Post by Neonhyper
PrologueYes, it's a sorry excuse for a chapter to introduce all the characters.
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Five of us left by boat from Stormwind Harbor after I met with Aridormi and Chromie. My companions were composed of some of my closest friends, people I would trust my life with in any situation, this one being no exception.
The ship that had been awaiting our arrival was meant for us, and only us, by careful bargaining with the captain of the vessel. Miss Elayne Ironhammer was more than willing, for a large sum of gold coins, to bring our group across the oceans to Ratchet. At our destination, we were to meet a contact set up by the bronze dragons, who would help us determine the location of the Seventh Gate.
"His name is William Black." Aridormi had told me, "A paladin that had lost his memory sometime ago. We restored what we could, without threatening the timeline, and in return his honor keeps him believing he is in debt to us."
"Believing?" I had asked, "If he is not then..."
"We were the ones who took it away in the first place." The dragon said, and I realized that it was most likely a delicate situation that should not be pressed upon further.
My friends and I now keep watch over the seas as we travel, keeping the peace during attacks from naga and other creatures of the waters. However, a week and a half at sea has already caused most of them to gain cabin fever, and I don't know how much longer I can keep them from starting war on each other.
We are only half way to Ratchet, and I pray that we won't be at each other's throats by the time the ship docks.---
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Aruna strolled across the lower deck of the ship, her hands busily working her neon pink hair into the silver bands she was holding. As the gnomish woman looked across the shimmering blue waves, for at least the thousandth time, she finished doing her pigtails just in time for a shout to echo across the sea vessel.
The childish scream caused some of the deckhands to turn their heads wearily. By now they were used to the interruptions and they no longer caused the startle they once did when they had begun. Aruna however, sighed just as much as she had before, and went toward the heavy wooden door that led inside.
A single stairway led up to the mess hall, a large open room where the slop food was served to the crew and those aboard. Simple wooden tables and chairs were set up, nothing overly fancy, with a large wooden counter on one side of the room. It was almost empty, save for the two people sitting near the middle.
One was a night elf, her feet kicked up on the table and she was leaning her chair back on two legs. Her hair was a light green color, cut to her shoulders and incredibly sloppy, like she couldn't be bothered to comb the tangled mess. Underneath the dirty locks was the silver glow emanating from her eyes, and the leaves painted on her face over them. Similar to her hair, the elf's outfit was composed of battered leather gear that gave off the aroma of a wooded forest.
In contrast, the other lady at the table was not so laid-back. The draenei, appearing to be much younger than the night elf across from her, was almost ready to jump out of her seat in anger. Her skin was a blue that seemed to be weathered from the elements, making it almost seem grey, which stood out against her glowing azure eyes and thick, dark blue, styled hair. Two horns curled back and downward from the sides of her forehead, where a leather band was tied. The rest of her outfit was well-kept, mail armor, and four totem-like objects rested on her belt.
The draenei looked to the side and saw the gnome standing and watching, "Aruna! Neemo is doing it again!
Make her stop!"
Aruna sighed lightly, "Calm down, Trila. If you two are going to keep this up, I'm locking both of you in your cabins for the next week and a half."
"Eh." Neemo raised a hand nonchalantly, "I didn't realize draenei were so sensitive about their tails."
"I have a feeling you haven't been in the company of one for too long, then." A new voice echoed into the room, and three gazes moved to see who was standing there.
A second draenei, much older than Trila, was leaning against the doorframe that led into the hallway of cabins. She had short, upward pointing horns, with skin the purest color of blue, and brunette locks that hung over one of her eyes. Her form was sporting a battle-robe, made of white fabric, with silver metal plates, and golden crystals infused into the outfit.
Aruna smiled in her direction, "A pleasure of you to show up, Anchorite."
"As I have said in the past, even during formal situations you may call me Orio, Aruna. It also seems you have already settled the dispute here between the youngling," Trila frowned in the direction of the priest, "and the druid, so I bring only news to our group."
"And that is?" Neemo said, before the gnomish woman standing in front of the table could respond.
"Captain Ironhammer requests that we have dinner with her this evening, instead of joining the crew," Orio explained, "She said it was a matter of importance, and that all five of us should be present. I was expecting to have to look for all of you individually, but it seems all that's left is..."
Aruna lifted a hand and cut the draenei off, "I'll find my sister and tell her myself."
As the anchorite took a few long strides and arrived at the table, the gnome excused herself from the room and left to the middle deck of the ship. Aruna took another moment to look out at the sea, the waves lapping against the side of their vessel, The Lightning Hawk. She smiled to herself, as the golden sun caused the water to shimmer and shine, like it were made of jewels.
Then she looked up, toward the crow's nest. A small figure was leaning against the side of the cup shaped area, short, dark brown hair waving in the weak breeze. The other gnome was wearing a complete set of armor, and didn't seem bothered by it in the least. Aruna shook her head and laughed, calling out to her sister, who's back was turned away.
"Anura!"
The figure twirled in the nest, before glancing down at the pink haired gnome and raising a hand in greeting. Anura's eyes were alight with a shimmering blue mist, that drifted out into small wisps of smoke that dissipated in the air.
"What is it?"
