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[Caeryn] The North ..

[Caeryn] The North ((Finished))

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Friday, January 01 2010 @ 01:51 AM MST

The recruitment office had been teeming with them. These overly eager men and women � young and old, at varying levels of experience in their careers as Paladins, all stumbling into William Gallo�s office at the tournament grounds.

�I want to join the Ashen Verdict!� they would cry, their plate mail nearly blinding, as they would strain themselves in a strict salute.

William would sigh, leaning back in his chair he would look over their dossier and find some reason, any reason, to get them out of his office so he could get back to doing something else. Anything else. He went through the interviews as almost by rote, what brought them here, what were their qualifications, what made them want to join the Verdict, what were their weaknesses, what experience did they have with Scourge, etc.

Many of these Paladins were fresh-faced boys and girls who were children when Arthas marched his army across Lordaeron the first time. William, however, had a long memory. So long it�d landed him a desk job.

�We�ll contact you,� William held the dossier away from his face to read it, �Anna Ken.. Kennedy.�

Anna Kennedy�s face fell, but she gave a stiff salute all the same, hoping that her stiff posture and newly polished armor gave some sort of authoritarian air. An Ashen Verdict authoritarian air, �Always a pleasure Lord Gallo.�

�Whatever,� William muttered, �Light go with you.� He said the second more audibly.

Anna turned and marched out of William Gallo�s office and collided with the next person to seek his fortune. Anna�s armor, in a reflection contest, would have passed the mirror test; however, this next candidate looked as if he walked off a dirt nap on the jousting grounds.

Jeremy Smith was no one of consequence among the Argent Crusade. He was at his post on time each morning. He guarded with authority. He was generally clean. He�d not had a mark against him in his record, but he�d never been accused of doing anything extraordinary either. He took his turns in the mess hall admirably, cooking amazing stews. He also provided quite a bit of aid repairing damaged armor.

The collision between Miss Kennedy and Mr. Smith occurred due to Mr. Smith having his nose buried in a copy of The Light and How to Swing It.

�Watch where you�re going you cretin!� Miss Kennedy exclaimed.

�So � So sorry, um, are you hurt? I can �. I can probably fix any dents in your armor�� Mr. Smith said.

�Oh, leave me alone,� and with a wave of the hand, Anna Kennedy was around the corner.

William Gallo witnessed the entire exchange, and made a mark on Miss Kennedy�s application. He then threw it in a large crate marked, �BURN.�

Jeremy Smith knocked lightly on the doorframe of William Gallo�s office, �Hello. I have an appointment. My name is Jerem��

�Jeremy Smith. Yes. You�re exactly on time. No surprise there,� William smiled a strained smile.

Jeremy continued anyway, �Jeremy Smith,� he said, walking into Mr. Gallo�s office, looking around. The office was full of commendations, medals, and lances. It was impressive indeed. Jeremy noticed a standard of Lordaeron on the wall; he went over to it to touch it, stopping himself.

�You like that, boy?� William Gallo asked.

�Well, I�m not from Lordaeron, but � I, well, it�s hard to explain,� Jeremy said, he then cleared his throat, �anyway, I�d like to join the Ashen��

�The Ashen Verdict. I know.� William smiled at Jeremy, with more warmth this time, �Are you fond of history, son?�

�I have a curiosity about it, yeah,� Jeremy replied, �I mean, you can�t just go on living your life without knowing what came before you, or you�re kinda � what�s the word � delusionalising yourself.�

�Deluding, I think, is the word you�re looking for.�

�Yeah. That�s it. Anyway, you have to look at what people did before you to know how to live your life. Kinda like, you know, having role models,� Jeremy tried desperately to hide his book in his hands.

William saw the young Paladin�s poor sleight of hand attempt, �You fond of Uther, then?�

Jeremy seemed to catch his breath, �OH AM I?!� He cleared his throat, �I mean, Sir, yes sir.�

William smiled, showing his teeth this time, �You know, Uther made mistakes, just like anyone else.�

�That�s the thing you learn, though, isn�t it? That everyone makes mistakes. Even the best and most noble of us,� Jeremy said. He swallowed hard, �Even when we think we�re making the best decision ever, it could be the worst decision ever. But we have�ta understand that it�s our decision. And we gotta own our own decisions.� Jeremy looked at the Lordaeron standard again; William followed his gaze.

�We reap what we sow.�

�Yeah. I had friends; they died in the plague. I was �sposed to be with them. But I left early. One of �em was trying to get to me, but she never made it.�

William touched the Lordaeron standard, �We all have pasts, boy. We can�t let those take us over.�

�But they guide us, our pasts do. And I don�t think if I never got word of that � plague, or saw them Paladins marching into Southshore the way they did, I would never have become ME. Like I am now. I never would have come to Icecrown,� Jeremy said, setting his jaw, �When the first person who ever cared about you dies for a stupid reason, you can either forget about it or work to correct it. I�m workin� to correct it.�

�So you think you�ll always do right?�

�Oh, I done a lotta wrong in my life, Lord Gallo. But I understand that, and I made my apologies, and I try not to do wrong,� Jeremy said, looking William in his eyes, �If I do wrong under the guise of doing right, then, call me a ba- well, tell me I�m doin� something wrong, and I�ll fix it.�

William looked Jeremy over. His armor was that of a working Paladin. His beard was neatly groomed. His hair neatly combed. He looked as innocent as any boy could look, with his blond hair and blue eyes, he looked as if he was playing Make Believe in his father�s armor. There was seriousness, though, a conviction really, in Jeremy�s eyes that William Gallo had not seen anywhere else. And more than anyone else, Jeremy Smith had his head on straight. The boy may not be a day over twenty-two, but he was intelligent, and thought things through.

The boy had a moral compass, and wasn�t a Light wielding killing machine.

William Gallo put his hand on the boy�s plated shoulder, �Jeremy Smith, I believe the Ashen Verdict needs someone like you.�

Jeremy bit his lower lip, �Lord Gallo, I sure hope you�re not kidding, because this is all I have ever wanted in my entire life.�

�And what sort of person would I be to deny that of you? Welcome to the Ashen Verdict, Jeremy Smith.�

The two shook hands. The handshake was firm. Jeremy looked straight into William Gallo�s eyes, and gave him a firm nod.

It is a funny thing, when a person actualizes their destiny: Jeremy Smith walked out of William Gallo�s office, now having everything he had ever wanted, and all of a sudden, was at a loss of things to do.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Sara

Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 948

Saturday, January 02 2010 @ 10:37 PM MST

(I liked this alot. I'm looking forward to the further installments, and especially to the eventual meeting of Jeremy and Caeryn.)

President and First Tiger

Steiner

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 256

Monday, January 04 2010 @ 01:42 PM MST

Jeremy and Audre might be fun too. I can see Audre being totally horrified after hitting on him then realizing who it is.

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Wednesday, January 13 2010 @ 12:54 AM MST

Jeremy Smith stood watch as another burned corpse was removed from the citadel. The men had been ordered to burn their fallen, the features colleagues and friends now unrecognizable after the fire was done with them. The alternative, however, was even more horrific. The young Paladin continued to stand his ground. It was an image he�d been trying to become accustomed to: these charred remains of comrades and heroes lying in simple pine boxes. Tirisfal Pine, one Paladin had joked. How fitting.

The Ashen Verdict was nothing that he had learned about being a Paladin. No. It was about bloodthirst for the dead, under the guise of righting wrongs. Streaming in every day were heroes of the Alliance, to whom he saluted and gave his good wishes. With whom he joked at the mess hall. Whose women he would stare at in their leather armor and cloth robes.

And then there were the heroes of the Horde. The monstrous orc and troll men and women who hulked over their tables, eating their food with such � passion, and the tauren who towered over him and, at the same time filled him with such calm. One of his colleagues said that one had to feel calm when an eight-foot bipedal cow was breathing on them. The elves were easy enough, and he stared at their women the same way he stared at those in the Alliance.

� but the Forsaken. He�d seen them walking the Ashen Verdict camp as Death Knights, and had become used to them in that role. Reclaimed Scourge. He was able to almost write them off in that capacity. But as a hero? No. These animated corpses reminded him of everything he was fighting against, and when one passed him while he was on duty, he found himself gripping the hilt of his weapon more tightly.

Of course, there had been Horde races in the Argent Dawn for years, and the Argent Crusade was no different. But Jeremy had heard stories of what happened at the Wrathgate, and how loyal were these dead things to their Warchief, anyway? He would take no chances.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Due to Jeremy�s age and relative inexperience, he was placed on guard duty at the front doors of the Citadel; it was a glorified greeter position. His job was to nod, to salute, and to do everything he was meant to do, and to look good doing it. He did it well: his beard was well groomed, his hair neatly combed, and his armor polished. He felt that if he continued to do well at nodding and saluting out here, he may be promoted to nodding and saluting closer to the actual breach.

On a Monday evening, a Jeremy noted a Forsaken in black and red leathers walk by the front door on three occasions. On the fourth, the corpse approached the door.

�Oh, please let him go see Sam. Please let him talk to Sam. Please let him talk to Sam,� Jeremy pleaded silently, his eyes closed.

�Very poor guarding, standing with your eyes closed,� the corpse said, his voice rattling around in his chest cavity, �One might have taken easy advantage, if it were one�s wish.�

Jeremy instantly grabbed for his weapon, �Are you threatening me?�

The dead man calmly held up both arms, his head hidden by a dark red hood, �Not at all. Poor humor, I am afraid. We lose it upon death.� The Forsaken lowered his right arm slowly, watching Jeremy through the hood. He extended his hand, �Gideon Sparrow. And you are?�

Jeremy scoffed, leaving his right hand on his sword, �Gideon Sparrow? Sounds made up.�

�I rather liked it better than Ralph Quarry,� Gideon said, �your name?�

Samuel Cameron, the Paladin on the other side of the gate spoke up, �His name�s Jeremy Smith. And I don�t think he likes you very much, Mr. Sparrow.�

Jeremy sighed, his chin falling to his chest, �Well, that became rather obvious when the young man leapt for his weapon, � Gideon laughed � it didn�t sound pleasant, �And you, sir?�

�Samuel Cameron, but you can call me Sam. Everyone else does,� replied Sam.

�Very well, Samuel. Now, to the matter of Jeremy Smith, for whom I have a question.�

Jeremy rolled his eyes, �What?�

Samuel Cameron gave Jeremy a �watch it� look. Jeremy met his gaze and stood up a bit straighter, �I mean, how can I help you, Mr. Sparrow?�

Gideon smiled, neither Jeremy nor Samuel could see it, but they could hear it in his voice, �Do you have the time?�

Jeremy started to open his mouth, aghast, but instead pulled a pocket watch from a chain on his armor, �It�s half past nine bells.�

�Then I am early, I am afraid, Mr. Jeremy Smith. And I do believe we can enjoy one another�s company a bit longer.� Samuel Cameron laughed, Jeremy forced a smile, and Gideon Sparrow tilted his head to the side.

�How could you be so early?� Jeremy asked, �I�ve seen you walking this area for about an hour.�

�It�s a funny thing, time,� said Gideon, �When you have all of it in the world, the particulars cease to matter.� Samuel laughed again.

�Must be nice,� Jeremy said, �But, you won�t be able to chat with us, I�m afraid, Sam and I have a lot of important � stuff to do.�

�Yeah,� Samuel said, �Like nodding and saluting. Come back in about ten minutes, we can chat for a bit more then. Can�t be seen chatting the entire shift away, looks bad for business.�

�Yeah, looks bad, us talking to you,� Jeremy said. Samuel sighed.

�To me? Such a pity, and here I thought you Paladins had reformed a bit. Good day to you both, Samuel Cameron and Jeremy Smith. I think I saw some Death Knights down the way who looked to be having quite the ball looking dour and depressing.�

And with that, Gideon Sparrow walked off. Samuel Cameron looked at Jeremy, �What the hell was that about? You�re about the nicest guy on the planet, but it looked like you were gonna take that guy�s head off.�

�I feel like I shoulda.�

�You got a problem with the deaders?�

�Yeah. Don�t you?�

�Nah. They�ve got a problem with The Lich King prolly bigger than yours or mine. They wanna see him dead more�n you or me�ll ever know, I bet.�

�I dunno.�

�You know, if you don�t believe me, we got someone from the Undercity who can explain this stuff to you. And, as your superior officer, I�m gonna go recommend you see her.�

�Her? They got lady deaders?�

�They�re hard to tell apart. Anyway, her name�s Peyton, and she�s in the blue and black tent with the Undercity seal on the side. I want you to see her tomorrow for an hour before your shift, got it?�

�Huh? I gotta go talk to someone �bout my problem with these people?�

�Yeah. You do. You can�t go attackin� every single one that comes to the door, or we�re gonna look bad. An� we can�t go around lookin� bad.�

�This is stupid.�

�You�re actin� stupid. You�ll be at that tent tomorrow morning, if you know what�s good for you.�

�Fine.�

�Fine.�

They stood in silence for the remainder of their shift, which was two hours. Gideon Sparrow witnessed the entire conversation, from his place in the shadows not ten feet away.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Sara

Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 948

Wednesday, January 13 2010 @ 03:27 PM MST

I wondered how you would weave Jeremy into Caeryn's path. I like it! I'm anxious to see what sparks will fly.

President and First Tiger

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Thursday, January 21 2010 @ 01:18 AM MST

�So � what I don�t understand is �� the fresh faced human Paladin began.

�What is it, now?� the rogue responded. She was tired, bored. She reached forward feeling for a small instrument on the table; finding it, she held in her claws, the talon what stood in place of a fore-claw tapping on its handle.

The Paladin was somewhat unnerved. He searched the Forsaken�s face for some kind of expression. Caeryn�s face, however, remained blank.

�Well, I still don�t understand how you�re not Scourge. I mean, you�re dead, like the Scourge. You kill people indiscriminately, like the Scourge,� Caeryn sighed, �And you eat people like the Scourge.�

Caeryn Peyton struggled to remember the Sensitivity Training she�d gone through in order to �best serve the target population;� however, she failed.

�And what would make a Scourge tolerate your coming in here, day after day, barraging her with the same questions � to which she provides answers � without having killed you, and eaten you, long ago?� Caeryn tilted her head to the side, her talon resting comfortably on the tool�s handle.

The young Paladin squirmed up his face, �I guess not much.�

�No, �not much� indeed,� Caeryn replied, replacing the tool exactly where she�d found it, �If I were Scourge � if the Forskaen were Scourge, we wouldn�t tolerate your presence, the Horde�s presence, nor the Alliance�s presence anywhere near us. No.�

Somewhere above the Paladin�s head, a candle seemed to appear, and catch flame, �But you could be smart Scourge!�

The rogue�s chin fell to her bony chest, �Enough. Do you think the Lich King has the desire to play with his food?�

�Yes.�

�What?� the Forsaken was incredulous.

�Well, this whole time we�ve been at the Tournament, what has he been doing? Playing house in this Citadel of his?� the Paladin countered, defiant. He stood up straighter, his voice more confident.

�I do not think you understand the reasoning of the dead,� Caeryn said.

�Ah ha! But you do! I knew it!� the Paladin answered. He considered himself vindicated.

The rogue ground her teeth; the sound was unsettling to the human. She crossed from behind the desk to close in on the Paladin, who backed toward the tent�s closed flap.

�If I were an agent of the Lich King, I would have much better things to do than to cater to your ridiculous theories and attempt to disprove them,� she said, her voice low, �I would not spend my days inside a closed tent, awaiting the arrival of another of your number in order to convince you of the honor of the Forsaken.�

The Paladin listened hard for any approaching people outside. He did not like the rogue�s proximity to him. Although she wasn�t wearing knives at her belt, she could � she could leap at him and eat him alive. He began to panic.

�But I am Forsaken, so I do have a sense of honor and duty, and not mindless devotion. My current duty is to serve the Ashen Verdict in this capacity. So I arrive here, day after day, to attempt to disprove the moronic theories of you and your compatriots, because I feel a fealty to my Dark Lady, and her cause to crush the Lich King.�

The Paladin nodded slowly, monitoring his movements carefully, �We all do our part.�

�Yes. So why don�t you run off and go do whatever heroic thing it is you�re meant to be doing now � such as cleaning latrines, or changing bedclothes in the infirmary,� the Paladin glared at her, his breathing quickening. Caeryn heard it, and continued, �Those who actually fight alongside the Forsaken never come to see me, no. They understand our vengeance - our drive. It�s the nameless grunts who have nothing better to do than to expound on ill formed rumors who bother me daily.�

The Paladin continued to glare.

�Leave me.�

He stuck his tongue out at her and tried to make a dramatic exit from the tent, which is always less satisfying than one wanted. The tent flap refuses to make a satisfying slamming sound.

Caeryn turned and opened a flap further in the tent to her quarters. They were bare. A simple cot, a crate that stood for a table � upon which was a humming machine � and a small contained instrument for cooking in the center. On the cot, lying on the undisturbed bedclothes, was a rather large orange cat. The rogue crossed the bare room, and sat next to the corpulent feline, who promptly rolled onto his back, exposing his expansive belly.

�You must be hungry, little kitty. Little kitty is always hungry,� with that, the rogue lifted the cat into her thin arms and cradled him there, he purred, nuzzling his face into her cold torso.

The rogue and cat spent the rest of the evening uneventfully. The Forsaken cooked a rather simple meal, which the cat ate happily. Caeryn stared at the dark until morning, where she stared at the dark again, until the outside tent flap opened.

�What is it?� she called out. She set the cat back down on the cot, and opened the inside tent flap.

Another day is dawning.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Bloodaxe

Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 524

Thursday, January 21 2010 @ 11:27 AM MST

Kitty!

This Dark Determination I swear, by this red crown, source of all my dark power, so be it, now and forever! - Ommadon

Sara

Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 948

Thursday, January 21 2010 @ 01:55 PM MST

The dramatic exit never turns out the way you hope it will. Also, I like the part about the people actually fighting not needing to be molly coddled and convinced of anything. Good schtuff!

President and First Tiger

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Friday, January 29 2010 @ 01:48 AM MST

The Paladins all ate together, sitting at long tables in the Mess tent. There was talking, serious talking; and joking, boisterous joking. Jeremy Smith, however, sat with his bearded chin cradled in his hand, picking at his meat with his fork. He�d been doing this for the better part of the meal hour.

�What�s eatin� you?� Samuel Cameron asked, �You gotta finish yer food.�

�I don� wanna visit this Peyton woman in th� mornin�,� Jeremy said, giving his overdone Shoveltusk flank a pointed stab, �I don�t see the point in it. I have a spotless record everywhere else ��

�Yeah, exactly, and if you wanna get to the Citadel, and off of guard duty, you�re going to want to continue with your �Spotless Record,� and show that you�re capable of working with others. All others..�

�You don� unnerstand my history with the Scourge,� the young man said, sighing. He pushed his plate away.

�Listen, Jeremy, we all got �history with the Scourge.� We all do. We all lost loved ones. We all lost friends - and some people lost family members,� Samuel leaned over his plate, pointing at the young recruit with meat covered knife, �You ain�t no unique and special snowflake, kid.�

Jeremy looked up, studying Samuel�s pock marked face. He knew Samuel Cameron had a wife and family in Elwynn, waiting for him. Two teenage daughters. The blacksmith�s adopted son shook his head, �I�m not from Southshore, you know? I�m from Goldshire. An� I don�t even know if I�m from there. I was an orphan kid, an I lit�rally ran away with a band o� theatre types. We ended up in a bad place � well, they did. I ran off. I �bandoned them. I ran t�Southshore. They died in Brill. Th� man that I write all my letters to, an� all that, he ain�t my father, but he�s more of a father than any man who�s ever been in my life before. But � for a long time � those theatre guys were my family. Th� only one I ever had.�

Jeremy looked up at Samuel, who was grinning, �Eat up kid, and save yer sob story for the dead woman you�ll be talkin� to tomorrow mornin�. I�m sure she�s heard �em all. An� I�m sure she�s got one sadder,� he took a bite of his potatoes.

Jeremy crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. He looked ten years younger than he was, a mere boy.

�Listen, kid,� Samuel continued, �This woman is dead, an� she�s still fightin� th� Scourge. Which is a lot more than I can say fer any of th� self righteous Light wieldin� mouth breathin� types we got in here. Bein� dead an� fightin� for a cause has got t� take some dedication,� he laughed, �Deadication. Anyways, we�re all in there � when we get in there � fightin� fer our lives. Th� Forsaken? They�re fightin� fer somethin� more�n that. You gotta give �em credit.�

Jeremy raised a bushy eyebrow at Samuel�s speech, �An� what about that whole Wrathgate business I heard about? We just s�posed t� sweep that one unner th� rug an� forget about it?�

�Th� deaders that�re here? They fought t�be here. They fought alongside th� very same people that Putress jerk an� his buddies were tryin� t�kill off. I think they had their chance at betrayal,� Samuel replied, pointedly.

�An ya don� think they�d be tempted by Frostmourne or nothin�?� the young recuit asked.

�You�re gonna sit here an� tell me that you AIN�T tempted by that damn sword?�

�No. I wan� that thing destroyed.�

Samuel exhaled through pursed lips and put his utensils down, �Then, Jeremy Smith, kid, you got a lot more good in ya than � I�d say � everyone in this whole Light blessed room.� He stood up and saluted the blonde haired young Paladin, then leaned over and ruffled his hair, �You�re a good kid. Do me proud tomorrow. Talk to th� woman. An� don�t �mberrass me.�

Jeremy looked down the table to see if any of the younger female Ashen Verdict Paladins had seen the juvenile gesture, as he quickly tried to put his hair back into place, �I won�t. I ain�t happy �bout goin�. But I ain�t gonna make a fool outta nobody.�

�Good boy,� Samuel walked away, his tabard swinging confidently behind him as he went.

Jeremy went back to picking at his food until Mess was declared over. He packed up his kit, and walked slowly back to his tent. The tent that he shared with all of the other young recruits; some of whom would be trying to scare the less (or more?) fortunate with stories from inside the Citadel.

The tent bearing the Undercity colors was on the route from the Mess tent to his barracks. He watched as a Paladin a few years his senior stalked out of the tent and became tangled in the tent flap. The elder Paladin threw the tent flap closed, and � making a rude gesture at the structure � stalked toward Jeremy. Jeremy saluted his colleague, who returned the gesture, and they passed one another.

The young human sighed and looked up at the sky. The clouds were parting in that way the Icecrown clouds often did: breaking across the sky, allowing the odd lightning strike to skirt its way across, blocking his vision of the stars. He picked out a star and made a wish. Closing his eyes so tightly he could see flashes beyond them. On opening his eyes, he saw that the clouds had resumed their cover of the night sky, and Jeremy likewise resumed the walk toward his barracks.

�� They just kept coming, like � rats! Or roaches!�

�Roaches?!�

�Exploding roaches! Exploding in bone!�

�Eugh!�

The young Paladins gathered around to listen to the stories until, one by one they all fell asleep. Snoring through the night, their dreams of good food and beautiful people. And home. They all awoke to the fanfare.

Jeremy dressed, gathered his things, and made his way to the Undercity tent. He opened the flap. Her heard someone stirring inside, �What is it?� a tired and worn female voice called.

Another day is dawning.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Bloodaxe

Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 524

Friday, January 29 2010 @ 01:33 PM MST

Almost there! Almost there! Big Grin

This Dark Determination I swear, by this red crown, source of all my dark power, so be it, now and forever! - Ommadon

Sara

Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 948

Friday, January 29 2010 @ 03:25 PM MST

It's the an.... tici.....pation!

President and First Tiger

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Thursday, February 04 2010 @ 10:35 AM MST

The young Paladin looked about the tent, his eyes adjusting to the dark. Before him was a simple table, laid out with what appeared to be tools used for some mechanical means. The table also held the tent�s sole light source, which was currently extinguished, and judging by its sheen, seemed to be relatively unused.

He looked up as the tent flap in front of him opened, revealing a gaunt female walking corpse. Her blonde hair fell messily about her head, and her clawed hands reached in front of her until she arrived at the table where she halted, business like. Jeremy noted that one of the claws on her left hand had been expertly replaced with an animal talon of some sort.

�Well �� the Forsaken�s voice rattled, �what is it?� Jeremy could not quite tell if she was amused or bothered by his presence. Perhaps this was too early a time in the morning for the dead.

�Am � Am I too early?� He decided to pose the question.

�The hour of the day is irrelevant to the Forsaken; had you meant to arrive ten minutes from now, you would be too early, yes. However, as I was not anticipating a visitor, you are merely unexpected,� the woman replied. Her right hand rose to her clavicle, claws resting there for a moment, before returning to the table in front of her.

�Oh,� the Paladin had no other response. He remained staring at the undead woman in front of him. Her skin had a greenish tinge to it, and with her missing eyes and exposed bone, she was truly grotesque; the sooner he could leave the tent, all the better. �Can I ask you a question?�

�You have already done so without permission,� Caeryn replied.

�Uh, oh, um � I guess, I, uh � I�m here, I guess, t� try an� unnerstand th� dead.� Jeremy rubbed at his beard, looking down at the stone ground.

�Understand the dead? That is quite a feat indeed,� the rogue replied, �What is it about the dead you wish to understand?�

�Well, I guess I don� get you Forsaken types. I was told t�come here cause I don� trust ya, an� I guess � I guess I just ain�t seein� much of a ��

�Difference between the Forsaken and Scourge?�

�Uh. Yeah.�

�All of you self-professed well-meaning Light-wielding grunts think the same thing; one would think there was something in the water, or some sort of propaganda given out � pamphlets handed out by misguided �prophets,�� Caeryn tapped her talon twice on the table, �The living have a difficult time understanding the philosophy of the dead, young Paladin ��

�My name is �� Jeremy began.

�I have no time to know your Shadow damned names, child. I am merely here to provide a service, and I will do so as well I as I am able with as little information from you as possible,� the Forsaken brushed her hair from her face, attempting to tuck the straw-like mess behind her ear. Jeremy found the gesture somewhat human, endearing even. The Forsaken sighed, she lift her right hand to her collarbone again, a gesture Jeremy found familiar from some reach of his memory.

�As I was saying, very few understand the philosophy of the dead, young Paladin,� Caeryn continued, �You should remain content to be absent from their number.�

�But, Miss Peyton, I can� unnerstand th� people I�m fightin� with if I don� GET them, ya know? Like: Why y�all fightin�? Why y�all movin� around? Why y�all doin� what�cher doin�? And why�re you in here � in this tent � rather than out there with th� rest of them Forsaken?� Jeremy spewed his litany of questions quickly, gesticulating wildly as he spoke. As many people who speak without thinking, he forgot his audience, and did not watch the expression of the Forsaken in front of him, which grew more sour as the questions poured from his mouth.

�That is a rather personal question, young Paladin.�

�What is?�

�Inquiring as to my actions: Why I remain here, in this tent, consoling your feeble little mind - rather than out fighting the Scourge, as many of my people are.� Caeryn�s expression was dark, �What care do you have for my own personal actions? Do you find me threatening?� With that last, she leaned forward, claws digging into the cheap wooden table.

Despite the grim visage which had closed some of the distance previously standing between Jeremy and Caeryn, the young Paladin was unmoved by the aggressiveness of the gesture. Rather, he was curious. There was something nagging him at the back reaches of his memory about this dead woman. And it was caught in the jaw line; which � when presented as she was presenting it � had caught the light from the crack in the tent flap, and Jeremy could not quiet his head.

�No, ma�am, I don�t find you threatening,� Jeremy stated calmly.

Caeryn faltered a moment, and withdrew herself to her previous standing position, �To address your previous questions: The Forsaken are fueled by vengeance and a will to destroy the Lich King � he who so wronged us into what we are. We move on pure bile and vitriol; however, we are not all wholly malevolent � we simply lack, as your living people would call it � social skills. We�ve no use for them.�

Jeremy, previously disgusted by the corpse standing in front of him, now was feeling a familiarity, which moved him between revulsion and compassion, �So � when ya�ll kill the Lich King, what�cha gonna do then?�

Caeryn snapped, �You are a curious little kitten, aren�t you? Curiosity kills little kittens, as you may well be aware.�

�What�s yer name?�

Caeryn glowered, but as she had no reason not to answer the question, she obliged the inquisitive Paladin, �Peyton. Caeryn M. Peyton.�

Jeremy froze. Memories came flooding back to him: skipping stones at Menethil Harbor; loading the cart after a performance; a woman�s laugh � a living woman�s laugh; and the image of a gaunt blonde woman turning to face him, tucking her hair behind her ear, exposing a jaw line which this corpse had stolen.

He stammered, �I kn- I knew- I knew Caeryn M. Ashwood.�

The corpse�s face lost all trace of expression, �Caeryn M. Ashwood is dead.�

Jeremy took a step forward. �Get out,� Caeryn said turning quickly to open the flap to her quarters.

�Wait! Stop!� Jeremy called.

The corpse disappeared into the depths of the tent, and the Paladin stood alone, arm outstretched. He looked around the room quickly, trying to find some sign, some confirmation that this corpse was whom he assumed she was. The room was as sterile and bereft of human comfort as the infirmary.

�I�m not finished here! I have more questions!� He called into the reaches of the tent.

�Go away!�

Reluctantly, he did.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Bloodaxe

Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 524

Thursday, February 04 2010 @ 07:54 PM MST

That could have gone better.

It could have gone worse though, so it's not all bad.

So now Jeremy knows who Caeryn is. It will be interesting to see how she learns who he is.

This Dark Determination I swear, by this red crown, source of all my dark power, so be it, now and forever! - Ommadon

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Thursday, February 04 2010 @ 08:30 PM MST

Process of elimination states: Only one person. Big Grin

She knows.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Sara

Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 948

Friday, February 05 2010 @ 02:21 PM MST

Most excellent! Now I can see why Cae was extra grumbly last night. Very very good stuff! Jeremy is not going to go away quietly - this will be fun!

President and First Tiger

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Tuesday, February 23 2010 @ 11:50 AM MST

�There�s not much of a point t�be here, eh?� Jeremy said to his partner-in-guard.

Samuel Cameron did not turn his head, instead raising a bushy eyebrow at Jeremy�s comment, �You been a broodin� kinda guy these past couplea weeks. An� with th� Lich King gone, ya seem almost more melancholy �bout it than happy.�

Jeremy shrugged, �Well, I guess there just ain�t much of a point t�us bein� here. Guardin� this point. Guess we�ll go home, with unfinished business, an� all that.�

�Wait, what sorta �unfinished business� d�you got? Some lady you been innerested in?� Samuel Cameron teased, still not turning his head. Like good guards, the two Paladins stood stock still, facing forward.

�Nah, it ain�t like that. Not really. S�just �� Jeremy sighed, his shoulders drooping. He shook his head to bring himself back, �It�s nothin� nevermind.�

�You been like this ever since you went t�see that Peyton woman, that ain�t uncommon, she been known t�be sorta, what�s th� word --- Demoralizin�,� Samuel smiled, �She didn�t get�cha too bad, I hope?�

�Jus� brought back mem�ries, is all,� Jeremy stood forward. He wasn�t going to admit that he�d been skulking outside of her tent, as well as a man in full plate armor could skulk. He�d been watching her comings and goings. He couldn�t follow her, of course � he had a job to do; however, since the Lich King�s demise, she�d been away from her post more often than not, making a return visit more difficult.

The Paladins held their post as more artifacts were removed from the Citadel for study. Whether these were going to Ironforge or to the Undercity were anyone�s guess, the two places had been clamoring over rights to pillage the Scourge stronghold. Jeremy Smith and Samuel Cameron were not in a position to be curious.

�What �bout that woman was so mem�rable? I seen her, she�s not much t�look at.� Samuel said, after the area had cleared.

�It�s hard t� �xplain,� Jeremy said.

�Listen, Jeremy, we don�t know what�s gonna happen tomorrow, or th� next day. We might not even see each other in two weeks. Jus� tell me what�s eatin� ya up, eh? You been standin� there like a Death Knight reject for weeks now, broodin� an� sighin�, s�like yer �xpectin� somethin� t� happen,� Samuel sighed, �Jus� take my advice here, Jeremy, make whatever it is yer wantin� t� happen, happen. Don� let fate take this girl away from ya.�

Jeremy sounded incredulous, �How d�ya know it�s a girl?�

�I got�cha.� Samuel smiled.

�I mean, s�not a girl like yer thinkin�,� Jeremy claimed, �Geez.�

�Th� only time I seen strong men like ya all deflated like you been is over some girl. I say to go get �er before she disappears, kid.�

�This is real different, Sam,� Jeremy started to explain.

Samuel grinned, �Ev�ry man claims his intended is differen� than ev�ry other man�s. Thing is, kid, they�re all th� same. Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, they get married, have kids, and die. That�s life.�

�Not always,� Jeremy said, his voice now defiant.

Samuel Cameron was shocked. Did Jeremy Smith � the Golden Boy � manage to do something against protocol, and there�s a Paladin walking about the Citadel currently with child? No, couldn�t be. While Jeremy�s behavior had been erratic as of late - he�d not been spotted by the women�s barracks. Samuel searched his memory, what had happened; what could explain Jeremy�s beha- Oh. Of course.

�What, �xactly, went on with this Forsaken woman, Jeremy?� Samuel asked, with some air of authority.

Jeremy picked up the change in tone immediately, �Nothin�. I went in, and we discussed things, an� my opinion toward th� Forsaken has changed. I now realize that they were people too, an� prolly had people that lov- that were fond of �em before they died, an� all that.�

�That�s a pretty big change in attitude there, Jeremy. Wha�d this Peyton woman do?�

Jeremy hesitated, �She � jus� � talked t�me.�

�Did you harm the Undercity Diplomat, Jeremy?� Samuel asked, his tone flat.

The wind whipped up, as if on cue. Jeremy frowned at the dramatic emphasis of the weather on the conversation. He gripped his sword a bit more tightly; adjusting his shield on his arm, �Course not. I�m a Paladin, I don�t harm people that didn�t do nothin� t� deserve it.�

�What happened in that tent?� Samuel asked, his tone remaining firm.

�It�s jus� � It was � I had a life-changin� �xperience, an� I wanna go back in there t�show my �ppreciation.�

Samuel Cameron sounded confused, �C�mon kid, be honest with me.�

Jeremy sighed, his shoulders drooping, �I. I knew �er,� his eyes gazed up at the sky, looking for some other appropriate weather cue. The clouds denied him, covering the sky, blocking out anything he could hold on to. �It�s jus� �mazin� how death changes a person � an� how � an� how much they stay th� same.�

Samuel Cameron, for the first time since the birth of his daughters, was struck dumb. Always the man who had something to say, and usually the right thing to say, he was at a loss for words. So, the two men stood their post in silence. Jeremy wanted so much for Samuel to say something, anything, and Samuel wished so much to be able to say something to comfort his friend. After some time, Samuel spoke.

�You need t�see her again. You gotta. Ya can�t lose her again.�

Jeremy nodded, as the night moved on, oblivious.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Tuesday, February 23 2010 @ 03:48 PM MST

((And Caeryn's response, reposted from her LiveJournal))

[BEGIN RECORDING]

Begin recording eighteen.

With a name like Jeremy Smith, the damned boy could have passed unnoticed by me. However he had to go up dredging up the past.

Seems a popular activity as of late, a trend. Let us all go dredging up past events to see what emotional baggage they will stir up in our Forsaken friends, or - worse yet - bestow some undue emotions upon our Forsaken friends. It seems as if everything must happen at once: Jeremy's return to my presence, the Apothecaries continual stumble through poor Public Relations, and the death of Meganna Wheeler.

None affect me more than the return of Jeremy Smith: My one note of salvation in my last months of life has returned to me in my unlife, and I am not meant to take that lightly. What his intentions are remain unknown. Worse yet, what my intentions are, too, remain unknown.

I could not help feel a swell of some sort of Anticipation when he said the name "Ashwood." Whether that could be misconstrued as Hope, I am unclear. Whatever I am Hoping from my encounter with that blasted Do Gooding Paladin I should banish the thought immediately, concentrating on more realistic endeavors, such as murder.

End recording.

[END RECORDING]

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Sara

Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 948

Wednesday, February 24 2010 @ 07:09 AM MST

This last bit was very good and I liked it a lot. Jeremy continues to be an excellent character - as is Samuel. Keep it going!

President and First Tiger

Caeryn

Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 922

Monday, March 01 2010 @ 02:39 AM MST

The step of the Paladin�s boots on the stonework was deliberate. His pacing had gone on for the better part of a half hour in front of the same spot: the tent bearing the colors of the Undercity. His chin held delicately in his fingers, he muttered to himself, his voice being carried away by Icecrown�s unforgiving winds.

The woman inside the tent, however, decided to allow the Paladin to wait. She had heard him approach, carefully, several times to the tent flap, walking away more forcefully, to mumbling under his breath. It was as much entertainment as she�d had in the past few days, listening to this young man�s anguish. But the wait had become tiresome.

The next time the Paladin approached the tent with what he perceived as delicacy, the rogue threw open the flap, �What is it?� she asked. The green of her skin darkened by the shadows cast by the tent, which was un-lit. The Paladin stared into her empty eye sockets, trying to find something of his old friend there, but he saw nothing, no sign; the blank stare was so un-human - it unnerved him.

�N-nothing,� Jeremy Smith said, as he began to back away.

�I think not, Paladin,� Caeryn Peyton returned, �You�ve been stalking this tent for the better part of two weeks, and it is high time you explained your behavior. Enter, and keep your explanation to the point.�

�Could you at least light a lamp �r something?� Jeremy said, his eyes searching the inner reaches of the tent, trying to find some reason not to enter.

�If it should make you more comfortable, of course,� she replied. A flame ignited, and the smell of dust filled the room from the single lantern on the table neatly lined with mechanical tools. Caeryn crossed to the back-side of the table, lightly placing her claws on its surface, as if perching there.

Jeremy thought her not unlike a bird: so frail looking, with the black eye sockets, and the perching. He disliked birds, they were so primitive and feral to him; he remained close to the exit.

�Get on with it,� the woman�s words were more of an order than a statement.

Jeremy cleared his throat, moving his gaze to the stonework on the floor, �Are you Caeryn Ashwood? Or were ya?�

�I was, yes.�

�With th� travelin� theatre group th� �� the rogue held up her hand.

�You know who I am; there is no more need for introductions. And I am aware of who you are, Jeremy Smith: Adopted son of Isaac Smith, blacksmith of Southshore in Hillsbrad,� her posture did not change as she spoke, �It surprises me not that you�ve taken up the mantle of Paladin; it seems rather fitting, really.�

�D�ya � D�ya know what it�s like t�lose ev�rythin� that you�ve ever known, �r cared about?� He moved his gaze slowly up to the rogue�s face to gauge her reaction, which he instantly disliked: her brows were furrowed, and � he couldn�t be sure � but he thought he could hear something tapping on the table in front of him.

�Are you quite serious?� she asked, her voice annoyed, �I did not lose everything, Mr. Smith, it was stolen from me. Not only by the monster�s death whom the entire planet is now celebrating, but by those whom we once called �friend.� I have had to make all of this from dust.� She lifted her left arm, and gestured around to the empty tent, whose only furniture was the table, the single lantern, and the tools. Regardless, she took pride in it, Jeremy noted.

�I guess that was kinda a dumb question,� Jeremy laughed nervously.

�You guess correctly.�

�Uh. Right, well, uh � D�ya know what it�s like t�kinda find that ev�rythin� ya lost all those years ago, an� what that does to a person?� Jeremy watched her face for a reaction. What he wanted to see, he didn�t know. A flinch, maybe. Maybe she would come running to him, with her arms outstretched and � no. He was much better off with a flinch.

He was denied both, Caeryn Peyton simply tilted her head to one side, slowly, keeping up Jeremy�s impression of her avian-like qualities, �I�d no idea that you�d allowed someone to become so important to you. That is very foolish indeed.�

Jeremy took a step forward, �It was you, Caeryn, you were what was so importan� t�me.�

He reached inside his breastplate and pulled out a yellowed envelope bearing his first name in a shakily written human hand, �I kept this. It�s th� letter ya sent me. I read it ev�ry night �fore goin� t�bed. �Cept I stopped when I came t�Icecrown, cause of th� winds. Th� story ya told, of me bein� yer Knight, and you bein� un-save-able. It ain�t true. It wasn�t never true.�

Here, Caeryn flinched, �Stop.�

He took another step forward, �Can�tcha see- Well, ya can�t, but I mean, well, ya know what I mean��

�Get to the Shadow-damned point, Jeremy Smith.�

�Can�tcha un�erstand that I always hoped t�save someone like you again? Cause I failed th� first time, an� �. Isslike, here y�are. Right. Here.� He put his hand on the table lightly, the leather of his gloves making a soft sound on the table as he touched it again for emphasis.

Caeryn withdrew both claws, taking a step back, �I do not need saving.�

�S�not what I mean.�

�What do you mean, Paladin?� she sneered at him, �You come in here, as the Knight in Shining Armor you�ve always wanted to be. Like that in the story, come to save the Fair Maiden from the demons what have her captive? Who are these demons, Jeremy? Who are they?�

Jeremy realized he had the upper hand here, as this thing his old friend had become was sightless and angry, and most likely not paying attention. He quickly reached out, snatching one of her gesturing forearms in his hand, and whispered a prayer. Light filled the tent; the blessing the Paladin had invoked working its way up to the Forsaken. She struggled, pulling her arm away, Jeremy responded by pulling her closer across the table, disturbing some of the carefully arranged tools. Still struggling with her, he whispered another incantation, saying calmly, �I don�t mean ya no harm.�

�Let go of me.�

She swung back with her free hand to lash out at his face, the talon catching the light just before it swung down, connecting with his cheekbone, raking into the skin of his face. Jeremy made no sound as he felt the blood moving into his beard; pinning Caeryn�s right arm on the table, he tried to duck as he saw the claw making a return trip. The rogue managed to come away with a few strands of blond hair in her fist.

�Stop resistin�,� Jeremy said, calmly. His voice remained calm.

Caeryn did not respond.

The left arm still swinging wildly, Jeremy reached forward with his own free hand and gently took hold of the Forsaken�s exposed jaw-bone. With that motion, the woman�s left hand stopped it�s swinging, and stopped - as if waiting for him to act.

�Ya make yer own demons, Caeryn.�

Jeremy released his hold on the Forsaken, and she stood still - poised to strike - as a statue.

�Will you return?�

�Sure will.�

Caeryn snarled, �Touch me again, and you will leave less whole than you came in.�

�Y�already got some�ve my hair.�

With that, Jeremy left the tent, and the rogue closed her fist around where she�d been clinging to the four strands of hair she�d stolen from the Paladin�s head.

One who does not spend one�s life in constant preparation for the worst is destined to die a surprised man.

Sara

Registered: 08/24/06
Posts: 948

Monday, March 01 2010 @ 12:14 PM MST

(Dude. This continues to be such a great story. I am really digging the tension that you have built and that you continue to build. Its also great that I did not see this coming at all, and so am excited to see what happens next. Go go!)

President and First Tiger

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