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05-29-2006, 10:37 PM
If I've placed this in the wrong area I apologize in advance.
This is a story for the weekly contest, I am Aceena, a Paladin.
From Grace to Madness.
By: Mike Edmonds
May 29th, 2006
“Another one down,” The Paladin breathed a sigh of relief as she wiped the ooze and puss from her blade. The corpse of the Scourge agent lay at her feet seemingly dead for good this time. She was sweating and breathing heavy, her plate armor, skin, and hair caked with gore.
“My lady please you must rest, we’ve been at this for hours now,” The man behind her said. “We fought all the way to Darrowshire without rest you are exhausted and I’ve only got enough of my own strength left for one or two spells.” A man of the cloth the Priest had the gentleness to sooth the ailments of the people while still being able to hold his own against the demons and members of the Horde that lurked in the now dark Western and Eastern Plaguelands. Like his partner his robes were covered in the remains of their enemies, his hands a little shaky as they clutched his staff.
“We have no time for rest Balthis,” The Paladin snapped. She pulled off her gauntlet and tugged at the dried blood in her long brown hair. Her bright blue eyes never shifting from the trees and buildings.
“Lady Aceena,” Balthis said, allowing her attitude to wave past him. Though young the battles he and Aceena had fought throughout the afternoon and long into the night had made his face tired and older looking. “Let us make for Light’s Hope Chapel not far from here; I’m sure the Argent Dawn will have room for us for the rest of the night.”
“We will not be stopping,” Aceena replaced her glove and placed her weapon on her back. “If you so wish then you return, I will not let one of these unholy beasts continue living.”
“Stubborn as always,” Balthis muttered as Aceena began to walk away, almost stumbling.
Balthis and Aceena had been friends for a long time, ever since a group of Horde attempted to slay Balthis in the Arathi Highlands. Aceena had happened to come along and while two of the party escaped she managed to finish with the other three. Balthis pledged himself to her but it wasn’t long after that Aceena fell gravely ill. While camped in Feralas Aceena was attacked by a Rouge, she managed to fend the bastard off but she found herself paralyzed from his poisons.
With what little energy she could muster she managed to use her most treasured possession, the stone infused with magic that could take her even across the world. She appeared within the Night Elvin capitol of Darnassus and fell into a deep coma that would last for almost two months.
As for Balthis, he rushed when word reached Stormwind of Aceena’s condition. However the long voyage and harsh battles landed him at her bedside as she awoke. Despite that fact he had grown far stronger and was of more use to his Lady as she collected herself and prepared to journey the world once more.
Their road was left slick with the blood of enemies, from the Trolls of Zul’Farrak to the Centaur of Maraudon. Horde who crossed the two were sent to the Twisting Neither before drawing a weapon. All the while Aceena grew more and more distant, as if focusing on something far away. Soon the Argent Dawn at Chillwind Post contacted Aceena personally. She was to aid them against the Scourge to the north and that is where the two now found themselves.
Aceena had accepted the weapon from the Argent Dawn officers, one that would aid her against the Undead. As a Paladin she had sworn to eradicate all evils in the world using the power of the Light. Balthis always at her side was prepared to drain every drop of magic from his body to protect her. However the long hours took their toll, their supplies were only meant for a few hours and now they were gone. Potion vials and water skins all empty. Their latest struggle in Darrowshire had drained most of their strength. Lost in his memories, Balthis finally looked ahead to see Aceena collapsed on the soggy soil ahead of him.
“Aceena,” He called as he rushed to her side. “Are you alright? I told you we need to rest a few minutes.
“We…cannot rest…”Aceena panted.
Balthis shook his head, “I am indebted to you my Lady, for saving my life. Do not waste yours so that I cannot continue to be of service.”
“Arthas…” Aceena said barely above a whisper as she lost consciousness.
“So that’s what this is about,” Balthis looked up at the dark sky.
He knew the story, of how Aceena had known Arthas back when she began training as a Paladin, but she had quickly been forgotten for Jaina Proudmoore. She harbored no grudge against the sorceress but that was more due to her lessons taught by Uther the Lightbringer then her own choice. When Arthas went to Northrend she had wished to follow but her own struggles at home kept her from going. These struggles led to battles with the Scourge and it was when her teacher, Uther, was slain by Arthas the Death Knight that she realized the full extent of his madness.
“You loved him,” Balthis said as he sat beside her. “That love was betrayed when you met Jaina and knew how he felt about her, then again when you saw the depths of his desire to serve the Scourge. So why do you keep pushing yourself against his minions? Are you seeking death or are you attempting to…” He stopped as a footstep echoed around them. He may have been only human but his perception and hearing was well attuned.
“I will not let you follow in his madness, you will not fall from grace,” He said as he got to his feet. He took a step forward and turned around, looking for the source of the sound. As he did a dagger behind him appeared from the shadows of the night and plunged into his back.
“Devil,” Balthis spun around and eyed the corpse in hooded armor standing behind him. The Undead Rouge licked the bloody blade he held and then dove for another attack. With a swipe of his hand Balthis was able to disorient the Forsaken long enough to pull his own enchanted stone from his pack.
“Neg rig gar dor isen dregudal,” The Rouge spat with distain as he collected himself and turned back to the Priest.
“This is all I can do for you now my Lady,” Balthis focused the stone and slipped it into Aceena’s own bag. “I’ll defend the one I love in my own way.” He used the last of his energy to shield Aceena to ensure her safety. As he went to face his opponent however he fell to his knees from exhaustion. The Rouge plunged his duel weapons into Balthis’ back once more. However no screams or cries for mercy escaped his prey. Balthis just smiled as Aceena vanished.
A few weeks later…
Aceena had been taken safely to Ironforge, where she awoke the next day and received news of Balthis. She did not cry a single tear however even as they brought his massacred corpse back to his home of Southshore and laid him to rest there. Aceena remained quiet for the first week but then she received a letter from the Cathedral of Light and quickly answered the summons.
So now she found herself before the foreboding Monastery within Tirisfal Glade. Her orders were to attempt to reason with the leaders of the Scarlet Crusade into joining with the Argent Dawn. Though that had already been attempted several times it was thought with Aceena’s reputation she would have more impact of the zealots.
“I came to ask you to let go of your insanity Whitemane,” Aceena shouted. She and the High Inquisitor Whiteman had been arguing in the Cathedral for many hours at this point. The guards had allowed her to pass only because it was thought she would join with them.
“Aceena, why do you persist to aid possible members of the Scourge,” Whiteman sighed. “I know of Balthis, the stories say he died saving you. Though you were supposedly unconscious you seemed to know it was a member of the Forsaken who killed him. You have every reason to join with us Paladin.”
“I will not,” Aceena said defiantly. “If you do not wish to reason Whiteman, then I’ll fulfill the contingency plan of the Cathedral and kill you here.”
“Then you truly have gone mad…” Whiteman snapped her fingers and from every corner of the room Scarlet warriors poured.
It was Aceena’s helmet that had been returned to Stormwind, cracked and covered in blood. The people mourned her death, friends and fellow warriors gathered and told stories of her. However what was found later on shocked all of them, inside of Aceena’s home in Darnassus were books on Necromancy and several on the powers used by Warlocks, notes written by Aceena about the Scourge and other members of the Burning Legion. No one knew what it was she was attempting to uncover but far from the confused and grieving people of the Human lands something stirred beneath the earth. The Forsaken town of Deathknell had a large graveyard on the hill behind the town and down in the crypt scratching came from beneath the floor.
Then a plate armored fist broke through the stone…
This is a story for the weekly contest, I am Aceena, a Paladin.
From Grace to Madness.
By: Mike Edmonds
May 29th, 2006
“Another one down,” The Paladin breathed a sigh of relief as she wiped the ooze and puss from her blade. The corpse of the Scourge agent lay at her feet seemingly dead for good this time. She was sweating and breathing heavy, her plate armor, skin, and hair caked with gore.
“My lady please you must rest, we’ve been at this for hours now,” The man behind her said. “We fought all the way to Darrowshire without rest you are exhausted and I’ve only got enough of my own strength left for one or two spells.” A man of the cloth the Priest had the gentleness to sooth the ailments of the people while still being able to hold his own against the demons and members of the Horde that lurked in the now dark Western and Eastern Plaguelands. Like his partner his robes were covered in the remains of their enemies, his hands a little shaky as they clutched his staff.
“We have no time for rest Balthis,” The Paladin snapped. She pulled off her gauntlet and tugged at the dried blood in her long brown hair. Her bright blue eyes never shifting from the trees and buildings.
“Lady Aceena,” Balthis said, allowing her attitude to wave past him. Though young the battles he and Aceena had fought throughout the afternoon and long into the night had made his face tired and older looking. “Let us make for Light’s Hope Chapel not far from here; I’m sure the Argent Dawn will have room for us for the rest of the night.”
“We will not be stopping,” Aceena replaced her glove and placed her weapon on her back. “If you so wish then you return, I will not let one of these unholy beasts continue living.”
“Stubborn as always,” Balthis muttered as Aceena began to walk away, almost stumbling.
Balthis and Aceena had been friends for a long time, ever since a group of Horde attempted to slay Balthis in the Arathi Highlands. Aceena had happened to come along and while two of the party escaped she managed to finish with the other three. Balthis pledged himself to her but it wasn’t long after that Aceena fell gravely ill. While camped in Feralas Aceena was attacked by a Rouge, she managed to fend the bastard off but she found herself paralyzed from his poisons.
With what little energy she could muster she managed to use her most treasured possession, the stone infused with magic that could take her even across the world. She appeared within the Night Elvin capitol of Darnassus and fell into a deep coma that would last for almost two months.
As for Balthis, he rushed when word reached Stormwind of Aceena’s condition. However the long voyage and harsh battles landed him at her bedside as she awoke. Despite that fact he had grown far stronger and was of more use to his Lady as she collected herself and prepared to journey the world once more.
Their road was left slick with the blood of enemies, from the Trolls of Zul’Farrak to the Centaur of Maraudon. Horde who crossed the two were sent to the Twisting Neither before drawing a weapon. All the while Aceena grew more and more distant, as if focusing on something far away. Soon the Argent Dawn at Chillwind Post contacted Aceena personally. She was to aid them against the Scourge to the north and that is where the two now found themselves.
Aceena had accepted the weapon from the Argent Dawn officers, one that would aid her against the Undead. As a Paladin she had sworn to eradicate all evils in the world using the power of the Light. Balthis always at her side was prepared to drain every drop of magic from his body to protect her. However the long hours took their toll, their supplies were only meant for a few hours and now they were gone. Potion vials and water skins all empty. Their latest struggle in Darrowshire had drained most of their strength. Lost in his memories, Balthis finally looked ahead to see Aceena collapsed on the soggy soil ahead of him.
“Aceena,” He called as he rushed to her side. “Are you alright? I told you we need to rest a few minutes.
“We…cannot rest…”Aceena panted.
Balthis shook his head, “I am indebted to you my Lady, for saving my life. Do not waste yours so that I cannot continue to be of service.”
“Arthas…” Aceena said barely above a whisper as she lost consciousness.
“So that’s what this is about,” Balthis looked up at the dark sky.
He knew the story, of how Aceena had known Arthas back when she began training as a Paladin, but she had quickly been forgotten for Jaina Proudmoore. She harbored no grudge against the sorceress but that was more due to her lessons taught by Uther the Lightbringer then her own choice. When Arthas went to Northrend she had wished to follow but her own struggles at home kept her from going. These struggles led to battles with the Scourge and it was when her teacher, Uther, was slain by Arthas the Death Knight that she realized the full extent of his madness.
“You loved him,” Balthis said as he sat beside her. “That love was betrayed when you met Jaina and knew how he felt about her, then again when you saw the depths of his desire to serve the Scourge. So why do you keep pushing yourself against his minions? Are you seeking death or are you attempting to…” He stopped as a footstep echoed around them. He may have been only human but his perception and hearing was well attuned.
“I will not let you follow in his madness, you will not fall from grace,” He said as he got to his feet. He took a step forward and turned around, looking for the source of the sound. As he did a dagger behind him appeared from the shadows of the night and plunged into his back.
“Devil,” Balthis spun around and eyed the corpse in hooded armor standing behind him. The Undead Rouge licked the bloody blade he held and then dove for another attack. With a swipe of his hand Balthis was able to disorient the Forsaken long enough to pull his own enchanted stone from his pack.
“Neg rig gar dor isen dregudal,” The Rouge spat with distain as he collected himself and turned back to the Priest.
“This is all I can do for you now my Lady,” Balthis focused the stone and slipped it into Aceena’s own bag. “I’ll defend the one I love in my own way.” He used the last of his energy to shield Aceena to ensure her safety. As he went to face his opponent however he fell to his knees from exhaustion. The Rouge plunged his duel weapons into Balthis’ back once more. However no screams or cries for mercy escaped his prey. Balthis just smiled as Aceena vanished.
A few weeks later…
Aceena had been taken safely to Ironforge, where she awoke the next day and received news of Balthis. She did not cry a single tear however even as they brought his massacred corpse back to his home of Southshore and laid him to rest there. Aceena remained quiet for the first week but then she received a letter from the Cathedral of Light and quickly answered the summons.
So now she found herself before the foreboding Monastery within Tirisfal Glade. Her orders were to attempt to reason with the leaders of the Scarlet Crusade into joining with the Argent Dawn. Though that had already been attempted several times it was thought with Aceena’s reputation she would have more impact of the zealots.
“I came to ask you to let go of your insanity Whitemane,” Aceena shouted. She and the High Inquisitor Whiteman had been arguing in the Cathedral for many hours at this point. The guards had allowed her to pass only because it was thought she would join with them.
“Aceena, why do you persist to aid possible members of the Scourge,” Whiteman sighed. “I know of Balthis, the stories say he died saving you. Though you were supposedly unconscious you seemed to know it was a member of the Forsaken who killed him. You have every reason to join with us Paladin.”
“I will not,” Aceena said defiantly. “If you do not wish to reason Whiteman, then I’ll fulfill the contingency plan of the Cathedral and kill you here.”
“Then you truly have gone mad…” Whiteman snapped her fingers and from every corner of the room Scarlet warriors poured.
It was Aceena’s helmet that had been returned to Stormwind, cracked and covered in blood. The people mourned her death, friends and fellow warriors gathered and told stories of her. However what was found later on shocked all of them, inside of Aceena’s home in Darnassus were books on Necromancy and several on the powers used by Warlocks, notes written by Aceena about the Scourge and other members of the Burning Legion. No one knew what it was she was attempting to uncover but far from the confused and grieving people of the Human lands something stirred beneath the earth. The Forsaken town of Deathknell had a large graveyard on the hill behind the town and down in the crypt scratching came from beneath the floor.
Then a plate armored fist broke through the stone…