Arzid's Story

[Laron]

Azrid,
I know we haven’t spoken since the death of our Father, but I need your help. I await you in the town of Rachet.

Your Brother,
Laron

Azrid looks at the letter his Older brother had sent him and wonders why he had even bothered to come to the Pirate town. Laron had never been there for him, always off doing something illegal, or off with some woman. But Laron was the eldest and since their Father had died, Laron was the head of his family, and he had honored his father’s wishes.

Reaching the edge of Duskwood, Azrid knows that he will have to cross the haunted woods before he could make camp. The things in these woods don’t sleep at night, and in his current condition he could not do much of anything. Running was not an option, and fighting was out of the question. The journey through the jungle was not a kind one. The bandages wrapped around his broken ribs, reminded him of the kick he had received from the large Tauren that he had encountered leaving Booty Bay. The headstrong Tauren wanted to make sure Azrid understood that he was the dominate one. “He made his point.” Azrid thought trying not to laugh too much, because it hurt too much. Holding his ribs he scratched behind Spot’s ear, who starts to purr, and says. “It’s a good thing I have you here my friend.”

Cutting through the back of the woods, trying to avoid the road like the plague, Azrid comes across a fresh set of tracks. Carefully kneeling down, he places his fingers in the dirt around the track. He sees the distinctive pattern and the light claw marks from the back feet. “A large cat?” He the sees the second set of tracks. Barely visable, obviously made by an Elven female. The boot marks hardly made an indention, not like the clumsy Humans that inhabit the town to the East.

Arzid RedThorn
Cinder of Tears of the Phoenix

((Different time but close to now, and yes the GM named my Rake Spot))

[Aendra]

Quietly padding through the forest of Duskwood, Aendra scanned her range of vision for any glint of light. Her Gnomish tutor of engineering had suggested that she use this area to find metals usable in her work, at her level of expertise. It was becoming harder and harder to do the work, but she felt that she could keep up with it if she kept at it enough.

While she was fascinated by the subject, and eager to learn more, she couldn't help but take her time, taking in the subtle beauty of the foliage. The way the sun just barely penetrated the leaves left the place feeling almost like a shelter, made by nature. Here, sometimes, she even felt most at home, despite the amount of undead creeping amongst the trees. They were easily finished off, and yet they seemed to multiply in number, a constant nuisance.

"Why relax on the humid beaches when you can have this lush beauty and adventure melded together so wonderfully?" she thought to herself, smiling at her cat, Maern, whom was keeping perfect time with her footsteps. "More often than not you even find coin on those undead.. and I need it more than they do."

Even now, however, she noticed one of the wandering bags of bones. Grinning maliciously, she nodded to Maern, motioning for him to attack while she raised her homemade gun from her side, taking careful aim at the brittle creature before letting off a shot, the loud noise echoing off the trees, easily heard within short distance.

[Laron]

Hearing the loud explosion of a rifle, Azrid hobbles at a quickened pace towards the sounds of a fight. Spot eagerly wants to run ahead, but also does not want to leave his masters side. Azrid motions for him to scout. “I’ll be fine.” Spot slinks low to the ground and doesn’t make a sound walking through the underbrush. He breaches the bushes to see a grey striped tiger, fighting a dead walker. He leaps from his hidden spot with a mighty roar, tearing the arm off of the shambling dead. Landing with soft feet on the ground, he extends his claws and strikes at the foul smelling creature. The Undead is then struck in the head by another gunshot, and it falls to the ground. Spot stops to exchange friendly sniffs with the new Moon cat. He then turns to the two leg holding the thunder stick. Sniffing the air, it is female and defiantly a night elf. He slowly walks over to Aendra and sniffs her more closely. Just then Azrid walks into the clearing. With a sharp whistle, he calls Spot to his side. Holding his rifle in one hand and his side with his other hand, he says. “Sorry, he is a very curious.”

[Aendra]

Aendra smirks mischeviously at the Night Elf, emitting a low whistle, calling Maern to her side. She quickly scanned over the two new arrivals, making sure that they meant her no harm before speaking.

"Quite all right.. however, that really wasn't necessary. To attack that undead, you know. I had it taken care of," she says, returning her gun to its place at her side as Maern took a protective stance beside her, baring his teeth a bit, ready to pounce on command.

"Curious though.. you don't see many live ones around here, not outside town. What would someone like yourself be doing out here on a fine day like this? Surely there are more attractive locations," she says, contradicting her own opinion about the forest as she speaks, not entirely sure that she likes the thought of company.

[Laron]

Still holding his side, to try to subside the pain of talking, Azrid says "Spot gets a little over anxious when it come to the Undead. Don't you boy?" Scratching his freind behind his ear. "Name is Azrid Redthorn, I came from Botty Bay on an errand." Sitting down to rest, which he thought would be more comfortable on his ribs, but was wrong. Seeing that her large cat is still not at ease with his presense, he looks through his pack and pulls a small fish from it and emits a low friendly cat sound. "It's okay I will not harm your master." Winching in pain, Azrid shifts slightly and says "As much as I dislike this forest for its cursed ways, I am in no condition to take a griffon." Setting the fish down at his feet, he takes another "treat" out for Spot and has him take it from his hand. "So what brings a Night elf as yourself here?"

[Aendra]

Aendra nods a bit, reaching down to her companion to scratch behind his ears, letting him know that there is no danger. Although she is fairly certain that the male's words are true, she keeps her hand on her gun as she speaks.

"An errand? What sort of errand would those goblins have you doing up here? As for me.. I'm here scouting out some silver veins. Not of much importance to you."

She eyes him carefully, letting her gaze linger on his torso at hearing about his "condition", quickly noting that he has at least one broken rib, and is therefore not much of a threat, hostile or not. She relaxes her muscles a bit, apprehension subsiding. Thinking that she might have been a little rude before, she offers her own name.

"Er.. and my name's Aendra, by the way. Aendra Lilewyn. What happened to your ribs?"

[Laron]

Frowning, Azrid looks off absently wirh anger. "I wish it was the goblins that wanted me to travel to their city. I was summoned by my Eldest Brother to Ratchet for my tracking skills only to have him not need me after all." Spot finishes his treat and lies down next to Azrid. "In the Booty Bay tavern I ran into a Tauren with a chip on his shoulder. He was with his traveling companions and wanted to show that even unarmed he was tougher than me." Smiling and trying not to chuckle, he says "He didn't expect me to be able to break his arm in a fist fight." Holding his ribs again and trying to ignor the pain as he took another deep breath. "I supose to them, being hurt by a little elf is insulting, so he kicked me with his huge hoof. Not sure how many ribs he broke, but I am heading to Stormwind to try and find a healer." The obvious dislike in Azrid's face told that he really didn't like cities. "So You are a miner huh? I do a bit of that from time to time. Makes me some money when I can sell in at auction." Looking in his pack he sats, "in fact here take these I have been carrying them around for too long and the weight really doesn't help my ribs." He hands Aendra a couple bars of siler and bronze.

[Aendra]

Aendra blinks for a moment before accepting the shining bars, Maern watching protectively while she stows them away in her bag.

"Well you don't need to give me anything, I could just hold onto them until later. I am sorry to hear about that Tauren. Sometimes they can be rough around the edges, but they're usually more peaceful than most humans.

I do a bit of First Aid with a woman in the Cathedral in Stormwind.. perhaps you would accept some bandaging? I'm not an expert just yet, but maybe it would help. I have a couple of mageweave cloths here, it would take just a moment. No sense in walking around completely wounded."

She begins to rifle around in her pouch, coming up with a few bits of white cloth, a needle, and thread, beginning work on the healing device without waiting for an answer. Her eyes, however, flicker back and forth between her work and the Night Elf, a bit unsure of him.

[Laron]

Seeing her make an advance towards Azid, Spot gives a slight growl, which is cut short as Azrid abrutly snaps his fingers at the large cat. "Well I hope you are better at this than I am." The only Night elf he has ever been wronged by was his own blood, so he doesn't even look down to see that she doesn't hurt him.

Removing his tunic and vest he sits bare chested as she starts to unwrap his sloppy bandage job. There is a bruise that covers the left side of his upper ribs and a break in the skin from the hoof. He keeps his eyes on the trees around them watching for Undead that loom in the darkness, ocasionally he looks down at her, as she gently does her work. Her touch is like eletcricty, it send chills down his spine. He hasn't been touched by anyone in such a long time, he had almost forgotten what it was like.

When she is done, Azrid feels well enough to at least shoot and maybe weild his axe. Smiling at her He says "Thank you very much. I am glad I ran into such a kind woman." Feeling a little exposed, he blushes as he puts his shirt back on. "Don't worry about the bars, I don't use them for anything, just sell them to pay for ammo." Spot walks over and sniffs Azrid's side and then rubs Aendra on the hand. Azrid is a little taken back by the beauty of this hunter, but doesn't say anything. He wishes that he had his brothers wit to say something, he was always good at those things. One more thing his older brother was better at.

Smiling, trying not to blush again, he says "Well since I am okay to travel now, thanks to your healing touch. Do you need some help with your mining? I really do not have any plans, I go where my feet take me."

[Aendra]

Aendra smiles down at Spot as he nuzzles her hand, giving him a light pat on the head as Maern watches jealously. When he gives a slight growl, she glances over, a warning look on her face. He almost seems to smirk at her, licking her hand before lying at her feet.

"That was quite an injury.. I'm surprised you've been able to make it this far from there. You must have quite a bit of willpower. But please, don't call me kind. It was painful for me, watching you move like you were. I hope I didn't hurt you while I was bandaging you; you looked a bit uncomfortable," she said, winking roguishly, remembering the odd look on his face. She knew she had not hurt him that much, in all truth, because she had been very careful. His polite demeanor and his muscular physique were making her almost glad to have met him on her quest for metals.

"At any rate.. I thought you had to be getting to Stormwind? My nursing is well enough, but it's not as good as the healers there, and I might not have done enough.. " she trails off, not really thinking about what she's saying, only just now realizing that she's ushering him off without intending.

[Laron]

Blushing at first, Azrid looks away and tries to hide his now purple cheeks. He had been a loner most of his life, and more concerned with learning the ways of nature, than to pursue the comforts of women. “Oh… no you did a good job. Barely felt you… I mean uh, you were gentle as a rabbit… Umm I mean… Thank you. Trying to muster up what he had left of his dignity. “I’ll be okay. I’m tougher than I look.” Disappointed Azrid smiles at her he stands up and puts his silver plated shotgun over his shoulder. “Well I should be going. Night time comes too fast here and the Dead don’t seem to ever sleep.” Looking around, he cannot see Spot, who was playing with spider at the time. With a two click sound, Azrid calls Spot to his side. Turning back to Aendra, he tries to hide his pain, and says “I want to see you again… Eh I mean I hope our paths cross again.” Turning to walk he thinks to himself.

“Wow you are such a ladies man, it a wonder they aren’t lining up to court you, with you being such a smooth talker. Why did this come so easily to Laron? The sissy can’t track a wounded Kodo, but he always seemed to have some girl sneaking into his room at night.” By now he realizes that he is talking to himself out loud. The growl from Spot caused him to look up and see that he had drawn attention to them by his muttering.

Three Undead had heard them coming a mile away. Their eyes were devoid of the fleshy orbs of sight, yet they knew exactly where he was. All of them had the same look on their face, and Arzrid didn’t need to be an expert at animal instinct to tell what emotion they felt. “Hunger” Too close for him to draw his rifle and shoot, He grabs his axe and tries to assume his fighting stance. Spot waits for his master’s signal on which to attack first. The pain in his ribs hurts more with every breath. “This is not going to go well.” Pointing at the one that looked the most decayed, he give Spot the nod. Spot sprints at the walking corpse and leaps into the air pouching the creature to the ground, and turns to the other. Azrid realizing it was his large axe that was causing a lot of his pain, drops it and lays down a Fire trap for the rotting undead to step on as it shambles towards him.

[Aendra]

Aendra laughed quietly to herself as the Night Elf wandered away, taking up her pack and gun again. She knew, however, that he was making far too much noise to go unnoticed in the forest, his injuries forcing him to walk with less than perfect grace. The Undead would prey upon any who did not seem strong enough, and while the bang of her rifle did not draw them, surely his shuffling through the forest would.

"Maern.. come," she whispered softly, cocking her head in the direction of Azrid. "He'll probably get into trouble." She smiled a bit as the cat rose, looking fiercly about himself, as though to ward off predators. Her thoughts lingered on the strength and power behind the cat for a moment, until she heard twigs cracking as Azrid wandered along.

Silently she followed him, her rifle at the ready. Within moments, she had caught up, watching his trek through the forest. He had been muttering to himself, which was not good at this time of day. Surely he should have known this, but.. she paused, seeing the Undead making their way toward him.

She nodded to Maern, sending him to the injured elf's side, aiming her rifle at the strongest looking of the tree, taking a shot.

[Laron]

As the Zombie walked right over Azrid’s fire trap, it quickly lights of fire, but keeps walking. “Oh, that was a bad idea…” He thinks as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small piece of thick leather. Placing it in his mouth he bites down hard, to stop from making more noise as he tried to move with broken ribs. He draws his much lighter sword as he starts his dance of blade and fire, with the now flaming undead.

As Spot turns to the other undead, it is tackled by another large animal. Quickly sniffing the air he can tell it is Maern. Finishing off the undead he had pounced, he turns to help his injured master.

Azrid tries to fight off the attacks of the burning zombie, he hears the sound of a gun. Fearing attack by someone not so friendly to the alliance, Azrid turns suddenly to see a pair of Elven ears pointing out from a scope. “Oh thank Elune it was not meant for me!” Turning around, he lops off the outstretched hand of the undead. The zombie stops moving as the back of it’s head, explodes from the bullet shot from Aendra. Backing up to avoid the falling, burnt corpse, he takes the piece of leather out of his mouth and puts it back into his pocket.

Smiling at this change in events, Azrid realizes that she was following him. “I would normally say, I could have handled that, but thank you for the help.” He starts to say something about maybe walking with him, when he starts to cough. A hard wet cough, he reaches up to cover his mouth, then the pain of his breathing worsens. Pulling his hand away, he realizes he is coughing up blood. Oh great, this looks attractive.” He thinks to himself. Dropping to one knee he continues to cough. Forcing himself to focus he takes out a bandage and starts to clean his hand. The scent of blood would surely attract more spiders. Looking back at Aendra He stands back up and dabs the corners of his mouth, and tosses the bandage into the small fire of the undead. “I… don’t know how to ask this, but would you walk with me? I don’t mean to be a bother, but I don’t know if I will survive another attack. And… I… Er Spot and I would like the company…”

[Aendra]

Aendra nods gravely as she straps her gun to herself once more, her eyes finding Maern's for a moment, seeming to instruct him to come back to her side. She looked bothered by the blood he was coughing up, walking towards him, offering her arm as support.

"I'm sorry about the bullet.. I realize it was close, but you needed help. I knew it when you walked away - the undead can sense weakness, at times, and you're not in your best state.

I'll accompany you to Stormwind, of course, you're worse than I thought. You'd better let me support you though, it won't be an easy journey.. coughing up blood isn't a good sign. Perhaps I should take your pack or axe? I don't want you being broken down completely, should the smell of that blood get out. You'll have to stand on your own if spiders should come.

Not a bother at all, by the way, I was heading back to Stormwind. The bars I've got are enough for a bit of training, at least."

Her mind's train of thought switches to the metals in her bag, thinking of what a price she could fetch for them. But no, it would pay off in the long run, to train and make the contraptions of the gnomes. Too bad she couldn't get more before taking this man back to the city.

"Anyway," she thought to herself, "Don't want this fellow spreading my name badly, telling about my unkindness or anything. Bad for business."

[Laron]

Mustering up the most pleasant smile he can, he says “I would like that. You sure it isn’t too much trouble. I’m sure I could make it on my own. Spot is a good boy, he can handle just about anything I…” The cough returned, this time not as much as when he exerted himself. But he still coughed up blood. He was grateful to have found a Night Elf in this place, a Human would have probably left him here, and went about their day. As she came to his side he slid his arm over her shoulder and tried to stand up. Feeling embarrassed at feeling so helpless Azrid knew he should had stayed in the cape and healed up, but he didn’t like cities, even small ones like Bootie Bay. Being so close to her he could smell her scent. It was rugged, yet different than his. From the scent of the pheromones, it was definitely female. He hadn’t been this close to a woman before. She wasn’t anything he had imagined. Strong and firm, not the frail skinny thing he always thought women were. So different… With Aendra’s help, he raises to his feet, and hands her his Axe, she can feel the electricity flow through it, making her hair start to stand on end. He puts his pack around Spots neck, who starts to protest, but is cut short, with a look from Azrid’s painful face.

Walking along the road, he asks her. “Not to be nosey, but what do you do with the metals? I just sell mine.” As they come to the bridge to Westfall Azrid is relieved. “At least I can rest a bit and not have to worry about undead…”

[Aendra]

Aendra does her best to show no sign of straining as she holds the Night Elf up. Although she is strong, her fighting skills lie in her gun, so she isn't as strong as a warrior of her own kind, making supporting Azrid and the axe a bit tough. She doesn't want him to see any weakness in her, however, so she keeps her face stoic. Maern followed beside them without any prompting from his mistress, watching the forests protectively for any sort of danger. When they come to Westfall, she speaks, leaning on a post near the bridge while Azrid rests himself.

"Didn't I tell you? I use them in my engineering.. tinkering, making things.. although I think I'm going to give it up soon. Just no good at it. I should stick to what I'm good at.. finding herbs and flowers for healing and the like. It might be a bit more dull, but it's enjoyable enough. What do you do, besides get kicked by Tauren in inns?"

[Laron]

Holding his side as he laughs, trailing off with an “Owh…” Leaning back he says “Spot and I travel from place to place. I do a bit of skinning and mining. It helps to keep food in our bellies, but I don’t have a trade to speak of. Oh and on the off seasons, I like to get kicked by Taurens…” As they get to a clearing in the tall grass on Westfall, he takes the pack off of Spot, who shakes his mane and looks at Azrid anxiously. “Okay okay, you can go… Just bring me back something I can cook this time, alright?” Spot runs off over the hill to go “play” with the boars and vultures. “So an engineer huh? They make some nice rifles. Though looking at yours, I would say you already know. My Guild leader made me one, for my birthday last year.” He takes out his flint and striking rock, and starts to gather some smaller twigs for a fire.

Trying not to stare at her, he builds a small fire but waits to light it till his friend comes back. He had never really paid much attention to females. He had heard stories from others, but never really cared to spend any time with one. He always figured they were all concerned with girl things… But Aendra was a harden hunter just as he was. Not like the women in Stormwind, he had hastily walked by, dodging their flirtatious callings. Realizing that he has been staring this whole time, He blushes again and tries to act as though he hadn’t, but is real bad at hiding it. “Sooo, what made you decide to become a Hunter? My Father was a great hunter, before he passed on, he taught me all that he knew.” Just then, Spot comes over the hill dragging a boar in his jaws. As he gets closer they can hear him purring.

[Aendra]

Aendra chuckles a bit, noticing the Night Elf's distinct lack of composure around her, but deciding not to comment for the moment. She relaxes herself on the ground now, looking a bit edgy as she speaks, as though she has somewhere to be.

"I'm just good with a gun, is all.. truth be told, I'd be better off switching to bows, with my line of work and everything. We do like to be discreet. I just can't give up this thing yet though, not quite.." she says, her voice trailing off as she looks into the distance, closing her eyes for a moment, seeming to inhale deeply, as though sniffing something out.

"Perhaps we should see if we can find a mage around here.. get you to Stormwind all the faster, can't they, with their magicks? I'd forgotten I needed to be somewhere tonight.. a bit of gold involved, you see.. but I'm not going to leave you here," she says, smiling, although her eyes look a bit distracted.

[Mynikens]

Mynikens was on her way to the Jungle of Stranglethorn. Walking through the tall grass, it anoyed her beyond all belief. "Ican'tseeanything!" She said abscently to herself. With a quick wave of flame, she incinerates the grass ten feet around her. She gives an evil grin, and says "Muchbetter." Just then she sees Spot playing with a wild boar. "Oh that is Azrids pet, I wounder how he is doing, I haven't heard from him in quite some time." She thinks as she Blinks ahead to try to catch the large lion. "Hemovesofast..." She says out of breath as she comes over the hill. There she can see Arzrid sitting with a pretty Night Elf. As she get closer she notices that he is injured. With one last Blink she arrives in their small camp. "GoodeveningCinder" She says Saluting him. As he starts to stand, she waves her little hand at him, and says "Asyouwere. Youareinjured, Idonotexpectyoutostand." Clearing her throat, she doesn't wait for Azrid to introduce her. Holding her robe out she gives the Night Elf a curtsey, and says in a slow pace "My name is Mynikens Flamesproket, Inferno of Tears of The Phoenix." Turning back to Azrid, she is worryed about her child. "Whathapenedear?"

[Laron]

Hearing the sound of someone landing just feet from them, Azrid reaches for his rifle, but stops, seeing it is Mynikens. Spot doesn’t even turn around, because he had smelled her a while ago. Instinctively he starts to stand to salute her, but he is waved off to remain sitting. “Well Mistress, I was in Bootie bay, and had a run in with an over aggressive Tauren.” Holding his ribs, he said long story short, this very nice Lady was kind enough to escort me through Dusk Wood.” Starting the fire, he starts to dress the pig, and asks. “You want some Pork ribs?”

[Mynikens]

Her eyes go wide as he talks of dinner. “Areyouinsane?! Youprobablyhaveinternalbleeding!” Being trained as a Triage Medic, Mynikens knows just how bad a punctured lung can get. Starting to feel sick with worry, she says “Let me see what happened to you.” Checking the bandaging on his ribs, she sniffs the wound, wipes the sweat from her small brow and breaths a sigh of relief that his wound has not gotten infected with Jungle Rot. “This will do for now, whoever wrapped this did a good job.” She smiles back at the other hunter, knowing that Azrid can barely take care of himself, when it comes to the art of healing. She takes out her spell book and starts to thumb through it, for her teleportation spell. “I know how much you hate cities, but you need to go now. What were you doing in that goblin town anyway?”

[Laron]

Azrid can almost see the flame starting to flicker on her fingertips, as she takes a deep breath and calms herself. Lowering his head in shame, he says “I am sorry Mistress, but he commanded it, and you I must obey the head of my house.” He looks back up at her burning yellow eyes, and says “He told me he will never call on me again.” Thinking back to the days events, he wished he hadn’t gone in the first place. After his meeting though, he thinks “Maybe Laron had changed.” Azrid turns to Aendra, and says. “Thank you for all of your help, I hope to see you again.”

((Hope I got your part right Mistress.))

[Mynikens]

(Close enough sweety.)

Mynikens hears that Azrid had met with his brother, a disobedience of a direct order from her. Her anger builds like a forest fire. Her Blaze ordering her Cinder to do what she had told both of them to never do. Knowing the history of the two she had almost not aloud Azrid to join her ranks, but he came so highly recommended by members of her guild she let him join. She told both of them that they were to never meet, because she would not abide having members of her guild fight amongst themselves. The insolence! She would deal with Laron later… Taking a cleansing breath, she clears her mind, so she can form the words of her spell.

Her eyes roll back into head as she begins to speak. The World starts to turn in on itself in a focused area. Mynikens maintains her speech, calm and articulate. As she finishes the incantation, the portal explodes open. A shimmering ring of light surrounds a window to inside the Mage’s guild of Stormwind. Slumping down, drained from focusing her will to bend space, she says to Azrid. “In you go Dear…” She says to Aendra. “Thank you for all your help dear. I need to make you something nice to show my gratitude.” She then watches Azrid as he and Spot inter the portal, and then she steps through it herself.