Lightning streaked across the Kul’tiran sky while thunder crashed; the stormclouds above unleasing torrents of rain upon Boralus. “Wind’s howlin’ today,” ventured the bartender, glancing towards one of the windows of the tavern as a particularly strong gust rattled the shutters. The willowy elven death knight at the door offered no response, simply standing in the doorway staring out into the streets.
“Oi! Either close the bloomin’ door or sod off already! What are ya, afraid of a little rain?” snapped the bartender in annoyance. “Hello? Anyone home?”
The words fell on deaf ears though, as the elf continued to stare, transfixed by a particularly large puddle nearby. His expression carried hints of terror, as though some horrible monster lurked in those few inches of water…
Several years prior…
Kirendar Stormsong dashed through the forest, bobbing and weaving his way through the dense trees of the Plaguelands as the angry growls of Scourge forces sounded behind. What had started out as a simple mission to gather intelligence for the Argent Crusade had quickly gone awry–the Scourge in the area much stronger than anticipated. While there were certainly no better scouts than a quel’dorei ranger band, their prowess seemed to have afforded little advantage this time, almost as if the Scourge knew they were coming.
Kirendar swore, pausing a moment to collect his bearings and breath. Indeed, that had been exactly why the Scourge had been able to ferret out his rangers, given the Argent traitor he’d seen in the midst of the Scourge camp. Damn that Stephanov! I should’ve known he would be mixed up in this!
The eerie whinnie of a deathcharger rang out behind, interrupting his musing and prompting the elven ranger to resume his flight through the forest. While he was faster than the ghouls, outrunning a death knight wasn’t likely to happen. Need to hide before they catch up…somewhere they couldn’t find my scent… He crested a hill, skidding to a stop at the edge of a cliff overlooking a tiny lake. Normally, he wouldn’t bat an eye about going for a swim, but the waters of the Plaguelands often carried nasty surprises of their own. The approaching clamour behind him, however, gave him little choice other than to scramble down to the shoreline and paddle into the lake’s midst.
Despite the lake’s small size–hardly bigger than a large pond–the murky water proved to be quite deep and free of lurking monsters. Certainly an ideal spot for him to take cover while the Scourge forces passed by. With luck, they would soon be gone and he would be free to carry his report back to Light’s Hope, informing the command there of the mission’s losses and the traitor in their midst.
Kirendar twitched his ears, listening carefully as he paddled over to a sheltered spot near an overhanging branch and let himself sink low in the water. The sounds of the pursuit grew closer. As the Scourge crested the ridgeline he took a deep breath and ducked beneath the surface.
While the water dulled his senses, his ears were keen enough to catch the muffled rumblings on the surface, providing the bearings that his eyes could not. Seconds ticked by, beginning to feel more like agonizing minutes as he continued to remain submerged, a shiver running up his spine. *The water was colder than I thought…*The silence above suggested that the Scourge had passed him by, though to look would be risky. Despite his good physical condition and experience swimming in the many lakes and streams of Quel’thalas, he could not remain submerged for much longer. Better to risk a small breath now than to–the water!
Kirendar’s eyes flew open. The water had indeed grown colder! He swam towards the surface, a look of horror crossing his face as his fingers brushed solid ice rather than meeting the air. There must have been cryomancers in the bunch! He continued to worm his way along the underside, feeling for any kind of opening and then kicking wildly in a futile attempt to create an opening of his own. No no no, this can’t be happening! Not like this!
His heart pounded against his ribcage; muscles screaming in protest and lungs burning from the exertion. There has to be a way out…there must be a way out… Water flooded his lungs as he was finally forced to exhale, choking and burning with a cold fury as it poured in. Slowly, he ceased struggling, feeling his body begin to sink as his vision darkened.
Kirendar shook his head, clearing the vision from his mind with a shudder as he stepped back into the tavern and closed the door. He had duties to attend to…but they were duties that could wait for another day. Yes…another day…perhaps one without so much water.