Frostbite

I┆The Arrival

Chapter I

The Arrival

As The Iris ventured through Dragonblight, Darklightia's flaming blue gaze was focused on the nearby forests that were always covered in snow.

"Something's amiss" the undead night elf remarked to her companions.

"What do you mean?" Hesperia looked over to Darklightia with her violet eyes and tightened her grip on her bow, trying to cover her uneasiness caused by death knight's comment.

The void elf hunter has had enough of grotesque surprises she's seen while traveling across Northrend.

Slight wind was blowing causing Darklightia's lime colored hair to fall onto her face. Her cold blue skin looked as dead as ever. The only thing that made her look more alive, were claw shaped markings in the same vibrant color as her hair, that went through her eyes, and slightly covered a rough scar that was going through her nose.

"The snow is slowly melting." She answered while staring into the distance. "It should have been impossible in this frozen wasteland."

Hesperia was unsure on how to respond. Luckily, their Dark Iron Dwarf friend did that for her.

"Cool off, lassie. This land's been getting to ya more than you'd like to admit." Valerie's burning orange eyes shifted to the Death Knight. Sparks of fire blown from her flaming blond hair were flowing on with the wind.

Hesperia dreaded the cold this land emitted. Her light violet skin had chills all over and she could feel frost gathering on her dark purple hair, laying on her right shoulder.

The three women were all seated on Valerie's fierce, Smoldering Wyrm. In life, he was a powerful dragon of the blue flight, who dared to oppose the great archmage Medivh and met with tragic consequences.

The dragon has been burned alive from the inside. Only bones were left of him and the same orange flames that scorched him filled what was left of him now.

The rest of the road was silent.

Finally, a few violet tents could be seen peeking from between snowy trees. They arrived at Starfall Outpost. The Iris got off their mount and walked to a night elf woman standing near to an arcane image of a Kirin'tor human mage.

"With all due respect, Archmage Modera, but we have to do something about the cultists!" The white-haired elf exclaimed with slight irritation in her voice.

"Kirin'tor will acknowledge it after we deal with the Blue Dragonflight. Their unstable magic is much more concerning than a small Scourge outpost."

"As long as they're not botherin' ya - Valerie chimed in, causing the two women to look in The Iris' direction.

"We apologize for the interruption" Hesperia said with slight reluctance in her voice.

"No need to. Our conversation has ended either way." remarked Archmage Modera. "We shall speak some time else. Farewell."

The arcane image slowly distorted into nothingness.

"Please excuse our companion" Hesperia begun once again. "We are heading to the wrathgate to..."

"To fuel Lich King's armies" The white-haired elf interrupted and looked in their direction.

The three women looked at her with disdain.

"Forgive me. The name's Jodi Moonsong."

"All is well" Hesperia answered. "I am Hesperia and my companions are Valerie and Darklightia."

"I don't suppose you three are going to stay here awhile?"

"Actually, we just need to pick some herbs up for our friend, that is at said wrathgate, awaiting us" Darklightia answered. "Is there any reason we should?"

"Well... as you could hear from my previous conversation, we have an undead problem on our hands which resolving, contrasting what Modera thinks, is of high importance."

"Speak yer piece then."

Jodi seemed to be unnerved by the soul presence of the Death Knight.

"You know... Why waste time, while we could resolve two problems at once? The Archmage needs us to recover missives held by a Blue Dragonflight representative and an Ethereal wanting to trade with them."

"Their locations are all we need" said Hesperia. "I'll take Valerie with me and we can head out instantly."

"Speak with Commander Saia Azuresteel first. She'll be happy to give you all the information we have on this matter."

"Ya heard this lass, Hesper! Let's get to work."

After the two members of The Iris went away, Jodi turned to Darklightia.

"As a fellow Night Elf, I would suspect that you will understand me... even in undeath."

The Death Knight looked at her with skepticism. She was used to people doubting her motives, yet she was never met with a true talk from one of her kind.

Her death has separated her from her race, it felt like.

"The Anub'ar cultists have overrun the Icemist Village that's just north of here. They have been minding their own business, however they are indirectly the cause of melting snow and local fauna..."

"Rotting..."

"... While still alive. Such cruelty cannot, and WILL NOT, be tolerated. It is all being caused by toxic fumes that are constantly emitted from cultists' robes. I need you to venture to this accursed village, destroy cauldrons in which their robes are bathed in, and eliminate as much of them as you will be able to."

"So shall I do."

"Also, be aware of Nerubians- both dead and alive. The Scourge has been turning every arachnid they can into their ranks, however there still is some resistance, built on delusions of their king's, Anub'arak, diligence. What a shame he already is not himself, just a mindless pawn of the Lich King..."

Darklightia was not pleased with Jodi's wording.

"They suffer at their own wish. I will be able to handle them. Dead or alive."

"I am very thankful. Should your companions return first, I will let them know of your bravery."