FVN Chapter 51.5
Chapter 51.5
Chapter 51.5
Travard and the other remaining members of Tyrs Guard, their ancient and now much-reduced order, watched as the deepest vault in Bastion of the Silver Hand in Stratholme was closed and tightly locked. Five fiendishly clever gnomish locks kept a dwarven forged vault door secured; the keys to these locks were given over to five of the most honorable and trusted people that Travard could think of to hold them.
From within the vault Lord Tyrs body rested once more, hopefully forevermore.
Thank you again for doing this, and taking us in, Travad and his fellows bowed slightly to the five men before him.
It is an honor, and the least we can do for your orders long vigil to protect our world, Sir Uther said, his fellow founding members nodding along as they stood with them. And coming to Capital Citys aid while we could not.
And fighting alongside our teacher in his final moments, Sir Turalyon thanked them, sadness still tinging his voice even after so long after the Archbishops funeral.
I simply wish we had been able to do more, Travard admitted in shame. We failed in our duties and it cost so many lives.
You did all you could in the face of such great evil and suffered greatly for it, Sir Gavinrad assured him. You went above and beyond the call of duty rushing to Capital Citys aid after the beast, this Zakajz, was broken free from his prison by Deathwing and most of your order was slain. It is thanks to your efforts that the Archbishop was able to lay it low.
He died like a true hero, and the Light holds him now, Sir Saidan continued. And now part of your ancient mission is done too, or at least you dont have to shoulder it alone. Im sure that soon theyll find a way to get rid of that eyesore of a corpse and well heal the damage it has done in time. The Light gives us strength after all.
Travad grimaced at the reminder of the not-quite-dead remains of the Corruptor in Capital City.
The region around the Cthrax had been quarantined through the combined efforts of the Church, Kirin Tor, and the dragons to prevent the spread of its dark influence. Thoradins sword was plunged once again through the creature to keep it from rising again and the former kings spirit, who dwelt in the sword, kept vigil over the remains of the foul creature.
That was to speak nothing of the Void Scar, as it was being called. The Corruptor traveled a wide, straight path from its place of confinement beneath Tyrs Fall, more commonly known as Tirisfal Lake, to Capital City. As it journeyed, its flowing blood tainted the landscape, causing mutations and changes. In addition, it unleashed a horde of repugnant, lesser abominations.
Like with the Corruptors corpse, efforts were being taken to quarantine the Scar and cleanse it with the aid of the so-called Dragon Queen, but the Void was insidious and the damage done was great. It was estimated that it would take more than a year to ensure most of the corruption was removed from the land, and significantly longer for everything to be completely restored to how it once was.
To say nothing of the near pitch-black churning lake itself and the unfortunate settlements that were in the monsters path.
Travad had seen the result of the creatures passing too many times while rushing towards Capital City, whole hamlets and villages reduced to nothing. Or worse, only partly destroyed from the Corrupters path itself and the survivors ravaged by its offspring or corrupted by its blood.
He gave what peace he could to those he could while on the move, and never with a light hand.
Worry not, for our newest allies will heal the harm that has been done, and we will be there to help them, Sir Tirion, likely guessing his thoughts, assured him. And now our Order will hold and defend Tyrs body as yours did for so long. Oddly fitting, given our orders name, he finished with a chuckle.
Travad couldnt help but agree given the symbolism.
The sad fact was that after Deathwings attack on Tyrs tomb, his order, never large in the first place given its secretive nature and known only to a few family lines, were now made up of less than a dozen members. In addition, when they took Tyrs Hand with them to Capital City the tomb had collapsed, a part of its ancient failsafe system to deny its secrets to Tyrs enemies.
Now the tomb was gone, Tyrs body had been securely moved to the Silver Hands headquarters, and their prisoner was now in quarantine in Capital City.
Thankfully the Knights of the Silver Hands kindness knew no bounds and had happily welcomed them within their ranks if they so chose. They were happy to take up the offer.
We are not as skilled warriors as you all are, but our order has long used the fighting styles of our distant ancestors and power provided by Tyrs hammer to aid in our mission. I hope in time we can all become proper paladins such as you, Travad stated with confidence.
Not unless I beat you there first, brother, his brother Galford ribbed him while punching him in the shoulder, raising chuckles all around from those present.
And we are honored to have you among us, Sir Uther said with a smile. And worry not, we will record and honor your orders history and traditions as well. Im sure you wish to keep up your duty in protecting Tyrs body after all.
Ideally, yes. But recent events show we cannot be idle either, and we hope you can count on us when we drive the Horde back from the southern part of the continent, Travad said with conviction.
But of course! More blades are never a bad thing! Sir Saidan laughed.
We hope we prove worthy of being new members of your family, Sir Turalyon said sincerely.
It would take some getting used to the loss of secrecy. Tyrs Hand had been made up from the blood of only a select few family lines over the millennia since their original giant ancestors and new members rarely joined through merit or marriage with all children raised to carry out the duty. Travad was sure it would be a good change in the long run.
But come, we must be on our way, Sir Gavinrad said as they all began their ascent into the Bastion proper, past hidden and well-defended doors. The scribes are eager to learn more about the truth of Tyrs past, our ancient giant ancestors, and more to add to our growing library about our noble progenitors.
After one last thing, of course, Sir Tirion said as they returned to the main floor of the Bastion and its central room.
Travad nodded as he went up to a recently installed plinth and gently inserted Tyrs Hand, the weapon he had not let out of his grasp since he had removed it from the tomb except for one time to let Archbishop Faol use it to channel the Lights power that day.
He stepped back and watched as the hammers radiant glow spread and seeped out throughout the entire Bastion, finding a new place to protect with its holy power. All could feel the Light flow through and energize them, its comforting warmth filling their beings.
May Tyrs Light shelter us all in its new home, and pray that the need to take up his hammer does not come again, Sir Uther spoke up.
Travad dearly prayed they never would have to.
----------------------
They both waited outside of the royal bedchamber, fidgeting in worry and barely contained anxiety that they fought to keep under control. The Kings Guard standing by the doors said nothing, standing in silent vigil, but in the privacy of their own thoughts, they could not help but pity them.
After all, no children should have to see their father cling to life.
They jumped as the bedchamber doors opened and Queen Regent Lianne Menethil walked through it, her children rushing up to her and looking at her with one simple unasked question.
Your father is well enough to see you both right now, she said with a small smile, her statement causing some joy to return to her childrens faces. But be calm and try not to tire him out too much. He needs his rest.
Yes, mother, Crown Prince Arthas and Princess Calia said simultaneously as they rushed past her and into the bedchamber itself. They quickly passed through the large room to their fathers bedside.
King Terenas Menethil II rested upon a large comfortable bed and was reclining in as comfortable a position as was possible. A high-ranking priest of the Holy Light was sitting by the kings bedside at all times to see to his health with a tray of potions and artifacts of the Light.
Sadly, despite all the care given to him, he was a shell of the man he once was. Gaunt, pale, and sickly looking, his horrid-looking injuries, covered by bandages and robes, caused him constant pain he could not escape. Most times it was a struggle for him to stay awake, but he sometimes had enough energy and clarity of thought to speak to his wife about the state of the kingdom, the Alliance, and most importantly about their children.
Once she became aware of the situation, Alexstrasza had personally come to Capital City to attempt to heal King Menethils injuries, but the Void had already done much damage to his body. As it was, it was a miracle he was alive at all and not corrupted by the Void, but even the stray shot on the palace from the C'Thrax had left its mark and crippled him.
The Dragon Queen claimed she would have been able to easily heal most instances of Void corruption, but the Cthrax who had attacked their city was known as Zakajz the Corruptor for a reason. It was well known for possessing an unprecedentedly virulent form of Void magic that constantly shifted and changed, which made any injuries from the creature extremely difficult to cleanse.
The Void was especially insidious and attempts to prevent it from further spreading throughout the Kings body had left him weak and often tired. During his best times, he smiled warmly and greeted his children lovingly despite his injuries and general lethargic state.
A true King stayed strong for those they loved after all.
My children, I hope you are well, he said weakly, reaching out to them. Brother and sister gently hugged their father so as to not cause him any additional pain. Keeping up with your lessons, I hope. I cant be looking over your shoulder all the time anymore.
Of course, father, Arthas said with a strained smile. Im studying hard, training in the yard every day, and I ride with Invincible through the city to look over reconstruction efforts.
Im using the bow now, too! Calia said with pride, before speaking again with some fear. I have to help protect everyone if a monster comes again.
Im sure it wont happen again, darling. But in case it does, I know you two will be there to protect our people, Terenas said with a strained but genuine smile. Just keep working hard and help your mother as much as you possibly can, but also find time to have fun for yourselves too. All work and no play will turn you both into dull elves, he mockingly warned.
His children laughed at his words, cherishing these rare moments when life almost felt normal for them again as they talked with their father about everything, from important matters to the most trivial of things just to have something to do with him since he could not move far from his bed anymore.
Already the Alliance was preparing a combined military force made up of the Seven Kingdoms, Aerie Peak, QuelThalas, the Church of the Holy Light and their paladins, Azjol-Nerub, and even a few of the Dragonflights to help reclaim it all and push the Horde back to the portal.
But there was much to be done at home still, such as dealing with other threats within their borders. Namely in the form of bands of Horde remnants who escaped capture into the countryside of various kingdoms that needed to be hunted down and dealt with one way or another. The last thing the Alliance wanted was threats at their backs while their forces were away, something Capital City had dealt with to terrible effect.
These remnants though would not be easy to find, their small size making it easy for them to disappear into the little-known places of the world. Which is why specialized task forces and groups were made to track them down, utilizing the skills and abilities of all the members of the Alliance while also encouraging interkingdom cooperation.
One of said groups would become legends in time, but for now were some of the most effective hunters of the Hordes remnants throughout the Eastern Kingdoms.
Rhonin of Dalaran, Vereesa Windrunner of QuelThalas, and Falstad Wildhammer of Aerie Peak.
Three unlikely people made allies, fast friends, and for at least two of them something more.
---
Rhonin still felt like a man who had to prove himself and make up for his mistakes. The Kirin Tor and the Council of Six, or Four as it currently was with Archmage Krasus leave of absence due to conflicting loyalties and Archmage Runeweaver still recovering from his injuries, had released him from his probation due to his brave actions in aiding in the defense of Capital City during the C'Thrax attack.
As an up-and-coming member of the Kirin Tor, Rhonin was as headstrong, reckless, and eager to prove himself as he was skilled in magic. Which is why early on in the war, his foolishness directly led to the death of several comrades. His actions were only forgiven due to the fact they helped prevent a group of orcs from using dark magic to summon a demon and cause more deaths.
Then came the Cthrax attack. Archmage Krasus or Korialstrasz, as he now preferred to be called, had commanded all available mages from Dalaran to defend the Capital City. He had yet to fully process that one of his teachers was secretly a dragon of all things for centuries. The fighting had been tough and he had found his magical spells barely sufficient in defeating the voidling creatures spawned by the monster.
Still, the whole series of recent events made it clear to him that he had much to learn, and not just about magic.
Thus when the Kirin Tor asked for volunteers among its members to assist in efforts to track down remnants of the Horde he had jumped at the chance, as a personal penance and further learning experience.
Which is why in recent weeks he had been traveling all over the Eastern Kingdoms alongside two companions, Vereesa Windrunner, and Falstad Wildhammer.
Their task was to track down various bands of orcs, trolls, and ogres who had escaped capture and either inform the closest army units or handle it themselves if they could. Despite his newly acquired respect for caution and clear thinking, he and his companions were usually able to deal with the Horde remnants themselves due to their not-insignificant combined skill.
Such as now
Warlock! he yelled out in warning as he unleashed a bolt of fire at the dark magic user, which was sadly blocked with a Fel shield. Rhonin parried another orcs ax with his staff before blasting him in the face with an arcane missile.
If someone could do something about that, that would be great!
Did you suddenly run out of spells, human?! Vereesa said as she fired off an arrow at a charging orc, downing it in a single shot.
No, but it's rather hard to cast anything complex while fighting for our lives! Rhonin pointed out as he let out a cone of frost to give them some space. Though fighting alongside a woman as deadly as she is beautiful certainly helps encourage me to try better!
Will a wounding shot encourage you more? Vereesa sneered as she dodged another strike and flashed out in retaliation with a dagger.
Depends on the wound! Rhonin admitted.
Thankfully, before they could be completely surrounded or the warlock could unleash any potent spells, lightning came down from the sky all around them as their third and arguably fourth companion finally arrived.
Sorry to keep you both waiting, but it seemed like you had it handled! Falstad Wildhammer laughed atop his mount and partner Swiftwing. The gryphon shrieked in agreement as it slashed through the orcs with his talons, while Falstads stormhammer unleashed small stormbolts into them as well.
Taking advantage of the momentary chaos, Rhonin finally had time to cast a proper spell and unleashed his own lightning bolt at the warlock, breaking through its shield and slaying it instantly.
After that, all that was left was the clean up.
---
Vereesa Windrunner did not expect her first official assignment as a ranger of QuelThalas to be as an escort to a human wizard and a gryphon-riding dwarf. Shed much rather be with her sister, Alleria, as the Alliance prepared to push into the southern part of the continent and drive back the Horde still located there.
But hunting down the foul monsters that were most likely a part of the force that attacked QuelThalas was a close second.
As for the why, beyond the fact they did so at all, well
The Horde killed my mother, my younger brother, and many extended family members when they burned through Eversong, she stated in a deadpan voice as she sat around the fire with her companions, the arrogant human and the savage dwarf.
Silence greeted her declaration.
Well Im sorry for your loss, Rhonin, in one of the few times since she had met him, said with no wit or sarcasm. And that I asked, honestly. Last thing I wanted was to bring up such fresh wounds. I was just curious why you were so willing to work with us and not other rangers, is all.
Although you vex me, I cannot deny your skill and both of your willingness to go into the deep wild places to hunt down our prey, Vereesa admitted. So you at least deserved the truth as to my motivations.
No need to explain yourself to us, lass. We get wanting to avenge kith and kin wrongly taken from us, Falstad said as he brushed Swiftwings fur and feathers. Just dont be overly eager to join them, is all. I rather think theyd want to see you again after living a long and happy life.
Indeed, Rhonin said. Your family wouldnt want you to destroy yourself seeking revenge on their behalf, but at least you are among friends and comrades who will support and back you up when you need it. We will help make sure their spirits and the spirits of countless others can rest well as we bring those responsible to justice. Just dont be too willing to throw yourself into danger is all. Speaking from personal experience, that is a fast way to getting yourself or others killed.
I will keep both your advice in mind, Veressa said quietly as she cared for her bow and arrows.
Maybe he isnt as vexing as I thought, she thought in the privacy of her own mind.
---
On the right!
I see them!
I got both your backs!
With each successful hunt, they grew more and more skilled as a team.
Rhonin as their magical fire support, Vereesa their tracker and sniper, and Falstad as their lightning-fast hammer and scout.
Orcs, ogres, trolls, gnolls, bandits, feral beasts; none could stand against them.
Of course, from Falstads perspective it was more than just their fighting ability and friendship that grew over time, however.
Watch yourself, human! I just had to save your life again, Veressa mock complained.
I am honored that you think of me so dearly that you are keeping track of each time, Lady Windrunner, Rhonin fired back with a smirk.
Only because who else would care about your petty life? Veressa countered, which was only betrayed by a slight blush on her face.
Like two alphas courting each other, these two, Falstad muttered so softly to himself that only his companion Swiftwing could hear him over the din of battle, the gryphon screeching in agreement as they both dispatched an ogre magi with talon and hammer.
Still, despite the ridiculousness of their courtship, Falstad was near certain the two would officially hit it off by years end, while Swiftwing was betting that it would be less than that.
And the bird was very good at gambling in his experience.