Friday, July 31, 2009

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 7

EbonbladeJune 29th, in the 28th year after the Dark Portal was opened

Mage District

Stormwind

Faylian looked into the shattered mirror in her room at the Slaughtered Lamb and glared at the very angry woman she saw in it’s shattered pane. She just stood there looking at herself seeming lost in frustrated thoughts.

That Fel’ing necromancer had defeated her attempts to locate his sanctuary. Damn Mourne anyway!

“As long as he is hiding away in his tower being secretive he could be a threat to Andreyn and Myrandriel. Moreover he is a necromancer not under the control of the Ebon Blade. He could become a threat or rival to the order. Even if his motives are pure his failure could reflect badly on the Ebon Blades and turn opinions in the Alliance against us.”

“You should trust Myra’s instincts more. She trusts him. You trust her. That should be enough.”

It had all started when Faylian had encountered one of Mourne’s undead constructs in the common room of the Slaughtered Lamb. Leigan had not seemed particularly intelligent and she had befriended it. Even gifted it with a ghoul of her own creation to help supplement Mourne’s growing list of undead servitors.

Of course that ghoul had been altered slightly. It had been magically enhanced so that she could locate it anywhere on Azeroth. But when she had stormed the scene with a squad of Ebon Knights accompanying her they had found nothing. Leigan had apparently not brought the ghoul home after all.

And so here she was back at the Slaughtered Lamb starring at her newly broken mirror in frustration.

But only for now. She would have another chance soon enough she was sure.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 6

Ebonblade June 28th, in the 28th year after the Dark Portal was opened

Mage District

Stormwind

Dame Faylian Lanstryde, Knight of the Ebon Blade, paced back and forth impatiently in her rented room in the Slaughtered Lamb. The whispers were back. Not as insistent this time, not demanding she go one way or another. Instead they just commented. Sometimes they gave advice. But whisper they did even now that she was awake.

She had spent much of the night talking with Myrandriel Windmoon-Brightvalor. She had learned much about both Brightvalors in that conversation. Learned how they had met along with much of their shared history as well as just how strong their bond really was. They made Faylian’s heart ache as she remembered her husband Pavel as well as Alanus. She envied and admired them. They were like a precious jewel that she liked to take out and examine for it’s beauty but never wear for fear it might be damaged.

“You like the Brightvalors. You see in them what you could have been. You find acceptance and a feeling of family from them and you admire the bond they have with each other.”

“You owe them a debt. You must repay it if they are to be useful in your mission.”

So what if she did like and admire them? She was allowed that wasn’t she? She’d earned such an indulgence hadn’t she? She was allowed ONE connection surely?

 “Until the Lich King takes them away too. And then where will you be? Can you withstand another personal loss of that sort?”

No… no she could not Faylian knew. One person could only endure so much. Faylian knew where her breaking point was and it was very near. The pair was as much a weakness as they were a strength for her.

“Then protect them. Make sure what has happened to you will never happen to them.”

“If you insist on this WEAKNESS then I agree. Use any means necessary to keep them safe. Eliminate any threat to their safety with extreme prejudice.”

Faylian relaxed as the voices agreed. Finally she had a course of action. She would aid them in their efforts as she had promised last night but even beyond that she would keep them alive and together… at any cost.

SOMEONE would live happily ever after Faylian decided. She would see to it.

Other things had been discussed during her talk with Myrandriel. Faylian had told her more about Alanus as well as hinted at some of the darker things even the dream had not shown the pair. Myra had called her beautiful and said that she had a large heart. Had told her she was still HUMAN even if she were dead.

Faylian had been shocked. The thought seemed so alien to her. But Myra claimed she could not have loved those who had been taken from her so very much if she was heartless and Faylian could not fault the logic try however she might.

They had discussed Faylian’s pet, the black owl she had named “Pavel” after her husband. Myrandriel had seemed quite distressed that it seemed to dislike her… and everyone else. She had tried to talk to the animal and she had claimed it could not speak “owl”. Then she had tried to project thoughts into Pavel and discovered he was not a natural beast. Almost as it it were only half in this world at all.

Well Pavel had always been a little strange. It had just shown up one day not long after the fall of Capital City during Faylian’s long trip alone to find refuge… a refuge she ultimately found in what would become the Scarlet Crusade. It never seemed to require food from her. It never seemed to require anything form her at all in fact. It was just always there. Encouraging her mission and seeming to hate anyone who drew near her.

It was a strange kind of loyalty but a loyalty nonetheless.

The owl was always there. Even after she had become a Death Knight. And then when she awoke yesterday there it had been at Ebon Hold waiting for her return. Just like that.

“Some things just are. You have more important things to consider.”

Of course she did. She had to help Andreyn and Myra. She had to keep them safe. And in time the Highlord would have a new assignment for her and she needed to push herself so she would be fully recovered at that time.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 5

Ebonblade Faylian awoke and found herself on the ground of the ruined New Avalon church, her head resting peacefully in Myrandriel’s lap, who was looked down at her with concern and… affection? Andreyn was harder to read but he seemed to Faylian to be less stern and just a little less gruff than usual.

Faylian felt weak after her long sleep and remained where she was. She could feel Myrandriel brushing her hair from her face and for a brief moment Faylian felt as if she were safe and loved… as a child would with her parents.

She listened as they told her of recent events. Of the fall of the Scarlet Onslaught and how Dominika had risen to take control of the final remnants of the Scarlet Crusade. Andreyn and Myrandriel’s own separate attempt to restore a TRUE Scarlet Crusade free of all corruption from the Burning Legion.

They came to her because they needed her. Or more accurately they needed General Abbendis. She was to raise Abbendis from the dead and then serve as a liaison between the new Scarlet Crusade and the Ebon Blade.

She would serve two Highlords it would seem: the Father and the Son. Alexandros and Darion Mograine: one a spirit residing in the Paladin before her, and the other a Death Knight and head of Faylian’s order.

In the form of the Lich King death had become the enemy. But now it would seem death would also become a second chance to make matters right.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 4

Ebonblade “He cannot be host to Alexandros Mograine’s spirit. Blasphemy!”

“You are still here even though dead are you not Faylian?”

Andreyn straightened, turning to face the newcomer. "So we come to the end, eh? Will you answer the call of the Flame, and the Son, or will you continue to hide here inside this prison of your own making?

"I hide from nothing!" Faylian shouted.

Yet another Faylian emerged from the mists, this one dressed in a fine icy-blue dress, though still with the physical look of a death knight. The newcomer arched a brow and commented: "She hides from me."

The Faylian-in-saronite glared with hatred at the newest arrival.

Andreyn rumbled quietly to himself... subsiding a bit. "So. We come to the truth of the matter."

From the skies above the cry of a bird of prey sounded, and an owl black as midnight landed on Faylian's saronite-clad shoulder, it's talons clutched her possessively. "I repeat, I hide from nothing," she said more calmly.

"I suggest you both leave now," the death knight continued sternly. "While you still can."

Myrandriel narrowed her eyes slightly as the owl appeared, eyeing the creature. "No, I don't think we will. My Lord and I came for your help, and we've no intention of leaving without it."

Kill her and his strength will be gone.”

In the real world Faylian’s hand suddenly grasped Myrandriel’s throat tightly and began to squeeze.

Back within the dream Faylian hissed warningly: “Leave!!”

The Scarlet paladin watched the armored death knight evenly. With a thin smile, he rumbled, "Light's will be done..."

Raising a hand a blast of blinding red-laced Light arcs across the space between them, straight for the owl. "You took the oath of the Flame, Crusader. To walk always in the Light."

The Owl glared with hatred at Andreyn before vanishing in a burst of light. The saronite-clad Faylian growled: "The Light has done NOTHING for me! I owe it NOTHING!"

Back at the ruined church outside of the dream Faylian’s grip tightened on Myrandriel’s throat beginning to strangle the life out of her now.

Andreyn stepped in front of the armored death knight seeming to loom over her small frame. "And WHAT have you done to GIVE IT CAUSE?" he thundered. "How long have you wallowed in your self pity, never looking beyond your own misery? Do you think others have not suffered as greatly as you?"

"I have lost my -home-, my -Order-, and my -life- to the Scourge," he growled. "It is only through the Light that I -have- this life... and the hope to start the Crusade anew. As it SHOULD have been."

The Faylian clad in the icy-blue dress walked over to Myrandriel in the dream. "She did find love once after her death you know..." she trailed off with a sad smile. "We did almost feel alive for a time."

Faylian glared at her twin* "Silence! Or I'll squeeze the life out of her!"

Myrandriel’s physical form in the real world begins to gasp as she desperately tries to breathe.

"She sees me as a weakness... wants to deny I ever existed," the Faylian in the icy-blue dress continued. "She's been fighting against me for months.”

Myrandriel’s mental form flickered, but she still smiled to the Faylian in the icy-blue dress. "So it often is. I don't doubt even I had fought myself, once. Tell me about this love of yours?"

"He was my mentor... the one who taught me how to survive as a death knight. His name was Alanus and even under the Lich King he was free... worked against him. Always he was a paladin at heart. The Lich King could not break him. He was so much stronger than I ever could be."

The saronite-clad Faylian laughed bitterly: "He was too weak to do what was necessary to win, and he could not stand to look at us anytime he suspected the truth!"

Myrandriel tilted her head. "I wouldn't say that. You're here, aren't you?" She smiles softly, reaching over to place a hand on Fay-in-a-dress's shoulder. "All of you are here...all of you can be one, and whole."

The other Faylian smiled sadly: "He made us feel human and alive, and he would not allow us to get away with being anything less. No matter how hard we tried."

The saronite-clad Faylian sneered: "Survining is not victory. Would there be death knights in the Retribution without MY efforts? Would Rhune have been eliminated as a threat or Dominika cowed? Ha! -I- dealt with them! Not Alanus. Not YOU. My methods. Nothing else!"

Andreyn snorts, "Dominika has hardly been cowed. If anything, she's become more of a threat than before.”

"She did not interfere with the Highlord's intentions for the Retribution. That is all I need concern myself with." The saronite-clad Faylian answered back.

"She knows Alanus would have left us if he found out what we did. That is why she hates me... because I care that he would have," the Faylian in the icy blue dress responded.

"As I said... weakness," the saronite-clad Faylian whispered.

"I wouldn't call love weakness." Myrandriel shook her head. "It is my love for my Andreyn that gives me strength, my love for my land that gives me my power...no, love is not a weakness."

"It only creates pain and sorrow!" the saronite-clad Faylian screamed with rage.

Andreyn graveled softly, "At its heart...was it not the love of a son for his father that freed the Blade? Not the rantings of that fool Fordring; he would have –died- without Darion's sacrifice."

"It's too much... I can't go through what I have twice already yet again... I just can't..." the saronite-clad Faylian whispered desperately. "I don't want to rejoin with her. Please... don't make me... I can't do what I need to with her in here with me."

Myrandriel’s face in the phyisical world begins to turn blue as Faylian’s seemingly iron grip remains in place.

Myrandriel’s form flickered again, even seeming to fade slightly. "Faylian, dearling...it hurts. I know it hurts. But would Alanus truly want you to be so miserable on his behalf?"

"He'd be disappointed in me... he was always disappointed in me when he knew... whenever he found out... how can I hope? What is left for me now? Just vengeance and oblivion,” the saronite-clad Faylian said in a small, hopeless voice.

"Without heart," the red-clad paladin rumbled, "You cannot appreciate what you have to gain as much as you feel the pain of what you have lost. You become a machine... and whether Ebon Blade or Crusader, you would be wasting the Son's gift to ignore it.”

He regarded her critically, "There is much to gain here, Lady Lanstryde. But you will never see the potential of it if you deny hope."

“I should have died that day in Capital City... I don't have the right to anything more than my simple goals." Faylian said all emotion drained from her.

"On the contrary. It is because you lived that you deserve far more than this." The slowly fading Myrandriel placed both hands on Fay-in-a-dress's shoulders, turning her to the saronite-Fay. "You were happy. You must remember that happiness, and strive to reclaim as much of it as you can."

Andreyn rumbled quietly. "All things happen for a reason, whether we as mortals can see them. I served the naaru for nearly two years... if there is one thing I know, it is that. You were raised in Faith, you fought beneath the colors of Faith. How can you turn away from Faith now, when at last you need its comfort?"

The Faylian in the icy-blue dress stepped forward holding out her hands: "Reclaim me... you may even find me useful in your mission. We still want the same things my twin."

The Faylian in the saronite armor stepped forward slowly, glancing at the others uncertainly and seeming very vulnerable for someone clad in the armor of a death knight. Very slowly she clasps the other Faylian's hands in hers.

"Th... they wouldn't help us if they knew what we had done." she whispered.

Andreyn stepped back slightly, watching. His outline seemed to have stopped blurring, though he did look subtly different somehow. "We all have pasts. What is important is that we learn from them in order to move forward."

Faylian’s grip began to ease on Myrandriel’s throat and the druidess managed to suck in a breath of glorious air.

"It does not matter. We have all...done something we regret. The past is there to learn from, but not to rule us." Myrandriel smiled softly, her form starting to solidify. "Become one again, Faylian. Be yourself from now on."

Faylian’s hand released Myrandriel’s throat and fell to the floor at her side.

The Faylian in the icy-blue dress smiled encouragingly and the saronite-clad Faylian took a deep breath and released it.

Then in a flash the dream world was gone.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 3

Ebonblade Faylian watched the pair from both everywhere and nowhere at once. Watched as they stared around in horror at the mutilated wreckage that had once been her husband and children.

"She was...oh, Goddess..." murmured Myrandriel in shock. "Faylian...? Lady Faylian? Where are you?"

She watched as they discovered the wall behind which the safe room was that had hid her past self from the Scourge. But before they could find a way to open it another Faylian walked into the room; one dressed in full Scarlet Crusade regalia and tabard. Her eyes burned with a zealot’s fire. "She won't be any good to you now you know..."

“We came to seek the help of both of you, Sister." Myrandriel stated.

Faylian hissed in response: "She cannot help you. She is useless and weak. She sat there in that safe room and listened while her husband and children were dismembered and eaten alive!"

"Did she? And you would not have, I assume?" Andryen rumbled quietly, brilliant blue gaze resting on the woman.

"What could she have done?" Myra spreads her hands, shaking her head. "Against the dead...what could she have done to save them?"

"I would have opened the door and died with them!" Faylian’s past self screamed.

Andreyn merely asked, "To what end: one more meal for the ghouls? Or perhaps a soldier for their master..."

"Coward! I should kill her myself." Faylian started toward the wall.

Andreyn snapped out a hand to catch her and not particularly gently either.

Faylian's eyes narrowed at Andreyn. "Remove your hand from me."

"I would have opened the door and died with them!" Faylian’s past self screamed.

Andreyn merely asked, "To what end: one more meal for the ghouls? Or perhaps a soldier for their master..."

"Coward! I should kill her myself." Faylian started toward the wall.

Andreyn snapped out a hand to catch her and not particularly gently either.

Faylian's eyes narrowed at Andreyn. "Remove your hand from me."

"This is not the action of a Crusader," he stated quietly, though his voice had steel under it. "A warrior of the Light does not lash out blindly. Focus, and turn your betrayal into a weapon against the true source, not against things you cannot change."

"Do you want to see what a true Crusader is capable of?" Faylian sneered.

Faylian looked at Myra coldly as the mists swallowed the room up once again and then pull back, revealing a new room. Now the pair stood somewhere deep in the dungeons of Tyr's Hand. Faylian now stood before them as a full Inquisitor of the Scarlet Crusade. Before her is a rack with a Cultist of the Damned strapped upon it.

Faylian's face seemed perfectly at peace for once as she said: "I know I have broken you hours ago... have taken what you knew... from this point onward it is only for my own amusement corpse lover. I intend you to give me DAYS of enjoyment."

"Torment of the wicked--hell on earth, exacted by the victims. Am I not correct?" Myrandriel asks.

Faylian stared Myrandriel down, "I have the right."

Andreyn rumbled ominously. "And you would waste your time in this when your duties should occupy your mind and heart?" He grabbed her shoulder and spun her to face him. "Fool. Giving in to this is equally as worthless as groveling in terror and fear. You waste your time, and waste your efforts to no good end."

Faylian blinked at Andreyn and nodded slowly. "Perhaps."

"There is no perhaps. This is the path of falsehood and unrighteousness," Andreyn growled, that scarlet haze rippling around him. "We do what we must, but we do NOT give in to the temptations that cling to our enemy. THIS is what gave the Legion its claw hold in MY Crusade. A true Crusader knows the difference between what is needed and just and what serves only the self."

"YOUR Crusade? And who are you to claim ownership of the Crusade? To pass judgment over ME?" Faylian sneered.

"I. Am. Your. HIGHLORD." It barely sounded like Andreyn...and for a moment, just for a moment... he didn’t look like Andreyn at all either. Instead he seemed possessed by the spirit of Alexandros Mograine himself, original patron of the Scarlet Crusade.

Faylian took a step back, hesitation showing in her eyes. "You... are not the Highlord... he wouldn't consort with the likes of HER." Faylian pointed at Myra disdainfully.

Myra smiled softly to herself. "On the contrary. Highlord Mograine oversaw my oath himself. He knows the value of the skills other races may bring to the Order."

"This is no longer the heyday of Lordaeron. Have you looked around you lately? With the betrayal of the Onslaught, Lordaeron is shattered, empty. Stormwind's King is obsessed with the wallowing Horde. I have the sense to see that we need what allies we can find that will accept the banner of the Flame, regardless of the color of their skin. This is a war of the living against the dead, Crusader. Remember that."

"She cannot understand. You speak of events that have not happened to her yet HIGHLORD," a cold voice says. A new form emerges from the mists from behind Andreyn, this Faylian clad in the Saronite Armor of an Ebon Blade. "I understand. The Lich King unified us all with death's embrace."

This Faylian looks at the pair coldly, with none of the fire that Inquisitor Faylian showed, but with equal determination and resolve. “Now you must deal with me as I am today.”

Monday, July 20, 2009

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 2

EbonbladeJune 27th, in the 28th year after the Dark Portal was opened

New Avalon

Eastern Plaguelands

The voices were whispering. Always whispering.

The last thing she could clearly remember was standing on the streets of Stormwind a letter clutched in her hands and then… the oblivion of the mists overtook her and she knew nothing else. She knew the mists could not be real. She knew the towers she could just barely make out through the fog could not truly be Capital City for it had long since been lost to the Scourge.

The only thing she truly knew were the whispers in the dark.

“Awake! You are a weapon forged by the hand of the Lich King himself. Weapons do not slumber. Weapons do not dither. Weapons do not stay locked with indecision! You have a special destiny: to slay the hand of he who forged you. Kill him and those he has taken from you can rest.”

“You are not just a weapon. Awake and discover you are still human. Awake and put the past behind you. Honor those you have lost by beginning anew.”

The whispers pulled her from the mists but in opposite directions. She could not decide.

“Remember your husband. Remember your children. Remember Alanus! HE has taken them all from you.”

“Remember the red haired young woman with freckles on her nose you once were. Remember the light in your husband’s eyes and the laughter of your children. Remember Alanus’ smile.”

 “A weapon. An instrument of vengeance.”

“Human. An instrument of healing and hope.”

“Avenge them.”

“Honor them.”

Images assaulted her mind of those long stolen away from her. She screamed then and the whispers faded as they always did. Only when sorrow overwhelmed her and she screamed did they ever leave. It was almost a relief to be rid of them despite the emotional turmoil.

Thus it had been for so long that those memories of a time before had begun to fade into the distance.

Then unexpectedly something new happened.

Faylian felt something… a hand on her face? Yes, that was it… something from outside the dream had reached her. She was aware of something.

Her scream ended abruptly at the warmth on her cheek and the whispers returned.

“They can help you. Welcome them.”

“They will shatter your resolve. They must not be allowed inside.”

A presence hovered at the edge of the dream then and an image of a Kaldorei woman with antlers accompanied it. Faylian sent out a wall of pure rage and sorrow at the intruder and the presence vanished with a gasp.

Then it returned and another presence accompanied it… this one a blazing light… and behind that light a human dressed in the armor and tabard of the Scarlet Crusade?

Again Faylian sent forth a wall of her emotions but this time it was not enough. Together they were too strong. She withdrew further into the mists. Let them follow if they dared.

“That won’t stop them. Can’t you sense their love? Together they are stronger than you are.”

*screeches angrily*

The Kaldorei and the human entered the dream then and were confronted by a young woman. She had shoulder length red hair, green eyes, with just a touch of freckles on her cheeks. She wore a formal dress but she was holding her skirts up just enough to enable her to skip along the path as if she enjoyed life too much to allow such dress to constrain her.

Faylian viewed her former self with shame and disgust. Had she truly been that innocent and naïve once?

“They need to understand you if they are to help.”

“It matters not at all. When they see what you become they will look at you with horror.”

The pair introduced themselves to her younger self as Myrandriel Windmoon-Brightvalor and Andreyn Brightvalor. She introduced herself as Lady Faylian Lanstryde and asked the pair if they were here to watch Prince Menethil’s victory procession as he made his triumphant return from Northrend.

Then the mists shifted…

…and the pair were on a balcony overlooking the procession, Prince Menethil at it’s head as they marched to the King’s Palace. Across from them watching on another balcony was Lord and Lady Lanstryde, their two young children eagerly trying to get glimpses of the excitement.

Shifting once again the mists revealed…

…what was apparently once the bedroom of Lord and Lady Lanstryde. Now it was a scene of ghastly horror. The furniture was in shambles; blood was splattered across the walls and floor, and the dismembered body parts of Lord Lanstryde and the two children where everywhere. Under close inspection one would note the victims remains would appear to have been chewed on. From the handprints that could be seen in the drying blood it was not hard to deduce this had happened while the victims were still alive.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 18

RubyBioSmall A click can be heard as Ruby’s Star Ruby is activated: “My reading and writing lessonss continue and I think I am showing vast improvement.” Ruby said proudly. “Rhune really is a good tea…”

Lamorra’s high-pitched voice suddenly interrupted: “Whatcha writing Ruby?”

“Let me see!” Lakorra exclaimed followed by the sound of parchment rustling.

“Give that back!” Ruby yelped sounding strangely embarrassed.

“In a minute Ruby…” Lakorra promised. Then the sound of a parchment being unrolled can be heard and she continues: “Gee you sure wrote this word a lot. An…th…us.”

Lamorra can be heard giggling before commenting: “Not the only words she wrote a lot either. Ruby St…eel…shatt…er.”

“Give that back right NOW!” Ruby growled angrily but at the same time sounding very embarrassed indeed.

Lakorra joined Lamorra in giggling: “Lot’s of hearts drawn all over too…”

The sound of Ruby grabbing the parchment can be heard with both twins continuing to giggle. Then Lakorra begins chanting: “Ruby loves Anthus… Ruby loves Anthus…”

Lamorra quickly joins in: “Ruby loves Anthus! Ruby loves Anthus!”

“He’ss just a friend.” Ruby says trying to sound firm. “That’ss all.”

Lamorra snickered: “A friend whose last name you really want to add to yours?”

“A friend deserving of…. 1… 2…. 3… 10 hearts!” Lakorra squealed in amusement. “Let’s go see what papa thinks!”

Sounding desperate Ruby broke down: “Alright! I… care for him. A lot. And I think… I think he caress for me too. This is a secret though. You two can’t tell anyone until we’re ready… not even Rhune. It’s a ssacred pact of ssissterhood. If you break it then no one will ever tell you anything ever again.”

Suddenly serious Lamorra asked: “You think of us as sisters?”

“Yess of course I do.” Ruby said sounding surprised that anyone would think otherwise.

“You… you never told us that before Ruby.” Lakorra said sounding very moved.

Ruby paused a moment before saying: “Well I do… I jusst thought it was obviouss and went without saying.”

“We feel the same way Ruby.” Lamorra responded.

Lakorra added: “We do! And we promise not to tell anyone!”

“Not anyone.” Lamorra said firmly. “Sisterly pact.”

Ruby sighed in relief and with a tone of deep affection she simply said: “Thank you both.”

“Now tell us all about him!” Lamorra giggled.

Lakorra lent her support to the idea: “Yes do tell!”

“Alright… well he’s very sweet and kind…” Ruby began before the clicking of the Star Ruby being shut off can be heard.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 17

RubyBioSmall A click can be heard and then Ruby’s high pitched gnomish voice saying: “Another quick update.”

“We returned the Dragon Sphere to mother and she sseemed very moved to ssee it again. She wass so pleased she didn’t even punish uss for entering the catacombs without permission. In fact she gave each of uss a reward and after sseeing my newfound dedication to reuniting the Dragon Flights mine was the Dragon Sphere itself! She said it was to keep me on my chosen path and to inspire my effortss.”

“I’ve never been so honored in my life!” Ruby exclaimed.

“Lyryll had a long talk with mother and it became apparent that she believed very strongly in the Red Dragonflight’ss purpose and had a deep respect for mother. She has the heart of a red dragon I think. And I think mother thought sso too because…”

“Lyryll was given the egg fragments I had brought back with me as her reward. With the Life-Binder’ss blessing she ground them up and then using other materials created two chokers… one for her and one for me… and then imbued them both with the essence of mother’ss shell. Now we each carry a part of the Life-Binder with us.”

“I hope very much to ssee Lyryll again. She is most interesting.”

Saturday, July 18, 2009

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 16

RubyBioSmall “We entered into a room that modeled all the environments of Azeroth: forests, marshlands, deserts, tundra, and more. Placed throughout the room were pedestals with statues of the Aspects themselves as whelplings. Blue, black, green, bronze... every Aspect was there except red whose pedestal was stood alone and empty.”

Ruby paused and then in an awed voice: “Looking at them I somehow knew these were carved during the time when the Aspects WERE whelplings by someone who was there when they hatched and who was there to see them grow.”

“Though the room and statues were beautiful there seemed to be no way to exit the room except the way we had entered. Katzghan suggested I stand on the pedestal that must have once been for the red dragon statue and not being able to think of any better ideas I did just that.”

Ruby falls silent for several minutes.

“It was...”

“I felt...”

Ruby trails off again sounding overcome by emotion. After several more minutes she clears her throat and continues.

“I saw... no... I WAS mother... Alexstrasza the Life-Binder herself... as a whelpling. We... uh... she... was so young but then so was the world itself. We played as whelplings often do with our siblings: the other Aspects. The focus of the game seemed to be a small sphere that was decorated with engravings of dragons. It was a joyous time and mother felt so much love for them... the depth of her emotions nearly overwhelmed me.”

“So yeah... that's where I get that from.”

“I'll never forget that moment. I've never felt so connected to her before. And seeing all of them playing together as siblings...” Ruby sighed wishfully. “I can't even begin to explain what it meant to me.”

“And then I was being pulled from the pedestal and the moment was over. A door seemed to have opened in the wall while I was enthralled by the vision of my mother. Pulling myself back together we stepped through the door and entered another large room.”

“A large but shallow pit filled the middle of the room. It’s floor was littered with egg shell fragments. Was this where mother and the other Aspects were hatched? Was this the room where our race was born?”

Ruby coughs: “I admit I… uh… may have palmed one of the red hued fragments.”

“Rising from the middle of the pit was a large pillar and hanging from chains just above it was a small sphere decorated with engravings of dragons. The very same sphere from my vision.”

“Shifting into whelpling form I flew up to the top of the pillar and with the help of Lyryll’s sprite darter hatchling we managed to get the sphere loose but it’s weight proved to be too much and we watched helplessly as it fell to the ground. The Life-Binder must have been looking after us however as Lyryll managed to catch it.”

“She pushed a button on the sphere and it began to make a clicking sound and then… the most beautiful music began to play. It was perfectly harmonious and I immediately called to mind the vision I had of the Aspects as whelplings playing, learning, and working together… they were unified. They were harmonious just as the Titans had intended.”

“Just as the Dragon Flights will one day be again.” Ruby said with determination. “In that moment I decided that it would be my life mission to see all of my kin reunited and once again serving the purpose we were created for.”

A clicking can be heard as Ruby pushes the button on the dragon sphere and once again it’s ancient and beautiful melody can be heard.

“Life-Binder preserve me. Why must I always choose the difficult path?”

Friday, July 17, 2009

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 15

RubyBioSmall Music can be heard in the background, music both ancient and beautiful, music so harmonious as to make the heart ache for better times. The sound of a young gnomish woman sniffling can be heard as well.

“This music iss so beautiful… it moves me everytime.” Ruby said with a wishful sigh. “If only… well let’ss not get ahead of ourselvess we’d better start at the beginning.”

As Ruby continues the story she sounds oddly at peace and the usual hissing to her words are strangely absent though if she is aware of this unusual fact she gives no sign.

“It all started with a Death Knight named Tilby the Necronaut who serves with Manifest Destiny. I had met him previously in Dalaran where we had solved a murder mystery together. I suppose the Kirin Tor owes me one for that.”

“Anyway I didn’t think much of him. He’s one of THOSE: a Death Knight that revels in raising the dead. I really loathe that sort. In addition he seems to have problems being civilized with anyone of the female persuasion. I do not think there is a single woman alive who has met him that did not end the encounter wanting to slap him.”

“I ran into him again many days later at the Wayward Son. I have no idea why I started talking with him but I did. It came up that I had no idea just where my kin had come from and this notion seemed to horrify Tilby. I had no idea why at the time; it’s a Flight’s purpose that matters not where it comes from. But this idea seemed foreign to him.”

“He convinced me to join his expedition to the depths of Wyrmrest Temple. I wouldn’t normally have agreed but he convinced me I might find something to either defeat the blue or black dragonflights or bring them back into the fold.”

Ruby paused and then added drily: “I think I really went just to make sure he didn’t damage anything.”

“And so two days later we found ourselves at Wyrmrest joined by Katzghan of the Retribution, as well as Varcel and Lyryll of Manifest Destiny. It seems adventurers have been called in to deal with problems below Wyrmrest of late and so our presence was not seen as strange by the drakonoid guards.”

“Tilby quickly located the area he had been told led to the hidden catacombs and we were able to find an area of the wall that sounded “hollow” when knocking on it. We weren’t able to find a way to open a hidden door though so I’m afraid there was some… collateral damage to the Temple before we gained entry.”

“My apologies to mother and the entire Wyrmrest Accord for that.” Ruby said sounding very embarrassed.

“Lyryll took the lead while Katzghan seemed to hover protectively over me. Tilby follwed with Varcel taking up the rear.”

“It was sweet of Katz to look after me Death Knight or no… but I can take care of myself!” Ruby said slightly annoyed. “But I suppose it speaks well of him so I couldn’t bring myself to complain.”

“We saw many wondrous things though not all of them were… safe. Along with ancient Titan workshops and artifacts there were dangers as well including an ancient titan defense emplacement and the undead remains of one of the Catacomb's previous explorers. From an ancient Titan tablet we discovered there was an artifact somewhere in the catacombs that would give us very powerful knowledge. Eager to find this artifact we pressed on.”

“And that's when we came to the room that would change my life forever...”

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Arcane Destiny Pt. 6

RhunesWorkshopSmallJuly 14, 28th year after the Dark Portal

We’ve all been dealing with the after effects of Morri’s death. It was so sudden and tragic we’re all still in shock, especially poor Dawsen. He’s coming to live with us for a while. He needs his family. And say what you want about us Astherions we always stick together through anything.

Stubbornness CAN be a virtue

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Arcane Destiny Pt. 5

RhunesWorkshop Rhune and Sylerrinn Astherion sat at the end of the pier at Crystal Lake with their feet dipped into the water while they enjoyed the warmth of the late afternoon sun. Ruby was watching the twins at home and the day and night belonged to them alone.

Sylerrinn was fishing, a determined look on her face while Rhune took the opportunity for a brief update to his journal:

July 1st, 28th year after the Dark Portal

Rin and I are enjoying a quiet day out thanks to Ruby watching the twins. Rin continues to be depressed much of the time but at least fishing seems to focus her and she seems like her old self for a time. I will have to take her fishing more often.

It has been good to have Ruby back these last two months. I think that a part of me was missing while she was away. I feel a lot more balanced now. It makes me wonder how the events of a few months ago would have gone if we had been together through them.

It’s amazing how she brings out the better part of me. I’m more patient for the most part. More relaxed.

Speaking of which I met with Dawsen’s girlfriend Morri today. We talked about a lot of matters. I think we came to understand and respect one another while many misunderstandings were cleared up. She had an idea on how to stop Dawsen’s accelerated aging and she wanted my help with a little problem she has with politics in the priesthood. The meeting went very well I thought.

As I said I’m more relaxed and patient of late. It was a good day.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 14

RubyBioSmall

“Oooh! That’s pretty Ruby… it matches your scales when in dragon form,” a young girl’s voice said sweetly.

“Where’d Ruby get that?” another young girl’s voice joined in.

“It’ss my star ruby… my voice diary… pleasse give that back Lamorra… I think you’ve accidentally turned it on…” Ruby responded sounding just slightly annoyed at Lamorra Astherion, one of Rhune’s twin daughters whom Ruby had sworn herself to protect with her life.

“But Lakorra hasn’t had a chance to see it yet.” Lamorra noted.

“That’s true!” Lakorra added.

Ruby sighed and then blinked: “Wait… don’t touch it there or it’ll start replaying…”

“Quiet down over there! Ssome of uss are trying to hear ourselvess think!” came Ruby’s recorded voice.

“Light! Yes… yes! Oh light!” an unknown feminine voice screeched.

Lamorra and Lakorra can be heard giggling. “Whose that Ruby? Did you record this at the Cathedral?” Lakorra asked with genuine innocence.

“Uh… yess… where elsse would I have?” Ruby answered with a blush, remembering her unfortunate stay at the Lion’s Pride Inn. “Now give me back my sstar ruby!”

Lamorra sighed and then said: “Alriiiiiight. We were going to go play with one of Dawsen’s tonks anyway.”

As the Astherion twins can be heard running away and giggling Ruby held up the star ruby and spoke: “Well that wass… a good reasson to hide my star ruby. What if Rhune had been here? I think I would have ssunk into the floor. Or wissh I could. Anyway jusst a quick update today because I need to keep an eye on the twins...”

“Sso I was sstill moping about Rylass and Januara and to take my mind of thingss I went to Dalaran to practice my jewelcrafting. At the blacksmith there I ran into a draenei woman named Astralle. We hit it off right away and I think even that firsst night we became good friends.”

“She wass determined to get my mind off of matterss and to do that she brought over a man… I guess she thought that would distract me or build my confidence but I didn’t understand what she was trying to do… I thought she’d brought the man over for herself… and so I was trying to talk HER up… while Astralle was trying to talk ME up.”

Ruby pauses a moment and then snickers: “It wass very embarrassing.”

“We did finally get things ssorted out and Sir Valkhan and I seemed to get along. Ssince then we have been on two dates both of which I’ve enjoyed very much. So I guess Astralle’ss plan worked because I’ve hardly even thought of Rylas since. I guess it really was just a silly crush.”

“Obviously I sspend far too much in this mortal form.” Ruby drily.

Ruby’s voice turns more serious: “Sir Valkhan seems to have disappeared of late. I hope he’s alright.”

“I’ve met another man named Anthus. He’s very ssweet and I feel very comfortable around him. I think we’ll be good friends. He’s a companion for the Golden Veil… which aren’t like harlots at ALL… because I guess they’re educated and listen. It’s like renting a good friend is the best I’ve been able to figure out.” “

Ruby continued: “But Anthus is still in training and can’t become a REAL companion until he getss hiss first customer. I’d really like him to ssucceed, even if hiss occupation is very strange. Sso I’m keeping an eye out for someone to be his first customer.”

“Meanwhile on the Albino dragon front the Albino elders haven’t decided if they trust my kin. I don’t think Kali trusts uss either.” Ruby says with a sigh. “I’ve offered that since they must prove themselvess by passing mother’s testss that they may ask of me something to prove our ssincerity as well. I’m still waiting for their response.”

“I hope they’ll give us a chance. I know I can make this work I just need them to give just a little!”

“Lastly the Midsummer Fire Festival has started and I’ve been training with an expert fire thrower on how to juggle… flaming torches! Just wait till Anthus sees me!” Ruby exclaims with a giggle.

A crash can be heard along with Lamorra and Lakorra both yelling at the same exact moment: “YOUR fault!”

“Ugh… well I gotta go. More updates later.” Ruby said before clicking the star ruby off.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Arcane Destiny Pt. 4

Note to readers: You should scroll down and read A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 13 before reading this post. 

RhunesWorkshopDolls and tonks lay scattered across the floor. Among the debris lay the sleeping forms of his twin daughters Lamorra and Lakorra as well as the whelpling he had named Ruby who was currently shifted into the form of a gnomish woman with red hair and wearing a somewhat rumpled but otherwise dignified shirt Rhune thought in approval.

It was official Rhune observed with a smirk: the twins could indeed tire even a dragon.

May 4th, 28th year after the Dark Portal

After long weeks our dear Ruby has returned to us intact and well. The girls were excited of course and even Rin seemed to cheer up some. But for myself I admit…

I am bursting with pride for her.

I have never heard of a dragon learning to shift as a whelpling. Though Ruby may have an advantage having lived among us her whole life and observing us so closely but it is still an amazing feat.

I think our little Ruby will be an impressive example of her race when she grows into a full drake.

That she picked a gnome as her form I find endearing. I would ask her why but I would not want to embarrass her or make her doubt her choice. I think I can guess in any case. She seems to really want to be seen as an adult but I think deep down she doesn’t want to stop being my little dragon, thus a compromise.

There is no reason for it, she will always be my dragon no matter the form she takes, but I love her for it anyway. And it does seem to suit her well.

It is so strange to hear her talking, to speak with her and then hear her thoughts on something. It is strange but wonderful. We have always been in tune with one another but this is so much better. Finally I can talk with my best friend.

I long suspected she could speak common though every time I asked her directly she would pretend to be asleep. But then she’s always been as stubborn as any Astherion by blood.

Or are we as stubborn as a dragon? I am not sure.

I would be angrier with her for not telling us where she was all these weeks if I hadn’t gotten Brantiela to fill me in. Part of me chuckles at Ruby being embarrassed to admit she couldn’t shift back to dragon form. But another wishes she had been able to come to me about it.

Once again we come to the pride and stubbornness of this family.

I am going to keep mentioning for a while how worried I was. I think that’s enough and will stop a repeat of what happened this time. She is very sweet and loving and I don’t think she deserves to be embarrassed over the matter. But Light help her if she vanishes without telling us again.

She used to sleep with Rin and I or with the girls. I guess she will need a space of her own now. I admit to wondering just what a dragon’s room might be like. It will certainly reveal a lot of her personality.

For now everything is right with the world. The Astherion family is fully reunited for the first time in months.

And that is more than enough for me.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 13

RubyBioSmall The chimes of the Stormwind clock bell can be heard as well as the background hum of the city itself: kids playing, merchants shouting, and the hooves of a horse walking on the cobblestone road.

And then the high pitched but serious voice of Ruby Astherion spoke: “I think I might throw up. I’m not sure why… I’ve given up on trying to eat raw squirrel in this form. But the closer to Rhune’s house I get, the more queasy I become.”

“This is the day. The day I sshow him that I’ve learned to sshift form. The day I admit I can sspeak not only draconic, but common too… and have been able to all along. Thiss iss the day things change between uss forever... that he realizes I’m growing up.”

Ruby sighed. “I WANT to grow up. I WANT everyone to treat me as an adult. Everyone… except him. Life-binder preserve me… I don’t want him to ssee me any different. But I AM different. I can’t help it and I can’t hide it any longer without worrying him.”

“It hass to be today.” Ruby said with another sigh.

“I’m outside the door and… I’m not ssure I can bring myself to knock. I think I may be ill. I’m ssweating, I still feel like I might throw up, and I think maybe I should do thiss tomorrow…” Ruby said nervously and then broke off as the door to the Astherion residence can be heard opening unexpectedly.

Ruby gasps and then a very long and awkward silence follows until…

“Hello?” the voice of Rhune Astherion asked. “Can I help you young lady?”

Ruby’s panicked and suddenly bewildered voice stammered: “Uh… err… well…”

“Rhune’s voice takes a gentler tone: “Is something wrong miss?”

Ruby could only manage: “I… feel ill…”

“Would you like to come in out of the heat? I can conjure you something cool to drink or…” Rhune trailed off his voice showing concern.

“Yess… please… thank you…” Ruby said desperately trying to calm her nerves.

Steps can be heard followed by a door closing and then the sounds of chairs creaking and water splashing into a glass. Finally Rhune said: “There we go… just sit and relax… you can stay here as long as you need to.”

Ruby can be heard gulping down some water and then a long silence.

“Why do you look at me like that?” Rhune asked sounding puzzled.

Ruby gulped: “Well… I… I think it will be just easier to SSHOW you.”

Abruptly the flapping of wings can be heard followed by a very shy sounding squawk.

“R… Ruby?” Rhune gasped in surprise.

Ruby took a deep calming breath and then simply answered, “Yess. I am sso ssorry Rhune.”

“Ruby… you have nothing to be sorry about dear one.” Rhune said simply. “I don’t understand why you felt you had to keep this a secret from us for so long or why you disappeared, but you have no reason to be sorry about when it comes to just being who you are.”

Ruby looked up at him nervously and then asked him quietly: “Y… you’re not disappointed that I’m not your little whelpling anymore?”

“You are always going to be my dragon Ruby… even when you are looming over me and eating entire mammoths for dinner.” Rhune said with a smile. “And I am always going to be your human. Nothing can change that dear heart. Not ever.”

Ruby landed on the table and stretched out her neck so as to nuzzle Rhune’s face with her snout. Purring she asked: “And we’ll soar above the clouds together?”

“Of course we will. There is nothing I look forward to more. Just as soon as you are large and strong enough to carry me we will do just that. As often as possible Ruby.” Rhune said grinning.

“My name… is actually Rublestrasza.” Ruby commented.

Rhune blinked. “Is it? That’s a very beautiful name Rublestrasza. Very beautiful indeed.”

Ruby smiled and added: “I like it… but it’ss not half as beautiful as the name you gave me at my hatching.”

“Then Ruby it will be. I am glad to finally know your real name however.” Rhune said scratching Ruby under the chin.

Ruby purred, pleased that he always seemed to know just how itchy the scales were there. Pressing her chin against his hand she returned simply “Ruby ISS my real name as far as I’m concerned.”

“I have so much to tell you Rhune! I wanted to prove I could stand on my own and I’ve done so much! I can shift, and breathe fire, I fought a blue dragon, and learned a really important lesson from a boar… and the people of Darkshire call me Ruby the Noble…” Ruby said excitedly and all in a rush.

Rhune smiled fondly at the dragon: “I can’t wait to hear all about…”

Rhune was forced to break off as the voices of his twin daughters Lamorra and Lakorra suddenly interrupted with: “Ruuuuuuuuuuby!”

“However I think someone else has a prior claim on your time for the moment.” Rhune said chuckling. “Go… you can tell us all about it at dinner.”

“We have new tonks Ruby!” Lamorra burst out in a rush.

“And dolls!” Lakorra added.

“I have a lot to sshow you too dearlingss.” Ruby said with a giggle before following the twins upstairs and turning her star ruby off.

Friday, July 3, 2009

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 12

RubyBioSmall The sound of a creature sniffing and growling could be heard nearby, and then the sound of a young woman groaning in pain even nearer still.

“Wh...what hit me?” Ruby asked of no one in particular and still sounding dazed.

A loud crack could be heard followed by the crash of another large branch impacting the ground sounding very close to the star ruby. Ruby yelped in fright and the boar squealed angrily in response.

“Oh... right...” Ruby said with increased nervousness as recent events began to come back to her. “I ssee your sstill with me mister boar.”

Ruby laughed weakly and then abruptly went silent as the boar began to growl and the sound of branches rustling could be heard as it tried to find a way to the half-buried whelpling who was currently still in the form of a gnome.

“Uh... sstill no sense of humor... right then.” Ruby sighed. “Determined aren't you? You're stubbornness is truly worthy of a dragon you know.”  

The boar snorted in response.

“Uh... no really... I'm not just ssaying that. Look I'm a dragon myself I know what I”m talking about.” Ruby said with a genuine tone in her voice. She continued: “Alright, you have no idea what I'm ssaying but maybe I can sshow you... though thiss is going to be a little painful with my broken wing...”

The sound of a whelpling screeching in pain could be heard and the boar grunted in confusion.

“I know... I don't look or ssmell anything like that witch of a gnome that tried to make you her dinner... where'd sshe go?” Ruby said, her now draconic face grimacing in pain but her golden eyes glinting mischievously. “She'ss gotten away from you... better go find her mister boar.”

The boar could be heard sniffing and squealing in frustration while the sound of a whelpling snickering could be made out faintly. Then the sound of movement in the snow growing more and more distant until the sound was gone entirely.

“Well... goodbye mister boar.” Ruby said with satisfaction. “Now where did my sstar ruby go... oh there it iss... and still on... recording my embarrassment for all time. Of course. Well... now to get out of here...”

The sound of a small whelpling digging her way out of the snow and fallen branches are followed by yelps of pain and growls of annoyance.

“There! Free! Now to teach that boar a lesson!” Ruby said with satisfaction. “I AM after all a dragon. And an Astherion. I can be sstubborn too.” The sound of snow being brushed off clothing can be heard as Ruby shifts once again to her gnomish form.

“Indeed mister boar... in my own way I am the most sstubborn person on Azeroth.”  
The crunching of Ruby's boots in the snow and her heavy breathing are the only sounds for a time. 

Then the sounds of branches being pushed aside and a high pitched voice cursing can be heard awhile later.

And finally a sudden intake of breath...

“Oh! It's not MISTER boar.... it's MOTHER boar!” Ruby said with astonishment. “And those piglets look hungry... the poor thingss... you couldn't go looking for food today because you were protecting them from me...”

Ruby cleared her throat having become overwhelmed by emotion. Sounding rather guilty she spoke into her star ruby: “Well... trying to kill her doesn't seem in the spirit of Noble Garden at all.”

“I think I have another idea...”

 

**********

As the sun rose over Dun Morogh the mother boar smelled something it had smelled before: the scent of that vile little gnome that had so abruptly disappeared last night. Struggling awake despite how tired she was from the long night she glanced around looking for any danger to her piglets.

There it was... with her younglings! She had one of the piglets in her lap which was sucking from some contraption of hers while excess milk was running down its chin. The majority of the piglets already looked satiated.

The gnome looked at the mother boar and coughed nervously. She reached into a bag at her side and pulled out a large fish offering it to the boar tentatively. Noise came out of her mouth then but the words meant nothing to the mother boar. The tone sounded  apologetic however, and she didn't stare the mother boar in the eye, conceding dominance to the mother boar instead.

The boar grunted reluctantly and stepped forward sniffing at the fish.  The gnome made another sound then that the boar didn't understand but it sounded calming and without malice. The mother boar relaxed and began to give the fish her full attention.

 

**********

As the boar began to relax Ruby allowed herself to do the same. With a relieved giggle she simply said: "And it wass a Happy Noble'ss Garden for all."

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 11

RubyBioSmall Teeth can be heard chattering and a high pitched gnomish woman’s voice can be heard: “Uh… I’m REALLY ssorry about the wanting to eat you for dinner thing… maybe we can just call a truce?”

Something large can be heard stomping in the freshly fallen snow below and an angry squeal can be heard echoing from the darkness beneath her branch.

“Well yess…. I can see why you might be angry about the whole matter. But try to see it from my perspective! A whelpling needs a LOT of food as they come into their drakehood! I’m soo hungry all the time and I nearly ate Bran’s entire pantry! I jusst can’t help it.”

“Truly… ssorry about the whole matter.” Ruby said doing her best to sound contrite.

The boar responded with a snarl.

“Uh… well that’ss a new sound for you isn’t it?” Ruby laughed weakly. “Well… uh… no truce then?”

“Is this thing still on? Bah!” Ruby mutters something unintelligible and then continues: “Don’t judge me. You can’t see this boar. It’s a real monster! And… well… I admit to being a little nervous after having just recently being mauled by a blue dragon.”

“It all started in the Trade District of Stormwind. There was a priest of the Light by the name of Gideone preaching about the… well the Light. What elsse would he be preaching about? I stopped and joined the crowd listening to his speech and then… she arrived.”

“Demosthenes. A pawn of Malygos and a blue dragon in human form.” Ruby said with disgust. “You may remember about my run-in with her at the St. Patorick’ss party.”

“I tried to warn everyone what she wass. But no one would believe me! As if I had a reason to lie!”

“I… became rather heated. A spy was sitting there right in our midst and no one would do anything. Gideone took me aside and we spoke for some length. He seemed very understanding but explained how there was alwayss more than one side to a story and how it is never too late to redeem ssomeone. He counseled patience and an effort to understand her.”

“He is a very wise example of his speciess and very kind indeed. I really must try to take his example to heart if I am ever to prove worthy of my Flight.”

“That’ss when Demosthenes revealed she had been listening in on our conversation the whole time. Obviously this did not help my opinon of her in the least. But remembering Gideone’s words I chased after her and did my very besst to understand her and explain our reasons for starting the Nexus War.”

“It didn’t turn out so well. Let’s just say she could spend some time talking with Gideone.” Ruby says in nearly a whisper sounding a little scared as she begins to remember.

“She… she attacked me. I shifted into whelpling form and she used her arcane magics against me. I was clearly outmatched and was nearly killed. Then… she threatened to go after Rhune. Enraged I did something I had never been able to do on purpose before… I breathed fire.”

Ruby continues with a strange mixture of shock and pride: “I’m not sure which of us was more surprised honestly.”

“This bought me some time and briefly turned the battle in my favor. I then launched myself at her, all four of my talons grasping onto her leg while I tried to tear her knee out with my fangs.”

“Oh how she howled with pain… but she was not through yet. Forcing me off of her with a spell her booted foot came down on my wing, severely injuring it. Which by the way is why I do not shift to whelpling form and fly away from this sstupid tree.”

“I came at her again on foot, determined to go down fighting. She then did a very odd thing… she summoned a portal and left rather than destroy me. I am still not sure why. Maybe Gideone is right… maybe she really can be redeemed, and through her the entire Blue Flight as well. I pray to the Life-binder that is sso.”

“In any case I took a beating… I lost… and now my confidence is gone… and now thiss stupid boar won’t let me leave…”

The boar growled as if in acknowledgement of that fact.

“Well you can stay there all night and freeze then… you’re not getting me…” Ruby started then squeeked as the branch she was sitting on creaked alarmingly. “Uh… a lot of snow has really piled up on this branch hasn’t… Aiiiiieeee!”

A loud cracking sound is followed by a scream; the crashing of snow and tree limbs, and then a soft thump as a small body hits the snow drifts below.

Finally all is silent except the sound of a boar walking nearer, sniffing the small unconscious gnome that has fallen at its feet.

The boar squeals in triumph…

Thursday, July 2, 2009

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 10

RubyBioSmall Ruby sat on a branch high above the ground. In the distance she could see the merry lights of the town of Kharanos. Around her snow fell silently and she shivered in the cold. Below her growled a very large and temperamental boar.

Of course Ruby had tried to make the boar her dinner… so perhaps it was justified she thought to herself. Not that this made things any easier for her at the moment.

“It’ss starting to get dark… I don’t think anyone iss going to find me before morning. We might as well continue…”

“Mid-week Kali and I began our journey to Wrymrest Temple. We met at Valiance Keep and headed toward Amber Ledge first as I needed to make sure Red Dragonflight patrols wouldn’t stop uss. Avoiding the blues would be tough enough after all.”

“I was very nervouss… I’d never been to such a dangerous place without Rhune with me before and I still didn’t know Kali or her capabilities that well.”

“We crossed the bridge out of Valiance and entered what was once an Alliance village but was now infested with the Scourge. The horrors we witnessed there… we were quickly surrounded by ghouls and other forms of undead… cultists of the damned… and evils of all sortss. I was knocked unconscious during their attack. When I awoke Kali stood there unscratched and all the scourge were destroyed or driven off.”

“Obviously the albinos can take care of themselvess.” Ruby said with a chuckle.

The Boar squeeled angrily at her and Ruby stopped chuckling. “Yess… I hadn’t forgotten about you.” She said with a sigh.

“After escaping the Scourge we arrived at Amber Ledge and we met with a great sire of my people. Surristrasz was disappointedly arrogant. He had no liking of Albino dragons… nor the patience to speak with whelplingss.”

“At first I feared our trip would be for nothing but we did eventually strike a deal. If Kali and I delivered supplies that Surristrasz did not have the drakes to spare to deliver then he would schedule an appointment for us with the Life-binder herself.”

“We had no choice but to agree.”

“Our long journey to Wyrmresst then began. Yess it was filled with peril for we had to defend ourselves from Wolvars and Blue Dragonkin. But it was alsso filled with wonder as we rode on the back of a giant sea turtle to reach Dragonblight and met the Tuskarr, a mosst kind people.”

The whelpling’s voice then took a disapproving tone: “Kali and I then got into an argument… she claims the Tuskarr make good eatin’… can you believe it?! This munching on sentient creaturess really must end if the Albinos are to join the Accord.”

“After delivering the supplies to a Night Elven encampment in Dragonblight we journeyed the final stretch to Wyrmrest Temple itsself. We were taken sstraight away to see the Life-binder.”

“Mother sseemed surprised that I had learned to sshift so early. She seemed proud enough but warned that I wass going to have to deal with emotions and feelings I was not yet ready for even after having spent my whole life among mortalss.”

“Yeah… tell me about it. I think I discovered that on my own.” Ruby sighed.

“Then I introduced Kali and urged mother to accept the albinos into the Accord. Mother sseemed dubious at best and father wass outright against it. In fact Korialstrasz was rather… uh… firm on the matter.”

“We had a very…” Ruby coughs, “…lively discussion on the matter. I’ll spare you the details. Mother did finally offer them a tesst to gain admittance. Firsst they must gather the pieces of their shattered and lost dragonshrine and surrender them willingly to the Accord. Second they musst find a true purposse for their Flilght beyond jusst their own survival.”

Ruby snorted: “Kali took neither of those conditionss well. Even now I am not sure what Kali will decide. I really need to talk to her again ssoon.”

Down on the ground below the Boar squealed with rage and continued to stare up at the young whelpling in gnomish form.

“Uh… if I ever find a way down from here. I hope someone finds me ssoon. It’ss so cold here.”

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 9

RubyBioSmall The newly minted Rublestrasza “the noble” was currently trapped high in the snow-covered branches of a tree located not far from the village of Kharanos. Only a short distance away children and adults alike were celebrating Noblegarden with candies, festive clothing, and cute bunnies. Ruby on the other hand was starring down at a very angry boar.

Make that an ENRAGED boar.

Looking down at the boar a little nervously Ruby sat very still, as she wasn’t sure her chosen branch was quite up to the task of staying attached to it’s tree while holding her weight. Her voice lacked her usual confidence as she spoke into a small star ruby: “Alright… sso my firsst hunting attempt could have gone better I admit.”

She sighed: “Actually… it couldn’t have been worsse without my being gored by my prey.”

“As the boar I had intended to be my dinner doesn’t seem like it wantss to go away and it may be ssome hourss before anyone wanders along in thiss direction I guess I had better catch up on my journal. It hass been a very interesting week.”

“The week sstarted with my running into Dahlia, a paladin within the Retribution of Arathor. Sshe aided me with putting down the latesst riot inside the Sstormwind Sstockadess. Afterward we talked and got to know one another a bit… it wass sstrange… it sseemed almost like she was a clutch mate… or perhaps from the clutch just before mine. She sseemed very wise and compassionate and we jusst got along very well together. I very much enjoyed our talk together… for the mosst part.”

“She is also very observant. Enough so that she discovered something even I didn’t know… I have a crush on Rylas it seemss.”

Ruby sighed: “I can’t help it… I jusst do. We just danced the one time and I don’t even know him! And he’s… well he’s not a dragon. It doesn’t make any sensse!”

Sounding frustrated with herself Ruby continued: “I’m just a silly whelpling who hass spent too long in this gnomish form.”

“Not that it matterss. He’s seeing someone… a priestess named Janaura. In fact I found out later that sshe’s pregnant with his child. Which… is good… I guesss. I mean that’s what I wanted right? That’s why I put him on my bloodline list.”

Ruby growled: “So why don’t I feel happy?”

“What is worse is that Rylas can tell something is wrong with me… and he wanted to talk to me about it. Yeah right… he’ss JUST the person I want to talk to.” Ruby said with a roll of her eyes.

“I think there is a reason whelplingss aren’t supposed to learn to sshift forms. I’ve progressed too early… I’m feeling things I don’t know how to handle yet.

Ruby began to shiver. “It’s begun to snow… the boar is still waiting for me below… I’m cold, hungry, and alone. Today is not my besst day. I hope someone wanders by soon.”

“I just hope it isn’t Rylas.”

Fast and Furious

Booknovel Over the next four days I intend to post two journal entries a day until Rhune and Ruby are caught up to the present time. Then starting on Monday I intend to actually have this blog go “live” by… uh… actually advertising it’s presence and stuff.

With the journal entries caught up I’ll start putting more varied content up and using further journal entries only to fill up empty days rather than as the primary content as there shouldn’t be THAT many journal entries a week once everything is caught up.

Lot’s more news will be coming up next week.

 

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