Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on Mar 1, 2007 3:24:34 GMT -5
((This takes place well after 'You Can't Go Home Again', but I will have to take some license with Thelanya considering Icilis' fate at the end of that story was uncertain - hope you don't mind. Oh, and this is going to be a 'short' one...))
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on Mar 1, 2007 3:24:49 GMT -5
Icilis had never been so happy to see Stormwind in all his life. The splendor of the main gates remained as solid as the stone that made up the walls in spite of all that was happening with the world. With The Dark Portal opened, all bets were off in Azeroth, the greatest danger to all life in this world lay beyond the powerful gates into the Outland. It seemed that life back home had almost slowed down and simplified due to the greater threat of the outside forces. Right now at this moment, men and women were dying to keep the Legion from overwhelming the Portal, but all Icilis could do was take in the sounds and smells of his home away from home.
Icilis never really called any single place home, always a creature of the moment ready to move at a second's notice if the need arose. Stormwind would always call to him. It was here that he learned his first spell, that and many other firsts - a list too long to count it seemed.
It was early evening, and having spent months in the Outland, he was happy to see a sunset. In fact he found himself standing in the middle of a busy thoroughfare staring at the reddening clouds for some time before an angry merchant cursed at him to move aside. There was a time in Icilis' life that this man would feel some kind of pain for his intrusion into his sacred personal space. Today, though, Icilis merely stepped aside without even making eye contact. The summer that Icilis had left behind had waned into a brisk Autumn, the evening breeze that dropped down into the city from the mountains always brought a chill that let everyone know snow was just around the corner. It was this breeze more than the merchant's interruption that caused Icilis to come back to reality.
Icilis passed the Auction House and had never seen it so empty. The adventurers that normally fell over themselves for the wares hawked there were all dying and fighting in a land so far away one tried not to think about it. After haggling with a passing merchant for a bottle of wine, Icilis made his way slowly into the Cathedral district choosing to walk and take in the sights rather than summon his demonic steed.
Things seemed so normal here it was almost strange. All is as it should be at home... in the Outland, one never knows what will happen in the next moment nor what to expect even from the ground he walks on.
As he walked the bridge over the canal, the city seemed to go quiet except for the tolling of the great bells. Right on time...
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Post by Annalira Delshannon on Mar 1, 2007 9:49:40 GMT -5
((I love the "characterization" of Stormwind. <chomps at bit for more>))
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Post by Celera on Mar 1, 2007 11:56:39 GMT -5
(Well, this won't be the first time for Icilis to be taking liberties with Thelanya I'm thrilled you are writing something -- and it's off to a great start.)
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on Mar 1, 2007 18:28:01 GMT -5
As the echo of the sixth bell rang through the streets surrounding the cathedral, Icilis quickened his pace trying as best he could to contain himself. He had only communicated with Thelanya through letters since the opening of The Portal, and those were sporatic at best from the life he led while in the Outland, it wasn't often a letter could get through. All he knew at this point was she had been staying with her uncle for some time, and she had survived her encounter with Fendren. Regardless, things had not gone as Icilis had hoped since the last time they saw each other. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined to go through what he did, what a story it will make. Perhaps over dinner and this bottle of wine. Rounding a corner, Icilis saw his destination at last. As he expected, the windows of Baros' home were bright and inviting for supper. The smells of the many home cooked meals around him reminded Icilis just how long he had been on the road surviving on nothing but bread and water. As he walked closer, he could see through the front windows. There she was, the sight of her nearly made him drop the bottle in the street. Icilis,
Your letter was just received and I must say it took all I could muster to keep from hiring the nearest gryphon to make way to The Portal myself. Although, if it is as dangerous as you say, perhaps waiting for your return would be best. My journey to the North went as well as could be expected, but I felt very alone. I miss you terribly, strange as it may sound to me. We have spent so little time together, yet that time was all that was needed. I find myself staring through the books I'm reading wondering about you, I thought for sure you had been lost to us, especially when news came finally that the portal had once again been opened. My first reaction was that the whole mess was your doing, I must admit.
I'm rambling, but I want to make this short to get right back to you. It's getting cold here again, I've always loved this time of year. I'm spending my time with my Uncle in Stormwind, I study during the day while he is gone. Every night we sit and eat supper at the same time, right as the bells toll a sixth time, it never fails.
I am overjoyed to hear from you, now after all this time you must promise me to return safely or else I will come find you myself.
Thelanya As he stood at the base of the steps staring at her, Baros sat at the table facing him and a mere moment later looked out the window and noticed the gawking warlock. Obviously surprised, Baros stood and pointed all the while saying something muffled through the window to Thelanya. When she turned and their eyes met, the bottle of wine fell into the street unnoticed, pouring its hard earned contents in the cracks of the cobblestone as the door was practically ripped open. Icilis and Thelanya embraced as only lovers can imagine and those that have not dare to dream. "I've missed you..." Icilis whispered, pressing his face into her hair taking in the scent as if he had forgotten. "Don't ever do this again." She held him tight and refused to let go.
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on Apr 20, 2007 12:28:23 GMT -5
The night passed quickly, melting together in a wave of overwhelming senses. When Thelanya finally drifted away to sleep, Icilis left the bed slowly as to not disturb her. He wrapped himself in his long, intricate robes, and opened the curtains to watch the silent, dark city sleeping outside. The wind caught the corner of the house and howled occassionally, sometimes the window would rattle. Her room looked well lived in, books were stacked on top of books in neat piles. Papers were all rolled on her desk wrapped in leather, tied with a knot of silk. Everything looked orderly except for the odd tea cup adorning a bookshelf where it was forgotten after finding whatever tome she wished to read.
Icilis looked back to Thelanya's sleeping form and smiled slightly. He found himself staring at her for some time before he sighed and pulled the chair slowly out from under the desk. He sat in the uncomfortable wooden seat and it let out a creak. Thelanya stired, but simply rolled over wrapping herself further in the blankets.
Unwrapping one of the scrolls, Icilis was simply curious about what she had been working on recently, but he found a journal instead of a spell. Without reading more than a few words, Icilis wrapped the papers back up and placed them gingerly back where he had found them. Instead of finding more journal entries, he decided to look upon the books she had been studying and found them to be much more advanced than he had expected.
Shades of Nether: Volume Nine.
Well done...
She had been concentrating on a wide variety of powerful spells, Icilis was curious to know if she had used them in practice. Finally he left the books alone and lost himself in thought. After several minutes of silence, Icilis realized just how awake he was. The Outland had no day or night, one slept when one was tired. His concept of time was warped and distorted after months without a constant reminder.
When he finally felt the tug on his eyelids, sunlight was beginning to show itself through the clouds that had rolled in during the night. He returned to the bed and woke Thelanya as he settled in under the covers.
"Could you not sleep?" Her voice was soft, yet still groggy.
"It will take some time I think to get used to the sun." His own voice was drifting away as a yawn overpowered him.
Although Thelanya was starting to wake up herself, she stayed with Icilis as he fell asleep taking in all the small details of his peaceful face, one she so rarely got glimpse of.
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Post by Robbyn Jonathan on Apr 25, 2007 12:22:49 GMT -5
((Catching up on my reading. Really solid writing, Fech. Nice))
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on May 22, 2007 11:05:13 GMT -5
Icilis' dreams had been troubling his entire life. Even when his parents were still alive, he could vaguely remember waking up screaming from some unknown horror that had left him on the slippery memories of sleep. When he woke with a start, his entire body was tense, but as usual he had no recollection of the dream. It was as if it was too horrible for his mind to understand.
The room was empty now. Outside the covers the room was cold and the wind was still whistling outside. After gaining his bearings, the rest of the house was quiet.
Icilis stood and wrapped himself in thick robes, but without his boots the bare wooden floor sent a chill that he couldn't shake. There was a fire burning downstairs, he could finally hear that now over the wind as he moved downstairs. Sitting next to the fire was Baros, wrapped in a bearskin and pouring over a novel of some kind. Icilis was so quiet, when he made himself known Baros took in a quick breath in fright.
"Oh!"
"My apologies," Icilis' voice was barely above a whisper, the mysterious dream still pulled at him. "Where...?"
"Ah, she went out to the market. I told her to bundle up but out she went in those thin robes of hers. She tells me it's nothing, but I think she's going to catch her death one of these days!" Baros unwound himself from the skin to stand up with a few cracks of his bones. "Can I offer some tea, or fresh biscuits perhaps?"
"I must say... do you have honey?" Icilis had many weaknesses, especially for that golden nectar. Baros' smile widened and he shuffled into the kitchen.
"Biscuits, fresh butter and honey! Quite the man of taste my little Thel has found. A man after my own heart." He happily moved about the kitchen preparing a small breakfast. "Not so little now I suppose, but... no... she always will be." He looked back up at Icilis, who found the whole scene fascinating, and smiled.
"I've been living on nothing but the strange fare of Outland, it leaves much to be desired." Icilis sat down on one of the chairs at the table and lost himself watching a light flurry sprinkle the cathedral courtyard.
"She'll be back soon, if she doesn't die of pneumonia of course." Baros said as he set the biscuits on the table. Icilis actually chuckled slightly at this.
"My thanks." Biting into the light, flaky, honey spread biscuits made Icilis close his eyes to experience the flavor in full.
"So tell me about your travels of late." Baros settled into the seat across from Icilis hoping for a tale of adventure, one he could live vicariously.
"I am not one for recounting my deeds, but Outland truly must be seen to be believed. Mushrooms the size of your cathedral... creatures so alien they look to be born from some strange dream. Perhaps you may see for yourself if the Legion is held at bay." Icilis talked even through a full mouth, not being able to stave up the willpower to stop eating.
"What of your journey... did you find what you sought?"
Icilis only nodded slowly, that tale was definitely not one he wished to share. He turned to look back outside and saw Thelanya walking up to the doorway carrying bread and whatnot.
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Post by Thelanya on May 27, 2007 23:18:11 GMT -5
The exercise had kept Thelanya warm enough, but her fingers were a bit stiff from the winter chill as she fumbled with the clasp of her cloak. Finally removing it, she glanced up to see both Icilis and her uncle watching her, Baros looking amused and Icilis looking – well, his expression was as unreadable as ever, but his eyes held hers for a moment. She could not have said exactly what either of them thought in that instant, but as she looked away, she blushed, and busied herself with putting the supplies into the cupboard. Icilis turned back to the last of the biscuit on his plate with an almost imperceptible smile.
“Another biscuit?” Baros offered, a little too heartily, to break the awkward silence.
“Yes, thank you,”
Thelanya paused, and frowned, her back still turned to the two men. Such a small thing, an everyday courtesy, but she was quite sure…
“Is something wrong?” her uncle asked.
“No, not at all,” she said, and went back to her work. The two men exchanged that exasperated look all men share when women say nothing is wrong.
But really, she thought, nothing is wrong. It is just so odd. Something about him has certainly changed. _________________________
They sat and talked for a while, Icilis telling them some of the strange sights in the Outlands. Their talk was interrupted by a loud knock at the door, which Thelanya answered.
“Hello, Miss Alexston?” a young man said with a tip of his cap. “I’m here for the luggage.”
“Yes, of course,” she replied, and gestured at a small trunk that was sitting by the door. Icilis wondered why he hadn’t noticed it before. She gave the messenger a few silver coins as he hoisted the trunk onto the waiting cart and clattered off.
Baros knew people well enough to see that Thelanya had not told the young man she was leaving, and he got up, muttering something about getting down to his office, and left the two of them alone.
Thel drained her cup of the warm tea, wishing it was something stronger. “Fendren had little to offer, as it turned out,” she began. “Only the name of the midwife. He said that he did not handle the business himself, but he gave her the name of some traders he thought would be interested.”
“Traders? You mean pirates,” Icilis interjected.
“Yes,” she answered quietly. “I found out as much when I talked to Monuv in Menethil. Some of the names were still known around there, although none of them had been seen in several years. Honest shipping seems to have crowded the scoundrels out in most places these days, except in Booty Bay of course.”
“Anyway, Monuv and his friend Koria were some help, but there wasn’t much that could be done, really. I came back to Stormwind, and then as you know I went back up north with Rheyna, and that business took quite a while. While I was gone, and since I’ve been back, my uncle has kept asking around. He has a network of contacts all over Azeroth. Just a few days ago, we got some new information. It seems that the midwife left this area after … the baby was born… and we think she went to Theramore. I’ve booked passage to there, and I’m supposed to leave tonight.”
Finally, she looked at Icilis. “I suppose I should have told you sooner, but…” She paused, pushing down the waves of conflicting emotion. “I can go later. Or not at all. I don’t know what to do now. I don’t know what you plan to do next, or if you ...”
Thelanya was accustomed to being on her own. It surprised her how ready she was to change everything for someone who showed up unannounced after months away. But she found herself looking expectantly at Icilis, waiting for some sign of what should be next.
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on May 29, 2007 11:22:27 GMT -5
Icilis only smiled slightly in reply. In truth he had no plans and no commitments to speak of. He could walk out of this house with her and travel where ever they desired for as long as they both lived if the whimsy struck them. Indeed, with the money he had made beyond the portal, that reverie was quick becoming a reality in Icilis' mind.
"Have you thought what you will do if you find him?" Icilis picked up the small plate, covered in crumbs, and moved into the small kitchen.
"Um, yes... and no." She followed him the few steps and leaned up against a cupboard. "I think I mostly want to see him... maybe talk to him. I don't know."
"Well you will have plenty of time to make up your mind, I think." Icilis moved over to Thelanya and kissed her gently on the forehead as he had done long ago when she last saw him. "I must attend several errands and I will be ready to leave."
She breathed a smile and her eyes lit up, although she was still attempting to mirror Icilis' restraint. "What errands?"
"There are parcels I left for you here in Stormwind I must collect... an associate was holding my mail also. I will not be long."
"I hope you don't mind my saying, but you have changed much since our last meeting." Her smile persisted, Icilis found it addicting to see. His stare made her blush slightly, but she did not turn away.
"I hope I have changed, I feel changed to be sure. I was able, among my many near-death experiences, to meditate often on myself... my past. I found council and wisdom among those in the great city, Shattrath. You would fall over yourself to see the books... the infinite knowledge from these beings of Light." For the first time since she had known him, he held a look of awe in his eyes. "It cannot be explained with mere words, you will have to see it for yourself."
"I hope I can."
"You will, I am powerful enough to protect you from any danger. I hope with enough patience you will learn what I know, together we will be able to travel anywhere we please." Icilis tightened up his robes and pulled his cloak from the stand, wrapping it around his back with a whip. "I will return shortly."
With that and a look over his shoulder to see her again, he stepped quickly out the door.
Icilis gathered up all of his valued possessions from the bank and hired a young man begging for gold to carry them. The poor boy was wearing only a thin long sleeve shirt and ragged pants, but constantly spoke about his desire to buy a sword and shield just to go help the local militia out of Goldshire. On and on he would prattle, begging to be told about the strange and wondrous things Icilis had seen. He thought many times to tell the annoying boy to be silent, but instead allowed him to regale a story about his brother and fighting gnolls off the coast in Westfall.
They finally arrived where his mail was being held, truthfully Icilis did not expect much but some official correspondence from various warlocks from all over the world about research and the like, so he was surprised with he was given a small stack of thick letters all addressed in dwarven, and an unmistakably sloppy, thick, yet deadly, hand.
Six letters from Fechak Dulmshohd.
Icilis could only stare at the name, barely legible though it may be. What could this mean? What could he possibly have to say that would fill six thick letters? Poison powder? Some sort of map leading to a trap? Repentance?
He continued walking, much faster now, almost completely forgetting about the boy who had to jog to keep up trying to keep the stacks of boxes from falling about the empty street.
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on Nov 2, 2007 12:10:13 GMT -5
((Don't all writers take a sabatical?))
As Icilis rounded the corner to Baros' home he had unfolded each letter, breaking the wax seal in the process. The dwarven script was only half the reason why there were so many pages to each letter. Fechak could hardly write in Dwarven and never even learned how to read in the Common language of men. His hand practically carved the ink into the thick parchment, smudges, blots and all. Icilis' skill at reading Dwarven was limited, perhaps he could work at it while Thelanya and he traveled North.
Perhaps it would be best to skim through them to find Fechak's location. What would he do, Icilis wondered, if I were to simply show up at his door as an ally for the first time since we met so long ago. There was much Icilis could tell him, much to unburden his conscience.
Before he knew it, the boy carrying his belongings cleared his throat. Apparently they had been standing at Baros's door for an uncomfortably long moment.
"Yes of course," Icilis said barely above a whisper. He motioned for the boy to set the parcels down on the ground near the steps and paid him a handful of gold. The boy's look of pure astonishment was completely ignored as Icilis opened and closed the door with a rush.
"What's this?" Thelanya was busy with last second preperations, bustling up and down the stairs when Icilis came into the door.
"I will tell you later." Icilis turned to Baros who was watching the scene with a gleen over his eyes. "Thank you for taking care of her. We should be back in the summer I expect, if nothing more than to visit."
Baros puffed up a little and beamed out a smile. "Anything for family, of course." He then turned his attention to Thelanya who was standing in the middle of what she was doing staring at Icilis with something that could be called incredulity. "Do stay warm, it should be snowing almost nonstop beyond Southshore."
"Of course, Uncle." Thelanya shook her head slightly and returned Baros' hug. "I guess we're going to be back in the summer!" Thelanya could almost laugh, this man's mystery would remain for the rest of his days no doubt. He was wrapping what looked like pages of letters into one of his bags and with that he stood and looked at her with an odd face. "What's wrong?" She asked, concern starting to creep up in her chest.
"I'm not sure yet, I think nothing. I am ready however, we should be on our way before the next storm comes tonight." Icilis moved to open the door and talked to someone. Just as Thelanya moved to see whom it was, a young boy with wide eyes and ruby-red cheeks burst in and attempted to carry all Icilis' bags at once, but Icilis stopped him halfway. "Come now, child, we will help."
Icilis summoned his voidwalker and pointed to the bags. Begrudgingly the demon plucked some of them from the boy who was now in total shock.
"Y-yes sir!" The boy followed the demon outside and seemed to have a one way conversation with it while waiting.
"Do you have everything you need?" Icilis extended his hand out to Thelanya and she moved a few steps over to take it.
"I do." She looked back to her Uncle and couldn't help but reflect his smile.
"Good luck, Thelanya. And you keep her safe young man." He raised his hand up and with that Thelanya was wisked out into the cold wind of a Stormwind winter.
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Post by Thelanya on Nov 12, 2007 0:44:25 GMT -5
The tram creaked noisily along its underground track. The noise made conversation difficult, so the two of them sat together in contented silence. They had talked very little, in fact, since Icilis' return. There hadn't been much time, and when they were alone, words were not the communication they most needed.
Thel smiled to herself, thinking of the two men, making plans for her and talking of keeping her safe. Her uncle was a man of intelligence and honor, with considerable influence in Stormwind. But should some robber have broken in at night, they would have had much more to fear from her than from Baros and the old cricket-bat he kept under the bed. Well, she thought, there is more than one kind of danger in the world, and more than one way to take care of someone. Her uncle's devotion had kept her safe from dangers he wouldn't have understood.
Icilis had been gone for months, and Thelanya had put the time to good use. She had studied diligently -- some of the most powerful warlocks in Azeroth were found in the cellar of The Slaughtered Lamb. And she had done some traveling of her own. He was even more powerful than he had been before, but she was not so far behind him now.
She had said little of this in her letters to him. She told herself she didn't want to worry him, but that wasn't the real reason. She still didn't think of herself as a warlock, exactly. She was a woman who knew how to do certain things, like make dinner, or sew a dress, or summon a voidwalker, or make an enemy flee in terror and agony.
In fact, that was perhaps the biggest difference between the two of them. Icilis' power was evident in every movement. Not just his power as a warlock, but a force of will and spirit unlike anyone she had ever known. A glance from him was enough to convince most enemies that they were overmatched. He had had that ability even as a child, long before he knew any real magic. And even then, it had drawn her to him.
Anyone who met her, though, would think that she was just a simple girl who spent her life milking cows, reading books by the fire, and making dinner for her uncle. People underestimated her, and she preferred it that way. If you challenged Icilis, you knew you were in for the fight of your life. One would hardly bother to challenge Thelanya, but if they did, they would not know their mistake until it was too late.
The noisy tram was still the fastest way to get to the great Dwarven city, and soon they rattled and creaked to a stop, and a gnome announced their arrival in Ironforge.
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on Nov 15, 2007 13:46:20 GMT -5
From the cold of the tram into the heated furnace of Ironforge was always a strange transition. The small tunnel leading into the great mountain city was a constant violent whirlwind as the cold and hot slammed together. Once the howling tunnel was behind them, Icilis summoned his dreadsteed from the depths and Thelanya took the cue to summon her own felsteed. Although the city was less crowded than it was at the peak of the time before The Portal had opened, it was still a trick to gallop full out without some guards shooting glares.
The vast caverns were constantly echoing with the drums of the blacksmith's hammer and a roar of natural magma coursing through the veins of the city's heart. Icilis always felt confined and somewhat claustrophobic here, and never comfortable.
The couple cantered along through the great hall of explorers and picked up their first real conversation since leaving Stormwind.
"Although I dislike this city, for some reason it feels good to be here." Icilis had to raise his voice slightly for Thelanya to hear.
"Perhaps it's simply something familiar."
"Perhaps." Icilis could concentrate on his surroundings, the demonic horse would find its own way through the crowds. "I might add you look quite appealing atop your own felsteed..." Icilis unsuccessfully hid his smile.
"And you are probably one of the few people that would be true of." Thelanya smirked right back to Icilis. "What seems to be the plan then?"
"I must see an associate here." Icilis nodded toward the darkest part of Ironforge. A place that no guard bothered to patrol. "Perhaps then we should rest for the night and make toward the tunnels into the wetlands to the North. And then on to Theramore..." Thelanya only nodded and looked away. "What is it?"
"I have... sometimes I feel doubts. I don't believe it would be in the child's best interest to know of me... let alone to meet me." She glanced over at Icilis, then away again with a bout of sudden nervousness as she thought over the situation for the millionth time. "What would you want if you were the boy?"
Icilis cleared his throat and his eyes suddenly turned dark.
"I didn't mean-" Thelanya almost sputtered.
"No, it is difficult for me to dwell on those matters, but I will say when we met as children, I wanted nothing more than my mother and father to be alive again. Perhaps your child will feel the same." They were almost upon the home Icilis wished to visit, he could feel dozens of pairs of eyes upon them. "Regardless, if the worst had happened and the boy is among... undesirables, it will behoove you to change his life course."
Icilis slid off the side of his steed and motioned for Thelanya to stay. He wasn't more than a few minutes before he returned with a large book under his arm. Icilis moved around to where the voidwalkers were holding the bags and placed the book inside one of his.
"A primer on the Dwarven language. The pages you saw earlier today are letters from Fechak." Thelanya's shock was readily apparent over her face. "He cannot read or write in our tongue and he can barely write in his own so it seems. I don't know what they are or why he wrote them... but I cannot help but to find out."
With that, Icilis mounted the dreadsteed and began to canter off, Thelanya presumed to some sort of lodging for the night. Once the shock had subsided enough for her to think once more, she galloped a moment to catch up and be at his side.
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Post by Thelanya on Nov 17, 2007 13:56:52 GMT -5
"How did a nice young lady like you get that?"
The gruff voice of Bruuk startled Thelanya, as she reflexively covered the letter with her hand. "Oh, don't worry, lass," the tavernkeeper chuckled. "I never learned to read more than what's needed to keep enough food in stock. But I know a pirate's hand when I see one."
Not waiting for permission -- for indeed he never needed permission to sit at any table in his own tavern -- Bruuk pulled up a chair and drank down about half the pint of ale he had brought with him, presumably for one of his guests. Icilis gave Bruuk one of his most ominous glares, but one doesn't run a drinking establishment for dwarves if one is easily unnerved, and Bruuk cheerfully took the letter from Thelanya's hand. She was too surprised to resist.
"Now, ye see, the way he makes these strokes so dark. And all the names are written in plain Common, not like you see in the Dwarven scrolls." Bruuk pointed at each reference confidently. "Pirates are not scholars, lass. They spend their time among themselves, and among the goblins and even the orcs. Their writing shows it." He stood up, and finished the pint, wiping his lips with his long red beard when he was done. "If ye see the old bastard, tell him I've not forgot his debts. I could buy half of Ironforge with the gold he and that scoundrel Caspin owe me."
______________________________________
The letters were tucked away in Icilis' pack, away from any other prying eyes, but the two of them had been up late poring over the primer and making notes. With a very few hours sleep, the loud knocking and cheerful voice of a gnome was not very welcome, even though Icilis had paid for the service. "It is being a good morning, Sir and Madam," the voice called from the other side of the door, a knock or two between practically every word. From the sound of it, the bloody fool was jumping up and down as well, thought Thelanya as she sat up slowly. "I can be singing a wonderful good morning song for you," the gnome continued, and began warbling something vaguely like music, only louder and without any tune. Icilis moaned and opened the door, dropping a few silver coins in the gnome's hand. This made the gnome even more cheerful, and he shouted his many thanks with such enthusiasm that Icilis nearly fired a shadowbolt at him before Thelanya intervened. She sent the little fellow off to make arrangements for their flight to the Harbor, and he scrambled off, promising to report back with record speed. "That's ok, you don't have to..." she started to say, but he was already gone.
As they assembled their belongings for the short trip to Menethil, Thelanya asked, "How long will you want to stay in town?"
"In what town? Theramore? As long as we need to, of course."
She smiled at him, but continued, "No, I mean in Menethil. I assume you will want to visit ... or ... well, maybe not."
Icilis looked at her, puzzled. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Your brother. You did know that he lives there? He has been there for some time."
Icilis stopped, and frowned, and said nothing, then picked up his pack and headed for the door.
Well, she thought, I guess I'll find out when we get there, and with her own pack slung over her shoulder, she followed him out.
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Icilis
Familiar Face
Posts: 54
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Post by Icilis on Nov 26, 2007 11:13:12 GMT -5
This was not part of the plan, and would simply not do. His reunion with Monuv was not supposed to be for some time yet. Some time to grieve or forgive, Icilis wasn't sure which or for whom the time was needed. He hadn't seen his brother since the explosion that separated them in Silithus, but he had heard that Monuv's warrior friend Icilis had met in Moonbrook helped to nurse his wounds back at the Halls. Was his brother holding some sort of hidden grudge?
The gryphon dove steep cutting through the warm updrafts coming from the wetlands far below as Icilis was going over all the excuses he could to make haste onward to Theramore. If his eyes were focused on his surroundings, Icilis might have noticed the dark storm some leagues out to sea. The sun had begun to dip behind those giant clouds making the already dreary swamp all the more dark. As the cold air turned almost oppressively thick and damp, the gryphon leveled out. Icilis could feel his entire body pull downward, even his cheeks felt out of place for a moment. This brought him out of the daze he had found himself and into the present.
The wind made landing rough, but nothing the beast couldn't handle. Thelanya landed almost immediately behind Icilis, but he wasted no time unpacking the bags and summoning the voidwalker to carry them. This port was full as ships wanting to set sail earlier today held off to wait out the storm. Icilis could hear the headache-inducing din of the common room over the wind, over the sea and over the strange calls of the gryphons.
Thelanya hopped off her bird with a spring, she seemed to be in good spirits since Stormwind, but she still gave Icilis plenty of space sensing easily how much he needed it.
"Shall we look for lodging elsewhere?" Thelanya asked after the bags and demons were settled. She had to constantly move her hair from her face and finally gave up tying it into a ponytail as Icilis looked around the walled town.
"We should find passage to Kalimdor first, perhaps we will sail tonight." A few sailors on their way to the inn overheard this and began laughing.
"No one ain't sailing nowhere!" The burliest of the three guffawed out trying to catch his breath. Their celebration was cut short by a glare from Icilis still unmatched by most humans.
"Do they all hide once some wind whips up?" Icilis looked around at the docks now, squinting in the lowering light. Thelanya almost laughed, finally she found something Icilis knew nothing about.
"There is a storm coming, let's get inside, the spray from the waves is getting cold." She walked toward the inn leaving Icilis feeling quite helpless behind. If she was watching him, she would see his face mend all its cracks only to compose back toward his usually stoic self. With a deep breath as if going in to battle, Icilis began to stride quickly to catch up to his woman.
Inside the common room of the inn, it was simply deafening. This was a large inn, as are any near a port, but it was standing room only. If one wished to eat or drink, one would have to push and shove their way to the kitchen and pick it up. There were several town guards milling their way around making sure nothing got out of hand. The innkeeper could be seen standing atop the bar taking orders from the crowd and barking orders at the barmaids. Whatever system they had, it seemed to be working well, everyone was drinking, eating, drunk or all of the above. If Monuv did live here, it would be nearly impossible to find him.
Thelanya looked almost impressed with the swath of people before her, she thought for a moment that she had lost Icilis but when she turned to look for him, he was literally right behind her. He yelled something to her, but she could near nothing over the seemingly constant laughter so she shook her head and shrugged. The lines around his mouth seemed to grow longer with a frown. Finally exasperated, Thelanya grabbed Icilis' arm and pulled him through the crowd toward the stairway.
"I know Monuv's room." Thelanya tried yelling over her shoulder, but she didn't look to see if Icilis heard a word. There was a guard at the bottom of the stairway keeping the crowd from spilling over into the rooms. He stopped them momentarily, Icilis saw Thelanya yell directly into the guards ear, then he waved them by. Climbing the stairs and rounding the corner to the crooked hallway there was finally a modicum of relief, but the walls still vibrated and the noise traveled well around the stairs.
"I have a headache." Icilis' frown continued to grow. He pulled his arm away from Thelanya as gentle as his mood could manage. She had to bite her lip to contain her smile.
"It's right here, the door is open." Thelanya had just noticed this and seemingly right on cue, a cloud of dust was swept up into the hallway. "Come." Thelanya walked up carefully, so as to not get covered in whatever was flying off the floors. "Oh!"
Icilis couldn't see what was happening, he hadn't moved from where Thelanya left him. He watched her move inside with arms open for a hug, but the voice that returned her pleasantries was not his brother's, but a woman. Instinctively, Icilis brought to mind several spells and absently pulled Bizloz from the Nether. Although it had been some time since he had needed the imp in combat, he found it comforting to have perched on his shoulder, which it automatically climbed his robes for.
"Yes master?" The imp always quaked with excitement at the prospect of being with Icilis.
"Just be silent." With that Icilis took the few steps to stand in the doorway. He saw Thelanya turn to face him, behind her was what he assumed to be Koria. Her hair was longer than he was told, perhaps she was growing it out. She wore the curly mess tied up in a bun, strands flew out as if trying to escape her head. She wore nothing but a simple linen robe, tied with a silk rope thick enough for climbing, it wrapped around her waist several times. Her arms were larger than Icilis', which doesn't mean much in most cases, but he was no bookworm and prided himself on keeping healthy.
"Well, well, well..." Koria said slowly, her smile at Thelanya turned into a strange smirk. Her eyes narrowed to slits. "This can only be the one and only brother." Icilis only bowed his head ever so slightly in reply. "Monuv's downstairs, I'll go fetch him." Before Icilis could say a thing, Koria rested the broom up against the wall, took another long look at him, then walked down the hall and out of sight.
"Did you hear her? They're almost through cleaning up, they moved to Darkshire." Thelanya took it upon herself to light a few candles, the room was almost totally dark. "Suppose we're lucky to have caught them."
"Mmm." Icilis remained outside the room with eyes focusing miles away.
"What's the matter with you?" Thelanya finally stopped her automatic cleaning mode and stepped into the hall with Icilis. A few rich looking merchants walked from the stairs and into their rooms and had to walk in between the couple. Thelanya watched Icilis tense when the footsteps could be heard on the stairs. "He's going to be happy to see you. Trust me. There's nothing to worry about." Thelanya felt suddenly guilty, Icilis obviously wanted nothing more than to get out of this place. She felt as if she had done something wrong. "I'm sorry... I-..."
Icilis was watching her transformation and felt a pang of guilt himself. He wished to embrace her, but felt awkward at the public setting. Settling on caressing her cheek, Icilis let his guard down as the couple stared at each other in this relatively peaceful moment. Thelanya held his hand where it was with both of hers and smiled up at him. He did not return it, but his eyes lit up slightly, and with Icilis that was just about good enough.
Now more steps could be heard coming up the stairs, Icilis prepared himself, but found that it was Koria coming alone. Now a million strange feelings washed over him as he second guessed all the intentions his brother had for not coming upstairs. He wasn't prepared for what she said.
"He's had a few drinks and had to use the chamberpot, give him a minute." Koria walked into the room and wrapped a cloak around her shoulders. "C'mon Thel', I can get us in at the evening grub at the keep. Not quiet, but better than this place."
"Oh... I think maybe that will be a good idea." She surprised herself by not looking to Icilis for approval. With a smile she sent a kiss his way from where she stood and followed Koria down and outside.
Icilis walked inside the mostly empty room to wait for Monuv's arrival.
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