Price to be Paid (Horde)

[itanyablade]

((So for anyone that doesn't know. Noxilite had the culmination of probably our longest running storyline a couple of nights ago. My Belf Paladin is having to deal with the consequences. This is the story that was giving me a headache last night))

“I said ‘we’re leaving.’” Dorri’tow heard the irritation in Keltyr’s voice and finally turned her back on the scum that had taken her friend from them. She heard the taunts and jibes shouted at their backs and struggled to ignore them. They had not won the day and it rankled. She doubted those dimwitted fools even had the brains to acknowledged that if the plague had not already ravaged the ranks of their order, their victory would have never come.

Where were the other members of the order? Even that slinky layabout, Achea, had been nowhere to be found. No, that was that fool Lamis’ fault. Something Dorri would have been pleased to shove in her face, if the drunken fool had not gotten herself infected and then slain. Lamis had allowed their order to fall into such a pitiful state.

The three of them stumbled wearily into the empty chapterhouse. The shell that had once contained her friend looked about the place bemused. It was quiet, but clean. The servants had kept to their duties no matter how far Lamis had sunk into her cups. Dorri’tow leaned against a wall, while Keltyr directed the shell to her room.

She watched warily as he came back into the common room and sat down heavily on a bench. He pulled off his gauntlets and lay them down on the table with casual grace. Dorri’tow pushed off the wall and walked towards him. She left her hammer against the wall and straddled the bench facing him.

“Kel…”

“Explain it to me.” He did not look at her, removing the goggles from his eyes. “A Demon in our ranks and you knew.”

“Elerlissa was my friend…”

“And then she got possessed.” He finally raised his head to stare at her. “And you did nothing.”

Dorri slowly shook her head. “No, Elerlissa was my friend. Not that girl we brought home with us tonight.” She pointed in the direction of their small rooms before looking back at him. “It was always Elerlissa. I don’t even know what that girl’s name is.”

Keltyr’s face hardened. “You conspired with a member of the Legion.” He rose to his feet stiffly.

“No, Kel, I…”

“You brought her into the fold. You both worked to bring down the order, perhaps all the bloodknights as well?” He grabbed her shoulders and wrenched her to her feet. Dorri’tow put a hand on his chest to try and reach him, but his face remained hard and his eyes were unreadable. “You kept this secret from all of us.”

“Lamis knew.” He shook his head as she blurted out the only thing she could think of. “Lamis knew first. Elerlissa brought me into the order, not the other way around.”

“You were admitted because of your family name.”

“My family name was in disgrace, Kel. My sister spoke out against the prince, against Liadrin. She bartered away all the power we had in exchange for her life. If not for Elerlissa, I would have been exiled as well. If the order hadn’t taken me in… There was no where else that would have had me.

I didn’t know what Elerlissa was then, I swear it.”

“You knew tonight. When we walked into that arena, with our ‘sister,’ you knew what she was. You defended her, not the order tonight. When she went down, it was her, you fought for.” He pushed her back on the bench and her back slammed into the table, making her gasp for air. Keltyr turned his back on her, reaching for his gauntlets.

“She was one of us. She was our sister.” Anything else she had to say was lost in a red haze. It took a few silent moments for the ringing in her head to clear. Her eyes moved from the gauntlet that had just slapped her face to the man that now held it. His eyes burned with more than the fel energies they both consumed to keep from degrading into the pitiful wretches that filled the nearby square.

“Lies! All I have heard out of your mouth is lies.” He slammed both hands on the table; his arms caging her. There was no where to look but into his damning eyes. “When have you ever spoken the truth to me, Dorri?” One hand gripped her chin tightly, forcing her to look into his eyes. The blood from her split lip flowed along his fingers as he stared in her eyes, looking for something.

Finally, he released her. “I have to report our failings to Liadrin.” He said as he straightened his back. Keltyr slowly pulled his gauntlets back on. “While we walk, you will tell me everything. You will leave nothing out. You will not lie to me. I will decide only then if you stay with the order or if you will go to the Magisters for re-education.” Her lover turned his back on her and started to walk away. For the first time, she followed a few steps behind instead of walking at his side.

[itanyablade]

At any other time, they would have ridden their steeds across the city, but Keltyr insisted they would walk. Dorri’tow trailed behind him, silent at first, but then she began to speak. He had demanded answers and she would try to give them to him.

As they crossed the bazaar, she told him about her father’s disappointment in his middle child, since she had no magical talent. How she chafed at being her family’s decorative child. She told him about being accepted into the knighthood and how Then’liath, her own sister, had nearly destroyed her chances of advancing. She spoke of Elerlissa. She told him of becoming friends with her. She told him how Elerlissa had brought her to Lamis’ attention.

Keltyr never even acknowledged that he heard her.

They walked through one of the large city gates, and she talked about her training first at Elerlissa’s side and then on her own. She mused over Elerlissa’s whispers about Noxilite’s guild master and how those whispers had driven a wedge between her and Winterspell. Dorri told of her ambition and desire for success. She wanted to be strong. She confessed to learning how to use the Light to heal to get close to him.

Keltyr kept walking through the Royal Exchange.

Dorri continued her confession. She told him about listening to Elerlissa desecrate the altar, a task they all did to gain their steeds, and how Elerlissa’s reveling in the act had led Dorri’tow to ask more pressing questions. She told of Elerlissa’s confiding the truth of the demoness’ existence to her. She told of Lamis’ confirmation and of her own doubts. She told of Elerlissa’s search to be free of the legion.

They began to walk across Farstrider square and Dorri’tow knew that her story had to come to an end and quickly. Keltyr did not slow for a single step.

She told of her dealings with King Sunstrider’s people and how Elerlissa had promised her a way to tap the power without becoming a slave to the legion. She confessed to spending her days on Quel’danas trying to glean what she could without sacrificing her freedom. She told of her desire to control this power, to give it to him. She spoke of Lamis growing despondent and trying to stop Elerlissa, of delivering messages to Lamis, or speaking Elerlissa’s threats to her.

Keltyr paused outside the building that had once house M’uru. Dorri paused behind him, holding her hand clenched to her chest, not quite daring to touch his shoulder. She was sure he was thinking of their nights in the Quel’danas Inn. She wanted to tell him, that she had done this for him, but the words stuck in her throat.

They stopped once more at the door to Liadrin’s office. Without turning around, Keltyr pointed at the wall. “Wait here.” Obediently and with her heart in her throat, she moved to where he had pointed. One of Lady Liadrin’s personal guards opened the door and Keltyr walked through. They shut the door behind them. There were no seats in the antechamber. Blood Knights were supposed to be above such creature comforts. They were the strength of the Sin’dorei. She had never been so grateful that there were no chairs; concentrating on her aching feet and back kept her from fidgeting.

Her attention was so focused on the door, she never noticed the two men dressed in deep red robes chased with gold enter the antechamber until one of them touched her arm. The door to Liadrin’s office opened, but she was looking at the Magisters instead.

“Dorri’tow Firebloom, Knight of the Prophecy of Light, you have been found guilty of conspiring with the Legion to corrupt the Blood Knights. By order of Lady Liadrin, Matriarch of the Blood Knights, and Keltyr Sunsworn, Grand Master of the Prophecy of Light, you are ordered into our custody for re-education.” The hand remained tightly gripped around her arm, though she could not feel it through her armor.

She turned towards the open door and stared in shock and horror at Keltyr. He looked directly at her, but his face had no expression at all.

[itanyablade]

Corspilla stomped her way into the room she shared with Davien and that annoying weasel maggot. Another few hours and bits of the potion wasted with no chicken to show for it. It had sounded so easy, taming a Westfall chicken. The execution was much more difficult.

She muttered to herself as she dumped her gear in its place and fed the few pets she was allowed to keep in the inn. She checked them all three times to make sure Maggot hadn’t taken a bite out of them while someone wasn’t looking.

Then she noticed Davien busily darning her socks.

“BAH! Mine!”

Davien merely chuckled and ignored her grabbing hands. “It needed to be done, sweetling, and I was here.” Muttering, Pill settled on the floor and pulled one of the cats into her lap.

“I saw a strange thing tonight.” She said after a few minutes enjoying the feel of cat fur beneath her fingers.

“What was that?” Davien wasn’t really listening to her. She was focused on socks and goblin stones and making sure that Gharr was still Gharr and making sure that Destril wasn’t going to melt some troll’s face. Davien was busy a lot, but she always listened.

“I went to Silithus to look for scourge for more shinies from the Argent Dawn and I saw someone.” Sometimes to the best way to get Davien’s full attention was to be mysterious. Davien put down the sock and locked eyes with her. She pursed her lips together and then sighed. The plan had worked.

“So I was killing scourge and bugs and stuff.” Pill cackled as Davien gave her another sigh. “Okay, okay! I saw Keltyr. You know him?” Davien nodded. “He was practically falling off his mount.” Pill mimicked the motion until the kitty in her lap gave a frustrated howl. “He smelled like Raga on a bad night! He rode up to me, demanded booze and then started drinking what I handed him right away! He muttered something about oblivion and rode off!”

Davien frowned. “Aye, sweetling, that is kind of odd.”

[itanyablade]

Fabrio looked up from his desk as the door opened. The look of irritation he had been donned quickly vanished as he saw the man in red robes enter the room. The woman wearing the simple robes looked young, but it never paid to be disrespectful to the Magisters even one of low rank. He walked from behind his desk and bowed slightly.

“I have come to see Grand Master Sunsworn.”

“I’m afraid, my lady, that the Grand Master is not in residence in the moment. The Argent Dawn has requested assistance in dealing with the Scourge.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. Fabrio had no real idea where his cousin was, but he did not wish to appear incompetent. “If it is a matter of grave importance, I can find a way to contact him.”

“No, it doesn’t need his immediate attention.” She opened a leather satchel and brought out a bundle of neatly bound papers. “This is a tally of every thing that has been removed from the chapter house that was deemed to be associated with Dame Firebloom’s crime. It also records the confiscation of a room rented on Quel’danas and Shattrath. Everything in those rooms has been liquidated. The proceeds of all items confiscated and sold have been applied to the fees and fines levied against your order.

The remainder has been placed into the Prophecy of Light’s coffers. The total comes to,” She flipped to the last page and ran a finger down it, stopping close to the end, “six hundred thirty-three gold, ten silver and eight copper.” She closed the record and handed it to him.

As he took a hold of the ledger, she continued speaking. “If, after review, Grand Master Sunsworn finds that there is some personal memento that he wishes returned to him, he can submit a request through Lady Liadrin.” Fabrio nodded his acknowledgement and remained standing as the messenger walked out. She left the door to his office open. He briefly locked eyes with Dame Elerlissa, but she looked quickly away from him as her face began to flush.

Fabrio quickly looked through the ledger, not that he suspected anything was amiss or could do anything about it if there was. Well, his cousin must not have sought refuge in either of the rooms listed in the ledger, since the messenger came here to deliver the ledger. Master Sunsworn had not come back to the chapter house last night. There would be only one way to contact him. Reluctantly, Fabrizo fished a goblinstone from his desk.

He fiddled with the contraption until he found the settings he was looking for. “Keltyr.” No response. “KELTYR!” Fabrio winced, rose to his feet and shut the door. The last thing he needed was curious servants or Dame Elerlissa poking their heads in to see what the screaming was about. As he walked back to his desk, he could hear noise from the stone.

“They have finished going through the chapter house.” Fabrio paused, but there was nothing in response. An improvement over yesterday’s slightly drunken response. “They also confiscated everything in rented rooms in Shattrath and Quel’danas.”

“Fine.” Keltyr’s responses was muffled, but not slurred.

“The order’s coffers are increased by six hundred gold.”

“Wonderful.” Keltyr responded with a voice that indicated it was anything but wonderful.

Fabrio paged through the ledger as he waited to see if his cousin would say anything more. An envelope was stuck between the pages, the wax that held it closed was stamped with the Magister’s seal. Swallowing, he opened it and quickly scanned its contents. “There is one other thing.”

There was only a grunt in response, but Fabrio delivered the message anyway.

“Dame Firebloom will be returned to the order in a four days time at noon. She will expect to be greeted by you. They know that you will be willing to assist with her reintegration.” There was dead silence on the phone and then a muttered curse. And then silence.

Fabrio sighed and shook his head. As he carried the ledger and message to Keltyr’s office, he tried to tell himself that it was none of his concern.

[itanyablade]

As she walked through Orgimmar towards the flight master, Her mind continued to revisit Destril’s words about Keltyr.

“He hates himself.”

“I think he came tonight hoping we would let him die.”

Despite having an inkling of hope in regards to Dorri’tow, her anger towards Keltyr Sunsworn had not diminished. She had promised the guild master that she would consider her options and yet she was not going to sit back and do nothing. If she chose to let him live, it would not be because she was incapable of striking him down.

She had inquired quietly about Keltyr’s location. She knew he was not in Silvermoon. No matter how broken he might appear, Then knew he was not foolish enough to appear walking through the city in his current state. Silvermoon had been a disappointment in other ways as well.

She had hoped to make an ally out of Master Winterspell. The mage had often spoken fondly of Dorri, even after he had rejected her as an apprentice. Then’liath suspected that it had been Winterspell’s disapproval of Dorri’tow’s choice in friends after the invasion that had prompted her sister to change her ways. Light knew that Dorri had never but much stock in Then’s opinion. Rejection from a path of magic had soured everything between them.

The hope she had indulged in this morning with Destril was fading. There was only one person that they could turn to if they were going to attempt this and that was Keltyr. Which meant, of course, that she had to continue to search for him. It also meant that she was going to have to spare his life, at least at first.

She was still coming to terms with this disagreeable turn of events when she walked past a Forsaken wearing a Noxilite tabard. She had heard a new voice over the stones today; she could only assume that this was the voice’s owner. Then’liath used their guild connection to smooth over introductions. It was easy enough to convince him, this Mallek, to find Keltyr.

All he wanted in exchange was a favor. He was of the Eye. How much harm could such an agreement bring?

[itanyablade]

“Dame Firebloom will be returned to the order in four days time at noon.”

Keltyr knew the next three days were likely to be the most miserable of his life, to be beaten only by the fourth. As is, it was a small mercy that he hadn’t had to go back to Silvermoon City yet. He was dreading having to meet with the two “new” knights that he used to trust. He was halfway tempted to just skip out on his assignment up north, but it was plenty dangerous and a death in battle wouldn’t be the worst of solutions to his problems.

“Meh, shows what kind of judgement I have for trusting people. May as well break that out, not like it can get any worse. Besides, who’s left to get on my case about it anyway?” Keltyr pulled out a bundle of bloodthistle that he had taken from the order’s storehouse of contraband and lit some up as he arrived in Area 52. It was the most content he had felt in a while, or at least until he ran out. Still in a haze, he hopped on his horse and took an abnormally uncomfortable trip out to Cosmowrench.

Things only got worse once he got there. There were the druids all harassing him about his horse, so it was someone else’s, it was a simple mistake, both are horses, just because one was dead and one wasn’t doesn’t change the whole horse thing. Besides, Verdus and Rasheyon had no right to criticize him! Kel remembered telling them as much, but they only let up so that Dorri’tow could start getting on his case. It didn’t matter that she was still with the magisters and their bloody treatment, she had to follow Kel around anyway.

It was only after the booze began to wear off a bit that Keltyr realized the blood elf chewing him out wasn’t actually the woman he essentially left for dead, it was in fact worse.

It was her sister.

So, Keltyr did what any self-disrespecting individual would do. He ran like death itself was on his heels. She would know exactly what he had sentenced Dorri to and would kill him once she found out. The dying part would probably not even be the worst part. He’d still have to face her. So the knight found the nearest rock and cowered behind it until the scary priestess went away.

[itanyablade]

A woman dressed in the armor of the Argent Dawn approached Keltyr. When she was close, she dropped to one knee keeping her eyes on the floor. Her thick blond hair slipped off her shoulder.

“Grand Master Sunsworn.”

Keltyr barely looked down, still looking down the hallway, waiting. “Yes?”

“Dame Firebloom, reporting sir”

He swept his gaze back down the hallway. “Well, where is she?”

The woman did not raise her eyes from the floor, but her voice was colored with confusion. “Sir... I am she.”

He sighed at her and then shrugged. “Right, of course.” There was a long pause while he stared are her bowed head. “All right, fine. Is that all?”

“It is an honor, Master Sunsworn.”

He considered for another long moment. “This is ridiculous, get off the floor. Well then, may as well figure out what's left. Care to tell me why you are here?”

“I am here to report to duty.”

“Why?”

“Because this is where I was assigned.”

Keltyr sighed once more. “All right. Have you seen combat before?”

“Some.”

“Care to give any kind of example?”

“I spent the morning assisting the Argent Dawn against the scourge.”

“And family? Next of kin that may need to be contacted”

“One sister, sir? But there will be no need to contact her.”

“And why is that?”

“She is exiled sir.”

There was another long pause and when Keltyr spoke, his words were quieter as if he spoke them more to himself. “Do you even remember anything?”

“I don’t understand, sir.”

“You would have,” He paused, staring down at her, “but you don’t anymore.” He took a deep breath. “Right! Name some threats to Silvermoon.”

“The scourge.” Dorri’tow paused in thought as Master Sunsworn said nothing. “I suppose the human kingdom, though they have attacked of late.”

“What about the burning Legion? Was that one too hard to remember?”

Dorri’tow flushed brightly at failing so early. “No, sir! Sorry sir.”

“What can you tell me about them?”


“The Legion? They seemed to be focused in the Outlands. And that they say the Sun King was one of their victims.” Keltyr coughed as she spoke and she looked at him curiously. “Sir?”

“Nothing, nothing at all?”

“What about dangerous organizations within the Horde?”

“My knowledge of the horde is somewhat limited, sir.”

“Are you familiar with the group known as Noxilite?”

“Should I be?”

“No, of course not.” He continued with the interrogation. “Where were you for the past week?”

Dorri’tow lowered her eyes in shame, but not before he could catch sight of another slight flush across her cheeks. “I was being disciplined for an action against the state, sir.”

“Which was what?” He cut her off before she could reply. “Nevermind, they wouldn't leave that.”

“Yes, sir.”

He frowned, speaking silently. “Or anything else apparently. Well? Do you have something to say for yourself? Or are you just going to stand there like a lack-witted child?”
She flushed again under his scrutiny.

“What? Not even going to defend yourself?”
Her voice faltered under the scorn. “I.. I'm sorry, sir.”

“I couldn't think of a better word for it.”

“Sir?”

“You're pathetic. They didn't even leave a spine. Go away. You make me sick.”

Dorri’tow looked stunned as he turned his back on her and began to walk away. “Sir…”

“You'll get orders eventually.”

[itanyablade]

She knew where she would find the pair. Their voices carried from the chamber below. She feigned interest in the lush trappings of the paladin's hall, blending into the shadows as best she could. No one seemed to notice her, and that was just fine. She only made out snippets of their conversation, but Keltyr's tone was enough to tell her he was far from happy with the situation. When their voices grew more distant, she made for the entrance, leaning against a pillar in a nearby alcove, watching her stroll out. The elf's pretty face was now flat, lacking the pointed, naked emotion Ambika had observed in the arena. She slipped into the cool, darkened hallway. Keltyr stood there, blankly staring as though he could still see the vacant woman.

She held out a flask of bourbon. He took it, barely acknowledging her presence. That was fine. She spoke, her voice quiet, soothing.

"Do you want her back?"

"Of course."

He began to walk away, pausing briefly in the doorway.

"You're haunted," she called to him, her voice still barely above a whisper.

"No kidding." The bitter edge of his voice cut the air. She smiled, a small, companionable curl of the lip.

"I can help you."

"No. She is dead." He walked again, out into the bright light of day. She followed.

"Do you have any idea how this works? Obviously not. The mind is a place of many rooms, and many doors. You can lock those doors, but you can't destroy them without killing the mind."

He paused, "It's useless. That part of her is gone."

"You don't want my help? I will leave, if that's the case." She finally had his attention. His eyes locked with hers, and she stood under his gaze, unblinking. She stepped back.

"No! Wait!"

She smiled again. Bland, friendly.. a smile you could trust. She beckoned him near her, and began to whisper in his ear.

[itanyablade]

Fabrio took two steps into the room of Dame Firebloom, so that he could easily close the door. He was certain that the door had been closed when he had walked past earlier, but no matter. He would shut it now to keep her from being disturbed.

“They didn’t change how she breathed.” Fabrio froze as Master Sunsworn’s voice came from the shadowy darkness in the room. The sweet bitter smell of blood thistle faintly tainted the room and the secretary heard the soft sound of a bottle against stone.

“Master Sunsworn, you should not be here.” He whispered, vainly hoping to pierce through whatever it was that gripped his cousin. He could see the outline of the Blood Knight Grand Master now. He was sitting against the wall, just behind the door.

His cousin continued speaking, as if he had not heard Fabro at all. “She hated the feeling of linen.” Master Sunsworn’s eyes were on the woman sleeping in seeming oblivion to the whispered conversation happening only a few feet away from her. Her arms and upper back were uncovered revealing a simple linen shift. Fabrio stifled another comment as he watched the other man take a long swig from the bottle clenched in one hand.

“There’s nothing left of her.” His cousin’s voice did not slur. “They took it all, because of that orc.” He got to his feet, leaving Fabrio to scramble after him as he left the room. “Go to bed, cousin.” Fabrio wondered at the strange look on Keltyr’s face, wondered why it did not reassure him. “I will secure things for the night. You’ve been working so hard and I have an appointment in Thunder Bluff.”

Fabrio paused at the end of the hallway and looked behind him. Master Sunsworn was still standing at the open doorway, looking in. Fabrio moved swiftly before those oddly bright eyes looked his away again.

[itanyablade]

Bika waited in the shadows outside the quiet hall. She carried a certain aura of suggestion about her, a notion that persuaded the casual passerby that the space she occupied was quite empty. Parlor tricks, much simpler than what she had planned for the elf.

It was going to take a lot of effort simply to navigate the mess she was likely to find in Dorri'tow's head, let alone rearrange it. She was prepared, however. She'd had time to rest since the plague had been contained, and she was no longer too tired to trust herself. The small glass of liquor at the inn had taken the edge off, but its dulling effect was now long gone. She felt sharp, saw everything with an alien clarity. She was ready. She crept inside.

An oafish elf slept in a chair inside the dimly-lit office to her left. Still, she would be cautious. She was not one to be sloppy in her work, and this time would be no different. She glided down the hall.

The first door she tried contained the sleeping elf. How fortuitous. Closing the door softly behind her, she crossed the room gracefully on silent feet and knelt at the elf's bedside. Dorri'tow sighed softly and shifted in her sleep. Bika sat very still, waiting for her to settle back into deeper sleep. As she waited, she recalled her conversation with Keltyr earlier that day.

[itanyablade]

What can you do?"

"I assume that some of her mind has been blocked off from itself, it's the only way to accomplish what's been done to her short of removing part of her brain." She looked at him sharply. "They didn't, did they?"

He stared at her, vague horror playing across his features. "I don't think so- I hope not."

"Then we will have to continue on the assumption that her brain is intact."

Keltyr faltered a moment, then asked the question she'd been waiting to hear. "What do you need from me?"

"I will need to get very close to her..." Ambika stopped, waiting for an elf to pass out of hearing range, "...preferably when she is asleep."

Her voice grew thoughtful. "They don't tend to fight it when they're asleep."

"That's easy. I'm Grand Master Sunsworn, she'll do anything I tell her to do." The bitterness in his tone was rank, and she repressed a smile with effort.

"Let me give you some advice, elf. When you finish that drink, stop. Let your mind clear. Chuck your sword around, whatever it is you people do. Stay strong and ready to fight."

Keltyr muttered darkly. "This is all Elerlissa's fault."

"And are you going to let some demon-slut bring you low?"

"She already has! Look at me!" He laughed, a harsh, frantic sound. She could practically hear the guards across the square perking their ears, and controlled teh impulse to slap his pretty, sotted face.

"Get a hold of yourself! Self-pity's not going to get you anywhere. Let me help you fix it." She let her words sink in. He appeared very nearly sober at this point, although she had no idea how long that would last. She waited.

He walked back to the paladin's hall, throwing a comment casually over his shoulder as he brushed past her. "It would be a pity if someone forgot to lock the guild hall tonight."

[itanyablade]

Express permission from the master of your own order, my dear. Some interior part of her chuckled, but outwardly she was perfectly silent, her eyes closed. She gathered her thoughts and visualized herself standing in front of a simple wooden door. The knob was simple, made of cool iron, and turned soundlessly beneath her hand. A hallway filled with other doors lay beyond. She would find what she sought here, deep within the sleeping paladin.

The priestess walked slowly, feeling her way through the foreign space. A careless move could alert the sleeper to her visitor, and cause undue resistance, or worse, wake her. She had no intention of botching this golden opportunity, so she crept. Steadily she reached out, sensing the contents behind each door as she passed. Memories of training here, of childhood and ambition. Here, beyond a double-bolted door, she sensed the demon. She continued, grimacing as she passed a portal behind which Keltyr was prominently featured, sometimes, to her dismay, quite nude.

At last she reached something useful. Thenliath. This broken woman harbored a vast array of emotions regarding her sister, accessible to the troll in simple images, even short vignettes... memories of past times together. Here she could gather ammunition, even plant a seed. After that, she would be at her leisure to pick various locks, reversing at least some of what had been done. The work was sturdy, but imperfect. Ambika would have no trouble creating a reasonable reconstruction of the woman that used to be, and this time, she might serve a purpose.




A blinding bar of sun crept steadily along the floor, up the troll's side, caressing her face like a lover before finally touching the thin blue lids over her eyes. So rudely torn from her trance, Ambika was exhausted and less than pleased. Time had passed quickly, but she had accomplished the bulk of her mission. Her lovely seed was tenderly planted, and she'd still had time to painstakingly loosen most of the bars, blocks and chains that kept Dorri'tow's mind divided. They should fall apart with very little effort, she believed, and whoever did the undoing would be quite smug with the ease her careful picking afforded them.

Not that it mattered who got the credit. The priestess was satisfied.

Unfortunately, it would not do to be caught in this place. It had been a bone-tiring process, and she'd have to use every last bit of her strength to make a clean getaway. Rising to her feet, she did just that. The sound of Fabrio's gentle snores accompanied her down the hallway and out the door.

[itanyablade]

Destril had arranged to meet Keltyr Sunsworn in a small cookshop on Thunder Bluff. The kind of place that was just private enough to discuss something of this nature yet public enough that hopefully neither side was try an assassination. It cost far too much, in Then’liath’s estimation, to secure the one private room (or what passed for one, a loft with a single table), but she watched Destril pay the price without complaint.

They ordered food and made themselves comfortable. Linedan joined them, but stood menacingly in the corner in full plate. None of them spoke while they waited. Eventually their guest arrived.

Keltyr Sunsworn paused at the top of the stairs and looked around. “If you're just going to try and kill me you don't have to worry about the façade.”


Then’liath frowned. “Linedan is here to make sure things stay civilized.”

Keltyr smirked, “and the cat?”

“Cat?” Then asked curiously.

At the same time, Destril raised an eyebrow inquisitively at Keltyr. “I left Norman in my chambers...”

Behind them, Rashona melded out of the shadows, clothed in the skin of a plains cat and having a cat’s grin. Linedan’s look and distinct blink brought her to Destril and Then’liath’s attention. They both turned to look behind them. Then smiled at Rashona and shook her head.

“Will anyone else who came to watch this little debacle make themselves known, so I know who got properly invited and who didnt?” Destril waited for an answer but no one else answered. “Right. Anyone still hiding, I will be cranky on when they come out.”


The cat spoke softly. “If it truly troubles you, Destril, I'll wait outside.”

As Destril sighed, Then’liath tried to explain. “No Rashona.. We just didn't expect you. And we do not want Keltyr to feel in any danger.”

Rashona nodded her understanding, as Destril whispered ever so softly into his stone with his back still turned on Keltyr. “It's not that it troubles me, Rashona...it's just that spooked things need to feel safe if they're going to listen.”

“I mean him no harm. But the last time I saw him, he and his friends were trying to cut Linedan and me down to get to *you*.”

Then added, quietly as well. “He has already spooked at the sight of me once.”

Then had time to curse softly as Davien’s voice carried. “Who's spookin'?”

And then their guildmaster, “and why?”

Then’liath responded, leaving Destril to explain things to Rashona. “Keltyr Sunsworn.”
Rashona continue to whisper to Destril. “As I said, if it will cause a problem, I'll go out of sight. But not out of earshot in case I'm needed.”

Destril nodded his understanding. “I'll leave it to your discretion. You can tell by his scent if he's getting nervous.”

“True enough.”

Destril turned back around to face their quest, sat and laced his fingers together.

Rashona nodded to Keltyr. “My apologies, paladin.” And then lay down on the floor to watch.

Keltyr grinned. “And if I was going to attack them,” he said, speaking as if he was unaware to the whispers going on, “don’t you think I would have done so when it wouldn’t guarantee my own death?”

Then’liath snapped without thinking. “I think you would do just that.” She snapped her mouth closed before anything else could escape.

Destril carried on, ignoring Then’s outburst. “ No dancing around the question this time. If you could turn back the clock...would you?”

Not even pausing for thought, Keltyr responded. “Yes.”

“Then I think we may can help you do just that.”

“And do you both think this plan has a chance of working?” Looking from Then’liath to Destri,Keltyr asked his question.

It was Then that resonded. “Yes.” Rashona’s ears perked up. “I believe that it is the only chance we have of correcting the mistakes you have made.”

Destril sighed as he attempted to keep the conversation on track. “How much do you know about what it is the Magisters actually...do?”

“I have a decent idea.” Then’liath stifled a snort and Keltyr gave her a sneering smile. “Not as clear an idea as some, I'm sure.” Then narrowed her eyes at Keltyr.

Destril continued talking. “ I've had something of a crash course of late. According to what I've been told, essentially, what they do is like damming or diverting a river. Which means that the water flows another way...but the riverbed is still there. Do away with the dam or the diversion and....” He paused to see if Keltyr was following the idea.

Then responded at the same time as Keltyr. “There is a chance the waterflow may return to its original bed.”

“The water might go back.”

“Exactly.” Destril forged ahead. “I'm not a city child by birth. In my experience, rivers want to flow where nature intended them.”
Keltyr spoke softly, “as shallow as they might be.”

“Shallow?” Then’liath raised an eyebrow at Keltyr.

“Shallow.” Keltyr repeated, starting at Then’liath or have you never dealt with someone after they’ve been… whatever you want to call it?”

Then snapped back. “You know perfectly well that I have.”

Destril glances over at Then'liath for a heartbeat, then back at Keltyr. ”You know, if I didn't know better, I'd almost think you were coming to enjoy feeling sorry for yourself. Now are you going to listen, or are you going to sit there and trade pleasantries?”

Then and Keltyr both took deep breaths and then Keltyr spoke, “ I'm listening.”

“All right. Now. As I was saying. I will freely admit that the comparison of the mind to a river is a little rough...but it worked well enough for me to understand the how and why of what needs to be done. There is, however, a glaring ‘But.’And it is this. I cannot guarantee that the repair would be one hundred percent perfect. I believe that it is, however, worth trying.”

Then nodded in agreement. “It is better than doing nothing.”

Keltyr assented as well. “I would have to agree. What will it take?”

“Access to Dorri, for starters.”

Destril leaned over to whisper in Then’s ear as she spoke. ”This is the part where I bow to your superior experience, love. Can this be done with her unconscious, or will she have to be awake?”

Keltyr frowned at the whispering couple, but did not interrupt.

Then’liath whispered back. “She will have to be awake.”

“Damn and hell. I'll just have to be as gentle as I can while getting the job done.”

“Changing her was not done gently.”

“well, I guesssed that from what you've told me. Sometimes the healing can be more painful than the hurting...but I'd like to avoid that if possible.”

“we can't have her moved too far, can we?”

“I am not sure how much she would co-operate, no matter what Sunsworn might say. The less she struggles the better it will be.”

“I may not be a magister, but as I offered in his case, she can be controlled, at least temporarily.”

Then’liath finally look at Keltyr and Destril leaned back away. Keltyr asked, “How long would you need her and in what state?”

Then responded. “I have no idea how long. As far as I know, no one has ever done this before. We just need you to get her there.”

Keltyr scoffed. “That doesn't take much anymore.” Well that explains you being reasonable. You could not appear in Silvermoon and do your duty with your mind clouded.”

Destril gritted his teeth. “Not. The. Point.”


Thenliath frowned, took a deep breath and continued. “I think at best, it would take a day, perhaps less, perhaps more. We would need a quiet and secure location. There are plenty of abandoned villages in the barrens.”

“And those count as secure?” Keltyr questioned

As Then’liath muttered about chains being secure, Destril contined the conversation. “Can you think of a self-respecting sin'dorei that would go out there regularly?”

“To the Barrens?” Keltyr smirked at Then’liath. “I doubt it.”

“That would cover secure on at least one level, then.” Destril did his best to ignore the battle of wills.

“Would you be expecting other security issues?”

Then snapped again. “That depends on if you can keep your mouth shut.”

“And who, exactly do you expect me to tell?”

“Oh, I'm not overly worried on that point. It wouldn't make much sense to go through all this just to make the same mistake that was made before.” Destril continued to try and keep things on course.

Unfortunately, Then’liath was not co-operating. “I do not underestimate his ability to screw things up” Rashona, picking up on the tension in the room, pulled her lip back to reveal the tips of her teeth.

“His?” Keltyr considered for a moment. “No, I suppose I don't either.”

Destril started grinding his teeth, causing a smirk to slink its way across Keltyr’s face. “If you two are done each trying to out-toddler the other...can we /please/ finish getting these logistics worked out?”

Then’liath frowned at Destril. “Very Well.”

Keltyr let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “Fine.”

Destril looked pointedly from the Then to Keltyr. “ Or am I the only one who remembers who we're here for?”

“No, I will atempt to keep from...” Then’liath paused to rethink her words. “I will keep my bile under control...”

Destril sighed. “*Thank* you, love. I appreciate that.”

Keltyr responded as well. “Very well then, what else needs to be done?”

Then’liath looked him over, considering, but it was Destril that responded. “All that's required of you is to send her to the location decided upon...and satisfy yourself that this one sin of omission is for the greater good.” Then the priest added, “If you're a praying man...do so. Can't hurt, and might help.” Then looked as though she did not believe Keltyr was capable of praying.

“And then sit back and expect you to take care of the rest?”

Then’liath gritted her teeth as Destril responded. “You want to be there and watch over her?”


“I have no intention of abandoning her a second time.”

“I think you may well be a nervous wreck before it's done...I'm the one having to do it, and I'm not looking forward to it.” Then’liath muttered under her breath, listening to the men talk.

Keltyr blinked in surprise. ”You will?”

“I'm the one that damn near killed myself saving Corspilla. I have a nasty habit of looking after things myself, if it's someone I care about.” Destril mutters under his breath, "or gets on my radar and won't leave, one."

“Well, given that you're the one that's more experienced with this kind of...work, I assumed you would.” He looked at Then’liath.

She responded with venom, though perhaps not directed at Keltyr for once. “We do not touch our own kin.”


“Besides,” Destril added, “this is likely better handled by the one with no preconceived notions of training.”

“Nerve wracking or not, I'll manage.”

Then’liath smiled, “I'm sure you will.” Her smile indicated that she was lying.


“Right. So this is settled. And I hope to the Light this is worth giving up my people for.” Destril did his best to ignore Then’s comment.

“When can you be ready to do this?”

“We need to move quickly, before those new ideas become set. Late tomorrow evening at the earliest.”

Destril nodded. “Right...night on the tiles it is for tomorrow. At least we'll be in the Barrens anyway.” Destril looked over his shoulder at the druid and smiled. Rashona purred at Destril. “Actually, I was sort of hoping I might talk Rashona into keeping the quillboar off us if she gets bored.”

Rashona chuckled. “That shouldn't be a problem.”

[itanyablade]

Dorri’tow waited patiently for Grand Master Sunsworn to arrive. She had wandered briefly around the dusty town called Crossroads. It looked like a very horrible place to live. She watched Master Sunsworn pull his steed to a stop before her.

“You said you did not know much about the Horde. I hope this will further your education.” He paused for a moment and then looked away. “Mount up and follow me.”

Not even bothering to watch her salute, he turned the horse north on the road and had it run. She ran for her hawkstrider and pushed the poor beast to catch up with him. He turned off the road and headed for a small farm. In the distance, she could a number of forms and the twinkling of the fire. Master Sunsworn slowed his steed to a walk and Dorri slowed her `strider to match his.

She looked over the motley collection of people. Tauren, orcs, trolls, Forsaken and two Sin’dorei. She watched them look at her and struggled not to flush under the scrutiny. A large Tauren warrior flexed his gauntlet on the haft of his hammer, eyes never leaving the two paladins, as he moved to place himself between them and the others gathered around the fire.

Master Sunsworn did not even dismount. He nodded at the male Sin’dorei, who whistled for the oddest mount, an undead horse, she had ever seen.


“Are we leaving?” She looked up at Keltyr.


“Is there a problem?”

“No, sir!” She responded briskly, and wondered why Master Sunsworn was constantly unhappy with her.


The male Sin’dorei spoke to her master. “I believe the spot is near the Crossroads.” He reached for the reins of his own mount

Keltyr responded with a nod. “Good.” He turned his steed around back towards the way they had come.
An orc wearing a very unusual and primitive outfit took a few steps forward and spoke. “Destril, what's going on.”

At the same time, a Forsaken woman asked, “Spot?”

She was drawn away from the confusing horde conversation by Master Sunsworn speaking to her again. “Follow me, you'll understand shortly.”

Dorri’tow saluted sharply. “Yes, sir.”

The male Sin’dorei, Dorri assumed his name was Destril, looked at the orc. “Ghaar, I'll hand you in a report tomorrow. It's not a topic for public discussion.”

One of the trolls sighed. He spoke, but she could not understand what he was saying. “Skam wha smadda duti iman. nehjo fu.”

Master Sunsworn looked over his shoulder at her. “This way and keep up.”
“Yes, sir!”

Over the goblin stone, so that she did not have to shout while riding, she asked. “ This place is very barren. How do people survive here?”

Master Sunsworn responded. “Force of will, I would imagine.”

Dor’enea, still in the chapter house, responded with fervor. “With the appropriate amounts of will, the Light will aid anyone to see things through to the conclusion they want.”


“Oh, good point.”

Master Sunsworn cut off their conversation. “This would be a good time for you to simply observe and contemplate what it is you are seeing.”

“Yes, Sir.”

They arrived at a ramshackle structure. Dorri’tow noticed that the male Sin’dorei from the fire had accompanied them. Something else played at the edges of her vision, but Dorri shrugged that off. If it was important, Master Sunsworn would point it out to her. The other Sin’dorei, Destril she reminded herself, dismounted, pulled a sturdy wooden staff from his packs and led the way into the hut.

“Right.” Destril nodded at her. “Could you want here a moment, please?”

Dorri’tow looked to Master Sunsworn and he nodded. “Do so.”

“Yes, sir.” She made herself comfortable on a threadbare rug that looked as if it had seen better days. The only other thing in the room was a sturdy wooden table with shackles at all four corners.

The two men walked out beyond her earshot.

Destril: Just to make certain, one more time before we start. You want this, yes?

Keltyr says: Whatever it is she's doing now isn't living anyway.

Destril says: And you understand that it may not be flawless?

Keltyr says: I don't intend on turning back now.

Destril says: Just being fair and giving you a final chance to say "no."

Keltyr nods at Destril.

Destril says: If you're in, then I am. let's get this done.

They re-entered the room and she looked at Master Sunsworn to see if she should rise. Destril sighed and squared his shoulders.

Mast Sunsworn spoke to her. “This is for your own good?”

“Sir?”

Destril spoke to her. “Right. On the table and get comfortable...it's gonna be a long night around here.”

She was focused on Master Sunsworn, wondering if she had disappointed him again. “You trusted me once, hopefully you will again. Stand up. Do as he says.”

“I trust you, sir.” She felt confused and uncertain, but she did exactly as she was told. Destril fastened the shackles around her ankles and wrists. She looked at Master Sunsworn, but he seemed unconcerned.

Destril looked at Master Sunsworn over her. “Right. Flat out, Sunsworn...this is /not/ going to be pretty. Lend her your strength, be her anchor to call back who she was...just don't be alarmed.” It was only then that she knew that he was a priest, because he became cloaked in Shadows.

“I.. I don't understand.”


The priest looked down at her and smiled. And some small part of her wondered why that smiled seemed familiar. “I rather prefer it that way, actually.” Without touching her, she felt his shadows touch her.

A whimper escaped her and she looked towards Master Sunsworn, who stood at her side. She could feel the priest digging around in her head. Destril spoke more to himself than anyone else. “Well.../that/ sure as hell doesn't belong.”

She could feel him in her head. It felt like someone beating on a door, but the door was her mind. She felt something being pulled from her head, but she did not see the priest toss a small palmful of shadow-stuff to the side.

She heard Destril speak, through the pain. “make sure that stays over there...loose threads have already caused me enough problems in my life.”

Master Sunsworn’s voice pierced the veil. “Just...watch it?”

“If it tries to come back over here...dispel it. Or whatever it is that knights do.”

The priest turned his attention back to her and the pain returned. Keltyr kneeling at her side, distracted her from Destril’s flush as he came across an unexpected memory. “erm.. right. Yeah. Moving right along.”

As the priest continued the assault on her mind, Keltyr took her hand. She strained against the bonds. She could feel the strain as she fought against the urge to scream.

While the priest continued, ignoring his own failing strength, Keltyr spoke, “just focus.” She squeezed his hand tightly and she screamed as another dam burst.

Awash in agony, she barely heard Destril speak to Keltyr. “You want everything possible back, right?”

What she did hear was Keltyr’s sudden intake of breath. “Yes, better to remove as much as possible of what they did.”

“So be it.”

Before she could have a moment to comprehend the finality of that statement, her head was filled with fire and she strained against the bonds that held her down for this torture.

Somehow, Keltyr’s earnest voice cut through the pain. “Look me in the eyes.” She forced herself to open her eyes to look at him. She barely noticed Destril’s nod of approval. She had to fight to keep focused. She crushed Keltyr’s hand, trying to stand against the pain. “You're better than this shell they left you with.”

Something gave in her mind and everything came flooding back in. Her back arched in the pain and she screamed. Throughout it all, he held her hand. A hundred different things flooded her thoughts, but she only screamed his name. And then there was blackness.

[itanyablade]

Then’liath had remained quiet during the whole process, gritting her teeth and forcing herself to remain silent and unobtrusive.

The echo of her sister’s final scream seemed to echo, as both of the men tried to gather themselves.

Destril spoke first. “That...should...do it. There's...nothing else...I can see to remove.”

“All that's left is rest?”

“And time. Take her somewhere quiet.” Destril released his hold on his shadows and reached behind him to his staff.

Keltyr Sunsworn looked down at the woman lying limply on the table, slowly unfastening the shackles that were no longer needed. “Hmm. Somewhere quiet. I can do that.”

Destril used the staff to get to his feet, wavering once he was upright. Then’liath was immediately at his side to lend him support. Destril leaned against the staff and watched the paladin.

Keltyr looked at them both. “Thank you. Both of you.” Then’liath could barely contain her shocked as he bowed to them. There was nothing mocking in that bow. He picked her sister up from the table, cradling her against his chest.

“You’re welcome.” Destril responded, as Then was still speechless. “There is one thing I want in exchange, though....learn from your error. Don't repeat it.”

“I have no desire to go through that again. and I will find some way to repay you. I just don't know how yet.” Then’liath blinked in shock as Keltyr turned his back on them and walked out into the Barrens night. She heard the cry of his horse and the sound of hoofbeats fading in the distance.

“He just said, thank you? It is possible,” She conceded reluctantly, “I was wrong about him.”

Destril bowed his head, still holding onto his staff and laughed silently.

Raising an eyebrow, Then slipped her arm under his. “What are you laughing about?”

“Let's just say there are things man is not meant to know...and I know 'em now.”


“Oh really?”

“Really.”

When it became clear that Destril was not going to enlighten her, she turned her attention back to taking care of him. “Let us get you home. There is an entire zoo waiting to fuss over you and I want my turn.”
“That's the best idea I've heard all day. Davien's coming by in the morning...though I doubt I'll be out of bed by the time she arrives.” Destril limps over to the door of the hut to call for Winston.

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

“Oh, I think I've just had my schedule forcibly cleared for a day or so. And I'm looking forward to the rest.”


“So am I.”

Winston bowed to allow his master to mount, just as Then’liath’s Hawkstrider arrived with a cheerful squawk. “Come on...let's get home.” Then smiled and nodded.