(2022-07-28) Horse's Haunted

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	Dame Briellen Clay, with the help of Sir Elohad Ference and Brother Vond Satterly, begins her paladin trials to obtain her charger.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Holy Trials

Assembled outside Stormwind Cathedral are Vond, Briellen, and her squire Edwin, who waits with a horse at hand.

Briellen: Brother Vond, thank you for coming. I am expecting one more, a Sir Elohad Ference. Are the two of you acquainted?

Vond shakes his head lightly, guarding his eyes from the sun with his hat. "'Fraid not. But you and he are, Dame Clay?"

Briellen: Yes. He is one of the captains of a group known as Cobalt Company, and his people have been of great assistance in the past. I will recognize him when I see him.

Edwin: Silver Hand, wasn't he?

Briellen nods.

Elohad: Dame Briellen?

Briellen raises a hand in greeting. "Sir Elohad, good afternoon. Thank you for coming."

Vond: Cobalt Company, alright. All the help we can get, I'll take, what with the support dryin' up lately. I'm shocked you heard from Shadowbreaker, frankly.

Edwin bows politely.

Elohad puts out his hand toward Bree.

Vond lifts his head with a nod to Elohad as he exchanges greetings with Bree.
Briellen shakes Elohad's hand. "As am I. Sir Elohad, this is Brother Vond, of the Argent Dawn."

Elohad smiles at Vond.

Elohad: Pleased to meet you, Brother Vond. You can call me Elo if you like.

Vond: Sir Ference, I'm told. I'm just along for a breath of fresh air and, y'know, get a gander at the process here.

Vond: Alright, Elo.

Vond seems more keen on the informality.

Briellen: And Edwin, my squire.

Elohad: The more the merrier! Let me step in and have a word with Shadowbreaker, hm? I'll be right back.

Briellen and Vond also start up the Cathedral steps.

Elohad: Oh, you coming along? Great.

Briellen calls to her squire, "We won't be long."

Vond: Hey, I just wanna meet the guy.

Elohad: Always so hot in Stormwind this time of year…

Vond: And bright.

They enter Stormwind Cathedral.

Elohad: Nicer in here.

Briellen bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.

Elohad: Shadowbreaker.

Elohad bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: I am glad to see you, Dame Briellen. I know that you have awaited word as to how to acquire your charger, and now that time has come.

Elohad smiles warmly at Briellen.

Vond stands by and does his best to look serious, but is clearly listening closely.

Elohad leans over and murmurs quietly to Brother Vond, "I'm hoping to learn a little something myself, here."

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker looks over Elohad and Vond. "These are your companions, for your trial?"

Elohad: That's right, m'lord.

Briellen: They are. Sir Elohad Ference the Enduring and Brother Vond.

Vond quirks a halfsmile, before snapping his eyes forward when looked over.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: I am Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker. Dame Briellen, are you ready to learn of your trial?

Briellen tries to stand up even straighter. It's not really possible. "I am, milord."

Elohad gives Briellen another warm, fatherly, crinkly-eyed smile.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: You will be surely tested in many different ways, but most importantly in your willingness to rise above numerous obstacles thrust before you. These are not done as a learning exercise - your stature is beyond simple educational tests. You must save your future companion from the clutches of the evil you have spent your life fighting.

Elohad's smile falters at that.

Briellen: I beg your pardon? I'm not sure I understand, milord.

Elohad opens his mouth, but thinks better of it and closes it.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: You will. There are two immediate tasks ahead of you, today.

Vond looks a little uncertain of himself in this setting, but forgets his selfconsciousness at the explanation, intent to hear more.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: In order to prepare yourself for this task, you must first show due sacrifice and judgment… with an emphasis on sacrifice. You must acquire High Priest Rohan's exorcism censer for your task. Even though its use will be for good and just reasons, due compensation must be given for it.

Briellen murmurs, "'Exorcism'?"

Elohad looks intrigued, now.

Vond raises his eyebrows slightly with recognition. Ah. That kind of sacrifice.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: Proceed to Ironforge and speak with the High Priest. By bringing ample coin with you to help offset the loss of his censer, it will show your due sacrifice. But before you go…

Briellen looks over at the others.

Elohad smiles warmly.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: A paladin's charger is nothing more than a pack animal without proper barding for it.

Briellen opens her mouth to speak up and then shuts it.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: The barding used by your charger not only needs to be of the finest materials possible, but because of the circumstances involved it must also be sufficiently attuned to the spirit realm.

Elohad is now looking at Grayson with narrowed eyes.

Briellen looks wary.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: First things first, Dame Briellen - let's get your barding made. In Stormwind's Dwarven District is one of the finest craftsmen living today, Grimand Elmore. His work will not be cheap, but his quality is what we seek. Speak with him.

Elohad: Ah yes, Elmore. He's definitely the best.

Briellen says, "Yes, milord," with a faint air of forced politeness.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: Go now, Dame Briellen. Time is of the essence. I wish you well on your trials, both for your sake and that of your future charger.

You bow before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.

Elohad bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.

Briellen looks at the others and gestures towards the exit.

Vond scans the floor briefly as if searching his thoughts for something, before mirroring the others quick bow and turning.

Elohad murmurs quietly, "Well, I've certainly learned something today…"

Briellen says, "I suspect he was trying to make some sort of a point, but… 'nothing but a pack animal'?"

Elohad: Right?

Briellen is frowning, now that she's out of earshot of the man.

Briellen: What an insensitive thing to say.

Elohad: I would not want to be that man's charger.

Briellen laughs out loud. "Nor would I."

Elohad winks slyly at Briellen.

Edwin: Where to, Dame Briellen? Will you be needing your horse now?

Vond: Finest materials, of course. Best not stay too long lest folks here deck you out head to toe in glittering gold.

Briellen chuckles, nodding to Vond. "We have two stops to make: one in the Dwarven District and one in Ironforge. Bring her along for now, Edwin? I am uncertain where we'll be sent afterwards."

Elohad: I can fetch Valiant. You need a ride, Brother Vond?

Vond: I wouldn't say no.

Edwin pats a rather plain-looking brown horse on the muzzle, "Yes, Dame Briellen." He takes her reins and follows along, leading the horse on foot. "Always fun, getting them on the tram."

Elohad: Not a problem. Valiant's carried two men before, plenty of times.

Elohad heads off to the area where paladins typically stable their mounts when visiting the cathedral. It totally exists.

Briellen: You've been doing rather well keeping them calm on the tram, Edwin.

Edwin: Aw, I do all right.

Elohad: This is Valiant.

Briellen: Valliant, hello. I'm Bree.

Briellen introduces herself to the horse with her nickname for some reason, holding a hand within sniffing distance.

Elohad: He's from the Balnir line. Classic paladin companion.

Edwin mutters, "Dame Briellen, your gauntlets."

Briellen: Oh!

Briellen removes one to try and gently pat Valiant.

Edwin: Beautiful horse, sir.

Vond: Nice of 'im to let me rest my feet.

Valiant doesn't seem to mind the patting, but nor does he seem particularly friendly. He's oddly stoic, almost distant.

Briellen puts her gauntlet back on.

Elohad: He is beautiful, isn't he?

Vond: Proper envious I am.

Elohad runs his knuckles along Valiant's neck under his mane in a way that suggests he knows Valiant likes that exact thing.

Edwin: Real lovely. He can wait outside with me and Chocolate while you go, uh…

Elohad dismounts and hands his reins to the squire. "Thanks, son."

Edwin looks around for the shop sign. He takes Valiant's reins.

Briellen: Supposedly this is the workplace of a master craftsman, Grimand Elmore.

Vond: Part with funds, most like.

Vond throws Edwin a wry glance.

Elohad winks slyly at Vond.

Briellen: He'll be making the barding.

Edwin winces sympathetically and nods.

Elohad: I do believe this man could armor a naaru if asked.

Briellen: Mr. Elmore?

Vond: You seen 'em? A naaru.

Elohad nods with a dreamy smile.

Grimand Elmore: Hello there, lass - Lord Shadowbreaker sent me word ahead of time that you'd be coming around this way to see me.

Briellen looks genuinely surprised. "He did?"

Grimand Elmore says: Aye. I'm willing to make the barding you need, but it won't be either cheap or easy; let's get that out in the open first and foremost.

Elohad looks unsurprised.

Briellen also looks unsurprised. "I can pay, Mr. Elmore."

Grimand Elmore: I will say this much, and Grayson will back me up when I make this claim… you'll not find better barding made anywhere in all of Azeroth than right here.

Vond tilts his head lightly, still looking curious over naaru, but manages to divert his attention to the proceedings.

Grimand Elmore: You'll need four things for the barding - runecloth for the lining, arcanite bars for the plating, Arthas' Tears for the spiritual attunement, and Stratholme holy water for the spiritual imbuement.

Elohad agrees with Grimand Elmore.

Elohad: We wouldn't trust the job to anyone else, Elmore.

Grimand Elmore grins proudly at Elohad. "I should hope not!"

Elohad winks slyly at Grimand Elmore.

Grimand Elmore offers Briellen a piece of paper. With the advance warning, apparently he's written her shopping list down.

Elohad: Oh, that's helpful!

Grimand Elmore: Actually, you need five things… gold for my fee. That fee includes all labor as well as a handcrafted saddle and stirrups. Once you've got all that, I'll be able to finish your barding. Until then, there are some things I can get started on for you while you assemble your collection of goods.

Vond: Well. Out of all that, least I got Tears to spare.

Elohad: Oh, nice. An herbalist are you? My wife is great with that stuff.

Briellen smiles at Vond. "Oh, do you? That's wonderful."

Vond: They're all over the place our neck of the woods. Hardly need to be an herbalist to scuff up on 'em now and again.

Elohad: I have some… problems telling colors apart. I've tried to help Nir find plants, but uhhh… I've made a few embarrassing mistakes.

Briellen: We'll get out of your beard and let you get started, Mr. Elmore. Thank you.

Vond: Better embarrassing than emetic.

Elohad: Ha!

Grimand Elmore: Aye, get a move on.

Briellen chuckles quietly.

Edwin: How much was it? Do I want to know?

Briellen looks down at the paper in her hand. "I'm not sure you do want to know, Ed."

Elohad gives Valiant another vigorous neck rub before pulling himself up into the saddle and offering Vond a hand.

Vond gives Edwin a faint wince and shake of the head. Nah man. Vond hoists up.

Edwin starts leading Chocolate towards the tram. "Welp."

Briellen: He did have a particular list of ingredients, because the barding needs to be… spiritually imbued somehow?

Edwin: Yeah?

Elohad's mount seems unconcerned by the rotating gear. Or by much of anything.
Briellen: Including, ah, holy water from Stratholme.

Edwin: Aw, why's it always holy water.

Elohad frowns slightly.

Briellen: They made the best.

Elohad dismounts and leads. Valiant's hooves clang-clop over the metal tiles.

Valiant seems as unbothered by the tram as anything else; his mane flutters in the breeze as he stands placidly and waits.

Chocolate seems a little uneasy at the speed of the tram and the crowds, but Edwin speaks quietly to her and she calms.

Vond quirks his jaw lightly at the conversation, opting to change the subject. "How'd he put it again? 'Attuned to the spirit realm'?"

Elohad carefully leads Valiant over the ramp. Valiant snorts once, then begins to snuffle the ground. Finding nothing to graze on, he lifts his head and waits.

Briellen: And he mentioned an exorcism.

Elohad: Yeah, sounds like this should be interesting.

Elohad: They didn't make me go through this; I guess I kind of got grandfathered in, as they say. Not that I like that term…

Briellen: It seems like perhaps he has a specific charger in mind?

Vond: Where exactly are you going to find this horse, Dame Clay. He's making it sound like something six ways of haunted.

Briellen: I haven't the slightest idea.

Edwin: Maybe it is? Haunted.

Elohad: Mine got assigned to me specifically as well. Maybe it's a thing.

Briellen: I've been waiting… years for this.

Elohad: The bond between horse and rider is pretty important for a paladin, so I think there is an element of… matchmaking?

Briellen: There is. So… I've been matched with a… possessed horse?

Vond: Well. Haunting isn't what's surprising, I imagine. More I'm not as much familiar with ghosts and sorrows what cling to a beast.

Elohad frowns thoughtfully.

Briellen sounds unsure. She's just guessing at this point.

Elohad: Are you particularly good with exorcisms?

Elohad peers at Briellen searchingly.

Briellen: I would say I'm… average?

Elohad: Hmmm. Well, there's obviously more to this, but I imagine it will be clearer in good time.

Briellen: Patience, yes.

Briellen sounds like she's also reminding herself of that.

Elohad smiles at Briellen.

Edwin: I'll just…

Edwin steps to the side.

Elohad hands the reins over again.

Briellen nods to Edwin.

Elohad waves at Brandur Ironhammer.

High Priest Rohan: Greetings, noble paladins! Lord Shadowbreaker has sent word.

Brandur Ironhammer: You're not changin' callings on me are ye Ference??

Elohad tells Brandur Ironhammer NO. Not going to happen.

Briellen raises her brows. "Greetings, High Priest."

High Priest Rohan: I have prepared my trusted censer with the freshest of incense and blessed it thrice for your use. Your donation will help us in Ironforge not only to create a new censer, but also to bolster sagging reserves of food for our needy.

Vond glances across to Elo as he seems to show some familiarity in the place, but lifts his palm politely to Rohan when greeted.

Briellen opens a coin purse and begins to count out… rather a lot of gold.

Vond appears particularly curious to get a look at the censer, emphatically looking away from the counting.

Elohad steadfastly ignores Ironhammer as he makes a series of good-natured rude faces at Elo.

High Priest Rohan looks a little shocked. "Blessings onto you, friend! Your donation goes far beyond what was needed."

High Priest Rohan: Your sacrifice will not only help us recover what we have lost, but also help us to help those most in need here in Ironforge.

Elohad nods at High Priest Rohan.

High Priest Rohan passes Briellen the censer. It looks fancy, and probably expensive, but definitely not THAT expensive.

High Priest Rohan says: With my blessings, take the censer. I myself have used it in several exorcisms, and it should serve you well for the arduous tasks that lie ahead.

Briellen: Thank you, High Priest.

Elohad eyes the censer, one brow rising slightly toward what would have been his hairline back in the day.

Vond seems inordinately fascinated with the craftsmanship.

High Priest Rohan: Return now to Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker in Stormwind, Dame Briellen. Your quest continues with him.

Briellen bows to the high priest and then turns, holding the censer up for Vond to examine.

Briellen: Well. The tram again, I suppose.

Elohad: Well, at least we're getting in some exercise.

Vond gives a low whistle. "Fine piece of work. It's certainly got the feel of, hm."

Edwin: How much… uh…

Briellen: I don't think you want to know, Ed.

Elohad thumps a hand over his belly critically.

Edwin offers Valiant's reins back to Elohad.

Elohad: Thanks.

Briellen runs a hand through her short-cropped hair. "I do still have enough to pay Mr. Elmore."

Elohad: Let me know if you run dry.

Briellen: Thank you, Sir Elohad, but unless he continues adding fees, I should be able to cover it. I have been… saving up for a circumstance like this.

Edwin: Aw, Bree, you aren't spending all of your money on this, right?

Briellen's silence is rather telling.

Elohad: Smart of you to have been saving. Not a lot of people have good sense with money, in my experience.

Vond: Getting recognized by Stormind and all, getting a charger. 'S probably worth it.

Briellen: I suppose I was always a little afraid that I would, mm, come across a horse that I connected with, and have to be able to buy them on the spot.

Elohad: Mm. My situation was a little different. I wasn't charged. I mean, not with Valiant.

Briellen: No?

Elohad: Paid through the nose for Gallant, but… they needed someone for Valiant. And apparently it had to be me.

Vond: Right place right time?

Elohad: Yeah.

Elohad gazes speculatively at his stoic equine companion.

Vond takes the opportunity of the second tram journey to lose himself in the sights for a spell, his eyes going somewhere distant into the waters.

Briellen: Were you, ah, acquainted with his first rider?

Elohad: I wasn't. But he must have been someone special.

Elohad sounds ever so slightly bitter, at that last.

Edwin: Aw, I'm sure you're someone special too, sir.

Elohad sighs at Edwin.

Briellen shoots a glance over her shoulder at her squire.

Elohad gives a strange laugh.

Edwin: …Was that odd? Sorry.

Elohad: In some circles, I'm kind of a big deal, I guess.

Edwin: All the best kind of a big deal folks don't act like it.

Elohad: Yeah. I'm trying my best to be one of those.

Briellen: Ah.

Elohad: It's funny how you can be no one in one room, and everyone in another. You know? Unless you're a king, there's always someone who's never heard of you. Keeps you grounded.

Edwin: Eh, I'm always nobody, but I get what'cha mean.

Elohad: So far! Who knows what the future holds.

Briellen hums thoughtfully.

Edwin: Good luck in there?

Elohad: And you know what, Edwin, I'm sure to someone, you're everything.

Elohad smiles at Edwín.

Briellen clears her throat.

Edwin: Aw, well, thanks, sir.

Vond: Feelin' a little unworldly now that this is a first acquaintance.

Elohad smiles at Vond.

Briellen: It's true. I rely greatly on your presence, Ed.

Edwin turns a little pink and mumbles something like 'aw, thanks,' again.

Elohad: Like I say, it's a "certain circles' thing. Y'know? Some people squeal at the sight of me and others just say, "Elowho?"

Elohad waves at Brother Sarno.

Briellen nods to the priest as she passes.

Briellen straightens her shoulders a little as they enter the room with Lord Shadowbreaker.

Elohad bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.

Briellen bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.

Vond goes back to looking serious, the squint brought on by the sunlight dampening once inside.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: Welcome back, Dame Briellen and company. I see you have acquired the exorcism censer.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker looks over the censer Briellen is carrying and nods. "Yes, this will do."

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: You will be called upon more than once during this process to make acts of sacrifice; I am glad to see that you are willing to do just that. Sacrifice is a key component in what it takes to uphold the duties of being a paladin… but I don't have to lecture you on that. Now, Dame Briellen, you will need to show due judgment in your actions. To that end, this censer will act as your vessel to dispense such judgment on tortured spirits of lands lost to us.

Vond quirks his jaw to the side again.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker takes the censer from Briellen momentarily. He opens up a little pouch and sprinkles a pinch of something that looks like dirt into the censer, then hands it back.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: I have added a pinch of dirt from the tainted ground of Terrordale in the Eastern Plaguelands to the censer.

Elohad: Ahhh.

Elohad sobers.

Briellen nods. "I'm familiar with the location, milord."

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: You will now use this censer to find areas there that show signs of spiritual turmoil and disturbance. Look for green auras that permeate the ground as the physical world buckles under the torment of the spirit realm and use the censer to drive out the evil spirits.

Vond momentarily looks as though he's biting back a comment.

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: When you have passed sufficient judgment on the spirits there, you will be ready to proceed.

Briellen bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.

Briellen: I understand, milord.

Elohad bows as well, not quite suppressing a sigh.

Vond: Rest will be given 'em sir.

Briellen: I will return to you when this task has been completed.

Elohad mutters something about bailing out a leaky boat.

Edwin: So, uh, you ready to go… exorcise a horse?

Elohad: If only.

Vond: They really gotta go and call it 'Terrordale' these days, haven't they.
Briellen shakes her head. "He gave us a preliminary task. We're headed to 'Terrordale', to exorcise the spirits there."

Briellen grimaces.

Vond gives his head a light shake.

Edwin: Welp. I'm sure you'll do just fine.

Elohad gives Vond a knowing look and a half-smile.

Edwin: Flying there, then? I can make arrangements for the horses.

Elohad: Working in the Plaguelands makes me feel old. I mean I am old, I just don't feel it that often.

Briellen: Yes, thank you, Edwin.

Elohad: Much appreciated.

Vond: Light keep you, Edwin.

Edwin: Oh, yeah, you too, Brother.

Elohad smiles at the children as they run past.

Vond: Back to the thick of it already. Ah well. The bright's starting to smart.

Briellen: Well, you got some fresh air while it lasted, hm?

Elohad: Been working out there mostly?

Vond: That's the way of it, nice and clear. And truth. Few years now.

Elohad: My impulse is to say, "I'm sorry," but that seems rude.

Elohad: I can only take it a few months at a time, generally.

Vond: "S'alright. Time's been good recently.

Elohad nods gravely.

Vond: Folk from all over lending support. Well. To an extent.

Briellen: To Light's Hope Chapel, if you would.

One gryphon flight later…

Vond: That's gotta be first time I've been south of Aerie Peak in ages.

Vond looks a bit wistful.

Elohad: Yeah?

Elohad looks at him sympathetically.

Elohad: You should take more breaks, maybe. If you can.

Vond glances back. "Nice spot, that Wildhammer Place." he emphasizes, as if assuring it wasn't too troublesome.

Briellen stretches, looking around for her squire.

Elohad: It's good sometimes to come up for air, see the rest of the world for a day or three.

Edwin waits patiently nearby with Elohad's horse, Valiant, and Briellen's borrowed horse, Chocolate. He leads them both up.

Elohad: Thanks, Edwin.

Briellen: Thank you. I'll see you when I get back, yes?

Elohad mounts up and puts a hand out to Brother Vond.

Edwin smiles. "Yep. I'll be here."

Vond: I can handle myself from here. No slight to Valiant.

Elohad: Ha. All right.

Vond slips off for a short moment to acquire horse.

Briellen clearly knows where she's going, and rides off with a strong sense of direction.

Elohad: I'm sure the slight was to me. I'm a little sweaty, thanks to Stormwind weather.

Elohad winks slyly at Vond.

Briellen: Aren't we all?

Vond: Small price to ride with a big deal.

Elohad flexes at Vond. Oooooh so strong!

Vond gives a hoarse laugh. "Proper showboat, sir."

Elohad: I used to be an actor! That's part of the Big Deal bit. And then I started losing my hair, and transitioned more into writer/producer. Cobalt Players, back before the last war. Up north. Based in Tirisfal, but toured all over. Even Dalaran a couple of times.

Vond: An actor? Maybe that's why I'm not familiar.

Elohad: And these days I'm mostly known for starting Cobalt Company. Mercenary outfit.

Vond courses the obstacles on the sides of the road with his eyes with practiced caution even as he idly chats.

Elohad: My deeds as a paladin are, sadly, mediocre.

Briellen: Perhaps best to be on foot from here. We're almost there.

Briellen leads Chocolate along.

Elohad's horse seems… shocker of shockers… unbothered by the undead.

Elohad: Feel the Light, Scourge Warder!

Briellen: We should be lookikng for… green auras, he said. Hm.

Elohad: So uh, about that.

Briellen squints at a lamppost, then shakes her head.

Briellen: Yes?

Vond: Outta the earth itself, as I recall.

Elohad: I'll need one of you to be on the lookout. I am not very helpful in spotting things. Especially if they're subtle.

Briellen: I imagine Brother Vond or I will catch it.

Elohad: Good.

Briellen looks over at the tower. "Nearly there."

Elohad: Sorry for my lack of contribution there, but I always seem to be the last to notice stuff like that.

Briellen: Ah.

Briellen points at a patch of sifting green mist.

Vond: We've eyes to spare. And there in front of them.

Briellen: Like that, I presume.

Elohad looks around and shudders.

As Briellen approaches with the censer, ghosts rise up out of the mists, and the trio of paladins get to work putting those ghosts to rest. Violence is step one.

Briellen passes the censer over the ghosts' location.

Vond places his palms together as the spirits dissipate.

There are a lot more of these green patches with ghosts.

Briellen: You can sense the patches as well, can't you?

Elohad heaves a deep sigh. Then coughs.

Vond: Look plain as day to me, ma'am.

Elohad: I can see 'em once we get close. Sort of… luminous.

Briellen: It just feels like, ah… coagulated despair?

Briellen shrugs.

Elohad: It's like a chill, but … not exactly temperature? Thing about holy work like this, when you explain it to people you just have to pick a metaphor, mostly. Y'know? Can be hard to explain to laypeople.

Briellen: Yes.

Elohad: Everybody doing okay?

Briellen uncaps a flask and drinks some water. "I am well, thank you."

Elohad: As well as it's possible to be out here…

Elohad lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.

Vond: Right as rain. It's a good work, getting them to rest.

Elohad: Where were you from, Brother Vond? Okay if you don't want to talk about it.

Vond jerks his thumb to the north of them, somewhere into the plaguewood or farther. "'Bout thataways. City boy."

Elohad nods grimly.

Briellen quietly recites prayers for the ghosts as she passes the censer through where their ghostly bodies were.

Elohad: Were you there… that day?

Vond: Yourself? Oh. Mn. It weren't a bad day to get sent off without supper.

Elohad nods even more grimly.

Elohad: I was riding behind Lightbringer. We turned away.

Briellen reaches up and touches the scar that crosses her face.

Elohad studies her.

Briellen: I was, ah, recovering from this. At the time.

Elohad: Must have been rough.

Briellen: I was with Sir Gavinrad when he fell.

Elohad: Ah… sh— uh, shame.

Vond is simply holding a taut expression for a spell.

Elohad: He was a good man.

Briellen smiles a little. "One of the best."

Elohad: I grew up down south. Brightwood. My place got flattened. Got a little place in Stormwind. Burned. Moved to Tirisfal. You know how that went.

Briellen: Ah. I was living in Andorhal.

Elohad: But big picture wise… I've been very, very lucky.

Vond: Maybe this isn't the place to get all reminiscy. Nerubians about.

Briellen: Mm.

Elohad nods.

Elohad: Storyteller by nature, forgive me.

Vond: Stories bring the ghosts out in straits like hereabouts.

Elohad sighs deeply again.

Elohad shivers beside Carrion Devourer. Chilling!

Vond: Rest now.

Briellen: I'm seeing fewer of these patches.

Elohad: We're doing good work. Bailing out a leaky boat can be frustrating, but it's worse if you don't.

Briellen nods. "It's worse if you don't," she echoes, agreeably.

Vond: Maybe the sick's clearing out of the worst lot.

Elohad: I've heard some druids say they have hope that over time this can be healed.

Vond: We'll have this vessel rightways in time, sir. Light help the rest of you if we don't.

Elohad: I never know what to say when an elf says "over time" though. Will I be here? Who knows.

Briellen: I certainly hope so.

Elohad: Me too. It does feel better here, now, though, a little.

Briellen looks around, sees no more green patches, and swings back up onto her horse. "It does feel a little lighter."

Vond: Less of the cold in the gut.

Elohad agrees with Vond.

Briellen: Indeed. Let's ride.

They start heading back to Light's Hope Chapel. While traveling through a pass in between two large hills, the trio spots a group of Scarlet Crusaders heading in the same direction.

Vond keeps a vigilant eye out. "Whoah there."

Elohad eyes Crimson Courier up and down.

Briellen slows down.

Vond: Best not tangle. Things are strained enough as it is.

Briellen nods.

Elohad growls under his breath.

Briellen leaves the path once the option becomes available.

Elohad heaves another sigh.

Vond: Hells know what kind of talk they're taking out to Tyr's at this juncture.

The paladins reach Light's Hope.

Elohad: Doing all right?

Edwin is waiting around for them to return, and he brightens as he sees the group. He goes over to take Bree's reins. "Went well?"

Briellen hands the reins over. "Yes."

Elohad passes a hand back over what's left of his hair, looking drained.

Briellen: Lord Shadowbreaker will want to know what we've accomplished, I'm sure, but anything further will likely have to wait. I'll need to gather materials for Mr. Elmore.

Vond looks fairly neutral, simply at ease back in the range of the chapel, his constant searching let to calm.

Elohad nods.

Elohad: Let me know if Cobalt Company can help with that. But I understand if you feel you need to do it on your own.

Briellen: I would truly be grateful for the assistance.

Elohad: I'll send word out about what you need, see who has what.

Elohad: Between the lot of us, there's almost always someone who can easily get their hands on just about anything that isn't illegal. …And even some things that are.

Elohad clears his throat.

Vond: If there's any further way I can aid seeing this through. I'm all curious to find out more about this possessed horse.

Elohad smiles at Vond.

Elohad: I can't speak for Dame Briellen, but I certainly have enjoyed your company.

Vond gives Elo a brief sidelong glance that may be a little bit amused at his sourcing talk.

Briellen nods. "Thank you. The holy water I suspect I must collect directly from Stratholme, as part of the trial. But I would not dare go there alone."

Vond: It's been good meeting you, sir. Elo. You taking off for kinder climes, I imagine.

Elohad: I've been there before; I hope I can be of some help navigating the place. I need to check in with my wife and son. Ironforge.

Vond smiles faintly.

Briellen: That would be most useful. Thank you.

Briellen: Light guide you both.

Elohad: Bless and keep you.

Vond: Light guard your feet, guide where they fall.

Elohad salutes Vond with respect.

Vond salutes Elohad with respect.

Briellen bows to the two of them.

One trip to Stormwind Cathedral later…

Briellen offers the censer over to Lord Shadowbreaker. "The spirits of Terrordale are at rest."

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: Well done, Dame Briellen. To render the judgment of the Light on those that dwell in darkness is a task we must approach with vim and zeal; you have done just that with your sacrifice in Ironforge and your judgments of the spirits in Terrordale. Your next steps will call on both sacrifice and judgment again as you now strive to reclaim the spirit of a fallen charger who now serves a Death Knight known as Darkreaver.

Briellen: Oh?

Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: Return when your barding is complete, and I will tell you more of your next task.

Briellen bows. "Yes, milord." She turns and exits the cathedral.