Emmeline's new toy

(prologue)

The little troll girl stood fidgeting nervously as she waited in the Undercity’s mage quarter. Finally she had found a way to get into Library of the Scarlet monastery. With most of the rest of the Heritage busy either looking after Deyy, or trying to find a cure for the Elf, Chabat had despaired of being able to help by getting the books she thought she would need from the Crusaders’ archives. She was convinced part of Deyy’s problems stemmed from the troll magic she had been subjected to while in her role as emissary. Chabat was sure that, with the knowledge of the great arcanist Doan at her disposal, she would be able to confirm her suspicion and help the others find a means to get the Elf back to her old self.

*

Chabat heard footsteps echoing on the damp stone and the figure of a Forsaken came into view.
The troll sighed with relief and waved to the other mage ‘Hey Ryanka!’
The undead girl greeted her warmly ‘Hi Chabat. You ready to go?’
‘Sure ting’ she replied, ‘an’ tanks fo’ helpin’ me out.’
Ryanka grinned ‘No problem, it’s never too much trouble to help a friend.’

The two magic users made their way out of the city and into Tirisfal glades, moving swiftly along the path leading to the Scarlet monastery. Chabat had hardly been able to believe her luck when had bumped into her old friend from the Extreme Angling Club. She’d poured her heart out to the forsaken mage who had readily agreed to help, in return for the chance to cause havoc with the Humans.

They paused briefly while Ryanka gave the youngster a quick run down of how she planned to get them past the guards and into the Library without anybody raising the alarm. Then, their wands at the ready, the mages slipped warily inside.

*

Chabat smiled in thanks at her companion as they finally approached the book lined
halls she sought. The corridors behind them were littered with frozen or ensorcelled humans and delicate traceries of frost, courtesy of Ryanka powerful spells.

The troll swiftly searched the shelves. Inethven had told her the one she needed for her studies would make itself obvious if she used the techniques he had taught her, but the other, she would have to find by herself.

Calming her mind, and trying to ignore the sounds of Ryanka dealing with a custodian, Chabat attuned herself to the arcane energies that saturated the room. ‘He wa’ righ’!’ she exclaimed as the first of the books seemed to draw her to itself. To her magic enhanced senses it seemed like a bright light in the dark and she quickly pulled it from its resting place and shoved it into her bag.

The forsaken was already checking out the next room ‘I think it’s going to be in Doan’s Chamber hun. You ready?’ Chabat swallowed nervously but there was no going back now so she nodded and followed the frost mage onwards.


Once again Ryanka moved quickly and purposefully ‘Don’t let him see you until I say’ she warned ‘Then, do it exactly like I told you and we’ll be done before he knows what hit him!’

Chabat could hardly believe it, going up against the Arcanist hadn’t been part of her plan but she had little choice. The sanctum was the only place left that could hold the tome she needed.

*

Somehow, It all went just the way Ryanka had laid out. Now, with Doan encased in ice, she hurried frantically to find the book before the spell wore off.

There it was! More an old diary than a book, there were pages threatening to come loose and the writing was faded but it seemed to contain the results of certain research that could be vital. The troll carefully slid it into her bag, beside the other. Together, they were very heavy and she was worried she wouldn’t be able to keep up with the forsaken as they left. However, the ominous creaking of ice and a frission of arcane energy building behind them spurred her on. Using their own magic, the two trespassers blinked through the buildings and courtyards leaving a trail of outrage in their wake, finally coming to halt only when they were well away from the old monastery.

*

Deep in the mists of Tirisfal glades lurks an evil. Two piercing yellow globes can be seen by anyone who cares to look.

The figure stops.
Moving around a copse of trees he appears to find something that catches his interest.
The figure bends over fidgets with something on the ground. He is then seen inspecting something in his hand.

“Bah! Gloomweed.” He says tossing the object over his shoulder.
Thoughts skitter through him mind. Angry thoughts of hatred and despair.
A sneer spreads over his face but is replaced quickly by a smile. He stops as he rubs his chin in thought.

He freezes
Placing a rotting hand to his ear he listens into the gloom…

A soon as she felt they were at a safe enough distance, Ryanka allowed Chabat to rest. The troll thanked her friend once more and bid her to make her way home. All she planned for herself was to head to back to Silvermoon and get some sleep before having a look at the books first thing the next day. She didn’t really need an escort for that so Ryanka waved goodbye and went on her way

*

The books were begining to weigh her down by the time the ruins of Lordearon were in sight and she had to stop several times to get her breath back. As she paused to try and struggle them into a less awkward position Chabat suddenly became aware of the baleful stare of a Forsaken. His offers of help weren't quite convincing and her polite refusal was met with a chilling insistance.

As she backed away, she noticed Jimar walking down from the Zepplin tower. She didn't know what had brought him there but as she cried out his name, she thanked the Loa for it.
She hugged him tightly, the heavy books lying forgotten on the ground. The witch doctor questioned the forsaken sharply but with a sinister smile the fellow dissappeared.

Chabat felt a burning desire to get away from there immediately and turned to pick up the precious books. Before she knew what was happening, Jimar lay on the ground, ice crystals, covering his prone form.
She was knocked to the ground as a heavy net was thrown over her. 'Don't struggle fleshy' the words chilled her but she tried anyway. She felt his magic open a portal as his laughter rang in her ears then the strange pressure as she was dragged through it to appear in Orgrimmar.

*

As she regained her sense of 'here', the troll girl heard the rasping command 'Bring her' and she was swept up by the mage's elemental servant. They moved hurriedly through the city, arriving shortly at the flight-master. 'Two to Ratchet... Tell no-one, and i may not kill your family!' The forsaken's threat sent a wave of despair crashing over her. Was there no chance that somebody would help her...no attempt of rescue that her captor had not already forseen and blocked?

Chabat was thrown unceremoniously over the back of a wyvern and her stomach lurched as she felt the beast take flight.

*

As they landed in the goblin port, her kidnapper once again called forth his minion to carry her. Heading for the coast, the mage suddenly halted and she was dropped to the ground.
Chabat struggled weakly to throw off the net despite the mage's jeering comments. However, her ordeal had taken its toll, and she soon ceased her efforts. 'Wha' ya wan' wit me?' she cried 'Why ya doin' dis?'
'Do i need a reason fleshling?' he sneered.

Terror gripped her, if he simply wished to kill her her could have done so already. She dared not consider what other fate might await her. 'P-please don' h-hurt me' she begged.

Distracted by fear, the girl didn't notice the forsaken remove a flask and carefully unstopper it until he grabbed the net and jerked her upright, thrusting the vial under her nose. 'N-no...' she protested as she tried desperately not to breathe in the fumes but she couldn't hold out forever. With a choking sigh, she sank down into darkness.

*

An echoing boom forced her into wakefulness.

Several sensations fillled her consciouness as she struggled to overcome the effects of the sedative. Water swirled around her and for a moment she panicked as she realised she couldn't see. A blindfold had been placed across her eyes. That puzzled her. She had seen her captor's face already, what was he hiding from her? Suddenly she heard his voice echoing from above and she thought she knew. Unable to see, she was completely at his mercy.

Chains clincked as she moved, pulling herself fully upright to hear him explaining to some female accomplice, that their captive could be easily winched out of the pit at their leisure.

The woman seemed eager to do so the moment she realised Chabat was awake. The troll trembled from both fear and the chill of the air on her wet clothes as she was hoisted up and then carried to a nearby building by a elemental servitor.
After chaining her securely, the pair discussed her like she was some kind of subject for an experiment.

She sat down when commanded, a wimper of fear escaping her throat. The mage was pleased by her obedience. 'You will have to feed it and keep it clean' he instructed his companion.
Chabat recoiled as boney hands examined her. The female's clincal interest in her health didn't comfort her much and she shivered miserably in her wet robe.

*

Once the mage had left, the woman offered to make her some food. The smell of cooking made her stomach growl and so Chabat allowed herself to be fed. The woman even loosened her chains once she’d finished, allowing her to sit more comfortably.
As long as she answered the woman’s questions she appeared to be in no immediate danger.

As her clothes began to dry the troll began to feel overly warm and she started to worry that she was giving away too much. In her terror she had already told her kidnapper Vypra’s name, and now she’d told the female about Jimar and the heritage.

The woman promised to send Jimar a letter to let him know Chabat was still alive and well, apologising that she couldn’t do more without angering the mage and endangering them both!
The girl remembered his threats to the flight master, He must have a similar hold over this woman too!

Chabat began to feel lethargic, her throat was dry and the room grew far too hot. She begged the woman for a glass of water and gulped it down, not noticing the scratching of the quill as the female made notes on her condition.
Eventually, she fell into a fitful sleep.

*

When she awoke, she was surprised to find herself back in the pit. She hadn’t thought she had slept so deeply. The female’s voice floated down to her and she soon felt herself being hoisted out.

The woman noticed her trembling and cut off her wet robes, replacing them with a clean one that could be easily put on without having to unchain her.
She did feel better for being clean and dry, but perspiration soon began to dot her brow.

With her blindfold still firmly in place the girl had no idea of the time of day but all too soon, the mage returned and she cowered back against the wall, as he stood over her, jeering.

Surprisingly, he seemed concerned that she didn’t suffer from exposure during the cold night and he moved her closer to the fire. The stench of his rotting flesh turned her stomach and she shied away from his touch as far as her chains would allow.
However, once the woman began to cook her some food, she started to regain her appetite.

With the mage present, Chabat was allowed to remain unchained from the wall and she ate the simple meal herself though her hands shook quite badly

Sending the female away, her kidnapper removed her blindfold for the first time. As she blinked away the tears that formed from the sudden brightness, she gazed up at him. He nodded in satisfaction, most likely enjoying the fear in her eyes.

He ordered her to strip so that his accomplice could clean her. Having no other choice, she pulled her only garment off and sat quickly, huddled miserably before him. He replaced blindfold and called the woman back.

She patiently explained to him that she had already taken care of the girl and required no assistance.
The robe was swiftly replaced. Chabat could tell it was the female by her scent. It seemed that she took pains to mask the stench of decay that surrounded the forsaken even if she could not cover the fact that her hands were more like boney claws.

The mage seemed angry that his accomplice had acted without his order, however, he was placated by her capability. After insisting that, in future, she ask him for anything she needed, he changed the subject to condition of his captive.

Listening in horror, Chabat was overcome with surprise to hear herself described as an attractive specimen. As he speculated whether or not she had a mate that he could torment with knowledge of her predicament, she noticed that the female didn’t mention Jimar.
Trying to keep her relief from showing on her face, the troll bowed her head as the woman suggested that her youth would make it unlikely.

Eventually, the mage departed on some errand to Ratchet and Chabat begged the woman for some water. She was so thirsty all the time and sweat beaded her brow. If she had been able to think more clearly, she might have been happy to know that she was being held only a short way from help, but her head was pounding too much for her to concentrate.

Her kidnapper returned briefly but the troll no longer noticed. Her limbs seemed to tremble continuously and she perspired heavily. Soon after he departed, she fell in to a dreamless sleep.

-reserved-

((Emelines post on the heritage forums:))

Emeline sat down on the small hill right outside the Broken Keel, silently snickering to herself. She almost couldn't believe how easy it had been. There had been a short moment of mind numbing panic, when she realized Tivak was gone and had hear the footsteps of the attackers coming up the stairs. She had thought for a moment that this what it, they would kill her. But a quick change of character and playing on those emotions, she had been fine.

It didn't seem like a single one had suspected the whimpering, terrified woman to actually have anything to do with it. They had just let her go, didn't even keep her to question further. The only thing bothering her was the witch doctor demanding her name and taking some of her hair. But she hadn't given him his full name, it should be ok.

She eyed through the letter from Tivak again. It asked her to come meet him, but she couldn't risk that just yet. Her own safety came first. But she dreaded to see what the stupid man could have done to her test subject once they met again. The troll should be very weak by now, and she knew how impatient Tivak could be with such things. Well, hopefully the damage wouldn't be beyond repair.

(( Emelines post on the heritage site ))

*Written report sent to Tivak*
We have been more lucky than we deserve. The troll was indeed very ill, but not any more than expected. Things have proceeded as I hoped and I have made great progress.
I have now cured her with one of my healing spells. Unfortunately, it worked perfectly and she is almost fully recovered.
I have infected her with my new sample. This one should prove more resistant and powerful, it took less than an hour for the first symptoms to show.

E


*note in Emeline's journal*
Everything is proceeded as I hoped. I was afraid Tivak would have hurt her beoynd repair, but she is fine.
This whole event has proven most useful when it comes to my little game with the girl. She seems to now be fully convinced that I am her friend. She agrees that I can not try to free her, out of fear of what he would do when he found out. She is trusting me and becoming more friendly and talkative.
This is not only a interesting game, it could save me if she should ever be saved or manage to escape.

Letter from Tivak to Emeline

Things have become complicated. In various ways.
The house of Sylvanus forced me to join their ranks after some of their members who were supposed to kill me failed miserably.
I am glad they did however.
None the less the need for discresion is far higher than it was ever. You have all the supplies you need to comeplete the experiment there but you will not be seeing me for some time. My raptor will remain there until I come to collect her however
I will not be around but that is no reason to stop the experiment at all. Keep working on it. I will come to collect the samples as well as the disease from you however and you will of course get an opportunity to see your work in action. Those who work with me will of course be rewarded.
My every move is being watched throughly.

I plan to release the fleshy for various reasons. One is to see how contagious this disease is and the second is personal.

*Letter to Tivak*
Apologies for the late report, I thought it best to not bother you with the every day after your last letter.

Things are progressing just fine. This new test proved to be much stronger than the last, we are approaching something that might actually end up being usable. Where the last one simply caused fever and headache, this new one has shown signs of, let's call it unusual, symptoms. So far, I have not been able to cure her from it.

When you decide to release her, I ask you to give me a few days prior warning to prepare. I'm afraid I can't just let her go at any time, we don't want her carrying anything with her that could spread without control, especially not that which could be a danger to us all.

E

*Note in Emeline's journal, one of many*
Her fever is down today, she is no longer hallucinating. She is still very weak, probably much because she hasn't been able to eat during the past few days. I made her favourite food and managed to get her to eat some of it. She is really depending on me now, trusting me completely. Tivak's absence has made her calmer and more stable, him showing up every evening to haunt her was not good at all.
I made a few hints at the possibility of help her escape. With some luck, I will be able to stage her release to make it seem like I helped her escape. That would be perfect. Only problem is how to convince Tivak to let me handle things alone, I doubt he trusts me enough. Hopefully, the House will keep him too busy to come here.