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PTR
10.2.7
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10.2.6
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The Frozen North (Page 43)
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Post by
Morec0
(( This is the last page without any
real
action, I promise. ))
"An excellent parry, Sir Nilon!” Jason said before a kick to the groin – although protected with plate and mail – sent him to the ground with a thud. “Although I
cannot
approve of such a move as that as a tactic,” he chuckled as he stood back up, “’tis
slightly
dishonorable.”
“You don’t think that we should cast honor aside when dealing with monsters such as the Scourge?” Nilon asked, lowering his weapon to give Jason and himself some time to catch their breath. “That it keeps us from being able to defeat them?”
“By the Light,
no
!” Jason replied, shocked at what Nilon was saying. “Such a steadfast grip on honor is what sets us apart from the Scourge. It gives us a different kind of strength, one that blind fury and slaughter could never match.”
“I’m inclined to agree with you,” replied Nilon with a sigh.
“Then why the other thoughts?” The human warrior fell silent. “’Tis your brother isn’t it?”
“He has a point,” was all that the paladin said. “Besides, he’s family. Blood is thicker than water, and all those sayings.”
“Aye, blood is thicker than water indeed,” the human nodded. "But water can easily wash blood away.”
Nilon raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“You and your brother have spent the better part of a decade living very different lives and experiencing very different events. I believe that may very well have eroded or at least skewed many of the beliefs the two of you once shared. This may very well have made you unable to accept each other’s newfound ideals.”
Nilon thought about it. “So… what you’re saying is that we may now be enemies?”
“Not enemies, Sir Nilon,” Jason clarified, “just unable to join each other in a common goal. More like rivals than anything else, if I may say so.”
Nilon frowned, shaking his head. “He’s family,” the paladin repeated. “You don’t turn your back on family.”
“I did not attempt to advise as much,” Jason said. “I was merely stating a fact.”
“All of this coming from the warrior who’s in a relationship with an assassin?” Nilon smirked, finding some humor in the current state of things.
Jason laughed. “Your attempts at irony, while amusing, could use some work, Sir Nilon.”
“Fair enough,” the paladin chuckled. “What is she, anyway? You’d be the one to know… I think.” Nilon tried not to think too much about it after that.
Jason’s laughter did not falter. “Indeed, but my lady specifically requested that I tell no one. It would ruin any surprise in case you found out.”
Nilon wasn’t sure what to make of that, but decided to drop that conversation. “How long were you living among the tuskarr, anyway?”
“A few years, I believe,” Jason replied. “I had been here for some time before the Crusade and the others arrived.”
“I suppose that things were quiet – except for the Scourge, of course – during that time, eh?”
“Actually; no. Between the wolvar and kvaldir attacks – as well as the Scourge – it has been a constant struggle for survival everyday of our lives.”
“I bet you’ll be glad to get back to the ease of Stormwind life, eh?”
“I have no intention of returning to Stormwind.” Jason’s voice lost all of its humor as he said these words.
Had Nilon been any more surprised he likely would have taken a step backwards. “What?
Why
?”
“I have grown tired of the state of the world, Sir Nilon,” Jason replied solemnly. “There is a simplicity and ease that – even with the struggle for survival living here brings – sets the life I lived apart from ‘civilization’ and gives it its own appeal. Besides, let us be honest, Nilon; war is coming between the Alliance and the Horde, a war that will
not
be prevented, not even by with intervention by Lord Fordring himself. I wish not to be caught up in it.”
“If you don’t return you’ll be marked as a deserted and a traitor, Jason,” Nilon remined him, deeply worried for his friend. “The Alliance will send bounty hunters and assassins – maybe even your… lover – until you’re either dead or captured. If the later they’ll hang you for sure.”
“No, they won’t,” Jason replied calmly. “I’ve already spoken of the matter with Lord Fordring. He has used much of him influence to make sure that I will be able to live out the rest of my days here in…
relative
peace.” He finally chuckled again.
Nilon gritted his teeth, not sure if Jason truly knew what he was getting himself into. “Don’t worry, Sir Nilon," the warrior continued. "I am prepared to deal with whatever consequences my decision brings.” He picked up his training sword. “Now, I believe we have combat to ready ourselves for.”
The paladin nodded slowly, still deeply worried for the human’s well being.
Post by
576272
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Morec0
Writer's Commentary:
This and the previous page were created to give a sence of conflict between Nilon's ideals (honor and Stormwind) and his loyalty to his race (or at least his family). Not sure if I've succeeded in bringing up any tension, however.
This page also wraps up the end of Jason's character development with the announcement of his retirement by the end of the Scourge campaign - which will likely be the end of the story as well. I don't know why I decided to give him more of an Old English accent in this, contrary to everything else he's ever said, I just did. And yes, he's a very cool, collected, and honorable character.
Who will Nilon side with? The Alliance which he has served loyally for most of his life, or the Horde with which is people and family have sided?
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