The Search for Redemption

Bjorke was outside the auction house, speaking with a man unlike most of the ones she knew. This one had charm, and intelligence, and sophistication. And even though he was a night elf, Bjorke found his looks rather appealing. Somehow, he managed to unsettle her in a way she found intriguing. Just as the conversation took a turn for the better, Knight-Captain Kelandros Stromrage walked by. Bjorke made her apologies to her companion, who was very gracious about the matter, and quickly caught up with her superior officer.

“Sir, I need to speak with you, if you have a moment.”

Kelandros turned to her. “Go ahead.”

Looking around the square, Bjorke said, “It is a rather delicate matter, sir. I would prefer a more private location.” Read the rest of this entry »

Word came while Bjorke was sleeping. Her dog’s low growl woke her before the messenger knocked softly, using the familar code. Bjorke sheathed her weapon, and opened the door a crack as the dog’s growling continued. Recognizing one of Sven’s men, she opened the door further, and commanded the dog to sit. The messenger handed Bjorke an envelope. She slipped him a few silver and closed the door again. Breaking open Sven’s seal, she pulled out the letter within.

Bjorke hated waking up like this: to one of Sven’s tasks. She rubbed the sleep from her face, took a drink from her flask, and read the details of her assignment. Swearing, she stood and paced the floor, the dog watching her with curiosity. She resigned herself to get on with the task, so she fed her dog, then bathed, dressed and packed her bags. Read the rest of this entry »

When Sven entered his study, he realized instantly he was not alone. He turned towards the shadowy end of the room, and saw Bjorke drinking from one of his tankards.

“This is a gud batch, doncha think?” the dwarf chuckled, proud of his handiwork.

The lanky, silver-haired woman shrugged. “It’s alright. The last batch was better.”

Sven frowned at her, obviously insulted. “Ah assume you’ve come about the letter.”

“Yes. I can’t do it, Sven. It’s too much.”

The dwarf rubbed his throat, tracing a jagged scar that ran up the left side of his neck. Bjorke looked at him, having seen this gesture many times. “I know I owe you, Sven. She wouldn’t still be alive if it wasn’t for you. Neither would I. But come on, man…. this is ridiculous! It’s far too dangerous for me. If the Commander finds out, he’ll kick me out of the guild. With a literal kick, I’m sure. And that’s nothing compared to what he’d do if he found out. I heard he nearly drowned a gnome, just for taking her on a picnic.” Read the rest of this entry »

As Bjorke read the letter from Sven, she shuddered at his latest task for her. None of her previous assignments had made her stomach churn like this one, by far the most loathsome of jobs. Not when she burned that village in Tanaris, nor when she had to slit the throats of 12 orc soldiers asleep in their barracks, not testing poisons to find one slow enough to slip past royal food-tasters. Not even when she obtained information from that young blood elf, just barely in his 16th season. Her eyes grew misty at the memory of the mixture of pleasure and pain she had used on him. Ah, now that was an interrogation!

The sound of a throat being cleared roused her from her trip down memory lane. She folded the note and tucked it into her belt under her tabard before turning around. Kelandros was there, and she gave him a respectful nod, before moving out of the way of the mailbox. This assignment would require special care, as the Knight-Captain would be even less pleased to find out what Bjorke was to do than she was. Read the rest of this entry »

Sterling Guild! You are to report to the Gates of Stormwind, prepared for battle. A traitor has been found within the Keep, and all able-bodied guild members are to report for duty!

Bjorke read the announcement posted the Guild hall. A grin spread over her face. Battle! Mayhem! A chance to fight with her guild mates, to see their skills in action. She finished her business, and retrieved her Helm of Fire from the bank. Although not as fine a helm as her current one, the look of it was fearsome. She stocked her bag with supplies, and called her horse. When she arrived at the Gates, only Commander Thunderman was there. Good, she thought, better to look eager, than have to be called to the task. She saluted, and took up a place behind him. As more arrived, she saluted the officers, nodded to the others. Read the rest of this entry »

“C’mon, Osborne, give a girl a break. I’m one of your best customers, and look how much trade I send you.” Bjorke was haggling over the cost of training. Profits were down, and she’d been too busy running errands for Sven to spend any time even gathering herbs for sale.

Osborne grinned at her. “Just for you, I”ll knock off two gold. Best I can do.”

Bjorke nodded, and handed over the money. She headed for the bank, glad to still have a bit of gold left. Carefully, Bjorke removed a sharp claw-like weapon from its slot in the bank, She turned it over, admiring how the light danced off the keen twin-blade edges. She tucked it into her belt, then filled a small bag with several types of enchanting supplies that she had been saving, and went to find a certain night-elf she knew by trade. Read the rest of this entry »

Bjorke sat in the Pig & Whistle with a new guild mate, trying to remember the young priest’s name. It had been a long morning for both of them, so a drink sounded like a good idea. The young woman had asked her what her day had been like so far. “Nearly killed by furlbogs, lost money on auctions, and insulted two guildmates. The usual,” Bjorke laughed hollowly. Sandriara (as Bjorke finally remembered) laughed, thinking it was just a joke.

She’d been on edge lately, having had too much work and not enough sleep, so when the paladin, Teul, had made a comment about her drinking, she’d let loose her tongue, and lit into him. Her comments had been unfair, and the man was undeserving of such vile wrath. They had had an uneasy truce since the kidnapping incident, and since they didn’t see each other much, that worked out well. But she had requested his assistance this time, and he had agreed. Read the rest of this entry »

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Bjorke pulled on her boots. “The best thing about orcs,” she thought to herself, “was that there was no need for small talk.” She looked at the snoring hulk on the bed. Sure, human males were easier on the eye, but they always wanted to talk, mostly about themselves. Bjorke let out a deep sigh of satisfaction, and gathered her belongings. She spied a coin purse peeking out from the orc’s bag beneath the bed. Torn, her fingers twitched at her sides. A green eye opened, and the decision was made. Bjorke blew him a kiss, and left. Read the rest of this entry »

Bjorke sat in the shadows under the stairs, and downed her fifth Darkmoon Reserve. “Damn that Sven!” she muttered, her speech barely slurred. “I am not his errand boy!” She reached for another drink, wiping her mouth as half of it spilled down her front. “Well, I suppose I am… as I have been running his errands, fetching his cases of ale, ferrying his chums around…” She laughed hollowly, knowing the drinks she consumed would have to be replaced, somehow, as they were part of the shipment to Sven.

Bourbon sat on the edge of the table, his whiskers twitching, as if listening to her. Read the rest of this entry »