Aerissa perched on top of the crate, waiting patiently for Valtos to return.  She attempted small talk with the flight master, but it was clear they weren’t interested in her company.  She sighed and thought about the events of the last few days.  She couldn’t recall her life being so interesting before.  She knew all of her memories hadn’t unlocked yet, but she was quite certain that most of her life had been quite uneventful.  At least, until the night her fiance tried to kill her.

A chill went up Aerissa’s back, causing her to shiver.  She looked up to see Valtos approaching with three hawkstriders.  He was riding atop one and leading the other two behind him.  She grinned, amused at the sight of Valtos bopping up and down on the back of the large bird.

She knew her people had a strange attachment to hawkstriders, which looked like overgrown, colorful chickens to Aerissa, but she thought even the most sophisticated elves looked comical riding on the back of one.  Their movements were choppy and bouncy, having only the two legs to stabilize their large bodies.  Aerissa grimaced, imagining the headache she would have to endure from the constant bouncing motion. 

Valtos tugged on the reins, slowing his hawkstrider to a stop.  It fanned its wings out, its beak opening and closing repeatedly.  He patted the long, feathery neck, making a clucking sound with his mouth.  The bird blinked rapidly, then started preening its feathers.  Aerissa giggled, watching the hawkstrider.  Its head and beak seemed incapable of holding still.  After preening its feathers, it dipped its head to peck at the grass.  Then it lifted its head up high, darting from side to side, its beak constantly opening and closing.

Valtos smiled, carefully climbing down to the ground.  “Are you ready, m’lady?”

Aerissa blushed, hopping down from the crate.  “That bird cannot stay still for one second, can it?”  She walked closer to the hawkstriders, circling them as she looked them over.

“None of them can, really.  Have you ever ridden one?”  He grunted as he moved the crate closer to one of the hawkstriders.

Cautiously she reached her hand out at one of them.  It turned its head to look at her, beak agape.  Aerissa gently stroked its neck, marveling at the feel of the small, soft feathers.  “No, not that I can remember.  I mean, I never had that kind of money.”

Costs were reasonable to rent mounts, whether for flight or ground travel.  However, it was quite expensive to purchase and care for personal mounts.  An expense that Aerissa imagined her family was never able to afford.  I bet Xandarian had his own though…

Valtos scooted the crate a tad closer to the cargo mount before he walked over to Aerissa and her chosen hawkstrider.  “Well, then let me help you up.”  He patted the bird’s neck, standing near Aerissa.  “You’ll want to grip the front of the saddle, place your foot in the stirrup, and swing your other leg over.  If you are unsure of yourself, the hawkstrider can sense this and may shift as you try to mount.  Which… can lead to people falling because the movement makes them more nervous.”

Aerissa turned towards him, a look of apprehension on her face.  He gave her a reassuring smile.  “Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.”

He patted the saddle, which was secured behind the hawkstrider’s wings.  Reaching down, he held the stirrup in his hand.  “Put your foot in here and grab a hold of the saddle.  Push off my shoulder if you need to.”

“Oh-okay.”  Aerissa lifted her leg to place her foot in the stirrup.  Feeling a little off balance, she grasped his shoulder to steady herself before scrambling for the saddle.

Valtos let out a hearty chuckle.  “Relax.  Take your time.”

Aerissa took a deep breath and gripped the saddle with one, then two hands.  She tried to swing her other leg over the saddle, but couldn’t do it.  She felt the hawkstrider shift beneath her and then his strong hands.  With one hand on her side, he kept her from sliding back down.  He placed his other hand on her rear end, giving her a push to get over the saddle.  Aerissa felt flustered as she got herself situated enough to sit upright.

“There ya go, now grip the reins loosely in your hands.  Use them along with pressure from your knees to guide her where you want to go.”  He grinned up at Aerissa, squinting in the sunlight.  He patted her leg then returned to loading the crate onto the third hawkstrider.

Aerissa’s heart thudded within her chest, her face feeling hot.  This is going to be a very interesting trip.

Aerissa followed the young boy to the front gates as he struggled with his rickety cart, heavy from the supply crate.  She felt embarrassed for him as he grunted and groaned, lugging the load behind him.  She wanted to offer her help, but figured it would only make matters worse.  Once they were at the front gate, the boy stopped and stared at Aerissa.

“Can’t we go just a bit further?” she pleaded, eying the distance to the flight master.

The boy scowled and shook his head.  ”I not allowed.”

Aerissa frowned, but nodded her head.  It was clear the boy would not disobey the shopkeeper.  She dropped a few coins into the boy’s outstretched hands.  ”Thanks.  Could you at least help me get the crate off the cart?”

As she finished her question, the boy tilted the cart, the crate tumbling over the side.  It landed with a loud thwak.  Aerissa gasped, bending low to check the crate.  It didn’t appear to have any cracks in it.  She hoped everything inside was still in tact.  She turned to scold the boy, but he was already meandering through passers-by, whistling as he led the cart back into the city.

Aerissa let out a heavy sigh, mumbling to herself about manners.  She circled the crate, trying to find the best way to approach it.  She wrapped her arms around it, her fingers gripping at the wood.  With a grunt, she tried to lift it to no avail.  She leaned her back against it and felt it slid an inch.  She slowly made her way outside, alternating between pushing and pulling the crate.  Next she tried “walking” the crate by tilting and turning it on its edge, which seemed to be the fastest way to move it so far.

She stopped at a set of stairs leading down the side towards the flight master.  Aerissa contemplated continuing along the road, which wound around towards the flight master, or to manuever the crate down the stairs, which would be a shorter path.  Turning around, she forcibly blew air out of her mouth in exasperation when she realized she had worked so hard to move only a few feet.

“I don’t have all night, so the stairs it will have to be,” she muttered.

The process was painstakingly slow, but she was moving the crate down the stairs.  She was near the bottom when someone bumped into her and the crate, causing them both to tumble down the last few steps.  Aerissa winced from the stinging scrapes on her hands.  She was otherwise unharmed.  The crate seemed to have faired just as well.

“I am sorry, miss.  I was a bit distracted and… I’m terribly sorry,” the young elven man apologized profusely as he offered his hand to Aerissa.  He helped her to her feet and checked over the crate.  ”No offense, but you shouldn’t be trying to carry this.”  He tilted it, testing its weight.

“Believe me, I didn’t want to, but the shopkeeper would only take it to the gate.”  She smoothed her hands over her hair and clothes.

“Where are you headed? I think I should lend a hand.”  He flashed her a broad smile.

Aerissa broke the gaze, blushing lightly.  ”If you could help me get this to the flight master, I would very much appreciate it.”

“Certainly.  It’s the least I can do since I pushed you down the stairs.”  He let out a nervous laugh.  ”I’m Valtos, by the way.”

“Aerissa.”  She smiled, walking beside him, but a step or two back, as he carried the crate.  He struggled to keep a good hold on the crate, but did his best to mask just how difficult it was for him to carry it.

“You really think they’ll let this brick onto one of the dragonhawks?” he winked, teasing Aerissa.

“I-I hope so.”  Panic briefly filled her face.  ”I hadn’t even considered that there might be a weight restriction…”

He chuckled, “Oh I’m sure it will be fine.  The shopkeeper should know that sort of thing.  So if he didn’t say you couldn’t take it on a flight, they should be able to handle it.”  He panted, “All.  Most.  There.”

Aerissa looked Valtos over.  He was tall and lean with long brown hair.  She admired the muscles in his arms as he lugged the supply crate for her.  And his eyes… the way he looked at me… Aerissa shook her head of foolish thoughts.

“Hmm, this looks curious…” he said out the side of his mouth as they approached the flight master.  The roosts were empty and the lone flight master looked bored, sitting on a stump.  ”Excuse me? Where are your hawks?”

The flight master looked up lazily and shrugged.  ”Flights are out for now.  All the dragonhawks are out and none have returned yet.  You’ll have to wait.”

“Wait? How long?” Aerissa asked, urgency in her voice.

“I don’t know,” responded the flight master.  ”Look, all I can tell you is: there are no outgoing flights at this time.”

Aerissa slapped her arms against her sides.  ”Great.  Just great! I need to get back to Tranquillien with these supplies.  I can’t sit around all day on a hope that an overgrown butterfly returns.”  She stomped her foot, struggling to contain her anger.

Valtos set the crate down and leaned against it.  He stroked his chin.  ”We could rent a couple hawkstriders and ride to Tranquillien.  Sure, it would take longer to ride than fly, but who knows when you’ll get a flight out of here.”

“We?” Aerissa raised her eyebrows.

He lowered his eyes, smiling shyly.  ”Well, sure.  I don’t expect you to load and unload that heavy crate by yourself.  Besides, it can be a boring ride from here to there.  Take you about a day…”

Aerissa’s eyes widened.

“We wouldn’t ride straight through! I know a small village where we could stop for the night and rest.”  He patted the crate.  ”Or, you can take a chance waiting here for a bird to come back.  Except, once it gets back, it’ll probably need to rest from such a long trip….”

Aerissa sighed, giving up.  ”I’d rather be on my way than sitting around here.”  She couldn’t help but grin at him in return.  ”And, the company would be nice.”

He clapped his hands together, standing up straight.  ”Excellent.  You wait here.  I’ll run over to the livery stables and rent our hawkstriders.”

Previously on RP Tuesday…

Aerissa arrived in Tranquillien after having spent at least a month nursing several wounds in the woods of Eversong.  During that time, she befriended a lynx named Locke.  Out of her element while in the woods, Aerissa taught herself how to fashion makeshift weapons, shoot a bow, and create goods from the skins of her kills.  Aerissa made a name for herself in Tranquillien by killing two abominations that patrolled the Dead Scar.  She had also become friends with the resident innkeeper, Twyla.

After receiving her reward for helping the guards, she purchased newer weapons and clothing from Tomber, a general goods merchant.  One of those items was a dagger, which caused such an intense flashback that Aerissa was unconscious for several days.  This was a major breakthrough to help her figure out what happened how she got to where she was now, especially once she recognized the dagger as being her ex-fiance’s.

She was reminded her of finding her fiance in an intimate embrace with a human the night before their wedding.  He had turned on her, trying to silence her with his dagger.  These memories were so painful that when Aerissa regained consciousness she fled back into the woods.  While she isolated herself, Locke engaged in a fight with a plagued lynx who infected him.  Aerissa continues to struggle with her grief over losing him.

Aerissa eventually tried to get back to normal and signed up to help the guards with some scouting work.  She was assigned to Windrunner Spire, where she recovered Lady Sylvanas’s locket.  Aerissa was then sent to The Undercity to return the locket and to pick up more supplies on her way back through Silvermoon.

Meanwhile…

Alynedarra was hired to track down Aerissa.  She’d had a couple one on one conversations with The Boss regarding this assignment, which was unusual.  Alynedarra has been ruthless in her quest to gather information on the whereabouts of Aerissa, but has yet to be caught for killing a dock master, assaulting a zepplin master, and assaulting a Silvermoon guard.

Oh, and breaking and entering of an orphanage.

What started out as an assignment from an anonymous contractor with questionable instructions has turned into a desperate race for Alynedarra to find her target before anyone else does so she can save her.  And, find out once and for all if they are sisters.

Next time on RP Tuesday…

We’ll rejoin Aerissa as she makes her way to the city gates, the large crate of supplies being hauled by a poor young boy and his cart, as she makes her way back to Tranquillien.

Want to read more?

For a complete list of this series, please go here.

After a few moments of solitude in Sunfury Spire, Aerissa repositioned the cowl Twyla loaned her to obscure her face.  As Aerissa passed the large fountain on her way out of the Court of the Sun, distant shouting caught her attention.  She peeked over her shoulder at the commotion amongst the guards and quickly headed for the Bazaar.

She checked the information Tomber had given her and searched for the shop.  Aerissa wandered along the outer ring of the Bazaar, gazing at the window displays.  Occasionally she would stop to admire this item or that for a few moments, then move along, but the next window Aerissa passed drew her in.

She gasped, moving closer to the window.  Aerissa placed her hands upon the glass, staring at the beautiful dress before her.

“Ouch!” Aerissa yelped as the prick of the needle poked her hip.

“Hold still, missy!” The seamstress said sternly.  She readjusted the needle, wrapped measuring tape around Aerissa’s waist and pinned another bit of fabric.  “I can’t custom fit this dress if you keep squirming.”

Aerissa sucked in her breath, trying hard to hold still.  She feared being poked again for breathing.  After the next pin was placed, she let out her breath with a loud sigh.

“Oh, now, it’s not that bad,” muttered the seamstress as she took a step back, eying her handiwork.  She twirled her finger in the air, “Now spin around.”

Aerissa turned around, feeling the skirt of the dress swish around her legs.  She stared unbelievably at her reflection.  The dress was pure white with shimmering beadwork along the bodice.  She had to admit that the pinned fittings to be taken in at her hips and adjustment of the hem enhanced its beauty.

“You will be the most beautiful bride, Rissa.” Xandarian walked up behind her, admiring the seamstress’s work.

Aerissa smiled back at his reflection in the mirror, his blue eyes piercing hers.  She blushed profusely.  “You know you shouldn’t see me in it yet!” she chided him.

He crossed his arms, his face serious.  “And why not? I’m paying for it.”

Aerissa gasped for air, pulling her hands away from the window.  It looked so much like that dress… her dress…  Aerissa blinked rapidly as a face appeared on the other side of the window.  The woman’s mouth was moving, but Aerissa could not hear her.  The woman inside the store thumped on the window with her fist.  Her lips moved fast, but she didn’t look pleased.  She waved her hands, shooing Aerissa away.

“S-sorry…” she meekly apologized as she quickly trotted away.  She tried not to think about the memory of her wedding dress.  On the one hand, she was glad for recovery of more memories, but on the other hand, that memory stung as did most of them.

Aerissa finally located the shop that would have a supply order for Tranquillien at the southeastern corner of the Bazaar.  She bit at her lip, the order slip trembling in her hand as she approached the counter.

The shopkeeper looked the slip over.  “Oh good, you’re here.  They were asking about you.”  He nodded, then disappeared in the backroom.

She stood there for a few minutes, but no one returned.  She assumed Tomber was getting impatient waiting for his order.  She had been gone at least a day longer than planned, due to her overnight at The Undercity.

Aerissa wandered about the store, trailing her finger along various shelves.  The amount of dust collected upon her fingertip sickened her.  She rubbed it against her pants, thankful that she had changed out of her dress before leaving The Undercity.

“Here we go,” grunted the shopkeeper as he lugged a large crate from the backroom.  He banged it against the doorjam before clearing it, dropping it onto the counter with a huff.

Aerissa’s eyes widened.  “All of this? How am I going to get it to the fligh-”

The shopkeeper rolled his eyes, holding a finger up in the air for her to wait.  He inserted his finger and thumb into his mouth, letting out a shrill whistle.  A young boy dressed in raggedy clothing came out of the backroom with a rickety looking cart.

“He’ll getcha as far as the city gates, then you are on your own.”

Aerissa sighed, but figured it was better than nothing.  Besides, maybe she could ask one of the guards or the flight master to assist her.  After all, the crate would have to be sent on a separate flight from her anyway.

Reaching the hallway leading away from the Royal Quarter, Aerissa clutched the song book close to her chest.  With her other hand, she grasped her dress and raised the hemline.  She increased her pace until she was at a very brisk walk.  Aerissa chewed at her bottom lip, her cheeks and neck blotchy with redness.

I thought she’d be happy… instead I brought her more pain and misery.  How awful!

She decided it was time to head back to Silvermoon City and then return to Tranquillien as quickly as possible.  After several wrong turns, she eventually navigated back to the orb of translocation.  Once she reappeared on the platform in Sunfury Spire, she leaned against the wall with a sigh of relief.

* * *

Alynedarra scowled at everyone that looked her way, kicking her foot into the ground, mumbling angrily.  After the troll merchant sold her information about the green dress, she thought it’d be easier to track Aerissa.  Aly had gotten more aggressive with her questioning as she darted around the city, inquiring after a woman in a green dress.  Then, Aly smacked herself on the forehead.

I need to focus.  She just bought that dress.  She’s probably not wearing it yet…

“Arrggghh!” Aly squeezed her eyes shut, screaming at the sky.  She clenched and unclenched her fists, fighting for control.  She breathed in and out slowly, feeling her heart beating rapidly in her chest.  Aly leaned against a brick wall, pounding the back of her heel against it.  After she finished unleashing her frustration, she returned to scouring the streets for Aerissa.

As Aly searched deeper into the city, she began to spot guards more frequently.  Frowning, she withdrew her mask from her pocket and put it on over the lower half of her face.  Her thoughts ran quickly through her mind and unfocused.  She hated feeling this desperate.

She bent down, pretending to tie the laces of her boots.  Without moving her head, she watched a lone guard patrolling towards the Farstriders Square, where the city’s blacksmiths and a variety of other craftsmen worked and sold their goods.

Aly darted along behind him, using the alleyways until she closed the distance between them.  Quickly, she scanned the area for passers-by.  She needed to make her move now, before he reached the Square.  Aly grabbed her dagger by the hilt, flipping it around in her hand so the blade ran down her forearm.  In one quick motion, she wrapped her arm around the guard’s neck, the blade pressing against his skin.

“Don’t. Say. A. Word.” she hissed into his ear as she guided him backwards into the alley.

The guard stared wide-eyed at the dagger.  He made no move to confirm his obedience; however, he didn’t make a sound.  With her free hand, Aly patted her pockets until she found the portrait of Aerissa.  She held it in front of his face.

“Tell me, have you seen this woman?”

The guard’s body was tense against Aly, but he remained silent.  She tilted the dagger upwards, the tip just missing his nose.

“I asked you a question.”

She saw his shoulder twitch.  Aly narrowed her eyes.  She held the portrait between her teeth while she reached around the front of the guard.  She unbuckled his belt, which held his sword, and tossed it on the ground.  She kicked it away, taking away the guard’s last hope to overpower her.  She held the portrait in front of his face again, shaking it angrily.

“Have you seen this woman? Tell me!” she screeched.

“Y-yes.  Yes, she asked me for directions,” he answered reluctantly, staring at her blade.

“Oh? Where to?” she asked, kneeing him in the back of his thigh.

He winced.  “The Court of the Sun, I think.”

Aly smirked next to his ear.  “You think? Why would she go there?” she mused aloud.

“I-I don’t know.  She looked lost, I directed her to it.  Please, I’m about to go off-duty…”

She laughed, a sharp, shrill shriek in his ear.  What an incompetent guard!  I didn’t even have to pay him. She looked at the side of his face.  Beads of sweat were dripping down his young face.  Aly didn’t want to risk adding murder of a city guard to her rap sheet.  She figured humiliation would be her best option.

“Don’t worry,” she cooed in his ear, “you’re going off-duty…. right…now!”

She twisted the blade away from him and pulled her arm back.  His chin nestled in the crook of her elbow as she choked him.  As he began to lose consciousness, she released him, knocking him atop the head with the handle of her dagger.  She watched as he slumped to the ground.

He’ll live, but the headache will be killer.

Aly grabbed his belt and sword, tossing them in with the garbage at the back of the alley, and headed for the Court of the Sun.  She would have to be extremely careful since that place was crawling with guards.

* * *

]]> http://www.sideshowandsyrana.com/2010/02/09/close-on-the-trail-rp/feed/ 2 http://www.sideshowandsyrana.com/2010/02/02/an-audience-with-lady-sylvanas-rp/ http://www.sideshowandsyrana.com/2010/02/02/an-audience-with-lady-sylvanas-rp/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:14:55 +0000 Syrana http://www.sideshowandsyrana.com/?p=3023 (Part 44)  For the entire listing of this series, please go here.

Aerissa wasn’t entirely sure why she felt so nervous as she got ready.  She felt a bit off, but figured it had more to do with not being able to see the morning sun.  That, and her stomach would revolt occasionally from the smells of The Undercity.

Guess I haven’t gotten completely used to the stench, she thought as she rinsed out her mouth again.

Quietly she hummed, trying to calm her nerves, as she slipped into the elegant green dress.  She stared back at herself in the scummy mirror.  The dress fit her very well, although it was a little tight across her hips.  Aerissa frowned as she rubbed her hands over her belly.

Have I gained weight?

She shook her head, returning her gaze to the mirror.  The dress made the color of her eyes pop.  Aerissa hoped she wasn’t overdressed, but she wanted to look presentable, not like she just crawled out of the woods.  She finished brushing her hair and slipped on the matching shoes she purchased, eying herself over in the mirror one last time.  Aerissa barely recognized herself.  She could scarcely remember the last time she had done herself up in this way, but it made her smile.

She made her way out of her room and into the common area of the inn.  She was surprised to see how busy this place was; although, it seemed many travelers would pause at the inn to rest and socialize without renting any rooms.  She had noticed a bat handler not far away and presumed many came here to wait until they could take flight.

Carefully she walked, as her new shoes pinched her feet.  After stopping to ask several guards for directions, she finally came to the entrance of the Royal Quarter.  Clutching the locket tightly in her hand, she nodded politely to the guards at the entrance…and along the hallway.  The arches and the guards along the hall all looked the same to her and she started to wonder if the royal chambers were a myth.

“Wait a moment, miss,” rasped a guard, holding up his hand.  She had finally reached the entrance to Lady Sylvanas’s chambers.  There were several other people ahead of her, waiting to speak with the banshee queen herself.  Aerissa looked over her shoulder and noticed even more people approaching.

Aerissa waited as patiently as she could, shifting her weight from side to side as her feet began to ache.  She clasped the locket tightly in the palm of her right hand, peeking at it periodically as though to reassure herself it was still there.

“Alright, you may move forward.  Wait by Ambassador Sunsorrow until the Lady calls you forward,” said the guard, pointing at a pale elven man wearing vibrant red robes.

Aerissa nodded in understanding and moved forward.  Her palms began to feel sweaty, making her afraid she would drop the locket.  When Lady Sylvanas beckoned her to approach, Aerissa’s mouth went dry.  She didn’t know why she was so nervous.

Even in undeath, she is…radiant, she thought as she eyed Sylvanas.  It struck Aerissa as odd that she didn’t look as grotesque as her Forsaken brethren.  Her elven form appeared to have been spared the mutiliation Aerissa had assumed from the stories.  She noted a few lines of stitching along Sylvanas’s arms and face.  However, aside from the purplish-blue hue of her skin, she was quite recognizable as an elven woman.

“What do you seek of me, young Sin’dorei?”  Sylvanas asked coolly, her face and tone devoid of emotion.

“I..uh,” Aerissa swallowed, her voice shaky, “I found this…in the Ghostlands.  And I…wanted to, uh, return it,” Aerissa looked down into her hand, then held it out as an offering, “to you.”

Sylvanas cocked an eyebrow and strode forward.  She plucked the locket from Aerissa’s hand, narrowing her eyes at it.  She turned it over, reading the inscription.  Sylvanas’s face contorted as she threw the locket on the ground, a wretched scream erupting from her throat.  The locket clanged as it hit the stone floor, skidding to a stop a few feet away.

Aerissa stood stock still, uncertain of what just happened.  The scream still rang in her ears as it echoed throughout the Royal Quarter.  Sylvanas clenched her eyes shut, lowering her head as she raised her hands, palms up.  Silently she moved her lips, wiggling her fingers.  White wisps appeared, darting around her.  Sylvanas’s eyes flashed open as she started to sing.

Aerissa couldn’t be sure, but she thought she could see the pain in her eyes.  It wasn’t long before Aerissa realized the singing had become fuller, several other voices joined with Sylvanas’s.  She looked away from the Lady’s face in search of the choir.  Aerissa stumbled backwards at the appearance of several banshees behind Sylvanas.  It took a moment for her to realize it was they that sung as well.

She stood there, feeling awkward and uncomfortable.  She wasn’t sure if she was meant to listen or leave.  Aerissa eyed the locket laying on the floor.  I thought she’d be happy…

The song began to stir a multitude of emotions deep within her.  Aerissa fought to blink back tears.  The song – and their voices – were hauntingly beautiful.  Aerissa realized they were singing in Thalassian, her native tongue, although she could not recall ever hearing this particular song before.

She began to turn and walk away when she noticed everyone else was kneeling.  Kneeling with their heads bowed in respect.  At that moment she felt a hand gently grasp her upper arm.  Turning back, she saw Ambassador Sunsorrow was at her side.

“Well, that could have gone better,” he whispered into her ear.  He held a book out, pressing it to Aerissa’s midsection.  “Here, I have something for you.  And when the Lady is finished singing, I suggest that your audience end.  Silently.”

Aerissa fumbled to keep the book from falling as he released it and her, returning to his post.  The cover read “Lament of the Highborne.”  Flipping it open, she saw that it was a song book.  She scanned the lyrics, recognizing the very words that were being sung before her:

By the light, by the light of the sun
Children of the blood
Our enemies are breaking through
Children of the blood
By the light
Failing children of the blood
They are breaking through
O’ children of the blood
By the light of the sun
Failing children of the blood
They are breaking through
O’ children of the blood
By the light of the sun
The sun

Carefully, she closed the book and held it cradled in her arm.  Aerissa slowly walked away as Sylvanas finished the song.  Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Sylvanas bend down and pick up the locket.

So… stay tuned!

Keeping her head bent low, Aerissa made her way to the Court of the Sun.  She chided herself for making a fool of herself with the troll merchant.  I had no trouble bartering with Tomber… She wasn’t sure if it was the intimidating look of the troll woman, her accent, or the crowd that had affected her.  All of the above, I suppose.

When she reached the Court of the Sun, she stopped to politely ask one of the guards outside the palace where she could find the orb of translocation.  He informed her it was just inside the palace, in the inner sanctum of Sunfury Spire.  He warned her to stay away from the portal room, which was the territory of the mages, by following the ramp up and keep to the right.

When Aerissa reached the room in question, she was a bit surprised to see that the room contained nothing more than two platforms and a brightly lit orb.  Cautiously, she approached the orb.  Her ears detected a low humming sound.  She had heard about orbs like this, but had never used one herself.  Aerissa leaned back as she stretched out her arms, her fingers inches from the orb.  She took a deep breath and placed her hands on the orb.

A tingling sensation shot through her fingertips and before she knew it, she was standing in a dank room with an identical orb nearby.  She eyed the gray bricks, shivering from the damp chill in the air.  She patted herself, convinced she had made it all in one piece.

That was fast…

Aerissa turned around and headed for the only doorway she could see.  As she stepped outside into the courtyard, she gagged.  Her eyes welled up, the stench of sewer and decomposition overpowering her senses.

This must be The Undercity, she thought as she pressed the cowl over her nose and mouth, breathing through the fabric.

She scanned the courtyard, taking in her surroundings.  Once the home of King Terenas Menethil, the former palace of Lordaeron laid in ruin.  The walls were worn and crumbling, pieces of brick missing in various places.  An unnatural, gurgling, green stream ran beneath the bridge that connected the courtyard to the gaping doorway.  Aerissa looked up, scrunching her face.  Even the sky had a sickly green overcast.

Watching her step, she crossed the courtyard and entered the doorway.  She passed by broken, discarded wooden doors and even a cracked bell.  The entryway was devoid of people, and she couldn’t hear anyone nearby; only the echo of her footsteps.

As Aerissa entered the empty throneroom, she could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up.  The room was eerily still, but she thought she detected a hint of murmuring.  She stood still, staring at the empty throne, remembering the stories she had heard about the death of the human king. 

How horrible it must have been… dying at the hand of his insane son…

She shook her head sadly and continued her way inward.  Once reaching the ramp to one of the elevators, Aerissa gasped at the sight of two abominations.  Startled, she pressed her back against the damp wall.  They looked as awful as the two abominations she and Locke had hunted down.

Oh Locke… Aerissa blinked away the wetness from her eyes.

The elevator door flew up with a clang, revealing a few passengers.  One of them was an elven man in full plate armor.

“E-excuse me,” she timidly addressed him.  Pointing at the abominations, she said, “What are they doing here?”

The elven man chuckled, flipping up the visor on his helm.  His sparkling green eyes piercing hers.  “They are guards.  The Forsaken make their own to control.  You have nothing to worry about, miss, unless you stir up trouble.”  The visor closed again with a flick of his hand, and he continued up the ramp.

She watched as the others passed by the abominations peacefully.  Mustering her courage, she moved forward and entered the elevator.  The door slammed down with a violent thud.  Aerissa almost lost her balance as the elevator plummeted down.  It abruptly stopped, her stomach following not far behind.

Her knees felt wobbly as she emerged from the elevator.  Down below the ruins, it was much busier.  She vaguely remembered Twyla telling her that The Undercity was set up in the crypts of the Lordaeron ruins.  Aerissa pushed the cowl back from her head, running her fingers through her hair.  She doubted anyone would recognize her here.  Rubbing her nose, she realized she was getting accustomed to the smell.  She wandered along the upper ring, seeing the bank and shops down below.

“Need directions to the Inn?” asked a Forsaken guard who was walking towards her.

Aerissa shook her head, clutching her pack close to her.  “No, actually… can you direct me to your Queen?”

The guard smirked, “You wish to see Lady Sylvanas, do you?”

Aerissa nodded, feeling uneasy under his gaze.  “Yes, please.  Could you direct me?”

He gestured with his hands, “Well, you’d go down those stairs and ’round to that ramp, and out to the outer circle…” he trailed off, seeing how lost she looked.  “How about I show you to the Inn instead?”

Aerissa’s eyes widened in shock and disgust.  “Excuse me?”

The guard chuckled, shaking his head.  “The Lady won’t be seeing anyone else for the rest of the evening.  I can show you the Inn, you can get a room, and someone can show you to her chambers tomorrow mornin’.”

Aerissa’s cheeks tinged pink.  “Ah, yes, I suppose it is getting late.  That will do, thank you,” she murmured.

(A friend of mine made this when I started RPing Aly... I recently found it and it seemed fitting)

Scanning the sea of faces in the bazaar was a daunting task.  The place was too busy and the crowds swallowed people up as though they had never been there.  Aly let out a loud sigh, leaning heavily against one of the stalls.  Her head was pounding from the bloodthistle withdrawal, which didn’t help the strain her eyes were beginning to feel.  Rubbing her temple, she plopped down onto a crate.

“Wat yu be doin’ dere? Get off da wares!” the troll merchant hollered at Alynedarra, shooing her away with her hands.

Alynedarra hopped up, startled.  She turned to look down behind her at the crate, then back up at the troll woman.  “I’m sorry, I just needed a moment.”  She flashed her a weak smile.

The troll woman grunted her displeasure, using her large blue foot to slid the crate back into the confines of the stall.  “Yu be buyin’ sumptin, ya?” she cocked her head to the side, placing her hands upon her wide hips.

“No, just passing through…” Aly paused, as though she was contemplating something.  “But maybe you could help me with something?  I lost track of my friend… see…” Aly passed the photo of Aerissa to the merchant.  “And this place is so busy, I’m afraid I won’t find her before we’re supposed to leave.”  Aly bit the inside of her cheek, forcing a pained expression.

The troll woman squinted at the photo, then shook her head.  “Ay be havin’ da bes’ deals en dis plaise.”  She pointed at random items hanging about her stall.  “Yu fin’ sumptin, den we talk.”

“But, I must hurry! We’re due to leave soon and if I can’t find her she’ll be left behind,” Aly pleaded.

The merchant rolled her eyes.  “Ay wont born yesterday.  Yu be lookin’ fer dat won, ya, but it ain’t be like dat.”  She wagged her finger back and forth, making a tsk tsk sound.

Aly couldn’t help but smirk.  “If that is the case, then I think I know what I want.  You sell information?”  She didn’t have a lot of experience dealing with the trolls, but traveling merchants came in all types.  She concluded that this woman was well seasoned.

The woman nodded, “An’ Ay sell dese lovely beads, yu like, ya?” She lifted the necklace up, dangling it in front of Alynedarra.

“Sure, why not.” Aly rolled her eyes, knowing the cost of the merchandise would be tacked onto the cost of information.  But whatever makes it look legit, I guess… and helps her sleep at night. She glanced over her shoulder, then smiled at the troll woman.  “These are lovely, now when did you see her?”  Aly tapped her finger on the photo.

The merchant shook her head.  “Fer yu, mmm… ten gold.”

Aly muttered under her breath, slapping five gold onto the makeshift counter.  “When?”

“Nine.” The merchant narrowed her eyes at Aly.

Aly added one more gold piece without saying a word.  The merchant placed the necklace over Aly’s head.  “Dat be lovely, ya?  Ay tink she be ‘ere yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”  Alynedarra asked in a tone of disbelief.

The two woman stared at each other until Aly added another gold piece.

“No, no.  It be dis mornin’ or no…  Ay be ‘memberin’ nao.  Dat won dere,” she tapped the photo with a large blue finger.  “She be ‘ere a few ‘ours ago.  Ya, she bought a fancy green dress.”  She swiped the gold from the counter and turned her back on Alynedarra.  “Yu be goin’ nao,” she said in a low voice.

Aly slipped backwards into the crowd, disappearing into the crowd before the troll merchant could turn around.  A fancy green dress? What did she need to dress up for? Her mind flooded with thoughts, but none seemed to make sense in light of the information in the contract.  Regardless of the reason, Aly knew she was wasting time in the bazaar now.  Where ever Aerissa was headed, she had a few hours headstart.

Smiling smugly, Aly jogged back to Murder Row.  But at least I know she was just here…

* * *

Sitting cross-legged on her bed at the inn, Alynedarra swirled a dried leaf of bloodthistle around in her mouth while staring at a ripped and tattered piece of parchment on top of the bedspread.  She tried to ignore the voice in the back of her head that chided her for almost getting caught in the orphanage office.  Aly was not used to losing her cool and getting caught up in her own feelings while on the job.

Name: Alynedarra Chasseur
Age: Toddler
Siblings: 1 sister, possible others
Description: Reddish brown hair, green eyes, jagged scar on the bottom of right foot

She stared at it, not wanting to believe.  It didn’t make any sense.  And why’d the page have to go and tear as she tried to remove it from the drawer?  She really wanted to know what the rest of the chart said, but she couldn’t risk returning to the orphanage for a third time.  She’d barely scrambled out the window and down the alley out of eyesight of the matron who came to check on the office.

As the last of the bloodthistle dissolved on her tongue, she swallowed hard and peeled off her socks.  She traced her fingertips over the white scaring on the bottom of her right foot.  Her mother – at least who she thought was her mother – once told her she got it from walking on broken glass in the kitchen when she was very little.  Could she have been lying?

Then again, lots of kids get scars when they are little.  That doesn’t mean this is my chart, she thought.  She ran her fingers through her chestnut hair, trying to untangle the curls.  If this is true… then I’m hunting my big sister. Her stomach felt heavy, as if she had swallowed a rock.  The thought was unsettling.  She would need to seek out her boss, but first…

Aly jumped up, slipped on her boots and rushed out the door.  Her need to find the mysterious Aerissa had reached a new level of urgency.

* * *

Aerissa walked amidst the sea of merchant stalls set up in the bazaar.  It was an eclectic and exotic crowd.  Traveling merchants from across Azeroth were there: goblins, trolls, orcs, forsaken, and even a few tauren.  The sights, sounds, and smells were overwhelming.  Music, garments, armor, weapons, jewels, food, and more were for sale.  It seemed as though anything one could imagine was available, for the right price.

She kept the cowl tight around her face, avoiding eye contact with everyone.  She would stop here and there to check out merchant wares, then dip, dodge, and weave her way to the next stall.  Aerissa stopped to admire a bright, colorful dress, rubbing the material between her thumb and forefinger.

“Yu like?” A tall, plump troll woman asked.  Aerissa was fascinated by her blue skin and fuschia mohawk.  The troll woman grinned around two pointy tusks.  Her bracelets tinkling against each other as she pointed at the dress.  “Ay be havin’ da bes’ deals en dis plaise,” she encouraged in her heavy accent.

“I-it’s pretty,” stammered Aerissa as she tried not to be impolite and stare at the woman.  While she did think it was pretty, she also knew the dress was too loud for her tastes.  She tried to slip backwards into the crowd, but was joustled around, the throng pushing her back towards the stall.

The troll woman cackled.  “Dis nat be yur style, hm? ‘ow ’bout dis un den?” She flipped through the rack and withdrew a long, elegant emerald dress.  She held it up, shaking the hanger.  The silky fabric shimmered in the light.

“Ooh, that is beautiful,” Aerissa cooed.

The merchant nodded her head in satisfaction and came around the side of the stall by Aerissa.  She pressed the hanger to Aerissa’s collarbone.  “Da size be good, ya?”

Aerissa looked down at the dress being held against her, the hem grazing her boots.  She pinned the cuff of the sleeve between her wrist and fingertips, stretching her arm out.  Running her other hand over the bodice, she smiled at the gold embroidery and jeweled buttons.  She let the sleeve drop, and pressed the sides of the dress over her hips.

She raised her head, looking the troll woman in the eye.  “I’d love to buy this dress.  How much?”

“Fer yu, fi’ gold.”

Aerissa looked crestfallen.  That was almost all the money she had.  “I-I can’t… I don’t have enou-”

The troll woman shook her head violently, tucking the hanger under her arm.  “Barta wit’ me.”  She crossed her arms across her ample bosom, tapping her foot.

“Um, one gold?” Aerissa asked uncertainly.

“No, fo’.”

Aerissa sighed with exasperation.  “But I’m going to need new shoes too!”

The troll woman rolled her eyes and went back around the stall.  She mumbled in a tongue Aerissa did not understand as she rummaged around.  She plopped a matching pair of shoes on the counter and waved her hand at Aerissa.  “Make an offa’.”

Aerissa furrowed her brow.  “Two gold?”

“No, three.  Final offa’.”

Aerissa lowered her head, holding the coin pouch close as she counted the money she had.

“No, no, no!” shouted the merchant.  Aerissa looked up, startled.  The troll woman rolled her eyes.  “Two an’ haf, ya, ya.  Yu need ta lern ta barta.” She held out her hand, motioning for the money.  Aerissa smiled, happily dropping two gold and fifty silver into the large, blue hand.  The merchant folded the dress carefully and wrapped it and the shoes, handing them down to Aerissa.

Aerissa hummed happily as she fought her way against the oncoming, would-be buyers.  She clutched the cowl tightly, afraid that it would get knocked off her head and expose her face.  She saw a striking elven woman bounding towards her through the crowd.  Aerissa tried to lean out of the way, but the woman slammed into her shoulder.

“S-sorry,” Aerissa attempted to apologize, but as she turned, all she could see were the bouncing reddish curls fading into the distance.  How inconsiderate, hadn’t even slown her down to run smack into me. Aerissa shrugged and made her way towards the Court of the Sun, where the leader of their city reigned.  It was also where she was told she could find the orb that would translocate her to the Undercity.

* * *

“Stupid old woman, can’t see with her head shrouded by that ugly old cowl,” muttered Aly as she rubbed her shoulder.

She darted around throughout the bazaar, flashing the photo of Aerissa, asking anyone that glanced at it if they’d seen her.  Most people shook their heads and a few seemed to ponder the picture, giving Aly false hope, before admitting they hadn’t seen her.

She had checked inside the shops that lined the bazaar first.  One of those shopkeepers told Aly that the elven woman looked familiar.  When Aly asked where she had gone, they had pointed into the mess at the center of the bazaar.  Aly grew increasingly frustrated, it was like searching for a needle in a haystack.  Several times she thought she’d seen Aerissa herself, but when she caught up to the woman in question and spun her around, it was clear that she was mistaken.