(2024-02-18) Subterfuge Is, Again, Not Tirion's Strong Suit (S13 E2 - White Squad Log)

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	White Squad heads to the Argent Vanguard to shore up the defenses there. They consider which end of a spider is dangerous (both), why some fellows are either bad at metaphors or gardening, and why we are all supposed to pretend not to know who the guy in the hood is even though Tirion literally just called him by name.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Arc: Season 13

Iphindra appears in the middle of the room. "Greetings, White Squad members!" She looks at the others, trying to see if there are tensions still.

[Lena]: Hello, Iphindra. *Lena smiles.*

Velrin stands silently and nods at Iphindra.

Iphindra feels tension. She takes just one step back. "I… I'm ready for today's mission!"

[Lena]: Oh, yes, I'm hoping we'll be headed to the front now.

[Velrin]: As am I.

Iphindra nods at Velrin.

Ben steps through the portal and surveys the room.

[Iphindra]: Hel– Greetings, Lieutenant Ben!

Iphindra salutes Ben with respect.

[Ben]: Hey, y'all.

[Lena]: Afternoon, Ben.

Velrin gives Ben a firm nod.

[Ben]: Rae ain't here yet?

Ben frowns.

[Lena]: I've not seen her, no.

Iphindra looks around, making sure Rae isn't hiding.

[Ben]: We will give her five minutes, and then we got to get moving. The Argents will be looking out for us.

[Lena]: We're joinin' the front today?

[Ben]: That is correct.

[Lena]: Ah, and there she is!

[Velrin]: Good. You've made it.

Ralaea nods to everyone.

[Iphindra]: Greetings, Rae!

[Ben]: Okay, all. As I was sayin', we are headin' down to the Argent Vanguard to help with the push through the mountains. Blue Squad helped 'em make a dent on their last outing, but they are still facin' heavy Scourge resistance.

Lena nods attentively.

Ben looks around. "We are to report to Highlord Fordring when we get there. Everyone ready?"

[Ralaea]: We're going to Icecrown finally?

[Iphindra]: I– I am! Ready as ever!

[Velrin]: I am. On your order, Lieutenant.

[Lena]: Definitely ready. *Lena nods.*

[Ben]: That is the hope, Rae. We are joinin' the offensive. Let's go.

White Squad mounts their gryphons at Krasus’ Landing and heads north to the Argent Vanguard. They land at the gryphon aerie there.

Ben nods to the flight master. "Highlord Fordring?"

Aedan Moran says: Atop the hill.

[Ben]: Thank you, sir.

Ben approaches the Highlord but pauses when he sees the man is standing with someone else. He hangs back politely for a moment.

Ben clears his throat and approaches.

Ralaea stares intently at the other man's runeswords.

Ben salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.

Iphindra salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.

[Ben]: Highlord Fordring, sir?

Velrin salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.

Tirion Fordring turns to survey the group’s tabards.

Lena glances curiously at the man with the runeblades, and then turns her attention to Fordring.

Tirion Fordring says: Are you the reinforcements from Cobalt Company? Thank the Light.

[Ben]: That is us, sir. Lieutenant Ben Hazan and White Squad, reportin'.

Lena straightens her posture just a little bit more, smiling at the Highlord.

Tirion Fordring nods. "Your comrades have advanced across the valley to the Breach, to spearhead our advance."

Tirion Fordring says: Unfortunately, as you can see, the Scourge has regrouped. A fresh army of Nerubians is tunneling up from beneath Icecrown in an attempt to cut us off from our forward forces.

Iphindra raises her head. Nerubians. The spider ones.

Tirion Fordring says: The Horde and the Alliance remain locked in their own petty dispute and will lend us no aid. We are on our own – but the Argent Crusade will not yield.

Ben nods firmly. "Yessir. No, sir."

[Lena]: Nor will Cobalt, *Lena says quietly.*

Iphindra nods at Lena.

Tirion Fordring nods to Lena. "We made great progress here with your other squad’s help. With your help and the Light’s grace, we may yet hold on to it."

Tirion Fordring says: Go and speak to my commander, Entari, at his post near the gate.

[Ben]: Yessir.

[Velrin]: I will not rest as long as there are threats to the safety of Azeroth.

White Squad follows the path down toward the main gate, where an imposing-looking human man stands surveying the battlefield beyond the walls, flanked by two subordinates.

Ben surveys the uniform of the man ahead.

[Ben]: Commander Entari?

Ben salutes Crusade Commander Entari with respect.

Iphindra salutes Crusade Commander Entari with respect.

Crusade Commander Entari says: Good, you’re here. I’ll keep it brief: the success we saw in our last push may be short-lived if we cannot drive back this latest Scourge attack. The Lich King’s retaliation has us back on the defensive.

Crusade Commander Entari does not have time for introduction.

Crusade Commander Entari says: They’re resorting to tactics that might have granted them victory in their last assault, were it not for your fellows’ help: They’re using captive crusaders as living shields.

Velrin snarls at the thought.

[Iphindra]: Oh no…

Lena winces.

Ben sets his jaw and glances toward the field beyond the gates.

Crusade Commander Entari says: The other Cobalt team was able to clear the way for our artillery by getting out on the field and freeing trapped crusaders. I need you to do the same.

Crusade Commander Entari says: Before you head out there, report up to Father Gustav at the infirmary. I believe he has a request of you.

Ben salutes Crusade Commander Entari with respect.

[Ben]: Yessir.

Lena nods.

Ben looks over his shoulder, surveying the camp.

[Ben]: Infirmary.

[Iphindra]: May– maybe I can help heal while we are in the infirmary?

[Lena]: I imagine we won't be here long just now.

[Ben]: I reckon they need the hands, Miss Iphindra, but we got a job of our own to do first. When we are done here, maybe, yeah.

Iphindra nods at Ben.

[Ralaea]: These captives… are we sure none of them are plagued?

Father Gustav is gray-faced with fatigue, wiping his hands on a stained rag. He glances up at White Squad’s approach.

Mordecai looks up and smiles.

Lena glances at Rae, her expression grim, and then spots Mordecai. She waves.

Ben nods to Father Gustav. "Sir."

Ralaea nods at Mordecai.

Father Gustav says: Is it – Cobalt Company? I thought you’d gone across the valley.

[Ben]: That was our other squad, sir. Blue. We are White Squad.

[Velrin]: We are reinforcements.

[Iphindra]: The others are blue!

Mordecai waves and approaches.

[Ben]: We come to pitch – *Ben looks where the others are looking. He spots Mordecai and smiles.*

[Ben]: That is, yeah. We have come to pitch in too.

Iphindra throws a shy little wave at Mordecai.

Father Gustav says: Well, Light be praised for that. I need your help.

Velrin smiles for the first time today when she sees Mordecai. She wiggles her fingers at him.

Father Gustav says: The Nerubians produce a venom the likes of which we’d never seen before. Until a few days ago, it was both lethal and incurable.

Father Gustav says: Your other squad was able to collect a number of venom glands from the Nerubians on the field for our research, and I’m pleased to report we distilled an antidote.

Father Gustav looks around the crowded infirmary encampment wearily.

Father Gustav says: That being said, this fresh Scourge assault is reaping its cost. With the new surge in wounded soldiers, we’re running dangerously low on the antidote – the critical ingredient of which, as we discovered, must be transmuted from the venom itself.

[Lena]: Ah, that's tricky.

Father Gustav says: If you’re going back into the field for Entari, I’d be grateful if you could gather as many more venom glands from fallen Nerubians as you can.

[Ben]: Will do, sir.

[Ralaea]: Inconvenient. If getting the glands leads to more poisoned, this will never end.

Ben steps back. He smiles again at Mordecai.

[Lena]: We'll have to take care to not be poisoned.

Iphindra makes a flower with a strong, envigorating smell grow next to Father Gustav, hopefully reinforcing him. That's her Mark of the Wild.

[Ben]: Blue Squad managed it, so.

[Mordecai]: If you do, i-it's not lethal anymore.

Ben nods at Mordecai.

Lena turns to Mordecai. "You're working here, now? Iphindra was saying she might help later."

[Mordecai]: Yes, um. For the time being.

[Mordecai]: It'd be good to have your help, um. Iphindra.

[Iphindra]: And um… I may not be able to heal the poison, b-but I can attempt to keep it from entering our bodies!

[Lena]: Honestly that sounds even better.

[Ben]: We will try to get her right back here. But first we will bring you some of them… glands.

[Iphindra]: I'll- I'll come back to help, yes!

Iphindra nods at Ben.

[Mordecai]: As I understand it, paladins and druids have been able to slow the effects.

[Ben]: You are stayin' safe up here, yeah?

Mordecai nods.

[Ben]: Good. Okay. We will see you in – not too long, I hope.

[Mordecai]: Be safe.

[Iphindra]: You too!

[Velrin]: Elune adore. *She smiles at Mordecai one last time.*

Mordecai takes out a candle and recites his usual prayer for the squad.

There are totally priest blessings.

Ben feels blessed.

Mordecai gives them a little wave and returns to work.

Iphindra 's thorny vines wrap gently around her, the plants ready to fight back to protect her.

Crusader Lord Dalfors salutes as the Cobalt tabards pass by. “Give ‘em hell, Cobalts!”

Ben salutes back. "Yessir!"

Iphindra salutes Crusader Lord Dalfors with respect.

Once outside the gate, the first web-wrapped form Ben smites explodes as a massive Nerubian erupts from the ground below.

[Ben]: Well, shit. Some of 'em are traps. Watch out for it.

[Lena]: Goodness. These spiders seem bigger than the ones in Ahn'kahet.

[Iphindra]: This is… a smart trap!

[Ralaea]: Plague would be smarter.

[Lena]: Well I'm glad they're not that smart.

Iphindra nods at Lena.

[Ben]: Yeah. I mean. I ain't complainin'.

[Velrin]: Hasn't the plague already been cured though?

[Ralaea]: A version of it.

Freed Crusader says: Glory and strength to you, paladin. I bless you with all the strength left in me. May this nightmare soon end!
Freed Crusader says: Thank you and farewell, friend. I must return to the Argent Vanguard.

[Ben]: Get back there, sir.

Ben waves at the Freed Crusader.

Many, many crusaders are freed. All of them say the exact same thing, so let us just ignore them now.

[Ben]: How are we doin' on them glands? *Ben straightens up from the latest Nerubian corpse.*

[Ben]: I only found a few. I reckon we can do better.

[Velrin]: I have four of them now.

Ben nods at Velrin.

[Lena]: I've picked up…. four, looks like. If they need them for the antidote, we probably need as many as we can get.

Iphindra cuts glands from the spiders herself. She does looks a little sad every time she does it, but she pushes through because she's *brave*. "Fo- four too!"

[Ralaea]: Anyone poisoned yet?

Freed Crusader says: Might grace you, rogue. Let the Scourge feel the fury of a million lost souls!

Hey that one said a different thing.

[Ben]: Yeah. Reckon we just fill up on 'em. And no, no poisoned here.

[Lena]: Nope, I've been keeping out of range of their… whatevers.

[Ben]: Mandimals.

[Lena]: Mandimals, yeah.

[Ralaea]: Spider teeth.

[Lena]: That too.

[Ben]: Spider teeth.

[Iphindra]: I don't feel poison on any of you yet, yes!

[Velrin]: I've been careful to avoid being bitten, though I am also glad for how thick this armor is.

Lena nods absently, scanning for more undead spiders.

[Ben]: Yeah. Long as you're keepin' behind 'em mostly, I think. I can get the front ends.

Iphindra looks in worry at her party, when a sudden gust of wind blows past them. Sweet-scented flowers bloom on their shoulders.

Ben gazes at the fortification in the distance.

[Ben]: Reckon that is where we're pushin' for.

Iphindra nods at Ben.

[Lena]: Looks awfully cobwebby.

[Ben]: … spiders make cobwebs with their front or back ends?

[Velrin]: Back.

[Ralaea]: Gross.

[Lena]: I think it comes out their bu– backends, yeah.

[Ben]: Maybe it ain't as safe back there as I thought.

[Ben]: Be careful.

[Iphindra]: It- it's good to see all the cobwebs! There are spiders wh- who have a good eyesight, and they make less cobwebs. If they make a lot, that means they maybe don't see very well!

[Ben]: Huh. For serious?

[Ben]: That is good to know.

[Lena]: That's a nice way of finding the silver lining.

[Lena]: In a field of giant spiders.

Iphindra nods at Lena.

[Ben]: I mean they are mostly underground spiders, so I reckon they don't do as good in the light, maybe?

[Ben]: Or in the Light.

Ben laughs at his own joke.

Lena giggles.

[Ben]: … 'preciate you, Lena.

[Iphindra]: Y- yes! That would make sense! *She doesn't understand why he's laughing.*

Ralaea might not have gotten the joke.

Velrin looks unamused.

Someone said something about being full up on venom glands, which I was obviously in say range for because Ben replied, but Elephant chose to ignore whoever they were. Sorry, whoever you were.

[Ben]: I do not reckon I am gonna get any more in mine neither.

[Lena]: Probably gonna have to burn that bag after.

[Ben]: How are we doin'?

[Lena]: Or just give it to the infirmary, maybe.

[Ralaea]: Good call, Lena.

[Velrin]: Just getting warmed up sir.

[Iphindra]: I- I can carry one or two more, if you want!

Iphindra doesn't look like she can carry one or two more.

[Ben]: I think we best get these back as quick as we can to the man.

Iphindra nods at Ben.

They head back into the Argent Vanguard as quick as they can.

Ben slows down to a walk.

[Ben]: Sir. We got 'em.

Ben holds out a sackful of oozy things.

Father Gustav straightens from where he is speaking to a wounded woman near the bonfire. His expression floods with relief.

Mordecai approaches again, smiliing.

[Mordecai]: You're back! Was anyone poisoned?

Ben shakes his head at Mordecai with a reassuring smile.

Velrin lightens up again, "No, we're all fine, thank Elune."

Mordecai seems to visibly relax. "I'm glad to hear it."

Lena holds out her bag of oozy venom sacs to Father Gustav, an offer to take the whole bag off her hands.

Iphindra hands Father Gustav her spider glands as well.

Father Gustav says: Mordecai, will you help me with these?

Father Gustav offers out one of the sacks.

[Mordecai]: Of course, father.

Mordecai takes the sack and walks off towards the alchemists.

[Iphindra]: The- they don't see very well!

[Lena]: Because of the webs. *Lena nods. She might not remember how this follows anymore.*

Father Gustav says: Thank you. Thank you all, Cobalts. You have no idea how many Argent lives you and your comrades have saved.

[Ben]: Glad to be of service, sir.

They return to the Crusade Commander.

Ben salutes Crusade Commander Entari with respect.

Crusade Commander Entari says: Thank you, Cobalts. The survivors have been making their way back to us. Your valor has shown good for morale here – but there is still much to be done.

Crusade Commander Entari says: Your comrades have been dispatched as part of the forward assault on Scourgeholme. The Nerubians are using the same evil tactics there as they are here, however.

Crusade Commander Entari says: We need to rescue our captive men and women from the field at Scourgeholme in order to make way for our own advance.

Lena nods grimly.

[Velrin]: Understood.

Crusade Commander Entari says: Find Penumbrius, one of our allies from the bronze dragonflight. He has assistance to offer.

[Iphindra]: We- we're on it!

[Ben]: The dragonflight? Damn.

Ben looks around.

Ralaea realizes she's standing next to Velrin and tenses.

Lena smiles. "A dragon."

Velrin purses her lips at the mention of Bronze Dragons.

Crusade Commander Entari says: You'll find him on the far side of the infirmary camp, down below.

[Ben]: Yessir.

Ben salutes Crusade Commander Entari with respect.

Iphindra looks around for the dragon.

Ben eyes Penumbrius up and down.

[Ben]: Sir?

The elf’s eyes light avidly at the sight of the tabards.

Lena eyes Penumbrius's unusual hairstyle. Must be a dragon thing.

Penumbrius says: I can’t believe it! I’m meeting the illustrious Cobalt Company for the first time! Or is it the – for the first and/or second time! Chromie will tell me so much about you. Which one of you is Captain Jo?

[Iphindra]: She isn't he- here!

[Lena]: Oh she's… probably still back in Dalaran?

[Iphindra]: We are with Lieutenant Ben. *She points to Ben.*

Penumbrius says: Ah, well. I suppose I met or will meet her on another occasion. Anyway – to work!

Ben is trying not to smile. He surveys the proto-drakes behind Penumbrius instead.

Ralaea shakes her head. Dragons.

Penumbrius says: These drakes of the bronze proto-brood stand ready to assist with the rescue of the Argent captives the Scourge are attempting to use as living shields on the Scourgeholme battlefield.

Lena mouths "proto-brood."

Penumbrius says: Choose any of the skytalons in the pen behind me and fly across the Breach and into Scourgeholme to retrieve any crusaders you find alive. Return them immediately to Father Gustav’s infirmary.

Penumbrius says: I’d wish you good luck, but I don’t think this is the occasion you’ll need it!

[Ben]: That is… either reassurin' or not. Sir.

Penumbrius nods solemnly.

[Lena]: I hope wish us it when we do. *Lena smiles.*

Iphindra nods at Lena.

Ben climbs aboard a proto-drake, which immediately beats its wings and lifts into the air.

[Ben]: Whoa.

Ben laughs.

Iphindra speaks to the proto-drake before jumping on its back.

The squad flies across the snowy valley and through the webbed and burning fortifications of the Breach. Their first Icecrown vista is spread before them.

As first impressions go, it’s not an awesome one.

[Ben]: Holy shit, y'all.

Captured Crusader says: Thank you, friend, but we're not out of trouble yet!

The Lich King yells: This will be your last incursion against the Scourge!

Well, buddy, you said that last week, and here we are.

Captured Crusader says: Get me out of here, friend!

Captured Crusader says: I… I think I saw the Lich King. It was only for a moment, but he was here… And it turned so cold, friend. So, so cold…

Captured Crusader says: Thank you, hero.
Captured Crusader says: Thank you, hero.
Captured Crusader says: Thank you, hero.
Captured Crusader says: Thank you, hero.
Captured Crusader says: Thank you, hero.
Captured Crusader says: Thank you, hero.
Captured Crusader says: Thank you, hero.

You get the gist.

Father Gustav looks up again from the latest drop-off.

Father Gustav says: Cobalt! Thank you again.

Lena nods.

[Iphindra]: We- we're happy to have helped!

[Lena]: So that's Icecrown. Looks about as much a nightmare as I'd imagined.

Iphindra instantly turn to Lena. "It was terrifying!"

Father Gustav nods grimly at Lena and Iphindra. "Report up the hill to Highlord Fordring. He'll want to speak with you."

[Lena]: Yes, sir.

They head up the hill toward Tirion and his Mystery Guest.

Lena glances over at Iphindra. "We'll be safe, in that place. We'll watch out for each other."

Ben nods at Lena.

[Velrin]: I can't say it's not what I expected from the realm of the Lich King, but still. Seeing it with my own eyes is another thing entirely.

[Iphindra]: Y- yes! I'm not afraid of Icecrown. *The look on her face shows she's a little afraid.*

Ben approaches the duo atop the hill again warily. He is studying The Ebon Watcher with narrowed eyes.

[Ralaea]: Why is there a death knight here?

[Lena]: You know they're working together.

[Ralaea]: Only one, though.

[Iphindra]: The death knights help us against the Lich King, don't they?

[Iphindra]: At least… some?

Lena glances at Rae and Iphindra. "Maybe the rest of 'em are off somewhere else, doing some other mission."

Iphindra nods at Lena.

Ralaea is probably concerned about one death knight in particular.

Lena murmurs to Rae, "Is he up here, with the others?"

Ben glances back at Lena and Rae.

[Ralaea]: Yeah, he… We came separately. I haven't seen him since.

Velrin raises an eyebrow at Lena and Rae.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: The Lich King reacted swiftly to the breach. Faster than I anticipated.

The Ebon Watcher says: You are dealing with a being that holds within it the consciousness of the most cunning, intelligent, and ruthless individuals to ever live.

Lena looks up as the Highlord and Ebon Watcher start talking.

The Ebon Watcher says: The Lich King is unlike any foe that you have ever faced, Highlord. Though you bested him upon the holy ground of Light's Hope Chapel, you tread now upon his domain.

Iphindra listens to the new conversation.

The Ebon Watcher says: You cannot win. Not like this…

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: What would you have me do, Darion?

The Ebon Watcher says: Nothing. There is nothing that you can do while the Light binds you. It controls you wholly, shackling you to the ground with its virtues.

Ben 's eyes widen and then narrow.

Lena makes a little 'ah' sound at the name.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: Choose your words wisely, death knight. You stand amidst the company of the devoted.

The Ebon Watcher shakes his head.

The Ebon Watcher says: Look upon the field, Highlord. The Lich King has halted your advance completely and won the upper hand!

C’mon, pal, at least acknowledge all the work Blue Squad did last week.

Iphindra tilts her head.

The Ebon Watcher says: The breach you created was sealed with Nerubian webbing almost as quickly as it was opened.

Ben mutters to himself.

The Ebon Watcher says: Your soldiers are being used as living shields to stave off artillery fire in the Valley of Echoes, allowing the forces of the Lich King to assault your base without impediment.

Again, that has been handled, sir.

The Ebon Watcher says: The Lich King knows your boundaries, Highlord. He knows that you will not fire on your own men. Do you not understand? He has no boundaries. No rules to abide.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: We will do this with honor, Darion. We will not sink to the levels of the Scourge to be victorious. To do so would make us no better than the monster that we fight to destroy!

Velrin nods

Lena looks a little skeptical at this last.

The Ebon Watcher says: Then you have lost, Highlord.

Ben turns his head like he means to spit, but he does not. Possibly because the Highlord is right there.

Lena mutters, "We haven't lost yet."

Iphindra nods at Lena.

Ben clears his throat. "Highlord Fordring, sir?

Tirion Fordring says: Cobalts. Well done out there.

Hear that, Darion?

Tirion Fordring says: And now the way into Scourgeholme is open to our forward forces. Brace yourselves, Cobalt Company; Arthas’s retaliation is sure to be swift and desperate.

Tirion Fordring says: We have weathered his fury before, and we will do it again. How good are you with artillery?

[Iphindra]: I- is it… like throwing spears?..

Tirion Fordring says: Cannons.

[Lena]: I'm familiar enough, though I usually fight through other means.

[Velrin]: It's not my specialty, but I'm sure I can manage.

[Iphindra]: Um… *She looks at the others. Maybe they are competent with that.*

[Ben]: I reckon we can handle it, sir.

Tirion Fordring says: Good. Report to Siegemaster Fezzik at the front gate. By the Light’s grace, we will break this counteroffensive here once and for all.

They head down toward the gate.

Lena tilts her head towards Iphindra. "There's similarities, maybe. To throwing spears."

[Iphindra]: I- I know to take the wind into account, and how t- to aim. That will help, maybe, yes?

[Lena]: Yes, it's gonna be going faster, so it's maybe less than a spear? But same sort of aiming.

They find Siegemaster Fezzik. Considering his name and occupation, they should perhaps not be surprised.

[Ben]: Ah.

[Ralaea]: Of course it's a goblin.

Siegemaster Fezzik looks up frantically. "No time, Cobalts, no time! Have you seen what’s out there?"

Siegemaster Fezzik says: I’ve just activated the tower defenses! You handled these guns like champs last time, so get back up in there and give ‘em hell!

Highlord Tirion Fordring yells: The time of the Argent Crusade is now!

Highlord Tirion Fordring yells: Put your faith in the Light and all is possible!

White Squad puts their faith in the Light and/or cannons, and the oncoming Scourge onslaught are reduced to so much ash.

Siegemaster Fezzik says: Watch ‘em crumble! Hot damn, I bet that’s done it!

Highlord Tirion Fordring yells: We shall triumph! The End of the Scourge draws near.

White Squad reconvenes at the Siegemaster’s post.

[Iphindra]: It is e- easier to handle than I thought!

[Lena]: Yeah, you did do well with it.

Siegemaster Fezzik says: Heck of a job, once again, Cobalt Company. I oughta have you declared honorary goblins.

Lena 's brow furrows. Is that a compliment?

Siegemaster Fezzik, grinning from ear to ear, offers effusive handshakes all around.

Ben accepts a goblin handshake a little dubiously. "Sir."

Ralaea does not shake his hand.

Iphindra shakes Fezzik's hand enthusiastically.

Velrin takes his hand and shakes it.

Lena politely shakes the goblin's hand.

Siegemaster Fezzik says: Report to the Highlord, soldiers!

Ben turns around and discovers Highlord Fordring has ridden down behind them.

[Ben]: … oh, hey.

Ben salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.

Highlord Tirion Fordring nods at the group.

Iphindra salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: The time has come, friends. The Vanguard is secure. We’ve reclaimed the Valley of Echoes once again, and I daresay they won’t soon close the gap you’ve broken in their lines. It’s time we seize the advantage.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: Travel across the valley and report to the Breach. Your company’s other squad is there already, working with the Ebon Watcher and our forward forces. Join their assault.

[Ben]: Sir, yessir.

Ben salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.

[Iphindra]: We flipped the waves…

Lena frowns, and murmurs, "The Ebon Watcher."

[Velrin]: Is there a problem? *she asks Lena.*

[Lena]: Heard the fellow call him Darion. Wondering if we're meant to be coy about his identity is all.

[Ben]: Don't see why, at this point.

[Ben]: But I guess Highlord Fordring can call a fellow what he wants.

Lena shrugs, and nods at Ben.

[Iphindra]: Darion is… ?

[Ben]: Darion Mograine. Boss of the death knights.

[Iphindra]: Oh, right, yes!

Ben leans over in the saddle and spits on the snow.

[Iphindra]: The death knights who help us!

Lena nods at Iphindra.

They ride across the valley to the little camp.

Ben eyes the Ebon Watcher warily.

Ralaea glares angrily at the nearby Forsaken.

Iphindra looks at the Forsaken and the gnome talking together behind The Ebon Watcher curiously.

Ben flicks a glance at the Forsaken and then turns a neutral mask of an expression back on The Ebon Watcher.

Lena stares at the Forsaken with no expression, and then puts on a smile to turn back to the 'Ebon Watcher'.

[Ben]: Sir. The Highlord sent us.

The Ebon Watcher says: Ah, yes. More Cobalts.

The Ebon Watcher says: The Scourge have sent their armies at the Argent Crusade, and they have been repelled. Their next, desperate tactic is a vicious one, and we must meet it with the same bitter purpose.

The Ebon Watcher regards Ben from beneath his hood for a long, chill moment.

The Ebon Watcher says: The Argent Crusade would likely ask you, paladin, to redeem their fallen soldiers and grant their remains a proper farewell. I will ask no such thing. We haven’t got time for the luxury of mercy.

The Ebon Watcher says: Venture through the Breach and lay waste to anything that stands in your way.

The Ebon Watcher says: Gather the scourgestones of the fallen and return them to me. The stones are given to all Scourge on their creation and afford them certain benefits – but more importantly for our purposes, they allow Scourge leaders to retain connection with their units for monitoring.

The Ebon Watcher says: With enough of them, I may be able to trace the connection the other way, and pinpoint the locations of certain of their leaders. Return to me when your bags are full.

Ben nods curtly at The Ebon Watcher. He does not salute him.

Lena nods. That all sounds reasonable.

[Velrin]: Hm, a fine plan. I'd rather like to deal with these Scourge commanders.

Father Gustav steps out from the hut. He eyes the Ebon Watcher and then pointedly turns his attention to the Cobalt squad.

Don’t worry, Mordecai is holding things down back at the infirmary now.

Father Gustav says: Friends, you did a valiant job rescuing our people from Scourgeholme earlier. It necessarily grieves us that we could not save them all.

Iphindra nods sadly at Father Gustav.

Father Gustav holds out a handful of crystal vials.

Father Gustav says: These contain holy water. When you venture through the Breach to slay the Scourge, take but a moment to sprinkle a few drops on the bones of any of our risen crusaders, to lay their souls to rest.

[Lena]: Of course, sir.

The Ebon Watcher scoffs harshly. Father Gustav ignores him, and bows to White Squad.

Father Gustav says: Go with the Light.

[Ben]: Yessir. Of course, sir.

[Ben]: Thank you, sir.

Iphindra throws that sad gaze at The Ebon Watcher. She loses a leaf.

Almost as soon as they enter the Breach, they are attacked by the shambling bones of risen crusaders.

Ben murmurs a quick prayer and scatters holy water on the bones.

A spirit visibly rises from the bones, in a shaft of light and with a sound like a sigh.

Lena watches the spirit rise with an odd, intent expression.

Ben murmurs another prayer over another crusader's remains.

[Ben]: Damn, this place.

Ben wipes his brow and looks around grimly.

[Ralaea]: I saw a hand. In the goo. It reached out.

Velrin growls softly.

[Ben]: Shit.

Iphindra 's icy blue skin becomes even paler.

[Ben]: Stay away from it. The… goo, I mean.

Lena closes her eyes for a moment, then opens them. "Wonder what it was like before."

[Ralaea]: Snow maybe? Just snow?

[Ben]: Icecrown, yeah. 'Icecrown' sure does not sound like… this.

[Lena]: Maybe.

[Velrin]: Everything the Scourge touches is tainted too.

[Ralaea]: Depends on your definition of tainted, I guess.

[Ralaea]: To them, this place is probably…I don't know that they feel comfort, exactly, but.

[Lena]: Safe?

[Ralaea]: Their version of holy?

[Ben]: I do not know that I am aimin' to see this place through the eyes of Scourge.

[Iphindra]: H- home?

Ralaea falls silent, then.

[Ben]: Ain't nothin' holy about it. It is life polluted.

[Velrin]: How could the dead have a home? They've all been taken from their proper ones to this cursed place.

[Lena]: Unholy.

Ben nods at Velrin.

[Ralaea]: They can't go back to their proper ones.

Lena looks a little distant.

[Ben]: Sure, but the Lich King is taken their souls from 'em. That ain't restin'.

[Lena]: These ones, they've been taken from the Argent Vanguard.

[Iphindra]: I- I… we're hear to free them from this bad undeath, at least!

[Lena]: Not from homes, I mean. From the Crusaders.

The group passes a plague wagon with a broken axle. The vehicle’s tank still bubbles and wafts greenish vapor.

[Ralaea]: Is this…

[Ben]: Stay back!

[Iphindra]: Is it… the Plague?

[Velrin]: It looks to be.

[Ralaea]: Are they planning to spread this?

[Lena]: Are they ever not?

[Ben]: Keep well back from it. We will report to the Vanguard. I reckon it won't be a surprise to 'em, though.

[Lena]: The Scourge is tryin' to spread plague. In other news, rain is wet.

[Ralaea]: It's got wheels…

Iphindra does take a step forward towards it. She's curious about the thing. She quickly shakes her head and follows the group.

[Velrin]: Don't worry too much Iphindra. The original plague was meant to afflict humans. At worst we would just become very ill.

Ralaea bites her tongue.

[Ben]: I mean. It ain't necessarily the original.

Iphindra nods at you.

[Ben]: The plague last year and the one the Forsakens done at Wrathgate did a number on everyone.

[Ben]: Arthas has made pretty clear he got more ambitions than just Lordaeron now, so.

Lena looks like she might say something, but then Ben says basically what was on her mind.

Iphindra points up. "The flying building! Is it plague it's spreading too?"

[Ralaea]: …Probably is, yeah.

[Ben]: Yeah, it looks like the plague spreaders we seen in Zul'drak.

Lena watches the rotating plague spreader for a moment.

[Ralaea]: A bomb?

[Ralaea]: Plague bomb?

[Iphindra]: A- a bomb?

[Lena]: Wait, what? Did you see a bomb?

[Ralaea]: The remains of one, anyway. Was probably used here.

[Iphindra]: … oh.

[Ben]: That would explain it.

[Lena]: Ah, I see it.

[Lena]: Sorta like the mana bombs in Terokkar?

[Iphindra]: C- can I try something on this land, before we leave? After we're done….

[Ben]: After we are done.

Iphindra nods at Ben.

[Velrin]: What do you want to try?

[Iphindra]: To see how it was be- before… others were wondering about this.

[Ralaea]: Can you do that?

[Iphindra]: I don't think I could heal it, b- but I could tell you how it was. If it lets me.

[Lena]: Is it dangerous? If the land is sick now, and you try to get… close to it?

[Iphindra]: I- I'll be okay!

[Ben]: I do not want us to stay expose to this plague much longer.

[Ben]: Iphindra, why don't you try it now, and then we got to get back.

Iphindra nods.

Iphindra kneels and burrows her hands inside the ground. The skeleton covered ground.

Ralaea keeps an eye out for danger.

Ben sidesteps away from a spindling skeleton arm that reaches up from a nearby bone pile. He casually smites it with Light.

Lena steps back by Rae, keeping an eye out.

Velrin keeps an eye out for danger as well.

Iphindra closes her eyes. "I see it! How it was… covered in snow… Frozen lands… arctic Life, but very few… It's silent. Peaceful. It's the coldest part of Northrend. Not much live, here. It all hides. Everything here… it's the hardiest things!"

Ben eyes Iphindra respectfully.

[Iphindra]: It's b- beautiful…

[Lena]: It was, then. *Lena says, looking around at the plague-infested ruin.*

Velrin smiles faintly, "Sometimes we forget, but even on a glacier there can be life."

[Ben]: Well. That is a damn shame. Everything he has done is a damn shame, I mean. But.

[Ralaea]: If holy water wasn't so expensive, I'd say we dump a bunch on the entire place…

Iphindra’s flowers wilt on her head, and their petals fall to the ground. She shakes slightly.

[Ben]: Let's get back to the 'Ebon Watcher.' *Ben sketches quotation marks sarcastically in the air.*

Ben steps past Iphindra and puts a hand on her shoulder briefly, gently.

Iphindra removes her hands from the ground, smiling sadly at Ben. She looks like she could have passed out

[Velrin]: Thank you Iphindra. Knowing that this place was once beautiful not not only the land of the Lich King is comforting to me.

Iphindra smiles at Velrin.

They travel back across the Breach to the little encampment in the valley, and approach Darion the Ebon Watcher.

[Ben]: Sir. We have done like you asked.

Ben silently hands over a sack of scourgestones.

The 'Ebon Watcher' says: You have done well. Together we will buy the Argent Crusade the time they need to lay the foundations of their new fortress.

Lena sets her own sack of scourgestones next to him carefully.

Velrin hands over her stones.

Iphindra raises a bag of scourgestones weakly and hands them directly to the Ebon Watcher. She smiles at him, shyly.

The Ebon Watcher does not smile back at Iphindra.

The 'Ebon Watcher' says: I will discern what I can from these stones. Report back to me when next you are here, and I will have new orders for you.

[Ben]: Yessir.

Lena nods politely.

Ben stops in the doorway of the hut and clears his throat politely. "Father?"

Ben holds out an empty vial wordlessly.

Father Gustav says: I thank you, Cobalt Company, and the Argent Crusade thanks you. The path of the righteous crusader is one beset by iniquity. Wherever we have a chance to set things right, we must take it.

Father Gustav says: We cannot allow the weeds of evil to take root and expect the Light to flourish in the same ground.

[Ralaea]: I didn't know the Light was a plant.

The Ebon Watcher says: I’m afraid I was never much of a gardener, Gustav. It seems to me that if the Light of Dawn was able to purge the field at Light’s Hope Chapel, it can certainly shine strong enough to overcome the loss of a few souls.

The Ebon Watcher says: It would be ironic if I proved the one of us with greater faith in the Light, would it not?

Father Gustav presses his lips together in a thin, white line. He turns and steps back into his hut.

Lena looks a little puzzled at the interplay.

Ben turns his head to eye The Ebon Watcher again impassively. His gaze is hard.

Ben turns his back on Darion. We all know it's you, Darion.

Iphindra mutters. "W- weeds aren't bad. Weeds of e- evil… it doesn't make sense…"

[Ben]: Reckon we are done here for today, White Squad. A excellent job by everyone.

[Ralaea]: …So. It is a plant, or it's a pesticide?

Velrin wipes a bemused smirk off of her face looking at Ben.

Lena stifles a giggle at Rae. This is serious, really.

[Ben]: I do not recommend thinkin' too hard on some metaphors. Not all fellows is good at 'em.

Anything can be a metaphor if you think about it. But sometimes you shouldn’t think too hard.

Iphindra nods at Ben.

[Ben]: I am gonna get back to the Vanguard and see how they are holdin' up. Y'all are dismissed.

[Velrin]: Understood.

[Ralaea]: Are we… allowed to do any roaming on our own, or… stay here and help?

[Ben]: I would not roam through the Breach, Rae. That place do not seem safe alone. That was a shitton of crusaders we just had to put to rest.

[Ben]: I would not like to have to bring along holy water to rest none of you next time.

[Lena]: I could go along, if you like. I'm not much for the infirmary besides folding bandages.

[Ben]: But you are all free to stay at the Vanguard and pitch in, naturally.

[Lena]: Or… I can stay at the Vanguard. Of course. *Lena amends.*

Iphindra nods slowly.

[Ralaea]: …Just would be nice to know where the other death knights are.

[Iphindra]: I… We ca- can ask around camp if they know?..

[Ben]: I reckon we will find that out, Rae. But explorin' Icecrown alone when the Argent Crusade has barely made a dent in the place ain't seem the smart way to do it.

[Lena]: I bet they're safe, wherever they are.

[Ben]: Maybe you can stay and chat up that fellow about it.

Ben jerks a thumb over his shoulder at The Ebon Watcher.

[Ralaea]: I was considering it…

Ben eyes Ralaea up and down.

[Ben]: Well, good luck then. But like I said, no headin' out alone. Be safe, okay?

Iphindra tilts her head curiously at Rae.

[Ralaea]: Yessir.

Ben nods at her.

[Iphindra]: I wi- will help at the infirmary! *She still looks a little weak after connecting to the sick land so deeply.*

Ben eyes Iphindra.

[Lena]: And maybe get checked over yourself?

[Ben]: Yeah. Let's get you back there.

[Ralaea]: How about you rest at the infirmary first.

[Iphindra]: I'm- I'm okay.. Just a little tired. *A lot of the plants in her hair have wilted.*

[Velrin]: I'll scout out the area here. Make sure there aren't anymore Scourge lurking about.

Ben nods at Velrin. "Check back in at the Vanguard regular. And no crossin' the Breach alone, like I said to Rae."

[Velrin]: Very well.

Ben nods again.