Into the Abyss

When I came to, I was alone in the bed, the sheets behind me were cool, which meant I had been alone in the bed for some time now. With a low sigh I sat up, realizing he had probably left by now to go back to whatever he did, however I refused to be put out by it. Grabbing my shirt, I threw it on as well as my pants, heading down the spiral ramp to the base level, only to see him there filling a bath. Hiding a smile, I walked up and leaned against the pillar.

"Finally realizing you need a bath?" I said teasingly, watching his lips turn up ever so slightly in the smallest of smirks.

"I was making this one for you" he said with a low chuckle, and with a start I realized his hair was already drying and clean, as was the rest of him. Biting back a sarcastic come back, I stripped out of my clothing and sank into the hot water with a grateful sigh, missing the appreciative once over he gave my nude form. Some things are best left unknown in the beginning. However as I scrubbed the grime, dust and oils off of my hair and body, I would sneak glances at him, watching him beneath my lashes. He sat upon a chair, his hair put back up into a long ponytail, though I preferred it down, the way it swayed when he thrust into me....turning away from such distracting thoughts I continued to look at him, the white shirt was modest and loose fitting around his arms but tight along his chest, as were his trousers, and his knee high boots were dull but well oiled. Most likely rogues did not like their armor to shine like a paladins, bloody horrendous class, and though his was leather, it was oiled to be silent, and not shiny. His hands were working over his chestpiece, oiling and cleaning the leather meticulously, his hands holding an oily rag. Once I finished I sat in the water for a moment, standing and grabbing a towel to dry.

I dressed as quickly as I could in a spare set of old mageweave clothing, the vest and pant combo working for now on top of a black shirt, my armor needing repairs and to be washed. I came back downstairs with my arms full of armor and my sewing kit, to him dumping out the water in the tub and setting the metal tub off to the side. His green eyes watched as I took a seat next to him, and began my own repairs, the purple robe would have stood out anywhere, but then again, I never tried to hide.

"Why were you banished?" I asked lowly, not wanting to admit I -had- asked my father about him, if only in passing, however the only thing I had gotten out of him was that "The sticky handed boy was banished" and naught a word more. Now as we sat in comfortable companionship I felt the urge to get to know the man more, as if the enigma of the man I had just given myself to was a puzzle to be put together.

"I pick-pocketed from Huron, and I had the choice of loosing my hands or being banished, you can see which one I chose as I have both hands still" he said simply, sitting down next to me and continuing as if nothing had ever been brought up. The sound of Huron's name though I bit my lip and let out a groan, I had completely forgot about the pompous ass and unfortunately with last nights events and the sound of his name today I remembered what my father had done to me. With a sigh I looked down at my work and continued on, hoping that Malamok didn't ask any questions. However he, like me, was trying to figure me out. as well as I him. For some unknown reason I had become attracted to a man I barely knew, but the best thing was he supported my endeavors to do what I wanted and needed to do, and that alone had sparked something.

"What you don't like him either? I find him to be too....too....blond" he said, as if grasping for a better word. However aside from the snicker that erupted from my throat, I looked at Malamok with unsteady eyes.


That look, I knew that look on women, the look of they are hiding something and are scared to say it, I've gotten out of a majority of the female gender for most of my life, however this look on her would mean something completely different. As I opened my mouth to ask, the door to my home was kicked open and four Silvermoon guards stormed in, grabbing her and baring swords at me.

"My Lady, your father has been worried sick, it is a good deed that we tracked you down now, otherwise you would have been left in the hands of this traitor, come now, the court is waiting" said the eldest of the guards, and I watched, helpless, as she struggled against the hands of the one behind her. Her cries could be heard throughout the house as the eldest picked up her belongings, and gave me a smirk. "I know of you, Malamok, you would have used this woman and left her like one of your toys, tis a good thing I found her before she made a mistake" he said loud enough for her to hear, her struggles stopping isntantly. I ground my teeth in anger, the only woman I had ever taken was one from a brothel, though the look in Seleines eyes spoke volumes of the damage that had been done. A single tear leaked down her cheek as she was led away, and out of sight, and with a roar of frustration I grabbed my gear, my clothes and my money, and prepared to go after her.

"Where you t'ink you be goin mon?" came the voice of my closest friend, the tall troll leaning against the doorway of my home. "She be gone to silvermoon by now, you bes' be forgettin about her" he added, looking at his nails.

"I have to have her, she is mine! I refuse to forget about her" came my voice, starting at a yell then softening to naught but a whisper, my hands braced against the table. I had finally had her, claimed her, made her mine, and it was ruined by some upstart Blood Elf following orders and making my life hell. Now she didn't trust me and worse, she was back in a city where I'm sure security would be heightened. Hanging my head I looked at the desk, realizing they had left her hearthstone behind, as if a measure to make sure she didn't escape again. With a choked laugh I shook my head, she could teleport out of there in an instant, and by the gods she would. As if sensing my thought process, the callused hand of Ali'jin was rested on my shoulder, his voice soft but firm.

"She be engaged to Huron mon, promised at birth. T'ey will most likely bind 'er to the palace, so she cannot escape" he said softly, his breath deep. He seemed to be waiting for the explosion that would normally have followed such a statement, however all I could do was remember her look when I had mentioned his name, thinking that perhaps she were like me and didn't even like the guy, something deep inside me really made me want her, and I suppose I will never know to this day what it was, however it bound me to her in an unbreakable bond.

"I don't care, I have to go after her" I said with steely resolve, turning to look at his blue features. My hand was resting on my hip, the blade at my side, my armor fully on, the only thing missing being my helm.

"Dat is what I wanted to hear mon, I got a plan to get you in" he said, his tusks forming around a very large cat like grin. I resisted the urge to deck the troll, however I knew that his plans were good, and usually involved me getting out unscathed unlike my usual attempts, though I suppose that came with the territory of being a priest. With a relieved smile, I relaxed and nodded, letting him tell me about his grand master plan.


It had been two days, and the tears were still hot on my face, my chin resting against my knees as I sat on my balcony for what must have been the hundredth time since I had been drug back, literally, into the palace of Silvermoon. My father had been locked out my room as I recalled the words of the guard who had brought me back here, about him, Malamok. I had given myself to him, every bit of myself that was supposed to be saved for my arranged marriage, and I find out he was only using me. Drying the tears on my face, I put on my robe, now clean and repaired, as if it were brand new, and straightened it out, throwing on my cloak and brushing my hair, the red almost vibrant against the silver walls of the palace. How I had come to hate this place, this place of pretend wonderfullness, when I had been out in the real world, the backbone it took to be a part of the toughest environment, I knew what it took to really be called a Master. With a deep breath, I pulled up my hood, I had to try another location, ever since I had been drug back to the palace I had been unable to teleport and my hearthstone had been thrown away, I was sure the entire place had a ward to keep me from leaving, but I still had to try. Stalking silently down the halls, I dashed from shadow to shadow, hoping to not be seen.

"No my lord, I do not think she will go looking for him again, I made sure of that." came the voice of that ever to familiar guard, my teeth grinding, my body pressed flat against the wall behind a suit of armor, my ears perked to the sounds of voices.

"Good, I want no interruptions or...feelings...getting in the way of the marraige of which she was assigned at birth, she cannot see that rogue again, it is dangerous" came the voice of my own father, my flesh and blood, the man who had loved me since birth. Placing a fist into my mouth, I resisted the urge to vomit as my father went on about the dates for the marraige, and the proper preparations for the wedding, including guest lists and the betrothal night. Shit, I had three days to figure out how to leave before I was bound to that...that pig for ever. That man had had every concubine in the palace at least twice, and he had no intention of stopping his ways once he and I were bonded, and that was not a lifestyle I wanted to live. A few minutes later the guard walked out, as did my father, heading towards my room, his back disappearing down a hallway in just an instant. Pulling up my cloth hood higher, I continued on, trying to get to the front of the palace, my feet carrying me in a swift run to the magistar's room, the mages there practicing polymorphing, yet not portals. As I gave the briefest of nods, I nearly skipped with joy when I realized how close I was to exiting to freedom, however the staggering thought of twenty guards standing on the bridge to the city deterred me from taking another step. Bracing my resolve, I prepared to put a step forward, when an invisible hand clasped over my mouth, another arm wrapping around my waist. I was drug back into the darkest corner of the room, my eyes wide as I struggled to get out of my captors grip, my hands wildly flailing.

"Be still if you don't want to attract attention" came the all too familiar gruff voice of...of HIM, however I still found myself holding still as he turned me around, his black hood pulled up, only the red bits of glowing jewels signifying his eyes. "I'm so glad you are safe" he whispered, wrapping his arms around me in what would be a sweet embrace, only to be met with my own hands pushing away.

"You..you used me! Give me a good reason that I should trust you on any number of levels!" I hissed at him, watching as the hood was pulled away to reveal his worn features.

"Because I wouldn't have risked my very life to come and get you if I did not feel strongly for you, my little vixen" he whispered back at me, his hand coming up to caress my cheek. "The guard lied, I don't use women, I don't have that kind of patience" he said simply, his forehead leaning forward and resting against mine.

"How did you get in the city? There are guards at every corner now" I asked feverishly, perhaps if he had found some way to get in, there was a secret way to get out.

"I had a warlock friend on the inside summon me, unfortunately it only works one way for now, so we have to find a different route out" he whispered back, his voice, as much as it angered me, sounding like sweet melodious victory. As I opened my mouth to reply, my father's voice rang out over the room, sending chills down my spine.

"Seleine darling? Where are you, I sure hope you aren't practicing again, you know that once you are wed you are forbidden to do any magic for fear of endangering your children!" he said almost too sweetly, and for an instant I was torn between running out and turning around and facing him, thankfully I had enough guts to choose the latter. Turning around I stood in front of Malamok, my hands spread as if to defend the man behind me, though even if we both attacked my father we would both loose unfortunately. "Seleine, what are you hi...you" he hissed, and my heart dropped, for malamok must have stood up to reveal his presence.

"Yes me, I am taking your daughter and freeing her, we are leaving together" he hissed out, his hand coming forward to grasp mine tightly, his body coming forward to stand beside mine, and for a short while I was at peace knowing that he was standing at my side and not like a coward behind me.

"Seleine is not going anywhere, and neither are you." came his tart reply, his eyes looking into mine, giving me the look that in my youth would have caused me to wilt under his glare, however now I only stood up straighter, glaring at him with defiance that came with age. "If she were, she would be banished from her own home city" he said, his eyes never leaving me as he said this, my ears wilting just a bit. Never to return to Silvermoon? The place of my birth the place of my people, the place that I have called home. Steeling my resolve I merely looked at Malamok, his leather clad hand tightly encasing my own, and sighed slowly.

"This place is not my home" I said quietly, tightening my grip on him and focusing every ounce of strength I had, blinking us both forward twenty yards and behind my father. Breaking out into a woozy run, I ran like crazy towards the throne room, behind it was the teleporter to Undercity, and that one always worked, no matter what I did. When I stumbled for the second time, I felt the strong arms of Malamok scoop me up, going into a full on sprint towards my destination, as if we were already bonded and he knew my thoughts. However when the red orb of teleportation came into view I nearly shouted for joy, however the shout was cut short when two guards stood barring our way, my father slowly catching up behind us.

"Stay here" came his soft voice as he set me down, his hood being pulled up as he pulled out two axes, his back tense as he waited for the first attack. I could already feel the tears welling in my throat as I gazed at the guards, knowing he wasn't powerful enough to take them on. I could only sit in awe at the show before me that was just starting, the first guard lunging towards the slippery rogue with a sure step, his eyes focused on his target. I expected that spear to thrust fully into my beloved, however it was caught by said man and pulled, the guard landing on the hardened tip of the battle axe, the spear like shaft pulsing through his throat. Watching Malamok fight was like watching a viper strike at an opportune moment, his blade only flashing when he had a kill. I watched as the second guard threw down his spear and drew his sword, his shield being hefted a bit higher on his right hand as Malamok stood up straight, saluted and vanished before his very eyes, only to reappear behind him and stab him through the neck, his other blade being coated with blood. Grabbing both axes and my hand, he pulled me up and hefted me over one shoulder, trotting up the spiral path to the orb, sheathing the axes to lay his palm on it, the red glow growing brighter in the tiny room. I could feel the pulse of magic around us, the pull of teleportation as we landed in the ruins of Lord'Aeron, both out of breath and exhausted.



I had done it. I had no idea how I had done it, but I had managed to get both me and my sweet little magelet out of the city alive, well for the time being anyways. However now we were in great peril, as there was no place in Azeroth where we could hide, that only left, well, Outland for her, Northrend for me. Picking myself up, I picked up her unconcious form and headed to the city, paying a local mage for a port to Stonard. She had not been to the dark portal yet, and she needed to pass through it if she were to be ready for the dangers that the new world would offer. Placing her in one of the straw beds of the Orc's there, I wrote her a letter explaining what she must do, then activated my own hearth stone to head to Wyrmrest keep. She would be angry with me, and I had no intention of facing that wrath once she woke up, in fact I had the best intentions of staying as far away as possible for a few weeks. With one last glance at her resting form, I lowered my head and closed my eyes, hoping we would meet again.

The first letter came about two weeks after she had been left in Stonard, and though I was relieved to receive a letter from her, I was also worried at what it might say, what I would do if she never wanted to see me again. However I stepped inside Wyrmrest temple, taking a seat in a secluded spot to read the treasured bit of parchment that had been sent to me, the tiniest bit of news from her was better than nothing at all. Outland was a completely different game than that of Azeroth, the beasts were tougher, and by the gods the payout was higher, but it equally matched the risk.

To Malamok the ugly,

My first two weeks in Outland have been tough, I can't seem to get the red sand out of my hair, but you wouldn't really notice it unless you looked very closely, thank the gods for small things I suppose eh? The Orcs here in Thrallmar seem to like me a great deal, calling me powerful pinkie as it were, though I swear I can hear them mutter in god knows what language Orcs mutter in. In just two short weeks I've managed to bump up my level by three, and I've learned a new trick or two, so I'd still stay away if I were you.

I suppose I've put this off for long enough, and my quill shakes so as I write this. HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME LIKE THAT? After risking both of our necks to rescue me, you just leave me in a strange bed in Stonard? You are lucky the innkeeper was so nice to me, or else I would still have half a mind to tear you a new asshole, master or not. I would have been fine if you had stayed, but until I read your letter I was ready to freeze the whole bloody swamp and every living thing that came near me. Who knew that Orc tea was so calming? Well, I think the innkeeper spiked it with something so I could sleep soundly.

Passing through the portal was like passing through water to a new clean, a new world. The mana fairly reeks in this place, and though I can't seem to get the red sand out of my hair, I am quite sure I will thrive and flourish in here. Apparently Mage's aren't too popular in this region, so earning the trust of the locals has been quite the challenge all things considered. Though my wyvern has become my best friend, life is so much easier when you can fly. Who knew that saving up all that gold would pay off in the long run.

Although life is decent and I'm not angry at the moment, if I were you I'd stay away for a while, at least til I calm down enough to handle dealing with your cowardly ass.

Unfortunately yours,

Seleine

Cowardly ass...me? Who does she think she is calling me...oh forget it I was cowardly with that move, and she got me there unfortunately. The blistering cold of the Dragonblight numbed my fingers as I rolled the delicate parchment up, placing it with the only other letter I had received from her, safe from the elements and bloodshed that conveniently seemed to follow my blade. I still had plenty of work to do here before I could go see her again, however I knew that she would still probably try to freeze my ass into next week once I saw her, come hells or high water. The following weeks went by as smoothly as they tend to go for me, with me staying in hiding still away from Lord Theron's personal scouts and hoping she could do the same. Her letters came every few days, describing the new places and sights she were seeing, as if it was a whole new life and she the newborn babe to it. Well, in all technicality it was, and she deserved it in my books. Ali'jin and I had to go our separate ways, he back to the Outlands muttering something about troll mojo and the like, who knew what trolls did in their spare time, and with that pervy blue skinned man, I'd really rather not like to know.

Icecrown was just as blisteringly cold as Dragonblight, however the snow and ice were blackened by the soot, blood and decay that filled it. This is what I fought for, the last of these wretched beings that haunted the lands of good people, all though those who lived in this barren land really couldn't call themselves good people, idiots. The bodies that littered the soot covered valley around me could only be described as chunks of what used to be described as human flesh, if it was even human. Bones and bits of rotting flesh surrounded my boots, and this time it wasn't even my doing, it was the scourge. Looking up and around, the abomination that was nearest was the one that caught my rage, my hood pulled up again as my blades flashed quickly, his flabby frankenstein body falling dead again around me. With a sigh, I whistled, my Netherdrake companion coming quickly as I escaped before too many noticed. The lich king was powerful, and unfortunately many fell to his will. My brothers in the Horde could do little about it, though we were trying, I could only watch in horror as more and more of my comrades fell. Landing at the Argent tournament grounds, I eagerly went to the post box expecting a letter like I usually got, only to find it empty. With a shrug, I figured she was busy, it happened.

It wasn't until a week later that I began to worry, and the next I began preparing to head to Outland to look for her, my saddles packed and my hood up as I prepared to take flight that a young squire came running up to me, his breath misting in front of him as he gasped for lungfuls of air. His hand held out a letter, his whole body trembling, he must have run all the way from the post box to here, which was atop the southern hill. With patience I didn't know I had, I quickly snatched the letter from his hand and dismissed him, my gloved hands tearing it open eagerly. Instead of the message that I had hoped to find and relax and read, a single line was written in her spider like scrawl.

Meet me in Shattrath.