Dream of the Past, A

A Dream of the Past
 * -by Merlet

Chapter 1
Western Kalimdor was being torn apart by a gigantic battle. Elves fought side by side against the creatures of the Burning Legion. The ancients of war were deadlocked in battle with infernals, fel hounds and other creatures unidentifiable. Children were being sent to Darnasus in droves. Hurried tearful farewells took place in all of the small villages around western coast and curses were being heaped upon the heads of the traitorous queen Azshara and her Highborn minions. Parents prayed to Elune that their children would make it through and that the guides would be able to steer their children through the dangerous paths to safety.

The identical elf maids moved quietly through the underbrush in the forest, one leading the other. They were dirty and disheveled, their clothing torn in places and covered in mud and soot and their armor had seen better days. Their long white hair was matted and full of twigs and other forest detritus. The only differences between them were the arms they were carrying. One had a small bow slung over her shoulder and a small sword at her side; the other held two daggers in her hands. A tiny striped feline poked its head out of the pack of the girl who had the bow and looked around. The booming sound of a giant something walking by scared the tiny feline back into its cover. The two elves froze and blended into the shadows around them until the sound moved off into the distance and faded. They began creeping through the jungle again.

The lead elf stops at the gentle tug on her clothing and turns quietly to look at her sister.

“Are you sure you remember the way Merlet? It has been a while since you made the trek to Darnasus.” She looks around her nervously.

“Aye, Aleya, I remember the way. The forest is my home, I shall lead us through to Darnasus. Once we are away from this battle, we can move a little faster.” She sets a hand on her sister’s shoulder and squeezes gently. “I’ll prove to everyone I should be a hunter and see us safely to Darnasus, you’ll see.” Nodding silently she turns back around and begins moving through the forest again.

It would be several days journey to the large city of Darnasus and until they got there Aleya would be relying upon her to find food and shelter. Shadow, her nightsaber pet, could find food for himself. Once he decided it was safe to come out of her pack. She sighed softly and cursed Azshara again for the horror that they had seen over the last few days. ‘Our world will never be the same again’ she thought to herself as she carefully picked her way through the underbrush in the forest.

Hours later, the sounds of battle were gone and had been for sometime when Merlet finally stopped. She sniffed the air and crept towards the rise of the hill to look over. Under her vantage on the hill was a small glen with a stream.

“This will be our camp site for the night. We can fill our water skins and rest here. If you’ll build a fire, I will go get our dinner.”

She slid over the crest of the hill and dropped her pack on the ground. Shadow poked his tiny head out and slithered out of the hole in the top of the pack. Aleya joined them on the ground and dropping her own pack set about the makings for a fire. Merlet un-slung her bow and slipped off into the forest. 

With a gasp she sat up in bed. Fang and Sasha raised their heads from sleep to look at her concerned. Blinking she runs a hand through her hair shivering. The dream.. It had not haunted her sleep in many a year. She looked down at Caladorn to make sure he was still sleeping and quietly slipped from the bed to walk outside. Behind her Fang and Sasha followed.

Stopping just outside the door she looks up into the night sky as one furry head and one scaled one finds their way under her hands. Reflexively she strokes them as she contemplates the ancient nightmare.

“Why.. why after all of these years does that dream come back. Could it be what that Dwarf wants to poke into? He ought leave such wicked tools of the traitorous Highborn alone. He’ll bring the Burning Legion back down upon us. They splintered the world once, this time they could destroy us.”

She stepped forward into the night and found a rock to curl up on. The raptor and the frostsaber curled up beside her, leaning against her, neither understood what was wrong, they only understood that something troubled their companion.

Chapter 2
She rode up to the clearing and stopped on the slight rise. Sliding off of her mount, she gave him a gentle scratch on the forehead as she stepped away from him to survey the area. Over the many years since she first stopped here things had changed. The spring from which the stream flowed had dried up, though a path of sorts was still outlined where the stream bed once was. Jumping down from the hill she pulled off her pack and set it down on the ground near where she had set one those many years ago. Rummaging around in her pack, she found wood and the makings for a fire and set about it. In no time at all a small fire was blazing as the shadows extended for the coming night. Dinner for herself, Fang and Snowpaw, her mount, took no time at all. She leaned back against her pack and stared into the firelight as her dinner settled, she let her mind wander.

Struggling with the oversized deer, Merlet finally made it back into the makeshift little camp. A fire was blazing and water boiling on the fire waiting to make a stew for dinner. Aleya sat at the fire sharpening her daggers. She didn’t look up at her sister’s arrival; she just continued sharpening her blades. Merlet sighed and set about making something to smoke meat on. They had few rations, as there had been little time before the mad scramble to leave home to pack much. Not knowing for sure how long it would take them to reach safety it was the only safe bet to make some extra travel rations. With the smoking rack set up she quickly skinned and portioned out the meat, tossing a strip or two to Shadow as he chased bugs around the ground. The meager spices she had with her were doled out for the dried meat and for the stew. As the stew was cooking the drying rack was filled with meat. It wouldn’t take very long for the rations to dry enough for travel.

When the stew was finished Merlet poured it out into bowls and looked at Aleya. Spread out in front of her were three daggers, all sharpened and a fourth was getting the finishing touches. Merlet frowned; she could only remember seeing her sister pack two weapons. Shaking her head and chalking it up to a poor memory she set the bowls down and dug out some bread from her pack.

“Enough of that for now come and eat your dinner. It isn’t exactly a feast, but it’s better than dry rations.”

Aleya dully looked up at Merlet and nodded; putting away the daggers she walked over to the food and sat down to eat. Mumbling a contented comment she finished off her dinner with gusto and went to wash out her bowl in the stream.

The two sisters sat deep in thought for most of the evening, saying nothing. Each with their own fears and reactions to sort through, Merlet interrupted her own thoughts to check and flip the meat on the rack. When it was done, she used the hide of the animal to store the food in and lay out her blankets for sleep.

“We’d better sleep now. Tomorrow will be another long day of travel. There will be little time for rest until time to make camp.”

Throwing the blanket over herself she curled up on her side as Shadow made himself comfortable curled up on top of her.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

“Wake up Sister… the hell has followed us."

Jerking awake at Aleya’s cry, Merlet scrambled to throw water on the burning embers of the fire as an infernal headed straight at their camp.

The embers had cast little light and died quickly as the water hit them. Grabbing her bow she dashed to Aleya and put a hand on her shoulder. 

“Aleya, shadowmeld, we cannot face this alone.”

Merlet blinked and shook her head, Fang and Snowpaw both roared at Merlet’s outburst and spun around looking for a threat.

Shaking she calmed her companions. So vivid, so real, so far in the past, so many years ago why now did it all come back to haunt her.

The fire had died to embers, much like that fire so long ago. She could almost feel the rumble in the earth again as the giant infernal creature had stomped its way through the forest that night. She had grabbed Aleya they had hid in the shadows and it had passed them by. Aleya, though, had changed that night. Darkness shrouded her soul for the destruction wrought upon us by Azshara and her Highborne minions. The two elf maids had finished their journey to safety. They had worked together to eke out a living alone. Their parents had not joined them. Both were lost the day after the children had been sent from the villages.

Merlet honed her skills as a hunter, she took down animals in the forests providing food, selling the skins and making armor for herself, her sister and to sell. Aleya, had earned a living by means only a rogue would understand. Sisters, working together to survive, until Aleya had come home with the blood stained clothing and it all came to an end.

“Where did you get that?”

“I found it.” Standing defiant and defensive in the center of their small home.

“You found it? That blood is fresh Aleya, where did you get that?”

“You… You follow your path, I follow mine. They deserve to die and I’ll send them to Elune or what ever god they worship.”

Aleya gathered her belongings and stormed from the house. For many years Merlet wondered about her sister, missed her, almost hated her for leaving. A rogues ways were not for Merlet, honor was a must for living, a code to live by.

Resolve to become a hunter of respect, of worth, and of weight drove Merlet to hone her skills. Shadow was released into the wild to join her kin, and Fang was tamed. The wetlands were swampy and home to fearsome warrior lizards. Merlet studied the raptors as she hunted and quested. Such a warrior would be a companion indeed. Fang was fierce and bloodthirsty, he nearly killed her as she tamed him, but he was hers now. She was no longer alone, she had a fine companion to help her hone her skills. The surprise on her face would have been comical she imagined when the warmth of a healing spell drifted over her as she finished off another beast. Turning to thank the healer who had aided her she was faced with an aged human paladin.

“Thank you noble paladin, my gratitude for your well timed healing. Is there something I may do or aid you with in my gratitude?”

Merlet figured her offer would be of little use to him. He was far more advanced in his skill than she. Though she grew in skill more every day there was still a large gap, and she could help little in quests he may be following.

“No, I follow the light and lend aid where I can. For that no service from you is needed.”

As she worked her way along, she met up with the paladin off and on. She learned his name was Caladorn and began to seek him out for conversation, a meal or just to find out how he was doing with his own quest for betterment. 

The memories continued to wash over her as she made the journey home. Absently she would scratch Snowpaw or Fang, though for the most part, she was lost in memory.

Chapter 3
She rode through the lush beauty of Stranglethorn Vale, Showpaw making almost no noise, and the animals of the jungle stayed away for the most part. Her cat was an imposing figure moving through the vegetation with the speed of his legs. Fang trotted along beside or behind her, watching for something to attack them, waiting to find his dinner. It had been many seasons since she haunted these areas. Not much had changed, and it was pleasing to see that the corruption had not invaded the vegetation here yet.

A whisper had reached her through her hearthstone. Aleya needed a little help with a quest, so she flew out to Booty Bay to meet with her sister. They had finally healed the rift between them, well somewhat. There was still perhaps a touch of discomfort, but they were sisters, and Merlet had her sister back. Merlet still didn’t see eye to eye with her sister, and her sister’s hatred of the humans made her cringe, but family was family. She could to some extend understand the hatred, as humans had once again allowed the burning legion in, but… *sighs* The past was the past, and nothing could be changed about it.

Sniffing the wind, she could tell she was close and slowed her pace. Coming towards her on the road, mounted on her own cat was Aleya with another of the newer members of the guild. Ciona, the name flitted through Merlet’s mind. She stopped and slid off of her mount, Fang trotted up to stand beside her and sniffed Aleya in greeting.

“Good day to you Sister, I see you have achieved enough accomplishment for your mount. My congratulations to you.”

“Aye, I’ve a mount now. I see you still have that silly lizard following you around. I still say his hide would make a good rug.”

“Try turning him into a rug and he will eat you. He’s been a faithful companion to me for many years. I’ll not see him abused. He’s saved your hide a time or two before also Sister.”

“Aye, same ole Merlet, you don’t change much do you?”

“I could say the same for you sister.” A wry smile flits across her face.

She nods to Ciona and unslings her bow. “Well then, shall we deal with these basilisks’?”

The three of them worked their way quickly through the creatures, slowly obtaining the items Aleya needed for the quest. Some good natured ribbing was directed at her because of Calidorn. Aleya was little pleased that her sister had chosen a human for her mate, but Caladorn was a warrior of the light and held honor high. He had fought the corruption for years.

Finally they were done, and Ciona rode off to take care of some other items. It made sense that Aleya had found friendship with another rogue, someone who understood her in a way that Merlet never could.

“Twas good to see you sister, we should do this again soon.”

Aleya stopped and looked at her searchingly. “Aye, we will never see eye to eye. You will never understand me, but we are family.”

“Aye, you are my sister, I may not agree with your ways, but I’ll always be here to help you, when I can.”

Aleya looks at Fang who is head butting her sister looking for a treat for his efforts of the day. “Perhaps you trust Fang so much because you trained him, and know he will never betray you. You have earned his loyalty for all time. Trust…”

“Fang isn’t the only one I trust, I trust you, I trust Caladorn, and Sasha. When it comes right down to it, none of you have let me down, not really. We are just different, the horror we saw changed us both. We’ve just gone different directions.”

Aleya nods and climbs back on her mount. “Take care sister, we will see each other again soon. You should go home sometime, breath the air there, rather than that stinking dwarven city.”

Merlet waves farewell to her sister and watches her ride off. Digging around in her pack she finds the quail that Fang is looking for and Snowpaw walks up to nuzzle against the elf as she turns to look around.

“Home… Maybe, but is it really home anymore?”

Climbing back up on Snow she rides down the road to Booty Bay, contemplating a visit home. Perhaps she should go home and see what time has wrought there.

Chapter 4 Going Home
The hypogryph flight from Darkshore wasnt a very long one, but it was harsh. The corruption seeped further and further every year it seemed. She nodded to the flight master and called Snowpaw and Fang to her. The land here seemed almost untouched, but the corruption of this place took a different form. Azshara, she spit on the ground.

How could they have honored that betrayer with naming this place after her?

Hearing the vehemence in her voice Snowpaw and Fang both growled. She quietly reached out to sooth them and climbed on Snow to ride further into the area. She knew where the road went to, shed traveled it many times in the past, and she steeled herself for the wash of memory.

Eldarath had once been a beautiful city, now it was nothing more than a naga infested ruin. The sundering had been felt even this far away. She could see the ruins in front of her, and within the ruins the hated Naga slithered around. She slid off of Snowpaw and walked the rest of the way. A hatred burned deep within her, and she pulled out her bow, picked one of them and sent Fang in after it. The raptor roared as he struck the beast and Merlet began firing. One after another the Naga fell under Fangs claws and her arrows. It came to a point where she stopped sending Fang after them, and began shooting to bring them to her. Her twin axes flashed in the sunlight, Fangs claws grew redder, they both became covered in gore as an old song played within her mind.

 Axes flash, broadswords swing Shining armors piercing ring Horses run with polished shield Fight those bastards til they yield

Midnight mare, blood red roan Fight to keep this land your own Sound the horn and call the cry How many of them can we make die?

Follow orders as youre told Make their yellow blood run cold Fight until you die or drop A force like ours is hard to stop

Close your mind to stress and pain Fight til youre no longer sane Let not one damn cur pass by How many of them can we make die?

Guard your women and children well Send these bastards back to Hell Well teach them the ways of war And they wont come here anymore

Use your shield and use your head Fight til everyone is dead Raise the flag up to the sky How many of them can we make die?

Dawn has broke, the time has come Move your feet to the marching drum Well win the war and pay the toll Fight as one in heart and soul

Midnight mare and blood red roan Fight to keep this land your own Sound the horn and call the cry How many of them can we make die?

Axes flash, broadswords swing Shining armors piercing ring Horses run with polished shield Fight those bastards til they yield

Midnight mare and blood red roan Fight to keep this land your own Sound the horn and call the cry How many of them can we make die? How many of them can we make die? How many of them can we make die? 

Merlet worked her way deeper into the ruins, ignoring the ghosts of the Highborne unless they attacked her and slaughtered Naga after Naga as she went. She and Fang were quickly covered in gore, Snowpaws pristine white fur was stained blood as he joined in on the fray. The temple was just a head, she could smell the stench of many Naga in there and entered it. A deadly bow, whirling ax blades and animal tooth and claw made short work of the ill fated Naga inside. The temple was cleared and the city ruins were once again a playground of destruction. Three sets of bloody footprints were to be seen going into and coming out of the temple, those bloody tracks weaved their way through the ruins, through the trail of bodies left behind.

Further and further into the outskirts of the city they went. She stopped on the side of a hill to drink and feed her companions. The wind shifted and she could smell fresh water and she looked at herself. Her armor was covered in blood and gore, Fang and Snowpaw were also covered. Her rage worked itself out and she sat quietly in the beauty of the area.

Fangs head came up and he whined, moving slightly in the direction of the fresh water and looking back at Merlet. She sniffed the air again. Dragonkin. She could smell them now too, and Fang loved dragon meat. Nodding at the raptor she stands up and begins to move towards the scents, as she crests the hill in the valley before her are the blue dragonkin. Nodding at Fang she readies her bow and watches him take off after the closest one, roaring as he attacks with frenzied glee.

One by one the dragonkin fall to the three of them, are skinned and left as they lay. The path is cleared to the little pond and all three of them dive into the water. Rage spent, they are all content to relax and play in the water. Merlet cleans the animals. Fangs claws and muzzle are washed and shining, Snowpaws fur is once again a pristine white and her armor is meticulously cleaned and oiled. The dents could be repaired later when she decided to go back to a city. For now, they made camp on the other side of the hill from the pond. Merlet quietly build a camp fire and cooked her dinner, Fang and Snowpaw dined on dragon meat beside her.

((OOC Note, the song above is March of Cambreadth by Heather Alexander))

Chapter 4
She shook her head as she left Frelle in Redridge. Calling Snowpaw to her, she put her armor back on and rode out of the area.

What a mess Fang. Human males are such complicated individuals. Maybe it is because he is so young. Caladorn has seen much, very little phases him anymore. I hope that we will be able to reverse this incident soon.

Fang and Snowpaw turn their ears towards Merlet and nod as if they understand the night elfs ramblings. Rupert just grunts quietly as he hurries to keep up with the party. Looking back over her shoulder at the small rabbit, she stops and picks him up, placing him in her lap as she continues on her way to Stormwind. As she nears the entrance to Elwyn Forest she can feel an ominous presence in the air. The sky darkens, a haze covers the landscape and thunder can be heard in the distance. She stops and stares at the landscape in sadness.

The corruption of the scourge has arrived here my friends. This is indeed a sad day. Let us continue on to Stormwind and see what we may see. Ive a festival fire to visit, and perhaps we might obtain more information about this newest invasion.

She let Snowpaw have his head and run as he pleased up to the gates of Stormwind. She could see the flying pit of corruption outside the city, and watched as younger adventurers destroyed the scourge that spawned from the evil demesne above her. Narrowing her eyes she continues into the city and through it to the Festival fire.

There was little cause for celebration now. This festival week would be nothing like the Lunar festival. There was a taint of fear on the air, one that burned the sensitive noses of a hunter and her companions. Having visited the fire as per the request of the quest giver, she returned to Ironforge. The city was ripe with the same stench as Stormwind. Fang, Snowpaw and Rupert all pawed at their noses, and Merlet wrinkled her.

Tis time we left the cities for now I think my friends.

She made a request of one of the guild mages for a portal into Darnasus to get away from the smells, only to find that it was here too. In her home. That was too much for the hunter. With a snarl she took off out of the city, visited the fire in Rutharan and booked a flight to Auberdine. A rage was building within the elf, one that would only be assuaged by clearing corruption from the landscape. From Auberdine she booked a flight to Azshara. There, she knew she could find solace in cleansing the landscape.

The Hippogryph set its feet on the ground in Azshara and Merlets nose twitched. The same stench was here. The scourge was here as well. She called her companions to her and set off in search of the scourge. From the road she could see a discolored crystal with glowing energies, scourge and others like her who wished to cleanse the land. She jumped off of Snowpaw and with a scream of rage charged at the first scourge to cross her path. Snarling behind her Fang tore into the creature with vengeance as her twin axes sliced and cut their way through the scourge. It fell and they moved on to the next. Creature after creature fell to claw, ax and bow. The rage fueled her and she turned to look for another, but stopped when she saw the exhaustion in Fangs eyes. She walked over to him and quietly scratched behind an eye ridge.

Alright my friend, we have done enough for tonight. We both should go home.

She turned from the crystal and the scourge and used her hearthstone. The rage still burned within her, but to give in to such rage would not be wise. Rest, quiet, and the arms of her mate would quiet it for a time. Home was what she needed now.