As I ran towards the stairs, there were worgen everywhere. But the funny thing was, they weren't attacking me. They weren't attacking anyone. They were just... there. I finally made it to the stairs, and on each side there were large barricades. I nodded. Good, we were being smart. Now the only way down would be the stairs, and none of the beasts looked even a little bit interested. I jumped the steps 2 at a time, and ran across the bridge, scaring a bunch of crows on my way. Gwen stood there, her sword out and ready. She dipped her green hat.
"Ello there, Doll. Finally made it did you? We're all fine here. A little shaken... but alive." She smiled shakily, but looked alright.
"I'm glad to hear that, Gwen, I really am. But... what of the worgens? Did they stay up in Market Square?" I asked hopefully. My face fell immediately at the look on Gwen's.
"Most of us made it here alive... but there are worgen on this side of the city as well. We're going to continue heading south once everyone's accounted for. Oh, and that reminds me," She snaps, almost like the idea threw itself at her. "Someone was asking about you. A woman named Loren... she seemed a little disappointed when I told her you were all right. I think she mentioned she owes you money." I laughed out loud at that. Same old Loren. She was my best friend, my sister, my only family outside the castle's walls. We grew up together, and when her parents died, we took care of each other. And yeah, she did owe me money. I knew where she would be right away. Obviously with the other trainers. She always hated them, but when they offered her the job, she couldn't turn it down. We both needed the money. She was a little ways down the road, in a corner where the door to a house was placed. She had faded, so she wasn't visible to the untrained eye. Of course, I was very trained. I walked right up to her, one eyebrow raised, she stared right back at me, hands on her hips. Suddenly we both shrieked, at exactly the same time, jumping up and down and hugging each other. Everyone leapt about ten feet in the air, then glared at us as they realized nothing was wrong. We both took on our other profiles, the tough thieves.
"Loren." I said simply.
She coughed slightly. "Oh hey, there you are." She said simply, pushing down her smile. "Good to see you alive!"
I elbowed her lightly. "Got that gold yet?" She scoffed at that, covering up her laughter.
"No, of course I don't have that gold I woe you. Now's not really the time to bring that up is it?" She said deeply. "Listen, maybe now I can show you the ropes, save your skin with all the carnage going on. I know you know how to fight, but as you get better, you'll start to learn new things. Go get some more experience, and when you figure out something new, try it on the Bloodfang Worgen. I'll be watching." She said darkly, but her eyes gave away the light.
"Alright, you're on. And, uh, Bloodfang Worgen? What are those?" I asked, my eyebrows knitting together. I thought they were all one thing. Loren nods, completely serious this time.
"Big brutes, bigger than the worgens up in Market Square. Trust me, they're tough. But they're also the perfect dummies." She pointed straight across from her to a separate set of stairs. "Go down those, and there'll be a small group right there. Myriam and Sergeant Cleese are holding them back for now, but they could use some help." I nodded, and saluted to her sarcastically. She smiled and saluted back, fading back into the dark background. I hurried over to the small staircase which led down to a small alley. Two people were there, one a woman about my height with light brown hair that went to her shoulders, and her bangs almost reached her eyes. She was shooting frost bolts at the worgen, but they didn't seem to mind. They were completely focused on the warrior trainer, Sergeant Cleese. He had a shield over his left arm, and was fighting back the worgens with the sword in his right. He didn't have to worry so much about getting hit; his armor was strong mail, and although the Bloodfang Worgens' claws were sharp, they couldn't break through. It was my turn to help them out. I flung myself it, heading for the first worgen. Loren was right. They were a lot bigger than the first group. I got one's attention, and quickly dodged it's first strike. And then the move came naturally, like I had always known it. I feinted with my knife in my left hand, then swung my axe so hard that I spun around, giving it that extra push to send it right through the beasts chest. It died instantly. No howl this time. No more games. I ran back to Loren.
"Oh my gosh, did you see that?!" I said excitedly.
"Uh, yeah. Sure. You were great." Loren stuck to her original profile. Sarcastic. "And now let's see if we can get out of this city with our skins attached." She said simply. "There's only so much I can teach you right now with all these worgen trying to dismember us. We really should think about heading south with the other survivors. We've been told that King Greymane is there. If we stick together our chances of survival will increase... especially if you choose someone nutritious-looking to stand next to." She added jokingly to her seriousness. She gave me a quick wink, not knowing the impact of what she just said had on me. King Greymane was here... my dad. I set my jaw. I had to find him. I glanced around, trying to avoid looking at the wounded guards laying near the priest and druid trainers. Past them a little ways was a block. A block of soldiers surrounding two men on horses. I felt tears spring to my eyes, but pushed them down. I wasn't going to show weakness in front of my father. Especially not in front of his stooge Godfrey. He had already busted me once for pick-pocketing him. But it was worth it. I approached them, my chin high.
"King Greymane." I said, bowing. I stood up slowly. I could feel his eyes on me. I just hoped he didn't realize who I was.
"You've done well in coming here. If we Gilneans stick together we might yet defeat this terrible enemy." I said with authority. I scoffed inside. I bet that's what he said to everyone.
"Sire, is there anything I can do to help? Perhaps Prince Liam mentioned me, I was the one who helped with the first group of worgens." I was not going to just let them make me sit around and wait for something to happen. I had to do whatever I could to stay occupied, especially this close to my family. I kept my eyes averted, just in case.
Finally my father sighed. "Lord Darius Crowley has been called many things. Rebel. Traitor. Terrorist." I kept wondering if he had a point to this. "Before the civil war I called him... friend. I never blamed him for leading an Insurrection against me. His land and people were separated from Gilneas by a stone wall... but we had no choice. Regardless... Crowley is exactly the type of person we need now. Enter Stoneward Prison and ask Captain Broderick about Crowley's whereabouts. I'd send my own men, but there's still bad blood." C-Crowley? I was supposed to go find Crowley? I was the Princess! I could tell I was shaking inside, but I was a stone wall outside. My mouth was clamped shut. I realized I wasn't going to be able to move it, so instead I just nodded. I mean, I couldn't say no to my father, let alone the King. I scoffed in my head. Bad blood between Crowley and his guards. Talk about bad blood.