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Both Sides Now	By : Firefall_Varuna Category: +S through Z > World of Warcraft Views: 4996 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own World of Warcraft, races, characters, settings, or themes presented within. I do not make money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 2 – Fallout

Stormwind quickly became a difficult place for Una.
Not only had Silvermoon defected to the Horde, but news of more treachery was supplied by the Draenei. Blood Elves were responsible for transgressions from the Draenei crashing into Azeroth to the capture of a Naaru – apparently a physical manifestation of the Light itself. They were leeching Light from it to create a new brand of paladins. It shed a stark light on her cousin's hesitant revelation.
In light of the news, ugly gossip started circulating on the streets.
One rumor suggested they had enhanced the natural High Elven ability to tap into other's magical energy. It claimed they were now vampires of a sort, sucking magic from anyone and anything magical to sate their wicked addiction. Another rumor had them in a pact with The Burning Legion, who satiated their addiction in return for allegiance to the demons. Worse yet, was the alleged side effects which ranged from plausible to completely asinine.
One particularly aggravating rumor was that all Blood Elves now had green eyes. Unfortunately for her, green eyes ran prominently in the Whitebrook family and she was no exception. The streets she had known all her life suddenly harbored suspicious stares and sometimes even outright accusations.
High Elves across the Kingdom and the Alliance found themselves in a desperate battle to prove their loyalty and distance themselves from the traitors of Silvermoon.
The young paladin was careful not to mention her cousin; her parents strongly believed he had joined with the rest of Silvermoon's elves. However, Una had her doubts. He was a ranking officer in a neutral organization and the news had plainly left him as shocked as herself. She chose not to disclose her thoughts. Her relationship with her parents had been tested repeatedly since she had entered into her training as a paladin and again when she came of age.
Much to her regret, now it was being taxed to the brink.
Una found her mother in her quarters in the city barracks one day, going through her clothes. Anything Una owned that came in shades of red, orange, or yellow was being pulled from her wardrobe. She stood wide-eyed at the door for several moments, not quite comprehending what she was seeing. The young woman wasn't even sure how her mother had gained entry to her quarters in the first place.
"Oh! Hello, Dear." The ranger said cheerfully. "I went shopping for you."
The young woman's brain finally wrapped around what she was seeing as the blonde ranger removed a few more articles.
"Mother! What the fuck are you doing?" Una shrieked and snatched up the scarlet gown she had purchased for Winterveil later that year from the discard pile. Despite ordering it out of season, the dress alone had cost her several weeks' wages as a Stormwind city guard. She didn't have money to replace it, not with so much of her finances going towards medical training.
"Una!" Her mother reprimanded and her blue eyes narrowed angrily. "Haven't we discussed this before? Don't use that language with me!"
"I said: What are you doing?" The paladin's voice raised another octave, no longer attempting to control her shaking hands.
"Replacing your wardrobe! You shouldn't wear these anymore! We don't want people to think we're sin'dorei!"
The young woman savagely kicked the shopping bag her mother had brought. The bag flew across the room, scattering clothing items in shades of blue, olive, white, or drab colors.
"Out!" Una screeched. "Get out!" Her mother held up her hands in a placating gesture. The paladin finally seized her mother by the arm, shoved her out the door, and slammed it behind her.
Later she would learn that nearly every other High Elf in the city was changing their wardrobe in a similar fashion, all in an effort to distance themselves further from Blood Elves. While her mother was well intentioned, it felt like yet another line had been crossed.
The subject of addiction was another topic that seemed to come up frequently both with her parents and with the city at large.
The High Elf woman had always loved the food at the Blue Recluse in the Mage Quarter and when she became an adult, she developed a taste for their drinks. Eventually she had to stop going there as well. The rumor that Blood Elves were now magic-sucking vampires had pervaded the Academy and that fear was palpable throughout the Mage Quarter. There were too many young mages who frequented the Blue Recluse who believed she was there to steal their magic to feed her addiction.
The young paladin had honestly never actually thought much about her own magical addiction and the addiction of High Elves in general. It was a nagging pain in the back of her mind she had grown up – and learned to live – with. Frankly, on some level she supposed she was accustomed to feeling bad. The pain blended and vanished under the rigors of her training and later duties.
She would only admit to herself alone that she felt the most alive when she was filled with the power of the Light.
As the desperation of the resident High Elves increased, she started to hear about scams being run in the back alleys and secret corners of Stormwind. She paid little attention at first, but it soon became personal.
While on patrol one day, she had been horrified to see her father leaving the Mage Quarter being led by two young mages. His eyes were bound in gauze and his face was ashen. It was impossible not to note the tinges of blood on the gauze.
Most of her family were or had been rangers and she knew the implications blindness had.
As he recuperated in bed, she learned a Gnome mage had convinced her father he could safely change his eye color… for a price. The magical change was permanent – and quite evidently painful. His eyes were also agonizingly slow to heal and infection started setting in. Una threw herself into the investigation, plumbing deeper into Stormwind's underworld than she had ever cared to do. Despite her exhaustive search, the Gnome was nowhere to be found. In the end, all the young High Elf could do was present the details to her superiors.
Several tense weeks later, the bandages were removed. Much to her family's relief, his eyes were both functional, though a very pale blue instead of their original green. It also wasn't without side effects. He was plagued with ferocious headaches and she watched him struggle to read over the subsequent weeks. His pride kept him from admitting it aloud, but she knew his days as a ranger were over.
It affected her deeply and she ached for her father, but her relationship with her parents continued to decay. She spent more time on her duties and threw herself into her medical studies, even volunteering to guard The Vault. However, when she went off-duty her troubles persisted.
Hiram had found her one evening in one of the less reputable pubs, attempting to drown her sorrows in alcohol. For one so often drunk himself, he scolded her like she was a child again, and sent her to sleep off her drunkenness on a cot in his cellar.
She woke the next morning to the stench of tobacco smoke and an awful hangover. With bleary, watering eyes she looked up through a tangled fall of her own hair. Her mentor was sitting on the steps, smoking his pipe, and contemplating her with sad brown eyes.
"Lass, ya ain't happy here no more. I don' blame ya." He said mournfully. The gray haired paladin handed her a shot glass filled with a sickening, bronze-colored concoction. She could tell instantly it was his hangover remedy. The smell alone could have felled a Kodo, but she pinched her nose shut and tossed it down.
When she finished gagging, the Dwarf had then gone on to list some of the options she had for gracefully leaving the area. When he reached enlisting with the Argent Dawn, her heart had leapt into her throat. Without even thinking about what she was doing, she asked for his help.
Hiram was better connected than she had ever dreamed. In less than twenty-four hours, she arrived in Darnassus.
Despite feeling dazed and more than a little melancholy, Una found Darnassus to be probably the most incredible city she had ever seen. The white marble buildings felt ancient and probably were. Unlike human settlements, Night Elf architecture felt like it belonged where it stood. Elegantly carved wooden buildings stood between the larger stone structures, again feeling perfectly natural. More buildings appeared to have been shaped from massive trees rather than built. Frost and night sabers prowled around the periphery and small glowing spirits drifted on the soft breeze.
Her wonderment made for a good distraction from thinking about everything that had occurred over the previous months as well as the fact that she was in a city, built in a tree, which stood only who knew how high.
She guided Vesper along the path into the Craftmen's Terrace as she searched for the Argent Dawn sign among the many shops and trade schools in the area. A heady fragrance of fine leather, wood, and fresh herbs met her ready nose. Carts leaden with freshly smoked meat, bread, and traditional kaldorei cheeses tempted her palate as she passed.
At last she found the building, tied her horse off, and went upstairs.
Dawnwatcher Selgorm looked up from his ledger as an adventurer walked away with a handful of coin. "Hello, Miss. I'm afraid I'm out of tasks and errands for the day but if you return tomorrow…"
"Oh!" Una exclaimed with a slight laugh, "Ah… I'm here to enlist, actually."
The human laughed, chagrinned, and pulled some papers from a stack on a nearby shelf. "I'm sorry. What's your name?"
"Una Whitebrook. I'm a paladin, sir." She handed him letters of recommendation from Hiram and notable members of Stormwind's clergy.
He looked thoughtful a moment as he looked over the letters. "Any relation to Commander Anaru Whitebrook?"
"Yes, sir. He's my first cousin, on my father's side." She replied.
He dipped a quill into a bottle of ink before him and started to fill out the paperwork. Una leaned on the table in an attempt to see what was being written.
He grinned as he reached for a black, leather bound tome embroidered with the emblem of the Argent Dawn on the same shelf he had retrieved the papers from. "I thought so, the resemblance is uncanny. I would have thought you were sibling."
Una blushed and muttered her thanks awkwardly.
Selgorm flipped to the back of the book and then forward until he located the section he wanted. He drew his finger down the page, mouthing the words as he went. He flipped another page and repeated the action. Una realized that it was a list of names.
His finger stopped and he tapped the page several times with his finger. "I see you've done work for us before."
"Yes, a little with my mentor."
He pursed his lips, "More than "a little"…" The man's voice trailed off and then he shut the book with a heavy thump. "Welcome aboard, Private Whitebrook." He signed the papers and handed them to her. "I have a mission I think would be perfect for you. The briefing just started, so I would hurry."
The human stood up and walked her to the balcony. "Head left on the path – look for our standards – you can't miss it. The briefing for your mission will be the first area on your right. Good luck!"
"Thank you, sir." Una saluted him and briskly jogged down the path. She patted Vesper's rump in passing, making a mental note of where she left him.
He was right. Several covered areas and gazebos had been temporarily claimed by the Argent Dawn as several units prepared for missions. Her unit's area had likely been an old Night Elven inn at some time. It was tall, deep, and more protected than the other structures.
She climbed the couple steps up and stopped to survey the men assembled in the room. It was immediately clear she was going to be the only female in this unit. She glanced around; most of the troops were humans, though there was a Dwarf and a Draenei in attendance too. The commanding officer appeared to be a High Elf with long, dark, unbound hair, though she couldn't see his face clearly. It took her a moment for the commander's voice to register and she gasped in surprise.
"… Mission takes us to The Barrens..." Anaru was saying, but his words faltered as her gasp reached him. His emerald eyes widened as he finally realized who she was. "Oh, hell. Excuse me."
Her cousin crossed the room in a few long strides, his face contorted with a mixture of joy and confusion. The troops he had been speaking to turned to face them, murmuring between each other.
Una opened and closed her mouth several times but failed to find her voice.
"Una… Hi! It's good… what the hell are you doing here?" He stumbled over the words in quick succession. "I mean, I'm really happy to see you…" He made an irritated growl in his throat and embraced her in a quick, tight hug.
"Good to see you too… This wasn't what I was expecting…" She stammered as words came to her. She ultimately gave up speaking and thrust the papers out to him. Anaru frowned deeply; he took the paperwork from her hands and began to read.
The seconds seemed to stretch on infinitely and so was her discomfiture.
"When I told you to find a cause you believed in, I didn't mean mine!" Anaru said at last without looking up from the papers. He screwed up his face in dismay and ran his right hand through his hair.
"I didn't think they'd put me in your unit!" Una replied testily, "I signed up; they assigned me."
Anaru sighed and gave her papers a final glance, "This should be fun. Alright, take a seat… Private."
He raised his voice as he stalked back to the front of the room. "Okay, taking this from the top for Private Whitebrook…" A few catcalls and whistles broke out as she slid onto a bench at the back of the room. "Yes, we're related, gentlemen. This mission takes us to the Barrens. Our assignment comes from the Warchief himself."
Her cousin gestured to a map hung on the wall, his index finger coming to rest on a spot in the Northern Barrens. "Three months ago, Thrall's spies uncovered a self-proclaimed "necromantic cult" calling themselves "Hand of the Reaper" in the North-Central Barrens led by a warlock named Obrag Blackadder. Within weeks, they came into conflict with The Burning Blade. They were no match and the survivors moved south to this location. They had no necromancers in their ranks at this time; they were all bluffs and intimidating armor. The Horde continued to monitor the situation, but took no action."
"That all changed three weeks ago when they murdered an elderly farmer and raised his remains." He indicated to a position in a remote stretch of the Gold Road. "In the intervening weeks, the rate of attacks has accelerated."
"Our first communiqué with the Warchief indicated they were attempting a Lich. I say that in past tense – they may have been successful. Current intelligence says they're sending messengers to meet with the Cult of the Damned."
The paladin straightened and faced the troops assembled in the room. "That's where we come in."
"The Horde was originally planning on handling this internally, but with a possible Lich – this is now our area of expertise."
The Dwarf in the front row cleared his throat loudly, "I 'ear a catch comin'."
Anaru grimaced and nodded in agreement, "You would be right. Since heading south, they've dropped off the map. Thrall's agents have been able to provide a general idea of where they might be, but it doesn't give us much to go on." He circled a large radius, easily over fifty miles extending into Dustwallow Marsh and the Razorfen.
Hushed groans and complaints erupted from the gathered troops. Una grimaced herself and started to question what she had gotten herself into.
Anaru drew his fingers across his throat, ordering silence. "We can't realistically search this entire area, so I called in a favor to Captain Garrack Backbreaker. He'll be joining us for the mission and will be providing a tracker as well. Between his knowledge of the terrain and the tracker's skills, this should be fairly straight forward."
"We'll be utilizing stun grenades this mission. Lieutenant Ludger, be sure to pick them up before we move out. These are not trained combatants for the most part. I want to capitalize on that to make this short and sweet. The Warchief has also requested that Blackadder be taken for questioning, if possible."
"Once we've eliminated the coven, we hunt down their messengers. They should be easier to find – they'll likely take the road. Any questions?"
A murmur of acknowledgement rippled across the room.
"Good. We leave tomorrow at 0500 sharp. Dismissed."
The men stood at attention, Una with them, and saluted before leaving the room. Several made their way to the front to talk with her cousin. She guessed she needed to get supplies and probably have her armor issued.
"Private Whitebrook! Stay put." Anaru barked as she turned to leave, pointing sharply at the bench she had been sitting on. Una saluted and sat back down.
"Yes, Orcs. Get comfortable with the idea, Private Powell. The Argent Dawn doesn't have time to discriminate." He told a human male sternly. She wondered idly if he would be amused if she told him he sounded exactly like his father did when they were children. "Dismissed."
The Dwarf who had spoken earlier saluted and stepped forward, even while the human still glared at her cousin.
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Wan' me tae bring some incendiaries too, Commander? Any explosives? How's about a few wee Stings?" He asked in an almost manic tone.
Anaru grinned wolfishly, "You're worse than a Goblin, Lieutenant! Bring whatever munitions you think will help. You're carrying it, though."
Ludger gleefully saluted the paladin and walked out with a spring in his step. Private Powell issued final glare and trudged out.
The elf then put on his father's no-nonsense look as the final two men stepped forward at once. After only a few words, they gave up their own fights against having to assist Orcs and left. Anaru watched them go and then walked over.
"I'm sorry about that. As you can tell, we aren't the most disciplined bunch." He said as he straddled the bench and sat down, "Are you okay?"
"I'm a little dazed…" She said, unable to keep the sadness from her voice.
"I'm sorry. We can sit down and talk after the mission, if you'd like." Her cousin sighed deeply and inspected the wood grain closely a moment as he organized his thoughts. "In our letters, you always said that you were a better healer than a fighter. Did you mean it?" He stared at her pointedly, his jaw firm.
"Yes…?" The young woman replied hesitantly.
"Tell me, do you think you can handle being a field medic? Be honest, now." Anaru gestured with a half curled hand to emphasize each word.
"Absolutely." Una stated immediately and with far more conviction than she actually had. She had always been naturally skilled at manipulating the Light and had undergone medical training to complement those skills. However, training and experience were two completely different things.
Anaru shut his eyes, breathed a sigh in relief, and rocked backwards a moment, tipping his face up to the ceiling. When he faced her again, his customary smile had returned. "You have no idea how happy you just made me."
She brushed a loose strand of her long, brown hair away from her face nervously, "I've never done it before in actual combat…"
The elder paladin smirked, his shoulders rose and fell once in a silent chuckle, "In case you didn't notice, there's only three – wait, four – seasoned men in this outfit, including myself. You have more combat experience than a few of the recruits."
"That actually is reassuring." She said, genuinely relieved. Then she realized she had brought nothing with her in the way of medical supplies or gear. "By the Light, I have so much to do!" She muttered in a half-sigh, half-groan and pressed her hands to her face.
Anaru grinned and casually glanced out to the path as another briefing was dismissed. She followed his gaze and spotted an Undead Priest who was talking rather animatedly with a Night Elf Priestess. Both sported the gold and silver emblem of the Argent Dawn upon their robes and at the tips of their staves.
"You're in luck!" He said cheerfully. "Father Thomas! Sister Ciela! A word with you, please?"
Introductions were made and soon Una found herself being led around Darnassus to purchase medical supplies for the mission. She was given no time to feel awkward around either healer as they set off to pick up supplies. It turned out they were long-time medics for the Argent Dawn and had a great deal of advice for her as well. By the time she retrieved Vesper and made her way to the inn, she was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
The High Elf woman still wasn't entirely sure what she had gotten herself into, but she was committed now. She checked her supplies, packed, and crawled into the last warm bed she would likely see for some time. Despite her exhaustion when she went to bed, she slept fitfully.
Dawn came quickly. Una gave up sleeping a good half hour before she was expecting to rise and solemnly packed the last of her gear. She halfheartedly ate some breakfast and went to saddle her horse.
Vesper flicked his ears at her as she dumped his tack on the ground next to him and knelt to double-check her packs. She heard hooves approach and turned around to see the Draenei from her unit approaching, a steaming, battered tin cup held in his left hand and his gear slung over his right shoulder. He was bald and cleanly shaven with a square jaw that all males of the race seemed to possess. She hadn't seen a Draenei yet without horns, but he only had a slightly pronounced ridge on his forehead.
"You look terrible." He observed, setting his gear down. The steam rising from his cup carried the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
"Good morning to you too." She replied irritably.
The large humanoid chuckled and held out his hand, "Vindicator Hakander."
She shook the offered hand, "Private Una Whitebrook."
He took a deep sip of his coffee and then nodded to her horse, "Ready?"
Una shrugged silently.
"Commander Whitebrook; he speaks highly of you. All will be well."
Una yawned and belatedly covered it with the back of her hand. "I wish I had your confidence," she moaned.
He smiled gently down at her, "You will sleep better tonight. We ride hard. Someone always falls asleep in the saddle first mission; try not to be that one."
She gave him an inelegant sneer, eliciting another soft laugh from him. Hakander drained his cup, shook it out, and began to saddle his own horse.
The Vindicator was right on all counts.
After disembarking from their chartered ferry, they rode hard, covering most of Darkshore before taking a brief lunch break. By twilight, they had progressed deep into Ashvenvale and were already slowing. From her position, she could hear the Hakander and her cousin discussing possible camp sites. She heard a thump and a shout behind her. One of the human men had fallen off his horse and was sprawled on the road.
"Man down!" She yelled and brought her horse around to see to the fallen man. Anaru and Hakander followed, issuing orders to make camp for the evening.
The recruit was sitting up by the time she got to him, obviously embarrassed and frightened at the same time. She checked him out quickly and found no wounds. Satisfied he wasn't injured, she helped the man to his feet and over to the camp.
Hakander was also right about her sleeping better. After completing her duties and eating a meal of rations, she crawled into her tent and immediately fell asleep.
They broke camp at first light and rode hard through Ashenvale. By dusk, the colossal, ancient trees were giving way to small, low growing trees and scrub. A full moon rose before the sun finished setting. As night fell, the moon bathed the woods with an eerie half light.
They were eating another meal of rations when they heard the howl of a wolf. Another howl answered, closer. Finally the sounds of riders approaching echoed down the darkened road.
"Damn, he's impatient." Anaru remarked, tucking one last piece of hard cheese into his mouth. He stood and walked to the edge of camp just inside the light of the fire.
The wolves were visible as they loped between the trees, their forms sinuous and quick as they raced towards camp. The larger wolf tipped its head back and loosed another howl.
The men scattered and went for their weapons as the two tan and black wolves bounded into camp. They ran straight for Anaru, tails wagging. The small female wolf reared up and attempted to lick his face.
"At ease! They're not wild… they're pets." Anaru said sharply, grasping the persistent animal's collar and pulling it away from him.
Una could see the dark forms of the riders now; three large, muscular humanoids mounted on massive worgs. She lowered her mace and held her hand out to the larger, male wolf as it got close. It sniffed her fingers and backed away cautiously.
"Captain Backbreaker! I said we'd meet you at noon tomorrow!" Anaru called to the riders as they drew within earshot. The orcs joined them a few moments later.
Captain Backbreaker was massive and green skinned, his black hair and beard braided and streaked with gray. Two large tusks protruded from his mouth and deep lines covered his exposed face like canyons. His dark-colored armor was well kept, but covered with indications of frequent use.
The other two orcs, both hunters, were obviously much younger. One was bald and cleanly shaven; the other sported a mane of unkempt brown hair.
"Change in plans." Garrack Backbreaker growled in Common as he dismounted. Anaru and the newcomer briskly exchanged salutes. Then the orc's voice softened to almost a whisper, "They have a Lich."
The camp fell silent, only the crackling of the fire and the panting of the riding worgs broke the silence.
Anaru's expression was dour as he finally said, "So it's confirmed now, Captain?"
Backbreaker nodded grimly and turned his attention to the unit. He saluted and tapped his chest in respect as his gaze fell on Vindicator Hakander and Lieutenant Ludger who both returned the gesture. He scrutinized the recruits and spat, "These all you brought? Bah! Looks like they're fresh meat too."
"I take what I can get, Sir." Anaru said, crossing his arms against his chest.
Garrack snorted derisively. "Good thing I brought these two then." He pointed at the bald orc with his thumb, "This is my son-in-law, Dagan." The Captain then pointed two fingers at the brown haired one. "The other is Tallak, one of my best trackers. Don't be fooled, they're as deadly as any of your rangers."
Anaru saluted both hunters and turned back to Garrack, "When do we want to move out then? My men rode all day and they're fatigued. We can't afford mistakes."
"We can't afford delays either." The orc grumbled.
"I know that." Anaru deliberated momentarily before turning to address the unit, "Alright. Get some rest, men. We move out in three hours."
Captain Backbreaker nodded to the hunters, who took up watch positions. Anaru spoke with Garrack a couple minutes in hushed Orcish. Their expressions were grim. As Una laid out her bed roll, she noted the three recruits who had spoken out during the briefing looked extremely uneasy as the conversation continued.
She hoped that wouldn't hamper the mission.
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