"What'll ye 'ave?"
The heavy lidded Elf didn't look up, but continued to spin the small flask in front of him.
"An empty flagon, clean preferably."
"Ah sell drinks 'ere ladey, ah doan be rentin' out steins!"
The Elf, still spinning the flask, flicked a gold coin into the air. The bartender, eyes on the coin, did not notice the dagger at his throat until his eyes followed the gold back to Elf's hand.
"Then get me some mead, but make sure to pour it out before it gets to me. I don't care where, it just better be empty."
As the bartender scrambled away, thankful to be breathing, the Elf sighed to himself. He hated port towns; he never stayed long, and learned long ago better not to explain himself. He had, upon the judgment of his first mate, had given his crew two days shore leave, and while they were out cajoling the native women, he was anxious to set sail and go back to sea. A Stormwind military payroll galleon was outbound from Menethil Harbor in the Wetlands in a week, and he hadn't raided a heavily protected vessel in months. Should he use chain shot or...
tsk tsk
He whipped his head around, quickly followed by his sword-bearing hand; the Elf saw another standing against the wall. Heavily armored, he was seemingly at ease, but had an obvious fierceness that was not to be over-looked. A flicker of recognition flashed across his face, but was quickly replaced with cold indifference.
"One reason I shouldn't kill you. Ten seconds. Go."
"Now, now, Sorrel, put that thing away, you could hurt yourself. And I think we both know you wouldn't dare harm me; you wouldn't leave this room alive."
A quick scan around the room proved the stranger's statement true. Upon closer inspection, he saw cloaked figures at no less than half of the tavern, each of them bearing the same crest as the one speaking.
"I don't know who you are, and you obviously don't know me. My name is Kaden, I have never heard the name Sorrel before, now, if you would be so kind, my...drink has arrived. I would like to enjoy it without spilling any blood."
True to his lack of word, the dwarf had returned with an empty flagon, took a quick look at the confrontation between the two Elves, and beat a hasty retreat, muttering under his breath.
"Not thirsty 'Kaden'?" the newcomer asked, eyeing the empty stein as he took a seat at the table.
"Hilarious," Kaden replied dryly, retrieving the flask that lay forgotten on the table.
Removing the stopper, he poured the contents into his mug. Carefully taking several vials from his bandolier, he added several drops from each to the liquid, creating a hissing smoking concoction.
"Your own recipe 'Kaden'? What's the secret ingredient eh? Troll sweat?"
The unnamed Elf laughed deeply as Kaden took a deep draught from his flagon.
"Close. Poison."
Part 2
Tapping his fingers impatiently against the petrified wood table, the Elf watched as Kaden finished off two more flagons of his special drink. Finally, as Kaden began to pour a third, rage built in his "guest" to the point where it erupted in a violent explosion. He brought an arm down with enough force that it shattered the stone-like wood, sending shards in every direction. The patrons of the bar made a dash for the door, leaving Kaden, the Elf, and his guards alone.
"In the name of the Empire you will listen to me!"
Kaden gave a defeated sigh, yet spoke in calm tones.
"The Empire has died Vorgen, ironic as it may seem. You and I both know this. It was a noble attempt to revive it, yes! But the Age of Twilight is gone forever, nothing can bring it back, do you hear me? Nothing!" His eyes darkened.
"That's why I left."
"Hold your tongue rogue, what you speak is blaspheme! The Deathless Empire will live on as long as the Lok-ri name does. The nobility of our race will be kept. We will conquer what is ours and we will rebuild.
"We can not come to this land and rule as we once did Vorgen. There are more forces at work here than you can imagine. The fools here are more easily coerced than those we are used to, but they are embattled with each other, with the elements, and with those of such vast power even the Titans would tremble in their presence.
"They races can be culled and subdued, the elements can be tamed, and there is no power so great that Elves can not control! We will create a city that rivals Alu'Dar-Gallinon in gr-
"ALU'DAR IS GONE! Broken, burned, and buried. And if what I hear is correct, the shard we once called home has been destroyed. Leave me be, I have set my own path in life; you are Lord to me no lon-
The blow sent Kaden across the room, crashing into a wall and causing the entire tavern to quake. From his crumpled position, dazed as he was, he looked up and saw a bare hand with a single, faintly glowing, ring.
"If you doubt my nobility, might I remind you of this? I believe you were there that night."
Kaden was taken aback.
"You still posses the signet ring off Tir Telentheril? I thought it would have been destroyed with the shard. I...I...I was out of place m'Lord, I am sorry. I have lived too long on my own, in charge of others...I...I'm sorry."
Vorgen smiled.
"What is a small argument in the span of our lives....Kaden was it? It is good that you are willful; it means you are an Elf! Your heritage, your very blood makes you this way, and as such, you are welcome back within the House. However, you must work to gain back your status and earn our faith once more."
"Thank you Dreadlord, I hope to prove myself to you once again, and to earn the trust of the entire House, especially the nobility.
"Well Kaden, in order for that to happen, you must first learn to trust yourself.
And with a sly smile, Vorgen Lok-ri led Kaden and the others out from the tavern, and into the bright light and fresh air of the small port town.
* stands back and eyes the faces of those who open his parchment *
(This was written as I was trying to think of a decent introduction, just thought I'd add it at the end of my story for kicks)
When city roads crumble and city walls fall
Some face the challenge, while others grow small
They shirk their duty, and refuse to fight
Not waiting to be banished, these fools take flight.
•
A path diverged seems bold at first
But uncertain outcomes can lead to the worst
While the oceans still crash and the sun beams on
The untold future brings caution to the dawn.
•
When water grows rough and dark clouds form
Against all odds they weather the storm
They roll with the waves; they are as the sea
They are like none other; they are the House Lok-ri