[[This RP is meant for Millard and Catherine. As of right now these two character are the only one permitted.]]
*****
The zeppelin's low, droning sound cut through the pitch black, tranquil night air in Tirisfal. The goblins aboard had fallen silent long ago and had slumbered off against the fence or were entirely focused on their work now. Catherine felt a familiar chill trickle down her spine. The air definitely felt different now. They had arrived to Undercity at last.
Catherine flicked her eyes open and looked around from the quiet corner where she had curled up. She hadn't been sleeping but merely rested her aching limbs and eyes for a moment. She scanned the lower deck in search for Millard. He was already up and seemed ready to get off immediately. Catherine did not want to waste her friend's time so she swiftly jumped to her nimble feet. A low crack emitted from one of her knees when she got up, but it was nothing but the joint socket adjusting itself. Sometimes if Catherine spent too much time lying down the joint would slip slightly out of place.
The two made their off the zeppelin and walked the short distance to Undercity in silence. Catherine was beaming with excitement, but she knew better by now than to speak too much of those things with Millard. She knew how he felt about it and she was not about to upset the only friend she had. If she pushed him too far he might leave her to pursue her goal alone and that was something Catherine wasn't ready for. Once they reached the city Catherine cleared her throat with a low, guttural cough. She undid her hands from her oversized sleeves on her robe and adjusted her black hood slightly. She tried to keep her eyes locked on her friend and folded her arms over her chest.
"Millard. I need to uhm... get a few things. I'll meet you here in a little while? I guess you have a few things to do yourself, or may be not.. Err.... Anyway! I will be right back."
Catherine spun around in an instant and dashed off towards the elevators. She hid her hands once more inside her sleeves and replayed to herself what she had just told Millard. Every times she repeated it it only sounded even more silly. She let out a low sigh and stared down at the floor in shame. She absolutely despised Undercity and she despised looking like a fool, but she would be quick. They had to find Benjamin.
A silent groan escaped the cleric's mouth as he jumped down the little height difference from the Zeppelin's deck. His grip around his cane got tighter as he nearly tripped. When he stoop up straight again, the forsaken priest walked besides the relatively newly risen, deeply in thought. He liked her. That was perhaps why he broke with one of his principles in her favor. He usually advised those who sought their remaining relatives or loved ones to stop. The records the Forsaken held were fairly conclusive by now, and anyone that didn't show up in there was not one of them. But Catherine insisted. She was looking for her lover, Benjamin. Millard checked the records of the fallen Forsaken thoroughly, but he could not find any records of a Benjamin that did fit her description. But it was always a possibility that he went crazy upon his embrace, or that he simply forgot the name he carried in life. As the woman and him walked towards Undercity he pondered what could happen if that man was still alive. Catherine's voice took him out of his deep thoughts, and he smiled at her, his friendly but mutilated face hidden under his black veil.
"Alright Dear. I sent words to my fellow cultists. I have two horses and provisions waiting for us in Brill. He can head into the contested territory from there. Maybe we even get a little escort. That depends on how my talk with my superior will turn out. But you run your errands meanwhile."
Catherine kept her head down as she navigated the narrow hallways of Undercity. The city was covered in a slightly rancid stench, one that the young forsaken had grown to resent. She knew her way around by now, though. With only a few, brief glances ahead she managed to find the room where she had been storing her possessions. She did not have many things, but those that she had were kept surprisingly safe where they were. Catherine brought a key out from a pocket in her large robe and managed to jerk the lock open. The room was very dark and warm. It was evident no one had been in there for a very long time.
Catherine scanned the room until she found her crate. There were others who also had their things stores in here but she had yet to see any of them around. The forsaken grabbed the lid of the crate and pulled it off. She dug her hand down swiftly and pulled out a tiny pouch containing a small amount of gold coins. She tried counting them by feeling the outside of it but ended up stuffing the entire pouch into her robe with a shrug. She then stuck her hand down again until she felt the cold, rustling chain in her hand. Catherine smiled to herself as she eyed the necklace in her hand. It was a simple silver chain with a heart shaped locket hanging from it. She tucked the necklace into her pocket as well and put the lid back on her crate. In only a few seconds she was off again to meet Millard.
Catherine thought about the necklace as she walked. It had been a gift from her fiance Benjamin only a few months before his death. They had decided to get married, but instead of giving her a ring he had given her the necklace as a temporary love token until the actual ceremony. They had decided to wait with marriage until he had finished his training with the Light and until Catherine had rid herself of the lurking, demonic magic that was manifesting inside her soul. But their plans had come to a rough end when Benjamin was reported murdered by the forsaken in Silverpine. It was still painful for Catherine to reminisce the last few weeks of her life as a human. She had refused to let that destroy her though. It was the reason she was here now, in Undercity, looking for him. She knew he was still alive, and she was going to find him. His death would not keep them apart.
The elevator creaked lowly as it stopped on the upper floor. She had finally gotten out, and she was on her way again. She walked back to where she had left Millard just a few minutes earlier and waited for him. Catherine fiddled with the necklace in her pocket. She needed to have it with her on this journey. She felt her entire body beaming with excitement for the journey ahead. There was a sense of promise in the air. If she would ever find any answers it would be this time.
Millard saw Catherine waiting for him. The cleric was riding towards the meeting point with two more forsaken. On was wearing light armor and a pair of crude but sharp daggers. The other one was clad in heavy armor and wearing a claymore. Millard saw that Catherine was having her hand in her pocket, She was having this cheerful and happy attitude to her again. Not that he had an objection towards her happiness, but he knew that her hopes could very well be destroyed. Many of his kin never recovered from the realization of their losses. That's why it was better for her to not have a lot of hopes. This words would hurt her now but maybe help her later. It hurt the cleric to utter them, but he had to.
"You look awfully happy, for a person that is searching a supposedly deceased loved one."
Catherine's light smile was wiped off her face once Millard spoke. It was so typical of him to attempt to destroy her hopes. If he would have his way they would both simply abort the journey and return to sulking in Undercity. She stared down at her feet while she took a moment to process his words. He had managed to upset her, but she was not only saddened by his harsh words but also angered. Catherine cursed herself silently. It was so typical of her allow others to step on her without any regard to her feelings but it hurt even more when the words came from Millard. He had a better insight into her situation than any other. She looked up at him with a stern frown on her face.
"... He is out there, just you watch. I will find him, with or without your help. So what is it going to be?"
Catherine's entire body shook in tension as she finished speaking. She focused her every effort on standing straight and speaking without any sign of hesitation in her voice, and just as she fell silent she had to gasp for air. She would not reveal her slightly shocked state to Millard though. Catherine swiftly turned around and began making her way towards Brill slowly. She listened intently to Millard's action, and just as she got around the corner outside of the ruins she dared to exhale again. Her entire body still trembled so she took a few moments to compose herself while she awaited Millard's actions.
"I do not doubt we will find you Benjamin. But I have to advise you again that what we might find could be difficult for you to handle. Additionally, we venture into heavily contested territory."
The Forsaken armed with daggers nodded in agreement.
"I have to agree with the Cleric. The Bloodfang pack constantly keeps ambushing our rear outposts. As soon as we enter Silverpine we are threatened. I hope that you can defend yourself. we will be busy enough surviving on our own."
Millard took the liberty to answer for Catherine.
"She is not very advanced in her training but given her natural talent, she might even save your hide, Bach."
"Don't mind the deathstalker. Being easily scared is part of his job."
The warrior that arrived with Millard and the Deathstalker smiled at Catherine, while Bach shot an angry look at him.
Millard grabbed the back of his nose with his hand and as the ruffling of his gauze covered face told, his forehead was frowning.
"Silence you two. As you already said this is serious business. So behave accordingly."
The warrior and rogue stood up straight and crossed their arms in front of their chests. Millard nodded and turned his attention to Catherine again.
"Lady Catherine may I introduce? Deathstalker Bach , and Jorick of the Forsaken Vanguard. They will help us on your mission."
Catherine kept her head tilted down as she curiously inspected the two forsaken. She was often uncomfortable around the people of her own kind, not to mention around every other race as well. She made sure her hands were kept hidden from their sight as she managed a strange, crooked smile towards them.
"Oh uh, hi, you two... I'm Catherine, but uhm, you already knew that, ehhehehh..."
Catherine focused her attention on Millard as soon as she had introduced herself. She shook her head at him and mouthed "I'm sorry" with her lips before adjusting her hood over her head and taking a few careful steps forward. She was eager to get going now and she had no further interest in embarrassing herself in front of the two highly deadly forsaken.
As they began walking towards Brill Catherine could not help but think about something Millard had said just before. She reached out her arm and tugged the priest's robe towards her as if to bring him closer. Once Millard got closer on top of his horse she made sure no one else could hear her before she whispered to him.
"Millard... I cannot fight, you know that. It's not.. It's not a good idea. Can't I do something else? Please, I am a decent runner, I promise."
"You have talent and you will have to learn to fight. We are at war, and you know that. Remember why we are here. This is what you wanted. The Forsaken Shadow teaches that you may take everything and do everything you are able to. Now show me you have the willpower to see this through."
The Dark Cleric looked over to Bach and Jorick that were already spotting the horses and provisions that have been prepared for the four. Jorick was already barking orders as Millard was still looking at Catherine.
Catherine winced back slightly at Millard's words and buried her eyes between her palms. She was afraid he would say something like that. She bit her lower lip and sighed. Catherine had come to terms quite well with her demonic magic in undeath but it would seem her magic had in fact altered slightly in her current state. Catherine squints her eyes shut and shook her head. The thoughts of how her newly altered magic had distorted her mind in the past was something that terrified her. She did not wish to unleash whatever it was that was inside her soul.
It did not take very long until they reached Brill. Catherine looked around and smiled slightly at the skeletal horses by the stables. There were few things she found as peculiar as half rotten, undead horses. She decided she would ask Millard about them at the next proper time. But now she simply strayed from the others to pet the horses.
Millard slightly shook his head, and looked after Catherine.
"With all due respect, you think she has it in her, Dark Cleric?"
Bach approached Millard shortly after Catherine took off to pet the horses.
"If she doesn't we'll have another piece of marble standing at the Sepulcher."
Jorick answered as he joined the conversation.
Millard put his index finger on his lips and his two companions fell silent.
"You two have not seen her when she lets go. In her current state she is dangerous to everybody around her and herself. That is why I put the effort into this. She is incredibly strong willed you will see."
Deathstalker Bach looked at Millard sternly and nodded, while Jorick simply waved his hand at the others and barked more orders at the forsaken saddling the horses, as the three of them approached Catherine again.
Catherine climbed up on her horse's back and smiled gently. She did not mind riding at all, and it was something she had enjoyed in life. She had managed to shake her discomfort and anger from earlier and was once more excited about their journey. She stuck her hand down her pocket once more and squeezed the necklace tightly before they rode off towards Silverpine.
Once they reached the border to Silverpine the sun began rising over the horizon. The gloomy forest around them never got too bright, but the sun was still a nice change from the almost pitch black night. Catherine took a deep breath, inhaling the light scent of decay and morning dew. But she realized this was not a time for pleasantries. These lands were dangerous, and with that thought Catherine began looking around suspiciously. She hated the tension of not knowing if an enemy was nearby. She was way too easily scared for this. Catherine shot the other forsaken a hesitant glance and brought her horse slightly closer to Millard's. She had never seen him fight but she did not doubt that he could defend her if they would end up in trouble.
"He... I'm not sure. I believe it was at the border of Gilneas. I suppose he's not there now, though. I..."
Catherine fell silent for a moment. She realized she had no idea where to look for Benjamin next. It wasn't very likely that he was at the border to Gilneas now, seeing how dangerous it was. The closer to the border one got, the more alliance soldiers there were about. The actual border was even more dangerous, there was no wonder Benjamin and his party had fallen victim to the forsaken army there.
"Maybe we should just... begin by looking at the outposts? I uh, perhaps they know something. Ehehh... follow me."
Catherine simply pressed her heels to the side of her horse to bring it into a trot. She had a plan and now she was in a hurry to see to it. She looked around for a brief moment. The Forsaken High Command was close, but if they went through the forest they would save plenty of time. Catherine simply pulled her horse off the road and disappeared into the dark forest. She glances over her shoulder once to see if the others had followed her but she could not see either one of them for now. Catherine continued to drive her heels into the side of her horse to make it run faster. She slowly began to realize that her shortcut might prove to be a mistake.
Catherine focused intently ahead of herself to find her way to the outpost, but it would seem that wherever she turned she only got deeper into the forest. She took a deep breath while her eyes darted around. She was lost. Catherine bit into her lower lip until the skin broke. A slight drop of puss got into her mouth from the wound and tasted quite rancid. Catherine grimaced in disgust but quickly snapped back into reality. She was lost on unfamiliar ground and there were plenty of creatures that would want her harm. She had no choice but to call for help.
"Hello... ? Millard... Bach... Anybody... ?"
Catherine rose her voice by each call and looked around. There was still some fog between the trees despite the sunrise and the sight intimidated her further. Her horse began treading back and forth anxiously which made the forsaken even more nervous. Was there someone close by... ?
Jorick gestured towards the fog that Catherine disappeared into.
"Silence. I am the commanding officer here and you better not forget that Deathguard. I have recruited many to the Wake including you. I will not tolerate anymore disrespect from your mouth. Now trust my judgement and help me find her."
Jorick bowed and did not dare utter another word. The cleric and him followed after Catherine while Bach was already gone. His horse was tied to a tree while he was already up in the Branches. The stalker was already loading his crossbow as he let out a warning:
"Worgen to the west!"
"Damned dogs!"
Jorick saw that he wouldn't be able to keep mounted long in the narrow forrest. He dismounted and scared his horse towards the road.
Millard slipped of his mount and tried to find good footing. He rose his cane and started muttering incantations, preparing for the fight.
Then, apart from his routine a thought came to his mind.
The snarl broke the silence around Catherine and her rotting horse. It was a deep, feral snarl. She recognized it immediately. Worgen. Catherine tried bringing her horse into a gallop, but just as the horse dashed off Catherine felt a massive creature bashing into her right side. Yellow, giant fangs snapped at her throat and claws tore at her torso as they both flew off the horse's back. Catherine landed roughly on the ground with a low grunt and immediately began flailing her legs to rid herself of her attacker. The worgen received a knee into its stomach which caused it to lose its breath, and Catherine was able to squirm out of its grip.
The forsaken caught one glimpse of her horse setting off deeper into the forest before the worgen began making her way to her feet once more. Catherine stumbled up to meet her adversary's glare. The worgen was still baring her teeth at Catherine and did not spare a single second before she launched herself at her enemy. Catherine just managed to dodge to the side before the worgen clashed into her. The forsaken took a deep breath. There was nothing she could do but defend herself.
Catherine let out a short sigh before she stretched her back and held her arms out. She stretched every bone out to her fingertips in a straight line and brought her arm in once more towards her chest, carefully curling her fingers and joints together in the process until her fist was curled over her heart. Catherine watched as the worgen launched at her once more but it was too late for her. She would be dead before she even got a chance to graze Catherine's robe. A light murmur emitted from the forsaken's lips as she continued to focus her magic onto her enemy. It wasn't very advanced magic, but it would surely bring the worgen down. In the exact moment as Catherine shot her arm out from her chest towards her enemy, the worgen fell into a pile merely inches away from her target. Catherine's victim whimpered and cried. Her eyesockets were gaping open in horror and agony as she continued to squirm on the ground in pain.
Catherine trembled in her entire body at the sight of the worgen. So fragile, so submissive... This is far too easy. She let forth a sinister smile at the worgen as she bent down and grabbed hold of one of her victim's eyes. In a single, firm jerk she tore it out of its socket and threw it onto the ground. The worgen bellowed in pain and horror, but her cries only lasted for a few more seconds. Catherine had already began channeling yet another spell which she summoned in her palm. With one single blow onto the tiny shadow in her hand it set off, manifesting over the worgen's nose. Nothing but muffled shrieks tore through the shadow, but Catherine could not help but stand by and watch as her enemy twitched for the last time before her life escaped her.
Last edited by dubbelbasse; 2011-11-02 at 12:23 AM.
As the first worgen broke through the foliage, the first crossbow bolt pieced his back. Bach didn't loose a second to check for wether his shot hit it's mark or not and reloaded his weapon. Meanwhile Jorick was swearing while his claymore was flaying through the worgen. Two of them headed for Millard. The cleric had already advanced his spell and was ready to unleash it. One of the worgen started to howl in agony and began flailing and scraping at his own head, as if he wanted to scratch out the source of the pain. Within moments the worgen was lying on the ground spasming. Then the priest turned his gaze upon the other worgen. He rose his hand in a gesture that demanded the worgen to stop. And with a look of utter surprise and indifference the worgen followed the cleric's command.
"Weak minded fools."
As Jorick was done with his worgen, he decapitated Millard's mind slave quickly. The Cleric looked for Bach, who was already down of the tree again.
"Let's get moving. The real force won't wait for us."
Jorick and Millard nodded and continued through the forest. It was taxing for Millard since his leg was hurting already, but they had to find Catherine.
Catherine had crawled up against a silvery tree next to her victim. Her breathing was beginning to calm itself once more. Her face began relaxing from the slightly crazed expression into a terrified frown. The forsaken's mind was catching up to her actions, and with every second she felt only more remorse and devastation. It had happened again. Catherine buried her glowing eyes into her decaying palms and sobbed quietly. She was still lost, and she had killed again.
Catherine remained absolutely still against the tree and continued her sulking for a few minutes when she heard it. A few branches up ahead cracked under the weight of someone and the leaves rustled as branches were swept aside by the approachers. She recognized their voices right away. Millard and his friends had found her. Catherine got up on her feet and wiped her eyes to rid herself from the tears. She quickly realized the worgen's corpse was still lying in the open right in front of her. The forsaken would have to act fast.
Catherine grabbed onto the worgen's leg and began pulling. She looked around anxiously for a hiding spot, but there was nothing but a bush nearby that could serve as any concealment. The worgen was heavy, but Catherine managed to drag her dead body over to the bush and attempt to stuff her behind the foliage. As she continued to attempt to fold her limbs against her body to hide her she did not spare a single glance over her should to see if the others had found her yet.
A broad smile must have formed under millard's veil and Jorick obviously saw it.
"Excuse me that i didn't trust your judgement." The death guard said as he slightly bowed to the Cleric. Then he looked at Catherine "That is impressive work indeed."
"We have one horse too less. And the worgen will come for us. We need to hurry. To Ambermill."
The stalker was still tense. He knew the worgen would find them again, and there would be more. Bach gestured the others towards the road. The Forsaken won't get lucky twice.
Catherine had just managed to fold the worgen's legs up to her chest when she heard the voice. She knew she had been caught. The young forsaken fought her impulse to break down in tears before she spun around and simply stared at the party of forsaken. They only relished in her accomplishment which made her feel disgusted by all of them, even Millard once she noticed his smile.
She remained silent out of fear of what would happen if she spoke now. Once Bach suggested they continue towards Ambermill Catherine was not late to comply. She dusted off her robe from dirt and followed Bach obediently as he lead them out of the forest towards the road once more.
As the morning began to set over Silverpine the group of forsaken arrived to Ambermill. They had managed to get there safely after all, although Catherine had not uttered a single word during their entire journey. Jorick had pestered her for a brief moment about her "triumph" over the worgen, but when she only responded by horrified glares he quickly lost interest. There was nothing admirable about her actions. It was nothing but vile, destructive offenses. She wasn't upset with anyone but herself at this point though, in fact there was only a slight hint of concern that Millard had began seeing her for what she turned into in the heat of battle.
Catherine eyed the crowd anxiously around the town. She did not remember Ambermill to be so large and she was immediately overwhelmed. She spared Millard an anxious glance and shuffled closer to him. Another light tug of his robe signaled that she required his attention, and just as he looked at her she leaned in to whisper once more.
Millard had a sudden look of exhaustion on his face.
"You are asking me now? You wanted to see this through. Now make your own decisions. Either you have the willpower to see this through or you don't. There's either victory or defeat. There is nothing in-between. Now excuse me I have to rest my leg."
Millard took off in the direction of one of the buildings. Jorick was following him, while Bach was still sitting on a barrel near Catherine. He was oiling the mechanic of his crossbow, but suddenly he rose his voice.
"Don't take that too hard. He does what he thinks is best for you. And he has had it rough in the past months."
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