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

“Come Dro, let us see to the Wildhammers. Obviously whatever force assaulted them here has since gone, but I would like to speak to Commander Baelof.” Dro’gath nodded and followed on her heel to the gates of the fortress. As they approached dwarves eyed them warily, especially Dro’gath. A few even went so far as to finger weapons at their belts. A quick introduction put some of them at ease, and sent one of them back into the Peak to inform Baelof they were there.

Minutes passed, and Kaihlyn and Dro’gath waited patiently. When the dwarf who was sent inside returned, he beckoned them to follow him. The inside of Aerie Peak was as Kaihlyn remembered it. The dwarves were extremely precise with their cutting and shaping of stone. Their dwarf escort led them through narrow corridors past grand halls cut directly of stone, their vaulted ceilings reaching into the mountain's heights. Yet up and up they went. Staircases wound their way past countless floors which Kaihlyn supposed were residential districts. Finally, they had arrived at their floor. The dwarf made his way down a grand hallway supported with marble columns streaming down the center. At the end of a hall was a grand oak door, with the sigil of a Gryphon cut into it. How in the world they hauled that much oak up here Kaihlyn would never know. The escort knocked twice on the door, and then quickly retreated back down the stairs from whence they came. A moment or two passed and the door was swung wide. Commander Baelof sat at a large stone desk at the far side of the room. Maps and various papers littered the top of the desk, yet his attention turned fully to them.

Baelof stood from his desk and met them in the center of the room. “Ah Kaihlyn Do’marin. I received word that you would arrive; it is good to see you again.” Kaihlyn smiled. Demons could travel so much faster than pigeons if the need arose. And of course disguised as a dwarf, no one knew.

“Good to see you again as well Baelof. I offer my condolences. I regret not having been here to aid in the defense of your home.”

“Aye lass, it would have been a pleasure to fight by your side again. But what brings you here now?”

Kaihlyn related the purpose of her trip to Baelof, and within a few moments he had an aide scouring the fortress for the mage that Kaihlyn sought. With that, he led them up to the Gryphon aviary nests at the top of the fortress. Once they arrived, Baelof had a few dwarves saddle some of the gryphons and had them brought out for Kaihlyn and Dro’gath.

“Now lass, I don’t be minding givin’ ye a pair of gryphons, but I’m not sure one of them can…um…support your friend here.” He gave a sidelong glance at Dro’gath, and managed a smile.

“Oh that wont be necessary Baelof, although I do appreciate the offer. No, I have made other arrangements for myself and Dro’gath. However, if this mage you sent for sees things the way I do, she could use one of those gryphons to travel with us.”

“And how, pray tell, do you see things?” Kaihlyn, Dro’gath and Baelof all turned back to face the ramp they had just ascended. A woman with brilliant golden hair, arrayed about her pretty face in curls strode up the ramp with a man in his middle years at her heel. “Kaihlyn Do’marin I presume?” The woman was dressed in a simple, yet functional bright red woolen robe, with a matching cloak, both lined with a deep blue. The man behind her, dressed in simple brown leathers was lugging a traveling chest behind him, and frequently muttering under his breath.

“I see things for what they are my dear, no more and no less.” Kaihlyn put on her best smile, and faced the woman squarely. “I am Kaihlyn Do’marin, and would I be addressing Mitsume Tchin’dil and her…servant?” That brought out right laughter from Mitsume, and a scowl from the man, who had lain the chest down.

The man regained his composure, but shot Mitsume a look that would have made any lesser man shy away, yet she merely seemed amused. He cleared his throat and addressed Kaihlyn. “No, not a servant. I am a personal friend of Moria’s, I believe you know her. My name is Rash Vandren.” The man was handsome, if not for the scar stretched along his left cheek. His brown hair was tousled about his head, he looked as if he hadn’t slept well last night. A long gleaming claymore, almost as tall as he was strapped to his back, and he looked as if he knew how to use it.

“Moria.” The name brought another smile to Kaihlyn’s lips. “Yes I know her quite well. Mmhmm. She has mentioned once or twice a sturdy fellow who answers her call.” This time it was Mitsume’s turn to scowl at Rash, for whatever reason. “Anyway, I came here today to speak to you Mitsume. I am on my way to Northrend, to meet some mutual acquaintances of ours. Your…name was mentioned to me by a friend. They insisted that you desired the same result that I do, and you were quite skilled in the arcane art of magic. Is this true?”

Mitsume’s cheeks colored slightly at the mention of her skills, and her eyes went downcast as she avoided looking at Rash. Baelof busied himself with one of the nearby gryphons, avoiding the conversation completely. “Yes well, I do believe we may share common goals, and I intended to travel to Northrend anyway. Your company would be welcome.” She nodded towards Dro’gath at the last sentence.

“Wonderful. Baelof here has agreed to lend you some gryphons for your travel northward. Neither of you have any qualms about flying? No? Good.” Now that an accord was reached, the small group set to strapping Mitsume and Rash’s things to the gryphons. Baelof insisted that a dwarf ride with them, at least until Northrend to care for the gryphons. Within a few short moments, another dwarf crested the last ramp up to the aviary. He carried two small axes, one at each hip in his belt loops and a satchel over his shoulder. His orange beard was neatly trimmed, if quite long, and his eyes sparkled.