S
Sometimes my curiosity leads me to discover things that would change my view of the world. Visiting Fizzlecrank Airstrip taught me that. Despite its grim truth, I learned something very important about myself and my people. Logic tells me to continue on my path to Dragonblight, but my will tells me to go towards those mysterious lights over the mountain. But how would I get there?
I saw a small settlement just to the North, with what appeared to be the remains of a long bridge, this may be a good place to start. The inhabitants of this settlement appeared to be mages or wizards of some sort. Back at Valiance Keep I remembered overhearing the story of a woman who was saved from immediate danger by a group of wizards riding upon the backs of mighty drakes. She mentioned that she wished she could thank those involved.
I approached one of the men and asked about the story. “Yes, and her encounter was a small piece of a very large puzzle. One of our archmages, Lady Evanor was captured en route to Dalaran. We managed to capture and interrogate the mage hunter responsible, and know she is being held much in the same way as that woman you speak of. To free her we must get the prison key from Salrand the Inquisitor. If you put forth your effort and save our beloved Lady Evanor, you will be rewarded, Gnome.” This was more than I bargained for, but I couldn’t let down such a chivalrous opportunity. “I won’t let you down, sir.” He handed me a detonator. “This will disable her shield. Please hurry!”
With a few kicks, I rode down the hill to the glowing circular structures below. Just as the woman described, there were cubes hovering around the edge of these large circles. This had to be where Lady Evanor is being held, and it seems she isn’t alone. “These cages are bled dry! Get me more prisoners at once!” I heard a shrill voice coming from the largest structure. Clearly that was the inquisitor. Now it was just a matter of getting to her, and getting that key.
To free her we must get the prison key from Salrand the Inquisitor. If you put forth your effort and save our beloved Lady Evanor, you will be rewarded, Gnome.
I jumped off my ram just in time to be bet by two angry mage hunters. The struck with precise stabs from their blue, glowing weapons, but they were no match. After a few short scuffles, I made my way to the structure, and was surprised to see Salrand hovering in the center, surrounded by a magical blue shield. She stared at me with an arrogant, self-satisfied glare. What she didn’t know, was that her protective shield was soon to be broken. I threw the detonator as hard as I could. It struck the shield, and in and instant the inquisitor fell to the ground. I watched her pick herself up as I was hit with a flurry of blue magic. I was knocked back, but charged toward her with my fist weapon facing forward. I struck her in the ribs, and knocked her back down to the ground. As she fell, I noticed a metallic object fly out of her hand, shattering into pieces as it hit the floor.
In my haste, I never took proper care in making sure the key was safe! I held its pieces in my hand, and tried to figure out what to do next. Fearing the worst, I returned to the mage and apologized for my recklessness. “Delays, delays… the one thing we cannot afford right now! As much as I hate to disturb him, Lord Surristasz is our only hope now. I pray that his mood is favorable..” I turned around to see a huge Red drake looking slightly amused. “These games you play are of no consequence, still my drakes may find amusement in this.” I watched in amazement as the drake breathed fire on the shattered pieces, forging them together effortlessly.
“Excellent! We have the key. Hurry, join my fellow mages. We shall free Elenor at last!” I joined a group of mages as they flew their drakes to the highest platform. They destroyed the mage hunters guarding the prison, and I jumped on. The platform shook and began to sink back to the earth as it was engulfed in flames. I stumbled over to the cage and sank the key into the hole. The cage broke open, and a lovely archmage ran to my side. We both jumped on to the back of a drake just as the platform crashed to the ground.
Back at the ledge, I was startled to see Lord Surristaz staring down at me. “I’ve been mindful of your efforts, mortal. Do not feign surprise. The time has come to peel back a layer of darkness from your mind. There are stark truths that you have grown ready to accept. Come, you shall be shown firsthand what we face.” He lowered his head, and I climbed aboard, not sure what to expect. I hung on as the old drake flew over the tattered bridge, over the jagged wall of the mountains.
We flew directly towards a gleaming, purple forcefield. “Under the Transitus Shield we lie hidden just a stone’s throw from the Nexus, fortress of the great aspect Malygos and his blue dragonflight.” after dismounting, the Drake nodded and with one last knowing look said, “Welcome to Coldarra, Piket.”
