Chapter 12: The choices we make...

“Hear ye, hear ye! All heroes are called upon to heed these words! A call to arms has been issued by the Kingdom of Stormwind!”

The herald strode apparently unconcerned along the canal, heading towards the the busiest area of the city, the Trade Quarter. His voice, strong and clear boomed against still closed -windows ; here and there a head would pop up to peer down at the street, then vanished inside as soon as they acknowledged the herald’s presence. It was early in the morning and Stormwind lay yet sleepily under the cool autum sky.

The herald’s voice rose again as he took a sharp turn left, to enter one of the arched passage ways that connected the Trade Quarter with the rest of the city.
“Hear ye, hear ye! All able bodied individuals are entreated to take up arms against the dark threat of the Scourge in the northern lands of the Eastern Kingdoms!”

Lainné paused to let the man pass in front of her. The town crier’s steps were equal and measured; he walked precisely another ten meters before continuing the proclamation.

“Hear ye, hear ye! Rumors fly of new threats rising from the ruins of the Plaguelands! Heroes of the realm – seek out Commander Ashlam Valorfist who has set up his base camp in Chillwind Camp, north of the Alterac Mountains!”

For a second, Lainné stood immobile. She was dressed for travel – a pale green woolen cloak with a deep hood and a simple riding suit. Like she had promised the Archbishop, she was headed for Darkshire. Then catching her breath, she ran after the crier who was already starting his litany all over again.

“Excuse me…”

The man whirled around to look at her, then his eyes softened as he took in the appearance of the young woman.

“How can I be of service, M’lady?”

“Sister Mayhrin”, she corrected him softly. The herald gave her another appreciative glance – she looked enough well dressed for a lady, Lainné assumed – then nodded politely.

“Sister then…how can I help?”

“Can you give me one of those consignment orders, please?”
The crier eyed her up and down once more, this time with surprise, then fished from his leather bag a sealed piece of parchment and handed it to Lainné.

“Ay’ve heard it’s really dangerous up there”, he confided in a very low tone. “Too dangerous for a pretty woman, ya understand me…”

Lainné gave him a sour grimace.

“I’ll keep that in mind, good man. Thank you.”

And with that she brushed away past him and sped down the alley leading into the Trade Quarter and past the Auction House. It was early enough that it still stood closed, so that the plaza in front of it was also empty. Some women in worn clothes were sweeping away with large brooms the dust and autumn leaves – they barely glanced at the woman as she passed by, obviously in a hurry. The herald’s voice suddenly boomed somewhere behind, taking on a more enthusiastic tone this time. “Hear ye!Hear ye citizens of Stormwind!”

What exactly had she done? Lainné thought almost surprised. The paper in her hand read only two brief lines, indicating that the volunteers should present themselves at Chillwind Camp. Surely she was not going to heed such a call, there were so many others things to be done right where she stood, without running to fight losing battles in the Plaguelands. Surely she wouldn’t…

Realization made blood freeze in her veins. She had considered before joining the ranks of the Argent Dawn. There was something truly heroic and pure about their dedication to the Light. But never had she gone so far as to actually do something in that direction.

Lainné swallowed anxiously, putting the order aside in one of her pockets. There would be plenty of time to meditate along those lines during her journey to Darkshire. She feared what she might discover, though. That night in Arathi must have scrambled her brains. Wasn’t it enough she kept dreaming of Eireannan? Bitter sweet painful dreams which made her wake up with a churning longing inside of her chest. She knew it was useless…and why it could never be, yet she could not stop wanting.

She shoved that thought aside, as she had done with the paper and started very purposefully towards the flight master.