(2023-07-26) A Knight Errant and a Wanderer

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Maisha and Drunagh meet up to bring the Light's mercy to Duskwood.
Rating:	T for Teen

Maisha and Drunagh meet up near the gryphon master at Lakeshire.
Maisha waves at Drunagh.
[Drunagh]: Hello there! Lucky, nice of ye teh bring Maisha along.
Drunagh winks.
Maisha laughs at Drunagh.
Maisha reaches one hand down to affectionately ruffle Lucky's fur.
[Maisha]: Good ta see yeh as well, Drunagh. Thanks fer comin' along wi' me to Duskwood.
[Drunagh]: Aye, of course, lass. Always at yer service.
[Maisha]: I got a bit worried after how much the folk there fussed over a wolf bite. Apparently they got some sort o' wolfmen we need ta watch out for.
[Drunagh]: Mmm. Heard about those. Nasty beasts by all accounts.
[Maisha]: Got yer ram with you?
[Drunagh]: Oh, Ah'm no' ridin' a ram these days.
Drunagh winks.
[Maisha]: Oh?
Drunagh mounts her paladin charger.
[Maisha]: Ah, righ', a paladin an' all that.
Drunagh chuckles at you.
[Maisha]: Think I'd miss th' shaggy fur an' the horns.
[Drunagh]: I confess, me bum's no as warm.
Maisha pats her white ram on the side. "Does'nae matter as much here, but up in Dun Morogh…"
They ride down toward Darkshire.
[Maisha]: Have yeh been this way before?
Maisha waves at Watcher Callahan as they pass.
[Drunagh]: First time. Always meant to come. Sure there's folk here in need o' the Light's mercy.
[Maisha]: Need of Light, you could just stop there. *Maisha gestures at the dreary shadowy woodland*
Drunagh chuckles ruefully. "True, that."
They arrive at the town.
Maish hails Commander Althea Ebonlocke.
[Maisha]: You look to be the leader here? Anything yeh could use a few dwarves to help with?
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Well met, and yes, I am the Commander of the Night Watch.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: It's a continuing fight here, against the undead to protect the citizens of Darkshire. We always welcome assistance, especially given how the army has been almost entirely shifted to Northrend.
Drunagh cracks her knuckles.
[Drunagh]: Well, ye've got us teh put those bones back in the ground, lassie.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: That's what I like to hear. There's been reports of skeletons south of town, if you could head that way and put to rest whatever you find.
Maisha nods at Commander Althea Ebonlocke.
[Drunagh]: We're on it!
[Maisha]: An' we'll bring back good news, I'm sure of it.
They head south of town.
[Maisha]: Hmm… a graveyard. Mayhap past there?
[Drunagh]: Usually a good bet.
[Maisha]: Ach, there's one now.
They defeat it.
[Drunagh]: Back teh the grave wi' ye!
[Maisha]: Yeh'll note none o' these are dwarf skeletons. Our folk know how ta rest.
[Drunagh]: Damn straight.
[Maisha]: So how've yeh been since Redridge? Keepin' busy?
[Drunagh]: Always.
[Drunagh]: There may be war in the north, but there's always people in need righ' here, too.
Maisha nods at Drunagh. "The world don't stop turnin' just because o' a war in the north."
[Maisha]: I got a bit involved in th'investigation of a murder of a human noble, of all things.
[Drunagh]: Oh?
[Maisha]: And yeh, I was just on the side bit o' it, but it was a right scandal.
[Drunagh]: Ye ever find the killer?
[Maisha]: Aye. Warlock lass, didn't like that th' fella was against the fel.
The area is now less animated skeletons and more piles of bones.
Maisha looks around. "Reckon we've fair cleared these out? Might be there's other areas… we could check back."
They head back towards Commander Ebonlocke.
[Drunagh]: Had a problem wi' the fel? The nerve o' some people.
Drunagh smirks.
Maisha chuckles and nods. "I cannae recall any such problem in the Hinterlands."
[Maisha]: Then again, I'd not met warlocks 'fore now.
[Drunagh]: Aye
[Drunagh]: It's gotten stranger in Ironforge since the gnomes came, bringin' their warlocks with 'em.
[Drunagh]: But they're more practical about it than humans, as I see it.
Maisha nods. "Gnomes are odd folk, in any case. Never ha' met many o' them in Hinterlands, either."
They arrive back in Darkshire.
Maisha waves at Commander Althea Ebonlocke.
[Maisha]: We cleared 'em right out. Any other trouble spots?
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Yes, I've received a report of skeletons over by the Raven Hill graveyard. It's a bit of a ride, but if you're willing I'd ask you to see to it.
[Drunagh]: Got quite a few cemeteries 'round here, don't yeh?
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Yes. *Althea looks somber for a moment* Back when it was Brightwood, the living did outnumber the dead here. But those days are gone.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: This one's over to the west. Just follow the road and it'll be on your right, you won't miss it.
Heading back out into the dark forest, they continue their conversation.
[Maisha]: I'm still less than a year in Ironforge m'self. Did the gnomes change much o' the city?
[Drunagh]: Jus' Tinker Town, really. But it seemed only right to give them a place of their own, seein' what they lost.
Maisha nods. "I cannae imagine. Well, mayhap my ma can. Grim Batol was a terrible loss, I think. That was long 'fore my time, though.
They arrive at Raven Hill, and see the vast connected cemetery. Several humans with shovels are nearby, presumably robbing graves.
[Maisha]: Well, it is a big cemetery.
Drunagh frowns with disappointment at Grave Robber.
[Drunagh]: Grave robbers…
[Maisha]: Grave robbin'. Nasty business, but we're no' here ta kill the livin'.
[Drunagh]: The dead are no disturbed enough without them?
Maisha tsks, and shakes her head. "They're like to get a nasty surprise in one grave or other, how these spring up."
Drunagh lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Despite her insistence on not killing the living, Maisha does not protest fighting the spider that attacks them.
[Maisha]: Okay, now these are livin', but giant spiders do no' get a pass from me.
Drunagh lets out a hearty chuckle.
[Maisha]: I think there was a camp up north, by th' border o' Westfall. Think we should swing by, make sure the skeletons didn't get 'em?
[Drunagh]: Aye, best to check on 'em.
The two of them make it up to Sven’s camp.
[Maisha]: You lot doing okay out here?
Sven Yorgen says: Yes, you're out from Darkshire?
[Drunagh]: Aye, that we are.
Sven Yorgen says: I've heard there's still skeleton problems, but we've had more issues with wolves harrying us. If you thin them out some, we'd appreciate it.
[Maisha]: If tha' would help, we can clear out th' ones we see?
[Drunagh]: We're chippin' away at undead, but we'll see what we can do, aye?
Maisha nods. "Now we'd best back to it."
As indicated, they get back to it.
[Maisha]: I am the sort to stay out alone in a camp in the wilderness, but… I dinnae think this is the place I'd do it in.
[Drunagh]: It's a strange choice. Wonder what he's really doin' out there.
[Maisha]: Maybe he's sendin' the reports? How they knew there were more skeletons out here…
[Maisha]: Hope he's not studying the creatures. I suppose there's some call to study, to learn how t' defeat 'em, but still.
[Drunagh]: 'Know yer enemy' and all that.
Maisha nods grimly.
[Maisha]: Would be nice t' see this place get back t' bein' Brightwood one day.
[Drunagh]: Ah think we're a long way off from that day.
[Maisha]: Well, we've got a lot of years t' try. As a paladin, do yeh feel called to save some partic'lar place or people?
[Drunagh]: Nae. Ah've always been more've a knight errant. Ah go where Ah'm needed.
Maisha glances back at Drunagh and smiles.
[Maisha]: I can see tha'. I'd say m'self that I'm a wanderer, which is sim'lar. The human lands do seem t' have more than their share o’ trouble, too.
[Drunagh]: Ye Wildhammers seem teh have that in yer blood. E'en the ground was'nae wide enough for ye to wander, so ye took teh the skies!
Maisha laughs.
[Maisha]: It might be so. I'd say I'm a right cautious sort of Wildhammer, but I'm learning tha' looks no' cautious at all t' others.
Drunagh chuckles.
[Maisha]: I've no' flown much lately, but I miss it. Left my gryphon up in Aerie Peak while I wandered.
They arrive back in Darkshire to report.
Maisha salutes Commander Althea Ebonlocke with respect.
[Maisha]: Cemetery is cleared o' walking skeletons fer now.
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Good to hear, but did you kill the ghouls, too?
[Maisha]: … no.
[Drunagh]: Lady…have ye SEEN how many undead are in that cemetery lately?
Commander Althea Ebonlocke says: Okay, that's fair. And I didn't mention it last time. But if you do go back by, please take out some of the ghouls.
Drunagh sighs and nods. "Aye…course we will."
Maisha nods, with a little sigh echoing Drunagh's.
[Maisha]: I might take a bit o' rest before headin' back out into the cemetery. Care t' join me for a pint, Drunagh?
[Drunagh]: If I ever turn down a pint wi' a lovely lass, please give me a proper smack!
Maisha laughs. "Then let's set to it. I'm no' sure what sort o' brew they sell here in Duskwood, but may be they've got somethin' palatable."
[Drunagh]: Place like this? I'm bettin' they got some proper strong drink to drown their woes. Let's sample!
Barkeep Hann says: Step right up and wet your whistle.
[Maisha]: Sounds like a plan. *Maisha grins, moving over towards the table.*