Shadowdane
09-22-2008, 09:08 AM
Perchance to Dream
Prologue
The dark cauldron bubbled and spat. The undead man stirred it and peered into its smoking center. Soon an image began to form. The image was of two people riding through a country side; one an Undead male like him, the other a female Bloodelf. He saw the smiles and the laughter on their faces and his temper burned almost as hot as the cauldron in which he looked.
“What are you doing?” asked a voice from behind the undead.
The undead turned to see a human male standing behind him.
“I am observing those responsible for my brother Araj’s death.”
“Araj, the summoner? Won’t he just resurrect as usual?”
The undead let out a frustrated sigh
“There is no guarantee that he can be returned this time, but even if he can that’s not the point. The point is that these wretches killed him, and I can not let that pass unchallenged.”
“Then you mean to bring bloody vengeance on them?”
“I mean to hurt them as they have hurt me! I will have vengeance yes, but at a distance, from the shadows. What I plan for them will be more painful than they can even imagine.”
“Pray tell how you mean to avenge your brother.”
“Very well, look deep into the cauldron, Mograine.”
The human stepped closer to the bubbling green liquid and looked into it. He saw the image of Shadowdane and Sadye.
“See them, see them very well Mograine, see how they laugh and they care for one another…
By the time I’m done, they will destroy one another with their own hands. I will turn them against each other and then my revenge will be fulfilled. Let the games begin…”
And then the undead mystic chanted an incantation and the image of Shadowdane and Sadye disappeared.
Part 1
The morning sun was just coming up in Orgrimmar. In the Valley of honor, Shadowdane was taking off his boots. He enjoyed the quiet morning hours, for him it was the best time to get some fishing in. He needed to get better at it. He was as good as he needed to be if he just wanted a quick breakfast, but Sadye was better. She knew how to fish the deep waters of the outlands, and for Shadowdane to do that he needed practice. Shadowdane took off his shirt and weapons. He moved into the water waist deep and let his rod fly.
The sun was shining fully on Shadowdane by the time he felt two warm hands pass underneath his arms and come together at his chest. He smelt the Cherry Blossom oil and closed his eyes to enjoy the smooth silkiness of her fingers.
“I found you…” She whispered, and he could feel her breath on the back of his neck.
“Yes… you did.” Shadowdane smiled and put a free hand over hers.
Sadye was surprised at how warm he was. She had heard that the undead were all clammy and cold, but Shadowdane felt as warm as any living man she’d touched. Perhaps it was the time he spent in the sun that had warmed his skin up, but it really didn’t matter.
Shadowdane took one of her hands and moved it up to his cheek. She felt so good, so warm, and so alive. He turned to face Sadye.
She was beautiful, her bright green eyes looked lovingly at him, her blonde hair was thick and a lock hung down in her face only accenting her beauty.
“Hi.” Sadye said as she now closed her eyes and nuzzled Shadowdane’s nose.
“Hello.” He said dropping his pole on the ground and wrapping his arms around the Bloodelf.
Shadowdane pulled her close, so close he could feel her heart beat. He had wanted Sadye like this, almost from the moment he met her, the moment he saved her. He was always afraid to tell her though, always afraid that she would reject him for what he was, an undead forsaken. But in this moment it didn’t matter, he pulled her closer if that were possible, just took in her scent, her touch. He gently stroked her cheek with his right hand.
Shadowdane wanted this moment to last forever.
But he knew…
…That this moment…
…Was just a dream.
Shadowdane awoke in his little home in Death Knell. Judging from the sun’s place in the sky it was around noon. He jumped from his bed and gathered his gear. If he didn’t hurry he would be late meeting her.
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Part 2
Sadye was running late. She was supposed to meet Shadowdane in Undercity around noon. She had been busy in the Arathi Highlands battling at Hammerfall. Sadye planned to leave in plenty of time to meet Shadowdane but what she didn’t account for was the band of Alliance that had been roaming through the towns between Hammerfall and Undercity killing the flight masters and setting loose all their bats. It would take hours for all the bats to be recollected and Sadye didn’t have that long. So she would have to do it the old fashioned way.
Sadye’s Hawkstrider was moving well through Silverpine Forest. She may make her schedule after all. She had just made it past Ivar’s patch when she heard a rifle sound off. She didn’t have time to wander where the sound came from because almost instantly her Hawkstrider lurched forward to the ground. Sadye went sailing off of her dying mount and landed face first on the ground smashing her face.
“Owwww.” She groaned as she felt warm blood begin to trickle down her face.
As quickly as she could Sadye drew her sword and took a cover position behind her dead mount.
She faded from sight as a good rogue does when confronted with an unknown danger.
Sadye scanned the heavily wooded area along the road but could see nothing. She attempted to move slowly around one side of her mount to move into the woods. But a rifle sounded again and the bullet bounced off the road a little closer to her than she would have liked.
“I see you!” A voice sang out as if this was just a game.
Sadye pulled her Sunfury Bow from her dead mounts saddle. She loaded it and continued to scan the forest. She looked for anything. Any sign of movement of a person or a… A bush moved. It wasn’t much but it was something. Sadye aimed low and set loose an arrow.
From the woods she heard a loud scream and soon a body came rolling out and stopped face down. Sadye reloaded her bow and kept it centered on the body as she approached. As she got closer she could tell it was an undead assassin. Carefully Sadye moved to be right over the assassin. She leveraged her foot under his chest and forced him to his back.
Sadye’s eyes widened her mouth fell open in a gasp!
For there, lying on the ground in front of her was…
Shadowdane.
“Shadowdane?!
Sadye was crying and confused, she had just killed her most special friend and nothing seemed real.
“Why did you attack me Shadowdane?!!!”
Sadye wasn’t expecting an answer but Shadowdane’s eyes opened and he looked at her with a stone cold gaze.
“Because you always hurt the ones you love…”
Then he shoved a dagger deep into Sadye’s chest.
“HAHAHAHAHAHA”
Sadye’s mind was reeling. She saw Shadowdane, the blood, and felt the knife. All she could do was scream!
Sadye jumped from her bed startled and shaken from her dream.
She was breathing hard and her heart was racing. Sadye quickly felt her chest making sure there was no dagger planted there.
“What was that?” She whispered.
Sadye moved to her window and opened it. The sun told her it was almost noon. She knew she would have to hurry if she was to keep her appointment with Shadowdane in Undercity. She returned to the side of her bed and poured some water into a bowl. She splashed it over her face.
“Silly girl it was just a dream.”
But somewhere in her soul she felt it may be something else. But Shadowdane would never hurt her… would he?
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Part 3
Shadowdane raced across Tirisfal Glades. He was late. But Undercity was just ahead so maybe she would wait for him a little longer. Griever stomped up the main path and through the cracking entry way to the ruins of Lordaeron. Shadowdane rode up to the broken statue and scanned all around. She was not there. He felt like an idiot she probably waited for him and then got tired and left. They hadn’t decided where to go that day beforehand so he didn’t know where to start looking. Shadowdane thought she may have gone into the city and began to make his way to the entrance.
But before he could enter he heard a voice shout from behind him.
“Wait! I am here!”
Shadowdane turned to see Sadye riding down from the upper tier that led to Silvermoon city.
Shadowdane turned griever and rode to meet Sadye at the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m sorry I’m late, I hope you didn’t wait long.”
Shadowdane smiled.
“I just got here myself, I was afraid I had missed you.”
That was when Shadowdane noticed Sadye was unusually pale.
“Are you well Sadye?”
Sadye fidgeted in her saddle.
“I’m... fine.”
But neither one of them believed her statement.
Shadowdane moved closer to Sadye and Sadye reflexively moved back.
“What is it?” Shadowdane said gently.
“It’s nothing… I…” Sadye had trouble looking at Shadowdane. The dream had really shaken her, it was so real.
“I just came to tell you I can’t go adventuring today. Something personal has come up, please forgive me.”
Shadowdane nodded.
“Ok, go take care of whatever you need to; the world can wait another day or so. But know that I’m here, if you need me.”
Remembering his dream Shadowdane extended his hand to touch Sadye’s face, but before he could she pulled away.
“I will. Thank you for understanding. I’ll contact you soon. Be safe Shadowdane.”
Shadowdane watched as she returned back up the stairwell toward the Silvermoon Portal. Something was wrong. He felt it, and in his heart he figured he knew what it was. It was him. Sadye was growing tired of him and soon she would probably dismiss him altogether. But what did he expect anyway, he was an undead… he was forsaken.
Sadye rode through the Court of the Sun. Something was wrong. As soon as she saw Shadowdane a feeling of fear came over her. It was unexplainable. But whenever she looked at him flashes from her dream appeared in her head, flashes of Shadowdane plunging a dagger into her chest, and his wicked laughter. She knew it was a dream but somehow it felt so real. Maybe she just needed some rest.
***
Somewhere else… somewhere far away, an image of Sadye bubbled in a cauldron. And a vile laugh could be heard.
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Part 4
Shadowdane closed his eyes. He had returned home and figured he may be able to pick up where he left off in his dream. He lay quietly for a moment. He was worried about Sadye, something was wrong. He wished that she would confide in him but knew that perhaps he wished for too much.
Soon Shadowdane heard a knock on the door. He moved to his bedroom door opened it and saw the only thing he wanted to see. Sadye was standing behind it. She had changed from her armor and was wearing a beautiful dress. Shadowdane was so happy to see her.
“Hello.” He whispered.
“Hi Shadow, I changed my mind, and my clothes. Come, find something special to wear, there’s a special dinner taking place in Silvermoon tonight and I want you to come with me.”
“Of course I’ll come with you. Let me find my best clothes, give me a moment.”
Sadye smiled at him.
It only took a moment and Shadowdane was dressed in his best black suit.
“I’m ready.” He said gleefully.
“Good, let’s be off.” Sadye concluded, taking his hand.
The two rogues dressed in their best returned to the ruins of Lordaeron and went through the mystic portal of translocation to Silvermoon city.
Once there, they crossed the Sunfire Spire and into the Court of the Sun. The court of the sun was a long sloping ramp bordered by Bloodelf guards on either side of the walkway. Shadowdane and Sadye began to walk past them. They had just passed the second when one of the guards halted them.
“Halt! Before you pass you must tell me what that thing is?”
Shadowdane looked around to see what the guard was speaking of but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
The guard continued to block their paths.
“Tell me I say, what is that thing?” This time he addressed Sadye and pointed at Shadowdane.
Shadowdane began to spark with anger.
“Oh, him?” Sadye replied.
“He is just some undead that follows me around. Pay no attention to him.”
On hearing this, Shadowdane’s anger turned to hurt.
“Sadye?” He began but then the other guards began to laugh at him.
“Oh, it can talk?” One guard said.
“Did you teach it that or does it just repeat certain words?”
Sadye laughed at this comment.
Shadowdane burned again.
Another guard mocked Shadowdane
“Uh oh, it looks like the little dead man is getting angry we better stop. HAHAHA”
“Nay,” Spoke still another guard. “Such a one as he has no feelings to hurt. He is but one step up from an animal.” The insulting guard then took Shadowdane’s hat from him.
“But an animal that dresses well! HAHAHAHA! Surely it won’t miss this.”
Lightning flashed in Shadowdane’s eyes, he moved toward the guard who had taken his hat.
“Return my hat!”
Then the twelve guards all circled Shadowdane. Sadye stepped to the side and sighed as if bored.
“Or what? Tell me what use this is to you, animal?”
“My name is Shadowdane!” He Growled.
“Oh it pretends to have a name. Apparently it doesn’t know its place, come friends lets show it.”
Then the guards seized Shadowdane. They forced him to the ground and ripped his nice suit from his body. Some of the guards kicked him and some spat on him.
They left him a huddled heap in the middle of the great ramp and returned to their posts.
The guard who had taken Shadowdane’s hat turned to Sadye.
“Next time you take your dog for a walk, leash him. There are laws in Silvermoon you know.”
He handed Sadye the hat.
Sadye laughed at the guard and took the hat. She walked over to Shadowdane who was cringing on the ground. She knelt beside him.
“Hmmm. Perhaps you shouldn’t have come after all.”
Shadowdane looked up with undead blood running down his mouth.
She laughed as she dropped his hat on him covering his face.
Shadowdane ripped the hat off of his face and looked up to see… his bedroom! He sat up in his bed.
“A dream, it was just a dream.”
Shadowdane thought for a moment about the dream. He sensed there was more to this dream than met the eye, but he didn’t know what.
However he knew someone who might. Shadowdane gathered his gear and headed out. He needed to go to the Pools of Vision.
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Part 5
Sadye walked into the Silvermoon inn on Murder Row. She was still shaken by the dream she had. Perhaps a quick drink would calm her down and help her get some more rest. She had been travelling a lot lately. She ordered a flagon of mead from Vinemaster Suntouched and took it over to one of the great tables to sit and think. She had barely been there five minutes when Shadowdane rushed through the door.
“Sadye, I’m glad I found you. I think something’s happening to us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think someone is stalking us.”
“Stalking us?”
“Yes I’m not sure how or why but I think we are in danger. I’m on my way to seek help.”
“Would you like me to come with you?”
“No that’s ok; I just stopped by here for a quick bite to eat.”
Then suddenly without warning Shadowdane punched Sadye in the mouth almost knocking her unconscious.
“Unnnngggg!”
Sadye felt Shadowdane grab her hair and lift her up on the table in front of him.
She groggily saw him pick up a knife and fork and start to hover over her.
“No…” She moaned
“But Sadye I’ll need my strength if I’m to find out who’s trying to kill us.” He smiled down at her licking his lips.
Sadye tried to push him away and then for a split second, when she looked up she did not see Shadowdane, but the face of another undead.
The new undead wore a large red hat and had glowing yellow eyes, on his face appeared to be a beard. He looked down with hate and disdain and Sadye screamed!
Sadye leapt to consciousness; in her little apartment in Silvermoon. She ran her hands down her face. Something wasn’t right. These were no ordinary dreams she was having. She needed advice and there was one person she knew she could trust.
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Part 6
Sadye rode through the great open plains of Mulgore. It had been almost two years since she first traveled here. Now she returned to speak with the same person she was sent to kill on her first journey to these lands.
Zarlman Two Moons stood alone outside a fire. He saw her approaching and waved to her.
“Ah, I haven’t seen you in a long while. But I sense you have found your true path.”
Sadye smiled at the Tauren.
“I think I have… well for now anyway.”
“Ah, and you wish to continue but something is troubling you. Tell me.”
“I’ve been having strange dreams lately, dreams of a dear friend betraying me and causing me great pain even unto death. I had another one recently but in that dream my friend turned into another person. A person I had never seen before.”
***
“Dreams can foretell the future, or they can just be the playground of the imagination. What makes you think yours are anything unnatural?”
Malakai Cross was listening to Shadowdane as he was explaining the strange dream he had.
The pools of vision quietly stirred below them.
“I just felt there was something wrong. I know of nightmares and that’s what this was but it seemed more directed at my fears, almost like it was sent just to hurt me.”
“Hmmm. It is… possible. Well I can offer a suggestion. I can induce sleep and cast a discernment spell that will reveal truth, but I’m not sure if it’ll help or if you will even perceive any difference.”
Shadowdane looked at Malakai Cross.
“Do what you must because if someone is attacking me, the chances are they’re doing the same to Sadye.”
“Very well, lay before me and we shall begin.”
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Part 7
A bomb exploded near Shadowdane! The Battle for Halaa was in full swing and the Alliance bombs were coming very rapidly. Sadye took cover beside Shadowdane.
“How many do you think, Shadow?”
“Hmmm, I’d say at least fifteen, plus various Alliance forces.”
“Great! We have to get the Wyvern stands up and running again.”
Shadowdane nodded.
“Come on let’s go.”
Sadye and Shadowdane made their way toward an abandoned Wyvern stand. If they could set it up they could call Wyverns and launch an aerial attack on the alliance.
Shadowdane rushed to the stand and began trying to fix it.
“Cover me Sadye!”
Sadye nodded.
As Shadowdane was attempting to fix the stand a Nightelf and Human swooped down from the sky knocking Shadowdane to the ground.
Shadowdane quickly recovered to his feet pulling his swords.
Both Alliance attacked him simultaneously. He deflected the Humans blade but the Nightelf got a hit in!
“Sadye!!!”
The human kicked Shadowdane’s legs out from beneath him causing him to fall flat on his face.
Both Alliance began kicking him and punching him!
“Sadye… Help…me…”
But there was no Sadye. He was alone. The Alliance continued to batter him as he got brief glances of their angry faces. But then Shadowdane saw something else. It was a ghost of a figure, just a shade of someone, an undead with a large red hat. The glowing yellow eyes seemed to glare at Shadowdane mockingly and then it let out a loud laugh.
***
“I sense there is a power rallied against you.”
Zarlman Two Moons had his hand on Sadye’s forehead and was lost in a trance like state.
“I sense someone wants to make you pay, for a wrong you caused them. I see an undead and a human… working together.”
Sadye remained still allowing Zarlman to continue his vision quest.
“I see a great cathedral… and”
In Zarlman’s vision an Undead face appeared scowling at him and then in an instant the vision was gone.
Zarlman removed his hand.
“I see no more, it would appear that I was found eavesdropping.”
“You did more than enough my friend. I know where I must go. Thank you.”
And with that Sadye returned to her Hawkstrider and headed off toward Thunderbluff.
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Part 8
Shadowdane was standing on the front of the Zeppelin as it docked at the tower in Tirisfal glades. He was angry. For all of his faults even he was not as contemptible as the undead he was soon to go after. An undead that had turned his back on his kind and worked for the Alliance! He should have known this was coming. He was the one to deliver the final blow to Araj the Summoner after all. Shadowdane headed east and began to formulate just how much this traitor was about to suffer.
***
Sadye rode the barely recognizable road until she began seeing undead hanging from trees. She knew she was almost there. A part of her considered how it may be amusing to add one more undead to the tree’s, one with a large red hat who had delusions of being a High Inquisitor of the Alliance.
Soon the road curved around a bin and it sloped up to a large structure. Sadye had arrived.
The Scarlet Monastery sat before her, she could only smile at the thought that soon it would indeed be a scarlet monastery; scarlet with the blood of an undead traitor.
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Part 9
Sadye stealthed her way to the door of the cathedral, no need in drawing attention to her too early. She quickly picked the door to the cathedral and slipped in very quietly. It was a short distance to the cathedral from the main entrance point from the monastery. Sadye would have to traverse a long hallway and cross the great chapel garden to the entrance of the cathedral. She knew there would be plenty of helpless monks for her to warm up with before she arrived at the High inquisitor’s door.
Sadye turned the corner toward the first main hallway ready to pick her first target but when she turned the corner all she saw was a hallway full of dead bodies.
***
Shadowdane moved quietly through the chapel door. He made his was down the far right side of the cathedral silently killing all of the scarlet monks that he came across. Soon he came to a room just to the left of the main corridor. There was one sentry in the room and Shadowdane made quick work of him. Shadowdane searched the room. He knew his target was near. He could sense the Undead’s presence. He walked over to a torch that was hanging on the wall and pulled it down revealing a secret door. This had been a tip that Malakai had told him about. Shadowdane cloaked himself and made his way inside.
“Please… we are past playing games Shadowdane.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” Shadowdane uncloaked in front of High Inquisitor Fairbanks.
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Part 10
“Why?!” Shadowdane demanded through clenched teeth.
“Vengeance of course. I did not take Araj’s death very lightly even though he could be resurrected. But you know; I started this to turn you and Sadye against each other. I watched each and every dream and it was so pleasurable to see the look of terror on her face each time you turned on her, but truthfully I think the best part of this whole affair was your responses. Oh I think I hit on something didn’t I? Your worst fear perhaps? You’re afraid she’ll leave you one day aren’t you?”
Shadowdane said nothing but just glared at Fairbanks.
“Yes, you are. You’re afraid that one day she’ll turn from you. Leave you alone in the dark. Foolish Shadowdane you are forsaken and she could never care for you. She could never be your friend.”
“You are wrong!” A voice sounded from behind Shadowdane.
Sadye stepped into the hidden room.
“I am his friend.”
Sadye moved beside Shadowdane. She lowered her sword toward Inquisitor Fairbanks.
“And now we send you to be with your brother.”
Inquisitor Fairbanks was no warrior; he had no skill but diplomacy. He knew he was doomed. His vengeance had come to claim him.
“So be it.”
High Inquisitor Fairbanks fell to the floor dead with two sword wounds in his chest.
"Sweet Dreams Fairbanks!" Shadowdane said coldly.
Sadye and Shadowdane stood there in silence. It was unnerving for both of them and neither had anything to say.
The silence was soon broken however by the arrival of Commander Mograine.
“What treachery is this?!!! Guards!”
Sadye and Shadowdane gave one another a sly smirk. Finally; something to break the silence.
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Part 11
Shadowdane and Sadye fought their way from the secret room and into the main hallway of the great cathedral. There were tons of Scarlet members throwing themselves at the two rogues. Neither Sadye nor Shadowdane spoke, they concentrated on killing all who would stand against them. The priests, the chaplains, the worshipers even Commander Mograine and his other High Inquisitor, Whitemane. The two rogues decimated the cathedral populace.
On seeing no one left alive to challenge them, Sadye and Shadowdane walked out the main door in silence.
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Part 12
Sadye and Shadowdane arrived at their original meeting place in the ruins or Lordaeron. Neither of them had said a word on the journey back to Undercity.
“He was wrong Shadowdane.” Sadye said at last.
“I am your friend.”
“I know.”Shadowdane said hesitantly.
Sadye tried to be reassuring.
“His plan failed. The dreams we had, they weren’t real we know that now. He was just trying to make us fear and doubt one another.”
“I know. But the fears he brought up, they were real.”
“Perhaps some of them, but whatever dreams or fears may come, we can face them together.”
Shadowdane smiled at his friend.
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
Sadye smiled back.
“This adventure took a lot out of each of us. Maybe in a couple days we can go on a better one.”
Shadowdane agreed,
“Yeah, in a couple days.”
Sadye turned her Hawkstrider toward the portal back to Silvermoon.
“I think we can both get some real rest now. I’ll see you soon Shadow.”
Shadowdane nodded.
“Rest well Sadye.”
“And you also, dear friend.”
And it was the first time since they met that Sadye and Shadowdane rode off in different directions after their journey.
THE END
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Prologue
The dark cauldron bubbled and spat. The undead man stirred it and peered into its smoking center. Soon an image began to form. The image was of two people riding through a country side; one an Undead male like him, the other a female Bloodelf. He saw the smiles and the laughter on their faces and his temper burned almost as hot as the cauldron in which he looked.
“What are you doing?” asked a voice from behind the undead.
The undead turned to see a human male standing behind him.
“I am observing those responsible for my brother Araj’s death.”
“Araj, the summoner? Won’t he just resurrect as usual?”
The undead let out a frustrated sigh
“There is no guarantee that he can be returned this time, but even if he can that’s not the point. The point is that these wretches killed him, and I can not let that pass unchallenged.”
“Then you mean to bring bloody vengeance on them?”
“I mean to hurt them as they have hurt me! I will have vengeance yes, but at a distance, from the shadows. What I plan for them will be more painful than they can even imagine.”
“Pray tell how you mean to avenge your brother.”
“Very well, look deep into the cauldron, Mograine.”
The human stepped closer to the bubbling green liquid and looked into it. He saw the image of Shadowdane and Sadye.
“See them, see them very well Mograine, see how they laugh and they care for one another…
By the time I’m done, they will destroy one another with their own hands. I will turn them against each other and then my revenge will be fulfilled. Let the games begin…”
And then the undead mystic chanted an incantation and the image of Shadowdane and Sadye disappeared.
Part 1
The morning sun was just coming up in Orgrimmar. In the Valley of honor, Shadowdane was taking off his boots. He enjoyed the quiet morning hours, for him it was the best time to get some fishing in. He needed to get better at it. He was as good as he needed to be if he just wanted a quick breakfast, but Sadye was better. She knew how to fish the deep waters of the outlands, and for Shadowdane to do that he needed practice. Shadowdane took off his shirt and weapons. He moved into the water waist deep and let his rod fly.
The sun was shining fully on Shadowdane by the time he felt two warm hands pass underneath his arms and come together at his chest. He smelt the Cherry Blossom oil and closed his eyes to enjoy the smooth silkiness of her fingers.
“I found you…” She whispered, and he could feel her breath on the back of his neck.
“Yes… you did.” Shadowdane smiled and put a free hand over hers.
Sadye was surprised at how warm he was. She had heard that the undead were all clammy and cold, but Shadowdane felt as warm as any living man she’d touched. Perhaps it was the time he spent in the sun that had warmed his skin up, but it really didn’t matter.
Shadowdane took one of her hands and moved it up to his cheek. She felt so good, so warm, and so alive. He turned to face Sadye.
She was beautiful, her bright green eyes looked lovingly at him, her blonde hair was thick and a lock hung down in her face only accenting her beauty.
“Hi.” Sadye said as she now closed her eyes and nuzzled Shadowdane’s nose.
“Hello.” He said dropping his pole on the ground and wrapping his arms around the Bloodelf.
Shadowdane pulled her close, so close he could feel her heart beat. He had wanted Sadye like this, almost from the moment he met her, the moment he saved her. He was always afraid to tell her though, always afraid that she would reject him for what he was, an undead forsaken. But in this moment it didn’t matter, he pulled her closer if that were possible, just took in her scent, her touch. He gently stroked her cheek with his right hand.
Shadowdane wanted this moment to last forever.
But he knew…
…That this moment…
…Was just a dream.
Shadowdane awoke in his little home in Death Knell. Judging from the sun’s place in the sky it was around noon. He jumped from his bed and gathered his gear. If he didn’t hurry he would be late meeting her.
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Part 2
Sadye was running late. She was supposed to meet Shadowdane in Undercity around noon. She had been busy in the Arathi Highlands battling at Hammerfall. Sadye planned to leave in plenty of time to meet Shadowdane but what she didn’t account for was the band of Alliance that had been roaming through the towns between Hammerfall and Undercity killing the flight masters and setting loose all their bats. It would take hours for all the bats to be recollected and Sadye didn’t have that long. So she would have to do it the old fashioned way.
Sadye’s Hawkstrider was moving well through Silverpine Forest. She may make her schedule after all. She had just made it past Ivar’s patch when she heard a rifle sound off. She didn’t have time to wander where the sound came from because almost instantly her Hawkstrider lurched forward to the ground. Sadye went sailing off of her dying mount and landed face first on the ground smashing her face.
“Owwww.” She groaned as she felt warm blood begin to trickle down her face.
As quickly as she could Sadye drew her sword and took a cover position behind her dead mount.
She faded from sight as a good rogue does when confronted with an unknown danger.
Sadye scanned the heavily wooded area along the road but could see nothing. She attempted to move slowly around one side of her mount to move into the woods. But a rifle sounded again and the bullet bounced off the road a little closer to her than she would have liked.
“I see you!” A voice sang out as if this was just a game.
Sadye pulled her Sunfury Bow from her dead mounts saddle. She loaded it and continued to scan the forest. She looked for anything. Any sign of movement of a person or a… A bush moved. It wasn’t much but it was something. Sadye aimed low and set loose an arrow.
From the woods she heard a loud scream and soon a body came rolling out and stopped face down. Sadye reloaded her bow and kept it centered on the body as she approached. As she got closer she could tell it was an undead assassin. Carefully Sadye moved to be right over the assassin. She leveraged her foot under his chest and forced him to his back.
Sadye’s eyes widened her mouth fell open in a gasp!
For there, lying on the ground in front of her was…
Shadowdane.
“Shadowdane?!
Sadye was crying and confused, she had just killed her most special friend and nothing seemed real.
“Why did you attack me Shadowdane?!!!”
Sadye wasn’t expecting an answer but Shadowdane’s eyes opened and he looked at her with a stone cold gaze.
“Because you always hurt the ones you love…”
Then he shoved a dagger deep into Sadye’s chest.
“HAHAHAHAHAHA”
Sadye’s mind was reeling. She saw Shadowdane, the blood, and felt the knife. All she could do was scream!
Sadye jumped from her bed startled and shaken from her dream.
She was breathing hard and her heart was racing. Sadye quickly felt her chest making sure there was no dagger planted there.
“What was that?” She whispered.
Sadye moved to her window and opened it. The sun told her it was almost noon. She knew she would have to hurry if she was to keep her appointment with Shadowdane in Undercity. She returned to the side of her bed and poured some water into a bowl. She splashed it over her face.
“Silly girl it was just a dream.”
But somewhere in her soul she felt it may be something else. But Shadowdane would never hurt her… would he?
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Part 3
Shadowdane raced across Tirisfal Glades. He was late. But Undercity was just ahead so maybe she would wait for him a little longer. Griever stomped up the main path and through the cracking entry way to the ruins of Lordaeron. Shadowdane rode up to the broken statue and scanned all around. She was not there. He felt like an idiot she probably waited for him and then got tired and left. They hadn’t decided where to go that day beforehand so he didn’t know where to start looking. Shadowdane thought she may have gone into the city and began to make his way to the entrance.
But before he could enter he heard a voice shout from behind him.
“Wait! I am here!”
Shadowdane turned to see Sadye riding down from the upper tier that led to Silvermoon city.
Shadowdane turned griever and rode to meet Sadye at the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m sorry I’m late, I hope you didn’t wait long.”
Shadowdane smiled.
“I just got here myself, I was afraid I had missed you.”
That was when Shadowdane noticed Sadye was unusually pale.
“Are you well Sadye?”
Sadye fidgeted in her saddle.
“I’m... fine.”
But neither one of them believed her statement.
Shadowdane moved closer to Sadye and Sadye reflexively moved back.
“What is it?” Shadowdane said gently.
“It’s nothing… I…” Sadye had trouble looking at Shadowdane. The dream had really shaken her, it was so real.
“I just came to tell you I can’t go adventuring today. Something personal has come up, please forgive me.”
Shadowdane nodded.
“Ok, go take care of whatever you need to; the world can wait another day or so. But know that I’m here, if you need me.”
Remembering his dream Shadowdane extended his hand to touch Sadye’s face, but before he could she pulled away.
“I will. Thank you for understanding. I’ll contact you soon. Be safe Shadowdane.”
Shadowdane watched as she returned back up the stairwell toward the Silvermoon Portal. Something was wrong. He felt it, and in his heart he figured he knew what it was. It was him. Sadye was growing tired of him and soon she would probably dismiss him altogether. But what did he expect anyway, he was an undead… he was forsaken.
Sadye rode through the Court of the Sun. Something was wrong. As soon as she saw Shadowdane a feeling of fear came over her. It was unexplainable. But whenever she looked at him flashes from her dream appeared in her head, flashes of Shadowdane plunging a dagger into her chest, and his wicked laughter. She knew it was a dream but somehow it felt so real. Maybe she just needed some rest.
***
Somewhere else… somewhere far away, an image of Sadye bubbled in a cauldron. And a vile laugh could be heard.
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Part 4
Shadowdane closed his eyes. He had returned home and figured he may be able to pick up where he left off in his dream. He lay quietly for a moment. He was worried about Sadye, something was wrong. He wished that she would confide in him but knew that perhaps he wished for too much.
Soon Shadowdane heard a knock on the door. He moved to his bedroom door opened it and saw the only thing he wanted to see. Sadye was standing behind it. She had changed from her armor and was wearing a beautiful dress. Shadowdane was so happy to see her.
“Hello.” He whispered.
“Hi Shadow, I changed my mind, and my clothes. Come, find something special to wear, there’s a special dinner taking place in Silvermoon tonight and I want you to come with me.”
“Of course I’ll come with you. Let me find my best clothes, give me a moment.”
Sadye smiled at him.
It only took a moment and Shadowdane was dressed in his best black suit.
“I’m ready.” He said gleefully.
“Good, let’s be off.” Sadye concluded, taking his hand.
The two rogues dressed in their best returned to the ruins of Lordaeron and went through the mystic portal of translocation to Silvermoon city.
Once there, they crossed the Sunfire Spire and into the Court of the Sun. The court of the sun was a long sloping ramp bordered by Bloodelf guards on either side of the walkway. Shadowdane and Sadye began to walk past them. They had just passed the second when one of the guards halted them.
“Halt! Before you pass you must tell me what that thing is?”
Shadowdane looked around to see what the guard was speaking of but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
The guard continued to block their paths.
“Tell me I say, what is that thing?” This time he addressed Sadye and pointed at Shadowdane.
Shadowdane began to spark with anger.
“Oh, him?” Sadye replied.
“He is just some undead that follows me around. Pay no attention to him.”
On hearing this, Shadowdane’s anger turned to hurt.
“Sadye?” He began but then the other guards began to laugh at him.
“Oh, it can talk?” One guard said.
“Did you teach it that or does it just repeat certain words?”
Sadye laughed at this comment.
Shadowdane burned again.
Another guard mocked Shadowdane
“Uh oh, it looks like the little dead man is getting angry we better stop. HAHAHA”
“Nay,” Spoke still another guard. “Such a one as he has no feelings to hurt. He is but one step up from an animal.” The insulting guard then took Shadowdane’s hat from him.
“But an animal that dresses well! HAHAHAHA! Surely it won’t miss this.”
Lightning flashed in Shadowdane’s eyes, he moved toward the guard who had taken his hat.
“Return my hat!”
Then the twelve guards all circled Shadowdane. Sadye stepped to the side and sighed as if bored.
“Or what? Tell me what use this is to you, animal?”
“My name is Shadowdane!” He Growled.
“Oh it pretends to have a name. Apparently it doesn’t know its place, come friends lets show it.”
Then the guards seized Shadowdane. They forced him to the ground and ripped his nice suit from his body. Some of the guards kicked him and some spat on him.
They left him a huddled heap in the middle of the great ramp and returned to their posts.
The guard who had taken Shadowdane’s hat turned to Sadye.
“Next time you take your dog for a walk, leash him. There are laws in Silvermoon you know.”
He handed Sadye the hat.
Sadye laughed at the guard and took the hat. She walked over to Shadowdane who was cringing on the ground. She knelt beside him.
“Hmmm. Perhaps you shouldn’t have come after all.”
Shadowdane looked up with undead blood running down his mouth.
She laughed as she dropped his hat on him covering his face.
Shadowdane ripped the hat off of his face and looked up to see… his bedroom! He sat up in his bed.
“A dream, it was just a dream.”
Shadowdane thought for a moment about the dream. He sensed there was more to this dream than met the eye, but he didn’t know what.
However he knew someone who might. Shadowdane gathered his gear and headed out. He needed to go to the Pools of Vision.
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Part 5
Sadye walked into the Silvermoon inn on Murder Row. She was still shaken by the dream she had. Perhaps a quick drink would calm her down and help her get some more rest. She had been travelling a lot lately. She ordered a flagon of mead from Vinemaster Suntouched and took it over to one of the great tables to sit and think. She had barely been there five minutes when Shadowdane rushed through the door.
“Sadye, I’m glad I found you. I think something’s happening to us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think someone is stalking us.”
“Stalking us?”
“Yes I’m not sure how or why but I think we are in danger. I’m on my way to seek help.”
“Would you like me to come with you?”
“No that’s ok; I just stopped by here for a quick bite to eat.”
Then suddenly without warning Shadowdane punched Sadye in the mouth almost knocking her unconscious.
“Unnnngggg!”
Sadye felt Shadowdane grab her hair and lift her up on the table in front of him.
She groggily saw him pick up a knife and fork and start to hover over her.
“No…” She moaned
“But Sadye I’ll need my strength if I’m to find out who’s trying to kill us.” He smiled down at her licking his lips.
Sadye tried to push him away and then for a split second, when she looked up she did not see Shadowdane, but the face of another undead.
The new undead wore a large red hat and had glowing yellow eyes, on his face appeared to be a beard. He looked down with hate and disdain and Sadye screamed!
Sadye leapt to consciousness; in her little apartment in Silvermoon. She ran her hands down her face. Something wasn’t right. These were no ordinary dreams she was having. She needed advice and there was one person she knew she could trust.
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Part 6
Sadye rode through the great open plains of Mulgore. It had been almost two years since she first traveled here. Now she returned to speak with the same person she was sent to kill on her first journey to these lands.
Zarlman Two Moons stood alone outside a fire. He saw her approaching and waved to her.
“Ah, I haven’t seen you in a long while. But I sense you have found your true path.”
Sadye smiled at the Tauren.
“I think I have… well for now anyway.”
“Ah, and you wish to continue but something is troubling you. Tell me.”
“I’ve been having strange dreams lately, dreams of a dear friend betraying me and causing me great pain even unto death. I had another one recently but in that dream my friend turned into another person. A person I had never seen before.”
***
“Dreams can foretell the future, or they can just be the playground of the imagination. What makes you think yours are anything unnatural?”
Malakai Cross was listening to Shadowdane as he was explaining the strange dream he had.
The pools of vision quietly stirred below them.
“I just felt there was something wrong. I know of nightmares and that’s what this was but it seemed more directed at my fears, almost like it was sent just to hurt me.”
“Hmmm. It is… possible. Well I can offer a suggestion. I can induce sleep and cast a discernment spell that will reveal truth, but I’m not sure if it’ll help or if you will even perceive any difference.”
Shadowdane looked at Malakai Cross.
“Do what you must because if someone is attacking me, the chances are they’re doing the same to Sadye.”
“Very well, lay before me and we shall begin.”
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Part 7
A bomb exploded near Shadowdane! The Battle for Halaa was in full swing and the Alliance bombs were coming very rapidly. Sadye took cover beside Shadowdane.
“How many do you think, Shadow?”
“Hmmm, I’d say at least fifteen, plus various Alliance forces.”
“Great! We have to get the Wyvern stands up and running again.”
Shadowdane nodded.
“Come on let’s go.”
Sadye and Shadowdane made their way toward an abandoned Wyvern stand. If they could set it up they could call Wyverns and launch an aerial attack on the alliance.
Shadowdane rushed to the stand and began trying to fix it.
“Cover me Sadye!”
Sadye nodded.
As Shadowdane was attempting to fix the stand a Nightelf and Human swooped down from the sky knocking Shadowdane to the ground.
Shadowdane quickly recovered to his feet pulling his swords.
Both Alliance attacked him simultaneously. He deflected the Humans blade but the Nightelf got a hit in!
“Sadye!!!”
The human kicked Shadowdane’s legs out from beneath him causing him to fall flat on his face.
Both Alliance began kicking him and punching him!
“Sadye… Help…me…”
But there was no Sadye. He was alone. The Alliance continued to batter him as he got brief glances of their angry faces. But then Shadowdane saw something else. It was a ghost of a figure, just a shade of someone, an undead with a large red hat. The glowing yellow eyes seemed to glare at Shadowdane mockingly and then it let out a loud laugh.
***
“I sense there is a power rallied against you.”
Zarlman Two Moons had his hand on Sadye’s forehead and was lost in a trance like state.
“I sense someone wants to make you pay, for a wrong you caused them. I see an undead and a human… working together.”
Sadye remained still allowing Zarlman to continue his vision quest.
“I see a great cathedral… and”
In Zarlman’s vision an Undead face appeared scowling at him and then in an instant the vision was gone.
Zarlman removed his hand.
“I see no more, it would appear that I was found eavesdropping.”
“You did more than enough my friend. I know where I must go. Thank you.”
And with that Sadye returned to her Hawkstrider and headed off toward Thunderbluff.
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Part 8
Shadowdane was standing on the front of the Zeppelin as it docked at the tower in Tirisfal glades. He was angry. For all of his faults even he was not as contemptible as the undead he was soon to go after. An undead that had turned his back on his kind and worked for the Alliance! He should have known this was coming. He was the one to deliver the final blow to Araj the Summoner after all. Shadowdane headed east and began to formulate just how much this traitor was about to suffer.
***
Sadye rode the barely recognizable road until she began seeing undead hanging from trees. She knew she was almost there. A part of her considered how it may be amusing to add one more undead to the tree’s, one with a large red hat who had delusions of being a High Inquisitor of the Alliance.
Soon the road curved around a bin and it sloped up to a large structure. Sadye had arrived.
The Scarlet Monastery sat before her, she could only smile at the thought that soon it would indeed be a scarlet monastery; scarlet with the blood of an undead traitor.
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Part 9
Sadye stealthed her way to the door of the cathedral, no need in drawing attention to her too early. She quickly picked the door to the cathedral and slipped in very quietly. It was a short distance to the cathedral from the main entrance point from the monastery. Sadye would have to traverse a long hallway and cross the great chapel garden to the entrance of the cathedral. She knew there would be plenty of helpless monks for her to warm up with before she arrived at the High inquisitor’s door.
Sadye turned the corner toward the first main hallway ready to pick her first target but when she turned the corner all she saw was a hallway full of dead bodies.
***
Shadowdane moved quietly through the chapel door. He made his was down the far right side of the cathedral silently killing all of the scarlet monks that he came across. Soon he came to a room just to the left of the main corridor. There was one sentry in the room and Shadowdane made quick work of him. Shadowdane searched the room. He knew his target was near. He could sense the Undead’s presence. He walked over to a torch that was hanging on the wall and pulled it down revealing a secret door. This had been a tip that Malakai had told him about. Shadowdane cloaked himself and made his way inside.
“Please… we are past playing games Shadowdane.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” Shadowdane uncloaked in front of High Inquisitor Fairbanks.
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Part 10
“Why?!” Shadowdane demanded through clenched teeth.
“Vengeance of course. I did not take Araj’s death very lightly even though he could be resurrected. But you know; I started this to turn you and Sadye against each other. I watched each and every dream and it was so pleasurable to see the look of terror on her face each time you turned on her, but truthfully I think the best part of this whole affair was your responses. Oh I think I hit on something didn’t I? Your worst fear perhaps? You’re afraid she’ll leave you one day aren’t you?”
Shadowdane said nothing but just glared at Fairbanks.
“Yes, you are. You’re afraid that one day she’ll turn from you. Leave you alone in the dark. Foolish Shadowdane you are forsaken and she could never care for you. She could never be your friend.”
“You are wrong!” A voice sounded from behind Shadowdane.
Sadye stepped into the hidden room.
“I am his friend.”
Sadye moved beside Shadowdane. She lowered her sword toward Inquisitor Fairbanks.
“And now we send you to be with your brother.”
Inquisitor Fairbanks was no warrior; he had no skill but diplomacy. He knew he was doomed. His vengeance had come to claim him.
“So be it.”
High Inquisitor Fairbanks fell to the floor dead with two sword wounds in his chest.
"Sweet Dreams Fairbanks!" Shadowdane said coldly.
Sadye and Shadowdane stood there in silence. It was unnerving for both of them and neither had anything to say.
The silence was soon broken however by the arrival of Commander Mograine.
“What treachery is this?!!! Guards!”
Sadye and Shadowdane gave one another a sly smirk. Finally; something to break the silence.
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Part 11
Shadowdane and Sadye fought their way from the secret room and into the main hallway of the great cathedral. There were tons of Scarlet members throwing themselves at the two rogues. Neither Sadye nor Shadowdane spoke, they concentrated on killing all who would stand against them. The priests, the chaplains, the worshipers even Commander Mograine and his other High Inquisitor, Whitemane. The two rogues decimated the cathedral populace.
On seeing no one left alive to challenge them, Sadye and Shadowdane walked out the main door in silence.
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Part 12
Sadye and Shadowdane arrived at their original meeting place in the ruins or Lordaeron. Neither of them had said a word on the journey back to Undercity.
“He was wrong Shadowdane.” Sadye said at last.
“I am your friend.”
“I know.”Shadowdane said hesitantly.
Sadye tried to be reassuring.
“His plan failed. The dreams we had, they weren’t real we know that now. He was just trying to make us fear and doubt one another.”
“I know. But the fears he brought up, they were real.”
“Perhaps some of them, but whatever dreams or fears may come, we can face them together.”
Shadowdane smiled at his friend.
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
Sadye smiled back.
“This adventure took a lot out of each of us. Maybe in a couple days we can go on a better one.”
Shadowdane agreed,
“Yeah, in a couple days.”
Sadye turned her Hawkstrider toward the portal back to Silvermoon.
“I think we can both get some real rest now. I’ll see you soon Shadow.”
Shadowdane nodded.
“Rest well Sadye.”
“And you also, dear friend.”
And it was the first time since they met that Sadye and Shadowdane rode off in different directions after their journey.
THE END
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