Faldir’s Cove, Arathi Highlands, three days before the second meeting at Mardenholde…
The small cove the Blackwater Raiders and other, smaller companies used to smuggle goods and people across continents was rather empty when Khoura and Derleth came upon it. Their investigation from Redridge continued here, under the cover of darkness. With only a few petty guards around, the two managed to silently gain access to the closest ship at dock, and they made their way to the hold of the vessel unheard and unseen. As was the majority of the area, the ship was mostly empty, and Khoura and Derleth began to look about for clues.
They spoke openly, but quietly here. Khoura is the first to speak.
“This ship is empty, save for a worker or two up top.”
“There must be something here.”
“Fishing nets, supplies… a folder hanging on the post with several slips of parchment tucked inside…”
“Perhaps it contains another clue.”
“Of course it does, that is why I said it, Derleth. These are logs of members and others who have passed through here.”
“Let us see if there are any familiar or outstanding names…”
“K… L… L… M? Hm. Lycannon is not here.”
“The X area, perhaps, Khoura.”
“Ah, There!”
“So she is travelling under her given name.”
“Look. Xana’ri Adastra… Meraan? Hm. Apparently so.”
“Her married title.”
“To her first husband, at that. And…”
“She is not quite incognito, but she will be harder to find if one does not know those names.”
“Oh. Good fel. Look where the log says she was heading, Derleth. Surwich.”
“The Dark Portal could be the destination, but she – or the people she may still be travelling with – want it to be not a simple journey. I have a feeling that when we arrive in Surwich, her nether drake will be gone.”
“That is possible. If she is going through such trouble to hide herself, even using a name she swore she never would again… well… it stands to reason.”
“And that may be a clue in of itself – she may well be going to Outland.”
“I wonder if this is all her doing?”
“Perhaps, Khoura. There are the people she was travelling with to consider.”
“True. I saw several orcish names on the list to the same place, as well as a few others.”
“Hm. Perhaps she is travelling with the Earthen Ring, then?”
“To find her baby? That makes so sense. Why would Shadoren not be the first to know?”
“Who says he doesn’t know?”
“Do you think he is protecting her?”
“Maybe. All I know is that I do not believe Shadoren can be trusted, based on the information I have collected on him so far. But then, no neutralist can truly be trusted.”
“Derleth, no one can truly be trusted. For all you know, I could be behind this entire operation.”
“Good point. I had better travel alone from here on, then.”
“I could say the same about you.”
“Forgive me. I did not mean to start a squabble. Come, we should continue onwards.”
“It is Kaludra, isn’t it?”
“Again, I apologize for any offense. Let us continue onwards without any sniping.”
Hidden by the shadows and the night, the two appeared in Surwich to continue their search. To anyone observing, they would have watched the pair poke about a small wooden boat before heading over to Kaludra and Derleth’s residence, the state of which surprising both of them. They chose not to use the potion again, speaking freely once more.
“Ransacked. You know, I had almost forgotten you could do that. The… shapeshifting.”
“Oh? Well, I can. I find it a bit awkward sometimes, however.”
“Is that so? I would have thought you may be used to it by now.”
“As much as anyone can be used to a curse… Hm.. Wobbles?”
“Ah! I… I did not know she kept him… there… Did he eat them, perhaps?”
“Did you find anything, Wobbles?”
“It… understands you? How interesting.”
“Well, after I’ve been constantly telling him not to make webs over the door, yes. I suppose so.”
“I do not see any… er… people up there… Derleth. I just had a thought.”
“What is it?”
“What if… Lady Lycannon did this?”
“Perhaps she caught sight of Mr. Wobbles. If that is so, then why? What would she be looking for, here? I never kept any intelligence here.”
“That is a thought. I am unsure if she knew of him living… above you and Kaludra. As to that, I am also unsure. She was with a group of people.”
“We must find out where they went.”
“It is possible that if one of them has Daelin, she may do their bidding so ensure his safety.”
“I’ve been considering that.”
They exit the house and cross the village to the inn, where Derleth approaches one of the townsfolk and asks them casually if any large groups passed through lately.
“Evening, Derleth. Aye… didn’t ye know? They came te see you. All of ’em, actually. Mrs. McSars said it were a few people you knew from yer younger years. Didn’t think nothin’ of it. They went on over te her house too. Guess she entertained of. Sounds like ye weren’t home, then.”
“I see. Do you know where they ended up going, do you remember what people there were?”
“Ah, lemme see. Was a few days ago, tha’s fer sure. I dunno exactly. Saw ’em headin’ east along the road there. Sorry ye missed ’em.”
“Maybe I’ll catch up to them. Have a fine day.”
Khoura and Derleth set off along the road, him on his horse and her flying above as a bird. They follow it all the way to the entrance of the Dark Portal, and carefully approach Watch Commander Relthorn Netherwane and his advisor, Sevel.
“Excuse me sir, but did a group of people come through here in the last few days?”
“Good man, people come through this portal on a daily basis. Some in groups, others on their own. I’m busy making sure the demons and dragons don’t take us out while we aren’t looking. We check them all, but I don’t recall anything out of the ordinary, if that’s what you mean… Though…”
“Though?”
“A group of Argents came through last week, I think. I did think that was a bit off, considering where the Argents have been keeping themselves lately, but I don’t question their actions. They aren’t Alliance.”
“Was a draenei woman with them – with a very distinctive scar upon one side of her face?”
“Ahh, hard to say. Sevel?”
“Yes, Commander. There was. I remember distinctly. The entire right side of her face was muchly marred. She had a strange eye that looked in all directions.”
“There you have it.”
“Thank you, both of you. King’s honor.”
“Light be with you.”
Harbinger Lycannon 