Post by nima on Sept 20, 2007 2:54:29 GMT -5
Narrator: Thank you for waiting. The tasks of a narrator are many. Without further ado, I shall continue my story.
Watching the wretched corpse of their mother turn to ash had taken a toll on both girls. Nima stood as if transfixed, her eyes vacant. Her face showed little emotion. Litah, in a state of shock herself, backed slowly away from the ashen pier. As she reached Nima, she took hold of her hand and gently pulled her. “Come on. We have to go.” She yanked her sister around and started running, never releasing Nima’s hand. Dodging other wretcheds and skirting around the ruins of what had once been their playground, they made it to Falcon Square.
Litah fumbled in her cluttered backpack for her letter of conscript. She looked at Nima who stood, still in shock. Opening Nima’s backpack she had no trouble finding her letter, neatly placed in a spot all it’s own. Litah presented them both to the officer in charge. After reading the letters, he checked his roster. “ You are both ordered to Silvermoon City. You are to report straight away to your head trainers.” he informed them stiffly. Litah saluted, grabbed Nima by the hand and hurried them both away before questions could be asked. The officer stared after them, then shrugged, “The replacements they send us!”
Litah continued to pull Nima after her as she hurried through the gate, headed toward the main entrance to Silvermoon City. Almost there, she suddenly stopped and stared. Before her was an immense path of dark ash. At it’s end, the walls of Silvermoon City had collapsed. In horror, she wondered how much of the city would be left. “Litah?” Nima’s voice entered her thoughts; and, she turned to face her sister. “Yes?” “You know, Father worked in the Royal Court. Maybe, he’s there.” Litah smiled at Nima. She had had little time to think of where to start looking for their father. It felt strange that Nima would think of it. “We have to report to our trainers first. After that….” she looked at Nima and watched as her face, once again, became ashen, her eyes glazed over. Feeling as if a great burden had been placed upon her, she took Nima’s hand and hurried them to the city gates and into the city.
Finding her trainer first, Litah reported as ordered, still holding Nima by the hand. She would not allow Nima out of her sight, especially considering the condition her sister was in. “Greetings, Litah. I see by this report that your performance has been excellent. It is time for you to accept the power of the Blood Knight. Find the secret room and experience the power.” Litah followed the gaze of the trainer’s eyes toward a guarded entrance in the middle of the room. Without thinking, she started for the entrance, pulling Nima behind her.
Entering the room, Litah stopped, staring at the “light” that she was to experience. It was the first time she had ever seen a Naaru. Others were there, oblivious to all around them as they used arcane to rob the being of its energy. How could she? She studied the Naaru for a moment. A poke in her back brought her thoughts back to what was expected. “Go on! If you are to be a Blood Knight, you have to gain the power.” Litah glanced back and saw an apprentice, coaxing her on. With no further thought, Litah stretched her arm toward the being. A surge of energy filled her body and mind. But, something nagged her to cease. She felt strongly that she was doing something wrong. “Hey! What is she doing here? No one but Blood Knights are to be in here!” The apprentice was pointing at Nima who was crumpled on the floor. The apprentice rushed away to make his report of an intruder while Litah, half carrying, half dragging her sister, made her way out of the building and down the lane before an inquiry could begin.
Finding a small room at the Silvermoon City Inn, Litah left Nima long enough to fetch a medic for her sister. “It’s just a simple faint. She appears to be resting for now. Just let her sleep. Come for me if you need me.” The medic told her as she closed the door after him. Litah went to the bed and checked Nima. She did, indeed, appear to be having a nice rest. Litah, however, felt that she could afford no such luxury. She settled herself on a bench near the window to try and think what was to done next. So many things kept turning her thoughts from one to another. Mother touched by The Scourge, now dead. Father who knows where. Nima a seemingly mindless wreck. At the thought of her sister, she heard movement from the bed and a moan. “….not fair….so much pain…” she heard her sister say. She left the bench and looked down at the sleeping one. “And, that Naaru…” Litah whispered to herself. She straightened the covers around Nima, then moved over to the window.
There was so much for her to do. Nima was in no shape to help. Besides, even in her best state of being, Nima was not the type to deal with what lay before them. Her sister had been groomed to be the best hostess, the most beautiful woman, a trophy for any man’s arm. Father had even entered negotiations for an arranged marriage for her lovely sister. Until their father was found, that option Litah would not entertain. Nima moaned again, the sound pulling Litah’s thoughts back into focus. “Naaru are people, too….it’s not fair….” Nima whimpered. Then, suddenly she sat straight up in bed. “Litah!” “I..I’m here. It’s alright. I am here.” Litah reassured as she hurried to Nima’s side. “What am I doing in bed in the middle of the day?” Nima’s confusion was genuine. “You fainted. The medic said you need to rest; so, just lie back.” Litah gently pushed Nima back against the pillows, covering her carefully as she did.
“But, why did I faint? I don’t do stuff like that.” Nima puzzled. “Well, you did. I guess it was shock, what with Mother and Everything.” Litah became edgy at where this conversation was leading. “I have much that needs doing. Now that you seem to be alright, I can get with it. You stay in bed and rest until I get back.” She grabbed up her backpack and headed for the door. As she was about to step through, Nima spoke. “It was the best thing to do, Sister. Mother would have wanted it. She’s happy now.” Litah studied her sister for a moment; then, closed the door behind herself.
Alone, Litah decided to take a few minutes to think of what must be done. She had thought it was shock over the death of their mother that had afflicted Nima. Now, she was not so sure. That Naaru….could it have some hold on her? She was proud that she had been called to be a paladin, a Blood Knight. “Blood Knight!” she scoffed under her breath. “….aptly named as it turns out.” She felt an overwhelming shame about what she had done. She could feel the life of the Naaru draining into her. It made her feel sick. “No matter now.” she said to herself. “We will surely be reported since Nima was seen in the secret room. Why did I take her there?” she berated herself.
It appeared to Litah that both she and Nima might profit from leaving Silvermoon for a time; and, soon. In her innermost being, Litah knew that the Naaru had a hold on Nima. She wanted her as far away from Silvermoon City and that Naaru. “How will we do that?” she mused to herself. A thought came to Litah, several thoughts. She wasted no time in hurrying to carry them out.
It was late when Litah returned to the room and found Nima up and enjoying a bountiful meal from the caterer below. “Enjoy that, dear. It may be some time before we can get more.” Litah told her as she seated herself at the table and began to eat hungrily. “Why? What do you mean?” Nima looked at her innocently. “Has it occurred to you that with Mother gone and Father missing, we now find ourselves with limited funds?” Nima looked at her sister; then, down at her plate. “Oh…I guess we will have to go to work, or, something.” “Or, something…” Litah grinned. “Speaking of which. Since you were laid up, I stopped by to see your trainer. I thought he should know about your ….illness.” Nima smiled at her and said, “ That was so considerate. You always think of things like that.” “Whatever….anyway…he has a task for you that will take you to another country. I know you will like it. I mean, the way you are always wanting to see other places. You should find it interesting.” “Wow! That does sound like fun. When are we going?”
Litah studied her a moment; then, answered calmly, "We…are not going. You are.” “But, we always do stuff together.” She exclaimed. Nima stared at Litah with dismay. “Nima, we are no longer children. At some point you must have known our paths would lead us apart. Anyway, I have things to do here. I have arranged with my trainer to take some time off to go search for Father. There is no sense in both of us putting off our training. You need to keep up your skills; and, going to Kalimdor is what you need to do.” “Kalimdor? Where’s that?” “From what I understand, it is another continent. Your trainer will tell you.” Litah smiled and Nima, “Besides, you always wanted to know what was out there. Here is your chance to find out.”
Litah finished her meal and walked over to gather up her traveling things. “Now, don’t forget, your trainer promptly in the morning. And, stay away from the Royal Court as much as possible. I hear that Lord Natharian is assigned there.” “Lord Natha….ohhhhh.” Nima’s confusion turned to understanding. “Does he still think….” Litah cut her off. “I don’t know; but, unless you want to find yourself stuck here forever, a trinket on his arm, I suggest you follow your trainer’s instructions to the letter.” Nima grinned at her sister. “Oh, I will.” she nodded.
Litah pulled out her coin purse and dropped some coins on the table. The thought of how much she had given Nima's trainer still eiked her. “Until you find work, that will have to do you.” Nima looked at the coins with a frown. “Litah? Is there enough there for a new gown? This one is awfully ragged.” Litah gave an exasperated sigh and up-ended her purse over the table. “If there’s not enough there for the gown you want, make do. Remember, you have to eat.” Nima giggled, “Silly, you know I will eat. I can conjure food.” Litah looked from her sister to the table piled with dishes; then, back to Nima again. Nima caught the look. “I..I’ll be careful, really, I will.”
Nima walked her sister to the door where they said their farewells with a parting hug. They had not often been separated. It was an ordeal they would both find uncomfortable.
As Litah, armed with what little information she could find about her father, left the gates of Silvermoon City, she passed another Blood Knight. She studied him as he walked by. “There has got to be another source. I know there is. And, I will find it. First things first. I must find Father.” she mumbled as she continued on her way.
Narrator: I will pause, once again. My apologies.
Watching the wretched corpse of their mother turn to ash had taken a toll on both girls. Nima stood as if transfixed, her eyes vacant. Her face showed little emotion. Litah, in a state of shock herself, backed slowly away from the ashen pier. As she reached Nima, she took hold of her hand and gently pulled her. “Come on. We have to go.” She yanked her sister around and started running, never releasing Nima’s hand. Dodging other wretcheds and skirting around the ruins of what had once been their playground, they made it to Falcon Square.
Litah fumbled in her cluttered backpack for her letter of conscript. She looked at Nima who stood, still in shock. Opening Nima’s backpack she had no trouble finding her letter, neatly placed in a spot all it’s own. Litah presented them both to the officer in charge. After reading the letters, he checked his roster. “ You are both ordered to Silvermoon City. You are to report straight away to your head trainers.” he informed them stiffly. Litah saluted, grabbed Nima by the hand and hurried them both away before questions could be asked. The officer stared after them, then shrugged, “The replacements they send us!”
Litah continued to pull Nima after her as she hurried through the gate, headed toward the main entrance to Silvermoon City. Almost there, she suddenly stopped and stared. Before her was an immense path of dark ash. At it’s end, the walls of Silvermoon City had collapsed. In horror, she wondered how much of the city would be left. “Litah?” Nima’s voice entered her thoughts; and, she turned to face her sister. “Yes?” “You know, Father worked in the Royal Court. Maybe, he’s there.” Litah smiled at Nima. She had had little time to think of where to start looking for their father. It felt strange that Nima would think of it. “We have to report to our trainers first. After that….” she looked at Nima and watched as her face, once again, became ashen, her eyes glazed over. Feeling as if a great burden had been placed upon her, she took Nima’s hand and hurried them to the city gates and into the city.
Finding her trainer first, Litah reported as ordered, still holding Nima by the hand. She would not allow Nima out of her sight, especially considering the condition her sister was in. “Greetings, Litah. I see by this report that your performance has been excellent. It is time for you to accept the power of the Blood Knight. Find the secret room and experience the power.” Litah followed the gaze of the trainer’s eyes toward a guarded entrance in the middle of the room. Without thinking, she started for the entrance, pulling Nima behind her.
Entering the room, Litah stopped, staring at the “light” that she was to experience. It was the first time she had ever seen a Naaru. Others were there, oblivious to all around them as they used arcane to rob the being of its energy. How could she? She studied the Naaru for a moment. A poke in her back brought her thoughts back to what was expected. “Go on! If you are to be a Blood Knight, you have to gain the power.” Litah glanced back and saw an apprentice, coaxing her on. With no further thought, Litah stretched her arm toward the being. A surge of energy filled her body and mind. But, something nagged her to cease. She felt strongly that she was doing something wrong. “Hey! What is she doing here? No one but Blood Knights are to be in here!” The apprentice was pointing at Nima who was crumpled on the floor. The apprentice rushed away to make his report of an intruder while Litah, half carrying, half dragging her sister, made her way out of the building and down the lane before an inquiry could begin.
Finding a small room at the Silvermoon City Inn, Litah left Nima long enough to fetch a medic for her sister. “It’s just a simple faint. She appears to be resting for now. Just let her sleep. Come for me if you need me.” The medic told her as she closed the door after him. Litah went to the bed and checked Nima. She did, indeed, appear to be having a nice rest. Litah, however, felt that she could afford no such luxury. She settled herself on a bench near the window to try and think what was to done next. So many things kept turning her thoughts from one to another. Mother touched by The Scourge, now dead. Father who knows where. Nima a seemingly mindless wreck. At the thought of her sister, she heard movement from the bed and a moan. “….not fair….so much pain…” she heard her sister say. She left the bench and looked down at the sleeping one. “And, that Naaru…” Litah whispered to herself. She straightened the covers around Nima, then moved over to the window.
There was so much for her to do. Nima was in no shape to help. Besides, even in her best state of being, Nima was not the type to deal with what lay before them. Her sister had been groomed to be the best hostess, the most beautiful woman, a trophy for any man’s arm. Father had even entered negotiations for an arranged marriage for her lovely sister. Until their father was found, that option Litah would not entertain. Nima moaned again, the sound pulling Litah’s thoughts back into focus. “Naaru are people, too….it’s not fair….” Nima whimpered. Then, suddenly she sat straight up in bed. “Litah!” “I..I’m here. It’s alright. I am here.” Litah reassured as she hurried to Nima’s side. “What am I doing in bed in the middle of the day?” Nima’s confusion was genuine. “You fainted. The medic said you need to rest; so, just lie back.” Litah gently pushed Nima back against the pillows, covering her carefully as she did.
“But, why did I faint? I don’t do stuff like that.” Nima puzzled. “Well, you did. I guess it was shock, what with Mother and Everything.” Litah became edgy at where this conversation was leading. “I have much that needs doing. Now that you seem to be alright, I can get with it. You stay in bed and rest until I get back.” She grabbed up her backpack and headed for the door. As she was about to step through, Nima spoke. “It was the best thing to do, Sister. Mother would have wanted it. She’s happy now.” Litah studied her sister for a moment; then, closed the door behind herself.
Alone, Litah decided to take a few minutes to think of what must be done. She had thought it was shock over the death of their mother that had afflicted Nima. Now, she was not so sure. That Naaru….could it have some hold on her? She was proud that she had been called to be a paladin, a Blood Knight. “Blood Knight!” she scoffed under her breath. “….aptly named as it turns out.” She felt an overwhelming shame about what she had done. She could feel the life of the Naaru draining into her. It made her feel sick. “No matter now.” she said to herself. “We will surely be reported since Nima was seen in the secret room. Why did I take her there?” she berated herself.
It appeared to Litah that both she and Nima might profit from leaving Silvermoon for a time; and, soon. In her innermost being, Litah knew that the Naaru had a hold on Nima. She wanted her as far away from Silvermoon City and that Naaru. “How will we do that?” she mused to herself. A thought came to Litah, several thoughts. She wasted no time in hurrying to carry them out.
It was late when Litah returned to the room and found Nima up and enjoying a bountiful meal from the caterer below. “Enjoy that, dear. It may be some time before we can get more.” Litah told her as she seated herself at the table and began to eat hungrily. “Why? What do you mean?” Nima looked at her innocently. “Has it occurred to you that with Mother gone and Father missing, we now find ourselves with limited funds?” Nima looked at her sister; then, down at her plate. “Oh…I guess we will have to go to work, or, something.” “Or, something…” Litah grinned. “Speaking of which. Since you were laid up, I stopped by to see your trainer. I thought he should know about your ….illness.” Nima smiled at her and said, “ That was so considerate. You always think of things like that.” “Whatever….anyway…he has a task for you that will take you to another country. I know you will like it. I mean, the way you are always wanting to see other places. You should find it interesting.” “Wow! That does sound like fun. When are we going?”
Litah studied her a moment; then, answered calmly, "We…are not going. You are.” “But, we always do stuff together.” She exclaimed. Nima stared at Litah with dismay. “Nima, we are no longer children. At some point you must have known our paths would lead us apart. Anyway, I have things to do here. I have arranged with my trainer to take some time off to go search for Father. There is no sense in both of us putting off our training. You need to keep up your skills; and, going to Kalimdor is what you need to do.” “Kalimdor? Where’s that?” “From what I understand, it is another continent. Your trainer will tell you.” Litah smiled and Nima, “Besides, you always wanted to know what was out there. Here is your chance to find out.”
Litah finished her meal and walked over to gather up her traveling things. “Now, don’t forget, your trainer promptly in the morning. And, stay away from the Royal Court as much as possible. I hear that Lord Natharian is assigned there.” “Lord Natha….ohhhhh.” Nima’s confusion turned to understanding. “Does he still think….” Litah cut her off. “I don’t know; but, unless you want to find yourself stuck here forever, a trinket on his arm, I suggest you follow your trainer’s instructions to the letter.” Nima grinned at her sister. “Oh, I will.” she nodded.
Litah pulled out her coin purse and dropped some coins on the table. The thought of how much she had given Nima's trainer still eiked her. “Until you find work, that will have to do you.” Nima looked at the coins with a frown. “Litah? Is there enough there for a new gown? This one is awfully ragged.” Litah gave an exasperated sigh and up-ended her purse over the table. “If there’s not enough there for the gown you want, make do. Remember, you have to eat.” Nima giggled, “Silly, you know I will eat. I can conjure food.” Litah looked from her sister to the table piled with dishes; then, back to Nima again. Nima caught the look. “I..I’ll be careful, really, I will.”
Nima walked her sister to the door where they said their farewells with a parting hug. They had not often been separated. It was an ordeal they would both find uncomfortable.
As Litah, armed with what little information she could find about her father, left the gates of Silvermoon City, she passed another Blood Knight. She studied him as he walked by. “There has got to be another source. I know there is. And, I will find it. First things first. I must find Father.” she mumbled as she continued on her way.
Narrator: I will pause, once again. My apologies.