Sinthe
09-02-2006, 11:44 PM
1. Under Silver Moon
The lone Night Elf stood atop the ruins in Darkshore, staring grimy off into the distance at the great tree, Teldrassil, which held her people's only hope of regaining their lost immortality. Teldrassil served also as their home, housing the towns of Aldrassil, Dolonaar, and the capital Darnassus.
The cool and salty ocean breeze blew back her lustrous teal hair, revealing her beautiful young face. This particular elf was a little unlike the rest of her people. She had the same long, slender ears the Night Elves all had. The same bright, glowing eyes showing both wisdom and knowledge, and the same graceful, tall figure. Her skin tone, however, was a far lighter blue than the rest of her race. Instead of the blueish colored skin typical of a Night Elf, not unlike the twilight sky with bright moonlight, she had an abnormally fair complexion.
She would undoubtedly deny it if questioned, but she obviously had some non-Night Elven blood running through her veins. In truth, it was blood of the Highborn Quel'Dorei, whose magical lust set them at odds with the druidic Night Elves, the Kal'Dorei. Her motives for hiding this would be clear to anyone familiar with Elvish history, as the Highborn's fixation on the forbidden magics set them at odds with their Night Elven counterparts, and the two cousins thus became enemies as tensions grew. The only others who knew her secret had perished. Her mother, a full-blood Night Elf, and her father, a powerful mage of Silvermoon, the Quel'Dorei capital.
Her armor was relatively simple, yet quite elegant, and of amazing craftsmanship. Elvish design and Dwarven smiths resulted in a set of mithril armor that fit her body with exact precision. The small chain links shone brilliantly, covering her torso and legs closely, being neither bulky, nor restrictive of her movements. Her gauntlets were slightly different, made of smooth black leather, with runes of mithril inlaid into them, which offered her increased hand dexterity that plate or mail just could not present. Her boots too, were made of the same smooth black leather and had their own mithril runes inlaid, and even mithril streaks, which curved around her feet and formed intricate designs.
On her back lay a shining long sword, named Tarathiel --- The Shadowflame. And it was indeed aptly named, for the blade was bright in the center, fading to a black edge. Flames erupted from the razor sharp edges on command from the hilt to the very tip of the blade. Engraved on the blade, near the hilt were runes that also stood out by seemingly burning from within the mighty sword. In the hilt itself was a large black Onyx, set directly below the blade.
~~~
Dark waves began to crash at the bottom of the broken building she stood atop, as the tide began to rise. Yet she stood still, still staring tirelessly off at Teldrassil as twilight set in around her. As the sun set on the rocky coastline, her view of the great tree slowly dimished until all that was visible was the Auberdine Lighthouse off to the south.
After Teldrassil had vanished from her vision entirely, she sighed softly and turned around and faced the coastal forest in behind the ruins. How she wished she could return to her home for good and live her life peacefully. Yet she cautioned herself against returning to Teldrassil, for returning to Darnassus now would likely distract her from her intense training, and her self appointed mission.
The Forsaken, a group of free-willed undead freed from the tyrant Lich King, were in her eyes, the single greatest threat to life in Azeroth. The Burning Legion and Scourge too, were dire threats to Azeroth, yet she paid little attention to either if there was word of Forsaken about.
With a last futile glance across the veiled sea towards Teldrassil, invisible through fog and darkness, she quickly strode into the trees. Once inside the forest, she found her path and began to make her way south, heading for the coastal village of Auberdine. She was in a hurry, yet she at least wanted to get a safe night of sleep among her Elven kin.
“In the morning,” she whispered to herself, “I must press forward, I've sat here idly for far too long. Auberdine is but a small comfort, I'll reach Astranaar and perhaps the Barrens by tommorow night,” she muttered as she stalked through the woods. “Yes,” she thought, moving south would surely prevent her from abandoning her quest, and would bring her closer to Forsaken lands.
As she crept south, closer and closer to Auberdine, she noted that the forest was rather active around her. The hooting of striged owls and clacking of the Makura on the shore was audible, and she could see the bright eyes of Moonstalkers off in the denser trees. The local wildlife was alive and well, a good indication that the corruption from Felwood to the east was at least being kept at bay. This was a comfort the the elf, she knew at least she was leaving while nothing was amiss.
Standing on the outskirts of Auberdine, she hesitated again on continuing. “It was a short flight to Darnassus, easy for her to return home and escape war for now,” she thought.
“No,” she told herself firmly, “I'll stay the night and leave in the morning from Astraanar, nothing more.” While debating with herself on what course of action to follow, she walked into town, heading for the Inn. A short walk along the cobblestone road, past a couple smaller buildings was all she needed to reach the Inn, situated right next to the beach, with a long dock protruding from the back end. She took one last look up at the moon, and down to her belt at a small silver trinket dangling from a chain. “It was exactly a week ago, in Silithus,” she frowned, stepping through the door.
“Good evening, m'lady,” greeted a simply-clad male Elf. “What can I do for you on this fine night?”
“A room, and perhaps some refreshments,” she replied gently. “I've been wandering the forests of Darkshore, and I could use some rest before I leave for Ashenvale tomorrow, I'd like to reach Astranaar before sundown, so I'll be leaving early.”
“Certainly,” he replied politely. “It'll be four silver pieces for the night, and 50 copper for the meal. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
She hesitated slightly at first, but composed herself, remembering it was too late for passage across the veiled sea anyway. She shook her head no, and pulled out a small coin purse. Quickly, she pulled out four silver coins, and 50 smaller copper coins, and handed them over to the smiling Innkeeper. He smiled at her, and pointed across the room at a set of stairs.
“Follow those stairs all the way up and your room is the one straight ahead. The door is unlocked, I'll be here if you need anything.”
She noded slightly and replied “Thank you,” while walking too the stairs and following them to her room. Inside she found a large four poster bed, with dark green hangings, placed adjacent to a large picture window, which offered a clear view of the shoreline and sea outside. The water clearly reflected the bright moon and myriad stars.
She lay down on the bed, watching the infinite astral patterns. Slowly, she closed her eyes, shutting out the pale light from the sky, and drifted off into a restless sleep.
(( Typing next part as we speak, I have the next chapter all written out. ))
The lone Night Elf stood atop the ruins in Darkshore, staring grimy off into the distance at the great tree, Teldrassil, which held her people's only hope of regaining their lost immortality. Teldrassil served also as their home, housing the towns of Aldrassil, Dolonaar, and the capital Darnassus.
The cool and salty ocean breeze blew back her lustrous teal hair, revealing her beautiful young face. This particular elf was a little unlike the rest of her people. She had the same long, slender ears the Night Elves all had. The same bright, glowing eyes showing both wisdom and knowledge, and the same graceful, tall figure. Her skin tone, however, was a far lighter blue than the rest of her race. Instead of the blueish colored skin typical of a Night Elf, not unlike the twilight sky with bright moonlight, she had an abnormally fair complexion.
She would undoubtedly deny it if questioned, but she obviously had some non-Night Elven blood running through her veins. In truth, it was blood of the Highborn Quel'Dorei, whose magical lust set them at odds with the druidic Night Elves, the Kal'Dorei. Her motives for hiding this would be clear to anyone familiar with Elvish history, as the Highborn's fixation on the forbidden magics set them at odds with their Night Elven counterparts, and the two cousins thus became enemies as tensions grew. The only others who knew her secret had perished. Her mother, a full-blood Night Elf, and her father, a powerful mage of Silvermoon, the Quel'Dorei capital.
Her armor was relatively simple, yet quite elegant, and of amazing craftsmanship. Elvish design and Dwarven smiths resulted in a set of mithril armor that fit her body with exact precision. The small chain links shone brilliantly, covering her torso and legs closely, being neither bulky, nor restrictive of her movements. Her gauntlets were slightly different, made of smooth black leather, with runes of mithril inlaid into them, which offered her increased hand dexterity that plate or mail just could not present. Her boots too, were made of the same smooth black leather and had their own mithril runes inlaid, and even mithril streaks, which curved around her feet and formed intricate designs.
On her back lay a shining long sword, named Tarathiel --- The Shadowflame. And it was indeed aptly named, for the blade was bright in the center, fading to a black edge. Flames erupted from the razor sharp edges on command from the hilt to the very tip of the blade. Engraved on the blade, near the hilt were runes that also stood out by seemingly burning from within the mighty sword. In the hilt itself was a large black Onyx, set directly below the blade.
~~~
Dark waves began to crash at the bottom of the broken building she stood atop, as the tide began to rise. Yet she stood still, still staring tirelessly off at Teldrassil as twilight set in around her. As the sun set on the rocky coastline, her view of the great tree slowly dimished until all that was visible was the Auberdine Lighthouse off to the south.
After Teldrassil had vanished from her vision entirely, she sighed softly and turned around and faced the coastal forest in behind the ruins. How she wished she could return to her home for good and live her life peacefully. Yet she cautioned herself against returning to Teldrassil, for returning to Darnassus now would likely distract her from her intense training, and her self appointed mission.
The Forsaken, a group of free-willed undead freed from the tyrant Lich King, were in her eyes, the single greatest threat to life in Azeroth. The Burning Legion and Scourge too, were dire threats to Azeroth, yet she paid little attention to either if there was word of Forsaken about.
With a last futile glance across the veiled sea towards Teldrassil, invisible through fog and darkness, she quickly strode into the trees. Once inside the forest, she found her path and began to make her way south, heading for the coastal village of Auberdine. She was in a hurry, yet she at least wanted to get a safe night of sleep among her Elven kin.
“In the morning,” she whispered to herself, “I must press forward, I've sat here idly for far too long. Auberdine is but a small comfort, I'll reach Astranaar and perhaps the Barrens by tommorow night,” she muttered as she stalked through the woods. “Yes,” she thought, moving south would surely prevent her from abandoning her quest, and would bring her closer to Forsaken lands.
As she crept south, closer and closer to Auberdine, she noted that the forest was rather active around her. The hooting of striged owls and clacking of the Makura on the shore was audible, and she could see the bright eyes of Moonstalkers off in the denser trees. The local wildlife was alive and well, a good indication that the corruption from Felwood to the east was at least being kept at bay. This was a comfort the the elf, she knew at least she was leaving while nothing was amiss.
Standing on the outskirts of Auberdine, she hesitated again on continuing. “It was a short flight to Darnassus, easy for her to return home and escape war for now,” she thought.
“No,” she told herself firmly, “I'll stay the night and leave in the morning from Astraanar, nothing more.” While debating with herself on what course of action to follow, she walked into town, heading for the Inn. A short walk along the cobblestone road, past a couple smaller buildings was all she needed to reach the Inn, situated right next to the beach, with a long dock protruding from the back end. She took one last look up at the moon, and down to her belt at a small silver trinket dangling from a chain. “It was exactly a week ago, in Silithus,” she frowned, stepping through the door.
“Good evening, m'lady,” greeted a simply-clad male Elf. “What can I do for you on this fine night?”
“A room, and perhaps some refreshments,” she replied gently. “I've been wandering the forests of Darkshore, and I could use some rest before I leave for Ashenvale tomorrow, I'd like to reach Astranaar before sundown, so I'll be leaving early.”
“Certainly,” he replied politely. “It'll be four silver pieces for the night, and 50 copper for the meal. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
She hesitated slightly at first, but composed herself, remembering it was too late for passage across the veiled sea anyway. She shook her head no, and pulled out a small coin purse. Quickly, she pulled out four silver coins, and 50 smaller copper coins, and handed them over to the smiling Innkeeper. He smiled at her, and pointed across the room at a set of stairs.
“Follow those stairs all the way up and your room is the one straight ahead. The door is unlocked, I'll be here if you need anything.”
She noded slightly and replied “Thank you,” while walking too the stairs and following them to her room. Inside she found a large four poster bed, with dark green hangings, placed adjacent to a large picture window, which offered a clear view of the shoreline and sea outside. The water clearly reflected the bright moon and myriad stars.
She lay down on the bed, watching the infinite astral patterns. Slowly, she closed her eyes, shutting out the pale light from the sky, and drifted off into a restless sleep.
(( Typing next part as we speak, I have the next chapter all written out. ))