(2023-04-02) To Wintergarde Keep (S9 E11 Blue Squad Log)

Details

Author:	Athena
Summary:	Blue Squad gets the word that a scout with vital information has run into Cultist sabotage, and aids the Alliance in making sure the information gets where it needs to go. 3344 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 9

Cressidha traces water-conjuring sigils in the air idly.

Cressidha passes out water to Mordecai and Colson.

Mordecai mumbles, "Thank you."

Colson ties his to his belt, as usual, with a gentle smile.

[Cressidha]: Are you cold, Mordecai?

[Mordecai]: I-I'm fine. Thank you.

Azizia walks slowly and dramatically out the inn to join the group. She crosses her arms and says, "Hello, Blue Squad."

Colson inclines his head politely to Azizia. "Good afternoon, Azizia."

[Cressidha]: Azizia, good afternoon.

Cressidha smiles at her.

[Dane]: Afternoon, Blue Squad.

Mordecai gives Azizia and Dane a tiny little wave and mumbles a hello.

[Colson]: Dane, good afternoon.

[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Dane.

[Dane]: How's the day.

Dane inquires flatly with a growl as he adjusts his gauntlets.

Azizia smiles back to Cress, then goes back into serious mode. "Hello, Mr. Dane."

[Cressidha]: It seems well thus far, thank you.

Cressidha passes out water.

[Colson]: I have been well. How is Alysson? I trust he settled back in well. I have yet to see him.

Azizia thanks Cressidha.

[Dane]: He's well. In one piece. Physically.

[Azizia]: Oh, is Alysson found? Good.

Dane glances at the docks. "One moment."

[Dane]: Caspis. Milady. We are mustering.

Caspis salutes Atley with respect.

Colson smiles faintly. "Yes. He was recovered successfully, all wounds healed." It sounds a bit like a report, but he probably means it genuinely.

[Anareline]: Take care, shalan.

Atley salutes Caspis with respect.

[Caspis]: My apologies for my tardiness, shan'var.

Anareline salutes Atley and steps back to the dock.

[Dane]: Nothing to apologize for.

Caspis is one (1) minute late. The shame.

[Cressidha]: Ah. Caspis, I have something for you.

Mordecai waves shyly to Caspis.

Caspis peers at Cressidha searchingly.

Caspis bows before Mordecai.

[Dane]: We've received urgent summons from Death Strand, the outpost to the far east, past Unu'pe.

[Colson]: I see.

Cressidha passes out her usual bottles of water, and then a pair of boots. "I thought they might be your size, and the enchantment seemed effective."

[Dane]: If any'f you remember Private Casey, it's him. The matter's urgent and confidential.

Caspis thanks Cressidha.

[Mordecai]: Oh…

Mordecai quickly takes out a candle.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

[Colson]: Of the…ah, Squad we assisted before?

[Colson]: I see.

Dane nods once. "Aye."

Caspis notices Azizia belatedly and looks confused.

[Dane]: They've been redeployed there after a bit of leave since last we saw them.

Mordecai recites his usual prayer.

Dane looks to Caspis and gives him a small, firm nod.

Caspis looks, to no one's surprise, a bit disoriented.

[Cressidha]: Ah.

Colson inclines his head. His expression has that neutrality that makes it unclear what he thinks of them being reassigned so soon.

[Dane]: We fly by way of Unu'pe. I trust we've all that flight path?

[Azizia]: Back where they were sent on doome— *She rolls her eyes.* Nevermind.

[Cressidha]: I do.

[Mordecai]: Be careful, everyone. Light be with you.

Dane nods in thanks to Mordecai.

Mordecai adds to Colson, more quietly, "I love you. I'll see you later."

Caspis bows before Mordecaì.

Colson holds Mordecai's hand up to his heart for a moment. "I love you. I shall see you soon." He nods to Dane. "On your mark, Dane."

Cressidha nods. "Indeed."

[Dane]: Let's fly.

Cressidha does not question Azizia's presence.

Caspis sighs wistfully. If only.

Colson doesn't question it either.

[Dane]: I'm last. Make for Unu'pe.

Azizia doesn't question it either.

In Unu’pe…

[Dane]: Right then. We're due east.

[Dane]: Mount up, you lot.

Caspis salutes Atley with respect.

Colson mounts up.

Cressidha mounts up.

Azizia nods at Atley.

Caspis's saber looks at Hutch's rump and licks his chops.

[Dane]: Private Casey.

Private Casey spins around and sighs with relief. "Once more back into the fray. Hello, Cobalt."

Caspis inclines his head in greeting to Casey.

Tenacious sidles up to Azizia's elekk. How u doin'?

[Colson]: Good afternoon, private.

Cressidha nods. "Good afternoon."

Caspis may have forgotten to feed his saber. Let's hope this doesn't end in disaster.

Private Casey removes his helmet to wipe some sweat from his brow. "We'd only just been redeployed after your last patrol through here, but we're lucky we made it this far. We were ambushed by Scourge as soon as we landed."

[Cressidha]: Ah.

Colson looks grimly at the Scourge. "Do you have injured?"

Caspis peers at Ziggurat Defender searchingly.

The nameless Elekk - who absolutely needs a name oh whoa I always forget - bows its head wisely at Tenacious.

Private Casey says: No injured. Only dead.

Caspis's saber does not have a name.

Tenacious will give the elekk a name. He makes a horse sound. Wow, that's a really cool name.

Private Casey spits off to the side.

[Cressidha]: Ah.

Private Casey says: One of our men turned out to be a spy for the Cult of the Damned. Thassarian appears to have more evidence of cultist infiltration. Apparently it goes all the way to the top.

[Cressidha]: Well.

[Colson]: I see.

Private Casey says: I've sent one of my best couriers to our outpost in western Dragonblight, but he has not yet returned. I fear he may have fallen to the Scourge. Will you go to Dragonblight and search for him? Courier Lanson is his name.

Caspis nods at Private Casey.

Colson's jaw is clenched tightly for a moment before he forces it to relax, as he nods, looking to Dane.

[Cressidha]: Certainly.

[Dane]: Let's ride!

Colson rides.

Cressidha rides.

[Azizia]: We will see to it. *She holds back from any more comments.*

Caspis autofollows his shan'var.,

[Dane]: Have a care. We're treading into the frontier…

Cressidha looks around curiously.

[Cressidha]: I haven't yet been this far east.

Colson has a care, as he glances around, frowning slightly. "There are not many of the Scourge that I can feel nearby."

Dane grunts.

[Dane]: I've, but by turtle. Not by land.

Caspis's ears lift.

[Colson]: Ah, there they are.

Colson tenses, as they ride by dozens and dozens of undead.

Atley peers at Blighted Elk searchingly.

Azizia looks at the wildlife and sighs.

[Dane]: Infected wildlife… We take the right fork.

[Colson]: Understood.

Colson takes the right fork.

[Dane]: Looks to be the taunka capital up the hill, there.

Cressidha frowns. "Are they plagued?"

Caspis's ears droop again. At least they had a solid twenty seconds in their upright position.

Dane shakes his head. "I cannot tell. Only that they're ill. Look to the eyes."

Colson makes a 'hm' sound. "I would need to be closer to examine them. They are not yet undead, if so."

Azizia whispers. Very low. Her comments are to herself, now. "Maybe this will make people here eat little less animal."

[Dane]: We've a soldier to find.

[Colson]: Indeed.

[Cressidha]: Of course.

Caspis peers at Winter's Sister searchingly.

[Dane]: Outstanding. Night elves.

[Caspis]: Ishnu alah.

Dane nods to the Sentinels, who nod in return.

Cressidha dismounts and goes to update her passport.

[Dane]: Look about for a human in the colors of Stormwind.

[Cressidha]: Excuse me, we're looking for a courier? A human man.

[Cressidha]: Courier Lanson.

Caspis bows before Palena Silvercloud.

Palena Silvercloud stares off in the distance before she blinks and looks to Cressidha. She blinks again.

[Colson]: He may have been wounded, *Colson adds, looking at their tents.*

Palena Silvercloud says: An injured human arrived only recently. He rests in the tent, behind you.

[Cressidha]: Thank you very much.

Dane grunts.

Caspis speaks to the hippogryph master in low, velvety Darnassian, gesturing to the others. An introduction, possibly.

Cressidha nods politely and moves on.

[Azizia]: Ah, well. Good thinking, Mr. Colson.

Colson smiles faintly at Azizia.

Caspis bows before Naohain.

Naohain raises a hand. "Halt. This injured human is our guest."

[Colson]: 'Colson,' is sufficient, Azizia. There is no need for honorifics.

Dane looks to Caspis, then to Naohain.

Colson halts, looking mildly at Naohain.

[Cressidha]: We are searching for Courier Lanson, on behalf of his old squad. We mean him no harm.

Azizia nods at Colson, confused.

Caspis speaks to Naohain in Darnassian, possibly repeating or expanding on what Cressidha said.

Naohain turns expectantly to Caspis and nods before he graciously steps out of the way, and gestures them inside.

Azizia whispers again. "Unless he is traitor one with cult."

[Dane]: Courier Lanson. We're Cobalt Company.

Caspis tries various heals on him.

Courier Lanson leans to his side and spits blood out onto the ground. "Scourge aberrations…They'll get what's coming to them soon enough."

Courier Lanson has some color return to his face, and regains his focus. He looks to the five of them and raises his brows.

Colson attempts a [Cleanse] in case of disease.

Courier Lanson says: You must be the reinforcements…?

Caspis inclines his head.

[Cressidha]: Your squad sent us to find you.

Courier Lanson says: Aye, well, as I crossed the bridge into Dragonblight a small group of Anub'ar ambushed me! I was surrounded! Those monsters knew I was coming. I barely made it out of there with my flesh intact.

Courier Lanson says: This list I hold must be taken to Wintergarde Keep, but I — I am too badly injured to make the journey.

[Azizia]: Do you have map?

Colson pulls out a map, well folded.

Courier Lanson says: Palena Silvercloud here will be able to transport you to Wintergarde. The list I hold must be delivered to High Commander Halford Wyrmbane. Yes, the Halford Wyrmbane. He commands the 7th Legion, stationed at Wintergarde Keep.

Courier Lanson says: If any of the traitors on this list are stationed at Wintergarde… it could be catastrophic.

Courier Lanson says: Hurry. Please. Fulfill my duty so I can — eugh. Maintain a shred of my honor.

Colson inclines his head. There's a flicker of something on his face as he looks at Cressidha.

Cressidha nods to her brother.

[Cressidha]: This is a list of suspected cultists?

[Caspis]: Even I have heard of Halford Wyrmbane…

Courier Lanson winces and clutches his side. "Yes. SI:7 helped draft it up or so they said. I'm just the courier."

Dane reaches for the list with a growl.

Caspis's eyes lose focus as he looks at the wounded courier.

[Caspis]: His wounds went too long without healing. His body cannot forget them.

[Cressidha]: Ah. Of course.

[Caspis]: They are part of him, now.

Dane lifts a brow, looking back at Caspis, a silent question in his eyes.

[Caspis]: He will recover, but scars will linger.

[Azizia]: I… maybe we do not say this where he can hear.

Colson makes a faint 'hm,' sound, his right hand going up towards his left shoulder partway before he drops it.

[Caspis]: He should know. It will be a long recovery, and he will need rest.

[Dane]: Let's step aside a moment n' speak.

[Cressidha]: Thank you, courier. We shall see your task completed.

Courier Lanson just grumbles and passes out.

[Colson]: Dane. Our brother Bertrand is there, stationed with the 11th Expeditionary Unit. *He sounds calm, but there's a tension in his shoulders.*

[Colson]: In Wintergarde Keep.

Azizia looks at a dryad, narrowing her eyes. How dare you be taller than her, Dryad?

Dane glances around at the enchanted glade before he looks back to Colson. "Your brother's in the 7th, is he."

Cressidha reaches out and touches Colson's arm. "Yes. I'm certain he's fine."

[Colson]: Yes, 1th Expeditionary Unit. Major Aspenwood.

Cressidha nods to Dane. "7th Legion, 11th Expeditionary Unit."

[Azizia]: … How many of you is there?

[Colson]: Four.

Colson seems fine, except that he puts a hand over Cressidha's.

Azizia looks baffled at the number of kids humans would dare have.

Caspis reaches over absently and briefly touches Azizia's cheek.

[Azizia]: What is— What—? Excuse me, Mr. Caspis?

[Cressidha]: The two of us are the youngest.

Dane nods once in understanding. "We'll find out for certain soon enough."

Cressidha blinks at Azizia.

Dane looks to Azizia, lofting a brow.

Caspis doesn't seem to know what Azizia is talking to him about.

[Azizia]: You touched face of mine!

[Dane]: Wot's it, Azizia?

Azizia looks at the others for confirmation that he touched her face.

[Caspis]: Ah! Did I offend you? I am sorry.

Dane lightly shakes his head, having not seen it.

[Caspis]: I beg your forgiveness and will not do so again.

[Azizia]: No, no, not offended, just very surprised. Confused.

Dane scoffs with amusement before he grows dour, once again. "We'll be dealing with cultists and traitors, as 'fore."

[Caspis]: I was lost in thought… pleased you have stayed with us. I did not entirely mean to do so. I am… at times impulsively affectionate. Again I apologize.

[Dane]: Tread lightly, speak smartly.

Caspis returns his attention to Atley.

Colson nods. He tries.

Cressidha smiles faintly at Caspis and Azizia.

Azizia looks even more confused now. impulsively affectionate? She wouldn't even think of being affectionate on purpose. Kaldorei are weird.

Caspis is weirder than most, possibly.

[Dane]: And 'fore we head there, we're all aware of the 7th, and the High Commander himself?

[Caspis]: I am.

Azizia shakes her head.

[Colson]: Yes.

Cressidha nods. She looks at Azizia.

[Dane]: The 7th are the Alliance's elite fighting force, composed of all races.

[Caspis]: They were instrumental in the war against the qiraji.

[Caspis]: One of ours was their Commander in that war.

[Azizia]: And who is leader of sevenths, and all other numbers?

[Dane]: There are many legions under the command of Stormwind, but the 7th Legion is a combined fighting force.

Colson puts a hand to his breastplate as Mordecai's prayers fade. He seems more tense than before once they do.

[Cressidha]: High Commander Halford Wyrmbane commands the 7th Legion.

[Caspis]: Do you know if Lynore Wyndstrike is here?

Dane furrows his brow at Caspis and shakes his head. "I do not."

Caspis nods.

[Caspis]: She was in command of the Might of Kalimdor.

Azizia nods at the name of the high commander, a little sarcastic shrug accompanying the gesture. Of course he has a last name.

[Dane]: I'd not be surprised if she were up here.

[Caspis]: I would be pleased to see her, if so.

[Dane]: At any rate, keep our quest to ourselves. We cannot trust many outside of this circle, and we'll be deeper into the frontier than we've been thus far.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

[Dane]: Let's move.

Colson moves.

Dane gives one last look around at the enchanted glade.

Palena Silvercloud dips her head. "Hello, again."

Azizia nods at Palena Silvercloud.

Colson murmurs prayers.

Dane holds the courier's note towards Palena. Her pointy eyebrows raise in surprise.

Palena Silvercloud says: You will take my fastest hippogryphs! This information must be delivered to High Commander Wyrmbane at once!

[Cressidha]: Indeed. Thank you.

[Colson]: That is most appreciated.

Palena Silvercloud hands the missive back to Dane. "Snowstorm's flock will take you to Wintergarde. I guarantee that it will be the fastest flight you've ever taken. Go now!"

Dane nods and tucks the missive away.

Caspis bows before Rodney Wells.

Azizia looks extremely angry as she tries to repair the irreversible damage this extremely fast trip has done to her HAIRSTYLE.

Cressidha dusts snow off of herself as she lands.

Dane glances around with approval, nodding gruffly.

Cressidha updates her passport quickly.

[Dane]: This is the work of the 7th, to be certain.

Colson looks as mild as ever.

Caspis gazes grimly at the necropolis.

[Dane]: If wot' I've heard of the High Commander is true, he'll be near the front, not tucked away in some office.

Colson is, however, scanning the face of everyone around them.

[Dane]: On your best behavior, you lot. He is dead hard and a war hero.

Colson is on his best behavior. It's…it's his only behavior. He doesn't have another setting.

[Colson]: Understood.

Atley peers at High Commander Halford Wyrmbane searchingly.

Caspis salutes High Commander Halford Wyrmbane with respect.

Azizia nods angrily at what Dane said.

Atley salutes Caspis with respect.

[Dane]: High Commander. We're Cobalt Company.

Colson salutes the High Commander with military precision. "Sir!"

Azizia bows before High Commander Halford Wyrmbane.

Cressidha bows politely.

Commander Lynore Windstryke looks up and blinks in surprise when she spots Caspis.

Commander Lynore Windstryke stays silent though, seeing that the High Commander is engaging with the group.

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane says: Cobalt Company.

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane says: You are in good company.

Caspis salutes Wyrmbane, then gives Windstryke a slight bow.

[Cressidha]: We have an urgent message from Valiance Keep, sir.

Azizia is still trying to fix her hair. She's combing it now.

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane says: What have you got there, soldiers?

Colson doesn't even crack a smile at the Good Company comment. He seems especially stoic.

Cressidha nods to Dane, who has the list.

Dane steps forward and holds the missive out. "Dire news, High Commander."

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane rips through the envelope and reads it before crumpling it up.

Caspis peers at High Commander Halford Wyrmbane searchingly.

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane says: Do you know where the people on this list are now? Take a look outside, near the front gate. They're the ones hanging from the arches.

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane says: Ghoul bait…

[Cressidha]: Ah.

[Azizia]: Ex— what?

Colson glances in that direction, then back to the High Commander.

[Cressidha]: I believe he means to say they have already uncovered the cultist spies on their own.

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane nods. "That is the fate of all traitors to the Alliance." He gestures uphill. "More of your folk are up the hill there."

Caspis's ears lift.

Colson looks immediately to the hill.

Dane nods to Cressidha and growls with approval. "And taken to them himself."

[Dane]: I've a mind to see your handiwork, High Commander.

Azizia looks a bit relieved.

Atley salutes High Commander Halford Wyrmbane with respect.

Cressidha looks up the hill.

Cressidha follows Dane obediently.

Caspis looks around.

[Azizia]: I… Really thought he meant all people on list were there.

[Azizia]: Even those just suspect.

[Dane]: I warrant he sussed 'em out and slew the guilty.

[Dane]: I'd expect nothing less of the High Commander. Somming' of a lion, that man.

[Cressidha]: They seem to be on top of things here.

Azizia nods at Cressidha.

[Dane]: Let's go see our companions. T'may be White Squad.

[Cressidha]: Oh, I hope so. It's been some time since…

Atley salutes High Commander Halford Wyrmbane with respect.

Commander Lynore Windstryke says: Caspis…

Commander Lynore Windstryke says: Is Anareline here?

Azizia waits for Caspis.

Atley peers at Commander Lynore Windstryke searchingly.

[Caspis]: Not yet, Lynore Windstryke.

Colson halts when he hears Caspis' name spoken.

[Caspis]: She will be pleased to know that you are here.

Caspis lays a hand on her shoulder, then continues.

High Commander Halford Wyrmbane casually keeps patrolling.

Atley salutes Commander Lynore Windstryke with respect.

Colson salutes High Commander Halford Wyrmbane with respect.

Dane exhales slowly.

[Caspis]: Excuse my diversion.

[Dane]: Truly all the might the Alliance can muster.

Dane waves a hand. "No excuse necessary."

Dane double-takes Quarterflash.

Colson pauses when Dane does.

Dane clears his throat and steps in.

[Dane]: Kerlo Quarterflash…?

Quarterflash says: Oh, goodness… Cobalt Company tabards.

Quarterflash says: Is Captain Sparkwire with you?

Dane nods slowly. "Only in spirit. I thought I'd recognized you."

[Colson]: She is well, however, in Valiance Keep.

Quarterflash says: I'm… pleased to hear it.

[Azizia]: Spirit of her is still in body of hers.

Dane gestures to Colson.

Quarterflash looks like he may have had a small heart attack when Dane answered.

Quarterflash says: You're here to help out the 7th?

[Cressidha]: We are.

Dane grunts.

Quarterflash says: Well, if the 9th Expeditionary Unit can do anything for you, please let us know.

[Azizia]: And maybe sixths and others too, if they are here as well.

Von Zeldig says: Excuse me, Two-Bit?

Dane nods as Kerlo seems to get pulled into duties.

Quarterflash says: Oh, uh… sorry, Von Zeldig here is in charge of us.

[Dane]: Aye, f'course.

Cressidha nods politely to Von Zeldig.

Colson salutes Highlord Leoric Von Zeldig with respect.

Blue Squad enters the tavern and finds… White Squad.

[Continued...]