Chapter 8 Chains.
Striding down the Keep hallway Souldefiler passed kneeling Devoted saying nothing to no one while her gaze stayed firmly fixed ahead. Suddenly a scream of anguish came from the throne room as Senna’s voice echoed through the chambers. Souldefiler turned and smiled as D’Rae and Zor came to her side.
“Mistress we report our progress.”
Souldefiler raised a hand and motioned for silence. “Do you hear her cries?” she asked as D’Rae and Zor looked past her.
“Yes Mistress” both replied.
“She wanted to be a queen, but I never said what she would be queen of…” said Souldefiler. “It seems she does not like being the Queen of mindless zombies and rotting corpses.” she laughed, turning. “Your reports?”
D’rae spoke first. “The Trade, Dwarven and Old Town Districts have been fully purged. Those who fell to their knees were taken to holding areas. Those who defied us paid the price. There are still pockets of resistance in the entrance and some City Guards hold the Gate, allowing survivors to flee.”
“Has Anduin been found?” asked Souldefiler.
“No Mistress, but Deverra and Belios believe Anduin escaped the city as they traced his tracks out of the city. They chose not to pursue and will return soon with their reports” replied D’rae.
“It matters not, he cannot go far. He will regroup not far and attempt to retake his City. He will return to find it not quite as he left it. Zor.”
Zor bowed and gave his report. “The Mage quarter and the harbor have been purged. No prisoners were taken. Our devoted guards prevented escape from the portals and the ships. The ships were destroyed and the harbor chokes with the blood and bodies of the slain.”
“Excellent.” said Souldefiler as she strode past them, meeting Deverra and Belios at the entrance. “Mistress” they said both kneeling. “Anduin has eluded us. We know not where he went.” Souldefiler walked past them and gazed up at the stature of Varian. “How unlike your father you were boy.”
The four Devoted shifted their glance behind them as Senna made her way down, her eyes blazing with anger.
“You lied to me!” she screamed striding past the kneeling Devoted. “You promised me Anduin. You promised me a kingdom to rule. But you gave me no Anduin, he escaped you and you left me a kingdom full of corpses and mindless zombies!” Sweeping her hand behind her she struck the rotting features of an undead as it rushed to her side. “This filth is only fit to serve other filth!”
“On the contrary” replied Souldefiler, still gazing at the statue. “I gave you everything you were promised.”
“You spit lies as easy as you spit on us” snarled Senna.
Deverra and Belios rose and stood behind her. Senna turned to them, her eyes blazing. “You simpering maggots. Kneel before your Queen!” she shouted. They remained standing. “Kneel I said!” screamed Senna. Still they stood.
“Then die you insolent dogs” shouted Senna as her hands blazed in fire.
But she never had a chance. Suddenly the air froze around her and she was encased in ice. Turning her gaze to her, Souldefiler softly laughed “Oh you silly girl, Devotion burns in you. But to whom.” She came round to face Senna, as Senna’s features in the ice came to view.
“You keep testing my patience Senna. I find it amusing. But I find it more amusing to torture you in this way.” The ice shattered and Senna fell to one knee and cast a lightning bolt at Souldefiler. Souldefiler moved her head and the bolt struck the wall of the keep. Then feeling her throat tighten, she gasped for air as Souldefiler lifted her off the ground.
“How many times must I show you how weak you truly are Senna? It seems you need a new lesson in obedience.” Summoning a Death Gate D’eea stepped through dragging a chain.
“I have a new gift for a cur such as you Senna” said Souldefiler. She nodded to D’eea who dropped the chain and took Senna’s shoulders, holding her fast. “This little necklace will remind you of your place.”
Dee’a clamped an iron ring around Senna’s neck and held her head up by her hair.
Picking up the chain Souldefiler knelt in front of her. “Every time you disappoint me, you will wear this collar. And I will drag you around like a dog.”
Attaching the chain to an loop on the collar Senna fell on her knees sobbing.
“Why me Mistress?” she whimpered. “Why do you single me out for punishment?”
The Devoted stood around her looking down on her.
“Single you out? You failed. As did one other.” Senna looked up as Souldefiler walked behind her and held her chain. “Senna was not the only one to fail me.”
The Devoted stood impassively. “Zor?” Zor knelt. “Mistress” Souldefiler stared at him icily. “You were ordered to secure the Mage quarter. You were ordered to prevent escape from the portals.” Zor swallowed. “I did as you commanded. No one escaped. My guard saw to it.”
Souldefiler shook her head. “No you did not. You failed to prevent the escape of many mages.” Zor swallowed again. “Mistress I… I await your mercy.” Souldefiler took tight hold of Senna’s chain as she dragged her towards Zor. “Do you see this Zor?” she asked.
“Yes mistress” Zor bowed his head. “You will not be so lucky. D’eea.” D’eea stepped forward. “Take him to the Ice. His soul will join the others.” Zor looked around wildly as D’eea came to him grinning.
“No… No You cannot… Mistress…” D’eea held him fast as a Death Gate opened. “hush now Zor” said Souldefiler softly. “Mistress knows best. You will be reborn into something more… fitting… of your station.”
Turning to D’eea who was waiting for orders, she smiled at her and said “Do make him scream.” Laughing, D’eea pushed him through the gate and followed, as it snapped with a crash behind them.
“Excellent. Now we hunt for Anduin.” as she strode past the visibly sighing in relief remaining Devoted.
Chapter 9. A mysterious disappearance.
Riding hard north, Shaw, Valeera and Gemellus passed through the plaguelands like the wind. Only stopping to refresh their steeds they passed through into the Ghostlands. The horses reared up as their hooves touched the Dead Scar and all three dismounted. “The land here still bears the scar of Arthas” said Shaw to Valeera. “Will it ever heal?”
Valeera nodded. “I fear not. The marks of the Scourge run deep in all affected by it.”
Gemellus walked past and bent down to pick up some of the defiled ground. Running it through his fingers he looked all around as if searching. “You miss something?” asked Shaw as Gemellus stood, letting the dirt drop. “She has not been here in many a day. We are strangely fortunate. But she will come this way to destroy Silvermoon. We must hurry to the Farstriders.”
Remounting he rode down the Scar. “Is he mad? He will surely die to the undead!” said Valeera. Shaw laughed and also mounted. “He will shield us from them, just stay close” and followed. Valeera mounted and also followed, riding hard to catch up.
They crossed the river and paused again on the green fields. “The Stones” said Shaw, pointing to the large monoliths east and west. “They are not meant to stop us” said Gemellus. “They serve another purpose. Come. The Farstriders await us” and he rode on. As Shaw began to follow, Valeera cried to him.
“Wait. The farstriders will kill us, we are their enemy.” Shaw nodded in agreement. “On our own most likely. But we have a friend who is their friend too. Come.” and both followed the dwindling figure of Gemellus.
They arrived at the Farstriders and dismounted. The Blood Elves came to meet them with drawn blades. Their leader held up a hand and commanded them to halt. “You are welcome here Gemellus. your companions are not. They must return whence they came”
“They are here with me” said Gemellus. “I will vouch for their good conduct before Brigan”
At this the elves started. “Is something wrong?” asked Gemellus.
“Brigan… Is missing. We do not know where he is.”
“Tell me” said Gemellus as his two companions came to his side.
“He left a few weeks ago on a secret mission to Kalimdor with Captain Nyfera. Neither have returned”
Turning to Shaw Gemellus whispered “this is ill news. Brigan would not fall so easily” Turning to the Elf he asked “Who is Nyfera?”
“A captain of the guard” replied the Elf. “She volunteered to assist Brigan”
“I see” said Gemellus, visibly shaken. “My Thanks” and bowed.
The elf bowed in return and all three elves returned to their outpost.
Riding back to the Plaguelands they camped for the night just across the river. Gemellus sat deep in thought as Shaw and Valeera prepared a meal. “Gemellus?” said Valeera as she offered Gemellus some bread.
“Thank you” he said, taking it and chewing on a piece he tore off. “This is bad news indeed” he muttered. “What fate befell you.” Shaw threw some more wood onto their fire and glanced at Valeera who was preparing to
bed down for the night.
“Gemellus…” he asked. “why does it concern you that this Farstrider is missing?”
Gemellus looked up from his deep thought. “He is a very skilled ranger. He would not fall easily to his enemies. I hope he has not fallen foul of powerful foes.”
“Do you mean the Alliance?” asked Shaw.
“No” replied Gemellus, “Not the Alliance. I had heard tales he had been part of a team that had engaged my sister and was the only one to return. Dark tales followed him, lies coated in jealousy and deceit.”
His voice trailed off. “He would not betray his comrades…”
Shaw poked the fire and sparks flew into the night air. “Who could have captured him?” he asked.
“Brigan would not allow himself to be taken by enemies. I fear he was betrayed by those he trusted.” He lay on his back and rolled over, his back to the fire. Shaw also bedded down and was soon asleep.
Gemellus slept fitfully, wracked in dreams. In his dream he saw Brigan crouch and crawl to a shrouded tent, as dark figures he could not make out crouched around him. he saw the fight begin, and saw the black figures flee the battle as the shrouded figures of Night Elves shouted and became fainter. Then he saw Brigan talk to the dark figures, and saw the heel of one crash on his head. he saw the figures open a portal, and throw Brigan in. and at the end, he saw a face of one he could never forget nor forgive.
And then he knew, where Brigan was. Awaking with a start, he saw the dawn not far off.
“Mathias…” he said, rousing the sleeping Shaw. “Wake up. I had a dream, almost a vision. I know where Brigan is.”
Groaning Shaw turned to face him. “Where?” he asked as Gemellus stood up and prepared his horse. “She has him.”
Valeera, now also awake, replied “She? Who is She?”
Gemellus continued to pack his horse. “My sister. Souldefiler. If she breaks him and he becomes her servant, she will gain an ally almost invincible. We cannot allow that to happen. We must free him.”
“Free him?” said Shaw, rising to his feet to also pack his horse. “We don’t even know where he is being held.”
“I do” said Gemellus. “He will be being held in her citadel deep in her island lair. We must go there and free him before he is lost.”
“Of course” said Valeera. “We will go with you.” Gemellus nodded. “First we must return to Stormwind and tell your Lords what has happened. We will require their aid.”
“Of course” said Shaw, “we leave immediately”. Mounting their horses they left the Ghostlands and returned to the Plaguelands.
Chapter 10. “A King without a Kingdom”
Anduin rose from his hiding place as the Devoted passed. Keeping low to the ground he scanned the area, and after making sure all was clear, he led his two young friends out of the undergrowth and into the Abbey grounds. Death and destruction lay all around, the smoke and flames of the fires continued to ravage the abbey as cries could still be heard inside only to end abruptly in screams. “Try to see nothing my young friends” he whispered to the two children as he led them through the burning grounds. Hoping that they would not stumble and open their eyes on the field of the dead, he carefully picked his way through corpses. “This way” he said, and led them into the hills. “We can rest here in this copse, they won’t find us here.”
The two children sat down and brought their knees to their chins, tears beginning to form as little rivulets ran down their filthy faces. “I want my mamma” said the girl as she pulled on Anduin’s arm. “I know, i know, we may find her” he said, straining his eyes for enemies. Seeing none he rose to his feet. “Come we must keep going, we are not safe here.”
The two children rose and followed him carefully, as Anduin crossed the hills and skirted the lake. Luck was with them the Devoted seemed to be concentrating no further than the logging camp for now. But Anduin knew by the end of the day the devoted would soon swarm the surrounding lands of Westfall, Darkshire and Redridge. “We have to keep moving” he said. As he crossed another hill he slid down the side and landed with a bump. The children laughed and followed him down, their spirits lifted.
Further luck was to be his, when they came to the outskirts of the deserted Lakeshire they came across a horse wandering alone. After checking for waiting enemies who had laid a trap, Anduin slowly walked to the horse and took it’s reins.
Beckoning to the two children he lifted them onto it’s back and walked beside the horse, leading it up the path into the Burning Steppes. Suddenly Anduin stopped as two figures came into view with their backs to him. He took hold of the children and hid them by the side of the road, and tied the horse to a burnt log lying nearby. Slowly making his way forward, his eyes widened and joy came to his heart as he recognized the armors of the Stormwind Guard. Calling to them, the Guards in surprise dropped to their knees and knelt before their King.
Calling to the children as he untied the horse, he walked towards the two guards and hailed them heartily.
“I am so glad to see friendly faces” he said, as the two children ran past him into the camp ahead. “How many more are here?”
“Not many sire” said a guard. “Most are survivors who fled before being caught in the slaughter. We have taken names but no one of note was found”.
Anduin nodded grimly. “Right now, every survivor is a person of note” as he walked past the two guards, who returned to their guard.
As he made his way into the camp the full horror of what had happened struck him harder with each step. The citizens looked on him coldly, he could feel their bitterness as he walked amongst them. Their eyes following him as he made his way to the group of tents at the far side, his face became ever more grim. “I have failed them. I failed them all. As a King. As a leader.” he said as he entered the main tent. Soldiers inside snapped to attention.
“King Anduin!” cried the captain as he fell to one knee. “You are alive!”
“Yes I am alive.” replied Anduin as he took his hand and shook it. “What news? has anyone else survived? Is there anyone coming to aid us?”
“Not that we know of sire” replied the captain. “Lord Greymane is still detained in Kalimdor, it is unlikely he has heard of what has happened. We fear he will return straight into their hands. Lady Proudmoore is still nowhere to be found, and Lord Turalyon and Lady Windrunner are also unaccounted for. Master Shaw and Valeera Sanguinar are still to return from their mission. Again they may walk straight into Souldefiler’s hands.”
Anduin grimaced. “Do not even mention that name.”
He reached for a glass and filled it water. He drained it and looked at the inside of the empty glass, and muttered coldly “Nor hers” and broke the glass in his hand. “Sire? Allow me” said the captain as Anduin sat down and allowed the captain to dress his wounded hand. He looked up to the remaining guards. “Go and organize search teams for supplies, but do not stray far, we cannot afford to lose even one man until we regain our strength.” he turned to the captain.
“Does Souldefiler know where we are?” as he winced as the captain removed shards of glass from his palm. “Unlikely” he replied, “we took great care to cover our trails. But she will eventually find us. I suggest we move further into the Steppes, perhaps garrison Blackrock.”
Anduin nodded. “I agree. When can we move?” The captain stood as Anduin
checked over his bandaged hand. “In a few hours sire. most of the people are exhausted, but they should survive another trip further into the Steppes with soldiers and their King to lead them”
“Then we have no time to lose” said Anduin. “Prepare to leave.” The captain bowed and left the tent. Anduin sighed deeply as he heard the voice of the captain shout orders for everyone to prepare to leave. Anduin stood once more and exited the tent to face the remnants of his people. Drawing courage he addressed them clearly.
“My friends, today we suffered a great tragedy. Every one of us suffered a personal loss today. I cannot begin to seek your forgiveness for my blind folly. I can only hope I can lead you to safety, and one day, return justice on the one who did this to you. To us.” he knelt before them. “I beg your forgiveness for now, and allow me to lead us to safety.”
The crowd murmured softly. “We have lost everything today King Anduin Wrynn” said one clear voice.
Anduin looked up as the voice came from a young woman. “But we will follow you, and hope you bring justice for our loved ones.” Suddenly the two children who Anduin had saved cried in joy, and ran to the woman who spoke. “Mamma!!” they cried, and the woman fell to her knees and hugged her two children, tears flowing freely.
“How did you survive” she asked. The two children ran to Anduin and took a hand each. “King Anduin saved us” and looked up at him smiling. At this the crowd all knelt, and Anduin smiled through tears. “I promise you, I will bring retribution to our enemy. But now we must journey to Blackrock, and strengthen our hand against she who would kill us all. Follow me my friends, and the soldiers will protect you. As will I!”
He raised his sword and the crowd cheered, and dispersed to pack up their belongings and move on.
Riding hard through the lands Gemellus, Shaw and Valeera made their way into the Steppes. Dismounting Shaw called to Valeera. “Something is wrong. I see smoke.”
“Of course you see smoke” said Valeera. “Did you forget where you are?”
“No I mean from the southwest.” said Shaw as he strained his eyes.
“He is right” said Gemellus. “That smoke does not come from the mountain or the fissures surrounding us”
"What does it mean? said Valeera coming beside them. “My eyes are sharper, allow me” she said. Holding a hand over eyes she now saw where the smoke came from. Her eyes wide, she turned to Shaw. “Stormwind burns!” she gasped.
“What?” replied Shaw as he twisted round to her. “Stormwind burns! Then we were too late!” he cried, now twisting to Gemellus, who said nothing. “We are too late!” he cried, “Souldefiler came while we were delayed and destroyed Stormwind”
Gemellus mounted. “We shall see for ourselves. We must hurry.” Mounting Shaw and Valeera followed him east to Redridge.
The procession led by Anduin carefuly picked it’s way through the shattered lands to Blackrock Mountain. Suddenly the captain called a halt. “What is it” asked Anduin as he swayed in his saddle. “Riders sire. three of them, riding hard to us. They cannot see us due to the fumes, but I can see their shapes through the steams”
Anduin dismounted. “Call the guard. prepare for battle, they must be destroyed, no one can learn of our presence here.” said Anduin as he drew his sword. The guard all prepared as the civilians huddled down, fearing the worst.
Slowly the three riders came into view. "The captain stood by Anduin. “They do not look like those Devoted” he said. “I agree… strange chance this is” said Anduin.
The figures drew closer, one picked up speed, then another. the third slowed to a halt, the it too galloped towards them.
“It cannot be!” cried Anduin in joy, as he sheathed his sword. “Of all miracles this is most welcome!” he cried turning to the captain, who also had a look of relief. The crowd rose murmuring. Suddenly a voice broke “It is the Spymaster!” and the crowd cheered.
The three riders drew closer to Redridge. Valeera shouted to her companions “I see lots of figures ahead, a small host but armed and many follow” Shaw nodded “I see them too but they are still too distant to make out. Should we engage?”
“No” said Gemellus, “we should try to ride past them. Most likely it is refugees, they will only hinder us. Ride on”
Valeera cried out wildly “Hinder us? It is the King!” and she spurred her horse forward. “By the light, she speaks true!” said Shaw as a broad smile took hold. “We must aid him!” and he too spurred his horse on to meet them.
But Gemellus reined his horse in. “I cannot deny you this joyful moment” he said to himself. “But there is much to do. My sister will come for us. And if she finds us. She will destroy us. To the last living child”.
Shaking the reins, his horse trotted at a small gallop to the gathered figures before him.
she really needs to behave better 