Aftermath ((open tavern RP after Leikos' transfer))

[Asarelah]

Asarelah wiped her hands on her apron. She had been digging in the pantry trying to throw some quick journey food in to a pack, and she found more dust than she did dried rations. It had not been that many days since Tasera had emptied the larder for her little trip home, to Shatterspear Village.

Lah shook her head, and smiled to herself. She had never seen such a mournful Troll as Theo was, over the missing Tasera. While she knew Tas was just fine, with the village elders, Theo could not be convinced.

Now, if she could just keep him from falling over the cliffs as she guided him to Tas' village, perhaps then he would realize that Tas could more than take care of herself, and any thing else that crossed her path that she didn't like.

Now where were those journey bisquits ???

[Theotaz]

Theo nervously packed the few items he was taking on the expedition. Little things, fishing hooks, some sin'dori made fishing nets. A few bolts of undyed cloth,wool, silk, and even a little mageweave. WHile he was packing Dulucre came in. "Theotaz. Sir. The women of the house are just a little.... well... curious.".

Theotaz slumped a little. "Curious are dey?" Theo lifted up from his packing and turned to look at the young warlock. "And what kinda curious dey be hint'n at?" He asked as he found a chair to sit on. Dulucre steeled himself. "They are curious as to if this is a courtship? I could not answer them. Customs can be so , so, ahh different. That and I honestly don't know. We're all a little worried about you."

Dulucre found a seat of his own while Theo sat and stared at the far wall for a bit pulling his chin in thought.. Dulucre sat nervously. He'd seen Theotaz in many moods in the year he'd returned to the house, but never like this. Theo cocked his head and said quietly. "You eva been in de love Blood Elf?". Dulucre stammered "Well ah, its a little different with elves, and ahh well, I"

Theotaz chuckled.."Ok, I tink dat be qualified as a no. Ok, Elf, customs may differ from tribe to tribe much less peoples. Love be Love. Der be types of love. For a child and for a parent. For kin, or a friend and companion, and dat for a mate! And den der be dat sweet long'n ya be gett'n for de one who neva see you as maybe der for dem.." Theo stretched. He looked right into Dulucre's eyes. "She don treat me no different den anyone else be male. She got stuff she be work'n on. When she get along wid dat maybe den she tink about a mate. Untill den I gotsa wait. Her, me we be far apart in de age. But when ya get older the difference not be so great. I prolly gonna have to wait till den."

He turned his gaze away from Dulucre to put on and seat his battle goggles. "De Lich King could not hold me against myself and my people despite terrible magics." He looked to Dulucre once more. "For over 4 years I been fight'n dis war against all dat be gone wrong in dis world of ours. De war nor be done yet. Der be a settl'n dat be called for. De human will not be allowed to be runn'n rampant over other peoples. And no one else either. We need to all build our strength. Because some day we gonna have to take down a Titan gone bad. But untill dat day be com'n I gonna keep an eye on dat gal." He stood, lashing his Axe into the carry sling, and shouldered up his travel pack and bags. Theo stopped half way out the door with the skin pulled aside and the daylight streamed brightly in haloing the Troll Death Knight in golden glow. "oh yea, you can tell de ladies dat yea, I be got'n it bad" And with a fliped wave a salute the stepped out of the hall.

Dulucre sighed and stood composing his thoughts as to what to ell to the ladies. He straitened and turned to head into the house only to halt very suddenly with Kheliosrhams palm in the middle of his chest, her face scant inches from his own. "So Theo is in love. I remember when he bought me that wedding dress. Shame the intended husband turned out to be a coward and a fake, and a far greater thief then I have ever been" Dulucre pulled back suddenly "Ahh What happened to him..ahh your intended that is" Khelio held up her dice bag. "Oh, he and I still play now and again." Dulucre swallowed reflexivly

Khelio gaze slid to the door, "He'll be fine. Lah be be along to lend a hand. She can handle the both of them. Theo tells me that it is not yet the time of madness for Tasera. It is a troll thing with thier kind. Trolls that mate young are not effected with it, but those that take up a lone path must go through it. Some tribes of troll to a lesser or greater degree. Those that become too dangerous are killed by the tribe. It is an old tradition to send young ones to another village during this time so that a loved one not have to kill them if they did not recover." SHe sighed "There have been ocassional misunderstanding, fueds, and wars fought over the actions of the mad." She cocked her head toward Dulucre, "And not just with trolls"

She cupped Dulucre's shoulder and steared him back to his seat. Sitting down she leaned forward and spoke some more. "I have asked about Tesera. She was feral I think. Her true tribe unknown. Nyx becomes her tribe. And, I think that she is feeling the coming of the madness. Some who go through the madness survive but are never the same. They loose themselves, they even are given new names."

DUlucre sat puzzled. "My people have fought against the Trolls on and off for thousands of years and this is not known." Khelio looked at the elf.."Which is why you have fought the Trolls for so long. Some of those wars were fought for no reason at all but ignorance. You Elves are not very good at seeing what is in front of you in some areas. Your people have had a great deal of arrogance in the past. Maybe getting the stuffing beaten out of you over the last few thousand years has done you some good, assuming you can survive the lesson."

Dulucre looked on her in utter shock at such rude words directed toward himself and his people. He stood to defend himself with words of his own to see Khelio still sitting with a look of questioning on her face at his sudden movement. He recalled what the Orcs had gone through, and how the actions of people of this world and eventually led to the corruption of the Orcs by the Burning legion, and the shattering of thier own world.

He sat down. "Orcs are not a subtle folk when they teach." Khelio nodded. "For good reason Dulucre. Subtlety takes time to work. Orcs mature fast, live at thier prime for a good many years, and then age very rapidly and painfully. Our lives are as a rule shorter then most peoples. Subtlety is for battle stratagems. Time is far to short for us to waste the rest of our time with it for usually no great good served other then selfishness's sake." Dulucre looked sharply at her. "Orcs judge from the result, not the retoric. You would show no small wisdom to emulate the practice" Dulucre bowed his head. "Thank you mistress, I will think on this." Khelio nodded. "Talk with your Cousin. Svalina knows much more then you realize." He rose to his feet and headed deeper into the hall.

Khelio kept her seat as the sound of Dulucres steps faded into the house. She sat for quite some time looking at the door of the house. A lone tear slid down her cheek. "Be safe you old troll" she wispered to the air.

[Aitana]

Orton Bennet in Curiosities & Moore was somewhere in Dalaran. He had to be. After all, Aitana had delivered infused mushroom meatloaf before. As usual her sense of direction failed her. In her frustration and hurry, Aitana almost ran over a group gathered in the street before she stopped to look around at the shops outside the Violet Citadel.

Whoosh

She thought she saw an elf salute her, and he laughed. That got her attention. It was none other that Tindr Thornleif, and now she had rabbit ears on her head. For a minute she stood staring in stunned silence. Here she was lost in Dalaran rushing about on her errands, and a Kaldorei deathknight that had previously been her captor put rabbit ears on her for no apparent reason. All she could do was laugh. Aitana was still at a loss for words when the priestess smiled at her. The face was familiar. She was the same one that had blessed her before the exchange. Aitana smiled back at her. If only Tasera or Asarelah were around. They would want to meet Kharena.

Thoughts of her tribemates brought her back to her senses. There was much to do. There was still the matter of the unusual runes on Asarelah's robes and that artifact, and Tasera was gone. Yes, there was much to do.

[Theotaz]

Theotaz checked the map again. He checked the time on his Gnomish Crono for. Raising his sextant he checked the angle of the sun. Jotting down the numbers he picked up and checked the ephemeris. Whuffing out a breath he closed the book with a snap. He glanced down at Crypt Digger, his ghoul of the moment. "Ho K, You right dis time. We lost." He cupped his hands to his mouth. with a deeep breath he shouted "LAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH". Listening he heard nothing but the wind and the wild.

He thought about the trail up here. He was pretty sure now that Lah had made a right turn at the rock face. Unfortunatly not being able to see through the heavy mist and the distorted echos had made it sound as if she'd gone to the left. It had been a more difficult trail being not a trail at all. He would have never had made this mistake back when he was a hunter. It looked as if the entire party had scattered.

It was all very strange, which was why he had not yet simply death gated away, and tried picking up her trail again. Somehow he was sure that he would see this troll village he'd never seen before. Something was influencing events. Or someone. It was all very curious. He jotted some items down in his travel log to check on later when he heard the most utterly delightfull female laughter he had ever heard from scant feet behind him. A spirit of peace filled him.

He turned toward the sound, batle instinct pulling his axe around to the guard. In front of him stood... someone. She was tiny but neither human nor elf, nor troll, nor any race known to Theotaz who by now knew of quite a few. She was quite exquisite for all that and phenominally attractive. <oh shit> thought Theotaz <there is just no way dis be good>. Her mouth opened "Come Theotaz, Death Knight. Do you not recognize me?"

Theo head cocked in puzzlement as he looked at the woman. "I do not M'lady if that be what you are". The woman nodded strongly "Good". She slipped a ring from a finger and held it out in her outstreached palm to the Death Knight. Theo frowned and picked up the ring. His mouth slowly opened as he beheld it more closely. He carefully returned the ring to the womans palm. He looked at her "But, but you be ... " She raised a well formed hand. "At your ease Death Knight. We need to talk." Theotaz looked at her in almost painfull shyness. "Ahh, M'lady is, looking well..surprisingly well." She looked to Theotaz and grinned "Must be the climate, now we really do need to talk."

And for long hours they did just that.

[Warburn]

Blacky was drinking water out of the aqueduct that snaked through Zul Drak. The water was crystal clear and ice cold. Warburn's Onyx Nether Drake was used to the frigid cold, and seemed to enjoy drinking the melted snow that flowed down from the Storm Peaks. The aging shaman sitting in the saddle scanned the plagued terrain. Down the steppe, about a league distance laid the remains of a giant prison he blew open, to free a giant imprisoned by the army of the troll Death Knight General. The thought of the prison led his mind astray.... he thought back to Azim.

Azim was imprisoned. Warburn ordered him to house arrest, had confined him to Orgrimmar. The simple minded orc was led to betray the clan which had given that warrior so much. Warburn had been mulling over the events Azim had a part in. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to finally make sense. A year ago, after the Black Dragonflights destruction of the Twilight Citadel - an item was rescued. An item the council of Nyx had realzied caused Onyxia's brood to leave the Wyrmbog for. Azim dah Mighty must have in his rage over the destruction of the Citadel and loss of life tried to destroy the item. The mace he used, an Unstoppable Force, must have, Warburn now realzed released something upon his friend... or at least something was done to him. For there was no other explanation as to why the Black Dragons managed to sew their influence in the Warrior mind. An influence that grew over the year, and eventually turned into mind washing control.

Last time Warburn visited Azim, the orc, in his dummy ways gave away the presence of foreign influence. And since then the troll shaman had wondered how to proceed with his old friend. However on that fateful night, in which Aitana was kidnapped - Azim disappeared. Taken over by the dragons control he stole the artifact the Aliance was after.

The might warrior did not remember what had happend, tho some of Aitana's truth serums coupled with Svalina's mind vision allowed the Nyx Elders to gain an understanding of the orc's controllers motives. It seemed Emberstrife, one of Deathwing's brood found out about the cursed artifact and wanted it for the dragon's evil purposes. Buruta, a young druid, one of Baelspar's recruits, died trying to follow the mind controlled Azim.

Azim, believing himself to be one of the Black Brood, strolled into the Wyrmbog and was granted dragon form by his masters. Luckily Tasera and the others picked up his tracks (orc warrior tracks aren't hard to find) and followed him to Emberstrife's lair....

With Emberstrife dead, and the artifact recovered, Onyxia slain - Azim finally got his (small) mind back. Warburn took it upon himself to punish his friend for the warrior respected the shaman more then anyone (except for Grom Hellscream, may he RIP). Warburn knew that Azim, as long as his thoughts were his own, would obey.

Warburn's thoughts returned to the present. As he willed Blackey to ascend Warburn's spirits fell... If only he wasn't busy taking care of Azim's court martial he could have been with his guild, protecting the artifact's return to safe storage. Perhaps the treacherous alliance forces wouldn't have re-captured it.

[Tasera]

The day was rainy, and the air thick with the moisture. All of her kin and relatives remained huddled within the confines of their huts, avoiding the weather, and taking time to enjoy the day off with their own troll weed mixture and local brews. They told stories of their Loa and spirits, and stories of troll heroism from the past. The stories stirred up stinging memories, and although the stories did not directly involve the young, quick to anger troll, they held memories to her still. They where stories that her father had brought over form across the seas, and there where also stories of the Shatterspear’s own history. A vibrant blending of cultures.

The day had become grimmer with the awakening of grim emotions. She got up quietly and moved from the hut where the historical tales where passed. The villagers noticed her leave, but thought nothing of it and continued to speak.

For the time being she had taken up residence in a small hut towards the edge of the village. It over looked the lake where she had been spending much of her time. It was quiet, and peaceful. Yet despite the peace that she was sought, she was slowly coming to realize, that this place she could not stay here for extended periods of time. The memories still ran raw wounds in her skin, and even though many faces had changed, the memories still lingered, she could not full accept it.

Lying back in her hut, Tasera stood stood at the straw roof that managed to block the drenching rain. She let out a deep sigh, “I wonda how Bane an da rest of my pets be doin’”. She thought briefly, looking over to the side of the hut to her weapons. Her memories wandered to the rest of Nyx. Lah, Aitana, Warburn, and even Theotaz, she began to wonder how they where doing. She thought about the room Tasera was staying at Lah’s and looked back at her hut.

She began to mumble to herself, “I wonda if any of da Nyx men could help me build my own place when I get back,”
The troll rolled over and looked out towards the lake. She’d wait to head back for now, despite the painful memories, it was still nice to be away from the action and headache.

[Asarelah]

Asarelah rubbed her arms as she awoke, and reflected back over what had caused their tenderness.....

Howling had been gone from her side for so long, that their last adventure together, which brought Thunderfury to his hand, was just a fleeting memory.… But now he was back. And he was furious with her….. absolutely furious.

((viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2128&p=12388#p12388)).

Two weeks back, Howling had appeared out of no where, snorting unholy frost, scourge light shining hideous anger from his eyes. Then he had lifted her up bodily, both his massive hands clutched about her slender arms, so that his iridescent eyes were on a level with hers; and she had thought she was done for. Had he not seen the tears welling at him from her heartbroken eyes, he might have shaken her to death, so great was his rage.

“HOW DARE YOU TOUCH A NIGHT ELF!!!!” he had bellowed at her in forthright fury. “You bitch!” his shouting continued. “EXPLAIN!!!!” And she had tried to explain - that she thought him gone forever - but he would have none of it.

It had taken much to soothe his rage, and he was still in a blind fury about the things he had heard whispered - which had provoked him to return to Dalaran after his long absence, and confront her. He had demanded she make it known that she belonged to him, whether he was at her side, or gone about his business of war. But he was still not satisfied - and likely would not be until blood price was paid for the attentions given her by those she had smiled upon. Whether her blood, or theirs, she simply did not know.

Lah rubbed her sensitive arms again, and a shiver ran through her. She reflected on impossible relationships, loyalties, duty, and honour - while remembering the touch of his hands, his luminous scourge-filled eyes, and the icy cold frost he had snorted at her in his raging fury.

There was no predicting what Howling would do, to extract vengeance for liberties he thought taken with his domain. No predicting what so ever.....

((Midday))
Asarelah hurried out of the kitchen, a scuttling drudge hot at her heels. "Do I have to show you how to dry the fish myself?" she questioned over her shoulder, as she all but ran out the back door, heading to the smoke shed.

Lah had expected provisions to be ready for her second attempt to lead Theotaz to Shatterspear Village in search of Tasera (the first attempt having ended badly, with the party scattered, and some finally wind gliding down in to the wilds of the Felwoods). But the kitchen drudges seemed to have lost their wits, when she had entered the kitchen to check preparations. There was not a single journey biscuit in sight, much less the hard pressed cheese, and smoked fish she had ordered readied.

Motioning the cringing drudge toward the drying racks to lay the fish, Lah tended the smoke fire herself. Trying to curb her impatience, she spoke gently to the trembling girl. "Mihimbi, this must be done, and now. Tasera is needed at once, and we leave on the morrow to fetch her!"

((Late that night))
With a great sigh, Asarelah laid her shawl over the back of her favorite reading chair, and looked at her pack full of notes with a grimace, as she wearily sat down.

She had just come from a Council of War meeting at the Nyxian stronghold on Fray Island, called for by Mistress Aitana. The rally cry to assemble had gone out to many other Horde Leaders. And the Nyxian Oracle was trying her dead level best to get the "pack of cats" who had responded to her call (all of whom had their own agendas) to walk in the same direction, at the same time, at the same speed, doing the same thing... for a few hours straight. And not just for the meeting - but for what would come next in the struggle with the Alliance over the thrice cursed Artifact.

"The struggle with the Alliance over that blasted Artifact!" Lah thought to herself, and sighed again. She had heard it rumored that Commander Tindr was going to use the Artifact on himself, to return life to his undead body.

"Howling," she whispered his name in anguish. While she had previously dared hope that the rumor might be true - that the Artifact might some how unlock the death grip which the Lich King had upon his Death Knights, restoring life to their deadened seed - she had come to believe with all her heart that it's use in this manner would just exchange one curse for another, with no inkling of what the final outcome might be.

Returning her thoughts to her pack full of hastily scibbled notes, she shook her head thinking back over the meeting. How on earth would she sort the mess she had scribed - and bring some sort of order to the frantic chaos of the assembly, with all the different voices and ideas still ringing in her head.

One thing she knew for certain, it would wait till the dawn. For now, she needed to make sure journey foods were ready, as fetching Tasera could not wait. She wondered if offering Tas her own plot of land, for a wee cottage on the other side of the garden - no doubt the Tribe would see something suitable built - might sweeten the pot to convince the wandering Troll to return to her duties pew-pewing for Lady Nyx. For the next day, Tribe Nyx - and all who would rally to their battle cry - was once again headed to War!!

[Leikos Darkwood]

Leikos leaned back against the large boulder near the icy shoreline. He watched as fish bit at the bait upon his hook within the small waters of the Tundra coast. He had snuck off during the day to clear his mind and prepare for the coming struggle with the Nyxian forces. The previous evening, he had spoken with his old friend, Tindr, on the topic.

"Thornleif, I can't help but feel that those we face are not our true enemies. We must destroy the Artifact at all costs."

The situation had become dire as more and more folk were drawn to the power of the Artifact. The lines were no longer clear, a shroud of darkness had flooded them. The old Kaldorei soldier had said on many occusaions to his troops that things would change once the Artifact was gone. It was all he could do to keep them determined and steadfast in their goal. Even then, strife had risen from the ranks several times, threatening to splinter their army. Leikos had done what he could to avert this. Yet he knew nothing would be definative until there was no longer anything to fight over.

Several times he had desired to travel to the Nyxian Compound and seek out Aitana or Warburn to see if matters could be settled peacefully but he knew thoughts such as these were futile. Despite the respect he had for the Nyx Elders, they were his current opposition. No matter how much he wished it, he was no longer just a simple soldier. Risking capture once again was foolish.

Leikos reeled in his fishing line, revealing an empty hook. He sighed. His day of fishing seemed to be as good as his feelings on the upcoming battle. As he packed his things a small Owl appeared upon the horizon. It flew swiftly towards him and landed upon his box of fishing instruments. Tied to its right talon was a small parchment. He untied it from the leg of the creature and read through the contents. Upon finishing the note, he let out a sharp whistle. A young worg pup came sprinting towards him, a dead hare in its mouth.

"Quite the catch, Beast. I'll prepare this for you later. We are needed elsewhere."

The young worg growled as Leikos pulled the catch away and placed it in his pack. Just to the west, a powerful bronze drake laid, eyes half opened. Leikos approached it and bowed.

"What is it, Darkwood?" the drake asked

"We are summoned." Leikos plainly replied.

The drake snorted and stood, allowing his wings to stretch to their full length, "Aren't we always."

Leikos smirked and tossed his gear behind his saddle. he picked up the worg pup and placed him in a small leather carrier to the right side of his drake then hopped into the saddle.

"To Dalaran, my timeless friend. The Council rallies..."

[Theotaz]

Theotaz woke to the morning air crisp in the mountains. He heard a whuffling grunt that was jsut a bit to familiar. Opening one eye he cold see all 4 of Bane's. The hound was sitting there both moths open dripping reeking bile apon the ground. Opening the other eye he could see Crypt Digger about half way up a near by tree looking on somewhat nervously. Sitting up he yawned trying to recall what he had dreamed of. and sat suddenly very strait. He.. he had slept.. he had dreamed. He had not slept since before he was raised from the dead to be a Death Knight by Arthus.

He could hear the faint sound of voices coming down off the hill. Moments later Lah, and Thomas Becket came over the short ridge above him. "Well there you are! I knew Bane would find you. I am somewhat surprised that he went after you in the first place. He was the first to notice you were missing and put up quite the ruckus! Theo? Have you been trying to bribe Tesera's pet?" Theo looked at her and grinned "I know betta, I used to be a hunter once apon a time! I had a good rest, and a talk, and a night sleep with good dreams" Asarelah looked at Theotaz in Puzzlement. "Visitor, sleep, dreams? Death Knights don't sleep, or dream as far as I know. Theo what are you carrying on about?

Theo exrended an arm with a bit of wax apon his hand. "An impression of the ring she showed me. Oh yes, She was here and not looking at all like she normally does." Asarelah looked at the wax impression "But what did she want?" Theotaz looked at Lah "She wanted to know if I was sure. If I knew what I risked. we just talked. It was like talk'n to my ma when I was small. Eventually I drifed off to sleep. And I dreamed." He looked up to her from where he sat on the ground.

"Da Lady she give me a gift of a nights sleep, and my dreams. Lets go find Tesera. I got stuff to say to dat gal, and I can't run from de say'n no longer." Lah just looked at Theo for a long moment, remembering all the odd bits of lore about the Lady. She shook her head lightly. "Well If on the off hand my sis is willing to consider you, we'll just have to see. But the Guild needs her. Things are coming to a head and we need all of our numbers especially our bravest and best."

Theo gathered his camp up while the rest of the party came over the hill crest above. The usuall round of mornings whent about untill Asarelah pointed down a nearby gully and said "That Way" leading off at a breisk pace. Bane snuffled at him anxiously which Theo found a bit parculiar in a hunters companion untill he turned away to follow Lah.

Several hours later they came to a deep rift in the mountains range they had been traversing. The sound of water and wind an unmuted thunder in there ears. They stopped on a small ledge that overlooked the rift. Asarelah cast a spell, repeating a pattern over and over again. When she finished she waved every one over the prepice by leading the way. Everyone rushed forward as she sank out of sight . One after the other the part y stepped off the edge and dropped.

Theo floated down in silence. She spell of Lah's casting muting the sound around him. Looking down between his feet he could see nothing but mist and shadow. He counted off the seconds he had fallen. At least a good half mile when he made out huts below him. Troll Huts scattered down the hountainside. He could see game pens and gardens. A lake slimmered deep blue with deapth. On it he could see a boat.. a fishing boat. could it be.. He activated his goggles. It was Tesera even now turning to look at the sight of a dozen bodies floating gently down from the mountain above.



<<more to come>>

[Theotaz]

The party gathered as they landed with Bane tear assing across the village to the end of the dock baying with both heads and making an awefull racket. Tesera was allready on her way back into shore. Pulling up at the dock she tied off the small boat. Tossing Bane a few fish she walked up the dock and to the approching party. "lah sistah!" she hailed "Whats all dis?"