(2024-02-18) That Was A Lot Of Praying (S13 E2 - Blue Squad Log)

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	Blue Squad's adventures at the Argent Vanguard continue. Colson prays for every fallen Crusader Blue Squad can find on the battlefield, and there are a lot of them. Highlord Darion Mograine is politer than his fellow death knights. Cressidha does not put the Lich King and his armies in her magic bag, but it CAN fit a whole lot of building materials in it. Auralind manages to glare with alarming accuracy. Bunny is still holding a grudge about Colson flying on a dragon last week. ~6100 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 13

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[Dane]: Too right.

[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, everyone.

[Dane]: Hullo' hullo', how are you faring?

Dane asks, with deep bags under his eyes as he holds his hands to the fire.

[Auralind]: Ishnu alah, Cressidha.

Brannagen arrives. He wasn't sitting here before.

[Cressidha]: Well, thank you.

Cressidha might just default to that.

Auralind's ear twitches. "Elune adore, Prospector."

Colson and Mordecai have been in the infirmary for most of the week. Not in this exact spot though, that would be weird. "Good afternoon, everyone."

[Brannagen]: Lo there everyone!

Mordecai mumbles a greeting.

Cressidha begins to hand out water. Look at how liquid it is. It's so clearly water and not pie or strudels.

[Dane]: 'Fore we begin…

Brannagen thanks Cressidha.

Dane glances around. "Any of you have any idea who that bloody Ebon Watcher is?"

Auralind bows her head. "Ishnu dal dieb, Colson, Mordecai."

Auralind bows her head reverently to Cressidha as she accepts the Gift of Water. "Shaha lor'ma dula Luvas'alith."

[Cressidha]: Water, Dane?

[Dane]: Aye, cheers, Cress.

Dane nods in thanks and extends a hand.

[Colson]: I believe Sir Fordring referred to him as 'Darion.' I expect that would be Highlord Darion Mograine.

Dane knits his brow and deadpans Colson for a moment.

[Dane]: … That'd be it then, innit'.

Brannagen is making notes in his journal, not yet paying full attention.

Colson ties his water to his belt, as always.

[Dane]: He's got something for us. A new move to make, as soon as we're all lively and stepping.

[Auralind]: Who is Highlord Darion Mograine? A leader among the Ebon Blade, I assume?

Dane looks from Auralind to Colson.

[Brannagen]: Used ta be a paladin, aye?

Mordecai fidgets quietly.

[Brannagen]: I'll admit tha' paladin lore en't my specialty.

[Colson]: He is now, yes, Auralind. And yes, he was a paladin.

Brannagen nods at Colson.

Brannagen makes a note in his journal.

[Dane]: Right then. We ready to move off?

[Cressidha]: Indeed.

[Colson]: Yes.

[Mordecai]: Oh! I…

[Brannagen]: Where we movin' t'day?

[Dane]: Cannot say yet. I don't know. Highlord Fordring's asked for us, specifically.

[Brannagen]: Well, let's get to et!

Mordecai gets out a candle, then pauses. "You have a priest, I-I suppose you don't need my blessings," he says, trailing off into a mumble.

Brannagen salutes Atley with respect.

Dane grunts and looks to Mordecai. "They'll have best use of you here, I warrant."

Atley salutes Brannagen with respect.

[Colson]: I see. *Colson smiles gently at Mordecai, moving to cover his hand with Colson's own." Thank you, love.

[Mordecai]: Well, yes, I-I'll be here, I just meant.

Dane grunts. "Let's move."

Mordecai looks down at his feet. "Love you," he says quickly to Colson.

[Colson]: I will see you soon. I love you.

Colson moves.

Mordecai gets back to work.

Atley salutes Highlord Tirion Fordring with respect.

[Dane]: Highlord.

Brannagen stands at attention and salutes.

Cressidha nods politely.

Colson inclines his head politely.

Highlord Tirion Fordring turns to Blue Squad. "We mustn't lose our focus. The dangers inherent in getting lost in the moment could put us in peril, despite the time you've bought us. Alas, the soldiers need a respite from this madness."

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: Bask in the victory, Cobalt. If not for you we might have lost the Vanguard.

Dane grunts.

Colson doesn't seem much for basking.

Cressidha might bask, but she's discreet about it.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: The Vanguard is secure, allies. We have reclaimed the Valley of Echoes and taken down the web walls blocking entry to the Breach. Now is the time to strike at Scourgeholme and establish our presence inside Icecrown.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: The battlefront moves on! I have asked the Ebon Watcher for his assistance with our assault upon Scourgeholme. His intimate knowledge of the Scourge will be invaluable in our effort.

Highlord Tirion Fordring says: Go now and report to him at the tent outside of the Breach, northwest of here.

Colson nods, with military precision.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

[Dane]: Let's move out, you lot.

Colson moves out.

[Brannagen]: Cmon Magni!

Dane overlooks the battlefield before they land.

Cressidha glances at a table full of explosives.

Auralind cannot eye the Ebon Watcher suspiciously. So she just looks super suspicious in general.

Dane eyes The Ebon Watcher up and down. "You're a bit far off from the Ebon Hold, aren't you," he growls flatly at The Ebon Watcher.

[Cressidha]: Good afternoon. We are Cobalt Company's Blue Squad. Sir Fordring has sent us to offer our assistance.

The Ebon Watcher says: What I do for the Argent Crusade now should only be viewed as a fulfillment of an obligation. A payment, if you will. The Highlord freed me from the grasp of the Lich King and laid before us all the path to salvation.

Colson doesn't eye anything in particular, keeping his gaze polite and mild. "Good afternoon," he greets the Ebon Watcher Politely, possibly in time with his sister.

The Ebon Watcher says: With that said, it must be understood that our methods differ - greatly. I and the Knights of the Ebon Blade will help the Argent Crusade lay their foundations within Icecrown and then we will part ways. The payment made in full.

The Ebon Watcher looks between them. "A different destiny awaits us."

Atley eyes The Ebon Watcher up and down.

Brannagen makes notes in his journal as the Ebon Watcher talks.

The Ebon Watcher turns to Cressidha. "My knowledge of Scourge tactics is without equal." He peers at them all, again. "Before the battle of Light's Hope Chapel, my knights and I served under the Lich King, as I said."

Auralind growls, "We are aware."

Cressidha nods, her expression mild.

The Ebon Watcher stares at Auralind. "His icy grasp controlled our every action. The light of dawn has changed everything…"

Colson nods as well, his own expression neutral. He is very aware. He was there.

[Brannagen]: I have a million questions, but they can wait.

[Auralind]: So it is said.

The Ebon Watcher says: The Scourge have sent their armies at the Argent Crusade and have been repelled. What they do now is called a 'slash and burn.' All prisoners that they hold at Scourgeholme will be executed and raised as servants of the Lich King. Undoubtedly the Argent Crusade will request that you give their soldiers a proper farewell. I'll ask no such thing of you. To succeed we must kill Scourge indiscriminately.

Colson's hands tighten, even if his expression doesn't alter.

The Ebon Watcher says: Venture to Scourgeholme, northwest through the Breach, and lay waste to all that stand in your way.

[Dane]: That's all then, is it?

The Ebon Watcher says: A Scourgestone is an item given to all Scourge upon birth or creation. It provides certain benefits to the holder, but more importantly it allows Scourge leaders visibility into the location and movement of all of their units.

The Ebon Watcher says: With enough Scourgestones, I might be able to track the movement of other Scourge units across Icecrown.

[Brannagen]: Oooh, useful.

The Ebon Watcher says: As you slaughter Scourge in Scourgeholme, gather all of the Scourgestones that you find. Return to me when your bags are full.

[Brannagen]: Can do.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

Father Gustav says: Cobalt Company, a moment.

Colson glances at Cressidha. Until they're full? They might be here a while.

[Dane]: Father?

Colson inclines his head politely to Father Gustav. He's been working with him for most of the past week with Mordecai in the infirmary.

[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Father Gustav. How might we be of assistance?

Father Gustav says: Not all of our soldiers made it out of Scourgeholme. Many were slain and turned into twisted reflections of their former selves. Such is the way of the Scourge. For those damned souls, there is no eternal peace.

Father Gustav says: We must provide their souls rest.

[Colson]: Of course, Father.

Father Gustav inclines his head somberly. "Travel through the Breach into Scourgeholme and slay the skeletal reanimated crusaders. Sprinkle this holy water on their bodies so that their spirits may be freed." He holds the water out to Colson.

Brannagen is once again fine not being taken for a priest.

Colson takes it with reverence. "It will be done. May the Light guide them to their rest."

[Dane]: Let's move out, you lot. We're on foot.

Colson moves out on foot.

[Brannagen]: If yer worried I canna keep up with yer long legs, dinna fash.

Colson murmurs a prayer of the Light over the body of a fallen crusader reanimated to the scourge.

Colson sprinkles the holy water over the crusader's form with grave, er, solemn reverence.

Dane squints down at the Reanimated Crusader's armor.

Cressidha squints. She looks down at the body, and then looks up.

Brannagen looks up and around, getting the lay of the land.

Dane raises a hand to shield his eyes from the brightness.

[Dane]: We're hammering at away them. Let's press on.

Auralind keeps 'watch' while the others engage in their Light rituals.

[Colson]: Blessed be the Light that has mercy on my mortal soul. I shall fear no shadow that night doth ever form as I walk in the Light. In its grace I shall dwell, in peace and war, the weariness of a mortal’s life laid to rest at last within the Light Eternal.

Colson repeats the prayer each time.

[Dane]: Now…

[Brannagen]: Oh now this looks familiar…

[Dane]: If we see 'him,' we don't engage. No matter how badly we'd like to.

[Auralind]: That stench….

[Colson]: Understood, Dane.

Auralind growls. "Very well."

[Cressidha]: Understood.

[Dane]: The last thing our allies need is us bolstering his ranks…

Colson's expression is neutral, as he inclines his head.

Dane watches the spirit fly up as Colson blesses the corpse.

[Brannagen]: Scourge set up all manner o' camps like this in Lordaeron durin' the last war.

Dane blinks, and turns on Brannagen. "You were there?"

[Brannagen]: Oh, aye.

[Brannagen]: Where I learned t'heal, in fact.

Dane grunts, eyeing Brannagen appraisingly. "I hadn't known. With the army?"

[Brannagen]: Aye!

Dane grunts. "Do much fighting?"

[Brannagen]: In a priesty sorta way, aye.

[Brannagen]: Support mostly.

[Dane]: We may've shared battlefields, Brannagen.

[Brannagen]: Healin', potions, an such

Cressidha collects a scourgestone or three.

[Brannagen]: Ach, ye'd ha' remembered me.

[Dane]: I was in the army during the … scourging.

[Auralind]: Blessedly, not the battlefields you and I likely shared, Dane.

Auralind smirks.

[Brannagen]: We must notta crossed paths; I doubt ye could forget this magnificent beard.

Cressidha examines the nerubian after they kill it.

Dane grunts with grim amusement at Auralind.

[Colson]: As was I, though not in Lordaeron itself at that point. I had been moved to the coast.

Auralind chuckles.

[Dane]: Which coast?

[Brannagen]: Mistwalker, let it be noted that me beard is magnificent, since ye canna see it.

[Dane]: 'Tis. Make note of it, Auralind.

[Colson]: To be deployed to the Theramore, with Lady Jaina.

[Auralind]: I have no doubt it is spectacular, Prospector.

Dane growls with faux-seriousness.

[Dane]: Aye. The coast. I was one of the last to arrive to the rally.

[Brannagen]: Ye can give it a feel later if ye like. It's clean!

[Cressidha]: It certainly appears very well-groomed.

Cressidha nods. A Cressidha compliment!

Brannagen thanks Cressidha.

[Auralind]: Perhaps it is time I felt your face.

[Brannagen]: Thanks to Boomer fer tha'. Yer Oranna.

[Dane]: Some used to consider it good fortune to touch a dwarf's beard, if he welcomed it.

[Auralind]: How strange.

Colson doesn't remark on that. His lips might have twitched though.

[Brannagen]: I've been takin' better care of it lately.

[Brannagen]: Even when Boomer isn't around.

[Auralind]: Oh? Have you a paramour to impress?

[Dane]: You've seen Oranna recently, have you?

Cressidha blinks over a portion of the ground bubbling with some green Nope.

[Brannagen]: Gotta represent Cobalt Company, aye?

[Dane]: Aye.

[Brannagen]: My paramour was already impressed. She's easily impressed.

[Dane]: Your paramour is Oranna…?

Brannagen laughs.

Atley eyes Brannagen up and down.

[Brannagen]: Ach, nae.

Colson continues to bless each and every single fallen crusader.

Dane grunts.

[Brannagen]: Doubt ye know 'er. A dran-eye lass.

Dane stomps on a skeletal arm reaching out from the ashes.

[Auralind]: A draenei…?

[Brannagen]: A' least I think we're still paramours… it's been a minute.

Brannagen shrugs. Who knows?

[Dane]: Wot's her name?

[Cressidha]: Hm.

Auralind tries to imagine this…then stops, lest she intrude on Bran's imaginary privacy.

[Brannagen]: Breezy. Er… wait, no.

Brannagen thinks.

[Brannagen]: Xaafi.

Dane squints.

[Cressidha]: I'm afraid I do not know her, no.

[Dane]: Can't say I know her, either.

[Auralind]: Zoffy…

[Brannagen]: We may no' be a theng anymore, I dinna ken.

[Dane]: You've seen Oranna recently. How is she?

[Brannagen]: Wasna real formal like.

Auralind nods to Bran.

[Brannagen]: She's good! I mean fer a definition of good tha' includes… y'know.

[Cressidha]: Ah. An… informal paramour. I understand.

Cressidha nods mildly. She has heard of such things.

[Brannagen]: She was on squad with me fer a bit.

[Auralind]: A sexual partner, then? Zoffy, I mean. Not Oranna.

[Brannagen]: Still a big worrywart, but doin' better.

[Brannagen]: Aye. *he taps his nose and points to Auralind.*

Colson clears his throat at the explicit mention of sexual partners.

Dane grunts mildly at Brannagen.

Cressidha looks into one of the ziggurats.

Dane nods at Cressidha. "Let's clear it out."

[Brannagen]: Dinna blush, Twin Lad. Kaldorei are frank abou' tha' kinda theng.

Colson isn't blushing.

Brannagen was advising him NOT to, you see.

[Cressidha]: Very well.

[Colson]: Yessir.

Auralind nods like sex buddies is just business as usual.

[Dane]: With draenei…

Dane eyes Brannagen for a moment, glaring with deliberation. "All matches up, then, does it?"

[Colson]: Humans are not quite so frank, particularly ladies of nobility.

Colson nods to Cressidha.

Cressidha looks like she might be paying more attention to the undead priests in the ziggurat. "Hm?"

[Brannagen]: Everyone gotta do how they do.

[Colson]: Of course. However, there are some discussions best kept to privacy.

Brannagen belatedly hears Dane's question and laughs out loud.

Dane nods once. "Does, then."

[Brannagen]: In yer culture aye, bu' it's different for kaldorei. She didna mean any harm.

[Auralind]: I did not ask the Prospector for intimate details.

[Dane]: We'll come back for that monstrosity later.

Atley points at Salranax the Flesh Render.

[Colson]: I did not say she did. I merely would prefer if we would steer the conversation elsewhere out of respect for mixed company.

Dane waves a hand. "Aye, aye, it's over, let's speak of other things."

[Brannagen]: Ef someone asks me a question I answer it! But if ye prefer Mistwalker no' ask that kinda question take it up with her I suppose.

[Dane]: I'll say you are properly cheeky, Master Brannagen.

Auralind sighs. "As you wish."

[Dane]: Oi. Wot's this, then?

Cressidha waits patiently while Colson says prayers for each fallen crusader, every time.

[Cressidha]: Hm?

Dane nods at the spikey bomb.

[Dane]: Doesn't look Scourge.

Thaeru'kal sniffs at the bomb and growls.

Colson is not an expert in munitions.

Cressidha circles around it.

[Cressidha]: It has a skull on it.

[Colson]: Ah.

[Dane]: Reminds me of the plague bombs used at the Wrathgate.

[Dane]: Watch out for any more hiding in this endless sludge.

Auralind darkens, her lips curling into a snarl.

[Cressidha]: Understood.

Brannagen is busily taking notes, tossing off heals when needed.

[Colson]: I am afraid I cannot sense if there is any particular disease in it still, as the rest of the place is too Scourged to differentiate.

Dane grunts.

Brannagen's text is illegible (Dwarvish) but he appears to be mapping the Scourge base.

Colson repeats the prayer again and again.

Dane stomps out another one of the skeletal arms upreaching from the ground.

[Dane]: It's of no surprise that every inch of this wasteland'll be paid for inch by inch.

[Brannagen]: They dinna seem t'be makin' abominations a' this one… I can recognize those structures a mile off…

Auralind mutters, "I can smell abominations a mile off."

[Brannagen]: Unless they've changed the architecture…

[Dane]: Aye, likely don't need to, not with all these nerubians about.

Brannagen nods at Atley.

[Brannagen]: Aye, giant shock troops are giant shock troops, I suppose.

[Dane]: Let's have a look inside this ziggurat.

[Colson]: Yessir.

[Dane]: It's a great deal more convenient when they're not firing at you.

[Brannagen]: Thought ye'd never ask!

Cressidha covers her mouth to hide a smile.

Inside the ziggurat is a giant nerubian priest.

Atley spits on the ground.

[Brannagen]: Tha' was a pretty one.

Colson looks over at the giant green soup cauldron. "Ah."

[Dane]: Hate the look of these ones, the most.

[Brannagen]: Ye dinna like those, ser? I thought yer kind were all about long legs!

[Cressidha]: One of those wagons.

Auralind arches an eyebrow.

[Colson]: Yes.

[Dane]: They look nearly humanoid with their crown, but it's some sort of accident. Just a bug piece.

[Brannagen]: We should do somethin' abou' tha'.

[Dane]: There's nothing regal about these chittering corpses.

Brannagen peers curiously at the cauldron.

Brannagen rummages through his bags.

[Colson]: If we could neutralize it, that would be best.

[Auralind]: Do not get too close. The fumes…

Brannagen pulls out a bottle, pops the cork, and tosses the whole thing in.

Atley eyes Brannagen up and down.

Cressidha backs away and watches.

[Dane]: T'was that? Wot'd you do?

[Brannagen]: Should neutralize or a' least weaken it, given an hour or so.

[Brannagen]: I thenk.

[Brannagen]: Tha's wha' it's designed t'do anyway.

Dane grunts.

[Dane]: Your own concoction?

Auralind nods. "Good."

[Brannagen]: Well, not designed by me, but made by me aye.

Dane grunts. "Very well."

[Cressidha]: Thank you, Bran.

[Brannagen]: Ye can take a brewer out o' the brewery…

[Dane]: With all these bodies it's a marvel that the Crusade has an army left to muster.

Colson inclines his head politely, in between blessing the undead.

Colson is starting to run low on holy water, even with only sparing a few sprinkles of drops per body.

[Brannagen]: The Crusade is made o' pure thorium, tha' lot.

Dane grunts.

[Dane]: Fordring's always been a hard man, regardless of his sympathies.

[Colson]: The Light is many things, but weak is not one of them.

Dane watches yet another spirit float skyward.

[Brannagen]: In the right hands it may as well be a thorium maul.

Dane grunts.

[Dane]: All loaded up on stones?

Colson is out of holy water. "Ah. That was the last of the holy water."

[Dane]: Let's return. Through the breach.

Colson says the prayer anyway.

[Cressidha]: I believe we are more likely to run out of Scourge than my bags are to run out of space, but…

Brannagen laughs at Cressidha.

[Dane]: We've put a dent in their 'garrison' here.

[Brannagen]: Twin Lass, have ye considered just puttin' the whole scourge army in yer bag? Lich King too?

[Brannagen]: Problem solved.

Colson glances out into the canyon. He can possibly still sense a lot of undead out there.

[Cressidha]: Unfortunately, they might rupture the insides.

Dane scoffs with amusement.

[Auralind]: Then…you have considered it.

[Brannagen]: We wouldna want tha'

[Cressidha]: Only just now.

[Dane]: Cram all those rotters in, toss 'em off a cliff.

Brannagen laughs at Atley.

[Dane]: I'm of the same mind, Brannagen.

[Brannagen]: But then ye know someone will come along one day an' open the bag. No one can resist a mysterious bag.

[Dane]: Fire ought to do, then –

[Dane]: We've brought your Scourgestones. The enemy was generous.

Cressidha starts a scourgestone pile on the ground.

The Ebon Watcher says: You have done well. Keeping their numbers down will give the Argent Crusade the time that they need to set a foundation.

The Ebon Watcher stares at the Scourgestone pile. "Scourgestones will help us find our enemy. Now let me see if there's something that I can do with these stones to give us a little bit of insight."

He does… something with the stones?

The Ebon Watcher says: You must defeat the lords of Scourgeholme if this place is to be free of the Scourge's grasp.

The Ebon Watcher says: Salranax the Flesh Render lords over the temple on the first tier of Scourgeholme. Nearby Salranax you'll find High Priest Yath'amon preaching at the spirit tower on the second tier.

The Ebon Watcher says: Underking Talonox holds court at the Pit of Fiends, up the high road.

Brannagen takes notes.

The Ebon Watcher says: These are formidable opponents, and must be approached with caution, even for the famous Cobalt Company. Use this war horn. The death knights of Achers will come.

Dane glares but steps forward to take the horn.

Dane grimaces as he hangs the horn next to the [The Lion Horn of Stormwind] on his belt.

[Dane]: Father.

Dane waits for Colson.

[Brannagen]: Lo there Father. Tha' one fella with the leg doin' all righ'?

Father Gustav inclines his head. "He will survive, through the grace of the Holy Light."

[Dane]: We used the last of the holy water on all we slew, Father.

Colson hands over the empty vial of [Holy Water]. "As much is possible, the dead have been granted peace, and their souls freed to the Light from the torment of their physical form."

[Cressidha]: Do drink water, Colson. That was a lot of praying.

Father Gustav says: The path of the righteous crusader is one beset by inequity and evil. To cut through the middle is the only salvation. You have done that on this day and much more.

Brannagen was happy to help Father Gustav.

[Dane]: Let's move, you lot. We'll take flight.

Colson inclines his head.

Cressidha nods and gets on her carpet.

They reach SALRANAX THE FLESH-RENDER.

Dane wipes the horn off before he holds it to his lips.

Munch, an orc death knight, appears out of a death gate. He immediately conjures a ghoul.

Munch says: Say hello to my little friend!

Munch says: Arise, Melt!

Flesh is rended. However, it's mostly Salranax's flesh.

Munch says: We're done here. I'm out.

Atley eyes Munch up and down.

Munch conjures another death gate and walks through it.

[Dane]: That's one.

[Cressidha]: Well, he didn't stay to converse.

Dane remounts Thoras. "Up there."

[Dane]: I'd rather corpses be as non-verbal as possible, whether they move or not.

Colson remains mild as he says, "These are the Ebon Blade, our allies, Dane, come to assist."

[Dane]: Aye, that doesn't mean they have to be bloody talkative.

[Auralind]: So it is said.

They reach HIGH PRIEST YATH'AMON.

Dane brandishes the horn again.

The death knight who appears is Jayde, a blood elf.

[Brannagen]: Another bonnie one.

Dane grunts.

Cressidha approaches the Nerubian.

Jayde says: Anything else you need help with before I go? Right, I thought not…

She ditches.

Brannagen studies the death gate curiously.

[Cressidha]: Ah–

Brannagen sketches it.

Cressidha sighs.

Colson regardes the blood elf death knight mildly.

Brannagen is too busy sketching her death gate to pay her much mind.

Dane eyes the death knight as she disappears.

Cressidha shakes her head as the death knight leaves.

[Dane]: One more.

[Cressidha]: Very well.

[Brannagen]: We're doin great.

Dane grunts.

[Dane]: Ought to be … northward.

They reach UNDERKING TALONOX. Now that's a big bug.

[Dane]: Wot's that there, he's circling…?

Dane grimaces in disgust and anger.

[Colson]: Ah.

[Brannagen]: …Huh.

[Cressidha]: Careful, if he burrows.

Dane watches Underking Talonox pace around a giant, humanoid arachnid statue.

Brannagen, to no one's surprise, sketches the idol.

[Dane]: A death knight'll come in handy, here.

Dane raises the horn, and blows through it.

Cressidha pulls up her ice barrier. "Indeed."

Dane sounds the horn, and widens his eyes as Mograine appears!

Cressidha is on the other side of the giant Nerubian creature and hardly notices. She's busy frying an undead menace.

[Brannagen]: Es that who I— *Bran tries to get a better look*

Dane rushes in to join the fight. "Kill it!"

Colson is focused on the giant undead bug, not attempting to ID the death knight beyond a quick glance — the death knight is not one he knows well enough in the armor to pick him out of a crowd.

Brannagen alternates between healing and trying to get a peek at their death knight comrade in arms.

Cressidha kills it. (Not alone, obviously.)

Auralind focuses her fire on the Underking, unconcerned with the identity of the Ebon Knight.

Dane rounds the Underking to see the Ebon Knight, himself.

[Brannagen]: Well I'll be! Et es!

Highlord Darion Mograine says: I will see you back at the Valley of Echoes. Suffer well, allies.

[Brannagen]: Thanks fer comin' out yerself, ser.

Brannagen bows down graciously.

Cressidha nods politely.

Highlord Darion Mograine leaves through a deathgate.

[Dane]: We can fly or follow him through.

[Brannagen]: We could go through??

Auralind's ears lower. "Through? That portal? I think not."

[Colson]: I have been warned that they are not meant for the living.

[Brannagen]: I did wonder…

Cressidha gets back on her carpet.

Dane grunts. "That settles it, then. Mount up."

[Brannagen]: Aye.

Brannagen whistles for Magni Bronzebird.

Dane climbs aboard Thoras.

They fly back to the Valley of Echoes to report in.

Dane returns to The Ebon Watcher and grunts.

The Ebon Watcher says: A hard fought victory, Cobalt. The lieutenants will be replaced, but at least for today the air about Scourgeholme stands still.

[Dane]: Now that the Scourge is held at bay, let's see wot' these two are barking about.

Cressidha nods.

[Dane]: Oi.

Cressidha looks at the forsaken architect and the gnome engineer who are arguing.

Colson inclines his head to politely to the Ebon Watcher.

Crusade Architect Silas turns to the group.

Brannagen eyes Crusade Architect Silas up and down.

Crusade Architect Silas says: You may look at Scourgeholme now and see a rancid pit of decay, but one day it will be a place of glory and honor. Highlord Fordring has deemed it "Justice Keep."

[Brannagen]: Catchy.

Crusade Architect Silas says: Alas, even an impregnable fortress like Icecrown Citadel began with but a single stone. So begins our search for the stone to start a revolution.

Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick interrupts his buddy and/or nemesis, Crusade Architect Silas.

Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick says: Dying must have completely destroyed your ability to perform simple arithmetic. Can't you see that there is no way you're going to make that structure's layout work? It'll collapse!

Crusade Architect Silas says: How dare you! I am the chief architect here and I make the final call on layouts! If you have a problem with my plans, feel free to file a grievance with Highlord Fordring. Now if you don't mind, I have work to attend!

Crusade Architect Silas says: Travel to Crystalsong, south of here, and seek out the Unbound Thicket in the east. Once there, gather crystalline heartwood from the thicket floor and elven masonry from the Ruins of Shandaral.

[Dane]: And you?

Atley eyes Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick up and down.

Brannagen greets Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick with a hearty hello!

Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick says: Southeast of here, at the eastern reaches of Crystalsong Forest, is an area known as the Unbound Thicket. Within that thicket creeps all manner of life.

Auralind manages to glare directly at the Forsaken. The barely-tethered rage is causing her lips to twitch.

Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick says: One thing all of the affected creatures of the thicket share in common is their affinity for magical energy. Each of them holds pure, crystallized energy. Enough to kill us all should it ever destabilize!

Brannagen seems chill about the whole thing.

[Colson]: Ah.

Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick grins. "Travel to the Unbound Thicket and kill its denizens for crystallized energy. We need fuel and they need to die. We call that a "win-win."

Cressidha looks calm until 'enough to kill us all', at which point she looks… still calm.

Colson glances at Cressidha, his expression neutral.

Dane doesn't spend too much time observing Crusade Architect Silas.

[Dane]: Let's get to scavenging, you lot.

Colson gets to scavenging.

Cressidha gets back on her carpet.

[Brannagen]: Nice view, flyin' in there.

[Dane]: Aye, who's familiar with this place?

[Brannagen]: I am, a bit.

[Cressidha]: I've… looked down upon it from up in Dalaran.

[Dane]: It's a strange forest. The only like of it I've ever seen is the Eversong.

[Dane]: Mind your step in this place.

Atley eyes Brannagen up and down.

[Dane]: I came here with you, aye? And others.

Dane and the others take to killing satyrs.

Cressidha looks curiously at the satyrs with crystalline horns. "Hm."

[Dane]: Long ago the elves of this place fought back a dragon attack by using some magical weapon.

[Colson]: I see.

[Brannagen]: I reckon those fellas were here since the Sunderin', but the weapon changed their horns.

[Auralind]: And look at what that arcane 'solution' wrought.

[Cressidha]: Where is the Unbound Thicket?

[Dane]: To the east, ought to be.

[Colson]: Ah.

[Dane]: Aye, this is no peaceful glade.

Colson looks up at the bright crystal "trees."

[Brannagen]: Here ye can see wha' the weapon did t'the forest.

The Crystalline Thicket is visually distinct. It's purple crystal all the way down.

[Brannagen]: Strangely beautiful, though, aye?

[Colson]: It is, yes.

[Auralind]: What was is no more. The land here is…confused.

Cressidha frowns as a crystalline dryad attacks them.

[Cressidha]: What weapon?

[Dane]: Auralind, you'll collect first.

[Dane]: Some artifact, or something.

Auralind nods.

[Brannagen]: There was a war between highborne an' blue dragons.

[Brannagen]: They took somethin' from the dragons an' tried ta use it when the dragons attacked 'em.

[Cressidha]: I see.

[Brannagen]: Destroyed everythin'. Beautifully, but… aye, destroyed. No survivors.

[Dane]: Strange. More like something from Outland.

Dane glances around at the mystical forest with a glare.

[Cressidha]: One of the Ancients…

Cressidha sighs.

[Brannagen]: Crystals are very arcane in nature. So this was some massively powerful draconic arcane magic.

[Dane]: They're all of them, lost.

[Cressidha]: They never did find a cure, did they? The Kirin Tor in Coldarra.

Colson exhales slowly as the corrupted ancient falls. "It does not appear so."

Dane grunts.

Cressidha looks for fallen logs that might be narrow enough to fit inside a bag.

[Auralind]: These poor dryads and treants.

[Dane]: Are they in pain?

[Auralind]: I do not know. I do not feel pain from the land. But more like confusion…as if it is lost.

Dane grunts.

[Dane]: Stuck in time.

[Auralind]: It is bewildering.

Dane glances around.

[Dane]: Colson, your turn.

[Colson]: Yessir.

[Brannagen]: Still, it's the most aesthetically pleasin' mass destruction I've ever seen.

[Dane]: This world's grown strange in the past few years.

[Auralind]: For once I am glad I do not see what you see.

[Dane]: Or I've only just started seeing more of it.

[Brannagen]: Usually a wasteland is a lot less easy on the eyes.

Colson carefully collects the [Crystalline Heartwood], studying the merged crystal and plantlife.

[Brannagen]: I could describe it for ye if ye like, Mistwalker, but.

Atley eyes Colson up and down.

[Dane]: Anything you can work with, you warrant?

[Colson]: I am not certain that it would be wise to experiment, given the nature of the destructive power of it, outside of a very controlled environment.

[Auralind]: No, thank you, Prospector.

Dane grunts.

[Colson]: I do not recognize the nature of the crystal, however, from a cursory examination.

Brannagen starts sketching again, then curses mildly in dwarven.

Cressidha finds a loose stone.

Colson murmurs blessings.

[Dane]: That stone ought to do.

[Brannagen]: Pen an' ink doesna work fer this. It just ends up lookin' like… regular trees.

Dane squints at the brightness.

[Dane]: I wonder wot'd happen if I were to fall asleep here.

High elf ghosts attack as the squad wanders through the ruins.

[Brannagen]: Been stable for centuries. Millennia. Shouldna harm anythin' noew. All the damage has been done.

Dane grunts

[Brannagen]: Noew it's just… peculiar lovely.

[Dane]: As long as these materials serve the Crusade.

[Colson]: And if we may prevent a further disaster of destabilization.

Brannagen sighs wistfully, looking around.

Dane grunts at Colson.

[Brannagen]: It's interestin' tha' so much of arcane magic tends toward tha' lavender color.

[Dane]: Aye, why is that?

[Brannagen]: No idea. Different kinds o' magic favor different colors.

[Brannagen]: Ye got that bruise-purple an' green for fel magic… golden fer the Light… an' so on.

[Brannagen]: Real dark indigo fer shadow.

[Brannagen]: Er, void.

[Dane]: Green, for nature?

[Brannagen]: Aye, but a different green from fel. Softer.

[Auralind]: Natural.

Dane grunts.

[Dane]: Little natural about this place.

[Brannagen]: Fel is sick yella-green like an old bruise.

Cressidha blinks over a crystalline chasm.

Dane leaps across with a grunt.

Brannagen cheers at Cressidha.

Cressidha smiles faintly.

[Brannagen]: Twin Lass, do ye feel anythin' from the crystals at all?

[Cressidha]: Yes. Energy. My name is Cressidha. Do you have difficulty remembering names?

[Brannagen]: A bit.

[Cressidha]: Perhaps you might write them down in that book you're always drawing in.

[Brannagen]: Understood.

Brannagen does not attempt further conversation.

[Cressidha]: There's a silent H in mine. C-R-E-S-S-I-D-H-A.

[Dane]: I've glimpsed some of your etchings in that book, Brannagen.

[Dane]: I'm grateful someone's recording this all.

[Cressidha]: Indeed.

[Brannagen]: Oh, well I dinna how much sense my notes would make t'anyone else, but I can't help meself.

[Dane]: Light knows I'll only remember parts.

[Dane]: I've a mind to have Ben write another book.

[Brannagen]: He wrote a book?

[Colson]: Of the Battle of Light's Hope.

[Dane]: Aye, a … Recording.

[Colson]: It was very well done.

[Brannagen]: Nice!

[Brannagen]: I'll have ta have a look a' tha' sometime. Funny he never mentioned it.

[Dane]: I've not the words for it nor the fingers for art.

Colson smiles faintly. "Ben is a humble person."

[Cressidha]: He is.

[Brannagen]: I wish I had somethin ta be humble abou'. Bet I'd be great at it!

Brannagen laughs.

Dane scoffs with amusement.

[Dane]: Cheeky.

Cressidha is surprised into a laugh. She covers her mouth.

[Dane]: Right then…

Brannagen winks slyly at Cressidha.

[Dane]: We've done enough for today. Secured the Vanguard.

[Dane]: Construction will commence, but we've earned a rest.

[Brannagen]: We can always collect more materials later, aye? If need be.

[Cressidha]: Shall we return the crystals we've found?

[Dane]: Aye, I warrant they'll send us back here next time.

[Brannagen]: If anyone needs me help comin' back here just yell.

Cressidha nods.

[Brannagen]: Happy ta tag along.

[Dane]: I haven't seen my family in a week.

[Colson]: Given their potential for destruction, I believe it would be best if we did give them to professionals in the interim.

[Brannagen]: Is a week a long time?

[Dane]: 'Tis with a newborn. If I miss his first steps because of these rotters.

[Brannagen]: Oh right, ye got a wee bairn. Week can be a long time, then.

[Dane]: I'll return to Eastvale for the day, but if you need me I'll be about the Vanguard.

[Brannagen]: Sure!

[Dane]: Unless you've anything for me you lot are dismissed.

Brannagen salutes Atley with respect.

[Cressidha]: Yes, wait.

Colson reaches out to touch Dane's shoulder. "Well done, Dane. Please give my regards to Ivri, and the baby."

[Brannagen]: I'll be hangin' around Dalaran. Yell if ye need me.

Cressidha opens a bag. "I shall be returning to the Argent Crusade, if anyone would like me to take what they found today back for them."

[Colson]: I will be returning to the forward camp.

Dane clasps Colson on the shoulder in kind. "I shall."

[Brannagen]: Sure, ef ye dinna mind takin' mine. I need t'do a bit o' research.

[Dane]: Here?

[Cressidha]: Not at all.

[Auralind]: I think…I may remain here a while in this place.

Dane steps forward to offer Cressidha a sack of gathered gems.

Brannagen peers at Auralind searchingly.

Cressidha packs things up.

[Brannagen]: Ye want me t'stick around, Mistwalker?

[Brannagen]: Or do ye want to wander solo?

[Cressidha]: I can provide you a portal as well, Dane, unless your hearthstone is bound closer.

[Auralind]: I would not turn away your company, Prospector.

[Dane]: A portal to Stormwind would serve me well.

[Dane]: But aye, if you two are to stay here, stay together.

[Cressidha]: Here you are, then.

Cressidha tosses a portal stone up in the air.

[Brannagen]: Well let's wander awhile then, an' I'll finish me notes before I take 'em back t'Dalaran fer cross reference.

Colson shifts his aura to summon Bunny. Waiting. Watching.

Dane looks to the others. "Travel well, you lot."

[Colson]: Light be with you all.

Auralind nods to the others, "Ande'thoras ethil."

[Cressidha]: Good work today.

Cressidha climbs up onto her carpet.

[Dane]: Watch each other's backs here.

Colson barely makes it onto the gryphon before she hops up.