Night of the Dragon (wow-5)

by Richard A. Knaak

"She's nothing to be afraid of, you old boar!" Marcus cheerfully called from the Stormchild as it began to set off from the docks again.

  The dwarf growled at the human, but there was a twinkle in his deep, brown eyes that said he and the captain were friends. To Iridi, Garthin added, "As I was sayin', none at all, lady. What brings you to Menethil Harbor?"

  "It is only a momentary pause. I must journey beyond for my task."

  "And what might that task be? Someone like yourself shouldn't be going out into the Wetlands. There're things worse than raptors there."

  She met his gaze. "Your concern is commendable, Master Garthin Stoneguider, but have no fear for me. I go where it is destined that I go."

  "I seen your like. Priestess, you are. You commune with somethin' called the noru—"

  "Naaru."

  "That's what I said," Garthin returned obstinately. "Some mystical beings or somethin'." He shrugged. "We've got no reason to stop you from goin' beyond our walls, but the final word'll be decided by the governing council. You'll have to wait until nightfall to hear from them."

  Although her calling had taught her much concerning the value of patience, Iridi did not take well to the thought of waiting for someone else to make a decision on a subject upon which she had already determined her course. She would leave Menethil Harbor and continue on, of that there was no mistake.

  Yet, she bowed her head and humbly replied, "As you say. Where might I seek sustenance?"

  He chuckled knowingly. "Oh, I'll show you the market...and keep you company until the decision's made."

  Iridi's estimate of the dwarf rose. Garthin knew that, left alone, the draenei would buy more than she needed for a meal, enough to continue her journey, In fact. Whether she liked it or not, the priestess would have to wait until nightfall.

  But, one way or another, she would leave the town before morning.

  Garthin proved more pleasant of a companion than Iridi could have imagined, the dwarf willing to explain most of what the draenei came across in the market. He also gave her a hint of the troubles the town was facing now.

  "'Tis not Just the Horde these days," the dwarf remarked at one point while Iridi pretended interest in some stoneware. "There're other things stirrin' beyond the Wetlands, they say. There've been shadows that blot out the moon and cries like those a demon might make."

  Although her eyes were still on the merchant's wares, the priestess listened very carefully. "’Demons’?"

  "Aye, though no one's seen 'em. Still, more than a few scouts've failed to return, and the council's deciding what to do next to investigate. I hear they're sendin' a message to the king," Garthin said, referring, Iridi knew, to his own kind's ruler. "But I'm of a mind that if he ain't sent someone out already, he ain't goin' to do so now..."

  Through moments such as this and other later ones, Iridi gathered enough information to make her certain that she was on the right track. The "demon cries" of which Garthin had spoken were enough by themselves to make her eager to move on... if only the council would give word.

  They did, but not until late after sunset, as Garthin had said. More important, the word they gave was not the one the draenei desired.

  Garthin received the missive from one of his own men, read it, then growled, "You're goin' nowhere, lady... but you've company. They ain't allowin' anyone toleave Menethil Harbor for the time bein’."

  Iridi molded her expression into one of mild disappointment, although deep inside the draenei was already plotting her departure. "I will need accommodations for the time being, then."

  "There's an inn that might suit one o' your callin', lady. I'll guide you to it."

  She bowed her head. "You are being most kind, Garthin Stoneguider."

  He smiled knowingly. "No... I'm doin' my duty. You will bestayin", lady, even if you end up in the jail. Orders are orders. No one's leavin'. For your own good."

  He obviously meant what he said, both about it being for her own good and especially that he would put her behind bars if necessary. Iridi considered carefully her answer; her intention to leave not in the least lessened despite the dwarf's warning.

  "If it is to be so, then it will be so—"

  But at that moment, horns blared from the walls overlooking the Wetlands.

  With a dexterity and swiftness that the priestess found astounding, Garthin drew his ax. "Stay here! I'm orderin' you to do that!"

  He ran off toward the wall. Iridi hesitated for only a second, then followed.

  Atop the wall, dwarven guards under the protection of the roofed battlements continued to blare on the horns while others heldtorches up in order to get some view of the dark lands beyond.

  And in those unseen lands, Iridi heard snarls and hisses that set her normally-controlled nerves on end.

  Garthin stood at the arched gate, where several other dwarves were preparing to march out into the night. More than twenty fighters hefted their weapons and, as soon as the signal was given by one of their fellows above, charged out.

  Unfortunately, something much larger tried to charge inside at the same time.

  Iridi only caught a glimpse of claws and teeth before the dwarves beat it back, their axes striking one after another with powerful effect. A pained roar echoed throughout Menethil Harbor. Despite that, Iridi caught a glimpse of one warrior suddenly pulled into the darkness... and for the first time she heard a dwarf scream in utter horror.

  Yet, despite that awful cry, Garthin and the others continued to push into the night, quickly followed by at least two dozen newcomers. Aware of the determination and might of dwarves. Iridi knew that the threat had to be a potent one.

  Heedless of either Garthin's orders or the danger without, the draenei priestess rushed forward. As she did, she extended her hand... and a staff formed in it, a staff whose head ended in a long, pointed crystal set in a sliver base. The crystal flared a bright blue. At the opposing end, a smaller but identical crystal added to the almost blinding effect.

  "Here now! Stop!" shouted a guard futilely as she slipped through the gate. Iridi discovered a wide bridge on the other side of the wall, one leading toward the fog-drenched Wetlands. At the far end of the bridge, she made out the shadowed forms of the fighters... and other creatures who loomed tall over the dwarves.

  She raised the staff and uttered the words the naaru had taught her predecessors long, long ago.

  The greater crystal exploded into even more brilliant light. A monstrous community of hisses and roars assailed her ears, and Iridi finally beheld what the dwarves battled.

  They were reptilian in appearance, but stood on hind legs. Their front paws ended in sharp, curved claws easily capable of rending cloth, flesh, and possibly even armor. Most were of some reddish tinge with yellow stripes, and all wore what appeared to be bands of feathers around their wrists and throats.

  They pulled back as one, the light clearly more than their narrow, burning orbs could take. The dwarves, their backs to the crystal, were able to quickly take advantage of the situation. They plunged into the band of reptiles, swinging their axes hard. Heavy blades chopped into scaled hides, spilling innards and life fluids. Three of the fearsome reptiles fell to the ground, two of which were quickly dispatched by the defenders. The third managed to crawl back, its twitching form ignored as the dwarves fought those still standing.

  But even thanks to her startling intervention, the stalwart warriors were hard pressed. Iridi counted at least twenty of the savage reptiles who, despite the dwarves' deadly axes, were giving as good as they got. They had both the advantage of size and swiftness... swiftness, in fact, that astounded the draenei. Worse, they used that speed in combination with a clear, organized assault, almost as if they were intelligent. The priestess saw one dwarf cut off from the rest, then surrounded and ripped to shreds before anyone could aid him.

  This must not continue! Iridi leapt forward, using the staff as a weapon now. She thrust it into the midsection of one reptile, then followed through with a kick perfe
ctly aimed at an unprotected area just under the snapping jaws.

  The beast dropped to its knees. With a free hand, the draenei toppled the reptile completely, sending it into one of its companions.

  But then a set of claws tore at her cloak. If not for its voluminous design, those claws would have also ripped out her shoulder. As it was, though, her cloak became tangled in the monster's paw. The reptile dragged her toward it, causing the staff to fall from her grip.

  Gritting her teeth, Iridi reached her stiffened fingers toward her adversary's open maw—and suddenly the reptile's head separated from its torso and tumbled into her arms. The body shivered, its death throes almost tossing her aside, but powerful arms pulled the startled priestess free before that could happen.

  "You must be mad!" Garthin growled. "Get back inside! The raptors will rip you to shreds!"

  "I only wish to help!"

  "By getting yourself turned into dinner?" With another growl, the dwarf started dragging her back to the sealed gate.

  A savage hiss was the only warning they had before a slavering, stench-ridden form fell upon them. Garthin grunted as a tall whipped across his chest, bowling him over and nearly sending him into the water flowing under the bridge.

  The raptor ignored her, more interested in the armored dwarf. Iridi realized that it was likely due to Garthin seeming more of a threat. The raptor assumed that it could deal with the softer, less imposing draenei once the dwarf was dead.

  But the reptile had taken no more than a step toward Garthin before the priestess flung herself into its midst. Senses heightened by years of intense training immediately analyzed the beast for any and all vital spots.

  One hand hit just below the eye. Her foot struck right under the rib cage.

  The raptor crumpled, its breath shocked from it, its nervous system stunned by the hand. Iridi landed atop the fallen creature, then rolled toward Garthin.

  The dwarf groaned as she held his head up. His gaze fixed on her.

  "Get—Inside—" he demanded.

  "Let me help you up," the priestess said, ignoring his frustration with her. She glanced around for her staff, but could not find it. Instead, Iridi saw Garthin's ax. She used it to enable the fighter to get to his feet.

  "Let me have that," he said in a dark tone. As she obeyed, the dwarf quickly raised his ax high, then burled it in the stricken raptor's throat.

  Iridi felt a momentary sense of repulsion, then reminded herself what was going on around them. Garthin had had no choice but to slay the beast.

  The dwarf turned to her once more. "Get back inside, or I'll carry you!"

  But that choice was no longer available to them. The battle had fallen back to the bridge, and both were now cut off. Although the raptors appeared unable to swim—for surely they would have otherwise crossed the waters and taken the fighters from behind— neither could the dwarves. Despite what Garthin might desire, Iridi would not abandon him for her sake.

  But the dwarf would not be ignored. With a grunt, he seized her wrist. "This way!"

  Garthin led her toward the right, away from the fight. The dwarf moved with purpose, clearly certain of his destination.

  "Those reptiles." Iridi called as they ran. "Does this often happen?"

  "You mean this mayhem? Nay! But somethin's got the lizards all riled up enough to flee their own haunts and try to take ours! Swear they'd even go for the ships if they had the brains to sail 'em!"

  The priestess was not so certain that the raptors were not capable of doing just that, but she held her peace. "So they attack you out of fear of some other threat?"

  Garthin chuckled, though there was no humor in the action. "Fortunate for us, eh? Aye, they started coming a few days back. First a couple, then more, and now, suddenly, this huge lot!"

  "Will you have to abandon Menethil Harbor?"

  He let out a defiant grunt. "Only when we're dead... Hah! Here it is!"

  They stood before a rock that only the draenei's excellent night vision enabled her to make out. It was roughly the girth of the dwarf, but she saw nothing else remarkable about it.

  "Keep an eye out," Garthin commanded.

  As she obeyed, he planted one shoulder against the rock. With tremendous effort, Garthin began shoving it aside.

  Iridi kept watch the struggle, which had turned into a stalemate, but also glanced back at both her companion's efforts and the misty Wetlands. Her mind raced as she decided her best choice.

  "Here!" the dwarf declared triumphantly. The priestess looked down to discover a hole underneath the rock. It was large and obviously the work of skilled hands... dwarven hands.

  She Instantly knew what it was for. "It leads into the town?"

  "Aye, into or out of it, depending on circumstances! No raptor'll fit in it, assuming that they could ever find it in the first place. There's a way to cover it back up once we're inside... or rather, once you're inside! Climb in."

  But Iridi had already made up her mind. She put a gentle hand on her protector's shoulder. "I am sorry, Garthin."

  "About wha—"

  He slumped forward, her fingers having touched the right nerve in his neck to make him temporarily unconscious. The draenei immediately hefted his dense form into the safety hole, then slipped the ax in after. Once assured that Garthin would be all right, the priestess inspected the stone. Unlike the dwarf, Iridi moved it back using not so much strength, but rather a sense of balance and direction.

  That done, she returned her attention to the fight. Guilt over abandoning the brave dwarves swept over her, and she started toward the bridge. However, at that moment, more figures came charging from the town, while from above, well-aimed bolts began falling upon the raptors. The tide began to turn.

  Iridi thanked the naaru for her sudden luck. There was no sign of her staff, but that was not a significant problem at this point. It would be there for her when she needed it.

  She headed Into the Wetlands, seeking the trail by which the raptors had journeyed from their old grounds. Trace back the reptiles' flight and she was certain that she would find that for which she had been searching.

  Or it would find her.

  A massive, winged form flew through the night over land and sea. It flew with a manic determination that only partially had to do with its mission. Its mind was in turmoil, the result of other events stretching across much of the breadth of the world of Azeroth. Indeed, the mission it was upon was, in some ways, a relief... though it also added new burdens.

  The shrouded sky rumbled, threatening a powerful storm. The huge flyer immediately darted upward, passing through clouds and rising up to where the moon shone down upon the darkening cloud cover.

  Fatigue already touched the flyer, but it pushed on. It had a certain location in mind before it could rest and would reach it no matter how much the struggle. The vast, webbed wings beat harder, enabling the flyer to cut the miles as if they were nothing... which indeed they were to this particular dragon.

  The storm stirred to waking below, but above there was only the dragon and moon. The former ignored the latter utterly, though its light well-illumlnated the scaled behemoth's path, not to mention the behemoth itself.

  And in that light, the dragon's scales shone almost as bright as the moon... if the moon were blue.

  FIVE

  Korialstrasz awoke to the realization that he had been asleep.

  It was not what he should have been doing.

  His second discovery was that he no longer wore his true form, but was shaped and clad as Krasus.

  And as Krasus, he slowly registered his surroundings, a ragged cave perched on the side of a desolate hill overlooking a swampy region. Krasus knew immediately where he was, though how he had gotten here was still a lost memory.

  The Wetlands were near his goal, but not exactly on his original path. The dragon mage stumbled toward the cave's edge, then studied the sky. It gave him no clue as to his coming here.

  The last thing that he recalled, he had b
een using what little strength he had to reach the shore. It had been his intention to find a secluded area, then settle down for a short rest.

  From there, Krasus had no idea what had happened... and that was a rare instance for him. He did not like being at a loss, especially under the circumstances. In addition, Krasus had no idea exactly how long he had been asleep. A dragon could sleep for minutes, hours, days, weeks... It all depended upon circumstances.

  This trek has been a troublesome one from the first breath on. That cannot be coincidence. He glared at his surroundings, momentarily blaming them for his state.

  Then, drawing himself together, Krasus pushed aside his frustrations. If there was a reason for his unnatural slumber, he would likely learn it soon enough. What mattered was that he was so verynear his destination.

  So very near Grim Batol.

  Krasus began the transformation to Korialstrasz... then hesitated. A dragon was a hard thing to miss, even by the blind. He had a better chance of encroaching on the dread mountain if he remained as he was. Indeed, that had been his likely intention when first he had left his sanctum, but his disturbing sleep had momentarily made him forget. Perhaps he had even transformed into his smaller form for that reason...

  "So it shall be, then." Krasus eyed the hillside, seeking a path down. If he hoped to remain hidden from those watching for magical beings such as himself, it behooved him to use only enough of his power to shield his presence. Besides, his current physical form was not adverse to hard effort.

  Gloved hands took hold of the rocky hillside as he cautiously lowered himself down into the Wetlands. The difference in the climate became noticeable almost immediately; the land below was far more humid. Fortunately, though he resembled an elf—albeit a very pale one—Krasus had a red dragon's adaptability to heat. The Wetlands bothered him not in the least; the caverns of his flight were far more comfortably hot and, depending on the location, much more moist.

  The cries of Wetlands life were oddly muted as Krasus stepped onto the soft, wet soil. In general, a place such as this was teeming with animals and insects eager to vocalize their presence. However, though he heard some of both groups, there should have been much more activity.