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Regret was something the small child usually did not feel. At this point, Lynnie had realized the mistake she had made. There was nothing wrong with the fact that she had helped Terra Incognita in their mission against Modas. In fact, that was probably in everyone's best interest that she did. It was the fact that she had not gone about it the right way. Leaving an anonymous message with a map to the locations, wearing a disguise and not letting them know who it was that was aiding them. But after everything she had seen with Modas, she knew what it was she could be expecting if they linked her to whatever it was to happen. It wasn't only her own life-unlife that was in danger. Everyone they knew she was linked to would be in danger if they found out that such a small child could be linked to the mission.

At first, Lahkin had barely recognized her assistance after she had helped. He pushed her away, to fend for herself, because she had known the consequences of her actions. But with persistence (and a couple unkind words from her aunt Bhayne), Lahkin had been convinced to assist in keeping the child safe. First, she was assigned a guard, and given a room under Lahkin's name at an inn in Stormwind so no one would be able to track her.

“Regis, he'll be assigned to you,” Lahkin had said.

“Only one?” The child murmured. “It'd be better if ya could put an army between them and me.” She mused. “Thanks, though.” The small, high elf child said.

That night was when she first met Regis. He was a taller man with a lean build. Dark brown hair and lightly tanned skin, with the makings of a full beard, which covered a rather stern look. He wore Terra Incognita's colors. Lynnie didn't like him from the beginning. She plopped on the bed in the room, her legs swinging as she looked up to him with her wide blue eyes.

“So, Regis, huh? Why'd he pick you? Good with kids or somethin'?” She chirped.

“So that I can keep you out of trouble. I have a knack for finding sneaks.” He murmured as he closed the door behind him. “So, let's get a few things straight, okay, kid?”

Lynnie straightened herself as she heard the slightly commanding tone. There was a glint of mischief in her eyes, but she nodded anyways. “Yes, sir,” she chirped.

“First of all, there will be no sneaking around. Even if you try, I will find you, catch you, and you will spend the entire time in this room until they are ready to be moved. Many are worried about your size, so you will eat every time I have a meal. You will not be pulling any pranks so-” Regis stopped talking for a moment, moving to her bags and rummaged through them. Inside, he saw a supply of balloons, which he promptly removed. Lynnie squealed in protest, jumping up to try and grab the balloons from him. He raised them up high, then put them in one of his own bags. “-no more water balloons. No sneaking behind anyone and saying 'boo!', none of that. You will go to bed – and I will make sure the room is locked so you cannot escape while I am resting in here with you. You will do what I say because what I am doing is in your best interest. Understood?”

The shock upon Lynnie's face was not surprising to the man. The undead child had never had quite so many rules. Even worse that it was coming from a perfect stranger. She went silent, her hands diving into a bag to pull out a blue skinned doll with pink hair, white bunny ears, mismatched eyes and black rogue armor. She squeezed the doll to her chest, looking up to the man. “Yeah, we got it, ya stupid meanie.”

The days passed slowly- Lynnie would mostly stay around the inn with Regis behind her, disapproving of everything she seemed to do, save for when she was reading or drawing quietly. Eventually she wrote out a list that she promised to Lahkin, of what supplies she would need for when they had secured a location for her to hide in. Candy, weapons, a parachute, and things to occupy her time was the majority of what took up the list. She included a letter, which she promptly sealed in the envelope with the list and handed over to Regis to send off to Lahkin. The man was rigid, but she was beginning to have a small amount of respect for him. He easily found her when she slipped into the shadows. How he did it, she wasn't entirely sure. All she could figure what that he must have had similar training as to what she was receiving. 'Maybe former SI:7,' she thought.

In the following days, Regis loosened up, a little. The bedtime stayed, but he no longer required her to eat upon learning of her condition of undeath. Nor was she required to sleep, but she was still restricted to the bedroom while he was sleeping. A small amount of trust had began to form between the two, and as their bond formed, the guard began allowing Lynnie a small amount of freedom. To the point of where the two were able to scout out a hiding place together. They looked into various locations, finally settling upon a barn in Silverpine. Upon returning to Stormwind, Lynnie began to pack up her own things.

“We'll be leaving tomorrow, Lynnie, and I am not sure how long we will have to stay there,” Regis reminded her. “Tonight, we'll take a walk through the city. I know you have friends here, so say your goodbyes, but try not to be obvious.” Regis reminded her.

“I wanna write a couple a letters first, if that's okay. Ya can read 'em an' everythin',” the child said as she pulled out some parchment and began penning her letters.

Lahkin,

I want to thank you for all your help. I know how reluctant you were at first. Regis was saying how we have to pick up the supplies before we go into hiding, so I guess I will see you then. I guess he knows how to get in touch with you in case anything goes wrong, since I'm not allowed to talk on the hearthstone any more.

Love,

Lynnie

She sighed, moving on to the next letter.

Mama and Papa,

I am sorry I have not been able to come home right now. Please find a really amazingly, outstanding, understanding and loving friend of ours who might have an idea of what is going on. They might be able to explain a bit better. I'll be home soon, I promise.

Love,

Lynnie

The small girl raised her hand, rubbing her eye a little after this letter. It had been a while since she had seen either of them, and she hoped she would be able to see them again soon.

Bhayne,

I just wanted to let you know that I am okay, and I have the person I mentioned before with me. I will be in touch when it is safe. Thank you for being the best aunt ever.

Love,

Lynnie

Finally, the girl sighed as she moved to the last letter. This was going to be the most important one.

Raoul,

I am entrusting you with the whereabouts of my location. If there is a need for it, please cut off the ability for those who have been able to track me. I trust you will know who is safe to trust and who is not safe to trust with my whereabouts. I'm sorry I made such silly mistakes just to help people. You gave a good lecture, though, and I think some of it made sense. We'll have to have tea again when this is all over. Maybe I'll even drink some this time.

Love,

Lynnie

She slipped a green stone into the final envelope, making sure to show all the letters, save for the one to Raoul, to Regis. After he gave his approval, she sealed the rest of the envelopes and handed the stack to him. The child stood up from her chair. “Right, then. So goodbyes, and tomorrow we'll head out?”

The man offered her a slight smile, then his hand. Lynnie took his hand as they exited the inn. Even the hand of a prickly guard was soothing to her now, because the fear of what was coming was overwhelming.

(( Lynnie and Regis, best odd couple ever. ))

((Something like that! :P ))

((Can't stand missing all of this. Curse my schedule. On a different note though, has someone else been playing the part of Regis, or is he just one of those there-but-not-there background NPC's?))

((He's been a background NPC. It would have been really spiffy to have someone following Lynnie around all the time to scold her and all, though. >.> ))

The planning had been detailed, specific and to the point. The execution had been flawless. Arlston blinked in the sunlight as he left the Terran secret prison. It felt…good today. The wildhammers and Terran Knights that had relieved him of guard duty saluted as he left. Returning their salute, he trudged back to the Peak. Mind already going over operational after-action-reports. Two prisoners. Both key to the enemy. It was a good day indeed.

Twelve seaforium charges, set on the tunnel’s support struts halfway down, and four shaped charges on the ceiling to weaken and collapse. Arlston hefted his pair of large, burlap sacks over his shoulder as he stood, from placing an explosive and moved to the next location in the mine. Pausing to look down at a small hourglass he kept in his bag, he reached up and with a small nudge to his mask, activated his hearthstone, Terran channel. “Preparations proceeding. On schedule. Sir.”

Lahkin‘s voice returned over the Hearthstone, a hint of anxiety, and…excitement… in his voice, “Uh, good. Thank you.”

Arlston returned to setting the explosives in the previously decided locations, eyes constantly looking about for any signs of Modas patrols or interference that could compromise the plans. Nothing, the mine was eerily quiet, and dark. Just the way Arlston liked it.

About twenty minutes later, the last charge was in place, the detonators primed and the fuse-line set up to a sparkbox connected to a remote that Arlston held. Keying his hearthstone again, he spoke as he always did, short, sweet and to the point. No unnecessary chatter. “Preparations complete. Sir. Standing by.”

After a considerable standby, the rest of the Order and its allies had gathered, Lahkin looking about with the telltale excitement of a green Commander, and the anxiety to match. While Arlston was silently proud that Lahkin had stopped being a whipping boy, and more of a leader, it wasn’t the time to try and teach the young man. The die had been cast, it was now just time to see what they got.

After the order to move out had been issued, Arlston primed the sparkbox, and mounted Dusk, kicking the disciplined gryphon off the ground and out to the rally point. Once there, the operation began, the targets had been decided beforehand, Thelinna, Aethelgyth and Kaerina. Three of the top Modas. Priority one targets for acquisition, termination if needed. The other Modas had the green light to be terminated.

Timeus sent in his suicide squirrels, and at Lahkin‘s command, Arlston triggered the sparkbox. Twenty seconds was the fuse time, and sure enough far in the distance, the resounding echoes of large explosions could be heard. Then, came the Modas, and of course, the conflict.

Fighting surprisingly well for a force caught off guard, driven from a defensible position and ambushed, the Modas proved why they were as feared as they were. The fighting was fierce, Kaellar going down with a bad wound during the struggle. It was a running battle, the Modas fleeing for the safety of the dark waters, their mages creating portals with their comrades buying time. Steel and spells flew fast and hot. Until it was over.

The Modas finished their escape, leaving behind a thoroughly exhausted Terran force. Aethelgyth and Thelinna stayed to mock Lahkin and the efforts to manipulate the Modas. Arlston could hardly believe the arrogance, the foolishness of delaying departure for personal reasons to satisfy emotional needs. As Lahkin spoke to the extravagantly dressed elf woman, Arlston used the chance to slip behind the backs of his allies, using them for cover as he took to the shadows, moving slowly from bush, to shadow, to bush behind the two Modas stragglers. He poised, ready to strike, mentally readying his motions to try and subdue both elf and orc quickly. Keying his hearthstone twice to notify Lahkin. At Lahkin‘s command, he struck like a falcon, fast and unsuspected.

A brief scuffle ensued, as the Orc warrior did not like being ambushed, she fought like a beast possessed, taking all of Arlston‘s skill to duck, dodge and weave to avoid being cleaved in two. As the dust settled, the two Modas lay still, beaten and out cold.

At Kaellar‘s urging, Arlston returned to the keep, and gathered some chains, as rope would not hold the powerful Orc. Timeus sealed Thelinna with one of his powerful runes. Arlston dug in his pack for his only syringe of sedative, the one he kept on hand in case Dusk, his gryphon was injured. Injecting the Orc, and chaining her tightly. Arlston claimed his captive, and with a little help from Timeus and his portals, the two prisoners were locked up in the Terran’s prison.

Informed that he would be Aethelgyth’s “First” as well as his family. To which Arlston ignored for the useless bravado and threats. After all, he had no family left and he sorely doubted that the Orc would get her chance. Guard duty for the greatest prisoners the Terran’s ever held began.

((Awesome post. :3 It's a good write up. ))

((Such a shame I ended up missing this. *was so totally not milling about in TERA*))

((Say hi to Aethel for me!))

((Sorry if things got mixed up in the write up from Modas' side. Totally forgot to chatlog. x.x The general idea is still there.))

The sounds of of the explosions rang clear as the sanctum shook, and chaos ensued. Mechanical squirrels, ones that Thelinna saw to hold quite a resemblance to those that Timeus made, skittered into the main room, as Thelinna rose from her seat and began motioning to the group with her to begin fleeing. Thelinna looked worriedly to Kaerina, who was already beginning to show physical signs of gaining weight from her pregnancy, and Filraen who was carefully and protectively rushing her as they made their way down into the dungeons. Sekhesmet and Morthei followed after, while Kutamori chased after, thirsty for the blood of whomever was responsible for this attack. Aethelgyth kept pace with Thelinna, as Galm followed behind, keeping an eye out for any injuries sustained. There was little panic among the group- only a clear focus on escape.

They went through the lower dungeons, consistently followed by the persistent group of mechanical squirrels. The lower exit, leading into a tunnel beneath Lordamere Lake was soon taken, as they hurried away from the collapsing sanctum. Thelinna had not thought of the slaves they were abandoning, simply allowing them to fall to the destructive force. Thelinna moved ahead of the group as they reached the end of the tunnel, moving a panel of wood and pulling a handle, which opened their secret entrance to the basement of Fenris Keep. She glanced around, placing a finger in front of her mouth to signal the others to silence. “Filraen, in front. We stick together. Do not allow them to touch Kaerina,” she murmured. Hearing no arguments, the Claviger nodded to Filraen for him to move ahead. The Death Knight gave her slight nod, drawing his sword as he slowly crept up the staircase.

They were lead right into an ambush, as they made their way out of the keep. Just outside the entrance awaited them ten or more members and allies of Terra Incognita. The group charged forward, as the battle truly began. Fireballs, demons, and shadow magic were met arm and arm with fierce warrior and holy light. Modas stood strong, throwing disabling blows as they forced their way through the ambush, making their way to the clearing at the dock. It almost felt as if they were fighting for hours, but with persistence the group made it to the clearing.

“Filraen, get Kaerina out of here,” she ordered quickly, as her eyes fell upon the Terran group as they bean to recompose. “I wish to have words with Timeus. The rest of you, go.”

Aethelgyth and Filraen were the first to protest. “My lady, allow me to stay with you.” They both spoke up. Thelinna looked to both, looking between the two and regarding them for a moment. Thelinna knew better than to stay alone, so she nodded to Aethelgyth.

“Aethel, you may stay. The rest of you, return, now,” she said plainly, before turning to look at the gnome. “I knew I recognized your work, Timeus.”

Thelinna engaged the gnome in conversation, keeping an eye on the group but swelling with pride as the others made their way off. She could never resist taunting the alliance, holding a victory – or in this case, thwarting their victory – above the heads of others. She teased, as much to the point of flirting with the leader of their little organization. She was observing Lahkin when she was stunned – and Aethel came under attack. She managed several fireballs before she felt herself collapse. As her eyes opened once again, she saw the gnome hovering over her, drawing up a quick ward on her forehead. Her body instantly became paralyzed. She could no longer feel her limbs, the most she could manage was slightly smile and a mad giggle before losing consciousness.

As she awoke once again, it was in a different area. The cave was cold, and she had been hefted into a cell with old hay on the ground, and oozes moving about the floor. She frowned slightly, her eyes shifting as she saw several folks standing about. Lahkin seemed to be overseeing things with a woman beside him. A masked man seemed to be attending to Aethelgyth, while Timeus was once again lurking over her.

“Mmmm, now this is familiar,” Thelinna murmured.

“Yes, and you may notice that I have made some adjustments to the ward. Thankfully for you, I do not have to carve it into your forehead.” The gnome replied.

“Ah, now that I do appreciate. Thank you,” Thelinna replied politely, her eyes shifting to look over to the other cell. Aethel appeared to be bound in every way possible in heavy chains, though the Orc seemed to enjoy toying with her new captor.

Closing her eyes for a moment, Thelinna decided it would be best to try to test the strength of the ward placed on her forehead. She mustered a small fireball, but before she could even form it, she felt a sudden burst of burning within her own mind. Her body tensed, stunned for a moment as she endured the pain, her eyes shooting open and a giggle escaping her lips. “My, my. That is quite an effective ward.”

After Timeus took his leave after warding her cell, Thelinna decided it was time to enjoy one of her favorite strategies. It may have done little good,, but it was always entertaining to watch the reactions of those she pulled it on. It also tended to make them think that she was less intelligent than she truly was. She took a breath, and began speaking rather quickly.

“What a clever jail you have here, Lahkin. I must say, I am actually really quite impressed with this set up. Wherever did you find this cave? And the oozes, that is simply a remarkable touch. Rather disgusting, really, if you ask me. I am going to need a bath one of these days, as I am quite certain that they will get all over my clothing. What exactly are your intentions for keeping me in such a place, anyways? You do know that you cannot hold me forever – others have tried. Not only did they fail, but a full vengeance was taken, as you have witnessed before. Do you really think it is wise to continue this with me? Ah, I must wonder how long you will be holding me this time, though. I certainly hope our captor is much more interesting than the previous one. Croesan, I believe my guard's name was. He runs with your lot now, doesn't he? Well -” Before Thelinna could continue on, Lahkin spoke up.

“Please, Arlston, gag them both.” He ordered.

A slight smirk tugged at her lips as she watched Arlston fuss over Aethelgyth, finally slipping his hand into her mouth and forcing her jaw open. Thelinna watched with renewed interest. “My, my. So forceful!” She purred, rather fascinated by the man. “Lahkin, you must tell me where you got this one.”

Lahkin simply shot her a look while Arlston came to her cell. She looked up to him with a smile, wondering what was behind the mask of the human man. He crouched down besides her, holding a wrap of bandages. “Open.” He stated plainly, though her lips were sealed tight. He repeated his words again, until she decided she had tired of this, opening her mouth to allow him to gag her. She glanced over to Aethelgyth for a moment, before shutting her eyes so she could contemplate her retaliation.

I miss all the good stuff.

((I still need to figure out my reply to this. Awesome write ups, you two!))

((Well, take your time. :P ))

((I've been stuck in a state of not knowing how to proceed. >.< Most of the things I was going to cover I think Arlston pulled off better than I could, so let's see...))

Why was it, when sleep was most important, it was hardest to do?

Moon's rising saw Lahkin pacing up and down the main hall of Aerie Peak, where the explosives to be used in the next day's assault were stacked up along the walls. He must have checked them over a thousand times, or at least pretended to. Timeus' work was alien to him, but Lahkin figured that if the bombs all looked exactly the same, then they would function as intended. If one looked different, it would have to been a maker's error, right?

Maybe... Besides the tenuous logic, the other downside of this plan was that only so much time could be spent looking at bombs, and Lahkin was left with the rest of the time to pace and worry.

Instead he began playing out the battle in his head, starting at the flight over. The stiffening and stretching sensation of calling on the stone drake's spirit, then the strain in chest muscles as he took off. Other creatures taking to the air around him, like a cloud of Silithid wasps. As the landscape changed beneath him, the pine scent of the Hinterlands would change into the water scent of the Lake of Lordamere, faintly mixed with that smell of embalming fluid that was peculiar to Forsaken territory.

He could feel the rumpled air on his nares and vibrating along his wings as he dived to land outside the silver mine's entrance with the rest of his allies. There, these same bombs would be unloaded and carted into the mine to be set--what would he say? Arlston knew his orders, Lahkin would only have to tell him when. Just a nod would do...

Then another order, to get his people into place at the other secret entrance to the Modas sanctum. Lahkin licked his lips as he silently tested the timbre, the inflection, the lilts of a few different accents, the exact crack of the shout in his throat. Lahkin snorted to himself. It never sounded as impressive as he imagined it.

He turned on his heel and began to pace back the way he came. Whatever way he gave the order, the allies would settle in just outside the old keep on Fenris Isle to wait for the collapse of the mine, and for Timeus to send the mechanical squirrels in like herding dogs. Lahkin imagined the excited beating in his chest as he would wait. Would he feel the explosion of the bombs? How far out of the sanctum would the Modas have to be before he heard their screams? Or would they scream? It seemed rather counter to their ominous demeanors...

And then the battle itself...Lahkin took a deep breath to center himself in his image...but his composure was shattered as the morning bell rang, and stirrings echoed throughout the bunkhouse above him.

Dawn already? He didn't feel tired, only wrung out like a towel of water. Lahkin stopped pacing as the first wave of early risers passed him. He stood still enough most of them didn't notice, in the odd way people ignored the obvious when their minds were on something else. Lahkin silently searched their faces for signs of what they were thinking. Fear? Excitement? Probably just pondering what they would have for breakfast...

Lahkin turned to watch them go, like the eye of a storm, or a rock standing out among the flow of the rapids. He just hoped that storm wasn't about to fly out of control when the time came...

The real thing wasn't much like he imagined it. There was no time to compare though, as the blast from the explosion shook the earth and vibrated right up into his fingertips. Moments later, the Modas came into view at the entrance of the keep, first walking, then running. Behind them, burning, wailing forms of people he didn't recognize stumbled out behind them. Lahkin felt sick watching, but soon enough the Modas were on top of them, and any thoughts not related to the battle at hand were chased right out.

The Modas fought fiercely, and the Terrans were driven down the hill inch by inch. He knew their faces by now as if they were old friends, and even the appearance of the thought-dead Sekhesmet didn't put him off for long. The priest was healing...Lahkin directed the Terran's attacks his way, and saw the Forsaken drop at least once. There's one for you, Artimus, Lahkin thought, as he punched his mace into the face of another Modas who got too close. And for you, Lynnie.

It didn't seem to matter. The docks drew up behind them. The Modas formation didn't falter--Lahkin was surprised they didn't save their own skins by breaking away one by one to flee. Some sense of loyalty among villains, then?

The first of his own allies dropped. Lahkin shouted the orders to get medical help to her, but it was too late. There was a gap in the lines, and like water released from a dam, the Modas rushed through it. They were getting away...

There was no help for it. Their main objective was complete, and Lahkin wasn't going to waste time on snagging prisoners if it meant the loss of more of his people.

"Fall back!" Lahkin yelled. He heard movement behind him--perhaps one of his lieutenants?--and he turned around to pass on the order. He saw the broad side of a sword instead of a face, and then he saw the sky above him, stars winking in his vision that had nothing to do with the oncoming night. And then...

Lahkin struggled to catch his breath, out of instinct rolling sideways as the sword drove into the dirt where he had just been. Then there was a shout, a gurgle, and seconds later Kaellar was setting him on his feet again. Lahkin slapped the death knight's arm in thanks and looked around.

The Terrans were reforming, tending to each other without being asked. Through their ranks, Lahkin saw the last of the Modas slip off into a portal and cursed. He turned around again, surveying the keep. Flames still licked the edges of the roof, dark smoke mingling into the twilight of the sky, and burning brands winked like torches against the black ground. The architecture was surprisingly intact, but it didn't matter. A muffled cry brought Lahkin back to the present.

"Ketlan, Malandaha, go see to those bodies!"

They were prisoners, ex-slaves of the Modas, and their obvious neglect made Lahkin's blood boil. But he had to trust to the healers' expertise--someone shouted the alarm, as two figures glided over the Terrans' heads and landed with their backs to the keep. It was light enough Lahkin could recognize them. Thelinna and Aethelgyth.

The blood elf's expensive robe was perhaps tattered now, and the orc's armor glinting with her own blood, but Thelinna was grinning. Making sweeping gestures like an orator, she began to berate them, laughing about their inexpertise. "Did you perhaps notice that our sanctum was already in a state of neglect? Oh yes, we were expecting you, and have already moved the most important--"

Lahkin hadn't noticed the neglect, and he frankly didn't care now. He listened to the blood elf rant like she was the actor in a play, unable to really affect him. As she continued, now calling him out by name, Lahkin caught the eye of Arlston and nodded.

Thelinna and her bodyguard expected nothing. Arlston expertly disabled her from behind and started in on the orc. Lahkin shouted and dived in to help, along with the rest of the confused Terrans. It wasn't long before they had laid the pair low.

Arrogant...

"Don't kill them!" Lahkin ordered. "Bind them, put a ward on that one. Has someone got a portal?"

There were more black figures down by the docks now, and Lahkin wasn't going to risk another attack from the Modas. Aethelgyth was put in chains and Timeus had drawn a rune of warding on Thelinna's forehead. The portal was put up, and hesitantly, the big group began to filter through it.

"Prisoners and slaves first. Kaellar, guard the rear with me..."

Soon there was nothing left to see on Fenris Isle, except the last vestiges of flame among the buildings, fading into the night. The Terrans had no need to leave a more obvious mark.

((I think that was pretty spiffy, Lahkin! :D ))

((Thanks :) Still some pieces to get in.))

((I still need to post up Aethels escape sometime.. Im lazy though D:))