Deep Thoughts, Dark Nights
Bjorke’s head was swirling, and she longed for a bourbon to still the madness. These times were the hardest. Her work for the day complete, no companion to distract her, not even a guild mate around to argue with, Bjorke had to spend the evening hours alone, contemplating Edrick’s words, and now the words of Daetura, and try to make sense of her wreck of a life. She’d had to stop going to the Pig, and now spent time in the abandoned pub in the Park. The tables and chairs remained, but with no bartender or booze, it was safe enough for her.
The first parts of Edrick’s Laws had been straightforward. Tangible, corporeal, thoughts she could understand – Death and Strength – tools of her trade. But… Honor? Raised with the values of profit, advantage, deception and cunning, Bjorke’s concept of honor was shaky at best. Honor meant not double-crossing your partner, unless the gain was greater than the loss of the partner. It meant not stealing from one’s guildmates, not even when no one was looking. It meant that kidnapping a girl to keep her safe was the right thing to do. It meant arranging an ambush against one’s guidemates to accomplish that kidnapping was the best choice. Read the rest of this entry »
Wisdom and Daring
Bjorke and Boranez – Boran, as he asked her to call him – made their way around the marshes and pits of Un’Goro. He had an easy-going manner, and loved to tell jokes. He was also confident in his abilities, without being arrogant. His strength reminded Bjorke of what Edrick had said about the third Law, Wisdom:
“Any Warrior will come to sense and experience that physical prowess alone is not enough to win the battle. That expertise, intelligence and mental quickness is just as important. With the wisdom we can observe and draw conclusions about the world around us. With Wisdom we can learn to observe, being aware not only of others but what their true intentions are. With Wisdom we also discover that our self worth is more important than many things within this existence and that is called, Honor.” Read the rest of this entry »
Teammates
Bjorke sat under a tree, beside a stream in Un’Goro. Blastit was happily grazing on the abundant flora, stopping now and then for a drink of the cool, clear water. As she leaned against the tree, Bjorke ate, enjoying the taste of the salty cheese, the nutty sweetness of the grain bread, and even the melon juice she drank. The air was filled with the various cawings and rumblings common to this area, and it was a peaceful sound to her ears. She looked around the green and black landscape, memories of her times here with Auralis flooded her mind. How they had met, fought side by side, told each other jokes, and learned to work as a team – a nearly unbeatable team.
“I wonder how she is doing,” Bjorke said aloud, and Blastit raised his head to look at her. “Do you think she knows about Niles yet?” The ram merely chewed at her in response. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sure she’s figured out he’s not coming back by this time.” She sighed. “So… she’s all alone now.” Read the rest of this entry »
Death becomes her
“Death. A warrior must be aware that the world is made of forces seen and unseen. The Gods, Elements and the Spirits who influence our existence. They do not care for us, yet we earn our own freedom from the shackles of torment through questing and visions with Death. With Death we lose fear of our foes, and with Death we instill fear on the minds of those who deserve it. Living close to Death we will know Strength.”
Bjorke thought about Edrick’s words as she readied her gear, making small repairs, sharpening her blades, packing her supplies. Death. She thought about Rileno. Her love had not saved him. Her will could not free him. Her pain would not bring him back. He was dead, and that was that.
Bjorke did not fear Death; she never had. The only doubts she ever had were in learning of the Pit. It was not Death that scared her, but the horrors of a dishonorable death, doomed to the Pit. Read the rest of this entry »
Travails
Bjorke sat at the top of the hill, on a boulder, her pale, naked skin shimmering in the late afternoon sun. She looked out over the dusty rocks of the Badlands, and nodded to herself.
“Yep. That went well.”
At edge of reason
Bjorke posted a message for Askashia in the guild hall, requesting her assistance. The tall, stately hunter found Bjorke in the Pig. “What do you need, Marshal?”
Sighing, Bjorke replied, “Aska, even if you don’t remember our friendship, we are the same rank. Call me Bjorke, please. I need you to look at some tracks, up in Azshara.”
They headed up to the place where Bjorke had found the wagon. Aska knew Bjorke had been looking for Rileno, so she only needed to be caught up to date on this most recent happening. Other than explaining the mission, Bjorke was silent. She shivered frequently, as the elixirs had left her body in a weakened state. Was she strong enough to do without them? Or was she the disgrace that Edrick saw last night? Read the rest of this entry »
Wise Counsel
It was raining in Auberdine as Bjorke waited for the boat. She made no effort to cover herself as she sat astride Blastit at the end of the dock. Occassionally, he would shake the water off his head, but Bjorke made no similar gesture herself. When the boat arrived, the other passengers made their way below decks, but Bjorke remained topside with her mount, oblivious to the now driving rain and wind. The squall continued, following them across the Great Sea, and by the time they docked in Menethil, most of the passengers were complaining about the weather.
This was nothing compared to what awaited Bjorke in the Pit. Edrick had told her of the horror that befall those who die in dishonor. A shiver went down her spine as the images flashed through her mind. Bjorke had seen many things, and even committed many horrible acts, but those paled beside the tales of the Pit. This alone had kept her from flinging herself off the cliff in Azshara to end her aching emptiness. But perhaps the Pit was better than this non-existance – this was a question she could not answer alone. And so, it was Edrick she sought now. His counsel might offer her a way out of this darkness. Read the rest of this entry »
An unexpected friend
Bjorke felt the warm breath on her skin, the soft lips on her face. “Rileno…” A snorfling sound confused her, and she struggled to consciousness. A nudge at her shoulder woke her finally. She opened her eyes to see Blastit standing over her, and she laughed, for the first time in what felt like months. Reaching up, she grasped the harness around his head, and pulled herself up. The ram stood patiently as his master stood, waiting until she was steady on her feet. Then, he lowered his head, picking up a bag in his teeth, and nudged Bjorke with it. Bjorke took the bag, and opened it to find it was the food bag. She piled some oats and barley for Blastit, and stood back. The gentle ram picked up the bag again, and nudged her harder.
“What? I fed you!” In response, Blastit bleated at her, although it was muffled by the bag in his mouth. Again, he nudged her with the bag of food. Sighing, Bjorke took the bag, and pulled out a small loaf of grain bread, and bit into it. “Happy?” Read the rest of this entry »
Lost and Found and Lost
The Alchemist’s shop was her last stop. Her bags were packed, kit re-stocked, armor in good repair. Her hand shook as she paid for her purchases, and the vendor raised an eyebrow at her. Bjorke glared at him in return, and he said nothing, busying himself with his stock.
Bjorke packed Blastit’s saddlebags, and mounted up, on her way back to Azshara. She checked her map, picking up the search where she had left off, marks on the map telling her where she had already looked. She had spoken to no one since she woke up alone in Ironforge. It had taken her some time to figure out where she was, and to clear the fog from her head. A rejuvenation potion soon took care of that problem. Read the rest of this entry »
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
Bjorke slipped her arm around his bare chest, pulling her body next to his. She draped her leg over his torso, entwining her leg with his. His chest rose and fell slowly as he slept. Bjorke kissed his cheek, then up his long ear, murmuring his name. “Mal…” Stroking his white hair, she continued to kiss his ear, nibbling a bit, trying to wake him. He shifted under her, but did not wake. She bit her lip, and ran her hand down his body, using her nails to tickle his ribs, his abdomen, lower and lower, watching his body respond to her touch.
He moaned in his sleep. Bjorke straddled his loins, taking advantage of his natural reaction to her movements. Her strong legs supported her as she rocked back and forth.
Panting, she lowered herself onto his chest and tried to catch her breath. She smiled and said his name again, “Mal.”
Slipping her hand under the pillow, she drew out a long, slim knife. Bjorke kissed his lips, then pulled back and drew the blade across his throat. She laughed as the blood spilled over his chest. His eyes flew open, steel blue eyes staring at her. Gasping, she looked at his face, the tan skin, blonde hair… Rileno!
The screams she heard were her own.
Spiraling
Bjorke combed the hills of Azshara, looking in every cave, every den, every camp, every ruin she came across. She climbed up and down over the rocks, leading Blastit when the terrain was steep and sandy. Hour after hour, the days blended into one another. She slept when she could stand no longer, and forced herself to eat upon arising. She’d had to use her stiletto to make another hole in her belt so she could tighten it more. Her face was dirty, her hair hung in strands about her face, and her clothing was torn and muddy.
Occasionally, her guild mates would try to reach her via the Comm. but she would not answer. She was humiliated over being relieved of battle duty, and this drove her harder to complete her task. Her entire being was focused on finding Rileno. Nothing else mattered now. If she could not fight with her comrades, then she would devote that energy to continuing the search. Read the rest of this entry »
Easy work, if you can get it
Bjorke knelt in front of the young woman, and stretched out her hand to stroke her cheek. “Tell her she has very soft skin. It would be a shame to mark such a pretty face so soon.” Kay’vas translated the words into Thalassian, and the warlock’s eyes grew large in fear. Grinning, Bjorke pulled out her knife and cut the gown off. She drew the flat of the blade along the bare thigh.
The warlock started an incantation. Bjorke recognized the style of speech, and struck with the back of her hand across the warlock’s face. “None of that, or your time here will end quickly.” The words were understood, even before the translation reached her.
“She wants to know what you want.” Kay’vas was staring at the bared skin of the attractive young elf, unsure of what was going to happen, yet unable to look away. Read the rest of this entry »
Pit and Persuasion
The Pit. Not that Bjorke ever thought she deserved a hero’s paradise, but the Pit…. She shuddered at the thought. Such ideas had never occurred to her before, but Edrick’s words had always struck a chord with her. When he said that traitors and those who killed for fun were doomed to the Pit, the words seared into her.
But what of the information she needed to find Rileno? Wasn’t it enough that she did this to save him? Do the ends justify the means? Bjorke looked at the warlock she had bound and gagged. The woman glared at her with green eyes, but was unable to summon her minions or cast her spells.
Sighing, Bjorke realized she needed his counsel once again. She checked the ropes, then moved some rocks in front of the cave opening, filling the gaps with branches. Bjorke headed to Stormwind, and sought out her large Barbarian friend. She explained her problem and waited. Read the rest of this entry »
Money talks
Bjorke woke at dawn, willing her aching body out of bed. As she bathed, she thought about Askashia. While Bjorke had been out searching for clues, Aska had gone to Durotar, to look for Legonidas’ body. She had be caught by guards, and badly beaten. Dohom found her battered body, and carried her to safety. Her wounds were healed, but she was left with few memories. She did not know her guild mates, had no recollection even of Legonidas, or his death. She did remember Kelandros and Ellasar, because they had been friends long ago. Bjorke couldn’t help but wish it was herself that had no memories of the past year. Read the rest of this entry »
Driven
Edrick was right: only fools give up. Bjorke completed her daily tasks as quickly as possible, and then headed to the Eastern Kingdoms. As the trail started in Rachet and moved north, Bjorke searched for more signs of the wagon that had carried Rileno. Each day, instead of heading to the pub after her day’s work, she searched. Each night she fell into bed, more exhausted than the last, her sleep still plagued by nightmares. Each morning, the cycle began again.
A week passed, and then another. Her fighting was less erratic, more efficient, but the physical strain was taking a toll. Her armor was loose on her now-gaunt frame, and dark circles under her eyes gave her a haunting look. She ate little, slept less, and pushed herself each day to find the man who gave her life some meaning. Read the rest of this entry »
