World of Warcraft®

(Well then! this turned out a wee bit longer then I meant it to be but...try as I might it refused to be crammed into anything shorter. This is my first actual public post of something I've written so forgive any mistakes I make in it. the lyrics at the beginning are the opening of the song Darrowshire by Cranius, it may be old but I highly recommend checking it out!)

I've seen a great many things that cause a man to wonder
I've seen a great many things that can tear a man's heart asunder
But the day that will not let me go, it haunts me to my burning soul
Is the day I found Pamela wandering Darrowshire

The sun beat down on the boy's bare shoulders as he scaled the tree intent on reaching the roof of the inn, word had came that a dust cloud had been seen on the horizon and he was hoping to spot the troops before anyone else. Clutched in his hands was an old hunting horn that had seen double duty as a warning of danger to come as the sound carried long and loud over the land to summon help. Finally reaching his destination he all but sprinted across the tiles to lean against the chimney shielding his eyes, down in the court yard the men of Darrowshire assembled to meet the assault. As the cloud came nearly within eyesight the wind shifted directions carrying it ahead of the troops but also carried with it the tell tale scent of decay that followed the armies of the scourge everywhere.

Up and down the streets alarm horns sounded their mournful tone before being drowned out by the sounds of men running to belt on armor or grab what weapons were at hand to defend their homes, before too very long the peals of the small Abbey's lone bell drowned even that out as the militia poured forth led by Joseph Redpath and took their places at the fore of the defenders. An uneasy silence settled over the town as they waited for the scourge to arrive, after what seemed an eternity the first of the wave engaged only to be rebuffed by the tenacity of those fighting for their families. Again and again the two sides clashed each time the scourge were shoved back but not before inflicting heavy tolls on the forces arrayed against them, tolls which stood up again and turned until it was brother against brother.

At first the sound was inaudible over the din of the battle but soon a low thrum of many hooves pounding the ground reached Kord on his perch causing him to stand on tip-toe and look with an anxious expression which quickly turned to a whoop of excitement as the sun caught the armor of the knights and turned them into a rolling firestorm. Led by Davil Lightfire the knights of the Silver Hand swept in clearing a path through the scourge to the beleaguered townsfolk drawing a ragged cheer, there was barely a moment to swing from their mounts before the scourge attacked again in earnest seeing their victory slipping away. Crouching down against the chimney the boy hid in its shadows watching in awe at the bravery showed by those fighting until a figure caught his eye sweeping down through the ranks batting scourge and defender alike aside heading for Davil.

When the two forces collided it shook the foundations of the inn or so the boy thought, they were so evenly matched that it seemed a deadly dance of the light against the dark which even the battle around them seemed to hold its breath awaiting the outcome of. Eventually after what seemed like hours Horgus was struck down but not before delivering what would ultimately be a fatal blow to the Lightfire, seeing their commander fall only served to enrage the knights into a holy frenzy. Unable to believe his eyes Redpath turned and quickly started gathering what troops he could maneuvering them to protecting the most vulnerable areas, under his guidance the defenders rallied and started driving the scourge out once more with renewed vigor.

For some time it seemed as if the town would be saved despite the efforts of the scourge, for each charge despite their weary muscles the men stood against the creatures driving them back. The battle had fallen to an almost eerie silence broken only by the cries of the dead and dying or the sounds of the clashes as men focused their breath on fueling their bodies almost to inhuman levels. Creeping towards the eves of the building the boy peered over the edge watching in rapt fascination until a movement near the back of the scourge caught his attention. Cutting a bloody swath through the defenders as it made its way towards Redpath the figure seemed to be clothed in darkness, the illusion only heightened by the fact that his ebon armor seemed to drink in the dying light of the day.

With wide eyes Kord lifted his horn to sound warning or danger or anything at all only to have his breath die in his lungs even as the cold metal rested on his lips. upon reaching the captain Marduk Blackpool lifted his foul blade rending Joseph's soul from his very body twisting and corrupting the man till he was but a shade of his former self. Upon release the corrupted Redpath turned on his men and in but a few moments the foul deed of the knight showed itself as men fell victim turning on their brothers and ending the siege in one fel stroke. Desperately seeking any sight of his family Kord scrambled back into the shadows of the chimney, eventually he caught sight of his father even as the man seemed to notice him.

The world held its breath even as the young boy did for one heartbeat and then two wishing with all his might that his father would run to him with their family to whisk them away to safety, his hopes were dashed in an instant though as his father's mouth contorted in a rictus of pain from the steel that now gleamed red and protruded from his chest. Starring dully as if unable to believe his eyes Kord was finally shocked out of his stupor by his father's body standing back up to lurch towards the family home and the innocents inside. Slamming his hands to his ears to try and block out the screams Kordrion curled in a tight ball against the chimney and cried for all the people lost as he pleaded with the light to spare their souls from torment.

His only warning was a dull crack as the roof of the inn gave way spilling chimney boy and all into a pile of debris, for a brief moment he was aware of the deafening silence now descending across the land before with a quiet groan another piece of wood came loose taking even that from him.

Screaming in abject terror the boy flailed to the curses of his friends sleeping near causing them to scatter and glare at him, every few nights it was like this and they had been drawing straws now to see who had to share with him. Someone finally got wise and doused him with a bucket of water setting him to spluttering awake with a baffled look. With a sullen glare the rest of the boys settled back down to sleep scooting away from the sodden spot on the floor, only his closest friend remained awake giving him a worried look.

Pulling the blankets close seemingly oblivious to the fact that they were now soaked Kord glanced over to him "I did it again huh?"

Nodding the boy stood going to get his friend dry clothes and a blanket which he took gratefully "Yeah...do you remember this time?"

Shaking his head no he started stripping off his clothes laying them out to dry before slipping into the dry ones "No...sometimes I remember echos of words but never what they are, it's frustrating. Go back to sleep...sorry about waking you I promise I'll be fine."

Taking his friend at his word the boy shrugged and returned to his bed leaving the young rogue to stare at the wall trying to remember words lost to the winds of time.

I think you did a great job on this story, Kord. It really speaks to Kord's backstory.