The small pack of rations wasn’t nearly enough to feed those gathered around begging for a few scraps of food. Ebonywind frowned as she handed the last chunk of bread to a grateful child that quickly scampered off with her prize. The rest of those gathered slowly dispersed to search elsewhere for a meal when they realized she had nothing left to give. She watched them move back among the tumbled stones and wreckage of the Lower City of Shattrath.
Makeshift refugee camps spread out around city just behind the first wall. A second terrace stood before her but she had yet to make it through the Lower City. The stories she heard of what had once been a magnificent Draenei city did not prepare her for the near ruin she stepped into while making her way to her next posting in Terrokar. Tumbled stone and trash littered the area. The paths leading from one place to another were nothing more than where the ground had been worn down to dirt as bodies made their way around the ruins or tents. The smoke from small fires, some with makeshift pots dangling precariously over them, choked the air. The noise of different voices, some guttural and loud, some melodic and soothing, blended together in a cacophony of sound that left the senses confused.
She carefully led Naha through the crowds, making her way up to the upper terrace. As she emerged from the tunnel she saw a gathering of Draenei troops training for battle. A few Blood Elves stood to the side conversing among themselves, yet dressed in their own battle gear. A sense of urgency permeated the air in this section of the city. Couriers rushed about carrying messages. She could hear orders being barked in a strange language she didn’t understand. As she made her way through the bustle, she felt someone grab her arm and shove something into her hand.
She turned and stared into the blue-skinned face of a very large and well armored Draenei.
“Take this to Aldor rise. And be quick about it!”
Before she could protest he had already turned back to a cluster of other warriors talking in heated tones in that strange language she’d heard earlier.
With a mental shrug she turned around and looked for her destination. After wandering a few moments she hailed a passing guard and asked him where she could find Aldor Rise. He pointed up and she saw it. A great ledge above the wall of the city accessible by a strange stone lift. She’d seen many types of lifts in her time. Her people constructed them for Thunder Bluff and other locations where they built villages out of the reach of others. What was strange about this one was that it had no pulleys that she could see. No mechanisms whatsoever.
She urged Naha up the ramp that led to the lift and tapped it cautiously with her hoof before stepping on. With a motion that set her stomach on edge, the platform whisked her to the top where she did not waste any time disembarking.
The area was larger than she had imagined. Ahead of her a great temple rose from the stone. To both sides buildings bustled with activity. A waterfall splashed idly to her left and when she looked up to see the source, gasped to find the water poured out of a small island floating in the middle of the air. Still staring at it, she moved forward to find someone to deliver the strange parcel to.
She came across yet another armored Draenei and approached him cautiously as he sent a group of marksmen on their way.
He frowned when he noticed her and her hands twitched, ready to pull her weapons should she need them. Draenei were associated with the Alliance. Though she had heard this city was neutral ground, she still had her doubts.
“Well?” He said tersely, looking pointedly at her.
Ebonywind stared for a moment and held out the small package in her hand. “I was told to bring this here.”
He took the package and quickly opened it, examining the contents before wrapping it back up. “This goes to the temple,” he said, pointing and shoved it back into her hands.
She frowned as he moved away and began issuing orders to others that had arrived. With a sigh she laid Naha’s reins over the kodo’s neck and gave the command for the beast to wait for her. A smug satisfaction came over her as she realized the massive animal stood right in the middle of the path up the stairs to the temple, forcing the Draenei standing there to move or get wholloped by her slowly swaying tail.
Ebonywind could feel a great swelling of power as she stepped into the temple and slowed her steps. She felt no danger in it, but it was strange and surrounded everything. A soft glow lit the room and the Draenei males and females that moved about quietly. A tall, elegant Draenei female with warm eyes approached her finally and smiled. While Ebonywind had felt nervous around the armored male outside, this female radiated warmth and safety.
“Greetings, stranger. May I be of assistance?”
Ebonywind swallowed hard and held out the package. “I was told this needed to come here.”
The female smiled and gently took the package. “And I’m sure someone just shoved it at you as you stepped into the city, barked an order and sent you on your way without even so much as a “by-your-leave”, didn’t they?”
Ebonywind shrugged and nodded.
The female turned and passed the package to a young Draenei male who bowed to her and took it away.
“I thank you for your kindness in bringing it. You look road weary, though. May I offer you some refreshment? Or perhaps-” she smiled as she pointedly looked over Ebonywind’s shoulder where Naha still stood, feet planted firmly, at the bottom of the steps as the Draenei male at the bottom tried vainly to get her to move, “-something for your mount that seems to be perplexing Adyen so?”
Ebonywind hunched her shoulders, suddenly feeling a bit guilty as the woman smiled at her. She chuckled gently as she led Ebonywind to a table with a carafe of a curious lavender drink and some crystal cups. “It will help him to remember humility and patience,” she said, pouring the liquid into two cups and handing one to Ebonywind. “I am High Priestess Ishanah. You are one of the Tauren from Azeroth, though you are not familiar to me. Are you new to the city?”
Ebonywind nodded, carefully sipping the juice. It was sweet and refreshing and unlike anything she had ever had before. “I am Ebonywind of the Golden Plains.”
Ishanah studied her for a moment and as she met her gaze, Ebonywind suddenly felt as if she were speaking with a soul as old as the winds themselves. She shivered, feeling exposed by that gaze and looked away first.
“At first,” Ishanah said setting her glass on the table, “I thought you had come to this place to seek the Aldor. Something about you calls. Draws you on.”
Ebonywind shivered, the reminder of the constant calling in her mind piercing her.
“While the Light watches over and protects all good beings, I see now you are not a follower. Something else – or perhaps someone – watches over you. The presence is strong. Do you not feel it?”
Ebonywind shook her head, unable to look at Ishanah. “I cannot feel it.”
The priestess frowned slightly. “I think we are just a rest along your journey path, Ebonywind of the Golden Plains. There is somewhere else you must be. Come, I will show you to the Caregiver. You may rest safe among the Aldor tonight. But tomorrow, you must continue your journey.”
Ebonywind nodded and let the priestess lead her to another building, unable to find the words to speak to her further. Her mind was awhirl as she was introduced to yet another Draenei female who showed her to a small room with a plush bunk to rest in for the night. She hadn’t spoken to anyone to the strange feeling that plagued her. Had not even spoken of it to Grizz. It pulled and pulled still and she could not find the source, yet this strange priestess had mentioned it from nothing.
She sighed and stripped out of her armor, stretching out on the bunk. Naha was bedded down nearby with a bin of fresh grasses. Daega was fawned over by the stable hands and bundled up into a small stall near Naha where Chicken also made herself comfortable. Tonight, at least, they would all rest warm and safe. Tomorrow she would pursue this strange feeling again.
Entries (RSS)