Kurohane
07-25-2006, 07:25 PM
((All dialog taken from chatlog))
Kurohane had many plans for that evening. She was simply passing through Stormwind to restock on a few supplies. Well, truthfully, it was far from evening. Even Xelthan, her fiance and "pet" rogue, had gone to bed. However, her plans, as it turned out, would not come to fruition. In short order, she found herself answering the plees for aid in the defense of Lakeshire.
How many hours she passed between Redridge and Elwynn, she was not sure. Somewhere along the way, she had been joined by Axt, of the Ironforge Regiment, and a hunter she'd not met before, a night elf by the name of Tharien. Finally, it seemed the horde had been driven off.
Other topics of conversation had come up while they waited to assure the area was secured. A topic, in particular, that brought a frown to the Huntress's lips. The previous week, she and hers had captured, for a short time, an undead warlock by the name of Jacan. He had been one of the warlocks that help the Regiment's Turen Longrifle captive. Oh, they all thought they had freed the dwarf without any consquence. Jacan's capture, however had proven that wrong. The Forsaken had spoken the Common tounge as well as Turen, accent included. There was no telling how much more knowledge - specifically of such things as Alliance security - had been compromised.
It had been a late night then as well that she, Xelthan and Lirriana had found Turen with a few other members of the Regiment in Menethil, having a brawl of some sort, including the young hunter, Axt. The situation had escelated rather...volitaly. After nigh an hour of shouting and arguing, she had managed to pass on what she had learned to Turen. Now, however, Axt had informed her that things had gone even worse after she and hers had left.
The Blue Recluse was quiet now. She and Tharien - They had invited him to join them. This was a matter for all of the Alliance, and he had proven himself a rather dedicated defender that night. - sat across from each other, quietly discussing the current fall within the Regiment when the young dwarven hunter finally come running in, panting and sweat dripping from his brow.
"The drinks, as promised," she smiled at Axt, passing over a full mug of Cherry Grog to him. He nodded his thanks as the other hunter watched him stoicly.
After several moments of passed pleasantries, the dwarf took a final big swig of his Grog. "Aye, sho, to business."
"What exactly happened last night?" she asked, leaning back in her chair to observe him.
"It began a'fore tha', lassie," he answered, bringing a small frown to her lips as he continued. "I have a tale fer yeh. It be long, I warn yeh. Have yeh the time?"
Kurohane inclined her head again as Tharien settled back in his chair, his feet upon the table and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Aye then," he answered before taking a deep breath. His tone took on a certain resonace of a practiced perfomer as his dwarven accent hightened the rhythem of his words.
"Hear me tale o' th' braves' ladsh an' lassies o' th' Alliance!
Listen 'ow th' 'orde's attacksh be answer'd wi' defiance!
Know yeh now tha' though thar shtill be 'orde a-roamin' free...
Th' Alliance shhall protec' ush all, jes' yeh wai' an' shee! ...hic!
I' all began th' udder nigh', in loverly Ironforge.
I wuz learnin Regimen' methodsh from me patien' Sharge.
We finish'd up me trainin' an' wuz drinkin' 'til we filled.
Passin' time an' speakin' o th' time me Sharge wuz drilled.
Then a chill came o'er us, an' shhadowsh grew up tall.
Shomethin's wrong; we know no' wot, bu' i' fillsh up th' 'all.
Cap'n Turen enter's Brukk's, an' sits 'imself righ' down.
Bu' somethin' be amiss wi' 'im; 'e looksh us up an' down.
'e speaks teh ush o' fallen folk; o' lovesh th' 'orde 'ad taken.
'e cursesh all yer loves yeh 'ad, an' may they be fersaken.
'e shhouts a' me o' foolishnessh fer makin' yeh me frien's...
'e curses me fer feelin' love, fer makin' me ammends."
Axt paused to take another sip of ale, and then a deep breath.
"Then Cap'n walksh me outa Brukk's, across me Ironforge.
'e'd 'ad so many drinks by then, fer me, I woulda gorged.
We passh th' gates an' turns aroun'; 'e shlapsh me in th' face.
e' shays teh me "Yeh shtupid fool! Yeh be bu' a disgrace!" ...hic!
Then Cap'n doesh th' werst teh me, an' shlays me pig righ' thar!
I kinnah shee no reason then, an' still he be a glare. ...hic!
'e shhouts "Yeh face me 'lone now lad! Yeh bes' be on yer guard!"
Draws 'ish weapons, shootsh me down, an slaps me again, 'ard!
Saysh teh me "Yeh foolish lad, yeh ne'er make no frien's!"
"Lose 'em shhurely will yeh shoon, they be nothin' bu' ends!"
Then me Cap'n marches back inside th' city gates alone.
Leavin' me a-lyin' thar, bleedin' on th' stone.
Many questionsh shpinnin' fas', bu' narry answersh 'ad.
Cap'n nearly took me then; 'e sho' me awful bad.
Dinnah know wo' 'e coul' be, 'is soul be black n' scored...
An' shhurely 'nuff I foun' ou' nex' 'e'sh taken by th' 'orde!"
The dwarf paused to walk over to his pet boar and give him a loving pat, talking quietly to him, "'sall righ' thar, pig. Ne'er again!" With a final glance at his mug, he shook his head and continued.
"An' so me ladsh an' lassies, so begin'sh our nex' attack!
Th' nigh' th' brave Alliance wen' teh bring th' Cap'n back!
Yeh see me frien's, th' 'orde 'ad taken Cap'n's shpirit far!
All th' way teh ShilverPine, in Fenris Isle thar!
Th' werd wen' ou', teh all our frien's, th' Regimen' an' more.
Joinin' forcesh wi' 'em all, teh shettle ush th' score! ...hic!
Th' Serpen'sh an' th' Shwordwaltzers, Th' Keepersh o' Shtromgarde...
Many frien's, some fresh teh join, an' shome from battle, shcarred.
We set acrossh th' battlefron', flyin' teh 'illsbrad 'ills.
We ran from thar teh Aerie Peak, where meetin' jes' fer thrills.
Bu' se' upon we were jes' then, by 'orde tha' meansh us 'arm! ...hic!
We dispatched quickly an' rushed off, for 'ed she' off alarm! ...hic!
We runs acrossh th' fiel's north, through 'illsbrad teh th' lake.
We jumps righ' in wi' breathin' spells, quie'er than a shnake. ...hic!
We gits teh Fenris righ' away, bu' 'orde be standin' fas'!
Slaysh a thir' o' ush righ' quick, we almos' dinnah las'!"
He paused once more, seemingly unable to wait any longer and took a long swig from his much. Whiping his beard, he continued.
"Wi' numbers nigh bu' spiri's 'igh, we takes 'em down fer goo'!
We shlays 'em quick an' fin's th' Cap'n cover'd in a hood!
We slaysh th' evil warlocksh 'oldin' Cap'n wi' a spell...
We wakesh 'im up an rescues 'im from wot be shhurely 'ell!
We swimsh teh shore an' tricks th' 'orde, fer they know we be comin'! ...hic!
We figh's em off an' turnsh aroun', a hunnerd fee' a-drummin'!
On we runsh fer they know no', but we be somethin' fierce!
On teh Undercity now! Thar hear'sh we gonna pierce!
We lads an' lassies chargin' through th' tunnel teh th' 'orde!"
Kurohane grimaced faintly, tracing a finger down the length of her sword's hilt. The Regiment had charged the tunnels, true, but she had lead the Swordwaltzers to the front gates, attempting to draw attention away from the Regiment. It had not been a pretty sight.
"Slayin' righ' an' lef' we were, wi' axe an' bow an' sword!
Teach th' 'orde, we did tha' day, as ne'er did a'fore!
Take our Cap'n no' again! We takes i' teh yer door! ...hic!
An' so me lads an' lassies, tha' be 'ow we saved th' Cap'n.
Alwaysh 'member who 'e was, an' 'ow i' came teh happ'n.
Ne'er let yer frien'ships die, yeh keeps 'em spicy hot!
ALWAYS keep yer frien's an' kin, fer they be all we got!"
Axt panted heavily and downed the rest of his ale in a single gulp before settling back into his chair. "So... tha' be th' start. An' I tole tha' tale to th' Regimen' afferward. But! Affer me performace... Cap'n Turen came to me. An' he whispers in me ear. An' he says: 'Tha' wuz me, lad. If'n yeh tell any'un, I'll kill yeh.' An' I knew he meant e'ery werd. So I spoke not to 'him affer tha', until yesterday 'eve."
"'That was him'?" she repeated, sitting forward in her chair, furrowing her brow as Tharien did the same.
"Aye," Axt answered heavily, "He wuz not taken' an' controlled. Wuz no' shome udder warlock tha' made him slay me pig... ...an' almost slay me. It wuz him."
"...I see," she sighed, shaking her head in shock.
"So lass nigh'..." the dwarf continued, "I dinnah know why, fer I tole no 'un. But... He want's to figh' me. But... Me Lieutenant knows this. An' he orers me no' to do nothin' wi'out his say so." Pausing, he took another deep breath. "So Turen be in me face all nigh' but Eldridgen saysh no to him an' figh's in me stead...O'er an' o'er. An' me Cap'n Thurgo be too drunk to notice."
"And that is when me and mine came upon your lot," Kurohane interjected.
"Aye. An' as yeh know, it stopped not thar. Fer affer yeh left... Turen flew into a bloody rage An' beat the Lieutenant into the ground," the young hunter answered.
"I should have known something was far beyond amiss," the hunteress muttered to herself, running a finger along the edge of the table.
"Aye, lass. An' when I wuz finally able to rouse me Cap'n Thurgo..." the dwarf seemed to bite back a small sigh. "It wuz too late. But! Then when Thurgo did somethin'... Turen turned on him! Ordered me again to do nothin'. An' I coulda barely bare it! So I instead healed me Lieutenant."
"This Turen..." Tharien interjected, raising an eyebrow. "He is usually not of this nature?"
"Not from any of the tales I have heard, Tharien," Kurohane answered quietly.
"Bah... Turen be a bad drunk, but this be far werse," Axt explained before continuing as Tharien nodded thoughtfully. "I healed me lieutenant o'er an' o'er. An' still Turen came fer him. Thurgo could barely keep him back. O'er an' o'er they fought. Like Turen had supernatural strength. An' finally, affer many losses... Truen beat me Cap'n as well. With no'un leff, I turn to face Turen, an' figh' him. But me Cap'n rises, an' shouts fer me to run. An..." Axt trailed off as he looked down in shame. "An e'en though he be drunk, I had to obey. So I ran."
"You did well to follow that order, Axt," the huntress offered quietly. "If Turen had killed you, who would now tell us of this?"
Axt glared at the table for a moment before sighing, clearly unconvinced of her words. "Aye... So... The Cap'n eventually drove Turen off. An' Turen ran, cackling like a demon the entire way. An' the Cap'n an' me took Lieutenant Eldrigen to Darnassus... To see if'n yer physician could help. But he couldna. So he lies in Thelsamar now, at th' hands o' the Master Surgeon. But methinks he will only see from one eye... if'n he wakes at all. An' that be where we be."
Kurohane sighs faintly, shaking her head. The three remained silent, lost in thier own thoughts for a moment before Axt spoke up yet agian. "Thar be much afoot, methinks."
"You may wish to check at Moonglade for aid as well... but forgive me, the other side of this story is more pressing to me, at least," Kurohane finally voiced, resuming her fingers drumming upon the table top. "What measures are being taken to track Turen down?"
"Moonglade?" the dwarf asked, looking up at her before turning to his bags and, after a moment of searching, pulling forth a map, only to scratch his head at it. "Lets see 'ere. Whar be tha', lassie?"
"I am afraid Axt would have no way of reaching this place ma'am," Tharien stated in his quiet, stoic manner.
"No, but many of his fellows would," she answered, "Garbhan attended one of mine there."
"Bah!" Axt barked, his chest puffing out as he raised his bearded chin. "I kin reach anywhar. I WILL reach anywhar." He paused, trailing off as he looked back down at the map. "But I muss know whar this be. Aha! To th' north o' yer isle. t yer isle, but yer continent."
"It is far north of Felwood. In Kalimdor," Tharien answered, watching the dwarf with a new spark of intrest.
Kurohane smiled faintly at Axt in obviouls approval. "That is the home of the Druids, Axt. Perhaps they may be able to lend some aid."
"Me fellers plan to go thar soon anyway, lass. An rest assured, I WILL be thar!"
"But it is not an easy path for someone as young as you... be wary," she added, considering the drink she had previously declined for a moment before putting the thought from her head as Axt rounded a fierce stare at her.
"Bah! Then the whole REGIMENT be thar!" he answered vehemently before Kurohane raised a hand as if to fend off the look. "Not fer yeh, lass. Apologies. I jes' mean wot I say."
Kurohane inclined her head to Axt. "Understandable. Now then. What measures are being taken to find and secure Turen?"
"I know not, lassie," he answered. "It be in the hands o' the brass. Gen'ral Borgas be plannin' somethin'."
"Hmmm... This is a matter of some concern to me, on many levels. Let this General know that I wish to aid, if he has need, please," she responded. "As I said before, that old prune Garbhan and I have a bit of a history. He has helped me and mine many times. I would be honored to repay the favor yet again."
"Aye, lassie, a'course!" Axt all but beamed in reply.
"I said before that this matter is yours alone and does not concern me," Tharien's quiet tone broke their line of conversation and both eyes turned to regaurde the stoic hunter. "However..."
"Does not concern yeh, lad?" Axt huffed, jerking to his feet. "One o' the Alliance be taken... Controlled, then turned..."
"Your story has reminded me of something that once happened to me long ago," Tharien continued over him. "I will aid in whatever way possible."
"Ah. Then yeh already know: If'n it happens to one, it kin happen to all." With a nod, the dwarf reclaimed his seat.
"Please, do not speak of the Alliance. I would not wish to get in a battle of words with you over differences in oppinion," the night elf returned, his calm never faltering a hair. "Simply know that I would like to offer you my services and leave it at that."
Kurohane raised an eyebrow at Tharien, but held her tounge. There seemed to be many layers to this one. Not a fan of the Alliance, but a gaurdian of it's people and lands..?
"As yeh wish, long'ere," Axt sighed, "Yer help be welcome, in any case."
Tharien nodded once in reply before lowering his gaze to the tabletop, a somewhat sour expression upon his face.
"Well, I muss leave yeh both. To yer thoughts, methinks," Axt returned, raising from his chair a final time.
"Thank you again, Axt. Please let that General know my intentions," Kurohane replied, inclining her head to the young hunter in acknolwedgement.
"Aye, lassie. I will," Axt nodded. "And now I muss git back to me duties. Much Horde about tonight, so it seems."
"Aye. It was a pleasure to meet you master Axt, and please let me know if you need my aid in anything at all," Tharien offered, nodding at Axt in respect.
Axt nodded at Tharien, "Aye, lad. Good to have yeh."
"Be safe, Axt. I'm sure I will ese you again soon." Giving a final wave to the dwarf, she returned her gaze to the perplexing elven hunter.
"Wind at yer backs, the both o' yeh," Axt answered with a wave to them both. "C'mon, pig!"
"A very dreary business, this..." Kurohane stated once the dwarf had left the tavern, fluidly switching to thier native tounge.
Tharien stared into space for a moment, his mind nigh visably working over everything that had been said, before he finally replied. "Aye, though there really is no other kind in this day and age."
Sighing, she nodded in agreement. "It would seem there is little that either of us can do, however, until we have more information."
"Indeed. I know little of the people Axt spoke of, and even less about the events that have taken place. There is much to be found behind the scenes I think..." he returned, his eloquence in Darnassian obvious.
"Yes, quite a bit. I was involved in Turen's rescue, but... there wasn't a whole lot of the matter explained at any point."
"I have always been a fan of waiting and watching. I believe that is what will serve us best at this point," he answered with a weak smile.
The huntress chuckled quietly in return. "I like your way of things, Tharien." Kurohane hesitated a moment before shaking her head and standing, readjusting the blades at her hips. "It was truly an honor meeting and fighting alongside you tonight. Please, if you ever need any aid, look me up."
Rising gracefully, he bowed to her. She returned the bow respectfully. Yes, many layers to this one. "Be safe, and take care. I hope to see you again soon."
"Farewell my lady," he answered as she turned towards the exit.
Many layers to the hunter. Many layers to the situation within the Regiment. And not a thing she could do until more was learned. Wearily making her way towards the griffon master, she ruefully wondered if her list of tasks out in Winterfall and the Plaguelands would ever find completion.
Kurohane had many plans for that evening. She was simply passing through Stormwind to restock on a few supplies. Well, truthfully, it was far from evening. Even Xelthan, her fiance and "pet" rogue, had gone to bed. However, her plans, as it turned out, would not come to fruition. In short order, she found herself answering the plees for aid in the defense of Lakeshire.
How many hours she passed between Redridge and Elwynn, she was not sure. Somewhere along the way, she had been joined by Axt, of the Ironforge Regiment, and a hunter she'd not met before, a night elf by the name of Tharien. Finally, it seemed the horde had been driven off.
Other topics of conversation had come up while they waited to assure the area was secured. A topic, in particular, that brought a frown to the Huntress's lips. The previous week, she and hers had captured, for a short time, an undead warlock by the name of Jacan. He had been one of the warlocks that help the Regiment's Turen Longrifle captive. Oh, they all thought they had freed the dwarf without any consquence. Jacan's capture, however had proven that wrong. The Forsaken had spoken the Common tounge as well as Turen, accent included. There was no telling how much more knowledge - specifically of such things as Alliance security - had been compromised.
It had been a late night then as well that she, Xelthan and Lirriana had found Turen with a few other members of the Regiment in Menethil, having a brawl of some sort, including the young hunter, Axt. The situation had escelated rather...volitaly. After nigh an hour of shouting and arguing, she had managed to pass on what she had learned to Turen. Now, however, Axt had informed her that things had gone even worse after she and hers had left.
The Blue Recluse was quiet now. She and Tharien - They had invited him to join them. This was a matter for all of the Alliance, and he had proven himself a rather dedicated defender that night. - sat across from each other, quietly discussing the current fall within the Regiment when the young dwarven hunter finally come running in, panting and sweat dripping from his brow.
"The drinks, as promised," she smiled at Axt, passing over a full mug of Cherry Grog to him. He nodded his thanks as the other hunter watched him stoicly.
After several moments of passed pleasantries, the dwarf took a final big swig of his Grog. "Aye, sho, to business."
"What exactly happened last night?" she asked, leaning back in her chair to observe him.
"It began a'fore tha', lassie," he answered, bringing a small frown to her lips as he continued. "I have a tale fer yeh. It be long, I warn yeh. Have yeh the time?"
Kurohane inclined her head again as Tharien settled back in his chair, his feet upon the table and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Aye then," he answered before taking a deep breath. His tone took on a certain resonace of a practiced perfomer as his dwarven accent hightened the rhythem of his words.
"Hear me tale o' th' braves' ladsh an' lassies o' th' Alliance!
Listen 'ow th' 'orde's attacksh be answer'd wi' defiance!
Know yeh now tha' though thar shtill be 'orde a-roamin' free...
Th' Alliance shhall protec' ush all, jes' yeh wai' an' shee! ...hic!
I' all began th' udder nigh', in loverly Ironforge.
I wuz learnin Regimen' methodsh from me patien' Sharge.
We finish'd up me trainin' an' wuz drinkin' 'til we filled.
Passin' time an' speakin' o th' time me Sharge wuz drilled.
Then a chill came o'er us, an' shhadowsh grew up tall.
Shomethin's wrong; we know no' wot, bu' i' fillsh up th' 'all.
Cap'n Turen enter's Brukk's, an' sits 'imself righ' down.
Bu' somethin' be amiss wi' 'im; 'e looksh us up an' down.
'e speaks teh ush o' fallen folk; o' lovesh th' 'orde 'ad taken.
'e cursesh all yer loves yeh 'ad, an' may they be fersaken.
'e shhouts a' me o' foolishnessh fer makin' yeh me frien's...
'e curses me fer feelin' love, fer makin' me ammends."
Axt paused to take another sip of ale, and then a deep breath.
"Then Cap'n walksh me outa Brukk's, across me Ironforge.
'e'd 'ad so many drinks by then, fer me, I woulda gorged.
We passh th' gates an' turns aroun'; 'e shlapsh me in th' face.
e' shays teh me "Yeh shtupid fool! Yeh be bu' a disgrace!" ...hic!
Then Cap'n doesh th' werst teh me, an' shlays me pig righ' thar!
I kinnah shee no reason then, an' still he be a glare. ...hic!
'e shhouts "Yeh face me 'lone now lad! Yeh bes' be on yer guard!"
Draws 'ish weapons, shootsh me down, an slaps me again, 'ard!
Saysh teh me "Yeh foolish lad, yeh ne'er make no frien's!"
"Lose 'em shhurely will yeh shoon, they be nothin' bu' ends!"
Then me Cap'n marches back inside th' city gates alone.
Leavin' me a-lyin' thar, bleedin' on th' stone.
Many questionsh shpinnin' fas', bu' narry answersh 'ad.
Cap'n nearly took me then; 'e sho' me awful bad.
Dinnah know wo' 'e coul' be, 'is soul be black n' scored...
An' shhurely 'nuff I foun' ou' nex' 'e'sh taken by th' 'orde!"
The dwarf paused to walk over to his pet boar and give him a loving pat, talking quietly to him, "'sall righ' thar, pig. Ne'er again!" With a final glance at his mug, he shook his head and continued.
"An' so me ladsh an' lassies, so begin'sh our nex' attack!
Th' nigh' th' brave Alliance wen' teh bring th' Cap'n back!
Yeh see me frien's, th' 'orde 'ad taken Cap'n's shpirit far!
All th' way teh ShilverPine, in Fenris Isle thar!
Th' werd wen' ou', teh all our frien's, th' Regimen' an' more.
Joinin' forcesh wi' 'em all, teh shettle ush th' score! ...hic!
Th' Serpen'sh an' th' Shwordwaltzers, Th' Keepersh o' Shtromgarde...
Many frien's, some fresh teh join, an' shome from battle, shcarred.
We set acrossh th' battlefron', flyin' teh 'illsbrad 'ills.
We ran from thar teh Aerie Peak, where meetin' jes' fer thrills.
Bu' se' upon we were jes' then, by 'orde tha' meansh us 'arm! ...hic!
We dispatched quickly an' rushed off, for 'ed she' off alarm! ...hic!
We runs acrossh th' fiel's north, through 'illsbrad teh th' lake.
We jumps righ' in wi' breathin' spells, quie'er than a shnake. ...hic!
We gits teh Fenris righ' away, bu' 'orde be standin' fas'!
Slaysh a thir' o' ush righ' quick, we almos' dinnah las'!"
He paused once more, seemingly unable to wait any longer and took a long swig from his much. Whiping his beard, he continued.
"Wi' numbers nigh bu' spiri's 'igh, we takes 'em down fer goo'!
We shlays 'em quick an' fin's th' Cap'n cover'd in a hood!
We slaysh th' evil warlocksh 'oldin' Cap'n wi' a spell...
We wakesh 'im up an rescues 'im from wot be shhurely 'ell!
We swimsh teh shore an' tricks th' 'orde, fer they know we be comin'! ...hic!
We figh's em off an' turnsh aroun', a hunnerd fee' a-drummin'!
On we runsh fer they know no', but we be somethin' fierce!
On teh Undercity now! Thar hear'sh we gonna pierce!
We lads an' lassies chargin' through th' tunnel teh th' 'orde!"
Kurohane grimaced faintly, tracing a finger down the length of her sword's hilt. The Regiment had charged the tunnels, true, but she had lead the Swordwaltzers to the front gates, attempting to draw attention away from the Regiment. It had not been a pretty sight.
"Slayin' righ' an' lef' we were, wi' axe an' bow an' sword!
Teach th' 'orde, we did tha' day, as ne'er did a'fore!
Take our Cap'n no' again! We takes i' teh yer door! ...hic!
An' so me lads an' lassies, tha' be 'ow we saved th' Cap'n.
Alwaysh 'member who 'e was, an' 'ow i' came teh happ'n.
Ne'er let yer frien'ships die, yeh keeps 'em spicy hot!
ALWAYS keep yer frien's an' kin, fer they be all we got!"
Axt panted heavily and downed the rest of his ale in a single gulp before settling back into his chair. "So... tha' be th' start. An' I tole tha' tale to th' Regimen' afferward. But! Affer me performace... Cap'n Turen came to me. An' he whispers in me ear. An' he says: 'Tha' wuz me, lad. If'n yeh tell any'un, I'll kill yeh.' An' I knew he meant e'ery werd. So I spoke not to 'him affer tha', until yesterday 'eve."
"'That was him'?" she repeated, sitting forward in her chair, furrowing her brow as Tharien did the same.
"Aye," Axt answered heavily, "He wuz not taken' an' controlled. Wuz no' shome udder warlock tha' made him slay me pig... ...an' almost slay me. It wuz him."
"...I see," she sighed, shaking her head in shock.
"So lass nigh'..." the dwarf continued, "I dinnah know why, fer I tole no 'un. But... He want's to figh' me. But... Me Lieutenant knows this. An' he orers me no' to do nothin' wi'out his say so." Pausing, he took another deep breath. "So Turen be in me face all nigh' but Eldridgen saysh no to him an' figh's in me stead...O'er an' o'er. An' me Cap'n Thurgo be too drunk to notice."
"And that is when me and mine came upon your lot," Kurohane interjected.
"Aye. An' as yeh know, it stopped not thar. Fer affer yeh left... Turen flew into a bloody rage An' beat the Lieutenant into the ground," the young hunter answered.
"I should have known something was far beyond amiss," the hunteress muttered to herself, running a finger along the edge of the table.
"Aye, lass. An' when I wuz finally able to rouse me Cap'n Thurgo..." the dwarf seemed to bite back a small sigh. "It wuz too late. But! Then when Thurgo did somethin'... Turen turned on him! Ordered me again to do nothin'. An' I coulda barely bare it! So I instead healed me Lieutenant."
"This Turen..." Tharien interjected, raising an eyebrow. "He is usually not of this nature?"
"Not from any of the tales I have heard, Tharien," Kurohane answered quietly.
"Bah... Turen be a bad drunk, but this be far werse," Axt explained before continuing as Tharien nodded thoughtfully. "I healed me lieutenant o'er an' o'er. An' still Turen came fer him. Thurgo could barely keep him back. O'er an' o'er they fought. Like Turen had supernatural strength. An' finally, affer many losses... Truen beat me Cap'n as well. With no'un leff, I turn to face Turen, an' figh' him. But me Cap'n rises, an' shouts fer me to run. An..." Axt trailed off as he looked down in shame. "An e'en though he be drunk, I had to obey. So I ran."
"You did well to follow that order, Axt," the huntress offered quietly. "If Turen had killed you, who would now tell us of this?"
Axt glared at the table for a moment before sighing, clearly unconvinced of her words. "Aye... So... The Cap'n eventually drove Turen off. An' Turen ran, cackling like a demon the entire way. An' the Cap'n an' me took Lieutenant Eldrigen to Darnassus... To see if'n yer physician could help. But he couldna. So he lies in Thelsamar now, at th' hands o' the Master Surgeon. But methinks he will only see from one eye... if'n he wakes at all. An' that be where we be."
Kurohane sighs faintly, shaking her head. The three remained silent, lost in thier own thoughts for a moment before Axt spoke up yet agian. "Thar be much afoot, methinks."
"You may wish to check at Moonglade for aid as well... but forgive me, the other side of this story is more pressing to me, at least," Kurohane finally voiced, resuming her fingers drumming upon the table top. "What measures are being taken to track Turen down?"
"Moonglade?" the dwarf asked, looking up at her before turning to his bags and, after a moment of searching, pulling forth a map, only to scratch his head at it. "Lets see 'ere. Whar be tha', lassie?"
"I am afraid Axt would have no way of reaching this place ma'am," Tharien stated in his quiet, stoic manner.
"No, but many of his fellows would," she answered, "Garbhan attended one of mine there."
"Bah!" Axt barked, his chest puffing out as he raised his bearded chin. "I kin reach anywhar. I WILL reach anywhar." He paused, trailing off as he looked back down at the map. "But I muss know whar this be. Aha! To th' north o' yer isle. t yer isle, but yer continent."
"It is far north of Felwood. In Kalimdor," Tharien answered, watching the dwarf with a new spark of intrest.
Kurohane smiled faintly at Axt in obviouls approval. "That is the home of the Druids, Axt. Perhaps they may be able to lend some aid."
"Me fellers plan to go thar soon anyway, lass. An rest assured, I WILL be thar!"
"But it is not an easy path for someone as young as you... be wary," she added, considering the drink she had previously declined for a moment before putting the thought from her head as Axt rounded a fierce stare at her.
"Bah! Then the whole REGIMENT be thar!" he answered vehemently before Kurohane raised a hand as if to fend off the look. "Not fer yeh, lass. Apologies. I jes' mean wot I say."
Kurohane inclined her head to Axt. "Understandable. Now then. What measures are being taken to find and secure Turen?"
"I know not, lassie," he answered. "It be in the hands o' the brass. Gen'ral Borgas be plannin' somethin'."
"Hmmm... This is a matter of some concern to me, on many levels. Let this General know that I wish to aid, if he has need, please," she responded. "As I said before, that old prune Garbhan and I have a bit of a history. He has helped me and mine many times. I would be honored to repay the favor yet again."
"Aye, lassie, a'course!" Axt all but beamed in reply.
"I said before that this matter is yours alone and does not concern me," Tharien's quiet tone broke their line of conversation and both eyes turned to regaurde the stoic hunter. "However..."
"Does not concern yeh, lad?" Axt huffed, jerking to his feet. "One o' the Alliance be taken... Controlled, then turned..."
"Your story has reminded me of something that once happened to me long ago," Tharien continued over him. "I will aid in whatever way possible."
"Ah. Then yeh already know: If'n it happens to one, it kin happen to all." With a nod, the dwarf reclaimed his seat.
"Please, do not speak of the Alliance. I would not wish to get in a battle of words with you over differences in oppinion," the night elf returned, his calm never faltering a hair. "Simply know that I would like to offer you my services and leave it at that."
Kurohane raised an eyebrow at Tharien, but held her tounge. There seemed to be many layers to this one. Not a fan of the Alliance, but a gaurdian of it's people and lands..?
"As yeh wish, long'ere," Axt sighed, "Yer help be welcome, in any case."
Tharien nodded once in reply before lowering his gaze to the tabletop, a somewhat sour expression upon his face.
"Well, I muss leave yeh both. To yer thoughts, methinks," Axt returned, raising from his chair a final time.
"Thank you again, Axt. Please let that General know my intentions," Kurohane replied, inclining her head to the young hunter in acknolwedgement.
"Aye, lassie. I will," Axt nodded. "And now I muss git back to me duties. Much Horde about tonight, so it seems."
"Aye. It was a pleasure to meet you master Axt, and please let me know if you need my aid in anything at all," Tharien offered, nodding at Axt in respect.
Axt nodded at Tharien, "Aye, lad. Good to have yeh."
"Be safe, Axt. I'm sure I will ese you again soon." Giving a final wave to the dwarf, she returned her gaze to the perplexing elven hunter.
"Wind at yer backs, the both o' yeh," Axt answered with a wave to them both. "C'mon, pig!"
"A very dreary business, this..." Kurohane stated once the dwarf had left the tavern, fluidly switching to thier native tounge.
Tharien stared into space for a moment, his mind nigh visably working over everything that had been said, before he finally replied. "Aye, though there really is no other kind in this day and age."
Sighing, she nodded in agreement. "It would seem there is little that either of us can do, however, until we have more information."
"Indeed. I know little of the people Axt spoke of, and even less about the events that have taken place. There is much to be found behind the scenes I think..." he returned, his eloquence in Darnassian obvious.
"Yes, quite a bit. I was involved in Turen's rescue, but... there wasn't a whole lot of the matter explained at any point."
"I have always been a fan of waiting and watching. I believe that is what will serve us best at this point," he answered with a weak smile.
The huntress chuckled quietly in return. "I like your way of things, Tharien." Kurohane hesitated a moment before shaking her head and standing, readjusting the blades at her hips. "It was truly an honor meeting and fighting alongside you tonight. Please, if you ever need any aid, look me up."
Rising gracefully, he bowed to her. She returned the bow respectfully. Yes, many layers to this one. "Be safe, and take care. I hope to see you again soon."
"Farewell my lady," he answered as she turned towards the exit.
Many layers to the hunter. Many layers to the situation within the Regiment. And not a thing she could do until more was learned. Wearily making her way towards the griffon master, she ruefully wondered if her list of tasks out in Winterfall and the Plaguelands would ever find completion.