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The woman with the brown hair moves slowly through the Bazaar, her gaze roving the area as she makes her way towards a group of benches. She holds pair of books against her chest: one a leather journal, the other a bound collection of short stories. Dressed in a white shirt and blue skirt, she appears nothing like the rogue she is. Her meandering stride is artless, her gaze curious

Coming to a halt by an empty bench, she sits down and sets the collection of short stories down beside her and pulls out a pen from a small pouch at her waist and begins to write in the journal. She takes her time as she writes and as the thoughts take form as written words, her expression changes from bemused, to concern and finally unhappiness.

Eventually she sets down the pen and blows softly on the page to dry the ink. A stray breeze tugs at her unbound hair as she closes the journal and she tucks the wayward strands behind her ear. She exchanges the journal for the bound collection of short stories and spends an hour reading one; her face relaxes as she reads but a small frown remains, a clue that her mind is not completely focused on the story that she is reading. Once finished, she shuts the book and gathers her things before making her way out of the Bazaar.

***
(New entry in a plain brown leather journal)

I have just laid out a small fortune in clothing. It seems a little ridiculous to me, but I have been assured that what I have will not stand up to the icy winds of Northrend. I suppose I shall see soon enough whether or not my naivety about what to expect in the cold land has allowed me to be taken advantage of.

I am hesitant to leave; Kel’Tira is in a very fragile state and there isn’t much I can do beyond sitting with her and coaxing her out of the dark memories that snare her mind. I feel helpless to do anything for her, I am not a healer and I do not know how to ease her inner turmoil. She is in good hands and the best help that I bring her now is her husband.

I only hope that I can find Nicias quickly; it has been some time since we last heard from him and the stories that I am hearing about Northrend are not raising my hopes that I might find him alive. If he is dead, I do not think that Kel’Tira will be able to hear the news and not completely withdraw and shut down. I hope I am wrong about that...

I hope that I find him alive and not have to test that theory.

I will stop in to see Kel’Tira one more time before I go. If she is sleeping, I will not disturb her. I will just leave a note and head on my way.

(This is unsigned.)

A small leather bound journal, the cover scratched and worn, some of the edging browned from dried blood. Some of the pages appear torn and muddy, some appear to be water stained. A small worn sheet of paper is folded and tucked within it's pages...

Love is a powerful emotion. It effects us all in different ways. Some become goofy, and lose coordination. Others, it brings life into focus, and is truly a many spendored thing. Yet, others it makes weak. And in some, it gives them strength.

Tears fall on the page, smearing some of the ink, though it is still legible.

I have witnessed a love from someone I never thought it would be possible. And it tears my heart out. Sacrifice for others is the greatest display of love you can imagine...and yet, they do it willingly. Love is wonderous and mysterious. I can only hope I can be willing to sacrifice myself if the time comes...

Ah, leadership. What a heavy mantle it is. I cannot imagine how Kel'tira has managed to wear two hats of leadership at the same time. The responsibilities, the trust, and the drive to continue to strive for improvement in others, and in one's self. I look to find a peace of mind, and calm within to lead the Fellowship, to give it direction, and goals to reach for.

I do not see those qualities in me. Kel'tira and Karamia do, and I trust their judgement. But, alas my heart is weak, and I may be too sensitive to lead this Fellowship. A strong leader is what my family needs now. And I am far from strong. I fail, and I am not perfect. I have deficiencies in character...I am a thief. What kind of mockery would that be? A thief leading a guild. What would the world think?

I am a simple Sin'dorei, with simple wants and needs. I have found the one I want to share my life with. I have good and true friends I trust my life with. And I have a wonderful family in the Rising Sun Fellowship. I am rich in those things I find worthy in being rich in. Love, friends, and family...need I say anything more?

Sela'Lindori has accepted her fate. Her head hung low, she cry's tears of unending pain. She thought no pain would ever feel so badly, she would rather get electricuted 100 times like last night then to feel the pain she has right now. Her own stupidity has cost her her own life.

She sought out the Mother, to find out why she abondoned their agreement. She was not told the entire story. Blackmold sought her out, she asked for his necklace in agreement with giving him information. Fresh tears stain the page.

The Mother asked for his head, as her payment. Or Sela's. Sela could not do this. She has traded her own freedom for that of Blackmolds head. Never to speak to him again.
Smart as she is, she made The Mother promise the same. never to strike another deal with the undead warrior. Sela to never set eyes on him again.

She took a few moments out to speak to Cyaer, to resign from the fellowship and return the communication device. It pained her to do so, to tell him, to tell Black goodbye for her. Affraid the Mother would hear, but she never said she couldn't speak through someone else. Just not to him. And at least to tell him goodbye even through someone else was better then nothing at all.

Sela was crushed to her core. And resigned to accept her fate. She could at least do this for him. She loves him even if he doens't return her feelings.

I accepted a job last night from a Sin'dorei Warlock, she said to call her Vixxy.....Not sure if i should trust her or not but still I pledged my loyalty to her, ME! A Dragon Lord....Still it seems like it will be rewarding. We shall see, I will start my work in the evening hours.

Long have I been curious to know the secret behind Sela'Lindori: to know how she resists her lusts for death and misery; her methods of refusing to follow the call of pain without falling prey to the agony her kind are forced into should they forsake their duties; to understand how she can retain the memory of emotion. I am no master of the mind, nor do I claim to be, but I have borne witness to the travesties the Undead are capable of and have indeed taken part in the war-machine that my Forsaken brethren have become subject to. I am puzzled to encounter another raised into unnatural life who possesses the capability of emotion and memory.

Before, I believed the return of my own feelings and thoughts to be a curse. There is no agony I can imagine that is greater than being granted an unnatural opportunity to live once again - reborn with a new form - yet to recall a life marked only with death and failure. Before, when the burden of thought and emotion was thrust upon my shoulders once again, all I wished for was to butcher the shadow that brought them back to me, to take Kel'Thul's head from him for what he did.

Now though, I do not know if I should thank the man...

I have had much time to myself as of late, and it seems that it is the smallest things that I find most soothing and reveal a purpose for my new life. Thanks to my travels through the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, I have been able to see much in this world that was unknown to me: the seas that lap upon the shores, the fauna of the various regions; I am fascinated by the ever-changing life that Azeroth seems to exhibit - and now I wish to protect it, to protect all of it. Perhaps not in a manner where I would go so far as to prevent death, for death is simply a part of life, but to stave off the corruption and decay that so many would let this world fall into. I've come to believe that life exists for the sole sake of existence until the time comes for each body to be returned into the earth, and we are each entitled to that opportunity.

Perhaps this is why I sought out Baelic; despite all that he did which worked against the Fellowship it is my belief that he too is deserving of making his own path of existence before the end - one that is of his choosing, and not another's. Alas, until only a few days ago, I believed that such a dramatic change in the Undead was only capable of being wrought by dark magic, but, upon meeting Sela'Lindori, I am filled with hope that it may be possible to influence him to change on his own. I was not sure what caused her to be so different, but she speaks as though it was no magical aid, and so my hope was for her presence to lend aid to Baelic's shackled mind.

Unfortunately when we discovered him hidden away within that crypt, which had been so desecrated, he seemed to be in bad shape. His body was utterly ravaged, and blood oozed from the wounds riddling his form. They appeared to be untreated, and the flesh was prime for infection and disease - though such injuries are second-nature to the dead, our flesh is all that separates us from crossing the final line and his looked to be in great disrepair. I tried vainly to talk some sense into the death knight, but he stoically refused all manner of assistance or urging to seek help. Sela even tried to convince him to lend his strength to the Fellowship's cause, or seek out new methods of staving off whatever he feels compels him to seek servitude and destruction, but all our attempts were for naught.

Curiously enough, though I have never seen Baelic react with the slightest emotion - even when in combat, his face remains cold and remorseless, very much akin to a stone statue - Sela'Lindori managed to invoke a response from the death knight. Her constant pleas and suggestions for him to turn away from the path he seemed so set on eventually caused him to express anger, an anger so great he threatened violence if she would not silence herself. I have fought with the death knight in the past, and though I feel Sela and I may have been able to overpower him, at least long enough to escape his wrath while he was subdued, the thought that Sela'Lindori may have been injured during the fray put fear into me. Though it was obvious she wished to stay and plead further with Baelic, I convinced her to walk away and leave him - perhaps I will return and attempt to further prod at this underlying emotion beneath his stern demeanor.

As she and I departed from that tomb side-by-side, she seemed annoyed that I wished to leave, as if she had now taken a personal interest in converting Baelic herself. We walked for some distance through the graveyard that Baelic had taken refuge in, passing by a holy burial still maintained by a single high priest. Sela'Lindori gazed at the tomb for some time, expressing interest in its beauty, and, in particular, a wish to simply enter into the holy light that flooded through the building. Her desire to be at peace is admirable, and perhaps even just considering our present forms, but I still could not help but feel concern that she would wish for something so simple; or, perhaps, I merely wish I wasn't so afraid as to desire the same amount of peace. Maybe I believe this life punishment for my past failings, and that is what gives me cause to push onward.

It was my wish to talk more with my new friend, no, I did not even wish to talk, but perhaps sit by the lakeside and stare into the waters with a companion to share in the silence. Yet, she regrettably informed me that it was most prudent for her to make a journey back to the Undercity right away. She seemed most urgent - stating that it was of the utmost importance she make it to the Apothecarium - so I did not press the matter, but my curiosity led me to follow after Sela'Lindori. I rode to the Bulwark from the Western Plaguelands to seek out a bat handler who could get me transportation to our dark city, where I then donned the garments of one of the Forsaken Watchmen, covering my face with a dark cowl. I then sought out my companion at the Apothecarium, careful to avoid giving myself away by wearing the Forsaken tabard.

What I witnessed in that lab horrified me almost as much as the day I discovered what the Defias had done to my wife all those years ago. I watched, utterly useless, as Sela'Lindori allowed herself to be strapped to one of the lab tables. Seeing her disrobed, I was able to see the metal rods and plating implanted into her body, devices that worked in junction with the foul technology of the Forsaken scientists in that hole. They shocked her; no, those bastards fried her - they pumped Sela'Lindori full of so much electricity I was amazed I did not see the death of my friend that night. I could not stand to see her body convulse in pain as the currents of that energy coursed through her form, but I could not tear my eyes away. Even when the treatment was over, and smoke wafted from her sizzled form, I could not look away from her, even as Sela was strung up on a hook and left to recuperate.

I do not know if she recognized my presence there, nor if she was even conscious at that time, but I walked over to look upon her. I could hardly comprehend the abuse she subjected herself to in order to avoid her lust for bloodshed, but I knew I could not ask it to end, it wasn't my right - for the alternative would break her worse than the pain she forced upon herself.

Hopelessly I turned away and departed from the labs; my mind felt just as fried as Sela appeared to be.

I got the first rune today, the rune of jealousy, I may have lost a friend in the process.

Cyaer if you ever read this I'm sorry, I was never after this Karamia but perhaps I will run into her again in my travels.

This Vixxy, this Viragona, I for some reason find myself attracted to her...but maybe it will pass.

Well I suppose I must continue my search for the other runes.

(old worn out journal found in the gave next to mine)

This is my first journal entry. Didn’t really have a purpose to write till now. Since my awakening as the dead, I have felt little or for anything. KILLING everything I have come across, it makes me happy seeing innocent, defenseless humans scream for help as I slay them.

For some reason I have this feeling, I don’t quite understand it.

I came across a group naming themselves the Fellowship. I have joined in their ranks, but until now feel like I am not really part of them. So, I continue my joy of mass murder and dead bodies. Eating away there flesh like these maggots eat on mine. I have met some I do respect, a master which is trying to teach me not to become a mindless undead. And a Death Night that was helpful.

A small leather bound journal, the cover scratched and worn, some of the edging browned from dried blood. Some of the pages appear torn and muddy, some appear to be water stained. A small worn sheet of paper is folded and tucked within it's pages...

The trials and tribulations of Cyaer Sunblaze.

I find myself under constant pressure, from all sides, and from myself. Where am I going? What am I doing? Fel, sometimes I don't even know. And that's the crux of the whole thing, I don't know. Am I doing the right thing, or am I sending someone off to their death? I try to make the correct decisions...the ones that will aid the Fellowship, but are they? I'm second guessing myself, and that's not good either, is it?

Have I lost a friend? Did I do the right thing, or not? And this time I did it before the entire Fellowship. I'm sure that they will revoke my membership. I'm not worthy of this fine guild. I am not worthy...

"You are, my son...you are worthless...you are, my son....worthless..."

The locked chest with all the traps hides a leather bound diary.

This Fellowship is driving me crazy! One thing after another, run here , run there, diving into whirlpools!! A worthless scum of a noble is now dead, killed by the hand of his own son. He deserved to die, he tortured our leader and my friend Karamia.

I do not know if it is worth it to stay with these crazies...they do offer me help though. Even the Forsaken arre worthwhile in a pinch, though chasing that Blackmold guy through a maze of twisting corridors and wondering where he will head next is nerve wracking to say the least. I did not even have time to pick any pockets!

So far I have avoided any sparring with these folk, though sooner or later that Blackmold is going to try and teach me some tricks. I just may surprise him. Though maybe not if I want my secret kept. The teachings my brother nearly killed me to learn are coming in handy. He always told me street fighting was the best way to survive. "Take what you can and stay in the shadows...you will do fine...you are fast and light on your feet."

His words seem dull now...he taught me well...too well...now he lays dead and it was by...my hand. Dear Jolandor...if I had a way to turn back the clock...I would erase that day...

(tears stain the page)

The dark tome sits in the open on Vira's desk. No one dares to touch it, the green glow of fel magic covers it and the trap is laid to snare an unwary theif.

After all this time of puzzling the first rune is finally mine! The rune of Vex it is called and the jealousy and pain it evoked nearly split them in two! Cyaer and Karamia are nearly sickening with their cooing at each other. It is only my force of will that keeps me from yelling at them over the guildstone to give it up and stop clogging the air with their annoying love messages.

Curse the death knight! For though he was able to keep them from following me as I fled, he thought to fool me with his lies. I had him beaten senseless to teach him a lesson. To my surprise he has dragon blood tainting his veins. He underwent the beating willingly, he even seemed to enjoy it! I may have to test this further, perhaps I can use him in another way. He will have to prove his loyalty to me. I have ways of binding him. Knowing his secret is one way...I shall see if I can find another, more pleasant way to cement his cooperation. Solorin, you will find me to be a most entertaining misstress.

The warrior I found today was interesting to say the least. I have never seen the likes of the undead to have such feelings and emotions. He seemed to be infatuated with someone called Sela'Lindori. I have sent my imps into the Nether to find her. I will use him to find more of the runes. He seemed very resourceful on punishing the death knight. I will keep my word and I will not harm his lady love, whoever she is. I did not promise him I would stop my minions from tearing her to shreds however, if she makes one move to take him from my control, or tries to stop me in any way...Black will be your name.

The runes will all be mine. The rune of Sorrow is in the logical place. There are many old ruins there and the dragons who haunt the Sunken Temple will not stop one of their own from the gathering of the rune. But how will I activate the rune? I cannot collect it if it is not activated. I need someone to travel there with me and see the pain of love lost or hopes dashed. I need to find someone in the Fellowship who does not know me. They gather new recruits quite often. I wonder if they warn their new people about me? Solorin will have to find someone. He will prove his loyalty to me, one way or another.

The rune of Vex has opened the first section to me. As I read it the words fill my mind like echoes of Chaos.

Rune of Vex is in your hand,
Sorrow follows swampy land.
Hatred fills the demon's Lair,
Greed the Bay of Pirates fare.

Twisted is the rune of War,
Lust in ancient Mage's Lore.
Power charges Earth below,
Chaos leads in Twilight's glow.

The final rune is Death divine,
Rising like a dragon's spine.
All these find and in your joy.
Glory to the Sindorei!

Bleeding, Cracked, Broken my ribs are....but i can still feel I am healed thanks to the properties in my dragon blood...Hopefully the Witch keeps her word about my secret.....I will need to prove my loyalty to her one way or another....Perhaps...She seems intrigued by my Charisma...maybe I could use it to my advantage....I will need to be more careful of my surroundings...I need to be careful what I say and who i say it around.

She is a most generous mistress....I still find my self attracted to her in a strange way....perhaps if she wasn't so dark....so evil...still I will continue with my plan...The dragon gods command it.

Kel'tira Sunblaze

I woke this morning to pain. Pain like I have rarely felt. Pain in my head, in my heart, and in my body. My... anger... was roused when my cousin came to visit. Talla told me that, “I should never come back to the House,” that “it is your fault he did what he did to you,” that I, “should have seen it coming,” that the, “bastard did well to do to you what he did,” and that it is somehow my fault, “he touched you, used you.”

I was also told that if I am with his child, she will do all she can, “to rid the House of the menace a bastard child of a cruel man might bring to us,” by, “any means necessary, even if it requires the removal of our Lady.”

I hate that girl.

For a woman as young as her, she is very determined, but... She does not understand what she suggests, nor does she see how painful it has been. It all makes me itch to arrange to have done to her what was done to me, except that I would never do that. Or, at least, the person I used to be would never do that.

I have read and reread this journal, full of pages and as thick as my arm, and I am slowly piecing myself back together. I realize how hard my life has been, and wonder vaguely about how I managed to hold on, and what I held on to. My husband. My friends.

Nic, mostly, I suppose. Where is he?

I recall Auxi telling me she would go to Northrend to look for him, and as I read my journal, I am overcome with a sense of terror, fear for his life in that barren wasteland of ice, snow, and Light only knows what else. So, I pray.

Is that all I can do? I think so.

I pray, because I do not know what else to do. I pray, because I cannot do anything else.

I held on because I had someone else, I had someone I loved, and trusted, someone I could tell anything to, someone I held dear, dearer than myself. Someone who meant the world to me.

Nic was my husband, is my husband.

Nicias Sunblaze... Come back to me, please...

Please... tell me I still have you, I can still love you with all my heart, please tell me I can trust you, I can still tell you how much you mean to me. Please... Please let me hold you again. Bring my world back.

Please, love.

My... cousin woke something in me. I speak again and my voice is steady, if harsher. I cry still, and have nightmares, but...

It almost seems manageable.

A small leather bound journal, the cover scratched and worn, some of the edging browned from dried blood. Some of the pages appear torn and muddy, some appear to be water stained. A small worn sheet of paper is folded and tucked within it's pages...

My final entry:

I must leave them. They don't deserve my failures and mistakes in their ranks. They are the finest group of people I have ever had the pleasure to be around. They were...are...my family. I am not worthy.

The hardest part of leaving is knowing that my sister must go on alone. Without me. And for that I have no response.

Karamia...my heart is heavy for what I am about to do. The demons of my mind and soul are victorious. I shall not let Velin win...I feel him growing inside me...and it destroys me. I am not like him...and yet I am so much like him in other ways.

I know that you will find love again. I was not worthy of your love...I am tainted. Move on, Mia...please...move on..

Journal of Karamia Dawnstrike

(stains mark this page and the ink is blurred in spots)

My heart...my love...shattered in a moment of deep sorrow. Cyaer? What have you done? I cannot bear it...my loss is too great. I shall seek out the demon's who brought you down. I will find the last vestige of your broken body. I will return you to us...or die in the attempt.

Kreindis Blazestride

Cyaer...

Cyaer where are you, what have you done? Before our meeting, he sent a message. Something about... demons of his mind and soul. And that he left us now. I predicted Mia's reaction when she heard this, and when she stood to leave after him, I did my best to calm her down, but it was useless. Now I am truly stunned. We may have just lost two of our guild members, and two of my friends..... I should tell Kel'tira.

I'm going to go do that.

I recovered another rune today, I had to lie to a friend to retrieve it...but it was required to retrieve the rune for the mistress....She has grown on me, I have come to care for her in a way, it is strange....perhaps things will stay their course.

The rune of sorrow is ours now, that just leaves the other 7, I wonder what they will bring...She is nice to me...The others say she is ruthless, or Evil, but she shows me another side....

I do not know who to side with...I am confused and bewildered.....

Ellis lies dead, the Human who took my life lies dead. I met him in Shattarath today...I took my blade and i slit his throat....I no longer have to worry about him anymore....My dark master Nefarian is pleased.

A dark tome glows with the deep purple of shadow magic, the traps to catch the unwary lie silent and wait.

I have the second rune, the rune of Sorrow. My handsome knight has made me wonder if his words can ring so true. The lies he tells in to the ears of the paladin Karamia sound so smooth.
Can he be trusted? All my instincts warn me no. His tongue is glib and his tone sincere. But his body feeds off my magic like a leech in the ponds in front of the ruins of Lorderon. A further test may be required to seal his fate to mine.

He has brought me the rune and I insert it into the lock. The words skitter across the page in maddening circles. If it were not for the imp I would not know if the words would make much sense.

The tome you hold, power within
Was aptly named the Tome of Sin.

The rune of Hatred next to find
Will reek of danger, pain divine.

Though blades may dull with constant use
The edge of many have no excuse.

Ogres heads and dragon's tails
Hold secrets like a Banshee's wails.

Fill the essence of a dream,
With silk that holds no single seam.

The verses made no sense to Vira and she thought about the Dark Mother's words. Blades Edge mountains in Outland...perhaps she should send Baelic to investigate? At least he would have his Dark Mother's help if he needed it. Though she seemed not to care if anyone tampered with his mind. He needed to find the rune for her and activate it. Perhaps the Forsaken could accompany him and make sure he did not fail. His name fit him, the black mold living in his jaws made his face dark and sinister. But to activate the rune there would need to be hatred shown in full force. She wondered if she could find a way to send this Sela'Lindori to Blades edge...or perhaps capture her and give her to the Ogres for their sacrifices?

Her wards had often sounded alarms and she feared someone would penetrate the Keep and find the tome. She needed guards and minions to keep out the pesty rogues who frequently tried to sneak into the Keep. The ranks of the Ebon Hold seemed to be full of disillusioned and bored death knights. Perhaps she would go on a recruiting mission.

Journal of Karamia Dawnstrike

The dry and dusty canyons of Hellfir Penninsula were no help as I searched for Cyaer. The Felreaver took his toll of Alliance as well as Horde. I flew over every mountain and searched every rock and cave. I needed to find my love...my heart grew weary with each passing hour.

A strange and curious thing happened as I flew over the still functioning Gates of Kil'Jaeden's throne. A death knight only recently come to the Fellowship was killing demons and searching the ruins. Thinking he had found something of interest I landed my wyvern to offer help and ask if he had seen Cyaer.

He had found a rune and asked if I would look. I knelt to see and found it looked similar to the one that Vira had picked up from teh courtyard of Lorderon. My suspicions rose as I asked him what it was for. He replied it was to prevent a demonic ritual from coming to pass.

I did not know what to think. He sounded so sincere. He then reminded me that Cyaer was gone for good. It wrenched my heart so painfully I could hardly speak. I told him I would never stop seeking my love, I would find him and bring him home. His words were painful and harsh. He said that Cyaer was dead and never would be found.

My knees grew weak I hit the ground in painful sobs, my heart breaking into pieces. A nearby glow and pinging sound did not register until he picked up the rune and stuffed it in his pocket. Even then I did not know what it was for. My eyes were so full of tears I could not see clearly. He bid me leave this place it was still to dangerous. He told me to go home.
I could not.

(tears stain the pages)

Journal of Karamia Dawnstrike

The day is good and I have to write this as I sit and watch him sleep. My beloved is home, though his injuries are severe. He is safe and alive and I will never want to leave his side again. The nurses usher him into the surgery and work on him for many hours. All I can do is sit and wait and recall how I found him.

The Falcon's Watch in Hellfire sent out patrols frequently to look for ore and collect the magic found in the canyons and with the bird people here. They found his body, broken and crumbled in a heap. They brought him to the Falcon's Watch and laid him on the floor. It would have been a simple burial if not for the tabard that he wore. The minute I saw him I fell to my knees in dismay.

My love and faith cried out in desparate plea. His life is too short to end so soon. I begged and pleaded to the Light to restore him to me. Am I selfish? I could not stand to see his broken body there without trying to bring him back. I called his name and every ounce of energy I could summon went into giving him another chance at life.

Miracle that it was I gave thanks as he breathed again! His shallow breath showed how badly hurt he was, as blood and bubbles came from his lungs. I did what I could and had help from the healers who were stationed there. The magister offered us a Portal home and we took it gratefully once I had him stable enough to travel.

Now I sit and watch him sleep, astounded at my luck and thankful for the Light. As I sit I ponder once again the happenings of the day before. What was the rune that Solo found and what ritual was he talking about. Demon rituals...often done by warlocks...my heart nearly stopped. Was he trying to stop Vira?

What was she up to? I thought about the consequences of sending a scout to see where she was hiding. It would not hurt to send someone to Fenris Keep. She seemed to like it there, or perhaps she left a clue to where she went from there.