Chapter Text
Southshore – a small, quaint Alliance village on the coast of Hillsbrad Foothills. Spring had officially started. Peaceblooms sprung up along the lower hills nearby. The days were becoming warmer and most of the snow had all but disappeared. The sun had begun its descent for the day towards the hills. Seagulls swayed in the gentle breeze and the water at the shore was calm and clear.
A large, fluffy grey cat sat on the edge of the pier watching merchants and ship crews as they darted around the docks. The smell of fish was strong at this end of the pier as fishermen unloaded their final stock for the day. The cat sat quietly, and then suddenly a small blue slitherskin fish fell out of a wooden barrel and flopped back and forth on the deck. Taking the opportunity, the cat pounced quickly and snatched the fish between its sharp teeth. It darted off towards the back of the inn and disappeared into the bushes.
Though small, Southshore was a busy village. Numerous traders and merchants flocked to the town every day for the freshest seafood and the finest wines. The main inn sat next to the docks at the edge of the shoreline. Wooden beams, bricks, and concrete composed the sturdy inn structure. Many who were familiar with Southshore knew the inn as a place of comfort with warm beds, cold ale, and delicious meals. Loud music could be heard coming from the open windows of the establishment. Inside the patrons were lively with cheering, singing and dancing. The Alliance had thwarted a few pirate ships off the coast a few days ago, prisoners were taken, the ships were plundered, and sent to the bottom of the sea. The whole town was in celebration mode since the Captain from the mission lived right there in Southshore. The Captain sat at the bar with an entourage of sailors discussing daring adventures, and dirty swashbucklers that met their end.
A hooded figure sat at a table in the corner of the inn next to the roaring fireplace. He quietly listened in on various conversations. His golden blonde hair cascaded out from the sides of his hood and rested on the dark plate armour visible at his chest. His armour was unusual looking for these parts. Dark and faded with little shine, and nil insignia branded met that he was likely a mercenary for hire. His black hood faced down, his cloak at his sides, and his arms were crossed on his chest as if waiting for someone. On the table sat an empty bottle of Silvermoon wine and several coins.
One of the inn’s waitresses approached the table. Her long auburn hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and her skin tan. Her dress was well-worn and typical for a tavern wench. It fit in all the right places with extra emphasis on the bosom area. “Hey Suga, you need a refill?”
The hooded figure looked up and shook his head, picked up the coins from the table and gently handed them to her. “Thanks, babe, but I’m good for now. As always, your hospitality has been excellent, cannot complain. Is it alright for me to visit you next time I’m in town?” He purred out his question.
She could almost see his gorgeous smirk from under the hood. Memories of last night flooded her thoughts and her cheeks turned a bright pink hue. She gave him a deep smile and winked. “Anytime Suga.” She dropped the coins into her side pouch attached to her belt.
On the opposite side of the bar, next to the band playing music, sat a human male who watched the bar wench enjoying her conversation with the hooded figure. He watched her sway her hips and wind her hair around her fingers with playful enthusiasm. Then she picked up the empty bottle from the table and walked back towards the kitchen.
The human looked over to his travel companion. A gnome wearing similar garb. Both dressed in traveller’s clothes and faded red cloaks. Embroidered on the back was the white bird of Stromgarde. “That’s gotta be our guy, mate. Golden hair, black armour, and I spotted the outline of his pointy ears through his hood. Plus, he’s a bloody ripper with the ladies.”
The gnome nodded. “Yup, I’d say he fits the profile Captain Nials gave us.” The human got up from the bar where he had been drinking a pint. He had dark brown, spikey hair and was sporting a goatee. He headed towards the table where the blonde figure sat, and behind him followed the green-haired gnome.
The traveller reached the table in seconds. He pulled an unoccupied chair out and sat down. His companion stood next to him as if waiting for a command. The man began, “the Golden Berserker, I presume?” He asked quietly.
The hooded figure looked up to examine the two strangers standing before him, and he nodded.
The human male pulled a small brown sack from inside his cloak. It landed on the table with several chink sounds, a clear indication it was full of coins. “We bring a message from Captain Nials from Refuge Point. She needs an exterminator again and sent us to find you. Keep the coins as an advance for your services.”
The gnome looked around to see if they had attracted any attention, but the inn was quite noisy and packed with patrons. The hooded figure picked up the sack of coins and placed it inside his black, worn, leather travel bag at his side.
“Very well then, we shall take our leave. Farewell.” Everyone stood up at the table. Holding his hand out to the hooded figure, he accepted it and they shook with a defined shake. The human and gnome excused themselves, and then the hooded figure watched them quietly exit the inn before sitting back down in his chair.
Over the next hour, the scene slowly died down. The fireplace was nothing but embers, and the bartender sat polishing several glasses. The hooded figure finally got up from the table and headed outside the inn. Most of the drunks had stumbled home, and the inn would soon close. The white crescent-shaped moon had risen from over the hills. The hooded figure headed towards the wooden stables to retrieve his mount. They were parallel to the inn, not far of a walk for those that needed a quick escape.
His war kodo stood waiting in the far corral to the right. He had just been drinking from the large water trough in the centre when he smelled his master approach. He was a large black beast with large tan horns that jutted up from his nose and the crown of his head. Still saddled and happy for his master’s return, he sauntered over to his owner and patiently waited for a command. The figure climbed over the fence and tied the travel bag he was wearing to the back of the kodo where several saddle bags lay. He patted his nose horn, and with little effort, jumped up onto the giant beast into the leather saddle. The stable boy opened the corral gate and the kodo moved forward with slow hesitation.
The figure’s dark metal armour gave off a dull glow in the rising moon's light. He gave a firm swift kick to the sides of the great beast, “Come on boy, giddy-up, I want to make Tarren Mill before midnight.” The kodo grunted several times but then started to gallop forward. “Good boy!!” He shouted and patted the huge shoulder blades of the beast several times. Just then, a gust of wind blew into his hood knocking it down. It revealed a long, elven, masculine face. He had a chiselled jaw sporting a small chin beard. His golden blonde ponytail glistened in the moonlight, and long elven ears shot up to the sky.