"Your legendary archery skills don't seem to be helping you much with that glaive thrower," Medriel called out from where she sat on a fence, watching Relara struggle with the massive ballista. "Maybe you should try asking it nicely to cooperate?"
Relara gritted her teeth and pulled harder on the loading crank, but the heavy glaive refused to slide into position no matter how much force she applied.
"I'm doing exactly what you showed me," Relara huffed, releasing the crank and wiping her hands on the sides of her loincloth.
"Mm-hmm," Medriel hummed. "And here I thought you were supposed to be some kind of master archer. Shouldn't all ranged weapons come naturally to someone with your talents?"
"A glaive thrower isn't a bow," Relara snapped. "It's a siege engine that weighs more than three nightsabers combined. Of course it's different."
Medriel raised an eyebrow at the sharp tone. "Careful, sister. That almost sounded like you were raising your voice to your captain."
Relara's cheeks flushed purple as she realized how she'd spoken.
A week of training had made her more comfortable with her squadmates, but she'd forgotten herself for a moment.
She lowered her gaze and took a deep breath.
"Forgive me, Captain Nightwhisper," she said quietly. "I didn't mean to speak out of turn."
"That's better," Medriel chuckled, hopping down from her perch. "I do enjoy seeing some fire in you, you've been far too meek since you arrived here..."
Relara looked up with a slight pout. "I'm not meek. I'm just... learning."
"Of course you are," Medriel said with a knowing smile. "And part of learning is understanding that sometimes the problem isn't your strength or technique. Sometimes you're missing a crucial piece of information."
"What do you mean?" Relara asked, turning back to examine the glaive thrower's mechanism more carefully.
Medriel walked closer, pointing to a small lever near the base of the loading assembly. "See that little catch there? The one you've been completely ignoring while you grunt and strain like a mountain giant trying to thread a needle?"
Relara's eyes widened as she spotted the mechanism she'd somehow overlooked. "You didn't tell me about that part!"
"I wanted to see how long it would take you to figure it out on your own," Medriel grinned. "Most new Sentinels find it within the first few attempts. You, however, seemed determined to brute force your way through the problem."
"You let me struggle for an entire hour just to test me?" Relara pushed through gritted teeth.
"I let you struggle because watching you get all flustered and determined was quite entertaining," Medriel admitted shamelessly. "The way you bite your lower lip when you're concentrating is particularly adorable."
Relara's blush deepened. "Captain..."
"Now then," Medriel continued, ignoring Relara's embarrassment, "flip that catch and try again. But remember, timing is everything with these heavy mechanisms. You need to feel for the right moment when everything aligns just right, then apply pressure in one go."
Relara flipped the catch and felt the mechanism shift with a click. This time when she pulled the loading crank, the heavy glaive slid smoothly into position without any of the grinding resistance that had frustrated her for the past hour.
"There," She said, stepping back from the loaded ballista. "Happy now?"
"Ecstatic," Medriel replied dryly. "Now comes the fun part. See that orc-shaped target about two hundred yards downrange? The one with the crude armor painted on it?"
Relara squinted across the training field and spotted the wooden target shaped like a charging orc warrior. "I see it."
"Good. Now remember what I taught you about windage and elevation. The glaive will drop more than you expect at that distance, and there's a crosswind coming from the east that will push your shot left if you don't compensate."
Relara nodded and positioned herself behind the firing mechanism, gripping the release handles with both hands.
She lined up the iron sights with the target, then adjusted slightly upward and to the right based on Medriel's instructions about wind and drop.
"Breathe steadily," Medriel coached from beside her. "Don't hold your breath like you would with a bow. The glaive thrower doesn't care about your heartbeat, but you need to stay relaxed through the entire firing sequence."
Relara took a deep breath and squeezed the release handles.
The massive ballista bucked against its wooden frame with a powerful thump-hiss as the sinew strings snapped forward, launching the six-foot three-pointed steel glaive downrange with tremendous force. The massive glaive pierced completely through the orcish target and buried itself three feet deep in the earthen backstop beyond.
A small laugh escaped Relara's lips as she turned to Medriel.
"Did you see that? Right through the chest on my first try!"
"Your archery instincts are translating better than I expected." Medriel praised, moving to stand directly behind Relara to look down the same sight line.
"The trajectory felt right as soon as I released it," Relara whispered, concentrating fully on the destroyed target.
"Well, well, well," Amare's cheerful voice called out from across the training field. "What do we have here? Captain Nightwhisper giving very personal instruction to our newest sister?"
Relara turned to see Amare and Shindre walking over, both wearing their standard Sentinel leather armor and carrying their moonglaives from patrol duty.
Amare had a mischievous grin on her face while Shindre looked slightly exasperated with her partner.
Medriel immediately stepped back from Relara. "Sentinel Whitemoon just achieved a perfect shot on her first attempt with the glaive thrower," she announced in her formal captain's voice. "I was merely evaluating her performance for the training records."
"Of course you were," Amare giggled. "Standing so close behind her was purely for... what did you call it... evaluating her performance?"
Relara pretended to busy herself with studying the glaive thrower's mechanism, acting like she hadn't heard Amare's teasing comment.
Truth was, she had enjoyed having Medriel so close.
It made her feel like she was receiving attention that went beyond normal training.
"Amare…" Shindre placed a hand on her partner's arm.
"Right, right," Amare rolled her eyes. "Commander Melyria has summoned the entire squad to the Tower immediately. She said it was urgent and that we should bring all our gear."
Medriel's expression became serious as she shifted fully into her command role. "Did she say what this was about? We weren't scheduled for any major operations today."
"No details," Shindre replied, adjusting the leather straps of her armor. "Just that she needed to speak with all four of us as soon as possible. The way she said it made it sound important though."
Medriel sighed. "Then we'd better not keep the Commander waiting. Relara, secure that glaive thrower and gather your equipment."
"Yes, Captain," Relara said, quickly moving to reset the ballista's safety mechanisms.
Soon after, the four Sentinels made their way across the training grounds toward Raynewood Tower.
Commander Melyria's office occupied the top floor of the tower with its walls lined with detailed maps of Ashenvale and reports from scout patrols. Moonlight from the open windows illuminated the Commander's dark blue hair as she sat behind her desk reading a collection of documents.
"Captain Nightwhisper, reporting as ordered," Medriel announced as they entered.
Melyria looked up from her papers. "At ease, Sentinels. I've called you here because I need your squad to undertake a reconnaissance mission. Specifically, I need you to scout Night Run."
"Commander," Medriel frowned, "with respect, wouldn't it be more appropriate to send a different squad? Sentinel Whitemoon just escaped from there, and asking her to return so soon seems..."
"Necessary," Melyria finished firmly. "Relara is the only one among us who knows the exact location and layout of Night Run. Her knowledge is invaluable for this mission."
Amare shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "What exactly are we looking for, Commander?"
"Confirmation that the satyrs are still there," Melyria replied, moving to the large map of northern Ashenvale mounted on her wall. "These demons are cowardly by nature. It's entirely possible that after Relara's escape and the destruction of their Soul Gem, they've abandoned the settlement entirely."
Shindre titled her head. "And if they have abandoned it?"
"Then those in Astranaar won't waste resources on a military operation against an empty ruin," Melyria explained.
Relara bit her lip, but found her voice in the end. "Commander… when I escaped, there were over six hundred satyrs in Night Run. Even if some have fled, that's still far too many for a scouting mission to handle if we're discovered."
"Which is why this will be a stealth operation only," Melyria said, turning back to face them. "You observe, and you report back. Under no circumstances are you to engage the enemy unless absolutely necessary for your survival."
Medriel nodded slowly. "How long do we have to prepare?"
"You leave at dawn tomorrow," Melyria replied. "The journey will take you most of the day on Nightsaber back, so you'll need to approach Night Run under cover of darkness to take full advantage of Shadowmeld. I want you back here within three days with a full report."
"Commander," Relara said quietly, "what about the other prisoners? The Sentinels who were captured with me?"
Melyria's expression softened slightly. "If they're still alive and you can confirm their location without compromising the mission, that information will be valuable for planning a rescue operation. But Relara, you must understand… your primary objective is to scout the settlement, not rescue. We cannot risk losing four more Sentinels in a failed attempt to save prisoners who may already be beyond help."
"I understand, Commander," she whispered.
"Good." Melyria returned to her desk and picked up a leather scroll case. "This contains detailed maps of the region and coded signals for communicating with any Sentinel patrols you might encounter. Captain Nightwhisper, you'll be in overall command, but I expect you to rely heavily on Relara's knowledge of the target area."
Medriel accepted the scroll case with a nod. "We won't disappoint you, Commander."
"See that you don't," Melyria replied. "Ande'thoras-ethil, Sentinels."
"Ande'thoras-ethil, Commander," the four Sentinels replied in unison before filing out of Melyria's office.
They walked down the tower stairs, and Amare stretched her arms above her head. "Well, I wasn't expecting a scouting mission into demon territory."
"At least we get to ride the nightsabers," Shindre said with a small smile. "It's been weeks since I've had a proper ride through the forest."
Relara wasn't all that excited herself.
Just the idea of seeing that corrupted place again made her skin crawl, and it was even worse that she couldn't save the corrupted Sentinels…
They made their way across the moonlit grounds to the nightsaber pens, where Sentinel Brightgrass was tending to the great cats. The massive black-furred felines with twin fangs glinting like ivory daggers were easily large enough to carry night elf riders.
"Captain Nightwhisper," Brightgrass greeted them. "Commander Melyria sent word that you'd need four mounts for an urgent mission."
"That's correct." Medriel replied.
Brightgrass gestured toward four of the larger nightsabers. "Starry, Blackfoot, Duskwhisker, and Darkmane should serve you well. They're all experienced with combat situations and won't spook easily."
Everyone approached their assigned mounts, and Relara walked toward the nightsaber called Darkmane. The great cat's ears perked up as she drew near, and instead of the usual wary assessment most nightsabers gave to new riders, Darkmane immediately relaxed.
The big cat made a soft chuffing sound deep in its throat and lowered its head toward her.
Relara reached out to stroke the nightsaber's neck, feeling the powerful muscles beneath the silky fur. Darkmane leaned into her touch, making quiet rumbling sounds of contentment that clearly showed the cat's approval.
This should have something to do with my Unshakeable Nature blessing, right?
It did grant me a deep connection to Life itself…
She glanced around to see if the others had noticed, but they were all busy with their own mounts and preparations. This was something private, something special between her and the natural world that Elune's blessing had strengthened.
"Ready, Relara?" Medriel called out as she swung up onto Starry's back.
"Ready, Captain," Relara replied, mounting Darkmane smoothly. The nightsaber accepted her weight without complaint, settling into a comfortable crouch that made it easy for her to find her balance.
Amare and Shindre mounted their own cats as well. All four Sentinels adjusted their weapons and gear, making sure everything was secure for the long ride ahead.
"Anu'dorini talah," Medriel said formally, then guided Starry toward the forest trail that led north.
"Anu'dorini talah!" the others echoed.
Relara took the lead position as they left Raynewood Tower behind.
They had been riding for several hours through the dense forest when an rage-filled howl echoed through the trees. It was filled with an unnatural hunger that made all four nightsabers flatten their ears and growl low in their throats.
"Andu-falah-dor," Medriel whispered, pulling Starry to a halt.
The other Sentinels stopped their mounts as well, listening as more howls answered the first from deeper in the forest.
"Those aren't normal wolves," Shindre said quietly.
Another howl split the night air, closer this time.
Medriel's eyes narrowed as she studied the dark forest around them. "Amare, Relara. Scout ahead and see what's making those sounds. Stay hidden and report back quickly."
"Yes, Captain," both Sentinels replied, sliding down from their nightsabers.
Relara and Amare crouched through the underbrush, stepping silently between the trees. When they reached a massive tree near the source of the howling, both Sentinels leaped up to grab the lowest branch and pulled themselves into the canopy.
They climbed higher, jumping from branch to branch. Relara's muscles felt alive with energy as she crouched on a thick limb.
Amare gestured toward a small clearing ahead where the howls were coming from.
Both Sentinels nearly hugged the branches as they edged forward until they could peer down through the leaves.
Two creatures that looked like wolves walking on their hind legs were tearing apart the corpse of an Elder Shadowhorn Stag. The beautiful creature had been completely ravaged. One of its antlers was tossed away to the other side of the clearing.
The magnificent creature that had once stood proud now lay in bloody pieces across the forest floor. Its dark coat was matted with blood, and deep claw marks had shredded through hide and muscle, exposing white bone underneath. The stag's head was bent at an unnatural angle, its once-bright eyes now lifeless.
The stag's spiraled antlers lay discarded several feet away.
One of the wolf-men had ripped open the creature's belly, and was munching on its intestines.
The other gnawed on a hind leg it had torn completely free.
The wolf-men themselves were about one foot taller than she was, standing about eight feet tall with gray fur and yellowed eyes They had elf-like hands with claws instead of fingernails, and when one of them lifted its head to howl again, Relara could see rows of sharp teeth stained with blood.
"What are they?" Relara whispered to Amare, who was crouched on the same branch beside her.
"I don't know," Amare replied quietly. "I've never seen anything like them before."
Nothing in Ashenvale looked like these wolf-men, which meant they were invaders…
Relara felt her lips pull back in a snarl as she watched the creatures chuff at each other and continue to violate the Elder Stag's remains. Her hand moved to her bow, and she began to overlay her spiritual weapon over the physical one, silver light beginning to glow around the wood.
"Relara, no," Amare hissed, grabbing her wrist.
Relara looked visibly confused. "Why not? They're invaders destroying our forest. We should kill them."
"We're on a scouting mission," Amare whispered urgently. "Our orders are to observe and report back, not to engage enemies. And who knows how many more of these things might be nearby? If we attack, we could bring an entire pack down on us."
Relara stared down at the wolf-men, every instinct screaming at her to loose arrows into their hearts.
But Amare was right about their mission orders.
She let the spiritual bow fade and carefully returned her physical bow to her back. "Fine. But I don't like leaving these things alive."
"Neither do I," Amare admitted. "But Captain Nightwhisper needs to know about this. These creatures could be a threat to the wildlife in this region."
The two Sentinels carefully backed away along the branches until they were far enough from the clearing to climb down safely. They made their way back through the forest to where Medriel and Shindre waited with the nightsabers.
"Report," Medriel ordered as soon as they appeared.
"Two large wolf-men feeding on an Elder Shadowhorn Stag," Relara said quietly.
Shindre's eyes widened. "Wolf-men? Are you certain?"
"Very certain," Amare nodded. "They're predators, and they've completely destroyed one of the forest's sacred creatures. I've never seen anything like them in all my years patrolling Ashenvale."
Medriel frowned deeply. "How far from our planned route?"
"Less than a mile east," Relara replied. "If there are more of them, they could threaten travelers on the main paths."
"We'll report this to Commander Melyria when we return," Medriel decided. "For now, we continue to Night Run. Our primary mission takes priority."
The four Sentinels remounted their nightsabers and continued north.
Another threat to their forest, another enemy that needed to be dealt with.
How many more invaders would they have to face before they could make Ashenvale great again?
Relara shook her head and let out a sigh. This would have to wait.
Two hours of riding later…
"How much further?" Medriel called from behind her.
"We should reach the outer perimeter within the hour," Relara replied, patting Darkmane's neck as the great cat navigated around a fallen log. "The settlement is built in a natural depression between three hills."
Amare shifted in her saddle on Duskwhisker. "I still can't believe you escaped from six hundred satyrs on your own."
"I had help," Relara said quietly. "Avrus sacrificed everything to get me out."
"The satyr who was purified by Elune," Shindre nodded. "Commander Melyria told us about that miracle. Such divine intervention is rare indeed."
They rode in comfortable silence for another hour until Relara raised her hand to signal a halt.
"There," she whispered, pointing toward the corrupted trees. "That's the start of their domain."
Medriel urged Starry forward until she was beside Relara. "I suppose it's time to dismount?"
"Yes," Relara replied, sliding down from Darkmane's back.
All four Sentinels dismounted and secured their nightsabers to sturdy trees well away from the corruption.
Medriel drew her moonglaive. "Remember what we discussed during the ride. Amare and Shindre will use Shadowmeld in rotation to stay hidden. If we're attacked, the enemy will think there are only two of us."
"Understood, Captain," Shindre nodded.
Amare grinned. "I do love a good ambush."
Relara led them through the twisted trees toward Night Run. The corruption was worse than she remembered. Black veins ran through the bark of ancient oaks, and the ground beneath their feet felt spongy. Mushrooms that glowed with sickly green light sprouted from rotting logs.
"The stench is overwhelming," Shindre whispered, covering her nose with her hand.
"It gets worse closer to the settlement," Relara warned them. "The satyrs have been pouring fel magic into this place for many years."
They walked forward in single file with Relara taking point. Her blessing protected her from the worst effects of the corruption, but she could see her squadmates struggling with the poisonous atmosphere. Amare's face had gone pale, and Shindre was breathing through her mouth to avoid the smell.
After thirty minutes of careful movement, they reached the ridge overlooking Night Run.
The settlement was located in the natural depression between three hills, just as Relara had described. But something was… different. The red marble pillars still jutted from the ground like broken teeth, but there were no lights.
No sounds of satyr voices, nor any corrupted wisps floating through the air.
"It's empty," Medriel muttered.
Relara stared down at the abandoned ruins. "They're really gone."
"We still need to confirm this properly," Medriel said. "Relara and I will scout the main settlement. Amare, you follow behind Relara. Shindre, you follow me."
"Ande'thoras-ethil," the other three replied quietly.
Relara and Medriel made their way down the slope toward the center of Night Run.
"Show me where they kept you," Medriel whispered.
Relara nodded and led her captain toward the holding chamber. Scraps of torn fabric and dried bloodstains on the ground were the only signs that anyone had ever been held here.
"I'll check the individual cells," Relara said. "You examine the ritual areas."
Medriel headed toward the raised platform where Xavathras had performed his tattooing ceremony. She walked deeper into the holding chamber and stared at the spot where she had spent time with Yyne and the others.
Relara closed her eyes.
She could almost hear Yyne's voice explaining their failed escape attempts. She could see Captain Virela returning from the satyrs with those horrible glazed eyes.
What happened to them after I escaped?
Are they still alive somewhere, or did the satyrs kill them when they fled?
A soft scraping sound behind her made Relara's eyes snap open.
She spun around just as a massive jungle troll appeared out of thin air from the shadows near the cell entrance. He stood eight and a half feet tall with mottled green skin and tusks that jutted from his lower jaw.
The troll wore dark leather armor and raised a curved dagger above his head, aiming for Relara's skull.
At the same time, Amare broke free from Shadowmeld and tossed a silver moonglaive.
It whistled through the air and buried itself deep in the troll's shoulder. The impact pushed him sideways, and his dagger pierced into the marble wall inches from Relara's head instead of splitting her skull open.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she stared at the quivering dagger handle that was so close she could feel the cold metal against her cheek…