Northrend…
The frozen north held a special place in Zara's heart. As she soared into the Fjord on her 'borrowed' dragonhawk, she scanned the area for the zeppelin. Catching a glimpse of her sister scrambling down the tower and away from the camp, she'd sigh.
Where are you going..?
Circling the skies away from her for a few minutes, she'd quickly realize the error in her plan. Vyn was smart. She would know to look around her, and above, for followers. Finding an opening in the trees, Zara would leap off the beast, patting it graciously. "Thank you." She inclined her head respectfully, letting the creature find its way around on its own. Turning to the direction she knew Vyn had taken, she'd trudge on quietly. Brow furrowed in determination, she'd draw her bow with a look around her. Just in case…
The morning quickly dragged into midday, sun bright above her back. It's rays cascaded around her, and she'd shiver gently. With a slight smirk, she'd continue on.
Northrend… The only place the sun doesn't seem to work.
The cold didn't bother Zara. She had grown used to it, and the nip of the frozen air against her bare stomach made her remember how much she missed the place. Her mind began to drift once more, to simpler times. Dalaran, after the fall of Arthas. The undead were still a threat, but their presence had certainly waned. She was able to retire to Dalaran, living peacefully for quite some time. Made a few friends.
Then the Kirin Tor decided the Sunreavers were a threat, and unjustly purged them from the city, by any means necessary. She had tried to fight. Tried to defend her friends, her people. She was outnumbered, and potentially outmatched… But she had fought against worse odds, and survived.
Jaina… The name was enough to sour her already unstable state, and she growled to herself. Trying to steady herself, she'd take a deep breath inward, holding it, before releasing. Some wounds never healed.
Dragonblight. It would seem her sister had picked up her pace. With the widening areas, Zara was forced to slow down. She couldn't risk being seen, or Vyn would run. If she lost track of her, she may not find her again.
Tracking an animal, that was easy. Tracking a human, almost as easy. Elves, that could be complicated. But a Morningsorrow? That was another story entirely.
Where could she be going..? I don't think Vyn has ever been to Northrend.
As each settlement passed, Zara's mind began to race more and more. Each outpost, fort, garrison, cave… Another possible explanation, crossed out. Following the scarce and light footprints, the elf trudged on.
Vyndina stretched her arms out, then bent over to rub her legs. She was used to walking, traveling a lot, but across a continent at this pace? This was pushing it, for her. Darting her eyes quickly over her shoulder, she'd look around, making sure she wasn't followed. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling.
Nobody knows you're here. You're alone, now. Free from your past.
From your past. The whole past. The living, and the dead.
The living. Your family, and friends.
Melli.
Her thoughts had seemed to end on the woman, more times than not. It was either her, or Zara. She couldn't decide which hurt more. Clenching her fists and her jaw, she'd shake her head. No, she was determined to forget. The gnawing at her chest pulsated deeply, ebbing and flowing like the ocean. Pressing on, she'd distract herself by watching her surroundings.
Sholazar was a mystery to the woman, but she felt a sense of familiarity at the jungle climate. In an uncomfortable and muggy way, it reminded her of the Jade Forest. Of peace, dedication, focus. Those she trained with wanted to be there, and so did she. All were welcome. It was a simpler time.
A rustle of leaves behind the woman, and she'd whirl on her heel, drawing back into a serpent-like coil. Narrowed eyes searched her surroundings, and for the moment, she achieved complete focus. Such was the way she was trained.
A noise from the direction she had been facing only seconds ago, and she turned, lips curling into a sneer. She had no idea what was nearby, but could only hope it was a coincidence. A twig snapped behind her once more, and she'd roll gracefully to the side, moving with purpose. Landing acrobatically on her feet with a palm on the grassy earth, she'd rest her eyes on the creature that caused the paranoia. Her actions were not in vain, it would seem.
The dreadsaber had tried to sneak up behind her, and would have pounced, had the twig not startled both of them. Instead swiping in front of itself with large paws, the roll from the woman eluded the beast for just a moment.
She was large. Roughly the same size as the tigers in the Jade Forest, but with a sleek, leaner build, as opposed to the bulky cats she had grown accustomed to. It lowered itself to the ground, watching Vyndina carefully. Baring it's teeth, it was clearly not happy with it's easy hunt compromised.
Beginning to rotate around the cat, Vyn tensed every muscle in her body. Watching it's teeth, legs, tail, anything for a hint of a coming attack. The two stared each other down for almost a minute, Dreadsaber and Sin'dorei circling each other slowly. Without warning, the cat launched itself at Vyn once more, teeth bared as it roared.
Tracking the woman to Sholazar had tested her patience and skills as a ranger, but the swampy jungle was as much home to Zara as it was to the creatures in it. Reminding her of her years on the Isle, she'd find it much easier to locate the tell-tale signs of her younger sister. Feeling confident once more, she'd allow herself to look over the area.
A jungle in Northrend… Still doesn't quite make sense, to me.
Rolling her eyes, she'd press on, before entering a small clearing. The tracks went all around, and there appeared to be quite the commotion. It was clear something had happened here, but exactly what was almost imperceptible. Keeling to get a closer look, she'd narrow her eyes. Running her fingers along the ground with her right arm, she'd draw her bow cautiously with her left. Lifting her now-moist fingers, she'd widen her eyes, gasping softly.
Blood… Vyn's?
Looking around frantically, she'd shout for her sister. "Vyn!" Unable to find more tracks, her breathing would pick up, and she'd begin to panic. Before she could shout again though, she heard a noise from the bushes behind her. Whirling with widened eyes, she'd hope to see her sister.
Without warning, the dreadsaber pounced.
Her mind screamed in agony, only preventing herself from exclaiming by sheer power of will. Clutching her stomach, she'd hold her hand tightly against it. There was blood… Lots of it.
It's not mine…
Stumbling again, she'd collapse to her knees, throwing her head back in a silent cry for help.
Okay, not -all- mine.
The saber had underestimated her, and barely escaped with its life. Fortunately, so had Vyn. Amidst her lonely pilgrimage through the north, she'd set her mind to what she would do. Thoughts of proving her worth, she hadn't thought about what would happen if she met her match.
She was regretting that, now.
The woman would pull herself up with her other arm, forcing herself to press on. If I die here, it won't be in the open. Reaching a tree, she'd swallow roughly. The open wound on her stomach not only slowed her, it had surely attracted unwanted attention. She needed to elevate herself, and fast.
Looking up its side, Vyn pleaded with herself silently. On any other day, scaling it would be a simple feat. But like this? She'd be lucky to make it to the first branch.
Looking around for something, anything to use to help her, she'd let the pain overcome her. Slumping down against the bark, she'd curl inwards, letting her mind drift. To home, friends, and family. As her thoughts inevitably reached her partner, she'd choke out a single sob, filled with a mixture of anger, sorrow, and despair. Anger for herself, her sister, and anything else that played a role in these events. Sorrow for the pain she had caused, and was surely causing. Despair for her situation, and what she had left behind for Melli.
What would Melli do..?
Vyn curled up tightly, slowly growing still. With each passing breath, the next seemed shorter, more strained. When her breathing was almost nonexistent, she'd attempt to hum softly, trying to comfort herself. Smiling weakly, she'd feel less of the pain, and more of a calming numbness. It almost felt nice, and she'd allow it to creep across her body.
As her vision faded, she leaned her head against the trunk behind her. Allowing herself to drift into a peaceful slumber, she'd close her eyes softly. This is it.
"Vyndina!"