As a strange and unknown crisis is brewing in Quel’Thalas, a knight of the court of Terenas finds himself at the middle of a greater mystery. His life and that of his companions revolves around his lost identity and a quest for an artifact known only as “The Plague of Nations.”
Chapter 1:
Quel’Thalas
The rider made his way through the dense forest. The trees shone green in the golden sunlight. His armor sparkled as the light hit it. He stopped as the road began to slope downward toward the small defenseless town ahead. The road’s banks rose to either side of him. He glanced from tree to tree to find his unnamed quarry. A bird flew to his left and the rider stood in the saddle, rigid with fear. His hand fell to the gleaming hilt of his sword. His left hand moved slowly across his breast plate to the great crest of Lordaeron. He muttered a quick prayer to himself, and prepared for battle. Raising the sword high, he bolted his horse along the path towards the town. Orcs leapt out at him from all directions.
Two of the green skinned beasts stood between him and the town., the others gave hoarse cries and charged after the horse. The knight brought his sword down on the Orc to his right even as the other swung his mighty battle-axe. The Orc’s axe fell across his thigh soundly, causing a cry of pain. The knight galloped on, leaving the other Orcs to their pathetic pursuit. The cut was deep in his leg and much blood had been lost by the time he reached the barracks within the town. Footmen rushed out to help their fallen comrade as the knight fell into a deep sleep and fell from his horse.
He awoke to find the light shining on his face. There was a strong odor around him. His room was a small cabin filled with light from a round window. The door opened, and much to the knight’s surprise, an Elvin Ranger entered. The Ranger stood in the doorway and looked the knight up and down. The knight gazed at the Ranger. He was wearing a long green tunic, which was embroidered with many golden runes. There was deep vermilion war paint on his face and it flowed in beautiful lines as he spoke.
“You are a knight of Lordaeron?” the Ranger asked. The Ranger knew the answer. The question had been more for the knight than the Elf.
“I am.” The knight said through dry lips.
“I am Captain Felanier. Captain of this vessel and its company of Rangers. We saved you and a few of your companions from the Orcs near the ruins of Forest Vale two days ago. We are heading for the port of Quel’Thalas, but have stopped here at Quel’Arum.” The knight took the words into his mind and tried to make sense of them.
“Forest Vale…Ruins? How did this come to be?” he asked.
“Forest Vale was attacked three days ago. Many Orcs were killed, yet the town was burned to the ground.” Felanier said quietly.
“Why are we heading to Quel’Thalas?” the knight asked
“I do not know what is in store for you there. Our leaders have been slow to divulge information, but I am sure they have some special task for you.” With that the Ranger withdrew into the shadows of the chamber and remained silent for a long while. The knight looked around in the new light of reason. There was a stack of barrels in one corner, a table holding maps, charts, and a small glass of clear liquid. There were only two chairs in the room. On one rested the Ranger; on the other rested the knight’s armor. It glittered and shone with a great brilliance. There were strange runes carved in a golden circle surrounding the great crest of Lordaeron.
“My armor. It has been changed.” The knight said after a long silence.
“Indeed. Our smith, Gillhad thought it necessary to embellish your armor. There were too many blood stains for a true knight of Lordaeron to bare it.”
“I was hoping to clean it in my stay at Forest Vale. It seems my leave was cut short. If only I could remember why it was I was sent.” The knight said through dry lips. He took a drought from a small glass on the table next to the bed. It was a clear and refreshing liquid. He felt his head clear and could think more soundly. As he drank more of the liquid, the wound on his leg began to burn. He reached for his thigh and found it bandaged and covered in a strange salve.
“What salve is this?” the knight asked.
“It is a salve made from the tree sap that is abundant in the pine trees to the north of Quel’Thalas. Your wound was deep, the cut was clean and made quickly, but the rusted Orc blade had infected your leg. You will have a bad limp, I am afraid, but it will heal.”
“I cannot begin to thank you.” The knight began, “If my presence in Quel’Thalas will help repay the debt, than I will gladly go. It appears I have little choice, but I will go without grudge.”
“Good. There is no sense in grumbling about friendly captivity.” Felanier said. There was a knock on the door and another Elf entered. This one was not a Ranger, but his tunic was also brightly decorated.
“I must leave you now, we are ready to depart.” The Ranger said turning to the door, “There is a small blossom on the table. Whisper into it, and I shall hear it. This is how you shall call me.” With that, both Elves left. The knight let the thoughts roll through his head. He had been going to Forest Vale for an important mission. He had come from a great alabaster city to the north, across the mountains and across the seas. He remembered charging toward the town with Orcs blocking the road. Had they taken the town before he had arrived? He could not remember.
“O, you are loosing your mind…” The knight stopped in mid-sentence. He could not remember his name. He remembered that he was a knight of high rank, perhaps a Paladin? No. He had not yet passed through the rights of passage. There were many things he did remember however. Summer hoarse rides through the plains of Lordaeron, winters in the southern town of Gilneas visiting relatives.
The ship lurched into motion and there was a great calling of gulls as the Elvin vessel headed for sea. The cacophony soon faded as the ship gained speed and made its way from the port. The small room soon faded into darkness as the round window was turned away from the sun. The liquid began to take effect and the knight was soon struggling to keep his eyes open. The sound of the sea splashing against the side of the red wood lulled the knight to sleep and he had soon fallen into a deep slumber.
* * * * *
The wind was in the sails when the knight awoke. Night had passed into day, and the bright Elvin vessel was pulling strong towards the northern lands. The sun was shining through the clouds and onto the knight’s face through the small round window. He found it now possible to move about the cabin with the help of a wooden crutch. He found his way up to the deck. The lines of the vessel itself flowed as the sea. There were mahogany railings and dark iron fixtures on maple wood decks. Leaning on the port railing, the knight took in the sights and sounds of the sea with great joy. A Ranger approached him and bowed low. The knight replicated the act to the best of his ability.
“I have been sent by captain Felanier. He wishes to share his morning meal with you, knight.” The Ranger said little dignity.
“Thank you, Ranger.” The knight said disdainfully. The Ranger pointed him on his way, and went about his normal duties. The knight found Felanier seated at a long table. Around him were the other officers. Felanier stood.
“Welcome noble knight. Allow me to offer to you a seat at my table.” He said with open arms.
“Thank you noble Ranger. The honor is certainly exclusive.” The knight replied.
“Unfortunately, yes. Too long has it been since a member of your court joined our table. Your comrades are still at rest. I’m afraid we had to put them to work. We are short on men. Orc pirate marauders are common and their raids have increased over the last few months.” Felanier said once they had been seated. The meal was brought out in a matter of minutes. There was fresh bread and honey, eggs, and cheese to be had.
“Tell me Felanier, what became of Forest Vale?” the knight asked.
Felanier paused. “Sadly, the Orcs were greatly angered by your arrival at Forest Vale. They attacked after the moon had gone down when there was little light. My company of Rangers had been patrolling the area when the survivors of the town emerged from the forest carrying the wounded. You were among them.”
“How many survived?”
“More than two score. Mostly women and children. Three warriors escaped without wounds. Five others were found wounded in the surrounding forest.” The knight sat in silence for a few moments while he ate. He was deep in thought.
“That was four days ago today, but Quel’Arum is not a day’s journey by sea.” The knight said inquiringly.
“Very observant.” Felanier smiled, “After we had brought the survivors to our ships, we proceeded to do Forest Vale justice and pursue the remaining Orcs through the forest. Fortunately, you men are made of stronger stuff than we believed. There were few to be found, yet we lost two of our company. When we found Forest Vale, we found many men lying dead beside greater masses of slain Orcs. The ground was black with their blood, yet we burned their foul bodies.”
“I saw no other ship on the seas.” The knight stated.
“Correct. The other ship carried the women and children to Quel’Arum where they shall be taken care of accordingly. The other captain has moved far ahead of us to tell Quel’Thalas of our arrival. They shall reach the port two days before us.” Felanier sat back in his chair and stared at the knight with a awe filled grin. This knight is smarter than he appears. Perhaps there is more than can be seen.
The knight was also deep in thought. He remained silent throughout the meal. When the table was cleared and the Rangers had departed to go about their business, the knight returned to his quarters and began studying the charts and maps that had been left on the table. The sound of a quill scratching paper echoed throughout the cabin. After what seemed hours, Felanier entered the small room.
“What is this? It seems our knight has not lost his mind after all.” Felanier laughed. He looked over the maps and charts, “Has there been a meaning for the marking of my charts?”
“Yes.” The knight said.
“Explain yourself then.”
“It should be here.” The knight said, pointing to a stretch of mountains west of Quel’Thalas.
“There is nothing there other than stone, what is this that should be there?”
“I am not sure.” The knight said.
“At least one of my maps has gone unmarked. Now…” The sounding of a bell from above cut the Ranger off. Felanier raced up the stairs leaving the knight to follow on his crutch. Felanier was talking to the lookout.
“Why have you called me?” Felanier asked.
“Sail brimming off the port side bow.” The Ranger replied.
“What nationality?” Felanier asked.
“I am do not know. It is too far away. Looks to be a human battleship.”
“Signal it and call the men to their posts. We must be ready for anything.” Felanier said, turning away from the Ranger. From the bridge, the knight could see the distinctive shape of a sail. The sail turned toward the elven vessel. They had been spotted. There was no way out now. As the sail drew closer, the wide round shape of an Alliance battleship made itself visible. There was a sigh of relief from Felanier and the crew.
“The ship has taken damage recently.” Felanier said, concentrating on the growing sail.
“You can see that from this distance?” the knight asked.
“We are trained to kill from afar. We must be able to see our prey.” Felanier responded. The battleship grew to hailing distance.
“Ahoy there.” The humans shouted, waving their hands.
“Ahoy friends.” The Elves responded.
“What brings a battleship this far from port?” Felanier shouted.
“There is an Orcish blockade to the north.” The Human captain responded, “It is said to run from Zul’Dare to Iron Forge. We were sent by our admiral to try and create a gap in the line so as to let merchants through. We are the last of three battleships.”
“Out of three only one returns? This must be a mighty blockade indeed. Is there a reason for this action?” Felanier asked.
“Only to stop us from getting reinforcements from the mainland. We believe the Orcs are planning an invasion of Kul’Tiras itself.”
“These are unfortunate tidings, but we must be on our way. Time is pressing.” Felanier said after a moment of silence. The knight found a seat on a barrel as the destroyer pulled away from the large battleship. Visions of lands long away came to his mind. He circled and soared over great emerald plains. His view came to rest on a dark shadow far in the distance. As he drew closer to it, fire and destruction flashed before him. Dark plains of battle became clear from the mists around him. Chaos reigned supreme in the sights and sounds. Out of the mists rode a great warrior. A being of malicious power and strength strode out of the mists on a great mount. With a raised hand, legions of death rose out of the darkness. There was a sound like a multitude of tortured and trapped souls longing to be free. It spoke loud and clear, and yet made no sound at all.
“Fulfill your destiny knight. Know what you have forgotten. Rise from the ashes, and claim what is yours. It will do you no good.” There was a laughter that chilled the soul as the darkness swarmed around the knight.
***
He awoke once again with the sun shining on his face. Felanier was standing beside him.
“What happened?” He asked when his mind had cleared.
“I do not know. You were seated on the deck when you collapsed. I have an idea, but…”The Ranger paused, “Well, you rest now. All shall be revealed when you are ready.” The knight rested until night had come. When he arrived on the deck, there was a chill on the wind and a great fog had surrounded them. Felanier approached him from behind.
“Stay quiet knight. I believe we are in the middle of the Orcish blockade.” A look of fear and anxiety shone in the knight’s eyes. He knew he was defenseless against any Orc. He was too weak to fight. His armor would be his only protection. He went back to his cabin and made haste donning his armor. It shone in the light as he moved up the stairs to whatever was waiting above.
Rain cut through the fog while massive gusts of wind rocked the wooden hull. The storm was violent, but no lightning smote the waters. The rains buffeted against the sails as they were drawn up, and great waves sent the ship to and fro. The Elven vessel was tossed between black walls of water. Felanier shouted orders above the mighty roar of the storm. The knight raced along the side of the ship, doing what he could to help steady the ship. There was much to be done, and the knight had little knowledge of the seas. The wind blew the barrels and crates along the deck. One almost knocked him off the side of the boat, and then a moment later became his salvation as the boat listed. He grabbed onto the crate hopping it would anchor him down to the deck. His weight only dragged it down. He let go at the last moment and the crate went crashing through the wooden railing. The knight grabbed onto the railing and waited for an Elf to pull him back up. To his surprise, he rose to find another human looking him in the eye. They nodded, but were called to separate duties. Finally, after what seemed and eternity, the storm ended in one violent blow. A massive wave almost as tall as the foremast rose to their port side. They crew members ran to take cover. The wave threw the knight against the mast, and he was knocked cold.
The ship was resting in a shallow harbor when Felanier shook him awake.
“The storm was brutal, but we rode it out.” Felanier said, staring at the sky, “We have almost reached Quel’Thalas.” The knight blinked in the bright light. There were gulls flying about the gray shore as the sun shone through white clouds. There was a call from the bridge.
“Captain!” a Ranger shouted, “It appears the storm was evermore fortunate for us.” They moved to the port side where the Ranger was pointing to an Orc body floating dead among some flotsam.
“Good tidings are these.” Felanier said, “If the Orcs tried to pursue, they must have been struck down by nature herself.” The knight had his gaze fixed on the shore.
“There is a company moving through the forest.” He said, pointing off to the north.
“A remarkable sighting for a human.” Felanier said, “They are Elves none the less.” What remained of the crew gathered at the bow of the ship while the company of Elves broke the forest line.
“Ho there!” Felanier called. The elves responded in turn and made haste to the ship. The company’s leader stepped forward.
“Hail to you! I am Legwyn, commander of this company. We have been sent to bring you to Quel’Thalas.” The Ranger cried from the shore. To this there arose a loud cry from the battered vessel. They made haste to pack all of their belongings and assembled on the shore.
“What is to be done with my vessel?” Felanier asked.
“A few of my men shall remain behind and guard it until another crew is assembled to sail it to Quel’Thalas.” Legwyn replied.
“Did Mavewyn arrive in port?” Felanier asked once they had begun the journey.
“His ship arrived, alas, Mavewyn was not among the survivors.” Legwyn bowed his head for a short time, “The rest of his crew told of a great battle they had been engaged in. There are many Orc ships on the seas as of late, and Mavewyn’s ship fell pray to the cursed pirates.”
“Alas! Mavewyn is slain! Let us hasten to Quel’Thalas so as to grieve his passing in true fashion.” Felanier shouted. Felanier’s crews were weary and tired, and twice they had to stop and rest. The knight, however, was restless. He would removes himself from the company and pace around the forest, lost deep in thought. The journey was calm and quiet. The trees were bare and some retained coverings of snow. Winter was falling over the lands of Quel’Thalas. A bitter wind blew through the forest. The company finally arrived at the last ridge as night had fallen. Below them in the valley, the once mighty city of Quel’Thalas lay before them. Since the last war, the city had been reduced to one golden boulevard and many other paths hastily assembled by a once proud civilization.
