Adventures in Azeroth (WoW themed)|New! 12/04!!

[she_flame]

Have fun!

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Part eleven: “Misconseptions?”

It did not take long to Chandira and Fanella find the place where the Dryad had seen imp and the Mistress last time…


"There, behind the big rocks!" Fanella pointed. Chandira hesitated, she did not want to take the child with her to the oncoming confrontation.


"No wait, go now", Fanella ordered impatiently. Chandira looked the cliffs, and then little dryad on her lap.


"Listen, Fanella. I want you to stay here, while I go there", Chandira whispered. "It might be dangerous, or Shalunia might be hurt, and I cannot take care of you both at same time."


Fanella sniffed. “I help! You need no take care”, dryad declared. “But you worry?”

"Yes, I am worried about you if you come with me", Chandira agreed.

"Then I come, but like last time. I go up, up the big rock there", Fanella said. "There I safe."

Chandira thought that a moment. “That sounds good plan, Fanella.” And it was best they could do, if the dryad would want to come.


Soon Fanella had climbed up, and Chandira took deep breath, and marched to the camp.


"Release Shalunia! And if you have hurt her, I’ll…" Chandira demanded, but lost her firm tone as soon as she got good look at the scene.


Shalunia was not there. Only the imp and it’s Mistress - a young dwarf woman, Chandira indentified - were present.


"Where is she? Shalunia said she would come here…" Chandira was confused.


"If Shalunia is the elf-friend of yours, we haven’t seen her", dwarf answered.

Imp looked around with exaggeretad movements. "Maybe she saw her chance, and left you", it said wryly.


"Where-ever she is now, it’s not important. You are the one I need", she said, gesturing Chandira to come closer.


"Need me, what are you talking about?", Chandira asked. The whole situation was odd, and not at all what Chandora had thought it would be.

Dwarf woman smiled slightly, and patted ground besides her. “Come here, and sit down and I will explain all.”


"No, Chandi no go!" Fanella cried. "She bad, she hurt!"


Despite the dryad’s protests, Chandira sat down. Dwarf woman did not seem to be dangerous, and Chandira wanted to hear what she had to say.

"Why did you curse Fanella? Or why the imp stole my letter in first place?" Chandira queried.


"I did not meant to hurt her, you have to believe me. I am not fully control of all my powers", dwarf explained, looking ashamed. "I just tried to make her stop fighting."

"She lie!" Fanella cried. "I no fight untill they-"


"Fanella!" Chandira rebuked sharply. "Let her speak. And come down here, no need to be wary anymore."


Fanella climbed down, and settled to Chandira’s lap. “No like her, she evil”, dryad muttered.

Chandira ignored her, and looked at the dwarf. “I believe you when you say you did not meant to hurt. Magical powers can be hard to control.”

"Yes, and arcane ones are even harder than those blessed with Light", dwarf replied.


"And that difference is why I need your help. I need someone who can connect the Light, and there is none better than you", she continued. "As a draenei, you are born with that connection."


"Yes, the blessing Naaru gave us, when my ancestors allied with them. But why you need this?" Chandira asked.

"It’s a long story, but I will tell it-" dwarf started, but Fanella interrupted her.

"She lie! She bad. Imp bad!" dryad whined loudly.


"Not as bad as you are useless", imp replied. "Even if you are line of Cenarius, you are worthless to us!"


”Voch, shut up!”, dwarf ordered sharply. “And keep it that way, too!”


Chandira turned gently towards Fanella. “I know you don’t want to trust them, child, but as you see, they are not evil, and no one is going to hurt you anymore.”

Fanella shook her head. “But I-“

"Fanella, please. Trust me", Chandira said, wrapping her arm tighter aroud the child.


Fanella squirmed free. “No trust. But I behave. She can tell her lies.”


"Thank you, little one", dwarf said addressing Fanella. "I hope Voch can do the same", she added, casting sharp look to her demon-companion.

---
TBC

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Uh oh - hope Chandira isn't making too big a mistake here!

[she_flame]

Next part of Adventures in Azeroth. Don't mind Mistress' wig (which seems to be falling of almost every picture).

Also: warning: mild violence (outside of the pictures).

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Part Twelve: "Not as planned"

Chandira continues her conversation with young dwarf woman - imp’s Mistress.


"What about my letter? You have it, don’t you?" Chandira asked, and dwarf woman nodded. "Voch brought it to me. It has a habit of looking for things I might be interested." Quickly she continued. "I’ll give it back to you, if you promise to help me."

"Help you with what, exactly?" Chandira wondered.


"It’s quite a story, but I’ll be brief. Nearby from here are ancient elven ruins, and I found a locked door there. Strongly protected with magic, both arcane and blessings of Light, so I figured there must be something important behind it", she paused as imp started snickering. She cast a stern look to demon, and resumed her story.

"I asked around, mainly from local elves, and none of them knew what was there. They have some old, ridiculous beliefs about those ruins, and most of them refused to help."


"I can see, why. But that doesn’t still explain why you need my help", Chandira said. Fanella squirmed on her lap, but stayed silent.


"Yes, it yet does not. But listen. I figured out, that as the door was sealed with both types of magic, it could be opened with them too. So, I wield the arcane powers, and this is where you come in. You use the Light within you to aid me in this", dwarf explained. "Together we will get spell broken."


"Will you help me?" she offered her hand - to shake seal the deal, Chandira thought. "I’ll give your letter back after the door is opened."


Chandira looked aside. She wanted the scoll back, and helping the dwarf did not sound that bad. But the old ruins were scary, and if elves had not been willing to help, should she act against their example…


The dwarf huffed. “There is nothing to be scared of. The ruins are empty, and after the door is open, you are free to go, and look for your elf-friend. Just promise that you hepl me with this.”

"I…" Chandira started. "I think I-"

"Chandira, stop!"


"Do not promise anything to her!"


All four of them turned to look. “Shalunia!” Chandira cried, happy to see her friend.

"Sentinel, she came!" Fanella shrieked, flailing her hands. "Here!"


"Were have you been, Shala?" Chandira asked.

"I have been close-by, spying on her, and waiting the moment I could have stolen the message back", elf replied and moved closer. "But your arrival on the scene changed my plan."


Neither of women paid attention to the dwarf or imp.

Dwarf whispered something to imp and shooed Voch out of the camp.


"Chandira, listen. I was serious as I said you should not give any promises to that woman", Shalunia continued. "She – Grundis is her name – is on the run. Dwarves of Darkshore are looking for her, as she stole some artifact from their excavation site. They said she was looking a way to gather more magical might to herself."


"Be silent", dwarf hissed. "Of course you’d believe the slanders the dusty diggers spew out!"


Shalunia seemed not to care dwarf’s outburst. “I don’t know what she is planning, but the other dwarves warned to be very wary of her.”


"Are you sure she is same person they meant?" Chandira asked, holding Fanella tight, as child tried to get off her lap.


"Yes, I am Grundis", dwarf confirmed with angry voice. "And elf there should shut up about things she doen’t know anything."


Dwarf stood up. “I will get the draenei help me, one way or another, and no-one can’t stop it!”

"I-", Chandira began.

"I will get the Whispering One freed!" the dwarf yelled.


As soon as Grundis mentioned “Whispering One”, Shalunia surged towards her, and one swift movement knocked her down. Chandira could just stare in confusion for a moment.


"Shala, no! You killed her!" Chandira cried out. Fanella began wailing.

"Shhh, calm down both", Shalunia replied, and both Fanella and Chandira fell silent. "She is not dead, just unconscious. And it seems that she’s more dangerous than the Dwarves thought", Shalunia continued grimly.


"What are you talking about?" Chandira stared her friend. "I don’t really understand at all."

"I will explain it later", Shalunia said.

"But-"


"Chandira, later. I have to secure her, as we take her with us to Astranaar. Take your message, and help me to bind her", Shalunia ordered curtly.

---

TBC

[jemlovecraft]

I had a feeling we shouldn't trust her. She put that nasty curse on Fanella, after all. I can't wait to see how everything will work out!

[she_flame]

Don't mind me. Just giving you another part of my story. ^^;
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Part thirteen: “Tension arises”

After Shalunia had tied Grundis with dwarf’s own belt, the sentinel decided they would stay over night at the campsite. There was no real hurry anymore, and Chandira and Fanella needed the rest. No objections were raised, and soon Chandira and the dryad child were in deep sleep.



Early next morning Chandira woke up with gentle sunshine on her face and Fanella sleeping by her side. Shalunia was sitting nearby, still as a statue


"Good morning, Shala", she greeted. "Have you been awake whole night?"


Elf turned to look Chandira, and smiled slightly. “I took few short naps. No need to worry about it”, she said. “I do not need nearly as much sleep as you do.”


Chandira nodded, and carefully rose more upright, trying not to wake up sleeping dryad.

"She seems be better - there has not been any fever after I could ward of the curse", Chandira mused.


"What about her?" she turned to look the unmoving dwarf. "Is she still…"


"No, she is not unconsious anymore, just sleeping. She woke up bit after midnight, and fell into sleep soon", Shalunia explained.


"Are you sure, that she has to be tied up, Shala?" Chandira asked. "I know you and Fanella don’t trust her, but she does not seem that dangerous. And she did not mean to hurt Fanella."


Elf sighed, crossing her arms. “She is just that dangerous, Chandira.” She fell silent, but continued soon. “She mentioned ’the whispering one’, and combined with the knowledge of her plans about opening a door or portal that sounds too much of demon or some other old and powerful being. One that should be left imprisoned as it is now.”


"How can you know? She did not said anything about releasing anything. I think she said that she don’t know what is other side of the door…" Chandira countered, defending the dwarf.


"I am just wary for the worst. And in any case, she should not be lurking about old ruins", Shalunia noted. "And she has stolen from for own people, and should be taken back to them to punish."


"Yes, that is true. But could we took let her hands free, if she promises to come with us nicely?" Chandira pleaded. "I am sure-"


Shalunia interrupted Chandira, and moved at her side. “I admire how trusting and full of goodwill you are, Chandira”, elf said. “But we cannot let her loose untill we know for sure that she has no ill intentions.”


Chandira was ready to offer another argument for dwarf’s defense. But she was silenced by waking Fanella.

"She evil, she hurt and lie", dryad announced yawning as she streched up. "Sentinel right, she bad."


"Good morning, little one", Chandira greeted the dryad, petting her hair. "I seems that I have lost my argument against you two", she continued.Chandira felt bad for giving in, but she didn’t want to start full quarrel with Shalunia.


"I am sorry, Chandira, but we cannot really trust her", Shalunia said after a while. "Can you understand that?"


Chandira looked down. “Yes, Shala, I can see your reasoning here. I would do different decision, but it is your call now”, she replied quietly.


For her surprise, Chandira felt Shalunia touch her on the shoulder. The elf was not one to offer casual touches freely.


"Shalunia?" Chandira asked, turning to look her friend. "What…" She couldn’t find any words to finish her question.


"Chandira, I-" Shalunia began, as she moved closer and kept touching draenei with tender caress.


"When food? Fanella hungry!" dryad’s demand broke the sudden intensity of the moment. "I want eat, go find food", Fanella proclaimed and stood up.


"Oh, no you do not", Chandira said as they turned to look at the bossy child. "You are not going anywhere alone, Fanella."

"Chandira is right. You can wait for moment more for your food"; Shalunia agreed.


Chandira and Shalunia looked at each another, and smiled.

"We should wake dwarf up, and break the fast before starting today’s travel", Shalunia said, and Chandira nodded. "You go find some food, I’ll watch over Fanella and Grundis."

---
TBC

[she_flame]

Some of the pics have misty quality on them, and I cannot say why. Maybe hot and humid weather? Anyway, onwards to the story.

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Part Fourteen: “Almost there”

The journey to Astranaar seemed to go much quicker than trek northwards. Even with Fanella and tied-up Grundis slowing the group down. Chandira didn’t mind, she had enjoyed the journey, but Shalunia was anxious for unknown reasons.


They had stopped for midday break, to eat and rest their legs. Early summer heat was exhausting all of them. Shalunia told, that if they could keep pace up, they should be in Astranaar before nighfall.


The elf had climbed up on nearby cliffs to keep watch, while other ate and rested.


And the rest of them were settled on roadside.

"That cloud like tree, and that cloud like rabbit! See, Chandi", Fanella chattered as she spotted funny shaped clouds. Chandira looked at the sky, and smiled. "That cloud really looks like a rabbit", she agreed.


"Can’t that fey ever be silent?", Grundis snapped. "I had to listen all morning that mindless creature’s blabbering, and still she keeps going?"


"No, I talk. Talk fun", dryad answered, and pointed another cloud. "That one like bird. And there a real bird, look it flies!"


Chandira nodded to Fanella. “Do you know what bird it is?”

"Big one!", dryad laughed. "Ree-eally big one!"

Grundis scoffed, and Chandira turned to look the dwarf. “I think your irritation just gives Fanella more reason to talk – she seems to having fun with annoying you.”


"Chandi right. Mad dwarf fun. But most fun when bad dwarf goes away and Fanella goes home", dryad explained. "We near home, soon. I know this place. I been here earlier."


"Fanella could go home from here", dryad mused.

"No, little one, you cannot. We have to take you to someone who can take the curse away", Chandira said.


"But I feel no sick anymore", child protested. "I good now, can go home." Chandira sighed and shook her head. "Fanella, dear. You are just feeling well because I have been warding off the symptoms. Curse itself is still there", she explained. "If you go now, you begin to feel sick again soon."


Fanella turned away. “No. I good, no sick. Want to go home.”


"You will get home soon", Chandira tried to mollify the child. "Tomorrow we find someone from Astranaar to take the curse away, and then you can go home." She hoped that they would find someone who could disspell the curse. But as night elves had priestesses of Elune and druids among them, surely someone must had skills for the task.


"Get up, girls. Break is over", Shalunia’s arrival disrupted Chandira’s thoughts. "We are not stopping untill we get to the town", elf continued. "More briskly we walk, earlier we get there."


"It will be long walk. Are you sure we should hurry so much? I can not see what difference one more day would do?" Chandira asked. She wanted to also ask, why the elf seemed to grow more and more surly as they got closer to Astranaar. But she could not find good opportunity to do so.


"Yes, I am sure", elf told. Chandira coud see Shalunia was restless, so she dropped the subject. "As you say, Shala."


"Stupid slave-driver elf", Grundis muttered loudly. "Do you think I and my short legs can keep up with your pace?" dwarf addressed the elf.


"You have done fine untill now, so no reason why you could not keep up with us anymore", Shalunia snapped, and steered the others up and on the road again.

***

Late that evening the group arrived on Astranaar, as Shalunia thought they would. Elf escorted Chandira and Fanella to the local inn and got a room for them. Elf took Grundis with her – Chandira presumed she would see that dwarf were locked up somewhere.

Chandira put Fanella to sleep, but could not get rest herself, even if she was tired. Something bothered her. And though she tried to think what that might be, Chandira did not get any answers.
---
TBC

[Eseme]

Oh my, I hope we find out what is going on soon!

Love the pics, I like the hazy look, especially the Dranei.

Eseme

[she_flame]

I have been happy to see all of you reading this, and I hope that you have had as much fun when reading as I have had writing this.

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Part fifteen: “The end?”

Early next morning Chandira and Fanella were up, and looking for Shalunia. Elf’s sisters-in-arms had told, that Shalunia had gone outskirts of town, “to had some solitude”. So Chandira and Fanella headed to shores of Lake Astranaar, but could not find their friend.


Chandira was ready to give up, and go back to the town. But Fanella was stubborn. “Want to say goodbye to Sentinel. The druid take Fanella with him, and then no Chandi or Sentinel there”, dryad said, and refusing to return. Chandira sighed.


"Dear, I can understood that you do not want to part ways. But we have to go back – unless you want druid Winterleaf will be angry to you."


"Nah, he not angry. All druids like Fanella", child noted. "But maybe look bit more, and then go back?" she offered, and Chandira nodded. "Yes, we can walk bit more, and let’s hope we find Shalunia."


"Yes! Chandi nice! Pick I up!" Fanella cheered.


As Chandira hesitated, dryad reached out with her hands. “Pick Fanella up, go faster if carry Fanella!”

Chandira laughed. “Calm down, little one. I will carry you.” She could not deny child’s wish, and quickly Fanella climbed to Chandira’s arms.


They walked for a little while. “Maybe we could turn back. I cannot see Shalunia, and you should be back soon…” Chandira trailed off, as she noticed lone figure farther by the lake.

"Sentinel!" Fanella cried happily.


Chandira picked up her pace, and walked closer. Shalunia seemed to be in deep thoughts, as the elf did not notice their coming.


"Hey, Shala", Chandira greeted. Elf turned to look. "We were looking for you", Chandira explained. "Druid Winterleaf is taking Fanella with him later today, and she wanted to say goodbye."

Shalunia nodded. “Come here, and sit down. Your company is welcome.”


Chandira sat down, trying to keep exited dryad on her lap.

"Hey, Sentinel! Fanella goes to Moonwell with druid. Druid say I take bath in. Moonwell-bath!" dryad rambled. "I wanted try it once. No good, sisters yell at Fanella then. Now druid say ‘permission’ for bath."


Shalunia hummed. “I think I have heard the story about disobient dryad who tried to swim in Moonwell.”

"Sisters say ‘Fanella bad’, but druids laugh. Maybe now can go again?"


"I do not think that your bathing permit will cover swims for fun, child", Shalunia said.

Chandira had listened silently the conversation. “Are the Moonwells really that sacred?” she asked. “I have never seen one…”

"They gather Elune’s power, so yes they are sacred. And maybe you will see one if you stay in Forest Song", Shalunia said.


"Chandi stay! And Fanella will see Chandi and Sentinel after Fanella healty." Dryad squirmed to look Shalunia. "Fanella goes with the druid. Then I go back with sisters. But later Fanella see you. Visit here, to see Sentinel", dryad told.


Chandira waited as Fanella stopped for air.

"I don’t know if I can stay – it depends much about Anchorite Buurq’s message. And I probably should go back to Azuremyst Isle and try to find someone to teach me", she said quickly, before the dryad could start her ramblings again. "But I wish I could stay."


Shalunia didn’t reply, just turned to look towards the lake. And Chandira felt like she should contunue, but she was in loss of words. So she stayed silent.


Fanella did not. Dryad had peered down, on the wild growths of plants.

"There something!" child yelled, and pointed the bushes below. She squirmed off from Chandira’s lap, and jumped down. "Wanna see! Go look!"


"Should we help her back up?" Chandira asked, as she and Shalunia watched Fanella root around in bushes.

Shalunia shook her head. “No, let her be. Just keep our eyes open, so she does not vanish anywhere.”


Chandira chuckled. “I do not think that Fanella would vanish – she make quite noise usually”, she said playfully, but then sighed. “I will miss her. She has not been with us long, but she has become like… like a babysister to me.”

Shalunia nodded in agreement.


"Shala", Chandira began, as both of them had been slent for a while. "I have been thinking to thank you." She felt nervous as she spoke, but soldiered on.


"Thank me?" Shalunia asked, confused. "You do not have to thank me."


"But I want", Chandira took the now-battered scroll to her hands. "You found me and resqued me from freezing and sraving to death. And after I lost this, you helped me to get it back." She looked to Shalunia. "Without you, I nor Fanella would not be alive."


"So I need to express my-" Chandira halted her speech as Shalunia turned away.

"Shala?"


"Is something wrong?" Chandira reached out, to touch elf’s hand, but Shalunia shifted farther away.


Chandira hummed, and wrapped her arm around Shalunia. “What ever it is, I will listen – if you want to tell.”

"I… "Shalunia began, but shook her head. "I- I just fear that I will not only miss Fanella, but you too", elf said with strain.


"Oh", Chandira whispered. She felt like Shalunia was trying to express something more than her words, but what, it eluded her like a dream in morning.

"If it helps anything, I will miss you too", Chandira replied after a while. "And we could visit each others, if I go back to Azure-"

She paused as Fanella shrieked loudly somewhere near.


"Fanella stuck! Spiderweb! Help!"


"Oh, dear!" Chandira exclaimed, as they turned to look dryad.

"Do not struggle, girl", Shalunia oredered. "I will came and free you. Just stay where you are."

And with that ethe elf jumped down to rescue dryad child from the webs.

*

After Fanella was freed, all of them returned to the town. Druid Winterleaf was already waiting, and took the dryad with him. Chandira and Shalunia started their last part of journey - to the Forest Song Camp. And despite the area being under frequent orc attacks, no greenskins were seen.

Chandira delivered the message and news of Vyella’s fate to Anchorite Buurq. It turned out, that the letter was official request to Buurq to take Chanrida as his trainee, which he accepted.

"The letter speaks highly of you. I will agree to teach you", Anchorite declared.
*

---
So. This is the end - for a while at least. I have plans to continue this sometime - there is quite more this story to tell. But for now I leave you and my girls here. ^^

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

I've enjoyed reading this - thank you Look forward to more when you have time!

[K2!]

Thank you for sharing your girls' adventure with us.