Tales from the Scourge Invasion

This is the start of a bit of fanfiction I was working on shortly after the release of the expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. I hope you enjoy it.

The Veiled Sea was calm. Calmer than usual and it’s waters were a clear blue, blazing like a sapphire in the midday sun. The water wasn’t as clear as the shining turquoise waters of the sea in Tanaris, but it was still clear. Just a few yards off the shore, Skitters could be seen going about their business, under the surface, feeding on plankton and small fish. Occasionally, a Firefin would break the surface, sending ripples across the water. Sea birds added their happy cries from above as they glided over the water. A warm breeze blew in, bringing with it the smells of the ocean, making it easy to loose one’s self in the picturesque surroundings. The tropical island of Blackmaw was a very good place to get away from the turmoil of the outside world.
Kalandria Lightforge sat on the warm sand of the shore, taking it all in. With her boots next to her, she wriggled her bare toes into the warm sand, taking in the warmth as it relaxed the aching soles of her feet. Clad in only her linen shirt and wool breeches, she let the sun work it’s warmth into her body, helping relax her sore muscles after the morning of hard work. Her sword, a slender, two-handed blade, lay just behind her, sheathed in its plain leather scabbard. Kal filled her lungs with the fresh, salty air as she gazed out across the water. The breeze fluttered her long, chestnut brown hair around her smooth face as she lost herself in empty thoughts.
Her time on the island had given her a deep, bronze tan. The time she spent working with her sword or at the forge and anvil had toned her muscles to taunt iron. Her frame held her muscle mass well though. She still had all of her womanly curves, which most men found very pleasing. It was her attitude and ability that they shied away from.
On Blackmaw Island, Kalandria was a soldier, often blending in with the other inhabitants, not as one of their leaders, but as an equal in every way. No history was asked of someone when they came to Blackmaw. Each person started out as an equal. No one asked and eventually no one cared where a person came from. The island was an escape for those that came here.
There was a time when Kal was involved with the outside world. She had longed to be a Paladin, in service to the Light. It was a family tradition. Her brother’s death at the hands of demons and their followers had fueled her. She had been one of the first in line to go to Outland when the Dark Portal re-opened. Together with her friends and her long-time love interest, Danvar Caledon, Kal traveled with the Alliance forces attempting to stop a push by the Burning Legion into Azeroth. Her unit eventually was decimated. In a last ditch effort; a young mage with the unit opened a portal back to Stormwind for the retreat. Just as they stepped through the portal and it closed, Danvar was struck by a Legion spear and mortally wounded. Danvar died in Kalandria’s arms that day. No healing or prayers saved Danvar that day. Kal felt that the Light had abandoned her and she forsook it. She left the Alliance and ventured off in mourning and scorned, alone.
Deacon Marshal had found Kalandria in Tanaris a year after that, willing to fight anyone and too drunk to care. He saw her spirit was still true though. After a month of careful, relentless convincing, Kal agreed to listen to his plans and then to accompany him to the island he had found where old soldiers and those who were scarred could come to heal or retreat from the war-torn world. Even though Blackmaw Island was an escape, the people there knew that the day would come when steel would have to be bared again and they would all have to face war again. Through training and discipline, they would be ready this time. Kal had spent her days here, training and working at the forge and smith shed she helped build. She, like the others, found peace and serenity here. She also found that time had healed her loss and hurt. Her mind was clear and the course of her life was chosen. She was at peace. Kalandria was ready to do what she needed to when the time came. When called upon, she would fight her inner demons and fight the foes before her. She was a Blackmaw Blade and she was ready. The Blackmaw Blades would stand steadfast against all foes and welcome death’s embrace like a mother’s arms.
As her thoughts drifted, Kal became aware of a rustle in the bushes behind her, five paces up the beach. She didn’t bother reaching for her sword. She just continued to look out across the water as a short, stocky figure emerged from the lush vegetation. A fiery red topknot and bushy beard to match looked around for a moment before seeing Kalandria and making his way towards her. Kristain Stonehammer was of average height for a dwarf, although he was just as stocky as he was short. His stoutness was all dense muscle though. For his size, he was strong, if not stronger, than most humans. His ice blue eyes were clear and sharp. Even though he held no beauty in his features to Kalandria, Kristain often bragged that the dwarven women could not resist his charm and good looks. He was good with his double-bladed axe. Kal knew that and admired him for his skill with the weapon. He could best most on the island with axes. Kristain was also a superb blacksmith, which Kal also admired. His one flaw was the love of mead and brandy, which could land him in trouble more often than not.
“You make more noise than a Thunder Lizard loose in a china shop.” Kal said as Kristain came along side of her with a bemused smile. “It’s a good thing you never tried your hand in a thieves’ guild.”
“Meh mutha would say the same, lass. Quite the same.” Kristain dropped down onto the sand next to Kal. “Give meh a straight-forward fight ta sneakin’ around any day.”
“So why did you come out here? Don’t say the company, either, Kristain.”
The dwarf gave a snort. “Graydon and meh came ta fetch ya. Bluffrunner says he seein’ tha boat from Feathermoon comin’ in.”
Kal did turn her head to look back up the beach as the pair was joined by a third. Stepping out of the shadows, unseen until he did, Graydon Shadowblade made his way towards Kristain and Kalandria. A head taller than Kal, Graydon emulated the typical Night Elf. He was well muscled, yet still long and slender of body. His long black hair and trimmed beard enhanced his elven features. Gray skin and gold eyes made him almost handsome to Kal. Graydon moved with grace and an air of serpentine deadliness. Graydon was smooth and fluid when it came to working the swords. He normally wielded a sword matched to Kal’s, but recently he had taken to using two curved blades which he could use just as well, if not better. She respected him, not just because of that, but because he was always honest with her. His eyes disturbed her however. Kal had spent enough time with the Night Elves to know that gold eyes were either a sign of a great destiny or a very bad, ill omen.
Kal gave Graydon a friendly wave as she stood. “So the boat is coming in? Now?” directing her question towards Graydon as he joined them. “We aren’t due for supplies for another three months.”
“That is what Yazi Bluffrunner said.” Sometimes, Graydon’s proper and stuffy speech annoyed Kal.
“Well… No use standing around. We should see why Captain Idrilae has come early.” Kal picked up her sword and boots, walking barefoot to the path that led back to the Blackmaw compound. From there, she would travel to Blackwatch Cove.
Kristain hoisted himself up with a grunt and hurried to catch his companions. “Perhaps Thrall has surrendered or tha Maelstrom’s gone silent.” Kristain said with an air of sarcasm. “Or perhaps there are more than two new recruits.” The others nodded at that. Most individuals seeking out the Blackmaws had to wait in Feathermoon Stronghold until the boat returned to the island every six months. Only those who could afford the gold could get the boat to come earlier, which weren’t many at all. The other option was that there were three or more wanting to come to the island, but that had never happened before. The agreement between Feathermoon and the Blackmaws was just that. It often weeded out the less desirable candidates for the island.
“I doubt that you are even remotely close, Kristain, in your guesses.” Graydon and Kristain often had a love/hate relationship. They either were antagonizing each other or they were acting as best friends. Kal knew that the two of them were more committed to each other as friends than either would admit though. They would probably go down in battle, back-to-back, fighting off hordes of enemies, assisting each other as they taunted the other, all the way to their deaths.
“Regardless of who he carries or what has brought him here, Idrilae has come and it must be important.” With these words from Kal, the trio fell silent.
The walk through the tropical trees and vegetation, from the western side of the island to the cove in the north took thirty minutes. Not one of the trio tried to quicken the pace set by Kal.