Out of all the chairs in here, I had to pick the rickety one...Morician thought as he adjusted his seating, the chair creaking in protest under his weight. Though he wasn't out of shape by any means, he was heavier with his armor on and goblins weren't exactly known for their fine craftsmanship. The furniture in such establishments was usually cheaply made, and thus easily replaceable should it break...which in a rough town like Booty Bay it often did. He was just fixing to take another drink of his ale when something slammed into him from behind rather forcefully.
"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.
What the...oh no, this ain't good! His look of confusion quickly turned to shock as a sharp cracking and splintering heralded the chair's imminent demise, sending him sprawling backwards onto the floor with the remnants of his tankard spilling on top of him. Well...that just happened... Morician lay on the floor for a moment, getting his bearings back before slowly heaving himself back to his feet and frowning in disappointment at his soaked attire and empty tankard. He shot a glance over at the draenei shaman, noting that she seemed to be the one that had rammed his chair. "Uh, miss? You okay there?"
"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."
Kora shrugged, âI associate with a hard headed and foolish death knight, who can go from being a big teddy bear one minute to a monstrous killing machine the next. Not all black dragons are of the same ilk as Deathwing, if I believed one member of a race was an example of the whole I would incinerate orcs and goblins on sight. I have learned that one bad seed is not indicative of the whole of a race, or flight in this case. Also, despite Dalfeinâs seeming cocky attitude, he is a good judge of character and if he believes this Mortre is a good person then that is enough for me and trust me if he didnât think she was good he wouldnât have sent me.â
Kora looked at the pandaren worriedly, âPerhaps you should rest? I also know a few spells of rejuvenation, but proper rest is usually the best medicine. I can only imagine the worry you have been going through for your friend, but you wonât be any help to her if you collapse from exhaustion.â
"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?"
Kora scowled at the little green creature, she really couldnât stand this type of goblin, âAs much as I doubt this goblinâs words I must admit it does solve our transportation problem. I have a friend who is fairly well off financially and could pay this creature handsomely for his help when we return.â Kora grinned as she looked at the goblin, âAnd if he double crosses us I have no issue of turning him into a pig and feeding him to a shark.â Kora of course had no way of knowing if the goblin was being truthful or not, but she tended to take a goblinâs word with a grain of salt knowing their lust for money.
Grazik stood there near dumbfounded while the panda and her friend just went on and on about how awful goblins are and and the things they would do to him if he was lying. "Jeesh!" He finally blurted out from the verbal assault he just endured. "I be right here lass's, have the common decency ta talk behind my back like decent folk." After Grazik spoke his peace the other one mentioned that if he double crossed the group she'd turn him into a pig make..bacon out of him or something. THAT'S HORRIBLE! The goblin leered back at that statement giving the girl a disgusted face while his eyes widened with fear of un natural pig deaths before he cocked his head to one side weighing the options in his mind. The goblin then tilted his head to the other as he thought about the later finally shrugging in defeat. "Fair enough," He shook both of his business partner's hands in agreement on the terms of contract.
"Be at the docks bright an early tamorrrow poppets. At the rooster's crow," He gave the two a reassuring finger point in an obnoxious goblin way as he exited the doors. "Yah won't regret this, on me mums honor!" The goblin the pirouetted out the door grabbing the nearest bottle of grog to keep the party rolling, there was going to be no sleep tonight. As the goblin left his home away from home Grazik tipped the bar maid, such a pretty goblin girl...alas the sailors curse.
"What!? why do you need our clothes?" The goblin dock hand practically shouted over the entire sea.
"Keep yer voice down yah landlubber..," Grazik's veins popped from his forhead nearly ready to burst at his friends stupidity. "All I be asking for is a bag of clothes. Ye a whole room of em, their nary ta miss a one ol' friend."
"If the captain catch's me I'll be fired..or worse! You gonna bail me out then pal?!"
"Yah worry to much," Grazik put on a loan sharks smile patting his tavern drinking buddy on the shoulder in reassurance. "What's rule number 1, I ain't seen nothing. Nobody's gonna miss the rags an ifin they do you got no clue what happened to's em right?"
"And I don't know what anyone did wit em..," The dockhand sighed heavily as if relenting to Grazik's constant prodding. "You owe me for this."
While the Dwarf had left the room along with most of the other party he did not travel far. Being stationed right outside the room when the Goblin departed he overheard the majority of the conversation. "What are you up to lad?" He quietly whispered to himself. Draco may look like a Dwarf but his head was not made of stone. There was a calculating mind of many generations of war and combat locked away up there ever since he flew with Ol' Deathwing and Sabellian to Draenor and aided them and the Orcs under Nerzul to gather certain artifacts that ultimate lead to the planet's destruction and the formation of Outland. He could smell a dark profit when he seen one and something about that Goblin reeked of the taint.
Walking back into the room with some refreshments from the bar, The Dwarf set them down on the table with the map for those who had remained in the room. "So then we have a second option for a ride to Ratchet I see. This is good news. I hope this Goblin you just employed has ties with the group that holds the barge in the Flats as well."
Sylstyx looked around as she stood, massaging her rump as she did so. She pondered why the spirits didn't tell her that goblin was there... or to watch her step... She seemed to space out for only a moment when the man who was sitting in the chair addressed her.
Sylstyx smiled at him. "Yezzink zir. I beleyvink zo. Mebeez nud zo gud fer ze share zough..." She looked at the splintered wood and frowned. "Manzink ahpoologeez, ja? I nud bezd at ze pahyink uve ahtenzionz..." She sighed.
"Yos gonna pay fer dat, right?" The goblin barkeep looked at Sylstyx with a glint of anger in his eyes.
"Uh! Raytz! Um..." Sylstyx fiddle with her hip pouch, pulling out a handful of gold coins, clearly more than enough for one shoddy chair. "Ziz beink ehnouv? Ja? Yoo haz ziz fer share." She set the handful on the counter for the goblin.
With no hint of remorse, the greedy man put the coins in his pouch. "Thank ye kindly, toots." he smiled at her before returning to his barkeeping.
Sylstyx looked back at the man she bumped into and knocked out of his chair. "Yoo nud beink hurrz, ja? I khan beink ze healzink if yoo beink ze needinkz."
-----
(("Yessing, sir. I believing so. Maybe not so good for the chair though..."))(("Manying apologies, yeah? I not the best at the paying of attentions...))((Oh! Rights! Um...))((This being enough? Yeah? You have this for chair.))((You not being hurts, yeah? I khan being the healing if you being the needing.))
Kersia smiled at the woman's concern for her. "Thank you, but I should be fine. I've not felt such worry since just before I lost my sister... simply... forgot how much it weighs on one's mind." She sighed and shook her head to clear her thoughts as the goblin spoke once more.
Kersia listened to the goblin intently and shook his hand. She smiled slightly as he departed; as she was a touch relieved to charter a ship from him... She didn't like the thought of putting other possible adventurers at risk if Vinarion attacked. Kersia returned her attention to the woman with her.
"Thank you for the offer to help pay, but my close friends and I are also rather well off. Most of them make a decent amount of coin with their talents but spend little on themselves, so they have a savings." Kersia smiled. "At least, now that Vynianyx isn't paying for fire kitten damage anymore." She chuckled slightly at her own amusing thought. "You are right, he does solve a small transportation problem I was trying to solve. This way, even if he was lying and there still would have been a passenger ship... we don't risk the lives of those not involved who also might be going to Rachet." She looked out the window as the dwarf approached. "I only hope by staying tonight, we are not already overstaying our safe welcome in this city... I am sure Vinarion knows of my rescue flyers."
Kersia then eyed the dwarf. She was still apprehensive, encountering a black dragon she was unfamiliar with. She still remembered the scorching power of Deathwing when the black beast decimated most of her flight. Kersia still could not believe the millimeters she was from death... just a few paces over and Malygos's shield would not have reached her. She relaxed slightly, as she put the dark memories in the back of her mind... If Mortre was arguably sane, so too... could be this dragon.
"So then we have a second option for a ride to Ratchet I see. This is good news. I hope this Goblin you just employed has ties with the group that holds the barge in the Flats as well."
"We have to plan like he isn't." Kersia said bluntly. "Otherwise what plan will we have if we get there and he doesn't..." She sighed. "I am sure, with the flights represented here, we should be able to form some form of temporary bridge..." She looked down at the map, her expression shifting as her muscles relaxed into a sorrowful tone. "If we involve that barge... we put everyone there in danger..."
Kersia looked between those still there... before cracking her neck and rolling her shoulders. Her features brightened as she stretched as well. "Regardless... like this lovely woman said... we all need some rest. Battles are not won with sleepless soldiers." She yawned, herself, as the fatigue caught up with her. "At the docks by dawn... we can discuss further ideas and plans once on the ship."
Kersia stood and made her way to the doorway. She turned to the room next to the meeting room, where she rented for the night, and made her way inside. Exhaustion hit the pandaren like a truck as she collapsed onto the bed. Her mind didn't have time to wander before sleep caught her.
"Thank you for the offer to help pay, but my close friends and I are also rather well off. Most of them make a decent amount of coin with their talents but spend little on themselves, so they have a savings." Kersia smiled. "At least, now that Vynianyx isn't paying for fire kitten damage anymore." She chuckled slightly at her own amusing thought. "You are right, he does solve a small transportation problem I was trying to solve. This way, even if he was lying and there still would have been a passenger ship... we don't risk the lives of those not involved who also might be going to Rachet." She looked out the window as the dwarf approached. "I only hope by staying tonight, we are not already overstaying our safe welcome in this city... I am sure Vinarion knows of my rescue flyers."
Kora leaned back in her chair, âEven if he does, I doubt he will attack us here, if he did he would bring attention to himself and whatever he is planning. He will most likely attack us as we sail, we just have to be prepared for such an eventuality. Perhaps using a water elemental to scout ahead of us if the attack should come by sea and your druid friend can fly above us to spot any incoming threats from the air. We know Vinarion is likely to attack us on our journey to find him, all we need to do is stay alert and on guard. We can place protective wards on and around the ship so it doesnât splinter after one attack. I am well versed in both magic and martial combat so fighting wonât be an issue.â Kora smiled as she stood and patted the pandaren on the shoulder, âWe will get your friend back, as long as there is hope you canât give up.â
Kora nodded as the dwarf returned, âI am going to get some rest and prepare myself for tomorrow, I suggest you all do the same.â Kora left the room and walked into another that Dalf had arranged for her. After casting several wards she laid in her bed, âWith representatives from all flights present and a number of mortal heroes, we have a formidable force. This Vinarion must be quite the character if Kersia is still worried.â Kora sighed and turned on her side, âIt is too early to be thinking the worst, we will get Mortre back and put an end to Vinarionâs plansâŚwhatever they may be.â
Torin sat in deep meditation, at one with nature. Small insects crawled over him without biting, a hare had curiously came sniffing earlier. Upon hearing some rustling in the bushes the hare dashed back to its burrow. Torin was drawn back from the dream as he sensed a familiar presence. "Ah, Vyn. I see you have found your way here to this grove. What once was barren I have granted life anew. Sit with me child." He said gesturing to a spot near him. Should Vyn take his invitation he would begin meditating, drawing them both into the dream.
Once their minds were in the dream he spoke to her, not in his elven form, but in the form of a magnificent Emerald dragon. "Long has it been since I laid eyes upon you. You have grown much since you left us." He said, pride in his words. The massive green dragon laid down to allow a closer interaction in this realm. He looked back to the patches of his scales that were a sickly dark green. "Before Furion Stormrage banished the Nightmare to the Rift of Aln, I was nearly consumed by its darkness. The encounter left my form scared ever since. When we go looking for your friend we will have the power of the Green Flight behind us. The vile Black dragons in this cult will finally be brought to justice." He looked around the verdant jungle they were in. "We should return to the town, It will be dark soon, and those with less than desirable intentions lurk nearby."
"If you have any questions, ask them now. While in the dream they will remain between us, and us only."
Sylstyx smiled at him. "Yezzink zir. I beleyvink zo. Mebeez nud zo gud fer ze share zough..." She looked at the splintered wood and frowned. "Manzink ahpoologeez, ja? I nud bezd at ze pahyink uve ahtenzionz..." She sighed.
Morician furrowed his brow in confusion as he tried to decipher the woman's speech. Her accent was very thick, and not one he was used to hearing either, making the job that much more difficult. Judging from her body language and friendly tone, however, she seemed to be unharmed and attempting to make an apology. He shook his head his head at the shaman. "Not your fault, ma'am. Accidents happen. Just be a little more careful next time, okay?"
After paying the bartender for another drink, he sat down in one of the unbroken chairs nearby. As he was taking the first sip of the fresh ale though, the draenei spoke once more.
Sylstyx looked back at the man she bumped into and knocked out of his chair. "Yoo nud beink hurrz, ja? I khan beink ze healzink if yoo beink ze needinkz."
The question caused him to choke a bit on the liquor. He stared back at the shaman, frowning and rather at a loss for words. As best he could figure, she either wanted him to leave the room or was offering to make him bald. Since she still seemed to be in good spirits, he was guessing it wasn't the former. Shooting her a deer-in-headlights look, he shook his head in a very enthusiastic no. "Uh, I...um....appreciate the offer, but...I'd rather keep my hair, thank you very much." he replied, taking an uneasy sip of his drink as he glanced around the room. If for some reason she wouldn't take no for an answer, well...he was prepared to make a run for it.
Vynianyx found the elf in the forest, his scent easy enough to follow... or was it the dream calling her to him? Still, she was relieved she found him, her body returning to her elven form as she approached.
"Ah, Vyn. I see you have found your way here to this grove. What once was barren I have granted life anew. Sit with me child."
"Thank you," she chuckled as she took a seat next to him, "Call it feline curiosity." She emptied her mind and joined the man in meditation, as she felt his tug into the dream. The cross into the verdant forests was simple, easy. Vynianyx took in the scenery, its beauty never fading in her eyes. She then looked to where Torin was once seated. The elf was replaced by an elegant emerald dragon, his scales blending with the verdant dream.
"Long has it been since I laid eyes upon you. You have grown much since you left us." Vyn felt the pride in his voice, it filled her own heart with joy. Her father never took pride in her aspirations... no one ever did. "Before Furion Stormrage banished the Nightmare to the Rift of Aln, I was nearly consumed by its darkness. The encounter left my form scared ever since. When we go looking for your friend we will have the power of the Green Flight behind us. The vile Black dragons in this cult will finally be brought to justice."
Vynianyx nodded as he spoke."Yes, hopefully we will get to Mortre soon enough to save her. I can only imagine what horror they wish for her."
"We should return to the town, It will be dark soon, and those with less than desirable intentions lurk nearby. If you have any questions, ask them now. While in the dream they will remain between us, and us only."
Vyn instinctively looked around in the dream, but did not see nor sense the danger. She returned her focus to the dragon. "Just.. nothing too complex. I am just curious. Is there more to meeting you than what is on the surface? Are there others, out guarding or protecting other druids? Why select myself?" She sighed. "I could just be overthinking it all." A chuckled escaped her lips. "But like I said, I am as curious as a cat."
"Just.. nothing too complex. I am just curious. Is there more to meeting you than what is on the surface? Are there others, out guarding or protecting other druids? Why select myself?" She sighed. "I could just be overthinking it all." A chuckled escaped her lips. "But like I said, I am as curious as a cat."
Torin gave a light chuckle. "There are some out there preforming this duty. I myself chose to look for and protect you. The young child who would grow up to become a great druid in her own right. I chose you for our own history. I may be an old dragon, but I am still quite capable." He said as he pulled them out of the dream.
"Look what we have here lads... You killed two of my friends you (Bad word). Now your going to pay." Said a human woman. The same Bloodsail pirate from earlier. This time she had quite a crew with her, near a dozen pirates.
"This the guy who killed those two? He's blind, if they died to him they must have really been terrible." One of the pirates said with a laugh. Torin stood to his feet, muttering to Vyn as he did so. "Get back to town, I will deal with these fools." He growled as the pirates as they had all manner of cutlasses drawn.
"Young woman, I gave you the chance to flee and live once before. I will not be so merciful this time." He growled. He felt a rage growling within him, telling him to kill all these lesser beings. He fought back the feelings as he took a defensive position, waiting to see what Vyn would do.
Vynianyx's curiosity was sated with his answer as they were pulled back out of the dream. Immediately her red flags went up and she stood. The duo was surrounded by some brigand pirates. A low growl escaped Vyn's throat as the pirates spoke.
"Get back to town, I will deal with these fools."
Vyn looked at Torin, torn between aiding him and obeying him. She rolled her shoulders as he spoke to the lead woman. "Young woman, I gave you the chance to flee and live once before. I will not be so merciful this time." Vyn could sense the anger from the man, but he did not act immediately on it. Instead. he shifted to a defensive stance.
Vyn really did not like pirates, but she hated fighting too. Her heart thought of the orphans... made orphans due to pirate attacks... and the pirates who turned to piracy because they were orphans. It was a viscous cycle, one she knew would be broken for these pirates today. The fools had no idea, and showed no sign of backing down.
Vyn sighed. "Personally I don't like abandoning a friend in need, as much as I hate fighting imbeciles who lack the sense to know when they are outmatched." She looked around at the pirates gathered and spoke directly to them. "Are you mad? You are men and women of the sea, no? Are you not stronger waging war on the ocean? Yet here you stand with weapons drawn... in the forest. You trespass now on my hunting grounds. Flee or pay dearly." With a growl, the druidess shifted into her lithe white saber form and drew her body down into a pounce.
Richard had finished playing his set of songs, ending on a rather jaunty sea shanty for the night's end. "Ah, yeah, probably been here long enough. He set out, giving the taverns keeper his own share of the meager tips he received.
"All right then girls, let's get a move on." Richard said to the horse and Panther. Synthara was rather excited to be moving again, though Swiftwind was rather nonchalant on the whole matter. "I figured we could camp outside for the night. What bandit would bother a sleeping panther, eh." He chuckled.
They weaved in and out of the city limits and moved on a bit of a ways away. "I don't think anyone will mind, do you?" He said, looking down at Synthara.
She wagged her tail to and fro looking up at the man. "Nah, didn't think so." Richard said, seemingly satisfied. "Right, pretty hot in these jungles, don't think we'll need a fire." He laid out some cloth and laid down upon the ground. "Besides, what could go wrong out here. We're within decent range of the city. Not even night fall yet though, eh. It'll come around soon enough I'm sure."
He strummed lightly on his guitar, leaning against a nearby tree. "Funny, you'd think I'd be apprehensive. I haven't done anything like this in quite some time. Don't suppose I am though." Synthara nudged at him. "Oh, dear. I do seem to be forgetful today." He gave her some food as Swiftwind was nearby grazing on some grass.
She gnawed at it and ate it rather handily. Sated she lay down, her chin resting upon her paws as she kept her eyes and ears open, should any dangers come their way. Though aside from what may be considered the usual noises of the jungle the only unusual thing was the noise Richard had been making with his Guitar as he strummed, not so very loudly.
Torin smirked at Vyn. "Very well, time to deal with these hooligans." He said as he drew his blade. One of the pirates charged him and another charged Vyn. Torin stomped on the ground and large roots erupted from the earth entangling the two men. They were rendered completely helpless. Torin took a step back looking at everything through the echo of the dream.
"I told you before girl, Do not underestimate someone just from their appearance." He growled as another charged him. He parried the pirates blow. Parry, parry, parry before knocking the blade away, then kicking the man on his back side. "With stances such as yours, you could only ever take on a blind old man." He noticed some others going after Vyn, he knew she was quite capable of dealing with them herself. A female pirate came at him from behind. Torin pivoted on his heel and deflected her blow. He turned the blade around in his hand and struck her against the neck with the blunt side of the weapon. The trauma knocking her out cold.
By this time the others started to back off, before they fled entirely. "Honorless cowards, leaving their comrades behind without a second thought." He sighed. He looked over to see if Vyn was alright. "Lets head back, we can send some bruisers this way to collect this lot." He said gesturing to the couple still entangled in roots and the unconscious woman. He would follow Vyn, wherever her destination.
Sylstyx looked at the undead human, her head tilted ever slightly to one side as he spoke. "Not your fault, ma'am. Accidents happen. Just be a little more careful next time, okay?"
âYezzink, uhkiez. Juz, zumtiemz ze dedz, zey tahk und tahkink du mi, dizdrahctink. Ez nu gud, ja?â She chuckled.
"Uh, I...um....appreciate the offer, but...I'd rather keep my hair, thank you very much."
âKahp⌠yur⌠harh?â Sylstyx looked at him, confused. What did her healing have to do with his hair? Oh! Unless maybe he had reactions to healings from a shaman once and it made him lose it? Maybe? Well, he looked fine and unhurt⌠so she decided to just head back to the room she was sharing with her friends. âUh, vell⌠I guzink iz gudnaite? Um, zeeink yoo un ze murnz.â She bowed slightly to Morician before heading up the stairs to get some sleep.
-----
((Yessing, okays. Just, sometimes the dead, they talk to me, distracting. Is no good, yeah?))((Keep⌠your⌠hair?))((Ah, well⌠I guessing is goodnight? Um, seeing you in the morns.))
Vynianyx lunged as the corsairs attacked Torin. She pinned one, biting hard into his shoulder as Torin took out another charging pair of pirates with some roots. Two more pirates charged at Vyn. She released the one she had, leapt up into the air, shifted into bird form, and chuckled as the charging pair collided. Vyn looped in the air, coming down at high speed. She shifted into a bear, full velocity landing onto one of the now retreating pirates. Vyn cocked her head to the side as she watched their retreat, an ursine chuckle escaping her muzzle. The man under her rump was out cold, but breathing. She shifted back into an elf once more.
"Honorless cowards, leaving their comrades behind without a second thought." Vyn looked over to Torin and grinned. "Lets head back, we can send some bruisers this way to collect this lot."
âAgreed.â Vyn dusted off her robes and began to head towards Booty Bay. On the way, a patrolling bruiser approached. âSir?â Vyn approached the large goblin thing. âJust a⌠for your information⌠there are some unconscious pirates a ways up the pathâŚâ She paused pointing back towards where they were attacked. âThatta way. We knocked them out and gave them a good scare⌠but you might want to lock them up yourself.â
The bleary eyed bruiser looked at her for a few minutes, slowly processing the information, before he set out towards where she indicated.
Vyn looked back at Torin. âThere, that takes care of that. Now what say you to some rest at the inn. I despise boat rides⌠want to be somewhat rested beforehand.â She grinned back at Torin before making her way back to the inn. Once there, she found her way to the room Kersia was in. Vyn looked at Torin if he was still following her. âI suppose Iâll see you bright an early.â She waved before shutting the door. Kersia was out cold on the bed in the corner, Sylstyx was out in the bed next to her. Vyn shifted into her feline form once inside, and curled up at the foot of Sylstyxâs bed, before snoozing herself.
Kersiaâs eyes opened with a snap. She slowly stretched and looked out the inn window. The stars were fading in the sky, daybreak would be soon. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end⌠someone was watching her. Kersiaâs eyes scanned the horizon, but she couldnât spot anything remotely suspicious. The pandaren woman sighed.
"Be at the docks bright an early tamorrrow poppets. At the rooster's crow,"
Kersia rolled her neck, cracking it to relieve some pressure, before moving to Sylstyxâs bed. âSyl, Vyn⌠we need to get going. We should head to the docks now, to see what that goblin is up to.â
Sylstyx sat up slowly, massaging her eyes with her fists. She then yawned and stretched. âKurzeeahâŚâ she mumbled in greeting as she slid off the bed in her light blue silver night gown. She moved gather her armor off the table and began changing.
Vynianyx yawned and stretched, a low growl escaped her lips. She shifted back into her elven form and looked between Kersia and Sylstyx. âGood morning, loves.â She stretched again and pulled some jerky out of her pack for breakfast.
âSo, we need to get to the docks.â Kersia stated bluntly. âThe goblin is supposedly getting us a ship.â She sighed, she doubted she would like whatever vessel he came with⌠She was so sure there was a passenger ship due out today. Though⌠maybe she should get a better informant.
âTch, good luck with that.â Vyn chuckled. âI have my⌠doubts.â Her face then paled as she began to realize they were setting sail⌠todayâŚ
Kersia sighed and made her way towards the door. âWe should get going.â Sylstyx and Vynianyx followed behind her as they made their way outside to the stables.
Sterixia was resting on the roof of the inn when the trio came outside. She looked down at them with an apathetic expression, before hopping down. She shifted into her warped elf form as she landed beside them.
âSterixia!â Vyn gave the girl a hug. âGlad to see you are still okay.â
Sterixia halfheartedly hugged the druid and gave a weak smile. She looked out at the ocean, a sense of eagerness to finally get her motherâs rescue mission underway.
Vynianyx gave her a pat on the back. âDonât worry, dear. We found several powerful helpers to get us to her. Sheâll be fine.â Sterixia looked at Vyn and sighed.
Kersia came out of the stables with their mounts in tow. Illuria, Vynianyxâs hippogryph; Zaria, her own purple blue talbuk; and Enara, Sylstyxâs undead horse in golden armor. Sterixia hopped up onto Zaria as Kersia lead the mounts down towards the docks. Vynianyx and Sylstyx stayed close behind. It wouldnât be long before they were supposed to meet the goblin, hopefully with a ship to cart the heroes and their mounts⌠and Kersia hoped it would be combat capable. She had a feeling Vinarion would not let them cross the seas peacefully.
On the outskirts of Booty bay a strange rock formation lay seemingly undisturbed save for the slow trickle of the morning dew down it's face. The area seemed calm save for the gentle song of the morning avian population and the rustle of the wind on the foliage of the Stranglethorn Jungle. Then the earth rumbled as the stone fractured and took a more identifiable shape turning dark an scaled. Wings spread the best they could in the dense foliage Draconyxion awake from his nightly slumber with a billowing yawn and a stretch of his limbs. It was morning and he had a ship to catch.
Draconyxion looked to the jungle canopy with his reptilian eyes and a final stretch of his majestic wings. It would likely be a while before he could take such action again knowing full well what they were getting into. While he already knew of several Dragons in their group and the Red even confirmed that each of the flights were represented. It was not hard to tell who was from which Flight and he held no lies about hiding who he was from the other Dragons, it was the others of the group he worried about as he shifted into his Dwarven guise for the trip back into Booty Bay. Blacks were on everyone's hit list and he wondered how many of them would turn on him or even Mortre once they learned of their true forms. It didn't help they were going after a Black Dragon who had been captured by a cult of Black Dragons. Their images have been tainted along with that of Death Wing's reign. Even his illegitimate heir the Black Prince Wrathion has done little to improve their reputation among the other flights or the Mortal races of Azeroth.These thoughts and others plagued him as he entered Booty Bay and made his way towards the docks to meet up with the others.
Draco was at the end of the pier waiting for the arrival of this Goblin or his ship when he noticed the trio of Kersia Vyn and the Draenei Druid who's name he could not seem to remember. They were all riding mounts and the Dwarf even noticed a fourth with them. She seemed odd and looked kind of like an elf but was clearly not going to fool anyone if that was the best she could do.
"Were we suppose to have additional transport?" He asked about their mounts when they came close enough. "I don't remember seeing anything of the sort in the notice and as you could expect I don't exactly own one myself. Perhaps too likely to eat it or something." Draco had no qualms about making jokes with the small group about his voracious appetite. They knew he was Draconian and having to feed such a large form took a great deal of meat. He looked over at the fourth member of the group. "So who is this enchanting creature? I can already tell she is not an elf. I suspect the arriving members of our rescue will as well. If that is going to be a problem we may want to find a way to hide it before they arrive."
âKahp⌠yur⌠harh?â Sylstyx looked at him, confused. What did her healing have to do with his hair? Oh! Unless maybe he had reactions to healings from a shaman once and it made him lose it? Maybe? Well, he looked fine and unhurt⌠so she decided to just head back to the room she was sharing with her friends. âUh, vell⌠I guzink iz gudnaite? Um, zeeink yoo un ze murnz.â She bowed slightly to Morician before heading up the stairs to get some sleep.
He continued to stare in bewildered confusion at the shaman, slowly nodding his head and pretending to understand what she meant. As best he could tell, she seemed to be wishing him a good night or something, though...well, her accent still made her difficult to understand. Having little else to do, he finished off the rest of his drink before purchasing a few apples from the barkeep and heading for the stables.
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The next morning...
A low whicker from Steel woke him from his slumber. Rustling around in the hay loft, he brushed some hay off of himself before peering over the edge to see what the fuss was about. Noticing Kersia gathering up some mounts and leading them out the door, he yawned and staggered to his feet. After having a good stretch, he stumbled down the ladder and plodded over to Steel's stall, giving the deathcharger an affectionate rub on the neck as he began hefting the various bits of armor and harness into place. Really, he had meant to have the horse saddled and ready to go before anyone else had woken up, but it seems he was running behind schedule. So much for mornin' coffee, he thought to himself, frowning in disappointment.
After finishing the task of saddling the deathcharger and collecting his equipment, he lead the horse out of the stable and swung himself into the saddle. Squinting in the morning sunlight and shielding his eyes, he swept his gaze around the area for any sign of where Kersia had gone. Aha, so they're at the docks then. He snapped the reins lightly, slowly walking Steel over to the docks and coming to a halt near Kersia and the crew. "All right, all right...I'm here." He sat lazily in the saddle, eyes still half-lidded with sleep and hair matted. Though he'd managed to brush most of the hay off of himself, there were still tell-tale bits stuck here and there in his hair and armor. "Uh...what's the plan?" he asked, furrowing his brow in confusion as he noticed the strange elf. He shook his head, blinking a few times and frowning, trying to figure out exactly what she was. Perhaps taking a nap to pass the time and skipping the morning coffee wasn't such a great idea after all.
Richard had slept rather soundly that night. True to form no one bothered someone crazy enough to sleep in the jungle with a panther nearby, well at least this time anyway. He got up and dusted off his robes as he just slept on the ground. He twisted and turned, stretching a bit before looking around. It seemed dawn had arrived. "Dear me, I hope we aren't going to be late." He said
He woke up Synthara and Swiftwind. "Alright gals, onward. I'm really glad Fell said you'd been on ships before or I may have just had to leave you behind, eh." He said to the horse. Within moments they were ready and went back into the city that too had just awoken.
The smell of fresh baked breads and pastries from the bakers wafted towards his nose in a way he quite couldn't resist. "I'm sure we can stop to get a morning snack, eh." He wandered over towards the shop to find this goblin gal standing at the counter.
He wandered up, reading the sign. Hrm...what should I get? A nice danish. Maybe a muffin. Yeah, I think a muffin would do nicely.
"One blueberry muffin, please." He said to the goblin, giving the payment that was indicated upon her sign.
"Sure thing, bub." She said handing the fellow his muffin. Richard nodded his thanks and walked back outside, eating the muffin as the horse and panther walked beside him. Within due time they made their way to the docks.
"Greetings!" He said once he arrived, spotting a number of them had already been there.