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Shortstory - A Quest Unfulfilled

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Senneria

Hosted Project: SC
Level 6
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Jan 17, 2015
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A Quest Unfulfilled
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Alessia sighed, her arms folded against the railing on the starboard side of the ship known as "The Warchief's Spear". All before her were the blue seas as far as her elven eyes can see.

Despite her effort not to, her mind was wandering. Her consciousness reflecting over the last few decades of war and bloodshed that her race seem to be followed by, and with every race but her own seemingly not even doubting once to put the Sin'dorei to the fire for their own gains.

Her body tightened at the thought, her gloves fingers straining against the wood. The emotional part of her was gaining momentum, another indicator that even if she wanted, she could never become a Magistrix.

Yes, the other races cannot be fully trusted, they all harmed the elves in the past. The Orcs burned down the forests of Quel'thalas.. The human left the Elves to their fate after the Scourge ravaged their homeland. The relations kept with the Forsaken are tenuous as best. How Alessia's people could even consider making ties with the same monsters that almost wiped them out is beyond her.

It is why she told the emissary from the Spire that she would not depart for this mission without her companions, in which the Spire eventually agreed to, given her past with General Kaldei and the importance of that which he stole during the High Kingdom's most dire need.

However, thinking of Kaldei made all of her recently surfaced anger evaporate like the morning dew when the sun starts shinning. He was not a dishonorable man, nor a coward. If he fled it must have been for a reason.. Right?

Her train of thought was suddenly cleaved into pieces with a single yell.

"Storm approaching starboard!"

A storm?! Cursing herself for not noticing, Alessia quickly ran beneath deck before it would reach the ship she was in. She sprinted past the other adventures who have been called for this mission, conveying the same message that was just yelled while rushing down to the ships cargo. She had to free Grylls, Spike and Huffer or they would be helpless.

Moving over to the cages, however, proved to be far more difficult than the Blood Elf had anticipated. Powerful waves crashed against the ship, making every attempt at keeping ones balance a challenge. Just one yard away another wave crashed against the ship, causing Alessia to tumble into Grylls' cage. The bear roared, and Alessia could not discern if it was because of annoyance that she barged into his territory or due to worry, not that it mattered. Nothing else mattered right now than to pull her keychain and unlock those blasted cages. If she had it her way they would've all been on the deck to begin with, but of course the Orcish crew didn't have any of that fabled courage that most Orcs supposedly posses. She couldn't help but snort at that thought as she push the key into Grylls' cage and turning it. The metallic sound of the lock opening was nothing but relief in the woman's ear and she quickly moved over to free Spike, followed by Huffer. Just as she pulls the cage door open a loud crash invades her ears, followed by utter darkness.


Alessia begins to cough, opening her eyes and pushing herself to her feet. Dazed, she looks around while taking a deep breath. Smoke.. The air smells of smoke and ash. As vision finally stabilizes she can see a forest burn. No, not a forest. -Her- forest. She quickly reaches for her gear, but finds nothing by her side. "I have to get away from here." she mutters, her long, green Farstrider cloak shrouding most of her body as she sprints towards the river.
The bridge.. If she could just get past the bridge.
As said bridge comes into view she notices large green figures marching over it. Big, muscular and wielding axes of stone.
Orc filth.. Come to finish the job have they? Alessia snarls quietly at the thought, but stays off the road and instead leaping over the rive where it is narrowest to the other side. She keeps her speed going even if her legs feel like giving in to the pressure. She just needs to get ahead of the group so she can lay a trap..
Smack
The elf is sent flying to the side, one large figure standing over her almost as soon as her body impacts the ground. She had forgotten how fast those green beasts could be.
The Orc cackles in Orcish, and strangely enough.. She doesn't understand him. As he raises his axe, however.. She suddenly understands him, but he still speaks in Orcish.
"Awaken, Ranger."
That voice.. She remembers that voice. But where had she heard it before? It sounded gruff like any other Orc, but somehow.. Laced with understanding?
"Awaken."
Her eyes fall shut. Her body aches and the voice seems to drain her of energy, just as the axe descends towards her.

Alessia gasps and pushes herself up.. Or tries to, at least. As she shifts her weight she feels herself sinking. The movement makes her nose touch something fleshy.. She opens her eyes to find herself basically nose-booping an Orc.
In a flurry of movement she shoved the Orc back and - despite the aching pain throughout her entire body- she jumps to her feet, knife drawn and aiming at the Orc's throat.
Before she is able to do anything else, however, she feels her feet go numbingly cold. Glancing down the reason was plain as day. Her feet has been incased in ice! Next she became too weak to hold her blade and it drops into the sand. Fear coils around her heart, her very being.
"I knew bringing you Elves was a risk, but I didn't know some of you are this crazed." The Orc gruffed. Memory flooded Alessia. Of course! It was the captain of the ship. She is no longer in Eversong, but a beach. "I'm.. Sorry. I didn't mean to." Alessia croaked at the Orc, a blush on her cheeks.
Grunting, the captain waved his hand. The ice shattered from her ankles, strength returning to her body and hope restored. Looking around she sees several members of the adventures that joined her on the ship. Members from every possible race and every possible walk of life, keeping her from hurting the Orc. Unity. That's it.. We are all bound by a common goal. Alessia thought, realizing that the word-.. No, the concept of being a part of the Horde was greater than petty hatreds and old crimes.
"You were probably having nightmares as any veteran would have after being knocked out cold, so don't sweat it. Now, if you are feeling up for it, I need every hand on deck to help scout out this island."
Island? Wait, wasn't an island her destination to begin with? With confusion and curiosity evident in her eyes she took a deep breath and looked around.
They were at a beach surrounded by cliffs full of lush green, with what looks like old architecture in the distance. Looking to her right, however.. Sharp rocks encase this part of the beach, the remains of wooden ships litter the surrounding rocks, ruined to the point of it being impossible to tell if it all belongs to a single ship, or multiple. The captain was already stalking away to some peons, barking out orders of salvaging what they can.
"Captain!" Alessia yelled to get the Orcs attention.
"What is it, Ranger?" The Orc replied, turning to face Alessia, an eyebrow raised when he noticed the look in her eyes.
"Is this it? Are we where I think we are?"
A wide grin spread across the face of the captain. As if he's been waiting for an opportunity.
"Welcome to.. The Sunken City."
 
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