Dustwallow Marsh.
'Phew...we can finally eat now that we got off.'
Sure they got food in Pandaria's Zeppelin Ports but just enough for dinner, to preserve what rations they brought with them for breakfast.
Sure, they got served breakfast but uhh...Goblin Cuisine is not fit for human and elf consumption.
'Master, we will die in two days with their food.' Sierra was horrified when she appraised the 'mysterious mess' served for breakfast. 'How are they still alive?!'
'...mystery of the gods, I guess.' Kael'thas looked very queasy, and horrified after his student said it's fatal to non-goblin.
So yes, they ate their own damn rations after getting off the zeppelin and used magic to erase 'some of it' to make it look eaten to avoid offending the goblins. They had Soyjoy for breakfast.
This was a time Sierra was glad she recreated Soyjoy in this world. Fit for traveling!
But upon arrival, the area is clearly untouched by civilization. Very 'wild and untamed'. So while exploring, there's no telling what they may find here!
It's perpetually wet and muddy, fed by underground springs. It's very hot in this swamp. The grounds clearly unfit for civilization to thrive in unless it's used as a water source, but even then, you need a magic formula to purify water fit for cooking, drinking, and bathing!
Their thigh-high boots came in handy. Again, they got extorted by Goblins. They were dropped close to a location they called 'Thousand Needles' where it's the nasty prelude to the south they fear. So yes, they are to go north if they value their lives, unless prepared to gamble their lives for 'high risk high return'!
The hundreds of shallow pools that comprise the marsh hold creatures ranging from massive plant eating kodo beasts to ambushing packs of raptors to territorial water-loving murlocs. The saltwater swamp of east Dustwallow is a popular breeding area for the murloc packs. Indeed, the waters teem with aquatic creatures of all sorts.
Poisonous snakes hang from the trees, and some of the larger specimens are known to drag the unwary up into the branches. Of course, these dangers are nothing compared to those of Dustwallow's southern region.
The marsh put their skills in fighting to the test. Quite literally. Lucky they find familiar herbs they can make pills out of, incase their current stock ran out.
'It seems the goblins speak true...Kalimdor is wild indeed. Beasts and bugs every five minutes.' Kael'thas chuckled bitterly while camping on an earth pillar they raised, just so they can make a camp to sleep in. They are cooking their catches, in the form of stewed turtle meat in a pot enchanted to function like a Pressure Cooker. They cooked enough for dinner and breakfast the next day.
Their drink is Peacebloom Tea, a product of Frankland that works faster than Earth's Stresstabs...just without the vitamins in it. But considering where they are, they need Peacebloom to recover from physical, muscular and mental fatigue. And the teabags are designed to release as much flavor as it can, before becoming bitter from prolonged steeping in hot water in their kettle.
Considering it's benefits, it's 'ridiculously popular' to laborers and people working demanding desk jobs. Even King Terenas favors it because dealing with his court is very stressful more than royal desk work, that it's not just Frankland farming it to keep up with demand.
To prevent dealing with cranky traveling companions. Coffee and hot choco can wait!
In the meantime, they are killing time while making Greater Mana Pills out of Khadgar's Whisker and Goldthorn herbs, and Greater Healing Pills using Liferoot and Kingsblood herbs out of Sierra's pill-making technique. 'I am out of shape. Not good for a future King, father will never let me hear the end of it.' he shuddered at the notion.
That, and their people will see him as weak, and disapprove of him as King. That is political suicide for him.
'Well now's a good chance to become sharp, master. Because one wrong move, we're goners it seems!' Sierra laughed. 'Let's relax for tonight.'
After enjoying Turtle Stew which was delicious after it's gameyness and 'muddy presence' was removed, they ate well and took to sleeping immediately, for a 'peaceful camping life' can wait when they get north, after exploring all they can from south going north.
They barely had time to talk, as survival and learning were paramount in their minds, and relaxing every night, until they left the marsh into what looks like wastelands.
'Well, out of that deadly marsh into arid lands this time.' Kael'thas mused as he checked with magic. 'But while spring water is easy in the marsh, it's not easy here.'
'Might as well build and dig up wells for our use, while doing future travelers a favor.' said Sierra. They used earth magic as such, and controlled water to fill up the wells up to a certain point with enchantments, before sealing the mouth with a shaped rock, even carving 'Traveler's Well' on the rocky lid they made.
They took a bath behind an earthen partition for privacy between both-an outdoor hot water bath that was relaxing after four months of insanity in the marshes, but it can never replace a bath. Yet his student created an outdoors hot bath, complete with soap! Every time they sleep at night on camping bedrolls, she would use Earth and Wind Magic to turn the ground they'll sleep on into dry, fine sand it's like sleeping on a comfortable bed at home. And magically cleaned their outfits with Water Magic. Besides, other than each other, who else would see them here?
He took note of her camping tricks.
Normally, a journey-or any expedition for that matter is both physically and mentally exhausting. Traveling as sweat, dirt and grime clings onto your body, hair sticking to your neck is uncomfortable. Nasty travel rations that are overly salty, tough to chew, too dry it's hard to swallow before Sierra's inventions became the 'new normal'. Sleeping on hard, uneven ground you'd wake up with aching bodies.
The longer a journey goes on, the heavier the toll on both body and mind and morale plunges down day by day. Stress builds up and mistakes are made. And on the field, a mistake will cost you your mission or worse, your life!
Yet his student makes camping a luxury. He should teach these to his people to make future expeditions less stressful.
The arid lands before them now as he looked around in his hot earthen tub is mostly flat, with a few hills scattered throughout. The climate is harsh and hot, but survivable due to several lush oases.
Compared to Dustwallow, they can calmly travel here.
Exploring all of Dustwallow sharpened their senses as fighters while building up muscles, considering what their food is. Their core and leg muscles were developed after four months of constant fighting and movement in the marsh. But Sierra keeps her beauty in shape 'just right', cheating with magic on the sly while it's her teacher who had gone all physical so he got muscularly toned. He also brushed up on his sword skills as he's 'using magic for too long' that he forgot swords entirely and had to relearn from scratch.
In terms of fighting, Sierra was way ahead of him that he really had to look good and reliable to a lady. She is highly skilled with her staff and bow. She definitely had time to be seasoned in combat, given her exploits since graduation!
They made a Travelogue of their ordeal of four months in Dustwallow Marsh, to print as books in Dalaran for future travelers. Good thing they made a teleportation portal for use. Although it's keyed to Kael'thas for now. He knew more magic than Sierra did anyhow as there are laws among magi.
You can only learn certain spells and rituals upon reaching a certain rank. Sierra is a Sage, but allowed to learn Magician-Class spells and rituals by the Academe because of technicality and law loopholes, and she had plenty of time to master back in walking all over Lordaeron and Azeroth. But she cannot bring herself to damage the beautiful, but deadly marshes that she used her Truesilver Bow and used magic arrows instead.
It was a technique no sane Quel'thalas Elf would want to use, due to their affliction.
'Affliction?'
'It's a Hereditary Curse on all elves.' said Kael'thas somberly. 'Half-elves are safe from it, as a prominent warrior maiden who married a human sired half-elf twins and they didn't have it, and can live normal lives. Thus to keep them away from our curse, they lived in Dalaran with their mother to keep them away from the Sunwell, after fifty years of basking in its power. Father hopes to see if they can break free unlike us pureblooded elves.'
Training in Dustwallow is 'extremely harsh' that can 'mentally break anyone' to their deaths, if not for the Peacebloom Tea they have, as they noted because just one day in there, was stressful.
They now enjoyed the calm of the Barrens. Or rather, southern barrens.
They're tired of fish and turtles. They hoped to eat something new, before they resort to their rations again, though they've long run out of Soyjoy.
For now, they did and took to have their first night in actual peace.
'Peaceful camping. Never thought I'd put those words in the same phrase.' Kael'thas mused as they drank tea, after a nice bath while waiting for their food to cook.
'Can't be helped. We endured four months of crazy.' Sierra smiled. 'All that would make anybody appreciate peace more.'
'No kidding...'
In the Barrens, not much was there to be had. Beasts, no sign of any tribe whatsoever...for now. The herbs they found weren't much either, the kind that's cheap in the markets, but will go a long way for their survival. Every time they camp for a meal, they build wells. They can actually talk while walking, and build up rapport with each other while writing a new travelogue.
And now, they're in Mulgore, after...a year. They went as far as hill-climbing, after walking the ground of the Barrens.
'Wow, beautiful place!' It's ideal land to live in. Plains and valleys galore in bright green!
'This is perfect for civilization...yet oddly enough, nobody lives here...why?' Kael'thas was baffled. 'What a waste!' he moaned in dismay. 'Well, it'll be possible to live here when we cull the local bullies.'
'We're driving Centaurs and Harpies to extinction at this rate but hey, they're a threat after all.' Sierra shrugged. 'Nobody wants Cannibals around anyhow...but hopefully there's a local merchant around here...we need new clothes.'
There's only so much an enchanted outfit can endure, before breaking apart.
'Hopefully we're lucky, or we'll end up using the leather we're supposed to use as gifts.' Kael'thas deadpanned.
'If it came to that point...ahahaha...but hey, it's been a year now.' said Sierra as they settled down to make another teleportation portal and camp for lunch, when a magical bird arrived.
'...a magic bird from home...what about?' Kael'thas wondered as he received the bird.
Your highness! Your father is furious with you for coming to Kalimdor!
This country is dangerous! Wild and uncivilized! We can't go past the
marsh where the goblins dropped us off of the Zeppelin Port.
The goblins noted that you're here and went on ahead with a girl.
We hope both of you are safe inside the Marsh! Please respond as
soon as you get this bird. We need to know of your well-being as
soon as possible. Then please come home with us immediately!
'Uh-oh...' both sweatdropped.
'...why is father mad? All I did is travel back to the lands our ancestors came from.' Kael'thas was perplexed. 'I guess we better use the portals to get back quicker.'
'Master, did the messenger just call you 'your highness'...?
Kael'thas inwardly cursed the messenger and quickly made Sierra forget and modified her memories, before sending a messenger back.
Zeppelin Port, Dustwallow Marsh Entrance...
'Young master!' an elven runner gasped out as the group has not forgotten about that slight reprimand regarding his secret around his student. 'You're alright despite everything.' he gasped out as considering what he and his party endured, they weren't sure if their prince is still alive.
'We managed to survive the marsh after preparations. Indeed it was crazy in there but we managed to get past that after four months.' Kael'thas reassured the runner who was stunned that they survived the marsh for months. 'Past the marshes are barren lands and after that, an ideal settlement for civilization. Everything's pretty-much untapped. We were about to go further when we got the call.'
'I see...but still, please come straight home with us and you need to prepare for your father's anger.'
'What's got him so angry about me being here?'
'Well...its about our people's history with the elves here...you'll hear more from him...probably after you get a few smackings.' Kael'thas did a double-take. 'He clearly intends to do so.'
'For crying out loud, I'm a grown man, I can handle a punch to the face, though at least I want an explanation as to why none of our kind should be here as implied. Kalimdor is ours too you know.'
'Er, its really something you should hear from him. How about the young miss with you?'
'Sierra? Human girl and one of my students.' said Kael'thas. 'She got stronger in this trip as a warrior of the bow and staff. While she is powerful as a mage, her control over magic is as destructive as ever. Even with her weapons out of Truesilver.' he snorted. 'And she didn't want to damage the scenery anyway.'
Sierra Frankland is famous as the 'Destroyer' due to lack of control with incredible power, and it took 'quite a while' to gain that needed control. She wrecks training grounds on even the most basics of spells that she had to be put by a cliff near the ocean just to train!
'At any rate, we'll pass by Pandaria for now.' said Kael'thas. 'We'll drop Sierra off there as the Pandaren knows she mastered their long-lost mother language. They'd want her back to teach them. Then we go home. But first...we need provisions. I hope none of you ate Goblin Fare...Sierra guarantees anyone who eats it dies in two days after a lengthy agony within that timeline.'
'Ehhh no sir, we got supplied War Provisions.'
'Good. Because none of us wants to test that theory...'
Quel'thalas...days later...
Indeed, Kael'thas got that lecture after he got a punch in the face courtesy of a furious father who was angry out of worry...and passed on their people's history to him.
Elven History of shame for being enslaved and entranced to Azshara's beauty and went all with her desires, including bringing in a demon from outside their world as her groom for marriage! And thinks 'destruction of their inferiors' wrought by that monster is a good bridal gift to her and their grandparents agreed!
The worst part? They caused the Sundering. They damn near ended the world!
Kalimdor was once, one whole supercontinent. But the Sundering sank the central area where most of Night Elf Civilization was beneath the seas and created the Great Maelstrom in the middle of the ocean. The edges of Kalimdor became Western Kalimdor, Northrend, Lordaeron, Azeroth and Pandaria.
The elves in their enchanted hubris under Queen Azshara, nearly destroyed the whole world if not for a few forces led by Malfurion Stormrage. The Highborne Night Elves were rightfully banished from home by the Druid, and they came to settle down in a land they now call home...Quel'thalas.
'Is this why every time we meet someone new, we always make sure we are not Charmed?' Kael'thas asked his father.
'Yes. We have no desire to be enslaved to a wicked beauty once more.' said his father wearily. 'Beauty is truly, only skin-deep as my father would say. We Quel'dorei were actually Kal'dorei. Our appearances changed because of the Sunwell. Had you located a Moonwell in Kalimdor and drank from it...you will regain the features of the Night Elf we once are.' he said softly. 'You will then be outed as a Night Elf who do not belong in Kalimdor...a descendant of the banished. You will be killed.' he said with a grimace. 'You are my only son Kael. I cannot let you die from...forbidden curiosities.'
'...yes father...what do Night Elves look like anyway?'
'Well, when we became Quel'dorei...we gained the fair skin human aristocrat ladies can only dream of. Our ears are shorter and point upwards and all of us have golden hair. Night Elves are very tall, longer ears point slightly sideways and have either black, green, silver, purple or blue hair. Their skin will either be purple or pink. Father would tell me Night elves are natural warriors built for deadly combat, and their dense musculature packs a punch with the heft they throw behind it.' Anasterian began his description. 'Male Kaldorei are sinewy, with broad chests and shoulders, indicative of the strength within both their minds and bodies. Female night elves are lithe and curvaceous, yet still muscular and strong.'
'And unlike us, they are immortal...bound to the World Tree on Mt. Hyjal in Kalimdor. Immortality upon adulthood, while we live several millennia as we age slowly that only in Quel'thalas, do we have elderly elves. Night Elves have no such thing as elderly, forever in their prime after aging to adulthood.' said Anasterian softly. 'That we have less than ten millennia of lifespan when we are far from the World Tree. Dare I say it, we are weaker than them. For we are primarily magic users. Feeble in body and in battle compared to living weapons like them.' he tut-tutted. 'That is why I said I would lose you in Kalimdor. Magic takes time to cast yet time to draw an arrow, nock it on a bow and release, or jumping at you to slay you with a sword is quicker.'
'I tried in the past, but alas...we are too addicted to magic...sure our people studied the bow and the sword but just enough to be passable by human standards. Very few took the art of combat seriously like the Farstriders who were the only ones to truly follow my orders.'
'Father...' Kael'thas shook his head in sympathy. 'If it helps, I too, realized the folly of having a weak body. Dustwallow Marsh taught me that lesson a painful way.'
'Oho? I've never heard of Dustwallow Marsh...I've only heard of tales of Zin-Azshari as a child.'
'Well...'
Kael'thas told his father his journey in Kalimdor, that he and his student wrote a Travelogue together. Though since he's home ahead, he'd be the one to print it as Sierra stayed in Pandaria to return the Pandaren's Lost Language to them as the Pandaren Race wants back what the Mogu Race destroyed. Their culture and identity as a race in their past as Slaves of the Mogu. That the Pandaren they talked to was in tears after Sierra revealed her mastery...even singing a song in their lost language with ease! Sierra would aid in teaching their language though she only knew 2500 words. They just found out it's actually 3500.
'It was quite the tonal language...it'd be difficult to master indeed, yet in a short time, she did.' said Kael'thas in amazement. 'And that was when she was in Alterac not long after graduating my tutelage.'
'That's impressive.'
'Well, I informed Count Frankland where his younger sister is before coming home so her family need not worry. I get the feeling Sierra likes Pandaria a lot.'
Thus, a week later, Kael'thas published his Travelogue, titled, 'Journey to the Wild West: by Kael'thas Sunstrider and Sierra Frankland'. That was after King Sunstrider vetted the manuscript out of course...Pandaria's grisly past was censored as he feared the ambitions of humans and exploit their vulnerability through their trauma when the Pandaren has just begun to heal! They might travel south...
Kael'thas gets it and agreed to censor that last bit.
However, the time of peace has become short...when blighted lands are seen in some areas of Lordaeron and even in Quel'thalas...
Well, not in Frankland.
'Blighted Land...is this some disease we haven't heard about?' Zachary wondered aloud during a conference.
'Your domain doesn't have any?' Count Bradford asked his in-law incredulously.
'No. We have way too much Arcane Towers though. My sister's paranoid. We'd know in seconds if we have a disease spreading about in our domain we can send doctors and researchers in a hurry.'
'Is that so?'
'But weirdly enough, we did find corpses of men dressed like nuns in black garments...blasted to pieces by the towers and they're not our citizenry...they're not discriminative. Men, women, young and old, there's even elves and dwarves and gnomes who look like they hit dirt-poor in poverty, none of them healthy with yellowing, sallow skins and gaunt appearances with reddish eyebags...I'm not joking, we even brought the corpses over for the investigation...as well as the contents of their wagon. It seriously stinks, glows green and emits green smoke. As it's obviously a potion, we handled it with care as even fumes can affect, and we don't want to know the hard way what happens with a sniff.'
The corpses when investigated and samples sent to Dalaran for investigation...were a big clue already that sent the court and alliance conference in a royal uproar.
The Cult has been formed elsewhere! By the Holy Light, they need to find where!
Thus the Alliance reached out to other countries since some of the corpses of the cultists they got here are from their citizenry, and Kel'thuzad's new methods of obtaining followers...based on the Strahnbrad Incident.
Leading to today. Investigation on Disappearances of people who fell into hard times with no way out. Such as brokenhearted from losing jobs, losing in gambling horribly, unable to pay debts, etc...in order to get a clue on how many numbers in the cult currently. Holy Magic Users are asked to cast holy magic in villages, towns and cities to smoke out the cultists as Holy Magic is painful to them, a price for dabbling in evil magic.
If people reacted badly...kill them.
Dalaran and Quel'thalas was called upon for aid, asked to investigate the weird potion Count Frankland got, and blights around the country.
And know if blighted lands can still be saved because hey, farmlands?! What if they ate food affected by blights?