and find you, alright?"
Milly nodded and said. "Alright then…" She was about to send him on his way, when she suddenly remembered something. "Oh yes, Tyrion… could you help me with one other thing, please?"
"Sure thing, Miss Osworth. What do you need my help with this time?" Tyrion said rather curiously.
Milly just smiled and walked away for the moment and then retrieved a roll of parchment with a seal and handed it to him. "This is a Manifest for the Grapes in the Vineyard, actually of the harvest that you have just saved, Tyrion. I want you to deliver this to Brother Neals, who is in charge of the storing of food and drink here in Northshire. You can find him in the bell tower inside the Abbey."
He then nodded and took the parchment in his hand, and stored it away before he bid her a good day, and walked his way back in the direction of the Abbey, returning the skinning knife to Eagan when he passed the man by, before meeting Deputy Willem who was apparently waiting for him.
"Tyrion… it seems that you have a situation on your hand here…. and I think the Marshal and I would like to talk to you about it along with your father, who is already inside the Abbey with the Marshal." The Deputy said a little grimly. "But first… did you have those bandanas I requested of you?"
"Of course Deputy… no doubt that you and the Marshal wanted to know why I brought that Defias girl back, but first… here are the bandanas you asked." Tyrion said just as grimly as he handed the ten red bandanas over to the Deputy who nodded and said. "Good job… now follow me, I'll get you a new sword, as well as take you to see the Marshal."
Tyrion nodded and followed Deputy Willem, and he was handed a short sword that had the Stormwind lion's crest on its pommel, before the two of them entered the Abbey and met Marshal Mcbride who was conversing with his father.
The Marshal looked to the side and nodded grimly to Deputy Willem and then to Tyrion. "Hello again, m'boy… Edgar just told me something interesting… like the fact you knocked out a Defias member and carried her to your home. Care to explain why you did that? I have heard the gist of why you did it from Edgar, but I would prefer to hear it directly from you."
Tyrion sighed and nodded before he told the same story that he had told his father earlier. At the end of it, both Marshal Mcbride and Deputy Willem looked at each other, before the Marshal said, turning to his deputy. "Willem… now that Tyrion has mentioned it, didn't a girl matching this Lana's description was declared missing from that ruined farmstead near Goldshire?"
Deputy Willem looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding and said. "Aye, Marshal. A week ago, Marshal Dughan sent a missive to us saying that there is some Defias activity near Goldshire, though no major activities were detected there. The only casualties that they discovered were a middle aged couple at a small farmstead there, and their daughter reportedly missing after what seemed to be a Defias raid on the compound. If it is true, then the girl named Lana is indeed the girl that is supposedly to be missing, and she is an orphan now, as well."
Both Tyrion and Edgar looked at each other, and then Edgar turned to his old friend and asked. "Assuming that the identity of the girl is as you say, Mcbride… what do we do about it?"
"Well, it depends on what she says when she wakes up, actually." Marshal Mcbride said calmly. "If it is true that she is Lana, and she is forcibly taken and coerced into joining the Brotherhood, we might be able to turn a blind eye to her past status and let her go free. And depending on how things play out, it is safe to say that you might find yourself with a daughter, Edgar."
Edgar looked at his old friend for some time, digesting the words that his old friend had just said, and thought for a moment before saying. "So, basically… if what you are trying to say to me is true old friend… is that you are asking me to adopt the girl, correct?"
The Marshal nodded and said. "Correct Edgar… that is what I intend for you to do… unless of course, Tyrion has any objections of gaining a new sister." He then looked at Tyrion who shook his head.
"Personally, I don't have any problems gaining a new sibling, Marshal… but like you said, it is Father's decision. All I can say that a home where she can belong to would be good for her… if what I heard just now was true." He said firmly, looking at his father. "Besides, I can tell that she isn't a bad person… her eyes told me that much when we fought earlier. She is alone in the world and afraid for her life and body, and the things that the Defias and this… Garrick Padfoot would do to her, I heard."
"Garrick Padfoot eh?" Deputy Willem suddenly said. "Now isn't that interesting, I was wondering when I should tell you about him, Tyrion. After all, it concerns the next task that I wanted you to do for me."
"Oh? And what would that be, Deputy?" Tyrion asked, with a bit of eagerness in his voice. Ever since he heard about what this Garrick Padfoot was planning to do to Lana… or at least vaguely, he had found himself developing somewhat of a protective stance towards the young woman, even though he barely knew her at all. Not one of passion and love though, but more of compassion, as well as a bit of a brotherly feeling towards the young woman.
That is why he had said he did not mind having her as a sibling, since he could tell somehow, that they were both going to get along just fine somehow, and he really hoped that his father would come to the same conclusion as he did, after listening to Lana's story when she wakes up.
"Garrick Padfoot, for your information Tyrion is a cutthroat that has been plaguing our farmers and merchants for some time now. It is said that he is the de facto leader of the Defias in Northshire… and he is last seen in a shack near the vineyards, just across the bridge where you helped Milly Osworth. What I want you to do is to kill the brigand and bring me his head to earn his bounty." Deputy Willem said grimly, pausing a moment before he continued to speak. "But I must caution you, Tyrion… he is sure to have a gang of thugs to defend him, so I doubt that he would be an easy man to reach and kill."
Tyrion nodded and said thoughtfully. "Indeed… I was lucky that a patrol of guards had arrived when I was on the task that you gave me earlier, if not I might be in trouble despite my abilities. I assume that you have some backup ready for me for this task, Deputy?"
The Deputy just smirked and nodded. "Indeed, Tyrion… just recently a warrior and a mage who had finished the tasks that Marshal Mcbride and I gave earlier have also was given the same task. In fact, they say they are friends of yours, I believe."
This information made Tyrion quirk his eyebrow upwards, but he said nothing. "I see, well I'll go meet them once I finished this one last task that Milly Osworth gave me." He then turned to his father and said. "Father, I will meet you at home once I have completed the tasks the Marshal and the good Deputy has for me."
Edgar nodded and said. "I understand, my son. May the Light be with you." He then turned and left, and Tyrion bid the Marshal and the Deputy a good day, before proceeding to the bell tower to give the Grape Manifest to Brother Neals, who greeted him warmly, and invited him for a drink, which he declined politely.
The man looked disappointed for a while, but then thanked Tyrion for delivering it to him, and he spoke a word of blessing for Tyrion, which he thanked for his generosity, before he made his way towards the entrance of the Abbey, wanting to find out for himself who these people that claimed themselves as his friends really are.
End of Chapter 2
Author's Note: Whew… this is the second part of the Northshire Valley quests… a bit for me to write, but I promise you that I will end the Northshire Arc next chapter. Also, I have introduced to you guys Lana, a Defias Thug that actually someone that is forced to join the Brotherhood… you will learn more about her story in the next chapter. Also, she is NOT going to be Tyrion's love interest but his adopted sister, and I am not thinking of pairings for the moment, actually. And two new characters show up, who claims themselves as Tyrion's friends… who are they? Stay tuned to find out…. Please read and review this, k guys? I really need to know how I am doing in this fic of mine.