A gnomish complication (Chapter 1) The Ratchet Situation

PapaToad

PapaToad

Active Member
“Whad’ ya think Papa” Klangdon asked his seven foot green companion. “I’ll kill the three on the left” The toad green Darnassusian replied as calmly as he would have raised a bet in blind mans bluff.

“Papa!” the three foot gnome exclaimed. “I was talking about our contact.” Klangdon was a mage of the 4th circle. He and PapaToad as his associate was called, were waiting for there contact in Ratchet. A neutral haven off the Barrens a horde controlled territory; the Barren’s wars here have done nothing to improve the already lousy landscape. PapaToad and Klangdon were members of the Guild of Redeemed, under contract with the Free Alliance. Being a guild of the Light under the living God of hope and forgiveness, they were allowed certain freedoms; many of the other guilds in the alliance were not privy too. They sometimes had internal issues with the “just” cause of the war. But the Free Alliance dictated all guilds or organizations under the protection of the Alliance were duty borne to serve the cause.

Redeemed was lucky, being who they were entitled them special status in the realms, being one of the Largest hospital organizations and Paladin forces containing more than just Knights of God, they were spilt in many fronts mainly as officers, ambassadors, healers, diplomats and Escorts. Which enabled them swing more clout in the political arena, but for the Guild leaders it meant temporarily losing your people to this guild or that organization and not finding out about it for weeks, sometimes months later.

Hence the teaming of PapaToad and Klangdon, a random comment from the infamous DaWife; a true paladin of the light in a casual conversation at the Stormwind cathedral and there these two find themselves in the vilest den of debauchery in the known kingdoms. But neither actually minded that much, if any place needed prayer it was this den so to them it was another day in the service of the Lord.

They were here to find and locate an Orc defector and escort him to Iron Forge. Some high ranking officer who wanted freedom for his Orc brothers and sisters; so he claimed he knew of a movement of Orcs and Taurens who wanted freedom from the oppression of the Burning Legion and were willing to help the alliance as freedom fighter and indigenous troops. Only the goblin contact that was to bring them to him had not arrived yet. The contact was also there way out of ratchet.

Klangdon mentioned as he drank is berry tea. “I do not think our Contact is going to show?” the small gnome motioned looking around the Tavern called the Screeching Komodo. It was a typical Warf Traven. Pirate’s sailors from all over the world were here. Orc, Taurens, Humans dwarfs, Night elves, Goblins, Trolls, all looked dangerous and like society spit them out and refused to take them back..

Klangdon followed Papatoad line of sight; he was staring at a very unfriendly and rather Large Tauren, who was flanked by three trolls. Unlike most Night elves Papatoad’s chest was nearly as wide as the taurens, and as large as Papatoad was; the taurens had about three hundred extra pounds’ on him. Klangdon did not like the silent challenge that was going on between two of the largest patrons in this tavern. Discretion was needed and Papatoad was not known to turn the other cheek all that well. At least until he explained the folly of your ways. No Klangdon figured he better grab the elf’s attention.

“Papa” the gnome eked. “Lets us go. Our contact is not here and I do not believe he is coming.” Papatoad never stopped staring at the tauren. In a clam manner he said. ”He’s already here,”

“Where?” exclaimed the gnome, looking all around for a grayish goblin with a crescent scar where his left eye should be. But he did not see him. “Where? Papa where?” he asked, Papatoad pointed directly at the tauren. “The troll on the left” Klangdon alarms bells screamed at him. Not only had Papatoad had a silent challenging exchange with the fierce looking tauren, bit now he was pointing right at him, while the big brown tauren was watching and only ten feet separated him from them.

Everything slowed down in Klangdon’s mind. As he turned to where Papa was pointing. He remembered as he turned his attention to the tauren and the three trolls, they came in and stared in their direction as soon as they walked in. They sat as close as possible, they where watching them for the last quarter of an hour. As the three foot mage’s vision fixed on the tough looking foursome, he saw clear as day what his mind did not catch right way? “BLAST!” How could have he missed it.

A goblins head, tied to the waist of the nearest trolls belt, a vile shaman charm waiting to be made. The crescent shaped scar running over the left eye and the grey flesh now particularly ashen, the drying blood at the neck explaining the contact’s absence and that they had killed him only within the hour.

“Oh dear Lord help us” Klangdon muttered as the tauren smiled menacingly. Without warning Papatoad flipped the heavy table that had their drinks on them; at the tauren and trolls. Pandemonium broke out all over the tavern; everyone took the opportunity given by Papatoad as an excuse to punch whoever was closest to them, for whatever reason they had. . What happen next did so in a matter of seconds. The big brown tauren who seemed to get larger as he produced a double sided battle axe as large as Papatoad, cleaved the table in half as easily as a skinner disemboweling his game. The table flew to the left and right of the advancing party. At the same time Papatoad and Klangdon shouted words of power almost in unison except the were two completely different words.

Everyone surrounding them within 20 feet froze instantly in ice. The wrath of nature slammed into the taurens chest; who only snorted, bellowed and charged. “Blast it” exclaimed Klangdon as he muttered another word of power and the tauren was sent flying across the tavern as a fire ball of immense force slammed into him. Another word of power from Klangdon and he was across the bar the other side away from the tauren. Papatoad was pluming two of the trolls in close quarters combat.

“PAPA!” Klangdon shouted “Time to go!” The giant elf, slammed his left fist into one trolls stomach the sound of forced air thru the throat told him that troll was done for the moment, He heard the start of something from troll two , a right handed haymaker caught troll two square in the chin. Lifting him off his feet and back about 4 feet; Without a backward glance Papatoad front flipped over two brawling seafarer’s. Scooped up Klangdon and started up the stairs.

“Put me down OAF!” the gnome screeched, “Shaddup” was all Papatoad said as he made his way toward the window at the end of the upstairs hallway. “OH no you don’t” the gnome squirmed under Papatoad’s vise like grip, which caused him only to more securely hold his companion as the window loomed ahead and thru it went Papatoad and Klangdon. “FIENNNNNNNOffffffffffpppsstttfff” was all that came out of Klangdon’s little body as he and Papatoad hit the first floor roof with a roll and then papatoad wasback on his feet, Klangdon still tucked under his right arm. Klangdon knew he had wanted to say something but at the moment he could not remember where he was or what was happening. Klangdon barely had caught breath when he realized Papatoad was still running again, taking long strides with his powerful legs when he jumped off the roof into complete blackness, NOW Klangdon remembered! Klangdon realized were they were ”NO! You Idiot, this is the……..” was all he could get out before he we once agin was relieved of the air in his lungs. Papatoad and Klangdon found themselves ankle deep in slop. Pig slop to be exact. Well just above ankle deep for Papatoad, just below the knee for Klangdon. But neither of them landed on their feet.

“You’re about as graceful and a bull moose!” The now nearly knee deep in slop gnome contested. “Hey we’re out of that den of sin!” Retorted Papatoad in a low voice. “There over here; some where!“ A deep bellowing voice of the tauren interrupted the hero’s conversation. Papatoad and Klangdon dropped on to their bellies. It was night and there was near or by light in the pig pen. The Lord blessed them this night for the sky was full of dark cloud cover. The night was black as pitch. Both men held their breath as the horde agents stopped on the outside wall of the pen near where Papatoad had just jumped from; maybe 20 feet away.

“They couldn'd have went far!" It was the tauren talking to the three trolls he was with in the tavern with. The sounds from the tavern carried easily in the night. Apparently the good times were done yet. “Which way tho' Mon?” One of the trolls asked. “ Could’be anywhr Mon.” Another troll said. “Look!” barked the tauren bellowed. “Find them or it all our hides. YOU!” he said pointing to one of the trolls. ”Find the general, I want his head!” now move!” “You betcha Mon” troll three answer.

“It’s all Good Mon” another troll said as they moved on to look for the two alliance agents. Klangdon was praying silently for the Lord to make seeing eyes blind as he and Papatoad laid 20 feet away in pig slop.; With no covering but slop and the black night. As the horde agents disappeared from sight and After the longest two minutes of papatoad and Klangdon's lives. Papatoad pointed to the tree line. Klangdon nodded. They could barely see each other in this blackness; so they figured they were safe for the moment. Both agents slowly crawled thru the slop, under the fence and to the tree line as low and as silently as they could.

Once a ways in the tree line; they talked in a whisper. “What do you want to do? “ Papatoad asked Klangdon. “Well." The gnome answered. I would like a bath. Do you know where the general is?” Papatoad looked at Klangdon with a irritated expression, sighed exasperatedly and answered. “No, I came here with you to find the contact and have HIM lead us to where we need to meet him.” as if he had to rerun the events the both experinced.

OK” the gnome said ”lets go over what we do know. The bad guys know about the Contact and the general, they killed the contact, but they do not who or where the general is.” Klangdon chuckled, “but then either do we, so if I was a general where who I hide?” Papatoad said in a low voice. “I don’t know.” “Me either” said Klangdon. "So what do we do?” Papatoad demanded in a whisper. “I do not know Papa!’ Klangdon stated getting frustrated. The Gnome stood up and looked up muttered a prayer. Papatoad waited on him, and mutter a prayer himself, silently. The gnome’s finger shot outward toward Papatoad. “The Venture Company slag pit. Those slime ball’s are all about the money and would willing hide a high ranking defector for the right price. Only the tauren and trolls would know this or draw the same conclusion soon. We need to get there fast.” Papatoad looked at his little friend. “But, we need transport back to alliance lines, and going thru stone talon mountains is not smart,besides its too heavily patroled for three people to make it through. We need to use the sea, Klangdon." Papatoad thought for a moment.

“Hey!” I’ll go! I can cover the distance quickly and silently, maybe even ambush those who would follow us foolishly? You stay here get cleaned up and secure a passage out of here.” The gnome thought carefully weighing all the options. “Ok, but be careful and invisible, do not engage anyone unless you have no choice. Got IT?” He stared hard at Papatoad for emphisis. Papatoad answered “Yea, got it, get the general and get back, right here?” Papatoad looked at his companion. Klangdon continued “Yes, that will do, Now you head northwest for a while. You're looking for a open valley ringed by mountains, you should be able to smell it. Stay east of the gold road, , the east’er the better. I will see you here tomorrow night; midnight actually. Good Luck Papa and God bless you!” Klangdon extend his hand for Papatoad. Papatoad shook the little hand. “God bless you to Klang and See you soon!’ a word of power was muttered by Papatoad and then Klangdon saw a large cheetah where Papa once was, then without a wordit was off running disappearing into the trees, silently.

“Dear Heavenly Father watch over him please, his is an Elf after all, and Dear Lord help me scheme passage out of this place.” Klangdon paused “and Father let no one be on the beach either!“ And off the gnome went to wash off the filth. Klangdon chuckled to himself, as he thought, look out world smelly gnome coming thru”
 
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The Encounter...

After Papatoad had left for the Stonetalon Mountains, Klangdon wasted no time in getting to the beach to wash off. But as Klangdon was almost to the beach he heard a very familiar sound. It was Icthus the Magical Dyslexic Sea Merperson. He was a character he was. Everything he did was backwards, needless to say Klangdon did not need to get tied up when there were 3 enemy agents after him. Icthus the Merperson's vision is excellent. Icthus the Merperson saw two figures off in the distance and wanted to know more. He swam up to the shore but when one came towards him he hid in the deeper parts of the shoreline.

"Klangdon! You it is no?" he screeched, for Icthus the Merperson hasn't seen in eons. "You are how?" Klangdon tried to quiet Icthus down... "Be quiet you idiot!" he quietly retorted! But it was hopeless. Icthus the Merperson was far too excited. "Seen you in ages i have not! Tell me you are how a days now." Klangdon, knowing that Icthus the Merperson was truly a friend replied "I am being hunted and i need your help! NOW!" Icthus the Merperson was cought off guard by this. "Hunting you is who?" asked Icthus the Merpseron. "Agents of a very powerfull orc." Klangdon said; "Papatoad was the other figure that you saw in the fields up there a ways. He is going into Stonetalon to investiagte." Icthus knows the terrain of Stonetalon well, as he is a shape changer. In a previous life he served as an Enchanted Backpack. Icthus the Merperson would spend hours everyday attached to the back of someone hiking in Stonetalon.

They continued to talk for a few more minutes until they heard some familiar voices. Klangdon knew they were the agents, and they were very close. Klangdon was a powerful gnome. One might say that he is the Greatest Gnome Mage that ever graced the two continents! (But most people dont say that so dont bother with it.) The agents were near now and Klangdon knew it. "I need some information from you Icthus the Merperson." said Klangdon. "Where is the orc known as (drum roll please) Thor Ipwnnoobz?"
Icthus the Merperson got a very confused look upon his face. "Heard of name this before I have. Resides near Cragpool Lake he, in tower nearby." As the agents get closer Klangdon realizes he has to move, or be caught. Gnomes, whether it is Klangdon the Great or an average Gnome, they are not very strong and cant fight as the great steroid users we call Night Elves do. Klangdon jumps into a nearby bush and freezes, and hopes Icthus does the same.

While Klangdon and Icthus were chatting it up in the Barrens, PapaToad was well on his way to Stonetalon, however... PapaToad does not know where (drum roll please) Thor Ipwnnoobz is...


Edit
(Night elves dont use steroids...)
 
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*** OCC***

**(I am amused) I just want everone to know, I have had 5 pages of writing, that my wonderful Buddy KLANG! just obitierated, LOL, So I will write again maybe I throw in my wrting, but I can handle this challenge, I step up to the plate. May the audince have mercy on us..********

PS THANKS KLAG!

<Tackles Klangon>

<punches him in the leg>

<HARD>

**ok back to the story****
 
A gnomish complication (III)

A road less traveled

Papatoad in travel form (a form that enabled him to look like a cheetah) sprinted through the trees in the night, he had just left Klangdon and we was getting used to his sight in travel form. As a cheetah he now saw in a blend of purples that allowed him to see the obscured moonlight through the clouds as if it were sunlight, as he broke cover he gathered his stride and his breathing, he did not know how far he would have to run the open plains of the Barrens stretched out before him.

What would have rendered most mammals as pitch blackness of a cloudy night; was a open and very visible landscape that stretched out and welcomed Papatoad, he could feel the felineness in him; he was a giant predatory cat; one of the fastest animals in the world a 300 pound killing machine. He felt a low growl forming in his throat and fought the overwhelming urge growl. Even from here several miles away ,he could smell the unnatural stench of the slag pits. He would never have noticed and dissected with his brain; the smells; as a Night elf but he could smell the difference of the plains striders, plains cats, Goblins and what’s this, “Troll” his warning bell went off in his head.

Papatoad slowed to a trot, smelling more focused cutting out everything else except for the troll, and goblin blood. The shaman had come this why. Somehow they were both after the same prey. A low growl came from Papatoad’s throat. This time he did not fight it, it was a warning to all beasts, and the hunt was on. General Thor Ipwnnoobzl was his prey. As Papatoad was gathering the troll’s scent, after about one hundred feet it instantly switched, to a wolf, only more ethereal. The charm of ghost wolf, Papatoad knew, he had to catch the wolf and stop him. Papatoad sprinted off in a top speed. Here little doggie he thought, “Let the greatest druid that ever lived show you while cats rule.” The cheetah moved across the path with blinding silence and purpose. The cat had marked its prey.

The scent was getting stronger, the ghost wolf was close now, Papatoad knew the shaman was as powerful as he was, he needed and edge, but that edge would never come, at the instant Papatoad realized that the scent changed for wolf to troll, the fire ball hit him in the chest, sending him over end over end. While flipping, Papatoad had the presence of my to shift back into his true form and started to chant the healing spell to recover from the extremely painful burns, he saw the beginning of another fire start from the totem that had been brought into existence, his spirit screamed as him as he saw the shaman closing the distance between them.

The fire ball slammed in to Papatoad again, this time almost making him pass out from the searing pain. But his healing chant finished and the soothing feeling of nature came over him so quickly that he could have believed that he imagined the pain, but the troll bearing down on him reminded him of the business at hand, touching the ground and shouting a word of power, the ground erupted around the troll and thick briars and thorns snaked around him and held him tight, he started to mutter a prayer, Papatoad never missed a beat. He started at the troll as another word of power was chanted and moonfire light up the sky and hit the troll shaman like a bolt of lighting form the sky. Papatoad closing the gap; uttered another word of power and little glowing insects appeared around the shamans head and stung and bit him, and another word and Papatoad became a ferocious bear . He was on the troll. A quick swipe of his mighty paw and the trolls was knocked senseless; the last thing the shaman saw were the giant jaws of doom, taking him into the blackness.

The bear was in Papatoad, the battle lust so savage that he could keep it in no longer, rising onto his hind legs he growled into the night, a fearsome and devastating roar, which shook and rocked the night. Papatoad shifted quickly back to his night elf form and the back to his travel form and headed off for the general.
 
A gnomish complication

Queen BloodDoll (IV)


Blooddoll, had been in ratchet a long time, an orc female whose ties to the criminal element of the two continents was legendary, smuggler and queen of the night. She ruled with an iron fist, she had no love for anything other than her brother, who was a high ranking Colonel in the Orc Marines. She did odd jobs and dirty deeds when he called on; and in return she was allowed certain freedoms in the burning legion and horde. Beside Colonel Bloodrage was one of the youngest battalion commanders in the Orc Marines, all his peers seemed to have died or stepped aside from there posts. It was rumored in another season, if he did well in the Barrens we would be commander of all forces in the Barrens and was thought that one day he would be supreme commander of Orc Marine forces, if not the Burning Legion itself some day.

The Syndicate in Ratchet allowed her certain freedoms as well, she just had to police her people and she did with an iron fist, most intelligent beings would be amazed that one of the largest crime cartels in the known world was run with military efficiently and by a female. Blooddoll was Queen general of her army. And woe to the beast that entered her garden.

This night Blooddoll was in a very bad mood, evidence of that fact was the two troll’s limp bodies at her feet of her office. Lieutenant Ironsword stood at attention before the raging female orc. “”Explain to me again Lieutenant” she spit out the Lieutenant part. “How a gnome and Night elf escaped you four at the Creston monn Inn? The Tauren stood at attention, the center of his chest was covered in a red mass of painful blisters and singed fur about 3 feet in diameter where the gnome’s fireball caught him, but he offered no excuse. “I underestimated the prowess of them..” He stated matter of factly.

“Underestimated?” Bellowed BloodDoll. “You got you butts kicked!” Not only Four of my soldiers, but you are a battled tested Tauren Officer sent from my brother who attested to you military prowess. You survived the battle of Searing Gorge; you are a highly decorated marine, one of the few Tauren marines in the Orc forces. And an elf knocked you out!

The Tauren head snapped to look Blooddoll directly in the eyes, his voice shook the large office. “HE DID NOT KNOCK ME OUT!” The Tauren stared hard at Blooddoll who looked amused but met him stare for stare. “They” he continued were not the agents we were lead to believe they were.” The two orc guards at the far door stepped closer incase the Tauren attacked. Neither of them wanted a piece of the Lieutenant; he was as fierce as the come and a very discipled soldier. “Really? Blooddoll retorted.” “An alliance gnome and elf cut thru my soldiers in my base of operations?” Blooddoll was getting more angry thinking about it as she said it.

The Tauren did something that nearly sent the Queen General of the crime world in a full tailspin, he smiled cruelly and continued. “It was the Gnomish assassin and Papatoad” Blooddoll’s mouth opened but nothing came out, the slightest opening of her eyes, told Ironsword volumes, she had no clue the Redeemed where in her domain.

“Klangdon is here in my city” Blooddoll grabbed the edge of her desk and flipped it against the wall with a crash. She raged and broke things for a steady 3 minutes, the Hench men around her scattered as she hit or beat what ever was near her except the Tauren. As she was pettering out, she looked at the Tauren and yelled. You find them and Kill them Lieutenant, You hear me, and bring me my master spy I want him dead and kill his closest companions as a warning to others who might fail me in bringing information like this!”

“As you command.” The Tauren saluted and marched out, behind him he heard Blooddoll’s screeching as she gave orders of punishment. Lieutenant Ironsword smiled, he would be glad when this horrific tour was over. His mind went back to the giant green Elf and the mage called Klangdon, the infamous Papatoad and Klangdon. Night elf’s were big but papa was unusual, he was as big as the Lieutenant, and looked nearly as strong. He would enjoy battling the Green elf and squishing the gnome under his hoof. The pain of his chest was a reminder of the embarrassment they had caused him. Lieutenant Ironsword was not a Tauren prone to failure. He would bring their head in, he promised himself.
 
The Orphanage (Chapter II)

The Women of the Redeemed

The little female human paced back and forth, her worried express creased her naturally good looking face. She was small and blonde; years of rigorous training were evident in her stature and build. Wearing simple clothes of brown cotton covered by the Redeemed guild talbard; there was a sword strapped to her hip and she moved with determination and purpose that was common of all paladins accented now by her worry for her Husband. Her name was Danicas Delfaras, wife to Anquchasis Delafaras, known in the Redeemed as simply Papatoad. There were a striking couple, Papatoad was 7 feet tall and had a powerful built. Danicas was 5’3 and had the body of an her demure lady which belied her prowess with a sword to many a villain’s demise.

No one ever called her Danicas or Lady Delfaras, which was common throughout the land. She was known as DaWife. She was 28 years old; she was named after Mother Danicas; the Mother Superior of the Blessed Light; the largest orphanage in the alliance Kingdoms. Mother Danica had come from across the sea and in rare conversations she had eluded to have come from neither of the 2 continents, but from some where in the far west.

Mother Danica was old and had known some of the elder elves and gnomes, which for a Human was quite unusual. It was rumored that she once was a fierce Paladin herself. Mother Danica feared nothing trusting completely in the Light and had a habit of saying “In my day……” as many elders did. She was kind, loving and on fire for the Ways of light. She was also a strict disciplinarian who never allowed a punishment to be dismissed once it was attested to. Danicas was as close to Mother Danicas as any real daughter. Dawife was the 1st of many orphans Mother Danicas would eventual take in.

Dawife had grown up in the orphanage; she had helped build it, and helped Mother Danicas raise the children with her. And never once did Mother Danica refer to them as orphans, but always as her children. This was something that had rubbed off on Dawife. She referred to all the children in the orphanage as her children. To date both her and Mother Danicas and many of the Ladies of Redeemed claimed the 314 children as their own. They knew them all by name and when a new one came along, which was usually at one of the meals, or finding one child snuggled with another one at lights out. They were welcomed with few questions only see if they were runaways or orphans’. Runaways were always returned home if it was safe for them to do so.

But the children did not have her bothered today. Food, clothing, money, God would provide he always did. She wasn’t scheduled to teach nor had any duties today, which was why she was pacing in Headmistress Goblits office. Goblit was an average size gnome of middle age. Tiny and innocent looking, her colorful Red and gold robe accented with the Redeemed insignia, was the only symbol of Status that gave her away. She disliked ranks but understood the need for structure.

Goblit was sitting on her desk looking like a little doll; also in the room was a night elf. Long of limb and sender, With Silver hair and the marking of the Priest Class of Darnassus on her face only seemed to enhance her already ethereal features. A Priestess of the light, Avesther was pondering where the crown of devout was hidden. Goblit’s sudden movement brought their attention to the 3 foot gnome. Goblit looked up with a look of concern. In a blink she was in the window sill and then on the Court yard floor outside. A crowd of youngsters where gathered around a wide and old dwarf with a great black beard. He was standing next to a tall boy. Brian if Goblit’s memory served her correctly. Which it did most the time; The Dwarf, and Brian were ringed by a pack of younger children. The dwarf was showing them something.

“MASTER BANNARD” Goblit’s little voice shrilled out of the tiny gnome “You wouldn’t be teaching the children to cut purse strings now would you?” The children divided at the sight of Goblit. Though non-threating and almost always in a good mood. Headmistress Goblit disliked Thieving very much and did not believe in the practice playing or breaking of “Thou shalt not steal commandment. “ The children parted so that Goblit had full view of Bannard and the boy Brian. She saw no purse on the lad. Bannard had probably cut it already.

Bannard Smiled wide his gruff voice, charming and polite. “No!” Headmistress, I be teaching no thievery to these youngins’ He paused. “I am teaching the survival techniques!” Goblit held the old rogue in her gaze. “Pray tell me, Master Bannard, what young children need to know about survival that they can not learn from Master Ravenclaw or Papatoad?” She said in her tiny voice, which always amazed people how clear Goblit was heard. (The only two woodland survival instructors commissioned by the Blessed light School. (Goblit had seen to it that the Children and guild members had the best instruction possible, by the best and most knowledgeable people. She took her role very seriously for all the laughing and playfulness she had done. Instruction was serious business to her. Bannard continued ask if teaching which is what he was doing. “Well see there, Headmistress, Master Ravenclaw and Papatoad are good teachers and know a lot about many things. But, What I am teaching here today to use their ‘ed.’

Goblit realized Bannard was going to make a point to the children and she got sucked in. It was too late now to stop the old scoundrel. she prayed it would be too damaging. She waited. “Oh, take young Brian here, He looks timid enough but if a was a villainous rouge. “ He stared at Goblit and smiled. She was not amused. “And I cam at him to do him harm.” Bannard moved at the young boy, all of a sudden there were two tiny knives in each hand in he was in a defense posture.

Bannard nodded to the boy, and he took a step back and moved his hands to his sides and the knives were gone, he was an unremarkable young man again. “Well.” Goblit said in a sigh “Survival is all well and good, but Master Cammandus has a wonderful curriculum in place for the fighting arts and combat sciences.” We’ll leave that to him” Goblit smiled, “If I am not mistaken, Master Bannard, This week you are teaching on arithmetic. Are you not? ” Bannard paused “No I am sure I and scheduled this week to teach” Goblit cut him off and blinked her eyes twice and smile” arithmetic” She said flatly, Bannard shoulders slumped. “I see, Of course Head Mistress” Come on children to the wonderful world of numbers” The children hymned and hawed and one even booed. Bannard smiled “Come now!” Bannard said getting into teacher voice. “Numbers can be exciting; let’s say you pinch three pretty gems.” “A! HEM! Goblit coughed “Oh my,” Bannard smiled like a child caught with his hand in a cookie jar. “Let’s say you found 3 pretty gems.”

Goblit blinked back to the windowsill before she heard more that would warrant extra duties. “She thought she heard something about Fred the fence but ignored it. In the room Dawife and Avesther where looking anywhere but at Goblit, who blinked back to the desk. And plunked down and began changing the schedule. Avesther spoke first, having moved to the window. “What are they doing? She asked. “I do not know.” DaWife said “I think there playing pick pocket”

“He wouldn’t Dare!” exclaimed the gnome as her head whipped up. She looked at Dawife and Avesther who couldn’t contain themselves any longer as the burst out laughing. Not funny, Goblit said as she smiled and then changed some more names on the schedule. “Could you imagine if I allowed him to teach his pinching classes openly, better he does it only night once a week and thinks I know nothing about it.” This caused another bout of laughter from all three women.

After a few moments, the ladies regained composure. Goblit walked across her desk. Avesther always was reminded of a little girl playing with colored sand when Goblit worked at her desk. There was a chair but like a little girl Goblit would sit in the middle of her desk and do the accounts, papers and schedules. Few could tell from glance that she would one of the most powerful warlocks in the world. Goblit move to DaWife and cupped DaWife’s trouble features in her tiny hands. “Honey, Shall we save that husband of yours and that silly fool Klangdon?” DaWife’s expression changed “what’s wrong?” She asked. She never Goblit was very intone to things. Goblit smiled. “nothing us girls can’t fix.” Besides do you really think that Papatoad and Klangdon could go anywhere and not get into trouble?”

Avesther Laughed musically, Goblit continued, “they hit a snag, or better to say they are going to hit a snag and your no good to anyone around here worrying, so shall we? Goblits round eyes meet DaWife’s and she smiled, Dawife hold back tears nodded her agreement.

Ok we meet at the Church, 1st some quick prayer and then we’ll go get our boys” Goblit smiled. “We all know how much Redeemed men liked to be saved by girls” Goblits sequel of laughter tore through the room, “Now Dawife, you go get ready and we’ll be off.” Dawife Grabbed Goblit’s little hand. “Thank you” she said as Dawife kissed Goblit’s cheek. Goblit patted DaWife’s hand. “No worries sweetie”

Goblit smiled as she watched Dawife head out the office. After a minute Goblit looked at Avesther and smiled, only now there was nothing cute in the little female gnome’s smile. “Avesther go find Sister Sarsaparilla, and tell her to bring her knives.
 
Going we are

“Going we are?” Icthus told the gnome. “I told you we have to find transport out of Ratchet.” Klangdon informed his friend. Icthus thought on this. “Going we are!” Icthus Commanded this time and headed west. Klangdon stopped and looked at his friend. “What are you talking about? “The gnome demanded. “Him save we must! Trouble Papatoad In!” The Priest insisted. “

“What Hold on, what are you talking about? How do you know this?” The mage inquired again. “Itchus stopped and turned around exasperated. “It I feel! My spirit it in!” The gnome hurried up and pushed and spurred his friend on. “Why didn’t you say so, lets go!” if it was one thing Klangdon learned in his many years with the priest is he had a direct connection with the Light and if it told him something was up, then Klangdon was not about to second guess it. The two made off into the fast approaching dawn.

Papatoad warning bells were exploding as he followed the Goblin in up the wooden tower, the overseer assured him the general was waiting, no passwords; no money was exchanged just a smiling foul green and half toothed goblin mouth. “The general waits” the overseer said as he opened a door. There was a Orc, old and prideful, he had the constance of a warrior and a commander of battle. He sat at a small table pouring over maps and charts. He looked up; his face did not change. PapaToad walked over to him. “General Thor Ipwnnoobz” PapaToad said as he stood exactly 3 paces from the table and executed a perfect Alliance salute and stayed there, Right hand perfectly vertical where his chest and abdomen met, with fist clenched.

The general raised his right brow. The fact that this very large elf was military did not escape him. They said they were sending a special envoy of ambassadors. The general taped his clench fist to his right breast. “As you were” he said in perfect Darnassusian. PapaToad finished the salute and Spoke. “General I need rush things I have to get you back to ratchet and then out to alliance territory.”

The general grinned and it was one of those commander grins Papatoad had learned to hate and fear. “You hear that Son? The general commented, Papatoad hear nothing. “No, sir I don’t” The general smiled bigger. That’s right you do not hear anything.” He paused. “This is a manufacturing sight” PapaToad heart sank. No noise, goblins and no noise, oh heaven’s no his mind screamed. He heard the running of feet no not feet, large hooves like a stampede. The general beat him to it. “tauren regulars” he said matter a factly. The hoof beats were getting closer, PapaToad looked around the small room, two windows, no back room. He ran at the General. The general started to back away” Boy you got a stupid look in your eye.” PapaToad ignored him and looked at both windows, “east” he said having made up his mind as he jumped thru it. But not before he latched on to the generals mail armor and took him with himself. “You n00b!” was all PapaToad heard. He was praying that he did not hit a line or support rope on the way down before the slime brown yellow water met his face.


Itchus and Klangdon where still, they have been running full tilt till they saw them, they were waving at them, Three of them cloaked and both Klangdon and Itchus had a bad feeling. One had a white flag and was waving it as bored at a parade. The 5 beings got with in about 20 feet of each other. One was definitely undead. Klangdon was about to ask what they wanted when Itchus hit the ground unconscious like a sack of grain. Klangdon was about to blink, but his assailant was too fast, darkness claimed him fast.

They awoke to the comfort of a well lit room and a damp cloth being applied to his forehead. “Hello sunshine” said the little Dwarf nurse female applying a compress to his head. “ The mage elders will want to speak with you” She smiled. “What happened” inquired the Gnome. “Well they brought you on from the portal dome. Someone had sent you thru and you were both unconscious.” The nurse motioned to the snoring body of Itchus; apparently he was fine as well.

“It would seem.” a voice said. That you to were to ugly to keep!” Klangdon looked to the voice. It was Azzie. A paladin Knight of Redeemed. Klangdon beamed a smile. “What are you doing here and what happened?“ Azzie got off his chair where he had been sitting talking to another patient across the way. “You are in the Ironforge infirmary. I was here when they brought you in.” Azzie face grew serious. “it seems that the portal that brought you here has concerned the mages guild. It was not a normal portal and pushed thru their magic and forced you to be expelled here.“ Azzie’s face scrunched up. “ I do not know what the details are. But from what I gathered, it scared them; they seem concerned that if you can be forced thru then anything can come thru?””

It was a question and Klangdon understood it well, magic like anything has signs and details, and all magic-users had a signature, hence alliance mages could port to Ironforge only once granted and conformed signatures where recognized. All Mages of any standing had to apply for Porting privileges.

So either this was a know mage portal, or someone force thru the master mages protections, or it was a copies, counterfeit signature. Klangdon thought was that possible?
If a horde or undead could force them thru a portal and expelled them here , then they could possibly force an army right into the gates and heart of Ironforge. “Dear Lord!” exclaimed the Gnome. “are you sure of this? He asked the paladin. “I know I saw them concerned, I know nothing of magic and spells. I find bad guys and I punish them. Magic’s your bag!” The paladin said.

Klangdon was full alert now, Azzie put his hand on his little friends shoulder. “I informed the council that you were here and what was going on.” Thank goodness, the council will want to know. Klangdon put his tiny hand over his friends , “Thank you” Just then 4 mages of the mage’s guild came in and approached Klangdon bed, he went to get up and the nurse stopped him. “There’ll be no ceremony on my watch sweetie!” she said and then turned to meet the 4 gnomes. “No a problem Wilimina” The oldest of the spoke, but can your patient answer some important and troubling questions. He said with a grin. “Yes “. Thank you all 4 said in unison.

“Master Klangdon, normally you presence is a grand pleasure, but this last port concerns us deeply.” Klangdon felt as if he was back in the academy, the questions while never accusatory, made him feel nervous and fearful. Something bad was happening. The prayer PapaToad was ok, even if he got out of here in a few hours, it would be at least two days before he could make it to ratchet. “Blast” he thought. But if anyone could make it out it was PapaToad, at least that’s what he told himself.
 
Chapter II Final

Chapter II Final

Papatoad was not having a good evening. Everything hurt in his massive seven foot frame. The General and He had hit the water hard, crawled to the bank, only to be welcomed by tauren regulars. And He thought he had handled diplomacy pretty well , until the lead tauren hit him the second time and he figured he’d die like a trooper. That’s when the world exploded and chaos in sued.

Papatoad thought maybe Klangdon had come with help and was quite surprised when he saw his wife Fighting side by side with a demon that dwarfed even him, Now he saw Avesther weaving in and out of melee, casting spells left and right, and bolt after bolt of magic being shot from the darkness from the east. The high pitch sequel of laughter identified the caster. Lady Goblit. Trying to pick himself up, and shaking sense to his head. “Get up brother!” a voice cut to him. “Death waits on no one!” A Short elf by elf standards, about six feet tall. She had plain brown clothes and in her fists were two large Double-bladed poniards. The tauren regulars rushed her thinking she would fall easy, to their amazement and frustration the young and agile elf wove in and out her knives slicing, dicing and stabbing with such incredible speed and grace, that Papa became entranced for a moment.

Until he was kicked in the ribs by a massive tauren hoof. “YOU!” bellowed a tauren. “10 gold for your head!” the tauren snorted and rushed PapaToad. “Oh you’re gonna die!’ commented the green elf as he twisted to his hands and knees six feet from where he was. The pain of his ribs kicked by the tauren’s hoof sped him into action. The tauren raised his sword above his, as he closed on Papa, who shot his left hand up and trapped his opponent’s arms with his forearm before he could split his skull with the sword. With his right he punched the tauren square in the groin. The tauren bellowed loud as Papatoad raised to one knee and then shot his other knee into the same spot for good measure. The tauren drop. PapaToad paused, the tauren shouldn’t of dropped like that. Then he saw why. ‘Just Kill them!” it was the short elf Sarsaparilla. “Stop wasting time.” She shot back to him.

Papatoad turned to see where the General was and he saw the flash and felt himself get thrown back. Gunshot, he knew it. No pain, finally over. He was strangely ok with this. As in a dream like state he felt himself hit the ground hard and as the darkness claimed him, he though what a beautiful night sky. No so bad, he thought.

Dawife saw him go down, “NO!” she screamed and the 3 taurens facing her actually were startled by the force of the shout out of the tiny human female. Her shield slammed into a tauren’s waist. The taurens were amazed by how much force this little creature had as he was thrown back off his feet. Another one swung his rifle like a club, which Dawife blocked and stabbed her sword through his guard, using all her force she spun and twisted. The tauren made an awful sound and fell. She spun to get to her Husband, as a sword fell at her, she raised her shield in time but the jolt of steel on steel rang through her arm and landed her on her back. The tauren rushed his advantage. On instinct, Dawife raised her shield. The Tauren advanced to smash her again. Dawife raised the shield and brought down the pointed bottom of it on the tauren’s ankle above the hoof. The tauren snorted in pain raised his sword to finish this human pest, when he went weak. He saw as he looked down the little human female, her steel was in his stomach. He couldn’t even make a sound as she wrenched in out. She turned to her husband as the tauren went limp to the ground.

Dawife was on her feet, spurred by the still body of her husband, the battle was dying down, and they had the advantage and were winning. She approached PapaToad, and took off her helmet. She felt the other women approach behind her. Dawife began to pray, she rocked back and forth, chanting a prayer and promises the Lord of Light had given her in her heart. PapaToad was one of them, she focused on times of worship when she saw Papa and her retired in the country, on the boat he wanted, old and Wrinkled and in love still. A light visible started to focus around her hands. Avesther who was by her, place DaWife’s hands on PapaToad’s chest and started to pray with her as did the others. Breathe rose in Papatoad. Avesther’s eyes looked into DaWife’s; both had tears of joy in them. Both were anchored in the fact that their fight and their cause were just. They served the Living God of Light. His power and gifts flowed thru them. His spirit was in them and here within the spirit they were safe, loved, comforted and at peace.

Headmistress Goblit was the first to speak. She to felt the spirit as well, but the miracle would do no one any good if they all died gawking at it. “Ok ladies time to go.” Very calmly and caringly. Sarsaparilla accompanied the General. Avesther chanted a prayer of healing and the spirit light shimmered over Papatoad. “Thank you” PapaToad said as he smiled at Dawife. Wow he though, even tired looking and covered in blood, she was quite looker. The look in his eyes probably gave him away, because Dawife rolled her eyes and headed off into the direction of Goblit.

As they made there way back, Papatoad brought up the rear, with the General in front of him, Dawife, Avesther, and Goblit in the lead. Sass was somewhere, either laying traps or making sure they weren’t followed. Dawife had a lot she wanted to say to PapaToad, and she was glad he was back with her. But the trek through horde territory was a serious one and there were ways you did things and ways you didn’t. Goblit had arranged a boat and safe passage out of Ratchet. They moved with determination as they made their way to the small cove south of the small town. The ocean was heard and smelt before the saw it.

“Did they get on the boat?” Blooddoll Asked the Tauren Lieutenant. “Yes, they arrived with out anymore trouble.” Blooddoll looked across the room to where the cloaked figured sat in the corner. Fully robed except for the half flesh ridden fingers where the tips protruded with bone that kept taping in rhythmic precision every couple of seconds. “Very good Lieutenant” The raspy voice emulated from the small dark figure.

Blooddoll looked at the figure. It ticked her off to no end to have this thing come here and dictate to her what happens in her town. ”How did you know they would survive the tauren contingent?” The cloaked figure cocked his head. She felt him smile. “That is what he was trained to do; he has some sort of luck about him.” The tauren Lieutenant cut in. “He has disgraced me and my cousin lead that contingent!” his nostrils flare. The figure stood up. The clicking of his bone finger was immediate noticeably absent. “Feel free to pursue the elf.” The dark figure moved to the door.” He is quite resilient, I must warn you Lieutenant.” The tauren smiled wickedly. “I have yet to met an elf I could not kill!” The lieutenant boasted confidently. The figure paused and turned toward the tauren hunter. “That’s not true, you have meet Papatoad, and yet he lives.” The tauren was sure the Dark undead figure was smiling under that hooded cloak. “Next time…” The raspy voice cut him short. “Next time, my dear tauren” The undead spat. “If you continue this folly, Papatoad will kill you!’ The tauren stood erected, tall and proud. “We shall see” The undead cloaked figure shrugged. “yes, you shall.” With that the shrouded figure left.

Blooddoll waited a second or two. “Blasted Warlock.” She spat. “Why do you canter to him” asked the tauren. Blooddoll sighed. “He pays well my damages and besides, my dear lieutenant. No one wants to fight Inexorable.”

“What kind of name is that?” questioned the tauren in disgust. “Inexorable?” Blooddoll raised her eyebrows. “It means can not be stopped.” she looked at the Door. “Can not be stopped, not even by prayer!”
 
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The Convention of Trails

“You were dead!” shouted the little human. Her anger obvious in her small voice, which at this time was quite uncharacteristically loud. “It ain’t that bad. “Said the green giant nonchalantly and immediately regretting it from the look the small human shot him.. She struck with unusually speed, Her small fist hitting him in his stomach. Her voice getting louder and sharper. “And what of me, you stubborn elf” tears formed in her eyes. “What of me and our life, you would leave me here all alone” Papatoad toad took a deep breath and let it out loudly. He wanted to tell her she wasn’t alone and that death like all things happen, No one is immune. But he wisely held his tongue. He knew that she was scared and she had never seen him die before.

Papatoad welcomed death, not to be mean, not to be cynical, but because he had lived too long and so many lives. He had cheated death too many times. His past was that a past; marred by hurt and memories of a being that did things he wasn’t proud of. Of love found and lost and deserted. But on that same note, he wasn’t ashamed either, he was who he was and that was that.

He snatched the little human into his arms as if she weighted nothing, she tried to move away but the green elf was to overpowering, she strained against his chest, her legs dangling off the ground. “I ‘m here and always will be” he said as he kissed her turned cheek. She gave a final futile shove and hugged his neck. “You better be, you promised you stubborn elf.” She said half pleading; half wishing.

Klangdon was in a matrix of voices, neither in the material world, or one of the many other planes of existences, but mentally somewhere in between. Over a hundred of the most powerful casters and spiritualist were summoned to the convention of trails and things were getting out of hand.

“Shut down the portals!” one Wizard declared, this was followed by more banter, yahs ad nays came in a spectrums of sounds and colors in the matrix of the counsel. Some insisted on a army in Ironforge, this caused a myriad of discussion as the elders tried to rein in the verbal chaos. Klangdon listened as more voices came through and order was called but ignored. What a monumental waste of time the small gnome thought. Alliance councils always were. Wizards agreed on less than historians about the creation of the world.

A small friendly female voice invaded his thoughts, “Klangdon, Redeemed is leaving this convention.” The voice was Goblit’s , She continued. “We are not here to waste our time.” This was said matter a factly and with out bitterness. “He felt her withdrawing and did so himself. Klangdon opened his eyes in the warm light of the his apartment in the mystic ward. He owned a little two room apartment there. Many gnomes resided there.
He got up and looked out the open window of his sitting room; the hustle and bustle of the mystic ward welcomed him. He walked over to the table and uncorked a bottle of gnome wine, not a potent drink like the dwarves make, more juice than fermentation, which was ok by Klangdon, for he did not like strong drink.

Klangdon walked to his tiny desk to the left of his sitting room, he thumbed through various documents and old scrolls. How did they do it, it perplexed him to no end, to force a portal on someone was a great feat, but not even he could do that, and he was a mage of the highest rank. Something had to explain it. He sat down and read some of his personal notes on portals, hoping something would give him a clue. Sipping more of the gnomish wine, Klangdon thought maybe some Dwarven spirits were not such a bad Idea.

“Are they out?” The Dwarf asked the small female gnome in front of him. “Yes” she replied, I have contacted all Redeemed members, we are no longer in the Convention of trails.” The dwarf; an usual five feet tall and almost as wide nodded thoughtfully. “And you are positive of the name Klangdon heard?’ “Yes, I am” headmistress Goblit address the Dwarf. “Hmmmm” the Tall dwarf said. He wore no weapon; he never carried weapons in the orphanage or school. It was one of his personal rules. Unless he had the pleasure of conducting one of the combat classes, he made a quick mental note to do one this up coming month. So much called his attention and now this; scourge of scourges. He wore comfortable canvas clothing; his hair was thick and full and tied with simple straps of leather. In the headmistress room; was the full Redeemed council, Avesther the elven Priestess , Itchus the human priest, Alhana another human Priest. Melko the gnome mage; Sandric the human Paladin and Tebran the Dwarven paladin. This was the Redeemed council. Discussing what should be done about the General and the new situations that plagued them.

Guild Master Fjorboug stared out the window. Hands clasp smartly behind his back. Given his width this surprised many. He let out a lengthily exhale and turned to Alhana. “Alhana; send word to Cammandus, that I will need him and 20 of his top paladins in Ironforge should the gate be used to bring in aggressors.” Sandric and Tebran looked at one another rand then nodded their agreement to their Guild master; they knew their names would be on that list. “Goblit can we trust him?” the guild Master asked out loud. “Yes she said with out reservation, though I can not begin to think what the connection might be?” She answered honestly. “He has proved his worth and loyalty again and again.” The large dwarf nodded at this and seemed to agree. “True” he said as he stroked his beard. Resolution creeping into his features. He had seemed to make up his mind.

” Very well then,” Fjorboug stuck his head out the window and looked down, “Why don’t you, master THIEF, see what you can dig up on the General and Inexorable’s interest in it.” Bannard, who up till now had been eavesdropping on the conversation minding his own business, visible blanched at the name, said so calmly. He crossed himself unconsciously and looked up to the second story window and saw his guild Leader staring down at him as if he was a causal passer by’er and not a sneak thief listening in on a secret council. “Are ye sure bout that Cap tin?” the black haired dwarf asked. Guild master Fjorboug pursed his lips together. “I am afraid so Master Bannard, its seems that Inexorable has an interest in PapaToad or the general or Both, either we need to find out what it is and if its our concern, which it surely is if Inexorable is involved.” Bannard frowned; this was no good at all. “yes guild master “ with that Bannard very quickly made his way out the court yard, he had favors owed to him, and something told him, they’d be used up before the week was up.

Fjorboug turned back to the Redeemed council. All expressions were somber, the name Inexorable was known to anyone three hundred years old or older, as with all time war, and rumors and tales grew, expounded and forgot. But Fjorboug knew, he had fought the scourge before he joined Redeemed, and Inexorable Apocalypse was a name that was better off forgotten and should have remained in myth and legend. Now he had returned for what ever reason, Fjorboug had to know why. This wasn’t Chance, Inexorable had a purpose and Fjorboug wanted to know what it was.

No one spoke in the Headmistress’s office, Fjorboug finally broke the silence. “Bring PapaToad here; I am sure we all have questions only he can answer.” “Guild Master Fjorboug?’ Itchus inquired, for once as when he preached, he did not say things backward. “Who or what is Inexorable?” Fjorboug rubbed his beard hard. “Three hundred years ago or so, when we were finishing the final great war, a undead warlock came to power. No one knew where he came from and no one knew anything about him, in short, he seemed to come from no where.” Fjorboug seemed sad and his expression hardened. Those wars were for the survival of the free world. The scourge was running free and the Demons ran the like a locust.” As if reliving those times, there was a revered silence, many in the room fought in those wars as civilian, soldier or survivor, none were immune.”

“He came like a storm, only, orc, tauren, human, elf, all races were in his army. Only thing missing was the demons, It was rumored that he was spat from the dark world itself. He stopped the scourge and alliance cold. He had resurrected and tortured the spirits of the best battle commanders and generals and bound them to his will. It was the only time alliance and scourge face a similar threat.” Headmistress Goblit blurted out, “surely this is mostly is legend?” Fjorboug smiled warmly, “Of course, he had an army and we fought him, much like the scourge only when they seemed that they would take the sliver pine forest and Lordaeron and hillsbrad, the army stopped and disappeared. At the battle of hillsbrad, and I wasn’t there; For I was in the battle for Lordaeron; But that Night I went to bed, when I awoke, Inexorable’s army was gone. And it was relayed to me, they just disappeared. from what I heard it was a rift like the war of the ancients, only a bright light and then nothing, all the armies gone. A queer event indeed, but I heard of some who faced Inexorable, the way they tell it, all go mad to look at him. All I know is that there is evil and then there’s eviler. He is Evil and destruction follows him.”

Fjorboug smiled sadly, “now, that was a long time ago mind you and I have never seen Inexorable, I have only heard rumor and hearsay, I know master Bannard swears that he had a friend how tried to steal something from Inexorable and he went mad. But what ever it is, if He is back, we will need to decide what to do about that.”

The city park was beautiful this time of year, the sun was shining, the night elves were mediating, and children were laughing and the birds were singing. Papatoad had a curious dilemma. He was laying on his back, shirt off, green skin soaking in the sunlight like a plant, when a shadow bloated out his wonderful sunlight. Papatoad had heard his name called and prayed it was a burglar so he could pummel him beyond reason at this intrusion of his afternoon.

The green giant opened his eyes; there in front of him was a Redeemed runner. A squire not yet chosen by a paladin champion. To young to fight, but old enough to handle simple jobs like ruining PapaToad sunbath. This one was a pimpled face young man, human, of about 13 summers, a looked nervous like a rabbit. “P-P-Papatoad,” the young man spoke. Papa raised an eye brow. And smiled. “Well if it’s not a young warrior in training.” Papa said loudly. Papa’s deep voice must have spooked the young man because as soon as papa sat up the boy about jumped out of his skin.

“Why are you so scared? Papa asked. The boy answered so honestly that papa laughed. “You’re HUGE!” everyone’s scared of you!’ Papatoad laughed.” I get that!” what do you have for me?” the young man was eager to give his message and move on it seemed. “The guild master is at the school and he asks for a meeting with you about your latest mission.” Papatoad thought on this. This did not bode well; he could feel his afternoon being ruined. He briefly thought of calling on the grass to try the young man up, but that wouldn’t be very redeemed of him and besides, Papa knew it was not this young mans fault. Grabbing his leather vest, PapaToad bid the runner to lead on, while making their way to the school, the runner asked, “is it true you fought 20 taurens with only your fists?” PapaToad looked at the human boy. And laughed, “No lad, its true I fought 20 taurens and beat the snot out of me” His laughter deep and rolling of the close walls of the street. The young lad looked in amazement, “you mean you got beat up?” the thought seemed unimaginable to the wanna be paladin. Papatoad stopped, and looked at the young warrior.

“You know, son, there is always a better fighter than you, faster, younger, stronger and no one wins forever. Sometime, you gotta take a good thumping to keep you honest and humble. Sure I am as tough as they come, but even I’ll get killed by someone faster, quicker or smarter someday.” The young man seemed to drink in every word Papa said. “Look , kid, it’s the Game, you want to be a warrior, then you accept that your playing a losing game, every fight, every encounter get you closer to your last, all that matters is how you die! , me I want to go gallantly.” Papatoad looked around and then lowered his head to stare the boy eye to eye. “You wanna know why?” The Boy now spell bound by PapaToad’s little speech and personal attention could only nod. “Because they scare me, every sword, arrow and spell, they scare me senseless, they want to see if I freeze or run or cry.” Papa smiled, “Well, No sir, I’ll die like a Elf, head held high, screaming like a mad beast all the way.” Papatoad winked and the young man smiled. “You get scared?” the runner asked. Papatoad grew serious, “you betcha, I do, and any intelligent being who doesn’t is a fool.” The boy was wide eyed at this concept. Papatoad knew they filled a lot of young warrior heads with no fear, which he understood, but he also knew that if you did not recognize the taste of fear, sometimes it would win. He playfully slapped the young man on the Back. “Come lets hurry, the Guild Master is not a Dwarf to be keep waiting.” The young wanna be Pally nodded in agreement and lead the way, as Papatoad knew he would.
 
“You sent for me?” The Seven foot Green Darnassusian asked as he entered the Head mistress room. Lead by the pimpled face runner, he saluted Guild master Fjorboug. “PapaToad as requested” the young squire stated and waited. “Guild master
Fjorboug looked at the young man. “Brian isn’t it?” The young squire excitedly concurred. “Yes Sir it is.” Guild master Fjorboug smiled friendly, he made it a point to know each and every member of Redeemed. Which sometime meant scouring listed and portraits nightly. But he knew all three hundred and forty members of his guild. “Thank you Brain you are dismissed. Brian saluted again, Fjorboug nodded. As the runner was leaving. Fjorboug asked. “Brain, are you ready for the spring trails?” Brain smiled “Yes sir I am.” The runner said with confidence. “Good” Fjorboug stated. “ I will be lokkinged forward to seeing how you do.” “Yes Sir!” the squire said smartly saluted and with a Nod again from him guild master left the room.

With the door shut Fjorboug looked at PapaToad. “Papa, I have some questions and instead of repeating yourself, I want you to tell it to all of us, as you know with the General and the trouble with the Ironforge portal, we need to remove speculation and doubt. No one questions your loyalty. Papa, know that. But we want to know some things.”

Papatoad smiled, “of course ask away.” Papa stated. “How old are you papa?” Fjorboug asked. Papa smiled. “Four hundred and twelve years old, I was born in Desolace when it was very green, before the final Great War.” Papatoad smiled because he knew what was coming next. He sighed; it was only matter of time, for all sins must be answered for. Fjorboug smiled as well. “Where did you do your service Papa?’ Papatoad smiled again, it was a smile of resignation. “I serve with the House of Vasteiki, I was a Saber. We worked closely with rebel factions within the horde and scourge.” Fjorboug smiled. “ what was your main job?” PapaToad cheeks darkened, we were to cause chaos and deliver misinformation to confuse and harass the enemies of the Houses.”

Fjorboug nodded, He had dealt with the type before, Unlike dwarves, who liked an upfront enemy, The Night elves were masters at subterfuge; Though the dwarves were as sneaky as any, the Night Elves brought it to a whole knew level. The council, all of whom knew PapaToad, fought with him, ate with him, lived with him, and had their studies with him. Everyone had a past, but too have your friend and neighbor come out and say, he was a saber was disturbing. Avesther had always liked Papatoad and knew that, though he was a Druid now, and a High standing member of the Redeemed. Papatoad carried himself as an elf of high ranking birth. He had no troubles taking care of a situation. Avesther also noticed that PapaToad had that old sense of Command about him, like one who led people at one time and now was content to take orders so far as they did not get anyone hurt needlessly or the commands given were not stupid. That was one quality she liked about this Young elf, he despised stupidity on the battle field as much as she did. But this news was not surprising, it was a little unsettling though.


“PapaToad “Fjorboug continued, “do you Know of Inexorable?” Papatoad felt all eyes on him. His shoulders slumped and he said “yes,” he was my friend during the Final Great War.” Everyone in the room stared at the Night elf waiting for an explanation. Fjorboug burst out with a humorless Laugh, “I think you should explain, Papa”
Papatoad continued “Inexorable himself, was a saber, he was a prince of one of the houses of Desolace. He had a guild house of casters called the ineffable order. I was assigned there because Inexorable was meddling and dealing with undead from a division that was fractured away from Syalans during the Final Great War.”

“When Inexorable was alive, he lead a large resistance of casters and wizards, I was assigned to protect and ensure his success in the Desolace area, we were attacked by the scourge, I could not help him, I was busy fighting and trying to stay alive. Anyway we lost that battle and I had thought he was dead. I was reassigned to STV working with the goblin resistance” Only he came back.”

The conversation lasted into the night; Papatoad explained that while he once was the Right hand of Inexorable, he saw that Inexorable was getting unstable. Papatoad and Inexorable had grown up in Desolace, when Inexorable had been alive, the scourge came and PAPATOAD’s friend had died, only to rise up a few nights later by demon magic. But Inexorable had an indomitable will; more so He took the Attack as a personal challenge. The House of Vasteiki seeing that Inexorable and the Ineffable order were fighting the Scourge as well, resigned PapaToad to Inexorable, now changed, only PapaToad did not like the things he was witnessing at the Ineffable order. Inexorable was binding and twisting souls to his will, Demon souls, who had once been the Masters were now the Slaves of this Warlock, Inexorable’s power. But as the Order grew so did the ranks of the Dead, unlike before, Casters willingly gave up life for unlife. And in the end it was Inexorable who killed his army.

“Are you sure about that PapaToad?” Fjorboug asked. “Yes I helped him” the green giant answered. “How?” Goblit asked. Who had been quiet till this point. “Everyone in the order was tattooed with magic by Inexorable himself and made to take the oath of brotherhood. It was with this tattoo Inexorable killed all his undead commanders and army.” “Explain” urged Fjorboug. “We came up with a back up plan, once the undead, refuse death, the demons can control them, it takes a surmountable amount of will to counter this. Inexorable and I knew that sooner or later that some would turn, the powers of Darkness are immense, so In the end, We knew we were losing the battles for the men’s minds, we decided to destroy the whole army than give it to the scourge.”

“Inexorable did that?” Itchus asked. “Of course, “Papatoad retorted. “Oh do not get it wrong, He didn’t do it for nobility, it was his army and no one would have control of it beside him.” Avesther chimed in as it occurred to her. “PapaToad” her silk voice inquired. “Its interesting, but I remember the tales of Inexorable and his right hand.” The name caught in her throat. “But more interesting is that fact there were no night elf houses in Desolace four hundred years ago, only human houses?” PapaToad smiled, it occurred to Itchus and Goblit, it was the wickedest grin they had ever seen. “That is correct, Sister Avesther, I was born Steven James Tork of The House of Vasteiki. I was born Human.

Itchus looked at Avesther and raised his eyebrow, “hence the use of the term “we”’ Avesther could only nod her agreement. Fjorboug rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “How did you survive?” PapaToad held his arms open. “I didn’t” he said as if that was obvious by his Green skin and seven foot frame. ”well how then, reincarnation?” Goblit asked. PapaToad scrunched his brow; “I do not believe in reincarnation and out Faith does not acknowledge it.” I was transferred to this almost dead body.” The council thoughtfully pondered this. PapaToad expounded “See I believe Inexorable wondered how far I would go to destroy” what he and I argued about from the very beginning of his unlife. It never sat well with me that we fought the scourge with the same means they were fighting us. Inexorable abhors the demons, It is an obsession with him. He will go out of his way to kill them. but he also was pulled by a sort of madness after his changing. Little by little he replaced living commanders with dead ones, by the time we realized the army of the damned we created was about to turn on us it was to late, the contingency saved us and the Alliance from the foot hold we created.” Papatoad sighed.

Fjorboug raised his head.” So you sacrificed yourself?” PapaToad eyes grew cold, “so I thought, someone had to start the spell and see it through. I didn’t trust Inexorable to do it, and all of the advisors were polluted with darkness and or madness, so I resigned myself to finish what I should have stopped along time ago.” PapaToad eyes began to glaze. “I was a fool, I was so different back then, I was a saber I did what was necessary to stop the scourge.” PapaToad’s head hung, he took a deep breathe. “May God forgive me!” he said in a whispered.

Fjorboug. Pursed his lips, “He does, Son, he does” It was a statement he heard a thousand times from soldiers and warriors alike. Sometime the battle got inside you and the madness ran you. Many a time the bloodlust screamed in him when we was in battle, he thanked the creator that it had never gone so far as to lead him to dishonor. Papatoad continued. “It was a spell of the darkest magic. As I chanted it, my physical body burned from its unholy fire, I was literally burnt black by its end. Will alone held me to the end. I knew it was completed because I could hear the screams of the all the lost souls being shattered. Every being that had the mark ceased to exist, as my own life faded I was proud of what I did, because I knew Inexorable was wrong and that we could not win the war becoming the monsters we were fighting. I was happy to die and end my part in that horror.”

Goblit put a small hand on PapaToad knee. She smiled at him. “Papa” She said in her little girl voice.” Were you undead?” Papatoad stared at the female gnome with horror, “Goodness, No, never, I was invited, but to Live, to breathe the air, feel the sunshine on my face, no I died as a human at the age of thirty two, three years after Inexorable died and returned.” Itchus asked next. “How did you become an elf?” I am not sure of the magic’s, but apparently Inexorable did something. I awoke in a room, filled with servants; living servants and Inexorable; he said he should have known I would have done it. He also told me I was free to come or go as I please.” Papatoad seemed to become himself again. “I just left, I was like a dream, a strange new body, and the world looked different. Spending the next several decades in the forests of the world. At first it was to get my head strait, but then I realized that in this body. I could commune with nature in ways I never could before. Something made me attuned to nature the world its self, or that I was so woeful of my past transgression I sought the solitude of the world and it answered me. I do not know how long I was in the wild, but I found myself traveling to Darnassus to seek druid training. By that time I ad gone from light green to this deep green you see now. The war was over , all people were rebuilding, I took the name of Anquchasis Delafaras; Most people avoid druids and the life set in me, until I saw Dawife.” Papatoad smiled, and we found Redeemed.” Papatoad told his story.

Fjorboug though deeply for a while. Itchus patted PapaToad on the shoulder, He tells the truth” he said to the council. Avesther chimed in, and his heart it’s the same as it always has been since he has come. Fjorboug asked, “What could Inexorable be up to?” Papatoad looked at the Guild master like it was the most unusual question ever asked. “Why he seeks to secure his power.” Fjorboug asked “what do you mean?’ Something is tipping the balance of power, Inexorable doesn’t want to rule the world anymore, he wants to secure his hold on magic and be left alone. If he is meddling in the affairs of mortals again, its because the demons are back in force.” This was something no one wanted to hear and the most depressing new so far tonight.
 
Spring Festivities

Fjorboug made out his report to the Alliance Council, This matter was too big for Redeemed alone, and detailing everything except that Papatoad was anything other than Papatoad, he sealed it and left it on the table to be delivered in the morn.

Goblit had been the biggest advocate that PapaToad was a new creation in the Maker; he had been baptized and was a member in good standing. He subjected himself to the entire tests and had passed with exemplary remarks’. The council convened and it was done.

Fjorboug had a lot on his mind, Spring trials were coming up soon, The school was about to be rebudgeted, The fighting force o f the Redeemed needed to be revamped and as always some members were missing and that always Distressed the guild Master. New recruits were coming out of the woodwork. He sighed as he sat at the foot of his bed and bowed his head. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, he thought, in his spirit he felt the Makers spirit touch his. He did not wear that crown alone, as always he welcomed the presence of the Father.

Pulling off his boots and leaving the rest of the papers till morning; Fjorboug knelt down and prayed, he asked for guidance, and patience and to do the Markers will. He felt the peace of the Father come into him and he was getting to his feet, there was a knock at the door. He stood where he was and eyed the sword, slung across the head board of the simple bed.

“Who is it?” Asked the guild master.
“It is Goblit, guild master.” The head mistress’s sing song little girls voice rang out, Fjorboug smiled it was late Goblit to be up and about.
Fjorboug moved to the door and opened it, after placing his foot at the base of it, opening it enough to verify that it was truly Goblit. Old habits he thought as he realized he did this without thinking. , Goblit waited for him to open the door which he did, she was with another maiden , a human maid. Goblit would never be caught alone in a males quarters. It would be unlady like and she would never have rumors about her. But Fjorboug understood the need of appearances and would have felt odd having Goblit visit him alone at this late hour. Goblit spoke and motioned to the maid. “the latest new members guild master, I know how you insistent on going through them and lesser news from Gadztan and Ratchet.” Goblit directed the maiden to place the papers on the table. Who promptly laid them on the table and the stood next to her mistress. “Is there anything the school can do to make your stay more comfortable Guild master?” asked the small warlock.
“No Headmistress, nothing more than a wake up at 5 bells please”
“as you wish guild master, good night and God bless” The small gnome and the maiden made their way out.
“God bless Sisters.” He said to both them woman and thanked them. Fjorboug closed his door and made his way to the table, he might as well go thru it, Goblit would have him up at 6 bells, he knew that, it was late, and it wasn’t that she was not following orders, she was just looking out for a fellow member. He smiled to himself. Sometimes thinking ahead of people wore you out. Fjorboug laughed out loud, the day he was two steps ahead of the head mistress is the day ole Fjorboug had his hand on Bannard’s little black purse. The guild master moved the candle closer; it seems that there were quite a few new recruits.


Spring was here, the fairs was in town and Stormwind was a bevy of activity, the Redeemed were out in number as where a hundred other guilds and organizations. It was a time taking new apprentices and recruiting new members and the Church held its paladin trials which always drew a big crowd. Fjorboug, Cammandus and a platoon of other Redeemed and Warriors were at the Church training grounds doing demonstrations and prepping young squires; give rules and codes of conduct and filling young minds with stories of adventure and travel, dragons and scores of horde they would one day conquer.
“They never talk about sleeping a swamp with full plate mail and scale mail armor in the middle of October!” the young five foot three female paladin proclaimed.
“Hey you knew the biz when you signed on baby” her seven foot green companion retorted.
“I am not complaining, I am just stating a fact!” the little champion shot back.
“Sounded like a complaint!” the giant said
“You think everything is a complaint” She said as they both were looking at a couple of different squires. His was of interest to both the Paladin and the druid as the were married and Dawife had finally finished all her trails, she was a full Paladin Champion with the rights and privileges there of, with in a year she would be required to take a squire and teach him or her to be a Knight of the Living God. The God of Light.
“Her husband pointed to a promising young lad who was practicing with a wooden sword, indicating he liked the boy.
“well if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck………” PapaToad said.
“She glared and him in a playful way, “
Stubborn husband, please save your druidic wisdom for someone else.” She said
“common sense” he said shortly as he pointed to another young lad oiling his shield.
“Nope “ DaWife said,
I want her. She pointed to a wisp of a young girl, who would she wouldn’t be ready for what looked like another three years yet, she was skinny, scrawny, and PapaToad watched her trip for the third time as the straps of the shield she was carrying keep getting in her way.

“Are you SEROIUS” roared the seven foot giant. “She can barely stand!” Which grew gazes from near by on lookers, as Night elf’s were not know to be boisterous like Dwarves
“yep” DaWife said qibbly. Papatoad stared at his wife. She was smiling and PapaToad knew this was no joke. Which only served to have him wonder how his wife survived what she did. “The Light must love you” he said as he looked at the small scrawny girl child again.” Maybe we should wait till after the weeks’ festivities.”
“Nope” she said as she started moving. “Now hold on,” PapaToad chimed in, “too late Dawife was moving.

“ARRRRRRGHHH! The paladin Screamed as he swung the hammer that was nearly as big as him, His opponent tried to raise his shield in time, but the fury of the blow was to powerful and quick, even the glancing blow of it caught him, unprepared, but now the smaller paladin was winding up for another, he charged. There were cheers and boos from all around. Here in Stormwind the spring festivities brought thousands for the tournaments. The two paladins fighting did so for the Honor and title of the Silver Sword of the Paladin.A trophy that would be displayed in the Guild House of the Champion. Every paladin had a rank realm wide one thru six, and every rank had a champion. This year the smaller paladin knew it was him for the 5th rank. The crowd jeered as the bigger paladin, wearing blue slashes around his right arm, waist and right boot. Charged his smaller opponent wearing red. It did not look like the smaller Paladin could stop the sword and with unnevering speed and grace the red paladin swung the gaint hammer around and just when the sword looked to hit its mark, somehow the red paladin snaked it between himself and the sword. He did this in such a manner as to have the head of the hammer facing his opponents face. With a quick jerk Red slammed it in to the helm of Blue, and swung it like an axe for blues middle. The resounding gong brought the crowd to their feet, cheers and cat calls followed. Blue doubled over and red spun around swinging the great hammer with all his might on the back of blue.

The crowd went crazy as blue, let out a “OAF” loud enough to be heard from the 3 row. And Down he collapsed. The referee rushed in and held up his champion staff! And blocked red from landing another blow for good measure. Red backed off and took 3 steps back word and held his hammer at the ready. The referee, dressed the bright yellow robes, kneel down and checked paladin marked in blue. Blue tried to get up and then fell again, The referee passed his staff over blue unconscious body and end his movement with the staff pointing to red. The crowd went berserk and cheers, Scribes and other paladins rushed in and surround red and congratulated him.

“DID YOU SEE THAT!” Screamed the black haired dwarf, Did you see that, He Clobbered that lad, kicked the ever living SNOT! Out of him,” the dwarf let out a war cry that would have put a tauren chieftain to shame. “How can you just sit there!” he demand as picked up the small robed gnome. Like she was a prized doll “Bannard!” exclaimed the gnome, who did not like to be dwarf-handled.
“If you do not put me down, I will turn you into a toad!” This the dwarf must have found funny because he let out a roar of laughter and kissed the Gnome on the check. But he did put her down. He went about cheering and jumping up and down and made his way to the Redeemed member who would be going to the finals for the Paladin 5th rank. Goblit straiten . “Can you believe the audacity of that , of that Thief!” she spat. Her other companion, as tall as Goblit was short. A beautiful elf, in a long white gown, Barely held her smile as she comment. “who would have guessed the old rogue had it in him?”
“indeed.” Goblit said Goblit smiled as Avesther did. Both looking ahead as the judges were calling for quiet. “all the same, it was a good fight.”
Avesther still looking ahead, “as good as they come” Goblit smiled again “That boy gave ours a run for his money.”
“he did.” Avesther stated.
Still we did well! Goblit said.
“Of course” Avesther replied, “He’s Redeemed”
“Darn Tooting!” squealed the little gnome!

The crowd hushed as the two opponents stood in the center of the combat grounds. The blue paladin had a bucket of water thrown on him to revive him from the beating he took at the hands of the Red Paladin. The combat magister announced loudly.
“Lords and Lady’s; Lads and lassies’ the magister started. ‘it is my honor to present Paladin Azzie of Guild House Redeemed as champion of this final bout!” the crowd roared as on the Redeemed side jeered and cheer there hero. Redeemed took up a big portion of the side nearest Azzie.

The magister raised his hand and waited for the crowd to clam. “Tomorrow at 9 bells morning, Paladin Azzie will complete against Paladin Yan’ger of Guild House Holy Roman Knights to decide who will take to their guild house the Silver Sword of the Paladin for the Fifth rank. “ Again the Crowd went crazy with cat calls, jeering, and shouting, many a handkerchief was thrown toward Azzie from a maiden fair and not so fair Azzie thought. He shook hands and embraced fellow guildies, not excluding Bannard who had gotten to the front from way back there and pumped his hand like he was priming a stubborn well, other knights he fought congratulated him and wished him well and the judges. “I might actually pull this off he thought.
 
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Spring festivities II

The spring festival was here and Klangdon with in full form. Just on out skirts of Old Town in Stormwind, between that and the Dwarven district, they had set up, every type of gnomish and Dwarven contraption, gizmo and widget. They were all from different backgrounds from warriors to hunters to mages and warlocks, thieves and the like, they all have one thing in common, and all were inventors and engineers and alchemists. It reminded Klangdon of Gnomeregan before the plague had come. There had to be near 500 gnomes and dwarfs congregated and mingled here.

Klangdon passed row after row of every conceivable gadget and invention from a simple eggshell peeler to potato guns to a huge monstrosity that carried gnomes into battle, supposedly. He marveled at one vendor had set up vial and bottle after bottle of fluids and glass tubing that moved fluid from one end to the other and the fluid changed colors and it moved from one end of the stall to the other. Klangdon didn’t know what it was for but it did look fascinating. But that was not the reason he was here. He was looking for an old gnomish friend. Someone who might have a better grasp of the arcane dilemma he was facing of late.

Azzie was drinking some water from an old water skin, many of the Redeemed had come to wish him well, to the point that Goblit and Avesther had to shoo them away. This was not a bad thing, insofar as you where not the squires, who Headmistress Goblit explained in big words and a strait face, were supposed to keep Azzie from too many visitors, but as the failed. Goblit continued, it was up to someone no more than 3 feet tall to what a 5 foot or bigger human could not do on their own. None of the 4 squires felt it necessary to point out while none of them were more than 18 summers, and have never seen battle, that Headmistress Goblit was a Warlock of the 6th circle, a feared member of Redeemed, and had killed more horde than most seasoned soldiers in Stormwind. Beside the fact that the most beautiful Elf any of the young men have ever seen was always with her and at over seven feet tall and almost never smiling, this seemed enough to discourage the most battle harden soldiers.

But with wisdom beyond their years the young squires took their scolding and were thankful for the Ranking Redeemed women. Now all they had to do is their real jobs, making sure armor was oiled and polished, weapons weighted and sharpened, saddles oiled and leather reworked and the horses brushed, groomed and fed. This was living. Avesther and Goblit were sitting at a table in front of the ten big round Redeemed guild house tents. They had bought them finally two years ago, and they were red with the out line of the Lions head on the front, the Redeemed guild emblem. Goblit had posted a sign in front of the tents and roped off an area round them that had public speaking and meeting times for the six Redeemed champions who had made it to the final ranking, Cammandus, Azzie, Mahout, were the paladin champions battling for the sword of their rank. As Goblit and Avesther sipped fresh made lemonade in the shade of the warm day. The shade coming from a giant umbrella Goblit had found that Itchus had invented and thrown in the Basement of the School. It was many different colors like a rainbow and it helps keep sun or rain at bay. They Ladies of Redeemed while playing a friendly game of Queens, a popular card game among noble women of Stormwind and Darnassus. When the first heard trouble come their way.

An angry female voice boomed from out of nowhere. “He’s blasted impossible, He’s stupid, He’s stubborn and, and THICK HEADED!” Dawife slumped into the empty chair at the table.

“Who is?” Asked Avesther calmly as her eyes never left the card game. Thought she knew there was only one person Dawife would make comments like that about.
“Bannard!” Goblit said as she trumped Avesther’s jack with a queen
“Possibly that Odale fellow!’ Avesther added.
“True, true” commented Goblit as she laid down a ten of hearts. “Or could be that silly Gnmish!’ Goblit continued as she frowned because Avesther had trumped her with a one armed jack. Goblit smiled at Avesther, who smiled nastily back and blinked her eyes. Twice.

“NOooo!” Dawife exclaimed, “That stubborn green elf of a husband of mine, Papatoad!” She said with a sigh Avesther continued to play without looking at DaWife, Laying down a King of Hearts.
“Oh that’s true, he is stubborn!” Avesther commented as she repeated the smile at Goblit. “True” said Goblit “Remember when he refused orders and went to save that silly whip of a girl!”
Goblit rambled as she slapped an Ace of Hearts over the Avesther’s King and Smiled nastily back. Avesther just shrugged her shoulders and laid down a 4 of clubs.
“What was that silly girls name?” She quibbled. Goblit slapped another card down to trump the four.
“Dawife I think.” She said matter a factly. “Then she just went by Danicas.”

Oh yes” what was it he said?” Avesther commented back. “Not Angel nor demon will stop me, I’ll be dead cursed first!” Goblit said as she changed her voice to sound like PapaToad’s, who had a very deep voice for an elf, and sounded more like a dwarf, which only made Avesther chuckle hearing it come out of the tiny gnome.
Avesther looked up at Goblit, “wasn’t that stubborn elf punished for that?” she asked, “Oh yes. He was given a 30 days extra duty and had to teach at the school for 3 months”. Dawife seeing what the were doing, but refusing to give up her frustration, beside she was mad at her husband. “But this is different, and he’s being and an, an, an old mule. She pouted

Both Goblit and Avesther stopped playing and laid their cards down. Dawife continued as she shuffled their cards and trumped this with that and finished the hand for them.
“We were looking at apprentices, having a grand day, we squabbled playfully about what I need for an apprentice, when this elf I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE approaches Papa and they talk like old friends,. They even hugged! So Then Papa introduces this Trajan fellow, who served with papa in some battle , and who smells like a hunter, he and Papa have words and then he leaves and PapaToad’s mood has changed, he’s not loving or fun or anything, I ask him where are you? “And then he tells me he’s heading for the dark portal to help and old friend, he’ll be gone for a couple of weeks. I say when? He tells me in two days, I asked we’re you gonna talk to me about this? He says NOPE! I am like we’re a team , I am your wife, I may have gotten loud, and he says we’re done here, I have made up my mind. And he walks always.

“The Dark Portal? Goblit asked, suddenly interested. Avesther chimed in “He said what?” Avesther asked,
“He’s going to the dark portal” Dawife whined,
Avesther shook her, “No not that, that thing about not talking to you about it?
Dawife jumped in her chair “YES, that’s it, that’s why I am mad!” Him and his blasted ”NOPE” DaWife bobbed her head and did her best to imitate PapaToad’s voice but it was crackly and wrong.
“He did not” Avesther asked.
“Did too.” Dawife repeated, the PapaToad NOPE voice.
“LADY”S “Goblit’s voice jeered them, “Again, why is he going to the Dark Portal?”

The stands were huge and more than thousand folks had shown up to see the tournament. “Lords and Ladies and free people of Alliance! We are gathered this morning to witness history in the making!”
The magister voice boomed over the crowd, as they cheered. Young Ladies through down scarves, and flowers as the Paladin Knights sat tall and proud in their saddles, with Guild House Banners near them to their left rear and squires on the right rear.
“To my left. “the magister continued. “On the south side of the field, I present to you, Paladin Knight Yan’ger of Guild House Holy Roman Knights.”
The crowd went wild as they cheer and well wished, and screamed enthusiasm to their Knights, all except Azzie noticed the north side closest to him was a sea of red tunics, as he approached the field he realized that the whole left stand was Redeemed, there had be over one hundred of the Redeemed guild there, everyone who did not have a pressing assignment. He was sure half if not more of the guild was here.

They did not boo or cat call the Roman knight, they all, very politely brought up one hand and made what was referred to as a queens clap, and a low ‘yeaaaa” the sight so startled and amused Azzie that he had to used every once of his will not to burst with laughter.
The magister continued. “On the North side of the field to my left, Paladin Knight Azzie of Guild House Redeemed.”
The Crowd cheered and called to Azzie, the whole side nearest him, stood up, a sea of Red tuniced free people with the Lion’s head embodied in Gold on the front. Redeemed cheers and salutes went out, so loud was the roar of applause that the magister briefly frowned, clear in the calls of salutation were Goblits, DaWife’s and Avesther’s voices, along with Bannard’s booming voice, bellowing,
“THAT’S MY BOY! THAT’S MY BOY! THAT THER”S REDEEMED!
Azzie was momentarily taken by the site of his friends and family guild, supporting him. He said a brief prayer “Father please makes me worthy of such love and kindness”

The magister’s voice boomed over the cheering crowd. Magically enhanced to cut thru the noise of the crowd. “KNIGHT PALADIN YAN”GER YOU HAVE THE SOUTH FIELD. CHOSE YOUR COLOR!” Knight Yan’ger held his lance in salute pointed toward the sky. At the top of his lungs he shouted. “I give the Honor to my most honorable Opponent Paladin and fellow knight Azzie, SIR you may pick!” Azzie dropped his lance to the ground and urged his mount to bow, which it did in conditioned response to his master’s subtle riding commands.

It was consider bad form to pick the color right away, it did happen from time to time, but is was just plain rude, so as Azzie commanded his horse to bow, and returned to stand. Azzie brought his lance up in salute. THANK MOST HONORABLE AND FELLOW PALADIN KNIGHT YAN’GER.” He shouted over the crowd in respect. “I chose RED!” again the crowd when wild, cheering and shout, for his or her favorite knight.

As young squires from the Judge boxes ran to each knight, the Paladin Knight’s dismounted and handed the lances to their squires, the runners with three silk ribbon tied the appropriate color to the knights, this was a standard procedure in Paladin contests. The color was the only way usually to tell who was who. No magical or indued armor was allowed. Nor was enchanted weapons, this was a test of skill alone. One ribbon around the right boot, and one on the left arm and one on the right arm. It was all the color that was visible and told you who was whom. The knights were helped back into their saddles and waited as the runners ran back to the judges both in the middle on the stands.

“Lords and ladies, free peoples of the alliance.” The magister continued. “There will be three passes with the lance, providing the Knight Paladin finishes all three, after the third pass, they will then drop the lances and engage in Mortal combat, the first to yield will be declared the 2nd placement of the torment.” The magister paused to allow the crowds to cheer; he held up his staff for silence and continued. “I now turn over the final announcements of the Lord Marshall of the Tournament, Knight Commander, Lord Jacklin Featherflight of the Church of Stormwind.

The crowd Cheered and shouted praise, and everyone stood up and clapped as an opposing figure emerged from the Judges box, he just over six feet, his hair was long and grey tied back with a simple silver ribbon, he was broad of shoulder and well built for a man in his seventies. He had a full beard like a dwarf and in his Right hand he carried the legendary huge hammer Retribution with a shaft nearly thick as a small pine tree and looked longer than he stood. He was a hero of Legend. In his left hand we carried a helmet of gold and sliver. Held at attention he marched on the field, few have ever seen the gold and silver armored Knight Commander or the legendary hammer called Retribution. The Knight Commander was all a paladin should embody, Holiness thru the Father, standing on the virtues of Honor, mercy, Kindness, hope.

“The Holy Scriptures say, “The LORD IS A WARROIR!” He started. And the crowd went wild. A Paladin of the alliance dedicates himself to that cause, He is a warrior in the fore front of God’s Army, and they take that to heart. And as any army, there is one commander under God and this was that man. Knight Commander Of the church of Stormwind, Lord Jacklin Featherflight

The knight commander spoke, his voice, thick, articulate and it silenced all around it.
“The Knight Paladins before you”
He motioned to the Paladins to his left and right with Retribution. “Have proven themselves over a series of tests and challenges, designed to separate the best of the best. That is what and who these men before you today are. The best of the Best. To be a Knight of our Heavenly Father brings with it, more if not as much, discipline, learning, and dedication as any occupation in the free alliance. These Knights before you have been tested in three main areas, Physical prowess, Learning, and Virtue of Spirit.” The Knight Commander, with the grace of a professional orator paused for effect.

“Both of these, Noble and dedicated men of God, have followed a path of righteousness and discipline, following the rules of our order and pull of the Father’s heart, they have learn all things about the Father and are as learned as any priest. Many hours are spent training all day and studying all night so that when, THESE FINE MEN FIND Themselves alone at deaths door, and hordes of demons breathing down their neck, they will stand as a beacon of light of the Fathers love, and Scream to those who are with them, “I stand with you and Our God Stand with us!” The crowd cheered as the Knight Commander, pointed to the sky.”

He continued, as his voice drowning out that of the crowds,
“BUT the Father isn’t just for Paladins, or the Priests, he is here for you, and you and you” He pointed randomly in the crowd. “Everything these Knight Paladins accomplish, they do so only with the will of God in their hearts, only by listening to the quiet voice of our Lord, Only by listening to The Lord of Light and forgiveness, do they move to accomplish the Father’s will, His Spirit connects us, as it does for all free people, and even the horde alike, for The Father Loves all!” There were many amen’s and head nodding going on as the Knight Commander spoke.

“SO” he continued, “when you watch these knight paladins test today, and you feel the bravo and passion to do the same it is your right and your ability to do the same thru the Lord. Fro he gives us our passion to be used in Holiness and for his good. For all are called to be like these men, maybe not all are warriors or teachers or even preachers, but these men embody all these qualities to inspire you, and all of you to do what ever your calling is!” He let that sink it, he felt the spirit talking to many out there.

“Now with that said, Bow your head in prayer as I bless these men though the Power given to us be Our Lord Jesus Christ. And pass that blessing on to all you fine people” When all heads were bowed, the Knight Commander prayed,.

“Dear heavenly Father, we come together to remember you, to praise you, you give to all and forget no one, bless these knights today as they compete against one another, try them hard and let them do there best, we pray no one gets hurt too bad. We test today as a testament to you, to show we are ready, and that as your Warriors we have the support and Love of friends and Family. That thru you Father, we are all one family. We Praise your name and we attest that thru you all things can be done, IN the Lord Jesus Christ’s name amen.

“Let Honor and valor prevail here today, Knight Paladins, I salute you!” and with that said the Knight Commander turned to each Paladin and saluted him. A salute that was returned by each Knight. When the Knight commander Marched off the field, the Knight Paladins rode to their individual starting areas, Azzie was as ready as he would ever be.


Azzie waited as the magister re-entered the center of the field, squires were busy on the sideline running here and there making last minute preparations. The trials were long, For starters there was the week long tests of questions and explanations of the holy teachings and inspired writings. Being drilled by the elder Knights and Priests about scripture and teachings of the Lord. The worst was Pastor Itchus, actually how he made him expound on every answer and situation. Tests that should take and hour or two ended up being full day discussion. Long tests on the teaching of the word. After that was a week in prayer and worship to prepare the Paladin for the physical tests coming up. A run from the Cathedral of Stormwind to the Town of Lakeshire in the Red Ridge Mountains. Only the fastest paladins would go on to the finals. Then was Horsemanship and jousting which weeded about half of them out. Then the Leadership trails and drill and ceremony, which lasted a month. Every Paladin was expected to be a leader, they were trained to lead and take orders. So they were given a platoon to lead and had to accomplish certain tasks and were graded on they ability to lead and follow commands. Then the Paladin had to do the Tournaments trails, which left only about twenty Paladins, Now it came down to this. Knight Paladin Yan’ger and Him. Azzie started this all to see how far he would get, he did not ever think he might make it to the end. Until he was in the top three.

“Ok bud” he said to himself “Focus, you’re not there yet.” The magister held the white Handkerchief high. Both Knights lowered there lances, the Magister dropped the Handkerchief and there was a tense moment in time when the earth stood still. When it finally touched the ground, the magister bolted for the sidelines as the Paladins took off towards one another. Blunt lances streaking ahead of them like an arrow shaft seeking its victim.

The earth was pounded by hoof beats, both knights streaked toward one another, as they hit, the sound of timber cracking shot through the air and the crowd cheered, but both Paladins remained mounted, Azzie had taken the blow a little a skewed, pain shot thru his shied arm. As he rounded the bend, he flipped up his visor to see his squire handing him another lance. He grabbed it and rode his mount to the line, just in time to see Knight Paladin Yan’ger waiting. Yan’ger flipped his visor down in salute that indicated he was charging and attacked again. Azzie followed suit. The two Paladins collided and this time Azzie had to take the lance full, the sound of snapping timer and ahhhs and ohhhs from the crowd were dim in Azzie’s ringing head, he realized he was not right in the saddle but bent backward, he righted himself and was glad he was trained not to drop his weapons. As he still had a hold of his lance. He rounded the north side of the bend, and nearly forgot to raise his visor, but remembered in time before he got to it. This time Knight Paladin Yan’ger was getting a new lance and made it to his start point a few seconds after Azzie. Azzie gave a second and then lowered his visor and spurred his mount on.

The two collide yet again in a shower of timber and cracks like lighting. Both Knights tired from the excursion of jousting, they just hit each other full on. But neither knight was dismounted. As they made there way to the bend, Azzie dropped the shattered lance and went to remove his shield. Pain shot through his left arm, he gritted his teeth and fought it. A young squire approached him with a giant hammer which Azzie snatch up and made his way to the start line again, reminding himself again to raise his visor.

There was only a second to catch their breath before Knight Paladin Yan’ger snapped his visor down and charged. Azzie was small for a Paladin, only five foot nine and a hundred and fifty pound. Knight Paladin Yan’ger was six two and had a hundred pound on Azzie. As they approached, Azzie realized his shield arm hurt like it was broken. Pain racked him with every step his mount took. He had to take Yan’ger out quickly. As they approached Azzie swung his War hammer around in his right hand, it was not a typical dismounting move nor did it look to have any combat significance at all. Yan’ger with shield and sword charged forward confused but focused on dismounting the smaller paladin. Swinging the hammer in a counter clock wise motion on the right side of his mount the two combatants approached.

“What is he doing?” asked DaWife form the stands. “I am not sure?” Answered PapaToad in his floppy hat trying to figure what Azzie was doing. “He’s leaving himself wide open” commented Bannard. “Think his left arm is broke” answered Itchus.

Azzie knew this was it, he had one chance, and that was all he was going to get. Knight Paladin Yan’ger realizing his opponents arm was hurt, steeled himself to put an end to this. As the two came in upon each other Azzie did not slow, Bewildered Yan’ger was caught off guard, but quickly raised his sword to strike Azzie crossways along his chest, the sword was not sharpened it was a blunt steel sword. He needn’t worry about cutting his fellow knight paladin. But even a glancing blow should dismount him.

Only Azzie had other plans. With the momentum he had from the unusal way he was swinging his Hammer, as Yan’ger pulled back to swing, Azzie leaped from his horse, toward Yan’ger. He did not have enough strength to leap completely on to the Blue knight’s horse. He had enough momentum to block the sword blow with his hammer and it hit hard enough to knock the sword out of Yan’ger’s grasp and make a few fingers incapacitated and by the time the shield came up, Azzie was on him.

It was not so much the strength of the knight that brought Yan’ger out of his saddle, but Azzie’s left arm found purchase around Yan’ger’s helm. With a scream of pain, Azzie threw himself to his right bringing the bigger knight with him, lending to his strength the pain that told him his arm might come off.. Both Knights crashed to the ground, Azzie quickly rolled to his right and was on his feet. Yan’ger was coming up a moment later only to be greeted with a blow to his shield shoulder that jarred him to his left. Azzie did not stop. He knew if he paused he was finished. He swung his left fist around and planted it squarely against Yan’ger helm. Bells exploded in Yan’ger’s head. The Knight Paladin staggered as Azzie felt something snap in his arm and screamed in pain, which severed to disorientate Knight Paladin Yan’ger some more. Still though searing pain Azzie fought on. Blow upon blow rained down on Yan’ger, he’s shield flew off after another blow, another blow landed square on his right thigh, and it buckled him. Azzie kneed him the face talking down the big man, and then knelt over his chest and planted the handle of his hammer against the chain mail protecting Knight Paladin Yan’ger’s throat. “Yield!’ Azzie commanded in a gasp. Yan’ger put his hands up. “I yield!” He coughed up, disoriented he did not understand how the smaller paladin beat him so quickly. Azzie fell to his backside and cradled his arm.

The crowd was out of its seat, never had they seen a knight jump off his horse and never had they seen a knight swing a hammer with such ferocity and savagery, one handed even. The Magister ran over and to them, he not sure what really sure what had aspired between the two knights who were both on the ground. All Knight Paladin Yan’ger could do is shake his head and the magister’s voice boomed over the crowd. AZZIE OF GUILD HOUSE REDEEMED WINS!” The crowd went into pandemonium. Everyone was shouting and cheering. Azzie final stood and the magister took Azzie’s right arm and raised it.
 
Spring Festivities III

Itchus wondered how he got suck here. This was the bane of banal activity, true it had to been done, but he wasn’t likening it, not one bit. The spring festival was raging and he only had gotten out once in that last week. Today of all days, Knight Paladin Azzie was competing for the Silver Sword. Itchus had a member for the house staff clean out a side place in the entrance for the Silver Sword. He knew it was a little soon, but something in this spirit told him another Redeemed member would win and he was sure it was Azzie.

You never realized how many Redeemed there were until you had to house all of them in only one location. This was no job for a priest, one of the military types needed to lead this. Cammandus or one of the other hack and slash types who had been in large scale battle, lead, housed, fed and marched troops. He had seen his share of conflict and battles and during certain conflicts he was an officer with the rights and administrative duties of such, but still the logistics and support to house, feed, plan services and activities of this three week long celebration.

Of course it didn’t help having Klangdon as his chosen assistant, thou he liked Klangdon to no end, it ruffled his feathers how Klangdon had papers, authorizations, and other important paper work strewn all over his make shift office. It was chaos, magic papers, reference books, accounts, new member papers and other things in a sea of scrolls and cases scattered in an ocean of organized chaos..

What bothered Itchus the most was Klangdon’s ease of finding things, there seemed to be no pattern or concept to the mess, but Itchus would ask for some thing and Klangdon would rifle though a stack of chaos and find the exact thing Itchus needed? At the present time Klangdon was gone to some mages conference on the new incantations of in relative time and space dimensional travel and other silly mage stuff and Itchus had a City official in his office demanding to see his papers authorizing the tents and housing of the two hundred fifty plus Redeemed members that were spilling into the park of Stormwind where the “school’ was housed.

Itchus knocked over a stack of paper in absolute frustration. How could he find anything in this blasted mess, he prayed in his spirit for the fruit of the Spirit, he knew he should be not getting this mad over a paper. He was about to scream when right at the spot where he had knock the stack of papers over was the city temporary housing permit. He muttered and quick prayer and a curse on Klangdon and when to the front Hall.

“Here you are magistrate” Itchus said.
The magistrate a mousy man of older years, held the paper at arms length, and seemed to be reading it word for word. Itchus did not have time for this, the noon meal was being prepared and he had a ton of stuff to do.
“Well, Sir” the magistrate said in a nasally voice. “Everything seems to be in order”
As he handed the paper back to Itchus, the priest reached for it and something prompted him to ask. ”Magistrate “forgive an old Priest, but you do seem troubled?”
Itchus didn’t know why he was prompted to asked, but he did recognize that he was being lead by the Spirit. The magistrate looked him over nervously and exhaled nasally. “Well Father” The little human said. Itchus nodded, he had heard many a confession in his life. He sensed this man need to unburden himself. Itchus looked at the servant who answered the door.
“Marcus excuse us, please check on the meal preparations.” Itchus directed to him. Marcus an old man who had once been a Warrior in Redeemed long retired now , came to attention smartly and moved off to carried out Itchus orders.

Most of the servant staff of Redeemed house and residence were the retired members. “Please magistrate this was, can I call some tea or wine perhaps”
Itchus the priest was coming out, He switched modes from Guild administrator to a simple Priest hearing a confession.
“No father, I am fine, but the matter is a delicate one.” The magistrate commented.
Itchus nodded his he in understanding and waited for the man to continue. He lead the man to a side room, this was a comfortable room that had two small davenports and two chairs, there was a picture of wonderful countryside and a small child prying, the sky was dark and clouding except for where the small child prying was surround in light that broke through the clouds. Icthus gestured for the man to sit down which the magistrate did.

“What is troubling you magistrate?” Itchus prompted the man.
The magistrate sighed “I do not know why I am telling you this?” He said as he gazed at the picture. Itchus said nothing but waited for the man to continue.
“When I was a young lad, My Pappy, uh, my father’s grandfather lived a long time, he died when I was about twelve summers.” The man paused. Itchus smiled sadly. The remembrance of loved ones were precious things.
“Anyway he served as a Stormwind Paladin, and he would tell me stories of heroic deeds and exotic places.” The magistrate smiled. “I loved him dearly, and though he filled my head with hours of adventure and glory, I remember the night he died.” The magistrates’ eyes glisten in sad memory of that night.
Itchus felt the prompting of the Spirit. “Continue please”
“When he died, he told me something that chilled me to the bone. As you know Tis only three hundred years ago that the final Great War was finished and the free people of the Alliance made the solid foot hold in the lands we know hold.”

Itchus nodded this was common knowledge and many humans forget easily the price paid for the freedom they now enjoyed. Sure there where your border skirmishes or the land wars with the horde for control of this territory or that, but the final great war, the war where the undead tried to finish what the blood elves started with the sundering and the calling in of demons, was the stuff of legends. That was over thousands of years ago, no one was alive who was present there, some of the oldest members of Redeemed, like Miriallia, one of the old druids was not quite five hundred years old.

But about three hundred years ago the undead made a push that equaled the demons push, luckily something happened there to divide the undead hence leading to the Alliances victory. Papatoad had been there at the crippling blow to them, so had the Guild master Fjorboug. So had Many other Redeemed had for during that time as well. For the Night and blood elves lived the Longest near seven hundred years, the were the dwarves and, they lived a little over four hundred, gnomes were the only race that lived long and seemed flighty as a squirrel on Dwarven beer. They usually lived about one hundred and seventy years.

Compared to the Horde; who Blood elves lived the longest, then trolls at about two hundred, orc and taurens like humans were luckily to make it to one hundred and it was unheard of to see much older than that, and of course the blasted undead, who unless were killed and put to the sword and the fire, no one knew how long they went on, in their unnatural state.

The magistrate continued. “he told me and my brother, He had been fighting in the blasted lands, and against the orc and trolls of the 9th legion. When out of nowhere an army of demons spat from the very pit of hell appeared. They attacked alliance and horde alike. Both armies turned their attention to the demons and finally defeated them. Out of handful of legions of warriors, a few hundred survived.”

Itchus listen to the man tell his tale, but could not understand why this would bother him now, demons have not been heard of in force for over a millennium. And as much as this story was very real to the magistrate, Itchus never herd of any demons besides the undead who were not technically demons.

The man continued. “Father, I do not know why I draw the line between the too, but this morning at 3 bells, a platoon of tauren regulars appeared in the palace and caused such destruction before the place guards finally brought them down.”
Itchus eyed the man suspiciously. “I am serious father” the man continued as he saw the disbelief in Itchus’ eyes. “All were sworn to secrecy to anyone except a priest in confession.”
That explained it, The Stormwind palace was renowned for its belief in the God and the Paladins that lead from here. It would be considered sacrilege to deny confession and the King was a paladin himself.

Itchus could not help himself. “Are we safe?” the man nodded, “quite safe from what the King’s councilors say. But as a precaution the order has been given to check all documentation and travelers at random and for the guard to be doubled and forces pulled in.” Itchus nodded it was a sound decision with Spring festivities happening any force would be hard pressed to invade, but on the same note I, if you could port in a platoon, you could port in and army. And the palace was said to have safe guards against such a thing happening. It seemed that for the tenth time today Itchus found himself wishing for the simple life of preaching and running small church somewhere.
 
A needle in a Haystack

Inexorable walked out of the inn, no one stopped him, or even bothered to look twice at him. Such was the arcane magic that cloaked him. Steven he thought. What would they say, your new friends? IF they knew you like I did. How would they react if the found out the truth. What you did in the name of country, honor, and Klan. No, you were the great Tormentor. Old friend, where are you and why do you insist on saving them? Inexorable chuckled at that thought. Saved. Isn’t that what you wanted to be forgiven of all your sins? A raspy chuckle escaped and was lost in the night. Some sins can not be forgiven. Inexorable looked up, in a world of gods and deities, and the view of some of one god that did it all. “Show me: Inexorable said to no one, to him. The night was silent except for that of the city.

Inexorable slipped a bony hand into his cloak where he felt the smooth white stone that would take him home. In his mind he thought of Orgrimmar the capital horde city. He felt the dimension’s of space fold in on itself as it pulled him to his location. He opened his eyes and found himself in the trading district of Orgrimmar.

A small dark skinned orc, almost resembling a goblin made his way to him. “All went well?” Asked the slender orc.
“Of course.” Inexorable answered. “With the exception of Steven always finding his way into our plans, all will be fine. “The slender orc shrugged. “He is brotherhood.” As way of an answer. “True.” Inexorable agreed “He knew that if trouble found anyone it was them. But he hoped that his old friend understood this was not about good and evil, them vs. us, or even brother against brother, this was their world against the world of demons and death, and this world had its death and Inexorable would be the only monster to fear in his world. His drawn tight near skinless smile poked thru the cloak. The slender orc noticed it. “shall I ready the them?’ he asked. “Not yet.” Inexorable answered. “Not yet, let Steven find them first, then well we’ll send them. “

It was getting on into evening when Klangdon left the Redeemed guild house there had been a big celebration for the knights and though there were a few council members there who popped in to keep the mood cheerful, the rumors had begun. Taurens in the capital. The council had met and made agreements, Papatoad was suppose to be assigned to go with Klangdon to find his friend who might know more about the weird happening, but he was no where to be found and DaWife was in a bad mood and said matter of factly that he had left to help a friend and would be gone at least a few weeks. Klangdon knew PapaToad would not have left if it was not important.

But still; the sound of War was in the air. This was not the time to leave unannounced. Redeemed had met with several other guild houses and the Kings councilors; war was indeed on the mind of all. Envoys where going to Darnassus, the Hinterlands, Ironforge and the far reaches of the world. To top it off the goblins were tight as a drum; they were enforcing their neutral status with deadly brutality. Something had spooked them.

Klangdon knew if he could find his old friend Mezzmer Eyespyer, he could shed some light on the Portal problem, but with no one having seen him in weeks things were beginning to add up and none of the conclusions Klangdon was drawing gave him comfort.

Klangdon made his past a vendor displaying a water based cooling umbrella that rained water down upon its user via a kodo bladder that was ridged to the user’s back. Klangdon looked at the unusual device when he heard his name called. “Klangdon?” The voice cried. It was female and from the high pitch it was gnomish. Klangdon looked around the area when he saw her, His heart leaped for joy. MIzzi Eyespyer, the person he was looking for. This was his daughter.

“Mizzi” Klangdon said as he scooped up the little gnome in his arms and let out a heartily little chuckle. “Where is your father? I must speak to him at once.” He said
Mizzi stiffened as Klangdon mentioned her Father. Klangdon held her at arms length and saw she was barely holding her tears in. Klangdon’s heart broke as much as from seeing this tender girl failing apart in front of him as he knew that his only lead was about to come to a dead end.

“What is it Girl?” he asked with rushed tenderness and felt bad about that too.
“He’s been gone for over two weeks?” she cried and buried her head in Klangdon’s chest. Thru the next few minutes, Klangdon held the girl through stares and observers who tried not to pry, but the sight of a female gnome crying was one of the saddest things ever to witness.

She explained that he had been planning to come to the spring festival with a new machine that would prove something about Time. Mizzi a pad foot herself; was never big on magic or the building of things. But there was a goblin that had come to visit one day and the next her father was gone. He had left a note that he was in ratchet and would be back for spring festivals, but she had send a letter to Ratchet with and it had yet to be answered. She was hoping to find him here.
“Oh Mizzi.” Klangdon said “will find your Poppa, I promise.”
Mizzi who had been bailing hysterical a moment ago, popped her head up and said”really, Promise?”

Klangdon who seemed unfazed by this sudden change, being a gnome himself was quite used to the emotional highs and lows of gnomes who wore there feelings on their sleeves.
“I promise I will find your father” he said assuredly, “He was my friend and teacher.”
“OH, thank you Klangdon” She kissed him on the cheek and Klangdon blushed embarrassed. He thought to himself, was there anything better, short of God, than a little girl’s kiss. Nothing he could think of at the moment.

His breath was haggard, coming in gasps, he knew he needed to think of something quick or he was a dead man. Strong legs pumped as he ate up the distance, he could smell the ocean. He knew if he reached the water the beasts would not follow. His armor was in tatters. Which was unusual for mail. It had been shredded, beaten, broken and abused. He kept running for all he was worth. “Oh Father God, if you get me though this one…” He thought, as the silver mane howled on his left. Instinct made Lightwrath hit the ground. A sharp pain shot though is lower back as razor sharp talons render the flesh of his lower back.

“NOT TODAY” screamed the fifteen year old year old paladin. He was on his feet. As the werewolf ran right at him, “BACK TO HELL BEAST!” Lightwrath screamed as he drove his broken sword into the belly of the wolf man. He yanked it up as a maw full of two inch teeth snapped at his face. He yanked the sword up hard and the werewolf went limp. A kodo slammed into his back. A least that is what Lightwrath though as he hit the ground. The snarling in his ear told him there was werewolf on him. He twisted to his back ,claws hit him across his chest and face. Skin opened under that attacked, Lightwrath was sure his face was mangled. In a zeal of righteousness. H screamed again while getting to his feet and bear hugging the werewolf. “THE LORD IS A WARRIOR!” He screamed as a battle cry. The werewolf’s frenzied attack continued. It did not know what was happening, but it knew somehow the tide of battle had turned. This human was no longer smelt of fear.

Snaking his left hand around the snapping maw of the werewolf, Lightwrath kept his powerful grip around its waist. The hind paws of the beast cutting through the armor of his tights as he squeezed with his right arm and pushed with is left. Light wrath screamed with excursion. The sickening snap of bones and broken spine ripped thru the air. Lightwrath sank to one knee. “Dear Father, forgive me” he said in between gasps. He was losing a lot of blood. He looked at the twisted form of the werewolf, its head now touching its hind paws. “May God have mercy on your soul” he said to the fallen beast.

He saw someone was approaching, a figure in robes. Black robes. “Witch” he thought. He though of standing but lacked the energy. Better to let her get close. “Lightwrath” came the almost inaudible, yet familiar whisper. Though she was more than thirty feet away it was clear in his ear.
“Honie?” He asked. Calling his sister by her name. It was Honie; a priestess of the One God, His god, The Lord.
“How?” he asked in surprise. He was feeling his life leave him, pouring out with his blood, the pain of the more than a dozen cuts and slashes adding to his agony. “Shhhhhhh” her voice came, so soothing to Lightwrath. “Dad sent me.” She moved closer until she was cradling him in his head in her lap, he was laying down, clinging to her.
“I’m hurt bad, Honie” he said
“I know little brother” she said as she brushed his blood matted hair out of his eyes. “But you must be quiet we are not safe yet” she said, he nodded his understanding. “The Lord will provide” is all Lightwrath could get out.
“Of course” Honie said as she muttered a prayer and called upon the Spirit to heal her brother. “Oh Father God, please protect us, you have made blind eyes see, now I Humbly pray to you that you make seeing eyes blind and cloak us from the evil that hunts us” She looked down at Lightwrath. “Amen” he mouthed as the wounds closed on his face and chest. Honie Thanked God as tears of fear and joy rolled down her cheeks. It was a hard thing to find ones sibling covered in cuts not normal person should be able to survive. But She trusted the Lord and trusted He would not have lead her here to watch her brother die.

They came howling and snapping, over twenty werewolves. Sniffing the air and ground, calling to one another. Honie felt the fear build up in her; she wanted to run and almost did, when the Spirit came upon her. At the same time Lightwrath’s grip held her fast. She heard in her spirit

“Would I allow my servant to be rescued and healed only to allow him to die?”

“No Lord” she answered in her heart.
“Trust” was the word that was left with her as she looked at Lightwrath completely healed and sleeping in her arms. As she held her brothers head, she noticed the werewolves were circling them, but they did not see them. In fact they seemed confused. Some moved in but never closer than a ten foot circle around Lightwrath and Honie. After what seemed an eternity the alpha male called to the others and the pack went off like shots through the woods.

Honie breathed a sigh of relief. She moved wake Lightwrath and saw he was awake staring at her. “Father sent you!” It wasn’t a question
“Yes, Dad sent me and said to slap you for going alone!” She knew he was ok and now she was very upset, it’s not every day you find your little brother sliced up like a hog on a butchers hook.
“Thank you” he said as he shot to his feet and grabbed her in a hug.
“L_L_L Lightwrath, you’re H-u-r-t-in-g me!” she eked out! Which was the truth.
“Sorry” He said “come on we got to go. I have news for the council.”
“What News?” Honie demanded as she followed her little brother who wove though the black forest. “Gnomes!” he said as he wove his way like a hunter or elf.
“Gnomes are News?” Honie asked not understanding
“Yes” Light wrath retorted “especially when they are being kept prisoners by werewolves”
Honie had to admit that was news.
 
PapaToad said:
Chapter II Final

Papatoad was not having a good evening. Everything hurt in his massive seven foot frame. The General and He had hit the water hard, crawled to the bank, only to be welcomed by tauren regulars. And He thought he had handled diplomacy pretty well , until the lead tauren hit him the second time and he figured he’d die like a trooper. That’s when the world exploded and chaos in sued.

Papatoad thought maybe Klangdon had come with help and was quite surprised when he saw his wife Fighting side by side with a demon that dwarfed even him, Now he saw Avesther weaving in and out of melee, casting spells left and right, and bolt after bolt of magic being shot from the darkness from the east. The high pitch sequel of laughter identified the caster. Lady Goblit. Trying to pick himself up, and shaking sense to his head. “Get up brother!” a voice cut to him. “Death waits on no one!” A Short elf by elf standards, about six feet tall. She had plain brown clothes and in her fists were two large Double-bladed poniards. The tauren regulars rushed her thinking she would fall easy, to their amazement and frustration the young and agile elf wove in and out her knives slicing, dicing and stabbing with such incredible speed and grace, that Papa became entranced for a moment.

Until he was kicked in the ribs by a massive tauren hoof. “YOU!” bellowed a tauren. “10 gold for your head!” the tauren snorted and rushed PapaToad. “Oh you’re gonna die!’ commented the green elf as he twisted to his hands and knees six feet from where he was. The pain of his ribs kicked by the tauren’s hoof sped him into action. The tauren raised his sword above his, as he closed on Papa, who shot his left hand up and trapped his opponent’s arms with his forearm before he could split his skull with the sword. With his right he punched the tauren square in the groin. The tauren bellowed loud as Papatoad raised to one knee and then shot his other knee into the same spot for good measure. The tauren drop. PapaToad paused, the tauren shouldn’t of dropped like that. Then he saw why. ‘Just Kill them!” it was the short elf Sarsaparilla. “Stop wasting time.” She shot back to him.

Papatoad turned to see where the General was and he saw the flash and felt himself get thrown back. Gunshot, he knew it. No pain, finally over. He was strangely ok with this. As in a dream like state he felt himself hit the ground hard and as the darkness claimed him, he though what a beautiful night sky. No so bad, he thought.

Dawife saw him go down, “NO!” she screamed and the 3 taurens facing her actually were startled by the force of the shout out of the tiny human female. Her shield slammed into a tauren’s waist. The taurens were amazed by how much force this little creature had as he was thrown back off his feet. Another one swung his rifle like a club, which Dawife blocked and stabbed her sword through his guard, using all her force she spun and twisted. The tauren made an awful sound and fell. She spun to get to her Husband, as a sword fell at her, she raised her shield in time but the jolt of steel on steel rang through her arm and landed her on her back. The tauren rushed his advantage. On instinct, Dawife raised her shield. The Tauren advanced to smash her again. Dawife raised the shield and brought down the pointed bottom of it on the tauren’s ankle above the hoof. The tauren snorted in pain raised his sword to finish this human pest, when he went weak. He saw as he looked down the little human female, her steel was in his stomach. He couldn’t even make a sound as she wrenched in out. She turned to her husband as the tauren went limp to the ground.

Dawife was on her feet, spurred by the still body of her husband, the battle was dying down, and they had the advantage and were winning. She approached PapaToad, and took off her helmet. She felt the other women approach behind her. Dawife began to pray, she rocked back and forth, chanting a prayer and promises the Lord of Light had given her in her heart. PapaToad was one of them, she focused on times of worship when she saw Papa and her retired in the country, on the boat he wanted, old and Wrinkled and in love still. A light visible started to focus around her hands. Avesther who was by her, place DaWife’s hands on PapaToad’s chest and started to pray with her as did the others. Breathe rose in Papatoad. Avesther’s eyes looked into DaWife’s; both had tears of joy in them. Both were anchored in the fact that their fight and their cause were just. They served the Living God of Light. His power and gifts flowed thru them. His spirit was in them and here within the spirit they were safe, loved, comforted and at peace.

Headmistress Goblit was the first to speak. She to felt the spirit as well, but the miracle would do no one any good if they all died gawking at it. “Ok ladies time to go.” Very calmly and caringly. Sarsaparilla accompanied the General. Avesther chanted a prayer of healing and the spirit light shimmered over Papatoad. “Thank you” PapaToad said as he smiled at Dawife. Wow he though, even tired looking and covered in blood, she was quite looker. The look in his eyes probably gave him away, because Dawife rolled her eyes and headed off into the direction of Goblit.

As they made there way back, Papatoad brought up the rear, with the General in front of him, Dawife, Avesther, and Goblit in the lead. Sass was somewhere, either laying traps or making sure they weren’t followed. Dawife had a lot she wanted to say to PapaToad, and she was glad he was back with her. But the trek through horde territory was a serious one and there were ways you did things and ways you didn’t. Goblit had arranged a boat and safe passage out of Ratchet. They moved with determination as they made their way to the small cove south of the small town. The ocean was heard and smelt before the saw it.

“Did they get on the boat?” Blooddoll Asked the Tauren Lieutenant. “Yes, they arrived with out anymore trouble.” Blooddoll looked across the room to where the cloaked figured sat in the corner. Fully robed except for the half flesh ridden fingers where the tips protruded with bone that kept taping in rhythmic precision every couple of seconds. “Very good Lieutenant” The raspy voice emulated from the small dark figure.

Blooddoll looked at the figure. It ticked her off to no end to have this thing come here and dictate to her what happens in her town. ”How did you know they would survive the tauren contingent?” The cloaked figure cocked his head. She felt him smile. “That is what he was trained to do; he has some sort of luck about him.” The tauren Lieutenant cut in. “He has disgraced me and my cousin lead that contingent!” his nostrils flare. The figure stood up. The clicking of his bone finger was immediate noticeably absent. “Feel free to pursue the elf.” The dark figure moved to the door.” He is quite resilient, I must warn you Lieutenant.” The tauren smiled wickedly. “I have yet to met an elf I could not kill!” The lieutenant boasted confidently. The figure paused and turned toward the tauren hunter. “That’s not true, you have meet Papatoad, and yet he lives.” The tauren was sure the Dark undead figure was smiling under that hooded cloak. “Next time…” The raspy voice cut him short. “Next time, my dear tauren” The undead spat. “If you continue this folly, Papatoad will kill you!’ The tauren stood erected, tall and proud. “We shall see” The undead cloaked figure shrugged. “yes, you shall.” With that the shrouded figure left.

Blooddoll waited a second or two. “Blasted Warlock.” She spat. “Why do you canter to him” asked the tauren. Blooddoll sighed. “He pays well my damages and besides, my dear lieutenant. No one wants to fight Inexorable.”

“What kind of name is that?” questioned the tauren in disgust. “Inexorable?” Blooddoll raised her eyebrows. “It means can not be stopped.” she looked at the Door. “Can not be stopped, not even by prayer!”
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I'm gonna cry i dont care when this one was posted my names misspelled /cry:(
 
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