Hearts and Bones

Why is it that I am always having to go into tunnels?



I wonder this as I stare at the dark tunnel that Bronal is already carefully stepping into. I wish we could take the overland route, but that would take too long, since we would have to back track all the way around the hills to the south and then all the way east the river before having to come back up north. The tunnel cuts straight through to where, according to the troll, the old man lives.



The troll and Kelmar are on their way back to Light's Hope, in order to alert the Argent Dawn to the Scarlet Crusade's plans, but there was a mention of an old hermit in the letter too. The letter indicated that he should be “investigated” which sounded ominous. The troll had mentioned seeing him a week earlier and talking with him briefly. Kelmar had been the one to suggest that both a member of the Alliance and of the Horde present their findings to the Argent Dawn leaders. I guess he felt it would show solidarity or something, but the troll seemed agreeable to it.



And so here I am, standing at the entrance to a dark tunnel, infested, or so I'm told, with large spiders, with a Blood Elf I barely know. I don't even want to think about the dream I had had, or the strange thing that seemed to pass between us earlier. Then again, that may be preferable to going in there.



Bronal turns and looks at me expectantly and I try very hard not to let my nervousness show as I step inside the tunnel.





I put my helmet on as Dotai, after some hesitation, follows me inside. Already I can hear skittering further ahead, they know we're here and aren't going to bother to conceal themselves. If we go through slowly, they'll likely try to ambush us when we're at the deepest point.



“Dotai,” I whisper, looking back at her, “we're going to run through quickly, not give them time to react.”



She nods, and lowers her visor. A spark of electricity coalesces around her and her hammers become inflamed. I turn back, ready my shield and sword and take several deep breaths before bursting forward.



The Nerubians cry out in alarm as we race past their side passageways. A few charge out behind us but are unable to attack. The chittering becomes loud shrieks. They're warning the ones up ahead. Fine. When two Nerubians step out ahead of me, I unleash a burst of holy light, sending them reeling back and stunned. A third tries to interfere, but it catches fire and I shove it aside with my shield. There are side passages all along here, but Cer'Ango was sure that if we kept to the central corridor, we would be fine. I see light ahead, just as something knocks me down onto my stomach, sending me into a daze.







We were doing fine, great even, until we saw the light. Perhaps Bronal wasn't paying attention because of it, but whatever the reason, he didn't see the large Nerubian dart out of the side passage and swing at his back. Granted I didn't either. I was also excited to be getting out, I guess.



Immediately, four totems spring at my feet and lightening flies from my hands at the Nerubian bending over the paladin. It stumbles back a bit and turns its attention to me, just as I engulf it in fire. It screeches in pain and black energy begins to gather around its hands. I swing at it with one mace, and then another, each hit burning it further. It hits me with one of its claws on the arm and it recoils as the electric energy of my shield strikes back. Still, that hurt me too.



The chittering behind me reminds me that there are still bugs behind us and they are coming closer. One of my totems sinks back down and another takes its place, this one pulsing with fire. In other moment, it explodes, blinding and burning the Nerubian servants that had been coming up to surround us. The one I'm fighting howls with rage and hits me again, not caring about the burning electricity on my skin. Its furious assault pushes me back into the wall of the cave and I am not fully on the defensive.



White light fills the hallway and burns the Nerubian's legs. It screeches and tries to turn but it takes another flash of light to the head and goes down, twitching. Bronal's shield glows for another second before dimming. We don't waste another moment and start running for the tunnel's end. Behind me I can hear the angry buzzing and chittering as the others try to catch us, but we burst into the light of day before they can.



We don't stop at the entrance but stumble out and keep running towards the river before finally drumming to a stop. I turn to see if we're being followed, but there is nothing from the cave, not even an echo. Relieved, I drop to my knees and take several deep breaths.



“Thank you,” the Blood Elf says behind me, also out of breath.



I look and he's also on his knees, looking surprised and happy to be alive and out of there. I realize that I am too and break into a wide grin, before throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him.





When her lips press against mine, I'm briefly taken aback. After all, this is surprisingly intimate for someone I barely know, and is stand offish whenever we do meet. This moment passes when I feel her tongue slip out and brush against my lips and I am overcome with desire. My own tongue greets hers as it slides into my mouth and I put my hands on her waist, pulling her closer. Metal clad fingers run through my hair, twisting the strands in a painful, yet pleasurable, way.



Her hand moves down to cup my cheek and she starts making insistant sounds, almost a needful whimper. I place my hand over hers but its just metal over metal. I long to feel her warmth and softness, the curve of her body, all of it. This is also, I realize, neither the time nor the place for this. Reluctantly I remove her hand and pull my face back, disengaging the kiss. I'm still close enough to feel her breath and we're both panting.



“I'm sorry,” I say, barely a whisper, “but we shouldn't-”



Before I can finish, her eyes go wide and she jumps up. Her cheeks have taken on a reddish glow of embarrassment, turning almost purple on her blueish skin. She looks down right horrified and I sigh inwardly. Whatever it is that has passed between us its well...passed.







I don't know what madness drove me to do what I did, but I regained my senses when he spoke. It's too late though, the deed is done and by the light a distraction would be wonderful right now.



“Ahem, hello?” the voice is to my left, to the north, and when I look, there's an elderly man standing there with an old sword, looking at us inquisitively.



Thank you, oh thank you.