Setting Out

Setting Out

Written by Detaine, a character on the Earthen Ring server, and posted on the Blizzard Earthen Ring Forums

=One=

Father sighs as he watches his daughter limp in the door. She is muddy, and her smock is torn. Her brilliant auburn hair, just like her mothers was, is filled with leaves and twigs. What happened this time? He knows most of what the answer is going to be. Will she ever be a lady?

She sits down and brushes a curl from her face. Aelain but me I couldnt get to the top of the tree before him. But I did. They know I can climb faster. Then Ardan climbed up and Stared laughing cause my hair was caught on a branch. She pulls her hair over her shoulder and pulls some twigs out, then begins to braid it back up as she continues her tale. Ardan was laughing at me, and Aelain called me Tiny so I got mad. Father nods. It is the usual chain of events. So I tried to push Ardan off his branch. She sighs. Thats when I fell.

Father removes her boot, and binds her swelling ankle, shaking his head. And where was Naol during all of this? Hes supposed to be watching her Sitting on the orchard wall, cheering me on. She smiles. Her brothers make her strong, but what would her mother have thought? Father looks back through the open doorway, hoping to catch sight of his sons. Did any of your brothers at least help you when you fell? She shrugged. Well, they tried She grins. But I can still out run them.

Father sighed again. My daughter, one day you may realize that you are a lady. There are just some things a lady is not supposed to do. But why not Father? I can do anything the boys can! Father just shook his head and chuckled. There is no reasoning with her- just like her mother.

-

That was several years ago. She stands on the doorstep and gazes at the tree. It has grown much-and so has she. I could still climb it But there are other things to be done. Those carefree days seem so distant. She sighs and turns back into the house. She needs to pack. Father is gone. Her brothers had all left to fight as paladins of the Light. Several suitors had come, begging her to stay- to bind herself to hearth and family. But she could not. She could hardly bring herself to wear a dress, much less be confined to the kitchen. Maybe someday- but not now.

She packs light. She knows too much would be a hindrance. In the bottom of her bags she folds a worn green blanket. It was made for her by her mother-before she was born. It was a special connection, since she really never knew Mother. Mother died of a fever about a year after her daughter was born. She was mothers pride, and her fathers princess.

Her brothers were charged with looking after her- especially Naol. He was closest in age, and knew from the day she was born that his purpose in life was to keep her safe. They were close. He often aided her in her escapades, cheering her on against their older brothers. And being punished just as severely for it. Where are they now? How are they faring? I have not heard from them in months

In Fathers old room are two weapons- a sword and a hammer. She knows how to use the hammer. Wolves that strayed into the orchard had often met their doom at the end of that hammer. Then there is the sword- from the days before the orchard was planted, when Father was a soldier. She knows a bit of how to use it. She has watched her brothers train. Now I will too. She straps the hammer to her back, and packs the sword in her bags. I will strive to be worthy of you all

So she will follow her brothers. She will fight. And may the Light help anyone who doubts her.

=Two=

To Naol from Detaine:

Sent from Sentinel Hill My dearest brother,

All right, I know your first question- Sentinel Hill? What are you doing there? Following my brothers, of course! With Father gone, what else could I do? You know I could not just stay at the orchard house and settle down. (Not that there werent a few offers) I was trained just like you, and now I will fight just like you. It should not come as a surprise- you know I always said I would- and how stubborn I can be. I did make arrangements with the neighboring farmers to look after the orchard and the house, so whenever any of us return, it will be there waiting for us. I could not stay there any longer alone, so I set out to continue my training, just as you did.

Of course all the farmers wives objected- theyve objected to much of what Ive done. But in the end, they agreed that I could take care of myself, and though they would worry over me constantly, they wanted me to be happy. I think some of them were happy to get me out of their sons reach- too many of them had been shooed out of the orchard house with me wielding Fathers sword Yes, I do stick to my convictions. In the Light I know there is honor I must strive for. Standards I must uphold. And I will.

I made my first trip into Stormwind last week. I think I stood outside the gate for an hour, just staring. The immense statues, the walls, and the masses of people streaming in and out. It did take me quite a while to find the cathedral. (Yes, I did get lost- as usual) I walked around looking up most of the time, wondering how they built everything so tall. The streets were so crowded, I know I bumped into many people on the way, but there was so much of that going on, nobody really noticed.

I had so hoped when I arrived there, that you, Allain, and Ardan, would be there as well. I asked so many there if they had seen you. The ones that knew the three of you spoke well of you, and look forward to see how I do. Of course I can keep up with you!

Someone eventually told me that the last they knew you three had been sent to fight the scourge in the plaguelands. They had no recent word, but suggested I continue to write. And I will. Even if you cannot write back, I will send you letters and let you know how my training progresses.

I hope the fight goes well. I hold to the hope of seeing you again soon.

In the Light

Your Sister,

Detaine

=Three=

The journey begins

Detaine sits in the grass near Sentinel Hill, watching the sun rise. The distant hills are barely visible, and the grassland rolls out in every direction. She looks around and smiles.

Here is my life- a new start. A path that could lead to anywhere. Possibilities in every direction. Hills and valleys ahead. Beauty and sorrow. It is all laid out in front of me now. All I have to do is go.

A gust of wind blows over her, rusting the leaves of the notebook at her side. A half-written letter to her brother waiting. The wind was not that cold, but yet she shivers.

No, I am not afraid. I cannot fear, I will not! I will never back down from the challenges I may face. I have chosen my path, for good or ill, I have chosen, and I will not turn back. No matter what.

The sunlight begins to spill over Westfall, bathing everything in a warm glow. She lays back in the grass and sighs. The sunlight dances off the nearby pond, sparkles through her auburn hair, and shines on the sword laying within arms reach. Detaine watches the blade of her claymore glow, noticing a few chinks on the edges. She tries to look away.

So different from the simple life in the orchard. So much fighting already- and so much more to come. I cant go back. I could never be happy in that life. There is so much more to see. Home will be there. Someday.

Sitting up, she pulls a stone from her bag, and begins re-sharpening her sword. She works gently, carefully. The claymore is quickly becoming her closest friend. Detaine chuckles and addresses the blade. Well, the sight of you does tend to discourage people from coming round, right? She stands and holds it aloft in the sunlight, checking her work. The sword and the girl are nearly the same height. She laughs again as she secures it across her back. She stoops down to gather her notebook and pencil, as well as the remnants of breakfast into her bags.

She pauses and looks behind her. Maybe I should try to meet more people, huh? Perhaps those folks at that garrison in Elwynn- they seemed fun. Im sure theyre better conversationalists than a sword, anyhow.

Shouldering her pack, she heads off down the hill. There will be time. For now its time for the sword to sing again.