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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | The sixth week of the war against the denizens of the Firelands. Logs include Anareline, Celaven, Atley, Caspis, Gwenivene, and Velrin. ~3800 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Monday
Dane finishes off the last of his jerky store as he waits at the Sanctuary of Malorne. He stares across the valley at the Firelands portal and chews.
Anareline lands briefly with her gryphon at the Sanctuary of Malorne and raises a hand to Dane. "Atley. I am about to begin the usual circuit. Will you join me?"
Dane grunts and nods, climbing aboard Thoras. "Let's get to it."
The southern cliff is as full as it ever is, and the two of them get to work.
Dane follows Anareline's lead in clearing the terrace of enemies.
"How are things up in the Highlands?" Anareline asks, as they fight.
Dane sets his jaw and stares ahead for a long moment. "Fierce." he says. "The Black Dragonflight is nearly spent."
Ana frowns, and turns briefly to look at him. "The Black Dragonflight? I had thought the problems there were orcs… twilights…"
"They were, and are," Dane says. "We put the Dragonmaw to the sword as much as we've been able, and we've been able. The Twilights as well. The Black Dragonflight's in league with them, f'course. We recently targeted them at the behest of the Reds."
Anareline nods slowly. "In league, yes, but I didn't realize they were there in force. You're working with the Red Dragonflight now, then?"
Dane takes off and spurs Thoras on with a nod. "We are. We cleared out a Black Dragon den. Slew one of the last brood mothers." A beat. "Deathwing and Alexstrasza battled. She was gravely injured, as was he."
Ana frowns more deeply. "The Dragon Queen Alexstrasza has not had an easy month."
Dane grunts his agreement. "Next'll be an assault on the Twilight Citadel. In short, we're making progress, slowly and steadily."
"It is good to hear that she is still fighting," Ana nods. "After the loss of her mate and her children, and the fierce battle merely days ago in the Dragonblight. I suppose dragons are not subject to the weariness of mortals."
Dane scoffs with dark amusement. "Indeed. We witnessed it all. We'd thought she killed him, and nearly had, I wager."
"Would that she had," Ana sighs. "That would have stopped a good many things wrong in this world at the moment."
Dane grits his teeth and shakes his head. "We were close to him. One thing about that maniac — he'll continue giving us chances."
"He is that confident in his success," Ana says quietly. "That he need not avoid risk."
Dane grunts. "Well stated. The arrogance of these Aspects and Elemental Lords'll be their downfall."
Anareline blinks at that. "I do hope for the downfall of Deathwing, but not of the Aspects as a whole." Ana banks her gryphon towards the portal.
"No," Dane agrees. "I speak of Deathwing and Malygos. Alextrasza, Ysera, and Nozdormu are wiser, and nobler. But if the past year's taught us anything, it's that even they can be fallible."
"Malygos…" Ana sighs. "It is good that there is another Blue Aspect now, but it is a grief that he was not able to be saved."
Dane grunts. "Wot' do you know of the new Blue Aspect?" Dane asks.
"Not much, to be honest," Ana says, considering. "I believe he has helped the mortal races a number of times in the past, so that bodes well."
Dane grunts.
"He stood against Malygos, during the Nexus War," she adds. "So he is not a mere fair weather friend."
"Trustworthy, then," Dane says. Dane glances around The Molten Flow with a scowl. "I've had enough of them go barking mad for one lifetime."
"Yes, all of this pain we can lay at Queen Azshara's feet," Anareline says absently, as they work their way through the cavern.
Dane produces a thoughtful grunt and nods at that.
"I suppose Neltharion would have fallen regardless," Ana admits. "But the breaking of his faith may not have come at such a critical time. The Blues might have remained intact."
Dane grunts. "A great deal can be traced back to that witch."
"And yet she was so loved," Ana observes.
Dane turns to eye Ana during a lapse in the fighting before he gives up and shakes his head. "You weren't alive when she was about, were you?"
"Technically, she is still about," Ana says dryly. "From what I hear of the naga. But yes, I knew her as the glorious queen."
Dane shakes his head with quiet astonishment. "Has the world always been as wild as it's been in the past three decades, then?"
"No," Ana says firmly.
Dane grunts, unsurprised.
"There are times of upheaval, and then in between, many years of peace," Ana explains further.
"Have the past thirty years been an ordinary time of upheaval, then?" Dane asks.
"It seems… worse in some ways," Ana says, thinking. "There are so many different things wrong. But then, the world is intact. We are not Outland."
Dane grunts. "There's still hope," he agrees.
"Even the Sundering, some of us survived," Ana points out.
"How's that compare with the Shattering?" Dane asks.
Anareline pauses, thinking that one through as they take the vent up to the surface.
"The Sundering was worse," she concludes. "Entire regions lost beneath the waves, the continent torn in two. The Shattering has only had local effects."
Dane grunts.
"Of course, the Legion will return one day, and we have Azshara to thank for that as well," Anareline says calmly.
Dane grunts. "We'll be ready. All this !@#$e has sharpened us." Dane adds, "'Course, we'd need the Horde dealt with long 'fore then."
Ana nods. "It could be tomorrow, it could be in a century. I hope that we will not be fighting the Horde when it happens."
Ana pauses to give water to a fallen stormcrow.
Dane says, "They'll take advantage of it to stake their claims when it's time."
"The orcs do seem very eager to claim land that isn't theirs," Ana says quietly.
Dane grunts. "Both our people have keen awareness of that, don't they."
"Prior to this battlefield, I often fought them with my daughter in Ashenvale," Anareline nods. "They have no respect for life or nature."
Dane grunts. "And now they've a Hellscream leading them."
"They were bad enough before," Ana sighs. "Perhaps Thrall meant a gesture by claiming a wasteland for their capital, but his followers have taken it to mean they must take from others."
Dane grunts. "Garrosh is of the Mag'har. They never drank the demon blood, the so-called 'reason' for the orcish bloodlust, but he's just as savage as his father."
"I suppose that proves the demon blood was unnecessary to provoke them," Ana nods. "But, we will fight the elementals today, and the orcs again tomorrow."
Dane grunts. "One bridge at a time."
"For now, I think we can take a rest," Ana says, as they arrive back at the Sentinel Tree. "The war will continue."
Dane grunts. "Well fought."
"It is a pleasure to fight by your side," Ana says, with a faint smile.
Dane inclines his head. "Give Caspis my regards, then."
"I will," Ana says, and then pauses. "Whatever his anger, he thinks very highly of you."
"It's returned," Dane says.
There's another brief smile, and then Ana turns back to head into the Tree.
Wednesday
Celaven is speaking quietly to Dorda'en Nightweaver, glancing over at Hamuul's tent, when the others arrive.
Caspis gazes upon the still form of Runetotem. "I believe he is improving," he says softly. "There is hope."
Velrin strides toward him carrying her crescent. She smiles faintly, but her eyes seem a bit dimmer than usual.
Celaven nods. "They say the burns are responding to treatment. He is still not well, but…" Celaven glances from Caspis to Velrin and back, and smiles faintly.
"Shall we gather more bandages for him?" asks Caspis.
"Yes, I think we should," Celaven says, turning to include Caspis and Velrin in conversation. "The three of us? It has been some time since I've been with… family. Though the 7th is like another family."
Caspis nods solemnly, then turns into a stormcrow.
"I'm ready to head out." Velrin says plainly.
"Things have been well with you both, in the field?" Celaven asks, looking between them. "With Cobalt? The Cenarion Circle? The Wardens?"
Caspis returns to elven form to answer, "I am well, thank you," before shifting into his ominous moonkin form.
Velrin nods, "Things are going well. There have been many opportunities to prove myself." Velrin says a bit unenthusiastically.
"On my side, our unit has been often splitting into groups of three," Celaven says. "I spend much time with Master Sergeant Fallon and Sergeant Tyrrell. The master sergeant… gave me a barrette. I am not sure if that has special meaning for humans."
Caspis peers curiously at Celaven.
Celaven indicates the barrette in his hair.
Caspis peers at the barette and makes an inconclusive moonkin sound.
"It's pretty." Velrin notes plainly. She doesn't seem very chipper today.
Celaven glances at the nightmare moonkin and then the non-chipper night elf. "Is it… the war… wearing on both of you?"
Velrin shrugs, "I've been keeping up just fine."
Caspis switches back into elven form to answer. "I am well," he says, "but this is the form in which I am most effective in battle, and I do not speak in that form."
Celaven nods, brushing his hair behind one shoulder with a delicate hand. Then he shields them both, just in case. "I've no doubt both of you are keeping up," Celaven notes. "Just… one must also care for oneself, in a continuing situation like this one."
"I know…" Velrin sighs.
Celaven flies to the portal and passes through. "Giants today," Celaven observes. "Not my favorite of our adversaries."
"They are encroaching too close to the tree," Caspis notes in alarm, in elven form. "We must push them back."
Celaven nods sharply. "They will set it ablaze."
Velrin dances through battle without a word.
Given Caspis's moonkin form, Celaven falls into the role of healing, keeping the both of them safe.
The 6th EU, assembling nearby, beckons Celaven over to them. "We've been called to help the Talons," Captain Hall explains.
"Ah," Celaven says, casting a last glance at Caspis and Velrin. "Be careful out there? I must rejoin my unit."
Caspis switches into Elven form to say, "Stay safe, my son."
"You too, if I may call you father," Celaven says, a brief smile lighting his face.
"Ok. I'll see you later, Darling." Velrin tries to grab him for a quick kiss.
Celaven gives her a quick kiss before he heads off.
At nearly the same time, Anareline emerges from the Sentinel tree. She glances around, and spots Caspis and Velrin.
"Ah, join us, love," says Caspis.
She is just in time to see Celaven walking away. She starts to say something, and then subsides, turning back to Caspis. "Yes, I am ready for the fight. Is it with the Wardens today?"
"It's good to see you Shan'do." Velrin bows to Ana.
Caspis, switching into moonkin form, nods.
Ana inclines her head to Velrin. "We must keep up the pressure. The forces of Ragnaros will break eventually."
Ana leads the three of them fighting through the elementals, on the way to the Shadow Wardens camp.
Caspis summons a quelling storm to quench the flames.
Velrin fights with her characteristic cool lethality.
"Ever more fire spiders," Ana sighs. "At least there is ample opportunity for your colleagues to be impressed with you, Velrin."
Caspis gazes contemplatively at the shattered, vine-entangled spire.
Velrin nods, "I hope they take notice. I'd like to become a warden one day."
"Why?" Caspis changes into elven form to ask.
"To help our people, I guess." Velrin mumbles, "To protect Azeroth."
"It is one way of many to do that," Ana says, hacking through a cocoon to free a druid.
"What troubles you?" Caspis asks Velrin softly.
"Nothing…" Velrin says flatly.
"Then why do you behave as though you do not wish to be here?" he asks gently.
Velrin sighs, "I just… I don't know. Things just feel off… I guess it's been a while since I've felt like this. I should be grateful."
Caspis nods solemnly. "We appreciate your efforts nonetheless," he says gently.
"Thank you." Vel responds with a weak smile.
"On the good days and the bad," Ana nods. "What we choose to do is important."
"And you always have our support," Caspis adds.
Vel brushes close to Cas affectionately.
He gives her a little kiss on the head, then turns into moonkin form again.
They head down to assist in disrupting the usual cave ritual.
Once they've finished their intense race through the fiery caverns, Caspis changes back into elven form and checks in on the two women.
"I think we have done enough for today," Anareline says, reaching casually to link her arm with Caspis’s.
"We've done well," he says. "Not every day must be a crucial victory… some days it is a matter of showing up and doing what you can."
Velrin nods. "One day at a time."
Caspis gives her a slight smile, which is his version of beaming.
"Victory will come in time," Anareline says, inclining her own head slightly.
Saturday
Caspis stands next to Velrin at the Sanctuary of Malorne, staring into the distance as he often does.
Velrin sort of stares blankly in the distance while leaning against Cas.
Maybe they're watching the same movie.
Anareline strides into the Sanctuary of Malorne, and nods when she sees the two of them.
Caspis seems to wake up slightly, and turns toward her.
Velrin blinks and stands at attention when she sees Ana.
Gwen's arrival is announced by the beating of heavy wings and the sounds of otherworldly energy arcing across Amethyraku's body. The netherwing dragon lands, letting Gwen slip down to the ground.
Caspis looks faintly startled by Gwen's arrival.
Ana nods with respect to the netherwing dragon and raises a hand in greeting to Gwenivene.
Caspis shifts into stormcrow form and begins to circle above the group.
Gwen brushes herself off and gives Amethryaku an affectionte chin rub. She beams a smile at the night elves gathered. "Mr. and Mrs. Silvershade! Hello!"
Velrin does some quick stretches before they head out.
Ana smiles faintly at the greeting. "Hello, Gwenivene Whittle. We were just about to… I was just about to ask if anyone is available for the usual rounds."
The stormcrow appears available.
Gwen nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely. Is Sir Dane with us today?" Gwenivene climbs right back up onto Amy's back.
"I don't believe so," Ana says, looking around to see if she may be mistaken.
"I don't see him." Velrin says plainly.
"Then it seems not," Ana nods. "His work in the Eastern Kingdoms must have pulled him away. Shall we?" Ana calls for her gryphon. The gryphon seems a little wary of the dragon.
Caspis continues circling above them, eager to travel.
"We're ready!" Gwen says. Amethyraku nods.
The team flies down to the usual southern border.
Caspis shifts into elven rather than moonkin form today, his casting slightly more relaxed.
"Have any of you seen the so-called explosives experts, at the Sentinel Tree?" Ana asks, her voice carefully neutral. On the one hand, explosives experts in Hyjal, on the other hand, war against Ragnaros.
"I have not spoken with them," says Cas in a tone that makes it clear why.
"I'm afraid not," Gwen says. "Why do you ask?"
"I am a little wary of them," Ana shrugs. "I may have been hoping one of you would have positive impressions."
"I have no such impressions," says Caspis.
"Sorry, I don't know much about it," Gwen shrugs. "Mostly I've been studying to see if there's a way to counter the Firelands portals."
Anareline looks at Gwen with interest. "That is a worthwhile pursuit. They send lieutenants through here regularly. Have you made any progress?"
"That would be helpful." Vel notes, "It's hard to defend the wisps through all the chaos."
Ana nods to Velrin's comment as well.
Caspis nods in agreement with Velrin, looking at Gwen with interest.
Gwen sighs, "It's been tricky. Fire magic was never my strong suit, and the principles of their portal magic share little in common with proper telemancy."
Caspis nods hesitantly.
Ana nods slowly. "I have never studied the details of arcane magic carefully, but I will take your word for it."
"Proper portals are essentially an application of variables in the equations of spatial dynamics," Gwen explains. "But their portals are more like…like explosions directly through space, paused mid-boom."
Caspis just stares at her. Or maybe past her. It's hard to tell.
"That…. does not sound good," Ana ventures.
"It's not great," Gwen agrees. "But, somehow they keep them stable. Well…stablish."
"I suppose fire elementals know a lot about explosions…" Vel muses to no one in particular.
"This one, here," Ana indicates a portal. "I think something may be coming through."
That, Caspis knows how to handle…
They handle it. One less lieutenant in Hyjal.
"Well done," says Caspis. He can talk, since he's being an elf today.
"Yes, well done all," Ana echoes. "Now, to the Firelands."
Caspis smiles faintly at the sight of Malfurion's tree.
Ana pauses before heading to the battlefield, feeling the greenery under her boots. Then, Ana plants a barrier of the whiplike smothervines.
Caspis still does not seem to be doing any healing, but his casting is slightly less intense and frantic than it has been.
When Ana looks at him there is a softening of her gaze.
Gwen tugs at her collar. "Golly, it is HOT here."
"It is the elemental plane of fire," Caspis explains to Gwen.
"That, I doubt our efforts will change," Ana nods. "Fire is, by nature, hot. Even when it isn't evil."
Gwen smiles at Caspis, "Oh, I know." Then she giggles, "Oh, yes, I see. Of course it's hot!"
Caspis nods at Gwen, very happy to have helped.
"Anything is better than Icecrown." Vel says.
Caspis shivers slightly at the very thought of Icecrown. Thanks for cooling him down, Velrin.
"I cannot say I have any happy memories of Icecrown," Ana nods. "Northrend, though, it had its charms."
"Did it?" One of Caspis's feathery brows rises as he looks to Ana.
"Andrassil, after it was cleansed?" Ana suggests. "The furbolg village there."
Caspis just frowns slightly.
Vel finally smiles a bit at that remembering when Ven took her there.
"The wolvar, the ones who sought our friendship," Ana continues. "And I do not have bad memories of teaching the settlers in Farshire."
"I am glad," Caspis says solemnly.
"Northrend could awful and beautiful at the same time, I found," Gwen muses. "The Crystalsong Forest is tragic…and yet, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen."
"My memories of Northrend are too… layered," he says quietly. "And through it all, all I see are the roots of Andrassil, piercing the prison of an Old God and tainting the Emerald Dream." Thanks for the great party conversation, Cas.
"Yes, but it is good to recall the good with the bad," Ana observes. "The Crystalsong Forest — a testament to the folly of relying on the arcane. But still, I grant it is beautiful. And as for the Old God… it was finally slain."
Gwen nods solemnly. "There were horrors there. Awful…awful things happened." She shudders. "But…I think we have to find the beauty, even in the ugliness. It makes life worth…all this."
Caspis nods thoughtuflly.
"I guess so." Vel agrees halfheartedly.
"It looks as though the Wardens need our help today," Ana says, heading over to the camp.
"Perhaps, then," Caspis says absently, "you will be heartened to know that I was brought back from death yesterday."
Vel's eyes go wide and she gives Caspis a worried look.
Gwenivene gasps, eyes wide at Caspis. "Oh Light…yes, of course I'm glad to know it! I'm so sorry you had to go through that. It's terrible…."
"Many of us fell in Zul'Gurub. There was a troll there of immense power. But there were also … benevolent spirits who aided us."
Ana nearly trips. "I felt… but then you came back safely…"
"Remarkable," Gwen says wistfully. "The universe is truly full of wonders."
Caspis considers this, then nods.
"The mission went… well, then?" Ana asks. "I did not hear of permanent casualties."
"No permanent casualties," he confirms. "And I confess the city itself was… intriguing. As large as one of the Highborne cities of old."
"Were there still trolls living there?" Ana asks. "Besides, naturally, the ones you fought."
"The trolls have built some very impressive things." Vel notes.
Caspis nods at Velrin. "There was a great natural beauty to the place. And yes, trolls lived there. The majority did not fight us."
"I wonder if there are many who do not seek the path the Zandalari are setting them on," Ana muses.
Gwen touches an egg…and is swarmed by spiders. "Ick! ACK! Yuck! Geroffme!" She squirms and jumps and rolls around on the ground until she has shaken them off.
"Gwenivene, are you alright?" Ana comes over when she sees Gwen struggling against the spider swarm.
Gwen makes a face, gestures to the last of the spiders. It explodes in an arcane burst. "Yeah…just icked out."
"I understand," Ana nods. "These fire spiders are so unnatural." But normal spiders are fine.
Gwen grimaces. "Yeah…fire spiders."
"And these fire 'hawks,'" Cas grumbles. Cas is never going to stop sulking about the fire hawks.
"Indeed," Ana nods. "I would not recommend cooking with the spiders or attempting to tame the hawks." She might be talking about a particular druid.
Caspis grumbles more. Grumpy old man.
"Seems like they come pre-cooked!" Gwen giggles.
Velrin smirks a little at the joke.
Ana makes a brief, startled sound that might be a laugh. "That is one way to look at it."
"I think we've done well tonight," Caspis says, looking around vaguely.
Gwenivene grins, happy to amuse.
Anareline nods. "We have. It is time to leave the fight to others for a time."
Velrin stretches and sighs.
"I can tell all of you more of what I saw at Zul'Gurub, if you have the time," says Cas.
"I'd be very interested to hear, Mr. Silvershade," Gwen perks up eagerly.
Caspis bows to her.
"I would like to hear of it in more depth as well," Ana adds. "Shall we head into the tree?"
"Very well," says Caspis.
The team heads into the Sentinel Tree to chat more about Zul’Gurub.