Richard listened as the others made some of their own introductions and their benefactor explained more of her situation. "A cult, eh. Sounds dangerous. My name is Richard Parker." He took a drink from his ale before continuing on. "A pleasure to meet you all."
"I guess the main question I have is, what's the plan we're workin' with for rescuin' this Mortre? I assume we're not gonna charge in there just to see what happens."
"Fair point, fair point, running blindly into situations rarely go well. I don't think we can really work out a plan until we know what we are up against though." He scratched his chin.
There seemed to be a lot of help for Kersia, and Dart nodded politely as she greeted whoever came in after him. He moved back to let her have the floor, and found himself with his back to the wall. He gazed over the others until his glance fell on the Night elf smoking.
She gave him a look that sent his blood racing. Then she WINKED at him! He blinked several times then realized he was blushing, and he coughed, trying to cover his mouth as he did. No one ever flirted with him! Not that he was bad looking or anything, it was just something he never expected, especially from a Night Elf no less.
She towered above him in height, and probably outweighed him as well. It was slightly intimidating. He had to remind himself he was in actuality a bronze drake. Not fully grown yet, but still impressive by elven standards. He had to drag himself back to the present yet again when someone asked for names.
Dart looked around in slight confusion. He had introduced himself, hadn't he? The whelp on his shoulder noticed his confusion and chirruped at him, purring a bit to help his friend relax. The whelp could not speak, though he could understand any language.
Absentmindedly, Dart lifted a hand to stroke his companion as it curled around his neck and purred at him. He remained silent as others began speaking and giving their thoughts. Of course he could take a glance into the future and see if they would be successful, but that was highly forbidden! Dart bit his lip, refraining from speaking about this was hard! He opened his mouth to mention that they would find out the Cult was all over the world and very scary, but the whelp on his shoulder chose that moment to bite down on his finger. Not hard enough to draw blood, but enough to make him yelp in pain. "OUCH!! That was rude, Sylvestian...what? I was not about to say anything...well...maybe a little.." He glanced around to find some of them staring at him.
"Forgive me, Sylvestian is very young, he is playful!" he stammered, then took his hand out of reach of the whelp, who was switching his tail around in an irritated manner.
Sylstyx looked around as people shuffled in, introducing themselves. She looked over he shoulder at what seemed like nothing, before cocking her head to the side and looking over at Darthanion and Torin. She mumbled something under her breath in draenic, to no one seemingly in particular before chuckling.
Vynianyx looked at the shaman and sighed, rubbing her fingers on the bridge of her nose. It was then that a dwarf made his way in, one Vynianyx recognized from their excursion against the rogue death knights. Draco... something ion... She vaguely remember. Her memory wasn't what it used to be in her youth, for sure. She smiled inwardly. A part of her had a hunch they would see that young black again after the incident.
"Excuse me, I am looking for an Kersia, would one of you ladies be her?" He said as he glanced around the room. He must have realized who she was, because he made his way right towards the pandaren.
Kersia's expression flashed a look of mistrust and suspicion for a moment, but she regained her composure. "Yes, I am she." She scowled slightly at the horned dwarf.
"Draco, was it? How nice to see you again." Vyn smiled at him. Kersia relaxed slightly as Vyn greeted him with a friendly tone.
Kersia sighed, a deep breath easing her nerves away. She glanced over at the other night elf female in the room, the exuberant waver. She had pulled out some sickening drug to smoke whilst leaning up against the wall. Kersia scowled, her sensitive nose not reacting too kindly to the wafting scent; but she paid it no true mind.
Torin took up a seat next to Vyn and spoke privately to her while waiting for others to introduce themselves. "My true form would be a bit... cumbersome. Yes I am of the Green flight. When you first came to us half dead after the deaths of your parents, you crawled next to me. I have changed since then. I am not sure you would recognize me now. That is a discussion for another time though." The male elf revealed scars on his arms that Vynianyx looked at.
Vynianyx frowned. "Sorry... my memory of that time has since dimmed with my age. I hardly remember any specifics anymore. But I owe you and the others a great debt for helping me back then." She smiled at him.
"Careful... this one has a familiar aura to him." Torin spoke of the horned dwarf that entered. "As for your other questions, just know the Awakened one has asked for several of us to watcher certain druids. With the recent attack on Sentinel Hill we have to be more proactive. This case, it is keeping you alive. You have a destiny to fulfill."
Vyn smiled again at Torin. "I know Draco somewhat. He helped when quelling that attack on Sentinel Hill." She paused to think for a moment. "Destiny huh? Well, if only father could have realized that... Still, glad to have a guardian... dragon." She chuckled lightly.
Vynianyx and Torin had been whispering, but no one truly jumped on the introduction wagon... well except those that introduced themselves as they walked in. Finally, the death knight broke the icy awkwardness.
"Right, names...mine would be Morician Blackborne," He paused. "I guess the main question I have is, what's the plan we're workin' with for rescuin' this Mortre? I assume we're not gonna charge in there just to see what happens." His discomfort with speaking was rather apparent. Another, however followed his trend and introduced himself as Richard Parker, whom also echoed the deathknight's concern.
"Right, a good assumption." Kersia sighed deeply. "I suppose I am a little rude not introducing us to all of you... except the few who got here first. I am Kersia, and the druid and shaman with me are Vynianyx and Sylstyx." She paused and gathered her thoughts. "You are right, we wont be charging in spells blazing."
Vynianyx unrolled an elegant map onto the table, detailed in the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor. She pointed to Tenaris. "We know the cult has its main base in the deserts of Tenaris. They go by Cult of the Black Scales, lead by a mysterious man named Vinarion." Vynianyx frowned. "Kersia is almost 100% certain Vinarion is a black dragon, and we don't know how many of his cult are also dragons... but we are certain many are."
Kersia took a pen to the map, circling Rachet and drawing a path through the Barrens, into the marsh, through Thousand Needles, and down to Tenaris. "This is the route we will be following. I am no fortune teller," Kersia looked straight at Darthanion as she said that, "but my hunch is that Vinarion has eyes on us. I want to use this to my advantage. At some point, we need to capture a cultist and figure out exactly where Vinarion is hiding." She sighed. "Unfortunately, if Vinarion is indeed a black dragon, he is battle hardened as one, and most likely older than anyone here. He will out match and out class us in the sky... we will be sitting ducks. So I want to do this venture on the ground as much as possible." She looked around the room. Her mind offered a small prayer to the Titans. She only hoped this group of... heroes?... would be enough to free Mortre. She almost groaned as the little bronze whelp bit into Darthanion's finger. Titan's save us all.
Vynianyx spoke. "Normally we would want to get to Mortre as fast as possible... but we think they want to use her for something. Odds are, they don't want to kill her. Not right away anyway. That gives us time." The druidess smiled and looked around. "Any more questions?"
Deep beneath the sands of Tenaris, Vinarion paced. His left hand was on his forehead as he chuckled. A twisted grin adorned his sunken face. âHehe it was⌠too easyâŚâ He stopped in the center of the chamber, his shoulders quivering as he withheld his laughter. âAlmost⌠disappointing.â He snapped around on his heels. âVANEXIA!â His voice boomed through the vast tunnel network.
A shadow, and then a woman, appeared next to him. Her voice beautiful, yet cold. âYes, brother?â
âYou saw her settled and secured?â He did not turn to address her.
âYes.â Vanexia bowed slightly. âUsing our research of the chains we recovered that bound Kirygosa, we fashioned chains and clasps to prevent any shapeshifting.â
âGood⌠But are we blocking her magic as well?â Vinarion did not want his prisoner to slip from his grasp.
âYes. The cell is lined so she cannot channel her mana into the earth to manipulate it.â
âPerfect.â Vinarion turned to make his way down a corridor that branched off the chamber. âI think Iâll pay her a visit.â He paused. âVanexia⌠She spent much time with mortals⌠and some blue blooded wretch. Instead of us. Go, take a small force and find the blue blood. I want no chance of her freeing mother after I worked SO HARD to get her here.â
Morician's heart sank at the mention of Tanaris. Great, just great. A trip through a giant roastin' sandbox full of bugs--just what I needed. Curling his lip in disgust, he quietly listened as Kersia continued outlining the plans. Most of it made sense, though the mention of actual dragons being involved surprised him. When she had first mentioned the cult, he thought she was referring to dragon-worshiping people, not real dragons themselves. However...it could be that she was just paranoid. He wasn't too sure. Either way, it didn't hurt to be prepared.
The fact that the trip was to be by ground, and not by air, was no small relief. Though he could certainly fly when need arose, he much preferred the saddle of his trusty horse rather than the wings of some other beast. True, though he would still be riding through oppressive heat, he at least would doing so in a familiar manner.
Vynianyx spoke. "Normally we would want to get to Mortre as fast as possible... but we think they want to use her for something. Odds are, they don't want to kill her. Not right away anyway. That gives us time." The druidess smiled and looked around. "Any more questions?"
The question pulled his attention back to the detail that still puzzled him. Raising his hand to interject, he would ask rather skeptically, "Yeah...maybe you mentioned it earlier, and I missed it, but...why exactly does this cult want Mortre, especially that she's considered important enough to keep alive? She a powerful mage or somethin' they're tryin' to turn to their side, or has she got somethin' they're after?" He settled back against the wall once more, folding his arms and filing the other details away in his mind.
Draco's gaze may have been set on the Pandaren, but his other senses were well tuned to his surroundings. The gentle almost silent gesture of Torin to the hilt of his weapon, the scent of some fowl herb being burned by the Night Elf, even the cold chill emanating from the Human Death Knight. When Kersia confirmed his suspicions about her identity he was about to introduce himself in return but the Night Elf Vyn quickly beat him too it. Changing the target of his gaze he shifted it to that of the Night Elf. "And to you as well Miss Vynianyx. Draco is fine." He smiled back at her before turning his attention back towards Kersia,
"I wish I was here on better terms as I had only heard of what befell Mortre when I was in search of your shop in Stormwind as per her suggestion up at the camp in Crystalsong. It is about a personal matter Mortre said you may be able to help me with." Draco didn't feel he needed to go into much more detail than that as it was unlikely anyone else other than the four of them knew Mortre's true identity. Or why he was searching for the Pandaren. The Night Elf and Draenei where part of the conversation at the camp in Crystalsong and whatever Kersia could not figure out on her own they would likely fill her in on, if that had not already. When the Death Knight Morican asked about why a cult of possible Black Dragons wanted her after the quick briefing he'd confirmed that he was one who did not.
While Vynianyx's statement about Kersia's hunch their leader was a black, Draco knew already that it was more than just a hunch. The speculation was more for the others in the group. They were dealing with not only one very powerful black Dragon, but most likely the majority of the cult was. How they've managed to survive is what questioned Draco's mind. With the purge the Black Prince had performed on most of their flight it was rare to find one Black outside of the Outland Branch, let alone a whole cult of them. There was little chance this bunch belonged to Sabellion. These were questions he wanted to ask but felt it better to keep to himself for risk of revealing too much to the other "heroes" that had gathered.
Draco looked down at the map and the locations and path that had been laid out for them. Pointing to Thousand Needles he looked to the leader of this group. "If we are not going by air, how do you expect to cross that?" Pointing to the vast expanse of water that still flooded the flats. "Have you already chartered a boat or do you expect us to simply walk across that as if it were land? Draco looked at both the Death Knight and Shaman Sylstyx knowing each could hold a special ability that allowed such travel if they had trained deep enough in it.
A great shadow passed over the small fortress on Sentinel Hill, the devastation was clear from the battle that had been fought here not too long ago. If any looked up they would see the silhouette of a great leviathan, a dragon, though none would be able to make out its color. The dragon looked upon the devastation with a shake of its head, âSuch senseless violence and suffering. Why must mortals battle each other when there are greater dangers out there that would be more easily faced together.â The dragonâs feminine voice would easily identify it as female, its red scales hidden by the light of the sun.
The dragon flew towards a gorge west of the fortress, Dalfein better have a good reason for calling me all the way out here. Strange though that he would send for me personally, I wonder why. The dragon circled over the crashed necropolis and could see a fair number of ghouls sifting through the debris along with several death knights directing them. The dragon scrunched up her nose, the smell of death hitting her rather hard. She fought through her revulsion and circled until she found a suitable spot to land.
Once she landed her form began to shift, becoming smaller and very feminine and beautiful. She preferred the guise of the night elves, she found their purplish skin color to be very exotic and she felt her red hair went well with the skin color. She wore a sheer robe, that showed off a lot of skin and clung to her form in all the right places. She enjoyed teasing mortal men, though she wished she could find one like her friend Illisidel to settle down with, she preferred the mortal races over her own kind. She looked to one of the death knights, âI am here to see Dalfein Scourgbane.â The knight nodded and led her through an opening and into a hallway that was relatively clear of debris.
They picked their way through the corridor until they came into an open space and judging by the control panel this area must have been the control room. Dalf was near the control panel talking to a couple more death knights and by their height they had to be a dwarf and gnome. âCan we fix it?â
The gnomish knight tilted his head, âPerhaps, but it wonât be easy, you did a real number on this place when you crashed it to the ground. Rebuilding the structure wonât be that difficult, but getting it to fly again is another story entirely.â
Dalf nodded as he noted the other knight and the female night elf, he looked back at his two cohorts, âDo what you can, if we canât get it back in the air perhaps we can transport it and use it as an outer defensive structure, but I would like a getaway plan should our garrison be overrun as unlikely as that is.â
The two knights saluted and left along with the womanâs escort and Dalf collapsed in a chair he had set up, âI am glad you came Kora.â
The woman looked at him curiously, âI must admit you calling for me personally piqued my curiosity, it is no secret to either of us that we donât get along well. What are you doing here anyway?â
Dalf sighed, âTrying to get this hunk of junk functional again, after the battle with that darkfallen bytch I claimed her necropolis for myself. I am hoping to use it as a mobile base of operations when needed.â Dalf chuckled as Kora looked around doubtfully, âI know it doesnât seem like much, but rebuilding the structure is easy enough, itâs getting it in the air again that could be the problem, but that isnât why I called you here.â
Kora looked at Dalf and concern flashed across her features at seeing the death knightâs worn looking face, âWhat is wrong Dalfein? You look worn⌠and worried.â
The death knight chuckled, âPerceptive as always, it has been years since I felt this worn and it is mostly from worry⌠Sammuroth has gone missing.â
Koraâs eyes widened, she of course knew of Sammuroth Moonfury, but he didnât seem the type to just up and leave without telling anyone, âWas he kidnapped?â
Dalf shook his head, âDoubtful, his mate, Kari left on an important mission. Sam hasnât been the same since she left, I just found out a few days ago he had gone missing. I donât know if he went to search for Kari, or something even more stupid, he hasnât been himself even before she left. I am worried about him and am going to see if I canât track him down before Kari or Lori get back. Both would be worried sick and would likely blame me as much as Sam for not keeping a closer eye on him. Besides, he is my friend and something is wrong with him, I would be a poor friend indeed if I didnât try to help him. I also plan on asking Del and Sandi to help look for him, they are much more⌠understanding than I am.â
Kora shook her head confused, âThat is all well and good, but why did you ask for me?â
Dalf nodded and motioned to the table next to him, on the table was a note, âA friend of mine seems to have gotten herself kidnapped, this notice came to my attention before I found out Sam was missing and I had planned to go and help. Now with Sam missing, I find myself unable to do so. I asked for you to ask you to go in my place.â
Kora looked at him curiously, âWhy me alone? Why didnât you ask Illis and Kass?â
Dalf smiled, âBecause I think these friends of mine will be more up your alley. I suspect there is more to them than meets the eye, I have no proof of course, letâs just call it warriorâs instinct.â Dalf leaned forward a serious look on his face, âPlease Kora, I hold no ill will towards you, we are simply opposites. I represent everything your flight loathes, but beneath all of our bickering I know we are friends and as a friend I am asking for your help.â
Booty Bay
Kora sighed as she landed on the outskirts of Booty Bay, she was worried about Sam as well and about his mate Kari and Lori. She would much rather be helping search for Sam than here in a town run by goblins, her least favorite of the mortal races, well besides the forsaken. She looked at the notice again with a sigh, âDammit Dalf, you sure know how to guilt a girl into helping you. Though your suspicions did make me curious.â She glared at a nearby bruiser who was openly ogling her, her glare sent him running and she grinned, âNasty little creatures.â
Kora found the meeting place easily enough and walked up to the barkeep, âI am here about this notice?â The goblin looked at the notice and jerked his thumb towards the rooms. Kora frowned and angrily retrieved the notice, oh how she wanted to incinerate the rude little creature. She took a deep breath to calm herself and to remind herself that the majority of the mortal races were nothing like goblins.
Kora walked down the hall looking between the rooms wondering which this Kersia was in. As she passed one room she heard quite a few people rustling around and speaking in there. She shrugged, âHope this is the right room,â she knocked hard and loud on the door, much harder than her feminine form seemed to allow, âExcuse me! I am looking for someone named Kersia? I mutual friend asked me to help find this missing person she posted about!â
On her motor bike, Tandrina rode closer to the location where the others who had also received the letter about Mortre's disappearance currently were. It appeared to be an inn of sorts as she looked at the letter once more folding it neatly into her tunic's breast pocket. "Well looks like this is the place to meet,I wonder who all else got this letter." She muttered before making an attempt to yank the helmet off her head causing her to stumble a bit "Eep! Rexxus forgot to add ear slits to this helmet I'll have to remind him when I get back." She took a breath and made her way inside recognizing a few familiar faces ranging from the fight in Westfall to Winterspring where she had nearly been sacrificed by a lecherous and power hungry highborn. She had also seen some newer faces as she shyly gave a polite bow. "Sorry to bother everyone but I received this letter about miss Mortre and I believe one of you is miss Kersia?"
"Yeah...maybe you mentioned it earlier, and I missed it, but...why exactly does this cult want Mortre, especially that she's considered important enough to keep alive? She a powerful mage or somethin' they're tryin' to turn to their side, or has she got somethin' they're after?"
Kersia looked over at the death knight. "I wish I knew why they wanted her..." Her arcane blue eyes reflected her sorrow in that lack of knowledge. "I can only speculate... and everything would simply be conjecture based on my research. Even the theory that she is still safe is still just that... a theory. But it is the only fortune I have."
The pandaren listened to this newcomer, Draco, speak for several minutes. She had an inkling of what he was looking for in Stormwind, but was glad he didn't explain further. She wanted to keep the draconic part of the group under wraps as long as she could... though she was certain it wouldn't last. Not that she cared, herself. But based on what she had observed within the group and what her studies had shown, there were some here that may not. It was hard to say.
"If we are not going by air, how do you expect to cross that? Have you already chartered a boat or do you expect us to simply walk across that as if it were land? Draco asked, pointing to the water in Thousand Needles.
Kersia sighed. An icy wisp of breath escaped her lips as she looked the dwarf over. "If it comes to it, we could take a chance and fly, briefly... but I would rather avoid it. It wouldn't be too cumbersome a distance for me to teleport the group... or maybe even fashion a bridge. Not to mention spells that allow one to walk on water... Or we could charter a boat if any are available."
A loud knock resounded on the doorframe, as the door was open. âExcuse me! I am looking for someone named Kersia? I mutual friend asked me to help find this missing person she posted about!â A night elf was in the doorway... one who's aura was life.
Kersia eyed the elf wearily. And that makes... all five... If my research on the subtle signs of it are correct. The pandaren chuckled and cast the thought in the back of her mind. Wont know conclusions right away... She motioned for the night elf to enter the room. "Come in, I am Kersia. We were just discussing some of the details of my posting."
As she finished the statement, a familiar face strolled in. Tandrina. Kersia almost cracked a smile at her as she entered, glad to see the young elf after the entire ordeal with the deranged man. "Sorry to bother everyone but I received this letter about miss Mortre and I believe one of you is miss Kersia?"
"Tandrina, pleasure to see you again, though I wish it were better circumstances." Kersia scowled. "Mortre, the worgen with me when we last... met... was recently abducted herself."
"Now..." Kersia paused. Her assistants were making her do all the talking, like the 'good' friends they were. "I am sure not many of you are here because I lost my puppy and in the goodness of your heart, you wish to reunite us. You want rewards. Why risk your life if there is no coin attached, huh?" She chuckled. "Well, thanks to the contributions of my allies, we can offer many rewards. Coin, gemstones, runic inscriptions, custom kites, herbs, minerals, enchantments, and perhaps some engineering knick-knacks. We can negotiate payments and various services once Mortre is back safe or her corpse found." Kersia scanned the room. It was hard to tell what sort of desires these people would have, but she hoped they had enough between them all to pay. Regardless of price, she just wanted to get Mortre safe and sound. Though, as she made clear, that may not be feasible. She at least wanted to put Mortre's body to rest where it belongs.
Vynianyx took the floor after Kersia finished. "Now, this is going to be a long adventure. And I can assure you that Vinarion will set his forces upon us as soon as he catches wind of us. We wish to catch the sunrise boat to Rachet tomorrow. That gives you all afternoon to prepare, so please do so. There are not many opportunities along the route to stop and shop." She paused. "If after hearing all of this, you wish to duck out, no one will hold it against you. We might not even notice. There will be no head count... be on the boat or be left behind." The druidess looked around the room, her amber-blue eyes scanning each individual present. From the faces she knew to the strangers, she studied each one. "You are free to do as you like, stay and ask questions, shop, leave to go back to your home. Just be on that boat if you are planning of seeing this through." She waved her hand to dismiss the gathered people.
"Come in, I am Kersia. We were just discussing some of the details of my posting."
Kora bowed respectfully, if Dalfein was right about these people who knew how old they were. Kora of course wasnât exactly young, by mortal standards, but even her age paled in comparison to Sammurothâs. These were friends of Dalfâs and despite the death knightâs⌠less than appealing attitude, Kora knew he was a good judge of character. She looked around the room, she could definitely sense other dragons here, namely Kersia, another night elf, a sinâdorei and a dwarf. Each radiated a different aura of power which led Kora to believe they were all of different flights. Kora smiled as she went to stand next to the sinâdorei she believed to be a dragon, he looked like he would be fun to tease and she wanted to see if she was right. She was wearing the same sheer red robe she had been wearing when she met with Dalf.
"I am sure not many of you are here because I lost my puppy and in the goodness of your heart, you wish to reunite us. You want rewards. Why risk your life if there is no coin attached, huh?" She chuckled. "Well, thanks to the contributions of my allies, we can offer many rewards. Coin, gemstones, runic inscriptions, custom kites, herbs, minerals, enchantments, and perhaps some engineering knick-knacks. We can negotiate payments and various services once Mortre is back safe or her corpse found."
Kora smiled kindly, âI am here as a friend, Dalfein wouldnât take any kind of reward and I surely have no need of one. Hopefully saving a life will be enough of a reward for me. For whatever purpose your friend was taken I cannot imagine it to be good, saving your friend could save even more innocent lives by proxy.â Kora looked over at the elf she was standing beside and smiled, âYou will keep me safe wonât you?â She winked at him, just because the situation was serious didnât mean Kora couldnât have some fun, she so hoped this dragon in sinâdorei clothing would be as fun to tease as she suspected.
Vynianyx took the floor after Kersia finished. "Now, this is going to be a long adventure. And I can assure you that Vinarion will set his forces upon us as soon as he catches wind of us. We wish to catch the sunrise boat to Rachet tomorrow. That gives you all afternoon to prepare, so please do so. There are not many opportunities along the route to stop and shop." She paused. "If after hearing all of this, you wish to duck out, no one will hold it against you. We might not even notice. There will be no head count... be on the boat or be left behind." The druidess looked around the room, her amber-blue eyes scanning each individual present. From the faces she knew to the strangers, she studied each one. "You are free to do as you like, stay and ask questions, shop, leave to go back to your home. Just be on that boat if you are planning of seeing this through." She waved her hand to dismiss the gathered people.
Kora hung back as everyone else left and sat down delicately in a chair, âYour friend is lucky to have so many people willing to help her, whether for reward or not.â She crossed her legs at the knees before continuing, âDalfein Scourgebane sends his regards and apologizes he couldnât come himself, a friend of his went missing recently as well and he is determined to find him, but he couldnât leave this Mortre to suffer either. I hope I will be of some help.â Kora sighed as she looked at Kersia, âWe know we are more than we appear to be, it has been a long time since I have been around others of my kind, it makes my heart soar to see all the flights represented here. We have been separate for too long in my opinion. Separated by ideas of the mortal races and how to exist with them. I pray this will be a start to something good for the flights.â
Richard listened in on the conversations. This morician brought up the same concern he had himself and it was answered well enough. "You can count on me being there in the morning!' He said, leaving the place and the others.
He ordered himself another ale and spent most of his time in the tavern. "Hey, boss man, would you object to some music being played?"
The goblin looked at him. "Only if I get a cut of any money you're making. Half of it."
Richard shrugged his left shoulder. "Fine by me. I'll be back in just a moment." He went outside to find Synthara laying forlorn upon the ground. "Sorry girl, can't get you untied just yet. Later tonight." He unwrapped some meat and gave it to the panther. She gladly ate it all up.
"And as for you." He pulled out an apple. He had planned on eating it himself, but it was something for the horse for the time being. He cut it into pieces and fed Swiftwind the apple as a bit of a treat, he supposed.
"See you girls in a few hours." He said, getting his acoustic guitar. He spent a moment tuning it up before getting inside. He picked a corner, set down a small box, in case there were any tips, and started to play a rather sad sounding song, with long notes and a slow tempo.
"I love you more than any man, but something's getting in the way. I do you harm because I can for the second time today. Victims we are not of happenstance, but you're a victim all the same. Stuck inside a circumstance with your confusion and your blame.
And when I get drunk, you take me home and keep me safe from harm. When I get drunk, you take me home.
I ask you for another second chance, but then I drink it all away. And I get bellicose when you react for the frustration and dismay. I was so delicate when we began, so tender when I spoke your name. But now I'm nothing but a partisan to my compulsion and my shame.
And when I get drunk, you take me home and keep me safe from harm. When I get drunk, you take me home......
Torin nodded to Vyn as she spoke praise for the dwarf. It was rare for a black dragon to get a positive praise. Their kind had caused destruction for millennia, ever since Neltharion became Deathwing. He listened as the red drake in disguise entered. He could sense her latent magic, the greens and reds had a special Kinship with each other. He looked back towards Vyn. "I will return to the jungle just outside of town and wait till dawn. Come find me if you wish to see my true form." He said in a volume that only Vyn could hear. He then stood to his feet. "Until tomorrow, my lady." He said with a bow before walking towards the door. Reaching out his traced his hand only the frame before grasping the handle and leaving the room.
A nice young lady offered to guide Torin through the goblin town, an offer he accepted as they left Booty Bay. He found a clearing and thanked her for her aid before resting. His consciousness traveling through the dream as he sat in meditation. "My lady Ysera, I will not fail in my charge. This young druid you task me to watch over shall fore fill her destiny so long as I have a say. No creature will cut her down before her time." He muttered quietly to himself as the shrubbery began to grow at an accelerated rate around the elf.
Those R some class A weirdos," Grazik thought to himself as foreigners kept pouring into the inn each one odder than the other. The goblin stopped eyeing the strangers turning back to his drink his little grubby hands clasping the mug of frothy ale with both hands slurping it down. He absently rubbed the temples of his head a clear indicator that the alcohol was taking affect before he continued to eavesdrop on the meeting. It's what every goblin was doing their truth be told, when some stranger drops a hefty sum of gold renting out the biggest room in the inn and then starts putting up rescue fliers everywhere-well..word gets around. Not that he cared about whatever dame needed saving, but the reward sure peeked his interest.
Grazik let his sensitive Goblin radar pickerupers(AKA ears) tune into to the chubby panda's speech. "Now..." Kersia paused. Her assistants were making her do all the talking, like the 'good' friends they were. "I am sure not many of you are here because I lost my puppy and in the goodness of your heart, you wish to reunite us. You want rewards. Why risk your life if there is no coin attached, huh?" She chuckled. "Well, thanks to the contributions of my allies, we can offer many rewards. Coin, gemstones, runic inscriptions, custom kites, herbs, minerals, enchantments, and perhaps some engineering knick-knacks. We can negotiate payments and various services once Mortre is back safe or her corpse found."
The goblin perked up at that, Man that'd be one fel of a haul, a score like that and a goblin could be set for life. I especially like the diversity there, take alil bit of everything! The little green mans mind raced with the possibilities that all of that could buy him, he could own booty bay if this dumb panda was half as rich as she totted. Course..the idea of just mugging the fluffy ball of fat crossed his mind. Far quicker that way..no..she has a whole parade of oddities and freaks at her side they'd be sure to step in.
The goblin continued to listen in as a pretty purple night elf spoke up planning their trip. Looks like luck was on old sea salt's side today. Time to play the long con and see how this plays out, He tilted his admirals hat upwards and put on the most fake smile he could waiting for most of the panda's party to leave before he casually waltzed into their meeting room. "Pardin me luv," Grazik spoke in a very gruff and uneducated way. "But Iz's couldn't help but overhear yer poor predicament an what yous all plan ta do." The goblin tried his best to seem sincere and put on puppy dog eyes in the direction of Kerisa. "Now I 'ave a bleedin heart I do, soes I says this only from kindness luv. Dere ain't no boat going ta ratchet tomorrow, least nota passenger ship. Not fora nother week dere won't be." Grazik was of course half lying, there would not be a passenger ship for ratchet..tommorow it would come the next day. He was banking on the tourists to call his bluff and when no ship shows up to panic and come running to him with their pockets full of precious gold. He continued, "Since I care soes much fer yer poor dear friend I'm willin' ta help wit yer lil problem..for..say..35% of the cut?"
Morician nodded slowly at Kersia as she answered his question, more than a little disappointed that she didn't seem to know the reason for Mortre's capture. Of course, cults being what cults were, in his experience they usually weren't too picky about who they captured. Someone wanders into the wrong part of the territory, and they might be good as gone if the cult ever caught wind of them.
His mental speculation was soon interrupted with the appearance of yet another night elf--this one clad in...well, not much. He stared incredulously at the kaldorei, the look on his face indicating that he would be turning a bright beet red...if he still had a pulse, that is. "Er, lady, I think you, uh, um...forgot to get dressed..." he mumbled, edging his way towards the door and tripping a bit on the threshold as he made a hasty exit.
After getting his bearings back, he wandered over to the bar, ordering an ale and sitting down to kill time like Kersia had suggested to everyone. There wasn't much shopping he really needed to do, since he had packed most of the supplies he expected to need before leaving Stormwind. However, it was always possible something else might cross his mind while waiting. In the meantime, he continued sipping the chilled beverage and nodding along to the mage's song, simply biding his time until everyone else was ready to go.
Aliyara rolled the cigarette from one side of her mouth to the other, then sighed. She reached back, drawing a book that was hooked onto her belt, and flipping it open to a random page, the spine cradled in her palm. One would notice now, that the book was attached to her via a chain and shackle to her wrist. Her fingers were blackened from heavy use of charcoal to mark the pages, the Elf hunching as she worked diligently within it.
Her ears twitched, she was nothing if not observant and she had already worked out that she was dealing with Dragons, at least given away by the Sin'dorei suddenly appearing in the room.
Just like uncle Vani She thought to herself, the idea that she -might- be in over her head sitting in the back of her head.
Her eyes peaked up at another Kaldorei teasing the poor, golden-haired elf with her attention, a slight smirking coming to her face. Her own bright, silver eyes dip down into her book, dexterous hands working out a sketched frame of the scene in front of her.
Vynianyx moved out of the room as some goblin creature came in. She was pleasantly warm with the number of people who rallied to their cause. Even if she would have to make a plethora of inscriptions to pay them. She flexed her fingers and cracked her knuckles as she made her way outside. Returned to the jungle, huh? She looked around as she made her way outside of the tavern. She wasn't really interested, nor did she need to get affirmation about the interesting green. Spending so much time around Mortre, Kersia, and Xinaria has opened her eyes to the subtle differences between dragons and mortals. With enough focus and observation, she felt confident in her ability to pick out a dragon in a line up... though she hadn't had a chance to test the theory until today. Several of those that had arrived had the makings she would expect from the draconic.
No, Vyn was simply curious. It had been quite some time since she saw a green dragon, aside from the fights on Mount Hyjal. She had met Ysera there... well... she had bowed her head to Ysera and kept walking... not really meeting. But she saw her, which filled Vyn with a slight bit of pride. And she lived with greens for a few years after her parent's deaths... Torin being a part of that group. As she wracked her brain and memory, she started to sense a familiarity about the man.
As Vyn exited the goblin town, she shifted into her silvery feline form and darted into the jungle. Her senses looked to pick up a trail Torin might had left. True form nonsense aside, Vyn just wanted to talk to him further. Why now? Why her? True she had been instrumental in the work towards the rehabilitation of the fire cats, and she was working to teach and learn of fire for natural rebirth and restoration... but to catch the eye of the flight? She sighed. Perhaps she was thinking about it too hard.
Sylstyx had exited the room with Vynianyx, just as the goblin she had seen beyond the door entered. She smiled as she passed him, having known about him for many minutes as they spoke. Perhaps he is shy around large crowds! she told herself.
Sylstyx made her way into the tavern. She was already packed and prepared for this venture, but was grateful for the time to think and recuperate. She smiled as she focused on her thoughts...
"Oi! Watch it toots!" Sylstyx spun on her hooves as she nearly bumped into a goblin, but the spin threw her off balance. She stumbled forward, crashing into the chair Morician was sitting in, her tail knocking a serving tray out of a waitress's hands and sending it to the floor with a loud clang.
As others trickled out of the room, one of the latecomers stayed behind, the she elf with an aura of life.
âDalfein Scourgebane sends his regards and apologizes he couldnât come himself, a friend of his went missing recently as well and he is determined to find him, but he couldnât leave this Mortre to suffer either. I hope I will be of some help." Kersia tried to think of where she had heard of this Dalfein before. She remember Mortre and Vynianyx mentioning him in one of their adventures... so this female was here in his stead. "We know we are more than we appear to be, it has been a long time since I have been around others of my kind, it makes my heart soar to see all the flights represented here. We have been separate for too long in my opinion. Separated by ideas of the mortal races and how to exist with them. I pray this will be a start to something good for the flights.â
"Knowing this, I feel like I should be honest." Kersia smiled. "Perhaps you wont wish to aide us, knowing the woman we seek is a black dragon herself. I feel that is the main reason Vinarion took her." Kersia sighed and massaged her temples. "Just a headache... I should be back home in my lab." She looked down at the map and frowned. The trip was going to be long, and even if they had dragon amongst their own ranks, she was certain Vinarion would have more. His are most likely more experienced too, combat wise and strong. She scowled. Flying would be faster... but deadly. If it was just herself, she could try and teleport... but she doubted even Kalegos would have the power to move everyone here across the ocean.
A goblin came into the room, one who was not present when she was speaking earlier. Kersia looked at him as he walked in. She never fully trusted goblins herself.
"Pardin me luv," Ugh, his voice made Kersia's ears cringe. "But Iz's couldn't help but overhear yer poor predicament an what yous all plan ta do." He tried to be sincere, but Kersia was a little reluctant to believe such looks. "Now I 'ave a bleedin heart I do, soes I says this only from kindness luv. Dere ain't no boat going ta ratchet tomorrow, least nota passenger ship. Not fora nother week dere won't be."Kersia looked at him doubtingly. She had sworn she had checked the boat schedule... but maybe something local had changed that she wasn't aware of? "Since I care soes much fer yer poor dear friend I'm willin' ta help wit yer lil problem..for..say..35% of the cut?"
"Help with my problem how? If it is to let us charter a boat from you, I could consider it. My warning, if you wish to try some sort of funny business, these people in my employ are rather powerful veteran fighters and adventurers... and could raze a boat and escape with nary a thought." She smiled coldly at the goblin. "If you are sincere though, and truthful, then I don't mind paying for the extra help."