Silvermoon Guardians

Journey to the Outland

It’s finally here!!! The day I have long awaited and feared. I awoke this morning and after having packed my satchel with provisions for the journey I kissed my mother goodbye, and walked away still feeling the good bye hug from my father to enlist my services with the alliance. Northshire… Only about a half a days journey from my family farm. As I approach the gates I hear my mother’s voice in my head “Now Rebecca, you be good, and do everything the soldiers tell you to do. Remember, seek out Deputy Willem and Marshal McBride when you arrive.” I could still see the single tear running down her cheek as she added the last “and be safe my dear. Above all, be safe”.

I was excited, but my mother's voice hatched a tiny bead of fear in my heart. I kept pushing it down, but there it was, ever present. I hadn’t travelled far from home before; this was going to be quite a journey for me. My father had told me stories of his time serving with Deputy Willem and Marshal McBride. Fearsome stories about highwaymen and bandits, the services he’d done for the King of Stormwind, and cold nights out in the wilderness. I glance at the letter of recommendation and touch the sword at my belt that my father had given me before I left. I just hoped to do my family proud.

The trees of Elwyn were in full green leaf, and the critters were all busily gathering supplies in preparation for winter. My thoughts were the loudest thing in the forest. I couldn't help feeling a bit of sadness for the family I left behind, but anticipation for the new adventures that would be awaiting me. Now I know that adventures weren't the first thing that I would meet, but I could still dream of them. My father told me enough of them as a child; he said that one day I would be travelling down the same forest road I am travelling now, ready to serve the alliance and protect my people. Little did I know that soon my life would change in ways that even my father couldn't have imagined.

My first impression of the Abbey was mindnumbing awe. Here it was, a massive stone monastery set in a perpetual garden, peppered here and there with blue roofs and risig bell towers, looking every bit as pristine today as when it was first founded... a master of its own realm. It dwarfed me with its size and intimidated me with its hushed interiors, but throughout this feeling of helplesness was also pride of being part of its welcoming grasp and of having such a grandiose structure in my own realm.

Marshal McBride and Deputy Willem proved every bit as dry and authoritative as I imagined the army recruitment officers to be, taking over my life with a storm of tasks and orders, accentuated nearly every minute by motivational propaganda speeches and asurances how I - a farm girl from the outskirts of Goldshire - can change a course of a nation. I noded and saluted as I was taught but I slaved harder in obtaining my keep at the Abbey than I ever had before on my family's farm.

The days were long, the nights were short and company was ever so fleeting. I shared a bunk with Nuraa, a blue-skinned Draenei that came to stay here all the way from Exodar. She was the first Dranei I have ever seen. I knew even less where this Exodar lied. Her roots, as she explained, were from Outland. And Outland was under siege...

I sat on my bunk mesmerized while Nuraa told me the story of her near escape from Outland. Of how her parents forced her onto the Exodar to save her from the forces of Illidan and Kael'Thas. How they stayed behind to help fight the hordes of demons, and how she vowed to return to see the corpses of those who tore her family apart. Through out her tale I could only picture my mother and father suffering the same fate that her family had, and I felt rage. I vowed to follow her and help seek vengence on those who preyed on the innocent.

As we sat in our bunkhouse telling our life stories, Nuraa and I were suddenly startled by the clanging of the bells in Stormwind. The time had come that we both knew would one day be our duty, but deep down I'm sure we both never expected it to happen. War.

The two of us stared at each other for what seemed like a lifetime but only lasted a few seconds. We were jumping from our bunks and into our armor as quickly as we could. My hands felt ten sizes too big for the fasteners; I was shaking. When I looked at Nuraa, I could only see a deep furrow in her brow. I couldn't tell if it was anger or worry; maybe a little of both.

"Here, let me get that for you, you're shaking" Nuraa said softly.

I forced a small smile, "Thanks".

"We're going to be okay you know; we've trained well", she said.

"I know."

I hoped with all my heart she was right. My mind was swimming with the possibilities of what lie ahead. I ran out of the Abbey and into the field, ready to receive our orders. As I looked over my shoulder at the Abbey, I had no idea that it would be years until I ever saw it again.

As our fellow students assembled in the courtyard, we could both tell something was deeply wrong. Marshal McBride's face was worn and drawn, and Deputy Willem was nowhere to be seen. Many of the students were fidgeting nervously; I know I was probably one of them. Nuraa, on the other hand, stood calm and collected, even as a new figure stepped out before them. Despite his diminuitive size, the gnome looked both intimidating and ragged; his battered armor had seen clearly seen recent repair, but he stood upright and proud, glaring out at the assembled students.

"Listen up, recruits!" the gnome said in a squeaky voice highly at odds with his glare. "My name is Lieutenant Commander Alouitious Gearcrank, and I am going to be leading this company into Stormwind."

Several snickers came from some of the students. Glaring, the small figure removed his helm, revealing hair that was shockingly pink, even damp and clinging to his head. Striding forward, he rapped one of the students on the knee with an armored forearm.

"This is not a drill!" he shouted at the young man, who was busy hopping and holding on to his injured leg. "You think that the Imps running around Stormwind are going to hold back from eating your ears for an appetizer just cuz you think they're funny looking?!?!"

Nuraa spoke up. "Imps? In Stormwind!"

The gnome turned to regard the Draenei, and I could see at last the sheer fatigue on his face. "Yes. Demons. The Dark Portal is again open."

The march to Stormwind seemed to be almost surreal. In once sense, it seemed as if we were moving in slow motion, and yet, time seemed to slip by at an alarming rate. The air seemed thick, and I found myself noticing the most inconsequential details, like the way the normal forest sounds were completely absent, and that our passage was raising a considerable dust cloud. Finally, as my thoughts raced 'round and 'round, the massive gates of Stormwind hove into view, and there was smoke rising above them.

The smell and haze of smoke filled the air as the troop approached the gates of Stormwind. The sight of the newest symbol of humanity in the region burning tugged at my soul like an archer on a bowstring. We could see more troops coming from the garrisons stationed in the neighboring regions, all of them led by unfamiliar yet powerful commanders. As we neared closer the screams of the dieing began to be heard. Men, woman, and children running for their lives out of the gates toward us. A few of my fellow students as well as others from the troops were told to calm and usher the townsfolk to safety. As I waited for my commands I thought to myself, " is anyplace really safe."

I watched as our diminuitive commander unslung a massive pike from his mechanical, bird-like mount, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"This unit is untested, but it is not unskilled," he said to us. "Our job is to make it to the Cathedral and assist the Paladins with protecting the Archbishop. Make sure you stay together! Believe it or not, I don't fancy looking for you through demon infested streets!"

I looked toward Nuraa, hoping to gain some confidence. Yet she looked deeply troubled, and even angry. I remembered then that these demons had driven her from her home. I wondered what might be going on in her head, but didn't have long to ponder it. Commander Gearcrank was already leading us into the city, spear held at the ready. Making sure my sword was loose in the scabard, I followed him in

As we moved onto the Cathedral, I could see that the streets were strewn with slain demons. I had never seen such horrid creatures and wondered what I would do when faced with fighting one. I nearly tripped over a body, and when I looked down noticed it was a young girl of 5 or 6. I froze in my tracks; my heart skipping a beat as I began to shake.

A sharp jolt of my body brought me to my senses, and a fire bolt landed just where I had been standing. I turned to see next to me a tall tree! I almost froze again, but the tree popped into a tall, handsome Night Elf.

"Keep moving young human, you don't want one of those flames hitting you" he said. I could only give a small nod before I continued moving with the group, but that was enough for him. As I watched for more enemies in my path, I saw his tree form moving cleanly through the crowd. I would never forget that Night Elf, and hoped that I would meet up with him one day again to learn his name and thank him for my life.

But first, I had to get to the Cathedral!

We moved forward out of the former market zone, into the canals. All we had to do was cross the bridge, and we'd be at the Cathedral where the Paladins would be. Just as we reached the apex of the span, a pack of infernals appeared from nowhere. Suddenly Nuraa began moving her arms and chanting in a manner I'd never seen. I'd heard her speak of the Draenaic Shamanism but this was the first time I'd witnessed it. A totem popped up near me, and instantly I could feel that my armor had strengthened.
Our company took positions and Commander Gearcrank shouted last minute instructions. Then everything dissolved in a blur. I heard cries around me, but I was too busy concentrating on one infernal that seemed determined to sear me to a cinder. I dodged, spun, and parried, but never seemed able to get a strike in. Seconds seemed like hours as we danced our deadly duel. Without realizing it, my mind cleared and in that clarity my body flowed in the forms our instructors had taught. The infernal overreached and my small sword struck home. The demon teetered, then fell hissing into the canal. The wound I had caused it was minor, but no fire can withstand the cooling of effect of that much water.
Just then Gearcrank came up. "Quickly" he cried, "We've wasted too much time here, to the Cathedral!"