Ripples of Shadow
Chapter 6 - Hark the Dragon's Call

Straining his ears he strode down a side corridor toward the sound. It was most definitely singing. Very bad singing. Coming to another intersection, he again turned towards the sound. It was growing quite louder now, and cheering was audible.

Finally he made another turn, and across the hallway he had come to was an aperture in solid stone that what looked to be an inn. Bright lights streamed out of a few small windows, and the sounds of singing and drunkenness bellowed out to him. Curiosity had taken a hold of him, and a growing desire to put some ale in his belly before sleep.

Rash walked into the inn, directly into its bar. Cheers from dwarves all around him erupted as he strode in. Hails of ‘Mighty Warrior’ and the ‘Human Whirlwind’ greeted him. He received many pats on the back and slaps on the thigh as he walked through he bar. Grinning he made his way to the bartender, and ordered a mug of ale as he plopped down on a stool.

“Ah it do be you Rash!” A dwarf clapped a hand on his shoulder from behind. Rash spun around on his stool, and looked down at the dwarf who had addressed him. A face full of orange beard, and eyes full of drink gazed at him. It was Hendrig. “Whatever ye be havin’ tonight is on me! You hear that Gregrin? On me.” Hendrig took the stool to Rash’s right and sat as the bartender nodded to him.

“Mighty kind of you Hendrig. Enjoying yourself here in the… the… well truth be told not sure where I am.” Rash laughed as he downed more than half of the mug of ale in one swig.

“Aye. And it’s the Gryphon’s Talon. She do be a fine pub.” Hendrig did a fair share of draining his drink, then ran one hand through his beard as he eyed Rash sideways. “And what might ye be doing here in the Talon this time o’ the night?”

“Oh you know, just going for a stroll. My legs were cramping up a bit.” The dwarf grinned at him like a maniac as he spoke.

“Oh aye! Your legs eh? Well I hope they got a good workout. For now ye be havin’ a drink with me!” Hendrig chuckled as he started on another pint of ale. Rash shook his head. Were all dwarves mad?

The night wore on, and ale filled Rash nicely. He faintly recalled singing with Hendrig, arms clasped as they walked the halls of Aerie Peak. When Rash finally did make his way to his room, dreams filled his head almost as soon as sleep embraced him. Mitsume danced before him as she ran down the halls of the Peak, tantalizing him, always just out of reach or just out of sight around another bend of the stone hallways. Dawn came too quickly, and with it silent admonitions to never drink that much again…

.....

Kaihlyn stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. Trying to compose her serenity while this tired was a good bit of work. A procession had accompanied her to the gates of Silvermoon this morning after she declared she was leaving. It was a much more grandiose exit than entry. Perhaps the Elves were glad to see her go. Regardless, Kaihlyn had her own agenda, she couldn’t afford to waste anymore time here in Eversong.

The honor guard she was given stopped at the end of the bridge that lead into the city. At the other end, she could make out Dro’gath waiting patiently for her. His axe was strapped to his back, and his gaze was focused on her. As she reached the end of the bridge he walked up to her.

“Good morning Kaihlyn. There is a matter I’d like to discuss quickly before we leave.” Dro seemed almost…hesitant as he spoke. Kaihlyn nodded and he filled her in about the situation with Tasilyna’s wolves.

“I see, well I may have a solution. You can speak with them correct?” Dro nodded, and Kaihlyn could have sworn a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Alright I have an idea that could fulfill all of our needs. Tell the wolves to gather their pack then to head to the coast, east of Silvermoon. Around mid-day their…escort to Northrend will arrive.” Kaihlyn flashed teeth at Dro’gath in a smile filled with a joke to herself. He simply shrugged and stared off in the distance for a moment.

Dro’gath glanced back at her and shifted the axe on his back. “It is done, they are heading for the coast now. And are we off to Northrend as well?”

“Not yet Dro, first we must make a short trip to the Hinterlands. There is someone there that I must speak to.” Kaihlyn poked her forefinger into Dro’s chest and winked at him. Then she took a step back and planted her feet and shoulders squarely facing him. A violet aura shimmered around her as an all too familiar portal amalgamated. Through it, he could see colossal red oaks and tall green grass. Dro’gath stepped through, with a hand on the haft of his axe. Kaihlyn took a final glance back at Silvermoon, and at the Dead Scar off to the west and stepped through the portal she had made. Once on the other side, she let the portal wink out of existence.

“By the Earth Mother…what has happened here…” Dro’gath knelt to the ground just a few paces from where Kaihlyn stood. She had taken them just on the outer steps to Aerie Peak, the fortress itself was in plain view. However, what disturbed her was the myriad of undead corpses littering the ground. Closer to the Peak dwarves were erecting huge pyres of the undead. The stench was awful. Kaihlyn could see from here that lands surrounding the peak were trampled and singed from battle. Trees lay broken in half, shrubbery all but destroyed and massive gouges were visible in the fortress itself.