The haze in the Ruins of the Scarlet Enclave glowed a golden orange in the last rays of the setting sun, in severe contrast to the quickly deepening shadows cast by all the damaged buildings. Surrounded by this bright haze, the fresh ashes of the gutted house looked nearly black. Two shadows detached themselves from the larger, lengthening shadows. The two rogues moved silently over to the pile of ashes, one effortlessly and the other with some difficulty.
Vala had insisted on returning to the site of the treacherous meeting only a little over a day later, and long before the healers wanted her to be traveling about. She paused at the edge of the large area of ash-covered ground that was all that was left of that small house, noting the two shapeless lumps of metal that used to be the holographic emitter and the transmatter.
“Thank you for getting me out of that,” she said softly, certain that Lonetygr could hear her even as he prowled around nearby.
After a moment spent gathering her courage, she limped into the middle of the ashes, leaning heavily on the walking stick the healers insisted she use since they had been unable to keep her confined to a bed. Vala pulled off her gloves and tucked them into her belt. She now wore Jani’s ring on her left hand, on the small finger, just as she wore her own matching ring that Grandfather had made for her on her right small finger. Setting aside her walking stick and kneeling down, she began to sift through the ashes, heedless of how dirty she was getting. Was it her imagination, or were the ashes still warm?
She gently brushed off each bone she found and placed it neatly on a piece of silk cloth spread out at her side. When she had finished, when she could find no more of the charred bones, she carefully rolled the cloth around them and placed the bundle in a bag. She stood and wiped the back of one hand across her eyes, leaving a smear of ash that went unnoticed. Next would come the lengthy journey to Ashenvale, to bury Jani as close as she could to where their old village had once stood – after a brief rest back in Ironforge.
Vala limped back out of the ashes, wincing at the twinges from her partially healed leg, then turned back to stare for a moment at the two melted lumps of metal, now almost hidden in the advancing night. “That scarlet commander implied that the scarlets in Stormwind and SI:7 have some sort of political ‘arrangement’,” she said as Lonetygr rejoined her. Before they had returned to this place, she had told him about the meeting, so he had little difficulty now figuring out what scarlet commander she meant. She looked sidelong at him. “Do they?”
Tygr eyed Vala for a moment before speaking quietly. “The Scarlets ties with the Alliance in Stormwind are a very complicated matter that is not easily unraveled.”
He paused for a moment, her look telling him she wanted to hear more. “Officially the Alliance does not condone their methods, but officially their operations are far from Alliance lands. They have solid political ties in a few of the more powerful noble houses. Why they back them is anyone’s guess. I bet it has a lot to do with gold and power and a little to do with the hatred of undead and fear of the Scourge.
“The nobles also fund SI:7. You know SI:7 does things to benefit the Alliance outside of the law.” It was a statement rather than a question. “Mostly in Stormwind, but they are called on by the rest of the Alliance as well from time to time.
“For the most part, if the Scarlets behave like other members of the Alliance, they are allowed and treated as such. If they break the laws they get fined and or tossed in the Stockades.
“Sometimes they go too far. It’s easy for them to get out of the trouble by feigning ignorance and tossing gold around. It doesn’t hurt that they have a few guilds chartered within the Alliance either. Even if one of their groups were to go down, there would still be the other “unaffiliated” Scarlets within the city.”
He glanced at her again. “Short answer is yes.”
While she listened, Vala attempted to brush off the worst of the ashes that clung to her. When Lonetygr finished speaking, she nodded thoughtfully. His words only confirmed what she had feared was true. Even before the meeting yesterday, she had noticed some indications of the political dancing. She felt like everything was suddenly falling apart for her: her plans to find a place with SI:7, the cozy rooms she’d made her home in Stormwind…and Jani, worst of all. She stared at her feet for a minute, then swiped the back of a hand across her eyes again. She was done with the tears, already!
Her gaze was drawn to the walls of Tyr’s Hand in the near distance. Unconsciously, one hand dropped to the hilt of a dagger and her eyes narrowed. She just knew that Isenham was in there somewhere. Just as soon as she could get rid of the stupid walking stick… Her grip tightened on the dagger and her eyes narrowed further. Not now, not today… But soon…
After returning to Ironforge from Ashenvale, Vala stopped by Marrikka’s shop. The gnome seemed less exuberant than usual and only gave her a tired smile.
“Marrikka? What is it?” Vala couldn’t keep the worry from her voice.
The gnome waved off her concern, though. “Ah, dearie. Just a wee bit tired, is all. Been fighting off that mage of yours.”
“What?!”
The gnome giggled. “Well, now, maybe fighting isn’t the right word. He’s been busy, though. Trying pretty hard to see what he can see with that box. Seemed pretty urgent to him. Looking for you, I think. But don’t you worry, dearie, he hasn’t seen anything. And I was able to get a wee peek at where he’s at.” The gnome lowered her voice and looked around conspiratorially. “Your mage, dearie, is one of those scarlets. And it looked like he’s at Tyr’s Hand.”
Vala nodded. Not exactly news. “Could you see what he looked like?”
Marrikka shook her head, her pink hair bobbing with the motion. “No. But I can tell you he’s a young one. I don’t think he knows enough to have originally cast the spell. He’s probably some unlucky apprentice who got the job of turning the thing on every so often to take a look. And he’s scared. Can’t tell of what. Maybe just an angry master.” The gnome tilted her head at Vala, almost as if she wanted to ask something. But she didn’t.
Vala smiled grimly to herself. An angry master. Maybe Scarlet Commander Kenelm Isenham? So…were they looking for her, trying to find her again? Did they know that she had survived the trap? Or were they just checking to make sure she hadn’t? If that were the case, would it then be ‘urgent’? She sighed. She’d have to assume that they knew she hadn’t died as they had planned. Could mean, then, that they’d still be coming after her. Damn! She wished the healers had been better able to heal her leg. With the scarlets coming after her, she couldn’t afford to be only slowly mobile.
Marrikka’s voice broke into her thoughts. “So now what, dearie?”
Vala looked down at the little gnome. “Can you use the box in reverse, now. To spy on the other end?”
Marrikka shook her head. “No dearie. At least not unless it’s activated from that other end. And even though the other mage is young and inexperienced, I’m pretty sure by now he knows there’s a mage at this end, messing with the thing. I might not even get to see more when it is activated.”
Vala nodded. “Then it’s time to break that spell.” She smiled at the gnome’s sudden eagerness at this news. “Please. And then keep the box. Maybe you can use it for something.”
Marrikka nodded, smiling delightedly. “Consider it done, dearie!” She gently pushed the tall elf toward the door. “Now you just be getting along. Rest that leg of yours.” She closed the door behind the elf girl and then locked it. Wouldn’t do to have someone barge in while she worked on this bit of magic. She watched the young elf limp slowly away from the shop. “And watch yourself, dearie,” she murmured.
– – –
That evening, Adalgar hosted a wake for Jani at his shop. Feeling somewhat detached from the whole thing, Vala endured the sympathetic looks for her injuries and kind words for her loss as what seemed like every dwarf in Ironforge stopped by. She hadn’t realized that Jani had made so many friends here. That was good; she wouldn’t be the only one to remember her cousin. Vala resisted the urge to scratch at the several bandages she still wore. But the itch of healing skin was nearly enough to drive her crazy. She grabbed an ale and found a somewhat quiet corner to lurk in.
As the wake went on, things grew louder and rowdier. Naturally. That sort of thing was expected when dwarves and ale met in the same place. Vala drank a bit too much, but it helped dull the itch and the loss, at least for the moment. She was even able to smile a little at the stories Jani’s dwarven friends told of some of the silly and endearing things Jani had done. After only a couple of hours of this, though, Vala had enough and silently limped out the door, still reliant on her walking stick to help her get around. Only Adalgar noticed her leave. He sighed and frowned. She was going to take a lot of mending, and the physical injuries were the least of it.
– – –
Vala idly dangled her fingers in the clear pool of water in the Mystic Ward. The cooler air and relative quiet here away from the ongoing wake had cleared her head somewhat. She watched the ripples spread out from her fingers, then reflect off the sides of the pool and travel back.
Although she tried to block it out, in the quiet, she clearly heard that inner voice that she sometimes hated, the voice she often thought of as her worst self, the voice that had, some years earlier, insisted that she leave her tormentors alive because they would be needed in the wars. Now, that voice said that maybe this was for the best in the long run. Now Jani could never again be used against Vala, could never be hurt as an extension of what Vala did. Vala shook her head roughly. It might be true after the fact, but this was not how it was supposed to have turned out. She felt horrible even thinking that it might be true.
She wasn’t surprised when someone sat down nearby. Without even looking, somehow she knew it was Lonetygr. She half-heartedly flipped a few drops of water in his direction, not really trying to hit him with them.
“I feel there was something more I could have done,” she said in a low voice. “Something I should have done. She shifted position, trying to ease the discomfort in her injured leg. It didn’t really make a difference. “And you’re right, Lonetygr…I should have waited for you.”
She looked over at him. “Now that I know more… Well…SI:7 doesn’t seem to be the place for me that I had thought it might be.” Her voice turned harsh momentarily. “I have no intention of tiptoeing around scarlet sensibilities or pandering to scarlets for political expediency. Also, apparently some in SI:7 weren’t too happy with me just going off on my own.” Vala shrugged and stared off into the distance. “Don’t suppose you’re looking to take on an apprentice.” Her quick grin crinkled the corners of her eyes above her mask.
“Anyway, I’ll be going after that scarlet soon,” she said, her voice now barely above a whisper. “The commander, I mean. I lost us that book, so it’s only right I should go after it. As soon as I can get around without this.” She patted the walking stick lying next to her. “Soon.”
Dare she ask Lonetygr to help? After everything that had happened these past few days? She already couldn’t believe that she had even dared imply that he be her teacher or mentor. She stared back into the pool, unconsciously forming a design in the water with her finger, a design that matched one of the drawings from the book.
Tygr watched over Vala while her travels took her to the forests of Ashenvale in Kalimdor and back across the sea. Typically dangerous woods and roads were all but silent as he dispatched everything from starving wolves to crazed furbolgs. It also helped that they were traveling slow along the back roads and staying out of major cities.
That would all change when they reached Ironforge. Try as he might Tygr could not bring himself to try and convince Vala the wake that was planned was a bad idea. That’s probably because while it was a bad idea as far as losing the element of surprise, it was a good idea when it came to helping heal the girl’s heart. So, he remained her shadow until after their travels took them back to Ironforge.
Adalgar hosted a nice wake. Even a few of Tygr’s friends in the Senate stopped by after they understood the importance of Jani’s sacrifice. When Vala at last left the wake, he followed to make sure she was safe.
He sat and listened. There was nothing she could have done. Jani had stumbled by chance upon something that was dangerous to have. It was unfortunate she didn’t understand the risks, but it wasn’t her fault, nor Vala’s. Few people in the world would have known what the book was, or even what to do with it.
She was probably right about SI:7 as well. She was useful to them as long as she followed her orders. Her interests and theirs would have crossed eventually even if this hadn’t happened. It was a tough lesson to learn. Even the thumbs of the Stormwind Assassins haven’t always agreed with their organization.
He listened as she asked to be his apprentice and then told him her plans. He glanced at the rows of shops in the Mystic Ward. A light was burning in the window of Esoterica. Maybe he should take her to meet Lady Nora. He was sure Nora knew Adalgar, she knew most of the other merchants in the city. Maybe she had even met Jani and would have some kind words for Vala.
She probably didn’t know Tygr was hunting the book for her, or that Jani had once had it in her possession. Who knew what she knew? He was getting the book back one way or another. If this girl wanted to do the right thing, then maybe it was worth keeping her around. But, he should probably at least let Lady Nora know.
“Come on, we’re going to visit a friend of mine.”
– – –
Tygr quietly unlocked the door to Esoterica and slipped inside. He shut and locked the door after Vala entered. The light was on but as he walked down the stairs he could tell Lady Nora was not at work. Maybe the summoning circle in Stormwind, he mused as he glanced around the shop. There were a couple of interesting things laying around. But, nothing that had any importance over talking to Nora and getting the book back.
Vala stayed close on Lonetygr’s heels and looked curiously around the shop. She had never been in here before, hadn’t even really noticed the place. If she had to guess, she would say that a lot of this stuff was magical or was intended for use with magic. Not something she really knew anything about. And much of it looked breakable, as well. She kept a stranglehold on her walking stick so she wouldn’t lose her balance and inadvertently break something. She noted the unique placement of the windows that would allow light coming in to reveal anyone entering to anyone downstairs in the store proper. Interesting.
And for some reason, following Lonetygr here without knowing the reason why they were here reminded her of him turning her over to the Stormwind guards just a few days ago. Had it really only been a few days? And that reminded her of some questions she had. The questions about the poison he had scraped from her dagger would wait – she wasn’t going to just start talking about poisons here, not knowing who might be around to hear. But the other thing she was curious about…
“So…just what exactly is a Y-6, anyway?”
“I’ll tell you in a bit if you’ll do something for me.” Tygr’s golden eyes smiled. “Go wait for me up by the door. If you come down I’ll have to kill you.”
She rolled her eyes at him, but turned back to the stairs.
Tygr chuckled and waited for Vala to climb above. When she had left he quickly grabbed a note from Giraud from its hiding place. It was only moments before he was back at the top of the stairs, neatly folding the note and tucking it into his pocket.
“She’s not here right now.” He grumbled. “It’s too bad. She’s very sharp.”
“Very sharp regarding…?” Vala left the question hanging, inviting him to elaborate.
“Full of questions.” He chuckled, then unlocked the door and stepped outside, locking it behind the two of them.
“It’s just a code that I use to let Thelwater know that he should let you go.” Tygr paused thoughtfully, then lowered his voice. “Before the King returned and cleaned out the Royal Court there was a woman, Prestor. She had a tendency to toss innocent people in the Stockades. Thelwater set someone free from Cell Y-6. It was a friend of his. Thelwater didn’t like locking up people who’s only crime was to cross Prestor, but he was afraid Prestor would have his head or worse, toss him down into the Stockades where the scum could get even with him.
He’s a good Warden, for the slim help the Guard gives him. So, I did some digging on the bitch and used my weight as a Knight-Captain to keep her off his back for good. He remembers, and he owes me. If I need someone let go. You get the idea.”
“Making connections is a good thing. Get a feeling for good people and find out what they need. Try and help them out so maybe someday they can help you out, or know someone who can. And the bad people, doesn’t hurt to find out about them either. Never know when you can use something against them or how to bluff them.”
“Lots of rogues run around in the shadows with swords or poisoned daggers. They use the shadows to give them an edge in combat. But, the shadows can be used for so much more.”
Vala blushed and ducked her head at his mention of rogues running around in the shadows with poisoned daggers, then nodded thoughtfully, absorbing all this information.
He looked up and down the Mystic Ward. “I don’t think my friend is coming back tonight. Want to go slit some Scarlet throats?”
Vala looked around as well, then nodded. “Gladly. And one in particular, in fact. However…” She glanced pointedly at her walking stick. “Perhaps I’d better be done relying on this stupid stick before we go. And speaking of Scarlets…” She told Lonetygr what she had learned about the box and the scrying magic on it, the stick that had been magicked to look like a finger, and the person trying to scry with the box recently.
“Looking for me, I guess. So, I’m thinking, they know the fire didn’t get me.” She shrugged and glanced around again. Good, no one near. Still, she lowered her voice. “Also, I’d like to know what you found out about that poison they gave me to use against you, that you scraped off my dagger. Learn anything yet?”
Tygr listened to what she said about her wound, and the scrying box. He had listened in on a few of those conversations with the gnome. He didn’t know much of magic, so he wasn’t sure how it could be helpful, especially since the person with the book wouldn’t be the one looking for them. He would probably be within a days ride on horseback.
“Yeah they probably watched the wake.” He eyed her crutch, then his golden eyes shifted back to scanning the shadows. “I doubt they’re watching now.” He paused for a second.
“So, was it lack of gold or you don’t have any friends skilled in healing?” He indicated her leg, assuming that it might be a little of both, especially since she worked up the nerve to ask to tag along with him.
“Both, really. I haven’t had much gold recently. And the healers I know are only the less-experienced ones, the ones who were left behind when all the more-experienced healers went north with the armies.”
“I know someone who could help. It also might throw the Scarlets off your trail.” He leaned in close and whispered. “There is a woman who fell from the sky in Darnassus. She speaks with the earth, water, fire and air. You’ll feel better around her than you have in a long time. I’ll meet you in Rut’theran Village. We’ll travel back through the Stranglethorn, avoid the major cities. They’ll think you returned to Elven lands. They won’t see it coming till it’s too late.”
Vala was puzzled for a minute…woman who fell from the sky? Oh, this woman must be a Draenei. She nodded agreement with Lonetygr’s plan. “You’ll meet me in Rut’theran?” she whispered back. “We aren’t traveling together?”
“I need to find out about that poison.”
The journey to Rut’theran Village took longer than Vala would have liked. She deliberately traveled by the least-used routes and stayed in the shadows as much as possible, even though all this added time to her journey. The last leg of the journey, the boat from Darkshore, in some ways seemed the longest. She was ready to be done with this trip, but she had no choice; she had few enough coins as it was, she didn’t really want to spend any of them for the flight.
Finally, the boat docked at the village pier and she slowly made her way down the plank walkway.
Tygr watched Vala come down the plank walkway and ended his conversation with the fisherman. As she got closer, Vala could see his armor wasn’t exactly in the best shape. Long claw marks had been ripped deep into the leather surface. Chunks were missing elsewhere. Tygr said nothing about this however as he turned from the fisherman and headed up the path to meet her.
His voice was strangely cheerful. He laughed when they met up. “There’s still sea monsters out there in the waters around the tree. They’re looking into the idea that Naga use them to travel the ocean to spy on us here. The seas are treacherous, probably why so many wash up on the beaches. That guy down there thinks he can catch one.” Tygr chuckled and looked her over. “The traveling went smoothly?”
He listened as she told him about her journey. Waiting till she finished to tell her about the poison.
“The poison has light magic. It’s very expensive to make but it negates the protection we can get from the shadows, and is mixed with some other damaging poison as well.” He let that sink in. “Not that you can’t fight back, but it would definitely take away some of the edge and leave you feeling like crap after.”
Vala frowned. “Nasty stuff. Hope they don’t have a large supply of it.” She looked him over. “So…what happened to you? Get into an argument with those sea monsters you mentioned?” Her eyes betrayed the mischievous grin hidden behind her mask.
“Something like that.” He grumbled something about hating questions. “I got in a bit of a fight because of you.”
“Scarlets?”
“No, my intended. She wasn’t exactly happy I’ve taken a student, less so that you’re a young woman. But, both she and my friend in Shattrath confirmed the missing ingredient in the poison.”
Vala looked up sharply at Lonetygr’s words. He had taken her seriously, had apparently decided to take her on as a student! She was surprised, pleased, and a little nervous, all at once. She had spoken impulsively, back in Ironforge, but still had meant it, too. But she did wonder just what she might be getting herself into. And she had never thought that her request would cause him problems. She looked again at the claw marks in his armor. Yikes!
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to be trouble…” She grinned at the look he gave her. “Well, any more trouble than already. If you shouldn’t take on a student…”
Tygr just shook his head and led the way into Darnassus, taking her around by the back ways to a small house tucked away near the Cenarian Enclave. A Draenei female in a worn blue dress several shades darker than her blue skin opened the door at Lonetygr’s knock. Her eyes widened at the sight of her visitors, but if the state of Tygr’s armor surprised her, she didn’t say anything.
“Tygr? Hallo! Is surprise seeing you at my door!” She looked past Lonetygr then, giving Vala a quizzical look. “Hallo! Am Siduri.”
“I’m Vala.”
“Is pleasure, Vala. Both come in, please. Is better than standing in doorway, yes?”
Vala was struck by the scent of flowers in the small house, and the sight of nearly every available surface buried beneath bunches of plants of one type or another. One small table in the corner, however, held various pieces of armor, rather than plants. And hanging on the back of a straight chair near that table was a familiar tabard: the red with gold flame and border of that group of explorers. Vala stared for a minute. This seemed an unlikely coincidence. She glanced back at Siduri, and then at Lonetygr, who seemed to be watching her and smiling beneath his mask. She just quirked an eyebrow at him and said nothing. For the moment. Not that he would necessarily answer any questions, anyway.
Vala watched the Draenei close the door and then set down a formidable-looking slightly-glowing mace. Vala realized that the Draenei had held the mace out of sight behind the door when she opened it. The woman noticed her watching and simply smiled. Vala also noticed, in the better light inside, that the woman’s robe and hands seemed stained with several different colors. Of ink?
“Am making inks,” the woman said, almost as if she heard Vala’s thoughts. “Just move plants to find place to sit. Are hungry? Can cook something, if are. Can also pour drink.”
Tygr moved some plants to the side and sat down amongst the leaves like it was the most natural thing in the world. He probably owed Siduri an explanation, but didn’t want to get into telling a long story. “I’m good, thank you though. I think Vala here might be apprentice material.” He chuckled.
Vala also declined any refreshment and found herself the object of a sudden, quick scrutiny from Siduri. “Indeed?” the Draenei directed her comment to Lonetygr and then seemed to study him momentarily, as well. Vala shifted uneasily. Why was he telling this Draenei this? At her motion, Siduri’s attention snapped back to her and then focused on her walking stick. “Are injured? Is why you came here?”
Vala glanced at Lonetygr, wondering if that was the only reason they had come here, then nodded.
Siduri pulled a small, damp cloth from behind a stack of plants and wiped the ink from her hands, then moved some plants aside for Vala to sit. At Siduri’s direction, Vala removed her boot so the Draenei could examine the wound.
“Is not too bad. Saw inexperienced healer, yes?” Siduri said. “Is good start on healing. But not healing fast enough for what you need, yes?” She grinned at the two rogues, Lonetygr in particular.
The Draenei then held both hands just above the partially healed injury and spoke something softly in a language Vala did not recognize. A green glow surrounded Siduri’s hands and expanded to touch Vala’s injury, then briefly surrounded Vala entirely. Vala felt a coolness wash over her, as if she had been doused in cool water. And the pain was gone, along with her fatigue and assorted lesser hurts that she had been ignoring. Lonetygr was right; she did feel much better than she had in a long while.
Siduri smiled at her. “Is much better, yes?”
Vala wiggled her toes, relieved at the lack of pain, then pulled on her boot. “Yes. Thank you. She hesitated, then said, “I don’t have much to pay you, but I…”
Siduri interrupted. “Is no need. Am glad to help.”
Tygr chuckled as he stood and moved the plants back into place. “I was going to take her to see Lady Nora, but she was out. Probably just busy with something. Anyhow, now that Vala is all patched up I think we’ll do a bit of training.” Tygr smiled. “Thanks again Siduri, if there is anything I can do for you, let me know.” Tygr then made a strange gesture, and gave the Draenei a slight nod before vanishing out the door.
As Vala followed Lonetygr out the door, rather less spectacularly, she noticed Siduri repeat the gesture that Lonetygr had given the Draenei.
Moonlight filtered through the treetops high above lending an intimidating glow to the nightsaber’s eyes as they ran tirelessly down the road. The sweet smell of burned spices drifted on the wind from somewhere ahead. Tygr recognized them as the herbs used in blessings by furbolg shaman, and as they rode, the scent grew stronger.
The shaman were chanting quietly, bestowing blessings upon half a dozen warriors when the pair of nightsabers sprinted past, a blur that interrupted the furbolgs’ ritual. The road continued onward, winding through the forest. The nightsabers padded on, sticking to the road though it often curved sharply and dropped off into thickets tangled with brush. Packs of wolves howled their battle plans in the distance. It was a very dangerous place for travelers not familiar with these parts.
The gentle rise and fall of his body as he rode the big cat was relaxing. Tygr smiled beneath his mask and took a moment to give the big cat a pat. It was a long distance across the forests of Ashenvale. The large cats covered the wild places more quickly than a hippogryph could, especially given the direction they needed to go.
Tygr had paid for the hippogryphs to Ashenvale as well as the nightsabers. It gave him a chance to teach Vala another lesson. This one was about apologizing when she couldn’t pay someone back, especially if they never asked for anything to begin with.
Vala tried to graciously accept Tygr’s admonition on this, but she disliked an unpaid debt. Still, Tygr had a good point. She realized, too, that he was using some of his own earlier instruction on her, as well: finding out what good people need, trying to help them out so maybe someday they can help you out, or know someone who can. Yeah. She grinned to herself. They picked a sheltered spot to make camp a few hours before the sun would rise.
Vala ducked out of the way of the throwing star and tried to land an attack. But, Tygr was gone, and not yet done beating a dead nightsaber.
“Remember to use your best judgment. If you make a difference in someone’s life. They might some day make a difference in yours.” His voice slipped from the shadows all around her. She tried to hide again, but in a moment she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Better.” He chuckled. “Be one with the shadows. Tomorrow evening we will cross the Mor‘shan rampart. We will need to be careful.”
– – –
Tygr growled softly as he watched the orcs inspect the manned barrier between Ashenvale and The Barrens. It looked like the ones doing the inspecting were the grunts that were usually stationed there. The others were taller, better armed, Warbringers, maybe. He tried to look for a way past. Everywhere he looked was an orc. He was willing to bet there were others here as well.
He looked to the shadows on his left. Vala was there, staring intently at the wall. “We need to get moving if we want to surprise the Scarlets. No telling how long this inspection will take.” He watched her nod in agreement. “Let’s take to that gap over there and hopefully they don’t spot us.”
The two darted forward sprinting for the gap in the Mor’shan rampart. Before they could make it through a hulking figure stepped into the gap. “What is this? I want two guards here.” He yelled in orcish. Tygr slid to a stop right in front of a hidden orc. But it was too late, the figure’s body guard had spotted him. Before he could attack, Tygr nailed him in the side of the head with the pommel of his dagger.
The orc slid out of the shadows and crumpled to the ground. Beside him another body collapsed to the dirt. Tygr caught Vala flash him a smile. Suddenly the Mor’shan rampart came alive with activity as the hulking orc let out a yell in broken common. “Who dares cross Thrall’s Blademaster!”
Tygr glanced to Vala, tilting his head to the side, giving her the signal to run as he let the shadows slip from him. “I am Tygr. Let’s Dance.”
As Tygr slipped from the shadows to confront the blademaster, Vala shook her head. The hulking orc’s armor looked strong, but if anyone could get through it, it was Tygr. She noticed, then, some of the grunts looking to join the fight. At least she could keep them off Tygr’s back. She stole through the shadows toward them, studying them as she always did whenever confronting orcs, trying to see if any of them might be one of those who killed her grandfather. However, none of these orcs looked familiar.
Arrows and spears zipped through the spot Tygr had stood only a moment before. His dagger ripped through the blademaster’s armor as he ambushed the orc from the shadows behind.
The great red orc turned more quickly than Tygr expected, catching him with a fist and knocking him back. The orc drew his massive two handed sword in one motion and leapt at Tygr. His forward momentum diverted by a spinning throwing dagger that caught him in the shoulder. Seconds ticked by like hours as Tygr and the orc traded blows. Tygr dodged and parried the orc’s attacks while failing to do little more than land scratches on the orcs heavy armor.
Suddenly a heavy wind whipped up the dry Barren’s dust, both Tygr and the orc leaping back instinctively as a bolt of lightning split the air between them. It was accompanied by a crack of thunder. Tygr stole a glance to the edge of Ashenvale Forest as the wind grew stronger and stronger.
Nayerilo’s voice whispered through what was now a screaming gale, “Run, both of you!”
Vala blinked in surprise at the sudden gale and the female voice that whispered through it. Fortunately, Vala’s last opponent had just crumpled at her feet, or this distraction could have cost her dearly.
Tygr spun pulling the shadows around himself to shield his eyes from the stinging rain. He ran past Vala, grabbing at her arm as she stood amidst a pile of orc bodies. The two made their escape into The Barrens.
– – –
Tygr used the nearly blinding sunlight of The Barrens to further test Vala’s skills.
Vala snarled to herself in frustration and blinked the sweat out of her eyes as she stole through the shadows. She decided she hated this hot, dry, dusty, barren waste, so aptly named. Training was well and good, but she wished they were someplace a little cooler. And she knew Tygr was nearby, lurking. But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t spot him in the shadows, couldn’t find him before he found her.
And stunned her.
Again.
Finally, chuckling, Tygr stood still in plain sight, and acted as target as he talked her through a few different ways of attacking various targets. “Better,” he said, when they took a break. “That last hurt a little.” He chuckled again.
“Thanks,” she said dryly.
While they rested, or rather she rested, they discussed various poisons and the best to use in different situations.
– – –
They made quick travel, but the nightsabers needed more rest in the heat and sunlight than they did in the cool shadows of Ashenvale. Tygr wasn’t so concerned about Vala resting.
“Again.”
Vala sighed and ran through the sequence of attacks again. Tygr shrugged off the stunning attacks, but acted as if they were affecting him, to lend verisimilitude to the exercise.
“Better. It takes practice to learn the exact timing. But once you do, you can keep your enemy incapacitated for a while, unable use his attacks, like spells.”
“And while I’m doing that, his paladin buddy comes along and squashes me.”
Tygr chuckled. “So that’s why you make friends and bring along one or two, yourself.” He thought in some cases she might need a full expedition. But, now wasn’t the time to bring that up. Tomorrow he would test her even more.
– – –
“How are you feeling?”
“Pretty sick.”
“Think you’d still be able to function?”
Vala gave this some thought. “I guess,” she said finally, sounding rather uncertain of this conclusion. “Not as well as if I hadn’t been poisoned. But, yeah.”
“Good. It’s important to know the effects, experience what they feel like. So you won’t be taken by surprise if another rogue gets to you.”
Vala nodded.
“Now, hit me.”
– – –
Soon they could smell the salt in the air.
Vala pulled her nightsaber mount to an abrupt halt, so suddenly that Tygr actually rode another couple of paces before he stopped as well. The small, well-armed band of orcs slowly making their way out of Ratchet had not noticed the two elves, but something about one of them caught her attention. Momentarily oblivious to anything else around her, she studied the orc, his mannerisms as he talked with the others, his features, even the sound of his voice as it came faintly on the hot breeze. Yes, she was certain.
“That’s one of them.” She spoke so softly that Tygr almost couldn’t hear her. Her voice held a note of malice and hatred that he had only heard before when she spoke of the scarlet commander responsible for Jani’s death.
“Vala.”
She turned haunted eyes toward him. “That’s one of the monsters who killed Grandfather.”
“Is that so? You can tell by his armor that he’s pretty experienced. So are most of the other orcs with him. Looks like they might have been doing battle with the Alliance, they’re ready for a fight. I might be able to take one or two of them, but I think if we try now we’re dead.”
Tygr signaled Vala to wait a moment while he rode up to the group. His Dragonmaw Orcish was rusty enough to get by, and a different dialect than the barrens, but he did manage a short conversation before riding back to Vala, still wiping at the sticky orc spit all over his mask.
“I got a name. We need to get that book before they learn how to use it. Or there might be even more innocents dead. After, I’ll teach you what you need to catch that orc alone and rip his throat out. Right now let’s get down to the dock before the Maiden’s Fancy sails without us.”
Vala nodded her agreement. Getting that book had to come first. But even as her nightsaber followed Tygr’s to the dock, her eyes followed the orcs as they traveled the opposite direction.
– – –
The storm that had lurked behind them all the way from Kalimdor finally caught the ship just short of its port in the Eastern Kingdoms. Vala braced herself on the deck in the driving rain and raging winds, reveling in the storm’s ferocity, a convenient rope gripped tightly in both hands. In the nearly constant flashes of lightning, she caught glimpses of the sailors expertly guiding the ship through the tempest. She would have liked to help, but really knew nothing about ships, so she just stayed out of their way and held on. She laughed in delight as a particularly strong gust of wind sent the ship crashing through the waves.
Tygr looked out the window over the sea and tried to laugh. “I don’t know how you can handle it. Steelbelly indeed.” He was talking to the Galley Chief, a well traveled dwarf who was also a member of the Blackwater Raiders.
“Sorry thar laddie, I donne have anythin ta give ye fer your queasiness.”
Tygr stalked back to his hammock in the belly of the ship and pulled some lethargy root from his bag. He bit off a large chunk and began to chew. It should have put him to sleep, but in the course of the tossing he tossed the root, and the remainder of his breakfast all over himself and the floor. He managed to get the mess cleaned up before curling up into a ball in a puddle of sea water behind some cargo barrels.
– – –
All too quickly for Vala, the storm moved off and, soon after, the ship docked at Booty Bay.
Vala stepped lightly to the dock, and executed a quick, exuberant spin in the shadows. “Whew, what a storm! I’ve never been in one like that before. That was thrilling!” She looked back at Tygr. “I’m sorry you couldn’t enjoy it.”
Tygr just growled at her and stalked past her in the shadows. Vala sighed as she watched him. She’d never imagined that someone could be so miserable from a storm at sea.
“So, what other training do you have for me?” She said quietly, catching up to him. “And how long do you think it will take before we get our hands on that book?” And the scarlet commander responsible for Jani’s death she added silently.
“Keep your teeth together. This isn’t the place to talk about plans. Let’s keep to the shadows until we catch a gryphon out of here.” Tygr stalked over the docks as angry as a half-drowned cat.
Vala glared at his back and followed him.
It was going to be a long flight. In the face of Tygr’s sour mood, Vala tried to amuse herself with watching the scenery pass below, but that pursuit soon ceased to interest her. She’d seen much of these lands already. She glanced over again at Tygr to try to gauge whether his mood had improved. Hard to say, but they would soon be halfway through the flight. At least their gryphons flew close enough together to make conversation possible, even over the wind noise. And really, all he could do was growl at her again. Or throw something sharp. She grinned behind her mask.
“So…tell me about that group of explorers. The ones who wear the red tabards with the gold flame and border. That Draenei lady is one of them; I saw her tabard.”
“Some people don’t even know that much about them. They’re called Veritas. I guess they all have their own reasons for being together. Profit, companionship, challenge, who knows? Why do you ask?”
Vala shrugged, acting nonchalant. “Just wondering. I’ve considered finding a guild that I can work with.” A place to belong; something she’d been trying to find even before this mess with the book had begun.
“I’ve looked at a few already, but don’t trust their motives or methods. I’ve tried to learn some about this group, this adventuring society. I’ve heard that they explore, travel to dangerous places, seek knowledge. Maybe even old artifacts. I’ve heard whispered rumors that part of their purpose could be to protect such things, maybe to try to keep them from falling into the wrong hands.” She gave Tygr a sidelong look. “Maybe things like the book.”
She shrugged again. “I’ve heard that they don’t play these political games that so many groups seem to. You’re the first person I’ve met that I’m certain knows at least one of those explorers. Just thought maybe you might know stuff to help me figure out what is true about them, and what’s just stories.”
“Sounds like you’re leaning in the direction of joining them. They’re a group of people. Whenever you have a group of people there are going to be people that don’t get along, people that want something others don’t want, politics. They have good leadership though.” Tygr appeared thoughtful. “They keep the problems to a minimum. They’re picky enough on who they let into their organization that you probably wouldn’t have to worry about overlooking too much. Assuming you could even get in. Thinking of going back and talking to the Draenei?”
Vala smiled. “I’d be very surprised to find a group of people that didn’t have some politics going on within their ranks. That’s not what I meant. I’ve heard that they, as a group, are pretty much not interested in the politics of nations or kingdoms. That they try to stay free of those political disputes. But they try to support the greater good, opposing those who would harm us all, who seek to destroy all life.” Vala sighed. “I’m not saying this very well. Anyway, maybe I’ll return and talk to…Siduri, that was her name, right? At least I wouldn’t be a complete stranger showing up at her door.”
Vala gave Tygr another sidelong look. “You seem to know a bit about their internal workings.”
Tygr laughed so loudly his voice easily broke through the wind. “I doubt they are all that noble. But they all aren’t out for themselves either. Technically they take no sides in political disputes. Personal disputes are another matter.” Tygr winked at Vala.
Vala nodded, thoughtfully. Yes, personal disputes were definitely another matter.
After another long silence, Vala spoke up again. “Do we have plans for when we get there, to Tyr’s Hand? Or do you anyway? I have a couple of thoughts, but not really any kind of plan.”
“I thought I’d leave it up to you. If you need me to do anything let me know.”
“Oh. Well, first is to actually find Isenham.” She grinned. “That’s pretty obvious. Then I figured try to learn his habits some, find out any place he might stash something important like the book.” She frowned at a sudden thought. “I hope he hasn’t given it to someone else. That would really complicate things.”
“Only one way to find out.”
As they finally passed over the mountains at the border of the Eastern Plaguelands, Tygr said something, pointing ahead and down. The wind snatched his words away.
“What?”
“When we get over the lake, jump!”
Vala looked ahead and down to where Lake Mereldar glinted in the moonlight. In moments, the gryphons would pass directly over it on their way to Light’s Hope Chapel. “Are you crazy?!”
She just knew that Tygr was grinning, even though she couldn’t see it. “Now,” he shouted as he pushed himself off the back of his gryphon and began falling toward the lake.
Vala followed his example and plunged toward the water far below.
((Continued in Part 5))