Makura leaned back in her chair with a sigh. She had been writing in her worn leather bound journal for hours now. Glancing out the window she realized it was already time for dinner. She stood up and pushed her chair back against the wooden desk. Makura walked over to the dresser and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her almond shaped brown eyes raked over her honey colored skin and dark grey hair. At the present moment her hair was unbound which she remedied by putting it in its normal bun style. Makura touched her silver nose ring and lapsed into memory for a brief moment. She took her matching earring and put it in the hole on the top of her left ear. She opened one of the dresser drawers to pull out her white robe and pulled it on. She sheathed her favorite dagger before grabbing her pouches and heading downstairs to the tavern.
Makura sat at one of the tables in the corner of the Lion’s Pride Inn. It’s nice to be in the closest place that I call home again. It’s been such a long journey. She thought of summoning her imp Zortip to join her in this inn like the old times, but decided not to. She was thankful that no one recognized her. Makura didn’t want any trouble in the one place left that she could at least semi-relax. She was on the run from the Crusader guild at the moment and was taking refuge in the first place she had met them. Of course it was self-defense, but they won’t care. The Crusaders had been having their own private war with Makura for a few years now. After a stand off with one of their high ranking members in Stromgarde Keep that had ambushed her, she had killed him. When his charred and mutilated body hit the ground Makura fled the Aralhi Highlands to return to Goldshire in hiding.
A tall cloaked figure walked into the inn which snapped Makura out of her reflections. From the way the figure walked she knew it was a woman. The cloaked woman sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender warily handed the woman a drink. Makura’s hand slipped down to her dagger as she watched the woman turn around and look around the bar. When the woman’s gaze swept over Makura she saw the woman’s features. A Night Elf! Not many Night Elves are seen in the mostly human populated Eastern Kingdoms, but they have been known to be seen sometimes.
The warlock decided it was time to return to her rooms. She didn’t like the feeling the Elf gave her. As Makura passed the assistant innkeeper she asked that a meal be brought to her room. She climbed the stairs while keeping an eye on the cloaked Elf woman.
Back in her rooms Makura sat at the desk again. She opened the worn journal to the first page. She needed to figure out what to do next. Even though she would like to stay here for awhile she knew that she couldn’t. The Crusaders would eventually find her and try to kill her. Makura sighed and looked over the first page. Her young spidery scrawl covered the yellow parchment.
Autumn, Year 8
Brother Paxton gave me this journal the other day in hopes of keeping me out of his library. It won’t work, but at least it will help pass the time. I’ve never had a journal so I’m not sure what to write. I suppose I’ll just keep this journal to myself and record my memories down.
My name is Makura. I am eight seasons old and an orphan. My parents died traveling here to Northshire when I was about two, and left me in the care of a passerby. That person brought me here to the Abby. Marshall McBride didn’t know what to do with me and passed me to Drucilla La Salle. Drucilla is a lovely person, but mostly everyone in the Abby is wary of her. I don’t know why though and no one will tell me anything. It’s annoying the way everyone treats me like an unwanted pet. Even Drucilla does. Maybe it’s because she spends most of her time in the graveyard…
Makura was startled out of her reading by a knock on her door. Her hand slipped to her dagger as she got up to open the door. A servant girl stood outside of her door with a tray of food and drink. Makura smiled at the girl and paid her before taking the tray. She thanked the servant and shut the door. With a sigh she set the tray down beside her journal. She sat down and ate as she flipped through the pages of her innocent childhood memories. Makura came to a stop upon a certain entry.
Summer, Year 11
I’ve made a discovery! I was in the library – without consent of Brother Paxton – and I came across a book! It’s not just any book though. It’s a book about dark magic! I’ve “borrowed” the book to read through it and found that it contains spells and curses. I want to learn more about dark magic now. I’ve tried to cast the spells, but I guess I just don’t have any powers. I’m determined and I’ll persevere!
Winter, Year 11
One of the guards is teaching me how to defend myself lately. She’s happy at how well I excel at using a dagger. I’m not good enough to become a rogue nor am I decent at using swords, a mace, or any other offensive weapon. I won’t tell her that I’m not interested in becoming an offensive class, because it would break the poor thing’s heart. It seems that during the winter when all the wolves have moved away from the Abby in search of food, some of the trainers or guards are trying to see if I’m suited to their class. Drucilla doesn’t seem to care. She has always brushed me off as a nuisance.
Makura scoffed. She wanted to scream at her younger self to escape from the Abby before anything else happened, but knew that nothing would change what happened. She skipped a few more pages that held nothing above mundane chatter.
Spring, Year 13
I want to burn this Abby to the ground. The drunken guards assaulted me last night. They think it was all in good fun, but I know I angered the most aggressive one. Somehow he was injured in the scuffle. I saw a small shadow out of the corner of my eye punch him in the shin. The guard thought it was me though. I must keep away from him at all costs. I fear what he’ll do in revenge. I’ve been searching through my “borrowed” books from the library in search of the shadow. It seems familiar.
Late spring, Year 13
The shadow was an imp! I “borrowed” another book from the library about demons and recognized the drawing of the imp in the text. I’m taking this as a sure sign that I’m going to become a warlock! I told Drucilla and she seemed surprised at first, but then seemed pleased. She told me to keep studying and to come to her when I was ready to undergo my rites of becoming a warlock. It’s her first true interest in me! I must study harder and become a warlock quickly!
Makura finished eating, and she pushed the tray to a corner of her desk. She glanced out the window and saw that the moon was high in the sky. It was becoming late, but she wanted to read more.
Autumn, Year 14
It’s the Autumn Equinox tonight and my birthday. There is a festival tonight and I’m pleased to write that I look like a woman! I’ve had to start wearing some of Drucilla’s old clothes which she isn’t too pleased about. I think she’s just jealous that my figure looks better than hers. Milly loaned me one of her simple dresses to wear to the festival, which I should leave to.
Mid autumn, Year 14
I’ve been hiding from everyone lately. Remember that aggressive guard? Well he tried to get his revenge on me on the Equinox. I killed him. He had me cornered and I was so scared. I thought he was going to kill me and he grabbed me. I don’t know what happened but there was a black force of magic that came from me and hit him. It ripped off one of his arms. I screamed of course and everyone came running. After I told them what happened they all looked at me in horror and the guard in disgust. Drucilla just gave me a smug look before walking away. I studied my books and figured out that that magic was a shadow bolt. It seems that I’m well on my way of becoming a warlock.
Late autumn, Year 14
I’ve become Drucilla’s apprentice. There was a long ritual and it left me very exhausted. She seemed more than fine though. Drucilla has been looking at me oddly lately - like I’m her new favorite toy. It makes my skin crawl. At least now I can cast Shadow Bolt at will. Everyone in the Abby shies away from me now. I’ve become a warlock and it scares them for some reason. I don’t know what there is to be scared of though. That guard left the Abby soon after that incident. I’m glad. I think he had it coming. The only bad thing is Brother Paxton won’t let me in the library anymore. I of course can sneak by him sometimes, but it’s becoming much harder. Sometimes when I’m reading through my collection of “borrowed” books I think I’ve gotten into something much deeper than I think.
Makura shook her head. Oh how you don’t know how right you are. Indeed it was too big of a concept for her to understand at that age, but she should have read the people better in the past. She closed her leather bound journal and stood up. She stretched before moving to an open space in the room. Makura called upon the dark power within herself to summon her imp, Zortip. He appeared with a burst of dark magic and flames. She smiled at Zortip before climbing in her bed. She felt better with Zortip guarding her as she slept. Soon she was fast asleep.
Kirei gripped the ledge of the window and silently hoisted herself up. She was under a stealth spell to appear invisible. What Kirei didn’t expect was that the warlock would be paranoid enough to use a summoning spell while sleeping. Zortip sat on the edge of Makura’s bed and was staring at Kirei like he knew she was there. Damn. I won’t be able to carry out this job if the imp is here. She glared at the imp as the wind picked up outside. Out of the corner of her eye the rogue noticed the pages of a journal on the desk fluttered in the sudden breeze. She tilted her head to the side and silently stepped closer to the desk. Kirei was curious by nature and the open journal tempted her beyond reason. She casted a glance to the imp, but it seemed not to pay attention to her in the slightest.
Spring, Year 21
Today will be my last day in Northshire. I have completed all the tasks the Abby inhabitants have given me. Drucilla tricked me into retrieving a tome of great import that the thieves stole. I think that was the final draw. Now that I am grown I grow weary of her mind games…
Makura tossed the Tome of Void at Drucilla’s feet as the warlock trainer cackled. She sneered in reply to the trainer, “This will be the last time I see you Drucilla.”
“It’s such a shame. Are you sure you won’t reconsider my proposal?” Drucilla smirked in reply.
Makura didn’t bother to reply. She bade Dane Winslow goodbye before leaving the graveyard to the harpy and her lover. Her wine colored cape fluttered in the slight breeze behind her as the warlock made her way to the Abby gates. Marshall McBride had given her a letter of introduction to assist the soldiers of Goldshire, a nearby town. Makura was happy that she had finally set out on her own to pursue her dream of becoming the most powerful warlock in the Eastern Kingdoms.
When Makura walked out of the gates her breath hitched at the sight that lay before her feet. The Elwynn Forest was spread out along the dirt road. The road itself was lined with sporadic fencing. The large forest that covered the area was bathed in the quickly dying sunlight giving it an ethereal unearthly glow. She noted the wolves were milling about the forest though which broke her awe. Before Makura went any further she decided to summon her newly acquired imp. She smiled as she cast the summoning spell. Her companion Zortip appeared in a flash of dark magic and flames.
“Hullo there Zortip,” Makura greeted her demonic minion. He replied in his demonic language. She reminded herself to learn his dialect sometime soon.
A wolf decided to attack the distracted warlock. Zortip hastened into action by quickly casting volleys of fireballs. The imp’s master whirled around and cursed the wolf. She leapt backwards while concentrating on her Immolate spell. After a few more direct hits of the imp’s fireballs the wolf died with a yelp. Makura thanked Zortip while she looted the wolf. Smiling, she gave the demon a rabbit foot before the continued down the road to Goldshire.
“We’ve arrived at Goldshire Zortip,” the warlock commented idly. The warlocks that came through the Abby had always thought her off her knocker because she talked to her “inferior” as they put it. She simply looked at them like they were the village idiots and went off on her way. Makura couldn’t understand why she shouldn’t talk to Zortip. True, he was her only friend, but she thought that if she befriended the imp than he would be an even more powerful ally than another humanoid.
Makura took in the small town with interest. She figured the inn was the best place to go first since it was already moonrise. Zortip followed his mistress as she entered the Lion’s Pride Inn. It was a bustling place already half-full with drunken patrons. Makura had the innkeeper convert her hearthstone to Goldshire then strolled over to the barkeep. She bought a weak beverage and stood by the fireplace with Zortip by her side.
As the warlock relaxed by the fire a man approached her. She noted that he was a mage while they conversed. He left after a few hours and promised to contact her when he returned. Makura decided that she was in dire need of sleep after the mage left and rented a room for the night.
At morning light Makura woke to Zortip’s demonic rantings. She rolled her eyes at the imp’s antics and freshened up. After he made a comment about his mistress being narcissistic she walked out of the inn in a huff.
Makura reported to Marshall Dughan who sent her out on missions for the next few days. On one afternoon a warrior she paired up with mentioned to her about new mission being offered by the Goldshire Marshall. The warlock asked him to wait for her as she ran back to town to ask for that mission as well. When she arrived in Goldshire the town was in an uproar. Many clansmen were gathered and dueling anyone who accepted. This was a shock to her. Normally the town was quiet and reserved. A man passing by snapped her out of her stupor when he challenged her for a duel. Makura declined with a puzzled frown. The man seemed to be a part of the clan and he called over the rest of them. They called themselves the Crusaders. What kind of absurd name is that?
The leader of the Crusaders sneered at her in loathing, “Cowardly warlock. Why don’t you go back to where you came from? We don’t want your filthy kind here.” The well experienced warrior threw a disgusted stare at Zortip who clutched her dress with a small hand and shouted at the warrior in a demonic dialect.
The Crusader’s unprovoked hatred for Makura took her aback in utter puzzlement. Thankfully for the speechless warlock, an elfin woman took up her defense. Apparently the Crusaders discriminated against other races as well. The two exchanged heated words before they dueled for dominancy. The crusader won with easy obviously having much more practice in combat than the Elf. Makura rushed to the woman’s side to hear the man’s parting remark.
“Well fought Elf. At least you had the courage to face me unlike the demon spawn.” With a final sneer in Makura’s direction he took off with his clan.
“Are you alright?” the warlock asked.
“Oh! What did he hit me with?” was the unintelligent reply. After a few moments of repeating the question the Elf smiled at her, “I’ll be fine dearie. You should worry about yourself. My name is Eliane.”
“I’m Makura. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Why did they act like that?”
“You’ll meet a lot of souls that are like that. Not all are graced with Elune’s guidance, dearie,” Eliane replied as she got to her feet. “It was nice to meet you. Be well, dear.” Makura waved in reply. With a start she realized she had forgotten about her partner.
The warlock returned at moonrise with Zortip in tow, and the two made a bee line for the inn. Makura sat down in a chair to relax before she headed for her room. She watched the commotion around her with indifference until there was a ruckus. She overheard a Crusader called Jean making scathing comments about Elves to Eliane.
Before she knew what she was doing Makura had leapt out of her seat and stood behind Jean. “Why don’t you leave them alone?” The question was laced with a promise of a threat. The warlock was tired of these ‘Crusaders.’
Jean turned and growled at her, “Mind your own business warlock.”
“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the Legion than picking fights with everyone?” came Makura’s heated reply.
Jean demanded that she duel him which she accepted. In her anger she completely forgot about Zortip. Without asking for the imp to battle with her the young warlock lost the duel. Makura slumped down in defeat as the inhabitants of the inn threw Jean out.
“You didn’t have to do that dearie,” Eliane told her.
Makura smiled as she replied, “You did the same for me. I couldn’t just let him stand there and insult you.” The blue haired Elf grinned as the two talked for a few brief moments before both headed off to get some well deserved rest.
The warlock awoke at an odd hour of the night. She was having trouble sleeping and had pinned it to the curious comment made by the Crusaders’ leader. Makura decided to question the Goldshire warlock trainer. She quietly padded down to the basement where the trainer spent all his time.
She approached the insomniac trainer with uncertainty. He looked at her stoically as she asked, “Someone told me that warlocks are demon spawn today. I was wondering about the truth behind it.”
After a long pause the man finally replied, “Drucilla told you nothing of this? I almost feel sorry for you. Warlocks draw their powers from the Burning Legion.”
Makura felt all the warmth drain from her body. B-burning Legion? She didn’t bother to say another word, but brokenly made her way back to her room. How could I be so naive? All these years of practice and I never knew…
The warlock agonized over this thought as she mechanically continued her missions in Goldshire.
...How foolish was I…
Kirei looked over to the sleeping warlock in shock. The rogue had been told that she was to assassinate a murdering demon spawn, but she didn’t expect something like this. Silently the Elf climbed out the window and left Elwynn Forest that night. Poor thing. She was so dedicated to becoming the best only to find out that her whole life was a lie. I’m glad I took a look over her journal before finishing the job. The last people I want to work for are ones that look down on me.
...to be continued...