Alterac Valley: On Fields of Red Snow

Alterac Valley: On Fields of Red Snow

Part 1 -- The Stonehearth Stalemate



Cold. The word simply did not properly encapsulate the feeling of numbness and iritation felt by the Alliance forces now stationed at Stonehearth. At the top of the hill overlooking Stonehearth Garrison, soldiers could be seen rubbing their hands together, starting fires, and some even smacking themselves in the face as if needing to remind themselves that their facial features were still held in place. As Arias looked out across the desolate Field of Strife, she could not help but share the sentiments of many of her fellow soldiers; this is a land seemingly forsaken by the light. Desolace was warm at least, she thought as she leaned heavily on her spear near an Alliance banner. The Alliance forces had been ordered to hold their positions in Stonehearth until further notice, and it was quickly becoming evident that many soldiers would rather be fighting the enemy at this very moment than enduring the weather.

Arias suddenly awakened from her contemplative state as she looked down the road to see a dwarf trudging his way to her position, his cloak held up to his face to protect him from the biting cold gusts of wind that rolled in periodically. It was Kili, no doubt. The grumbling that reached her ears had confirmed it, even without having seen his face properly as of yet. Thinking that perhaps he had brought some news of the battle orders being issued, she quickly straightened her stance and focused her anxious eyes on the noble hunter.

"Sir Kili, what news do you bring?" she said, in a tone of voice that lead Kili to believe she had clearly grown tired of babysitting the Garrison.

"Settle ye'self down, lass... I'll be gettin' ta that, soon as I catch me wind." he replied, settling himself down beside her. He began to pat himself down, looking for what Arias had assumed to be, and rightly so, his flask of liqour. His eyebrows raised ever so slightly at the discovery of its location, never too deep inside one of his many packs. Arias watched quietly, her lips too frozen to bother expending the extra energy on idle chit-chat.

"We be movin' out, lass. Yer sister be on tha way to deliver the orders, Arias."

He paused for a moment, lifting his flask to eye level and peering inside, as if to be certain he had received the benefit of every last drop. Rising to his feet, Kili stuck his head out and surveyed the road leading north. After a few moments of failing to see what he had been expecting, he turned back to Arias.

"Well... 'cept Sarriah and I. Our lot is to guard the Garrison against the Frostwolf." Kili said, sounding more than a little disappointed at the job he was chosen for. "Crack a few o' dem horde skulls for me, will ya lass?"

Nodding compliantly, Arias turned her attention to the road in anticipation of her sister's arrival. Arias and Sarriah are not what one would normally think of as typical sisters. Though they are seperated by only 4 years, the distance between them began at a very early age. Their father had been killed during the Great War fighting for their homeland of Stromgarde, and Arias had since found some fatherly comfort in aiding the workings of a local blacksmith. Her potential as a skilled warrior was noticed and heralded since her early teens, and she had spent most of her time developing those skills away from home. Sarriah on the other hand, had found the guidance and attention she needed from the Church of the Light. Arias had always feared that Sarriah harbored some resentment towards her, and most of their prior meetings were strictly business.

"Ah... thar she is." Kili's words appeared to snap Arias back into focus.

"How do you..." Arias' words were interrupted once she had turned to face Kili once again. He had his gun out and was looking through the scope at the onrushing paladin. Arias gave him a scornful tap on the shoulder, waving one hand to the wind as if to say "What are you doing?". Kili simply smiled as he put his gun away, not at all fazed by Arias' irritation. As the galloping sounds drew nearer, soldiers who were desperately trying to warm themselves stopped in their tracks and turned their heads. For a moment, it appeared as if the freezing temperatures had won out and left everyone frozen solid. Slowly, the masses converged on the road as a graceful, yet unshakeable figure came into view. It was indeed Sarriah. No sooner had she arrived at Stonehearth had she begun her briefing, and for the entire length of it seemed not to take notice of her sister.

"I bring you orders from the General! We are to penetrate the Horde defenses in the field of strife and strike at their Garrison! We will be moving out shortly. Group leaders, please see me for your assignments!"

A crowd of squad leaders approached the paladin, each receiving their orders in turn. Arias could not help but feel a little disappointed, as in each of their previous encounters. Being the older sister, she had felt responsible for the rift that was between them. Lowering her head ever so slightly, she muttered to herself.

"I should have been there for her..."

Kili, sensing that Arias had gone into her own little world again, gave her a hard nudge. She looked up to see Sarriah approaching, having evidently finished issuing orders. Arias was filled with an odd combination of both happiness and dread and she walked up to the pair.

"Sister... you are well!" Sarriah said, with a hint of a smile on her face. She bowed her head slightly to Kili in acknowledgement, then turned her attention back towards Arias, no longer smiling at all.

"Arias, you are to move to the front and aid the assault on the Frostwolf Captain. One of our own Captains, Calgore, will be there as well." The news delivered, there was a short pause and awkward silence as Arias digested what she had been told.

"Sarriah... what of you? Where are you stationed?" she said, after trying carefully to find suitable words to express her concern.

"I am to remain here with Kili to guard Stonehearth. The Horde will no doubt be sending troops behind our front lines to disrupt our operations."

Arias' words were again stymied by the very military-like manner in which they were communicating, something they rarely seemed able to get past. All she could think to do was to end the conversation before she became even more pained at their inability to be close, as most sisters are. Nodding her head and slinging her spear over her shoulder, she gave a confident smile to her sister as she prepared to leave.

"Sarriah, take care of yourself. I wish to speak with you after this battle is won, should I happen to survive it."

The words had escaped Arias' mouth all on their own, it seemed. She meant every word of it, this much she was certain of. Sarriah now had a look of concern on her face, as she prepared to see Arias off to the battle.

"Light be with you, my sister..." she said rather weakly. Something about Arias' words had affected her.

"Aye... blessins o' the light be with ya, Arias. Mind ye'self out on the battlefield, lass." Kili added, pumping his fist in the air as if to make up for the lack of enthusiasm in Sarriah's farewell.

With no further words exchanged, Arias mounted her brown horse and rode on her way to the front, her sister watching until her figure was no longer in sight. A few moments passed, with little else than the sound of Kili loading his gun and waving it around, as if an attack was imminent. Kili peeled his eyes away from the scope for one moment, feeling that perhaps he should comfort Sarriah about her sister's well-being. He was rather surprised to see the look on Sarriah's face as she stood there silently, her mouth hanging open just a little. Her eyes, staring off blankly into the distance, were filled with distress. Before Kili could open his mouth, she had jumped onto her warhorse and was preparing to move out.

"Lass! Have ye forgotten yer orders? We're to stay here!" Kili said, thrusting his index finger towards the ground all the while. With no moment of hesitation, Sarriah began riding off down the road to the south, deaf to Kili's protest. Kili let out a long sigh, as he slowly sat himself onto the ground.

"Who needs any bloody healin' anyway..."



- End of Part 1

Alterac Valley: On Fields of Red Snow


"The duty of a paladin is to walk until the end of days, forever bringing judgement upon those defilers of the light. Though we are instruments... our hearts also beat as those of other men and women. It is our greatest strength, and our deepest vice."
-Sarriah Silverwind


Part 2 -- Nerves of Steel and Veins of Ice



The sounds of roaring battle were doing their utmost to keep rhythm with Sarriah's heartbeat as she approached the Field of Strife. Sarriah had been in battles throughout her life up to this point, but she knew inside that this battle was somehow different from the others. Perhaps it was the magnitude of the fighting and killing, the abundant sight of wounded and dying soldiers in any direction. At heart, Sarriah knew there was only one satisfactory answer.

"I will know countless comrades-in-arms in my life, but I shall never be blessed with another sister" she said softly, taking a moment of pause to focus herself.

From where she was now mounted, the Field of Strife was in clear view. Her eyes darted around the field, less interested in assessing the combat situation than in finding Arias. From what she had been observant enough to take in, there were two seperate battles ongoing in the field; one group fighting in the middle of the field with the horde armies, and the other riding past it to the right heading towards Iceblood Garrison.

"Of course... Iceblood Garrison!" she recalled, realizing that she had given Arias orders to attack the Garrison. She wasted no time in charging down toward the field in pursuit, drawing her sword of the Black Dragon Champion and holding it to the sky as she rode. The intense look on her face, one of eager anticipation coupled with piercing eyes that dared anyone to face her, attested to her newly regained focus on duty.

The battle, though spectacular from above, was far less appealing once she had reached the first group which was trying desperately to hold back the Horde onslaught. The battle shouts were continuous and deafening, while the support group at the rear quickly downed their drinks, gasping for breath in between gulps. Perhaps it was merely an illusion created by the enormous size of the horde races, but it appeared at that time that the Alliance army was outnumbered. Sarriah's sense of urgency grew, as she knew she would have to remain and lend her support to the field group. Not wasting another moment, she dismounted from her horse and ran in to join the fight.

Weaving her way through Alliance combatants, she was now within sight of the front line. Gathering all of her courage, she dug in her feet and pushed off in an incredible charge that would have made Arias proud. Clad in her bright armor, even those deeply involved in the fighting could not help but notice the yellow blur that rushed past them into the oncoming Horde. The exception, however, seemed to be her intended target; an Orcish mage who had wandered too close to the front lines. He seemed to freeze as he turned his head at the last moment, his eyes widened in surprise as if shocked by Sarriah's audacity.

"Scared sword of judgement, become my strength!" she yelled, only a moment before plunging the blade into the Orc's abdomen. Battlers on both sides could not help but notice this amazing display of either courage or pure insanity, and it had seemed to rally the Alliance troops.

Several burly Horde warriors rushed towards Sarriah, as the Orc mage's body crumpled lifelessly to the ashen ground. Sensing no fear, Sarriah raised her free hand to the skies, a swirling white energy forming around the palm of her hand. A few nearby Alliance warriors who were fortunate enough to be able to spare a glance in her direction werre shouting wildly for her to fall back, as the horde warriors were within striking distance. Unmoved by the distractions, Sarriah slammed her fist into the ground, releasing an incredible flow of energy.

"Consecration! Burn these defilers!" she yelled, with all the fervor of a woman gone mad. A Tauren warrior caught within the burning circle dropped his sword and covered his eyes in a vain attempt to shield himself from the spell. As he fumbled around, a Night Elf warrior charged in and thrust his spear into the mighty Tauren's chest. A deafening roar was let out as he wobbled on his feet and eventually fell over onto his side, the spear still lodged in his chest. The Night Elf warrior grinned in satisfaction as he drew a spare sword from its sheath.

"Keep it, it's a gift from me to you..." he said mockingly to the Tauren's lifeless corpse. Sarriah, though readying herself for when the consecrated barrier wore off, shot him a disapproving look.

"Keep your head up soldier, they're coming back!" Sarriah warned, as the bright aura on the ground quickly faded. The warrior simply nodded in acknowledgement, raising his sword and perfecting his stance.

With the Horde ready to strike, Sarriah let out a sharp gasp as she stumbled and fell over. She looked down to see that an arrow had struck her in the leg, and was bleeding quite badly. An approaching Orc warrior grinned satisfactorily at the prospect of an easy kill, as Sarriah used her hands in an attempt to push herself back to safety until she could heal the wound. With no real hope of being covered in time, and those around her quite busy with targets of their own, she held up her sword defensively, determined not to fall before aiding her sister.

The Orc warrior slashed viciously and yet mockingly at her sword, disarming her as the blade sunk into the ground next to her. Sarriah closed her eyes and mumbled a prayer to the Light, begging for mercy on her sister as she had failed to protect her. After several seconds, she opened them again, quite confused as to why she had not yet been slain. The Orc warrior hit the ground with a loud thud, blood pouring out of his lower back. As she looked up, a hooded Night Elf rogue stood over the body for a moment.

"Watch yourself" he said, winking at her. Without another word, he bounded back into the Alliance ranks. A feeling of utter relief had washed over Sarriah, as she crawled toward the rear of the Alliance lines. The Night Elf warrior that had been fighting beside her, his dance partner also slain, had taken the occasion to lift Sarriah to her feet and escort her to the rear.

The mages and support casters were throwing everything they had at the Horde army now, as sweat dripped down their faces and hands began to quiver from fatigue. Even in such a cold place, Sarriah thought to herself, fierce combat is making them perspire. Having arrived at the first aid area, the gentlemanly Night Elf warrior set Sarriah down gently.

"Thank you for your aid, noble warrior" she said, bowing her head slightly in appreciation of his efforts.

"You can thank Lythstihl when you see him... if you see him" he replied, correcting himself mid-sentence. Bowing his head briefly to wish her well, he turned and rushed back toward the battle. As her gaze followed him back to the front lines, Sarriah could see that the Horde were in retreat. Her sense of urgency only continued to grow, fearing what may be happening at Iceblood Garrison.

Doing her best to put it out of her mind, she began mending her wound. A brief glance of the surroundings made her aware that she was rather fortunate to escape with only a wounded leg. Many soldiers were still screaming in agony as they received treatment for their gaping wounds. On the face of every wounded soldier, in some strange way, she would see the face of Arias. She had never really had much concern for Arias' well-being before, she thought.

"It seems I have always taken for granted that we would both be okay... that we would survive any encounter" she said to herself, wincing in pain as she rose to her feet. Off in the distance, she could see the Horde retreating up the hill. Her opportunity had arrived, it seemed, to join the attack on the Garrison.

Sarriah limped over to her horse and mounted up, surveying the scene of the battle once more as she rode to where she had been hit. She reached down to grasp the hilt of her sword, still wedged into the ground as it had been earlier. Slinging the sword over her shoulder to its rightful place, she spotted the Night Elf warrior that had helped carry her back to camp. He lay on the ground motionless, half-buried by the ashen ground that covers the Field of Strife. With a heavy heart, Sarriah dismounted slowly and knelt down beside the warrior's corpse.

"Light bless you, noble warrior. Your efforts will not be lost in the minds of those who triumph in this terrible war".

After giving her final blessings, Sarriah mounted up and rode off toward Iceblood Garrison. For all of the complaining that had been present in Stonehearth, the least of anyone's worries at this time was the cold weather. It was especially not so in Sarriah's mind.

Alterac Valley: On Fields of Red Snow

"From afar, a battle is little more than a competitive game with carved wooden placeholders on a map. Those of us who know true battle, realize that it is fought with flesh and blood."
- Calgore

Part 3 -- Oh Captain, Die Captain



Dismounting from their horses, rams, tigers and mechanostriders, every single member of the assault force
paused briefly to take in the sight of Iceblood Garrison which stood before them. Covered in tattered flags and built in gruesome and almost random design, Arias could not help but feel uneasy about the task that was set before them. A nearby dwarf was struggling to get the reins of his mount tied up, his hands visibly shaking as he fumbled with the straps.

"Dun let me die here..." he said, in a voice which sounded much stronger than his nerves. Though it did little for morale, his plea echoed the thoughts of every soldier that was assembled at the Garrison.

Captain Calgore, the man responsible for ensuring that those wishes became reality for his soldiers, was plopped down at the front of the lines going over some strategy with his lieutenants. Calgore was a highly respected officer in the Alliance army and his calm, professional influence seemed to make him larger than life in some ways. His armor, finely polished and ornate, seemed to reflect the prestige and honor garnered through his deeds in battle. Though the crowd behind him was silent as he distributed orders to the huddled group of officers, most of the soldiers had begun to stretch their necks out in a vain attempt to catch a glimpse of what was going on.

"Lieutenant Silverwind! Arias Silverwind!" Calgore bellowed, "Please step forward to receive orders!". Necks were now bent in every direction, as soldiers looked around curiously for the woman to step forward. The waiting, it seemed, had only served to heighten the nervous atmosphere.

Taking a clear path through several onlooking soldiers, Arias found her way to the makeshift strategy meeting and tilted her head in towards the officer circle. She still carried with her the uneasy feeling she had been burdened with since leaving Stonehearth, a premonition that things would end badly for the assault force. This was hardly the time or place to be having doubts, she thought. Her duty was absolute.

"Lieutenant Arias will commence the attack on Galvangar, with myself and group three as her support" Calgore instructed, the focus in his dark brown eyes displaying confidence that is gained only through experience.

Arias could only think of the battle ahead, as Calgore finished with his battle orders. She was not fearful of putting her abilities against those of Galvangar, but she nevertheless began to mentally rehearse for the coming battle. As she regained her focus on reality, the officers stood at attention and saluted the Captain, apparently ready to carry out the orders. Calgore turned to face the anxious Alliance assault force, his arm crossing his chest dutifully. All eyes were focused directly on him as he began to address the crowd.

"Heroes of the Alliance! We enter the Iceblood Garrison, and by the Light, only one Captain shall emerge from it! Let us punish the Horde this day for their ceaseless incursions, and brutality upon our races!"

Calgore drew his massive sword and held it to the air, shifting his body to the side. The look of sheer determination on his face was unmistakable, for it was truly the look of a man who would not be defeated this day. In one swift movement, he lowered his sword to shoulder length, it's tip pointing at the Garrison.

"Attack!!" he yelled, as he began his dash toward the Garrison closely followed by the screaming masses of Alliance troops.

Arias was doing her best to keep pace with the overly enthused Captain as he rushed for the doorway. As they approached, several Horde fighters began to trickle out the doorway to repel the attackers. The Lieutenants were now ordering their respective groups to intercept the defenders as they rushed toward the Alliance army with an equal amount of enthusiasm. Calgore began to cleave a path to the doorway with his mighty sword in a manner that reminded Arias very much of her sister. Arrows were being fired at the Alliance army from a nearby tower, who's base was now under siege by Alliance forces. The sheer chaos of the battle had made Arias wonder if she would even have the chance to clash swords with Galvangar.

"This way, group three!!" Calgore shouted as he motioned for them to follow. Much to the relief of Arias and the members of group three, they managed to get inside the doorway without incident. Quickly looking outside, it was evident to Arias that the Horde were simply outnumbered and unable to hold them back. Despite the advantage, reinforcements could easily be on their way to the battle. Galvangar had to be destroyed, and soon.

Having stopped for a moment to scout the surroundings, Arias took the occasion to inspect the members of group three. It was made up of two women, and three men; a Human rogue, a Night Elf priestess, a Human mage, a Dwarven hunter, and a Gnomish warlock respectively. It was a very composed group up to this point, Arias had thought as she followed Calgore into the next chamber. Inside was a poorly lit hallway, with a few axes and torches lining the walls. The walls themselves were made of poorly assembled and uneven stones that were themselves quite dangerous. At the end of the hallway appeared a massive figure, his shadow reaching all the way down to where Arias and her companions stood. As the Orcish silhouette prepared to address his visitors, he let out a groan that very much resembled a hungry animal about to strike its prey.

"You DARE to enter MY keep, Alliance scum!?" he said, thrusting his finger toward the invaders. Answering his silent orders were several Horde warriors who rushed into the hallway, brandishing their weapons as they charged Calgore and his troops.

"Destroy them all!" Galvangar ordered, unsheathing his own sword and joining the battle. Arias rushed to meet him, and swung with all her might as steel clashed upon steel. Galvangar's strength was incredible, as was his recovery time and reflexes as she soon learned. Arias was forced to parry a number of attacks that followed, several narrowly missing her body.

Around her, the other members of the assault team were faring only slightly better. The rogue would surely have been mesmerizing to watch, had they not been in a life-and-death struggle. She had literally been bouncing off of the walls in a fantastic display of seemingly limitless energy. Her incredible speed made it seem as though she was living her entire life in faster motion than everyone else. Her face displayed no emotion and no signs of struggling. In fact, had you not been watching her body perform this circus act, you would never realize she was in combat at all. The human mage screamed in agony as he was struck in the arm with a knife, and fell to the ground awaiting his doom.

"Get down!!" commanded an unfamiliar voice toward the mage. As he complied, he could only see the shaft of a massive sword as it travelled in front of his face, and worked its way into the Horde warrior's midsection. He shivered in surprise, as he rolled over and looked up to greet his savior. Before him, clad in her signature bright yellow armor, was Sarriah. Without pausing for introductions, she proceeded onto a Horde mage who was using the rogue as target practice.

Arias, unaware of the new entrant, continued to struggle against Galvangar's vicious and powerful slashes. She had been on the defensive for the entire battle, and could not sustain many more hits without losing her weapon. She would need to look for one opening, and strike quickly. Sidestepping yet another of the mighty Orc's slashes, she took the opportunity and thrust her blade toward his abdomen. This had to work, she thought, for she may never live to see another opportunity. Her heart sank as, yet again, her blade tasted nothing but steel parrying her attack. Her arm fully committed to the thrusting attack, Galvangar took his own opportunity and grabbed her hand, nearly crushing it until Arias' sword hit the ground. They stared menacingly into each other's eyes, as if a battle were about to erupt there as well.

Galvangar, with his massive hands and unreal strength, grabbed Arias and launched her into the nearby stone wall. The impact was so incredibly forceful that the wall itself had nearly given way. From a distance, Sarriah had witnessed this and was trying her best to break away from her own battle in order to aid her sister. Groaning in pain, Arias found the strength to get to her feet. Her feet were wobbling and she had been blinded by the dust which had been kicked up in the nearly explosive impact. Galvangar began to charge the defenseless Arias, in a moment that seemed to call the attention of all fighters in the room.

Arias reached quickly for her dagger, but was her hand froze up suddenly. She felt a deep pressure in her abdomen, and her head flew forward as she let out a sharp cough which sent little droplets of blood onto Galvangar's armor. Her hands quickly wandered to the area of the wound, as her blurred vision began to do the same. Galvangar's sword was deeply inbedded into her gut. Raising her eyes one last time, the last thing she could see was the malevolent, green face of Galvangar mocking her with his grin. As he removed his sword, Sarriah looked on in horror as Arias groaned weakly and crumpled to the floor. It was as if Sarriah herself had stopped breathing, and beads of cold sweat mixed with tears were running down her face, bouncing off of her trembling lips and onto the floor. Her ocean blue eyes were now ablaze with fury, as she rushed after Galvangar.

"Healer!!" Calgore screamed, firmly entrenched in his own battle. Though the Alliance troops were winning, there were still no free hands to tend to the badly wounded warrior. The Night Elf priestess had been injured as well, and was seated in the near corner of the hall tending to her wounds. The Dwarven hunter had been slain, and the Human mage was also trying to mend his own wounds.

Galvangar grinned as Sarriah ran towards him, and as he he lifted his sword to parry her attack, he felt his footing slide backwards. He roared, clearly irritated at the challange that was now brought before him. Sarriah, her eyes full of rage but tears streaming so profusely from them that it was any wonder that she could see at all, was slashing ferociously at Galvangar, sending him on the defensive. After several parries, each more difficult than the last, Galvangar lost control of his right arm as it flew back from the force of the previous blow. Unable to get it back into position in time, he roared ferociously as Sarriah's downward slash had caught his wrist and taken his hand off cleanly. Captain Calgore, arriving to Sarriah's aid, took full advantage of the opportunity and plunged his sword into Galvangar's chest.

The battle over, the rage quickly melted off Sarriah's face as she ran toward her dying sister. Paying no attention to the ample amount of blood surrounding her, she propped her sister up and held her head in her lap, her words muffled by her sobs and sharp breaths. Arias' hand had fell from her abdomen to the floor as she opened her eyes to greet her sister, who was shaking her head from side to side and weeping heavily. Even the normally composed Calgore was quite shaken by this scene that was unfolding before his eyes.

"You can't die, Arias... you just can't" she pleaded, wiping the blood from the corner of Arias' mouth. Arias' lips began to move, and though not all of the sound came out properly, it was quite clear what she was trying to say.

"I love you... sister."

With this, Arias closed her eyes and embraced the slumber which had beckoned to her for several moments now. Perhaps things left undone would have to remain that way. If she had one last wish, it was for some reconcilliation with her sister. At least that much had been fulfilled.

Alterac Valley: On Fields of Red Snow

"The most powerful armor and the greatest weapon truly is love. With it, all purpose is clear and all things are possible. Belief, purpose, motivation... all of these are strengthened tenfold by love."
- Talazan Wildshade

"Purpose can make a person strong, but passion will make them great."
- Ryanthalas



Part 4 -- Friendship in Dangerous Times



A steady stream of cheers erupted from the Alliance army as the battle groups in turn marched past the flaming wreckage of the Iceblood Garrison and tower. Bouyed by their victory and the inspiring sound of trumpets and drum rhythms, it was a time for brief celebration in the long and bitter war that was being fought. The high of defeating a powerful foe and the glory of victory, these were the moments that all combatants cherish the most. Indeed, tasting victory is a drink so sweet that it quenches the soul, Talazan thought to herself as she observed the display from the comfort of her horse. The contagiously upbeat mage had only just arrived to the front, but she nevertheless felt very much part of the celebration. Surely someday the defenders of Silverwing will know the same exhilaration, she hoped.

She too was lost in the euphoria, utterly unfazed by the chilling gust of wind which seemed to toy with her light brown hair. Perhaps she was simply used to cold temperature, having mastered the element through her arcane studies. Rousing her from her dreamy state was a voice gently calling her name, but the scene that lay before her was simply too tantalizing to turn away from. Just one more moment to take it all in, perhaps...

"Talazan!" the voice called, finally raising its tone to compete against the enrapturing daydream in which she was caught. Finally returning to her senses, she looked over to greet a familiar figure. It was Ryanthalas, a friend of hers since before she could properly remember. His head was leaning over ever so slightly, his eyebrows raised a little in concern as he called out to her. He could see the faraway look in her lively blue eyes, almost jealous at whatever it was that was holding her attention from him.

"Are you alright?" he said softly, in a tone that seemed implicitly apologetic for his prior loudness.

"Yes... of course, Ryan." she replied, with a glowing smile that reassured him instantly. They had been referring to each other as "Tal" and "Ryan" since before their training with the Alliance army. The smile vanished from her face as she began to take a slightly more serious tone with him.

"Surely I don't have the look of a damsel in distress...?" she continued. She had needed on many occasions before to remind Ryanthalas that she was as capable a combatant as he. The deepening attraction between the two had created a "knight in shining armor" routine which she found to be annoying and overbearing at times. Ryanthalas was quickly searching for the words to make things right, as his flustered expression attested to.

"Well, no... I just..." he started, abruptly halting whatever train of thought he had started on. Talazan smiled at him warmly. It was a smile that Ryanthalas knew all too well, from his youth until now. It was a smile that she had given him everytime he had gotten a little too riled up about something. It seemed to calm his heart, and restored his sense of security about anything that was going on around him.

"We've been ordered to investigate Tower Point just ahead. If you want to play 'Guardian Angel' then now is your chance" Talazan said, giving him a wink as her horse began to move onward. Ryanthalas followed her without a moment of hesitation, absorbing the festive atmosphere at the ruins himself for one last time.


**********************************


The scout teams had reported Tower Point to be an abandoned Horde position in the snowy hills, a perfect location to seize for defensive purposes. As they made their way up the mountain, Ryanthalas and Talazan grew increasingly comforted by the sheer silence that now surrounded them. It seemed as if they were not at all on assignment.

"I thought they were crazy for sending only the two of us here. I must confess I was a little worried" Ryanthalas said, his attention now focused solely on Talazan. The air was growing thicker with snow flurries as they ascended the mountain path, but it did not seem to grow any colder.

"I wasn't too concerned. After all, they did send me here with you" she replied. The delight on Ryanthalas' face was instant and beaming. Talazan couldn't help but blush ever so slightly at her own words, though she figured it could easily be blamed on the cold weather.

The pair reached the summit, enjoying a comfortable silence the rest of the way up. The flimsy-looking wooden tower seemed to greet them, content for any company at all to venture up this way. The surroundings certainly appeared to be, as the scouts had declared, abandoned. Ryanthalas and Talazan began to tether the horses to a nearby pole as they dismounted to inspect the area. Ryanthalas drew his hand overtop of his eyes, shielding them from the rush of flurries as he surveyed the area.

"It looks fine to me, but you never know what sort of traps they've left behind for us" he warned cautiously. Shifting his body back toward Talazan, he closed his eyes abruptly and instinctively jumped back in alarm as a projectile flew toward him, striking him on the right shoulder.

"Gotcha!" Talazan said, giggling madly as she fashioned another snowball in her hand. There was something about the way she moved, her laugh, her incredible smile that captivated Ryanthalas on a daily basis. Smiling, he quickly gathered a handful of snow and launched a counterattack. His first shot had missed horribly, far to the left.

"Where are you aiming?" she taunted jokingly, her smile still as bright as ever.

"It's the paladin code, a warning shot is always given first!" he replied, winding up with a shot he had hoped would prove more accurate. The trajectory had indeed redeemed him, and Talazan let out a playful scream as the snowball exploded on her hip, drenching that area of her light green dress. The laughter by now had incapacitated both of them, and they remained bent over and gripping their sides for several minutes.

Regaining some form of professional composure, they entered the base of the tower to warm themselves. Several battle groups were supposed to arrive shortly to make use of the abandoned tower, but the silence in the hills was as prominent as ever. Nestled in a corner away from the entrance, Ryanthalas could feel his heart picking up to a pace he thought might prove rather unhealthy. Talazan had felt quite the same way, as she held her knees up with her interlocking fingers much as a child might do. It was inexplicably painful for the two of them to share such moments together, perhaps because of the feeling that they might never live or meet to share another like it. Yet, their lives were too young to already be longing for the days of childhood memories.

"Nothing is ever simple anymore, is it Ryan?" Talazan asked, quizzing him rhetorically.

"Perhaps it is only because we believe that to be true, that leads things to be complicated" he replied, a hint of defiance in his voice. It was a very alluring prospect, one that Talazan wanted desperately to believe. Their eyes were now firmly fixed on one another, as if their very souls were communicating directly.

"Nothing ventured is nothing gained, is that what you're telling me?" Talazan responded, lowering her head slightly as she gently brought her hand over and brushed Ryanthalas' cheek. It seemed as though all the forces of the realm could not rip them apart at this moment, as they were being drawn together for what surely would be a moment so magical that it may warrant study by Arcanists.

"Lok'tar!"

The unfamiliar voice echoed up the mountainside, bringing both Ryanthalas and Talazan back to their surroundings. They sprung to their feet, now looking at each other in pure concern. Without a word, Ryanthalas ascended to the next level of the tower to get a better look at what was happening outside.

"Damn!" he yelled, peeling himself away from the gap in the wall. To his horror, marching up the mountain path was a group of Orcs with torches in hand, apparently set on burning the tower to the ground. There were five of them, all appeared to be warriors except for the Orc at the rear.

"Orcs! They've come to burn the tower!" he alerted Talazan, who's normally tanned skin was growing more pale by the second. As the sounds of Orcish chatter grew louder, Ryanthalas felt his heart sink more and more. He knew he must not allow them to destroy the tower, but he did not have much hope that they would survive to accomplish such a feat. Suddenly, he felt the warm grasp of a hand leading his.

"Come with me, Ryan! We must meet them at the top of the path outside, away from this tower!" she commanded, as Ryan hesitantly followed her out the doorway.

"What are you going to do?" he demanded, unable to suppress terrible thoughts of what might happen to them, or more importantly... to her.

"I know it'll be hard, but keep me alive until I'm ready!"

Keep her alive. If Ryanthalas had ever felt he had a purpose in life, that was it. He would fall before she would, this he vowed silently to himself. Drawing his sword, he followed Talazan to the path, stopping just short of where it began to descend. The Orcs were now no more than 100 feet away at the bottom of the slope where there was a brief portion of even ground, and they had taken notice of the tower's new inhabitants. Talazan stood her ground boldly, as a light blue circle began to glow around her. Extending her her hand toward the group of angered Horde warriors, she muttered a brief incantation which caused the Orcish shaman to polymorph into a harmless sheep.

"This is it!" Ryanthalas said to himself, as he raised his sword in anticipation of the four warriors headed towards him. His heart was racing, but he felt equal to the challenge. There was some hope, he thought, as the warriors were forced to continue carrying the lit torches in one hand. One particularly bold warrior charged away from the other three, unable to contain his bloodlust any longer as he raced toward Ryanthalas. His vicious slash was easily sidestepped, and Ryanthalas eviscerated him with a devastating upward slash. One down.

The other three were not as foolhardy, and they approached Ryanthalas as a group. Luckily, they were paying little or no attention to Talazan's incantations about 15 feet behind Ryanthalas. He swung his sword around almost randomly, trying to keep them from drawing too close as he pivoted wildly. He was quickly becoming tired, and sweat was running down his face as each time one of the orcs attempted to enter his defensive perimeter, he would take a lightning-fast swipe at them. Jumping over a spearhead that was lunging toward his feet, Ryanthalas felt his energy was near its end.

"To me, Ryan!" Talazan yelled. Ryanthalas was not certain if she was under attack or finished with her spell. Regardless, not having the time to even look back and see, he quickly jaunted backwards and prayed that she had completed her spell in time. He felt a cold hand grab him over his shoulder, grasping his chest as it pulled him backward. Over his left shoulder emerged another slender arm, beaming with incredible arcane energy. Opening her palm, Talazan unleashed an amazing gust upon the remaining Orcs. It was all the fury of a pure vacuum in reverse, blowing so violently that Ryanthalas thought perhaps the trees on the mountain opposite them several miles away might be in danger of being uprooted. Despite the apparent gust, the Orcish warriors and the disgruntled sheep which had been progressing toward them were frozen where they stood. The energy dissipating, Talazan fell to her knees as the spell, and her energy were expended.

The Orcs had quite literally been turned into solid ice, and were little more than ornamental now. Rising to her feet yet still unable to catch her breath, Talazan surveyed the scene as if to inspect her handywork. Ryanthalas was still quite in shock at what he had just wintessed... and survived. He turned to Talazan, struggling in his mind to put a coherent thought together to express to her. She simply smiled at him as she always had.

"You kept your promise" she said, still in between gasps for air.

As they stood atop the mountain path, speechless for what they had just been through, another set of voices could be heard approaching. These voices were in a much more welcome and familiar language.

"Second battalion, march!"



End of Part 4

Alterac Valley: On Fields of Red Snow

"If we are born only to fate and purpose, then our lives truly hold no value. Let our actions be judged if they must, the reasons for our actions need only matter to we ourselves."
- Disaresta Blackthorn


Part 5 -- Fall and Rise



A strange mix of both emptiness and curiosity filled Arias' senses, as she struggled to somehow make use of any senses that were yet available to her. She was surrounded by a vast, dark void that seemed to yield no light or end, as if she had been carried out to the furthest corner of space and time. Though it was hard to make any judgement about her movements in such an environment, she had the sensation as though she had been floating, or perhaps swimming through this endless purgatory. The most prevalent, and perhaps disturbing feeling she had received from this strange place was a sense of eternal calm and comfort.

"Have I... died?" she attempted to say, but no words escaped her lips. Instead, it seemed as if her thoughts were being chanelled and echoed throughout the void. Nothing on this plane of existence made any sense to her, and she felt as if she had been abandoned on an alien world.

"I must truly be dead" she conceded to herself, the thoughts once again echoing down the pitch black hallway. The lack of any concrete substance in this place had begun to affect her thoughts in strange ways. Seemingly unanswerable questions swirled in her mind and echoed once more.

"Is this world all that awaits me for eternity? Was there even a time when I.. was a human girl... named Arias?" she wondered, taking into question her own existence at this point.

Interrupting her philosophical monolgue was the far-off sound of running water. It was a sign of life in an otherwise dead realm, a sign of hope in a land that could never have known of such a thing. Arias looked around feverishly, trying to latch her senses onto the sound that was calling out to her. The sound was growing louder every moment, and though it might once have been irritating ambience in another world, it was the sweetest symphony of all at this moment.

An exploding flash of light assaulted Arias' unsuspecting senses, so much so that she had seemed unable to move her arms in any defensive fashion. Truth be known, she had preferred the darkness to this blinding light... and yet, she felt an aura of calm sweeping over her once more.

"Daddy..." echoed a child's voice, which seemed to pierce through the veil of light. It was a voice that Arias thought she had recognized once, long ago.

The blinding light began to dissipate and give way to the scene to which the voice and sounds of running water had been part of. It was a familiar, rocky cove that was located behind Stromgarde Keep. A blazing sunset had dyed the waters a bright orange color, as the waves rolled in against the rocky beach. As the scene continued to reveal itself to her, Arias could make out three silhouettes standing near the water; a large man in the middle, and two small children at his side. Before the scene unfolded any further, Arias gasped, knowing exactly what it was that she would see next.

"Sarry, come back!" the child's voice called out, as the silhouette of one of the children chased after another who was wandering away. The final threads of this scene had now been sewn together, and the silhouettes changed into recognizable figures. A little blonde pony-tailed girl was coralling a very curious red-headed child. Arias knew instantly that this was a scene from her own childhood being replayed for her. She looked to be about seven years old at the time, and her sister was still an infant. Her attention turned to the large figure who had been standing between them until moments ago, and Arias began to feel anxious.

"Father... daddy" she thought, her words again echoing throughout the landscape. A very fit, handsome-looking man was sitting on the rocky beach with fishing pole in hand. His plate armor was reflecting the bright sunset scenery, and his proud red tabard radiated the glory of his homeland of Stromgarde. He turned his attention to the girls, who now seemed eager to play in the water.

"Arias, Sarriah..." he said in a calm and gentle voice, patting his palm on the rocks beside him. The blonde girl took her younger sister by the hand and led her over to their father obediently. The little red-haired girl plopped down onto the ground beside him without much fuss, smiling at her father. The pony-tailed girl had gone over to give her father a hug, turning her cheek and rubbing it softly against his armor. Arias, who had been observing this scene all the while, was filled with emotion. As silly as it might be, she wanted to give her father a hug right now as well. Unable to interact with what was happening around her, she simply continued to watch the peaceful scene.

"Arias, honey... it's almost time to go" the man said, turning his head to the blonde girl who was still latched on to him. She looked up at him and nodded, then turned her attention toward the sea once more. The man then turned his head to face the silent observer, staring right into Arias' eyes as though he had been aware of her presence the entire time. Arias was shocked, but at the same time she was relieved that her existence had been acknowledged. She was rather jealous of her younger self at the moment, nestled safely in the arms of her father.

"Arias, honey... it's time for you to go".

Blurry figures were now coming into view as Arias slowly opened her eyes, finally free of the realm that was holding her senses captive. A dark figure with long ears and dressed in light clothing was now coming into focus. Standing over her was a female Night Elf, a priestess she had presumed, who was greeting Arias with a smile. Her mind not yet focused on her condition or her surroundings, Arias instinctively rose up to greet her visitor, but was instead greeted with a searing abdominal pain which forced her back.

"Careful, now... you need to take it easy on that wound. If you start trying to push it so early, I'll research a way for us to shackle humans, too" the woman said with a comforting smile.

The incredible pain she had just experienced helped to sharpen up her senses, as she looked around the room to get her bearings. She was without a doubt in an Alliance infirmary coupled with many other patients, very few of whom were conscious at the moment. Looking down to inspect her own wound, she could see that her abdomen had been wrapped up in bandages and was rather relieved to see no trace of red stains.

"Does everything else feel alright so far, Captain Arias?" the priestess asked. Arias raised an eyebrow upon hearing her words, thinking perhaps she was still woozy from her awakening process.

"I am but a Lieutenant, madam" she corrected, unintentionally ignoring the question she had been asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry... I meant to tell you" the priestess said with a slight gasp, raising her hand to her mouth as if the words had escaped mistakenly.

"You've been promoted, m'lady" she continued, the smile now returning to her face. Arias furrowed her brow, looking at the priestess as if she had gone quite mad.

"The Alliance promotes comatose patients, now? How badly is the battle going down there? And I suppose this cot I lay upon is my Lieutenant now?" she said, the frustration in her voice growing every moment. The priestess dared not respond to any of this, and there was a silent moment or two in the room.

"I am sorry..." Arias said, sighing heavily. The priestess nodded understandingly. As a warrior, Arias felt she should be out fighting the battle with her comrades. As a sister, she was concerned about Sarriah. Having grown quite tired of her current position, she forced herself into an upright sitting position by using her arms.

"Lady Arias, you have been promoted as a result of officers lost in combat, and because you will recover in fairly short order. Your wounds were not as serious as first believed, and I have relayed this information to your sister" the priestess explained, now allowing a pause for the information to sink in, and any questions she may have. Arias was greatly relieved to hear some news of her sister, and felt more at ease now.

"I see... my thanks to you" Arias muttered, still distracted by the visions she had witnessed earlier. The priestess was busying herself by preparing herbs at a nearby table when she suddenly raised her head in realization.

"Ah yes, your equipment is by your bedside, with the exception of your sword. It was shattered into pieces, I'm afraid. We... gave your some clothes for now as a loaner, by the way" she said, looking slightly uncomfortable now. Arias, having barely taken any notice before, inspected the outfit she was given. Her face turned red and she quickly reached for sheets to cover up with.

"These clothes are better suited for dancing on tables than keeping me warm... or covered up!" Arias protested. The "clothes" she had been given barely qualified as underwear. The woman in the bed beside her let out a giggle, and the priestess could hardly refrain from following suit.

"Anyway..." she started, her voice shaky from withholding laughter, "You will be our guest for a few days at least. In the meantime, why don't you meet your roommates?"

The priestess slowly walked over towards the bed on Arias' right. The woman was sitting upright, with a pair of knives and a grinding stone sitting in her lap. She must have paused her grinding when Arias was stirring, she thought. After a moment or two, Arias recognized her as the speedy rogue from the Galvangar assault group. Her right arm was bandaged up around the elbow region.

"This here is Disaresta. She came in at about the same time you did, in fact. A mage burned up her arm pretty good while using her for target practice, but she'll be alright. She isn't much for talking, though" the priestess explained. Disaresta raised her head from its bowed position and turned to smile at Arias. Her eyes were very serene, Arias thought to herself, though she looked as if she was often lost in her own thoughts. There were dark marks under her eyes which gave her the illusion of being older than she was, no older than Arias surely. The very look of her gave Arias the impression that she had suffered greatly for every gain she had made in this life. Casting aside these mental notes about her temporary roommate, she smiled back and waved. Disaresta promptly returned her attention to sharpening her daggers, an activity she performed meticulously.

"And this little fellow over here is Ottamon" the priestess continued, as she made her way to the bed on Disaresta's right. Leaning over slightly, Arias was greeted by the smiling gnome who seemed to be busying himself with some kind of gadgetery, an activity that was quite typical of his race.

"He is a warrior like yourself. He fought bravely at the Iceblood tower, but was struck in the shoulder by an arrow. That arrow must have been drifting low to the ground..." the priestess joked. Ottamon gave her a funny-looking frown, which seemed to indicate he had taken her joke in good humour, and returned to his tinkering.

Arias let out a big yawn as she sunk back into her bed, pulling the sheets up to her head. The idea of resting here while others were fighting did not thrill her, but as they say in Stromgarde, "unwillingness to rest is unwillingness to fight", she recalled. In respect for her comrade-in-arms, Disresta put away her daggers to let Arias get some rest. Feeling much more at ease since waking up, Arias shut her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.



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After several days had passed, there was no longer any trace of the wounds Arias had received. Keeping well-informed of the battle that was ongoing, she had learned that the Alliance had arrived outside of Frostwolf Keep and was in preparations for the final assault. The news of progress was pleasing, but it was a poor substitute for participation, she thought. As Arias looked out across the snowy fields from atop the southern Dun Baldar bunker, she began to think about the past few days. Though dull by comparison, as is expected when one must rest an injury, it had its moments of entertainment. Ottamon's mischeivous pestering of the priestess was a brand of theatre all on its own. He had survived the wound but he has yet to survive the healer, she thought as she giggled to herself. Disaresta, true to the label given to her by the kind priestess, was silent for the most part. She was a strange young woman; withdrawn, and yet nothing to suggest she was unlikeable or anything of the sort.

"You're feeling better?" an unfamiliar voice said, snapping Arias back to awareness. Not a footprint was heard from this approaching well-wisher. Were it entirely possible, Arias' other senses would surely have scolded her hearing for its failure. Putting her shock aside, Arias turned to greet the person standing behind her. Oddly enough, it was Disaresta who now stood before her. She had a strange look on her face, shifting her lips around awkwardly and darting her eyes around so as not to make contact with Arias. It was as though it pained her quite deeply to speak any words at all.

"Disaresta? I am feeling better, but you gave me quite a scare!" Arias replied. Sensing that perhaps there was some discomfort between them, Arias followed up her words with a reassuring smile.

"Good... that's good" she said, taking a few steps to stand beside Arias, then leaning into a nearby stone pillar.

"You did well. Against the Captain I mean" she continued, her eyes gazing out across the land apparently searching for whatever scenery Arias had been so enthralled by earlier. Her very soft and fragile voice was not what one would have expected from her tomboyish appearance. Her words brought back memories of the battle that Arias had been replaying and revising in her mind for days.

"Thank you for your kind words, but I failed" she replied, being self-critical as usual.

"The priestess kept raving about how you 'corkscrewed' the mage who burnt you, whatever that means. Surely it was impressive!" Arias continued. Disaresta was now staring over at Arias' shoulder, giving her the impression that the topic was about to change quite suddenly.

"You're from Stromgarde, aren't you?" she asked, confirming Arias' suspicions. She looked down at the eagle symbol carved into the metal on her left shoulderplate, then back to Disaresta.

"Yes, I am!" she said proudly. "Where do you hail from?" she followed up, trying to keep the conversation as light as possible despite the awkwardness already involved. Disaresta was quite expressionless, turning her head from Arias to face the landscape once more.

"Welcome to my home" she said ominously. "My family is from Alterac, if you must know".

The revelation had struck Arias silent. A great deal of things seemed to make sense in regards to her manner and shyness now, Arias thought. The daughter of a traitor nation was now fighting the horde with her, side by side. That alone did not bother Arias, but she had her own personal biases and contempt for Alterac to deal with as well. Horrible thoughts and memories began to pour into her mind, thwarting any attempt she would like to make at easing the burden Disaresta must have been carrying.

"My father was... killed in the battle at Alterac by one of his former comrades" Arias revealed. She wanted desperately not to judge Disaresta, nor anyone, based on what others had done wrong. Sadly, she knew the truth was that she now saw her new acquiantance in a different light.

"I am sorry. That situation was quite commonplace during the battle, with many people falling on the swords of people they once called "friend". I... " she halted, apparently unsure of what else could be said in her defense. Her head was now bowed and her eyes closed, as if she had been re-living a personal shame.

Arias was absolutely torn at this moment, unable to think properly about what she should or would like to say. The emotions were simply overwhelming, and she wondered if she would gain more satisfaction from slapping Disaresta or hugging her. Unable to come to a proper conclusion about the matter, she picked up her backpack which had been sitting at her feet and began to walk away. She stopped a few feet down the hall, and looked back at Disaresta who was still in the same position as when she had left. Gathering what strength she could, she offered up a few words about her parting.

"I have to rejoin the battle now. Be safe, Disaresta" she mustered, then turned and continued down the hall.

Disaresta's eyes followed her until she reached the stairway and faded from sight. It was a fairly typical encounter for her, when she had decided to tell anyone the truth of her origins. The great sadness she always felt, hints of which were permanently etched into her eyes and expression, she was never able to fully express. She herself did not know why she decided to tell Arias, since she had expected such a reaction. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, she jumped off the balcony and began running into the vast fields of snow.

"Please don't hate me..." she whispered.





--End of Part 5