Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Shattered	By : Koori Category: +S through Z > World of Warcraft Views: 8001 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own World of Warcraft, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 33
- 34
- 35
Chapter Thirty-Four – Thomas Conway
Last Night …
The cobble stones of the street were still wet from the rain that had fallen most of the day; the horse’s hooves caused water to splash out of puddles. Thomas’s mind went over the events that had unfolded in the hotel; his son looked so lost and had abandoned all hope. Nathaniel wouldn’t survive much longer in his current state, a soul could only take so much misery and his son was drowning in sorrow. Thomas cursed himself for being so foolish, he should have found the truth out about Foster another way, but that night in the loft he hadn’t been thinking clearly and his broken son was an easy target.
“He’s not broken,” Thomas said to aloud to no one, “he’s shattered.” And there was only one person in all of Azeroth that could save Nathaniel and that man was in the frozen lands of Northrend. “I tried, my son,” Thomas said, “I thought I was strong enough but he needs you. I can’t save him on my own. And by a miracle you are still alive, I’ll bring him to you, my boy, but you’ll have to win the battle for his soul.”
The ride home was a damp and dark one, after spending two days living off the back of a horse the warm light glowing from the window was a welcomed one. He took care of his horse first, making sure to give it extra feed. As he was hanging up the tack, Norah walked into the barn. She was wrapped up in a heavy robe, her auburn locks pulled back in a ponytail. “Shouldn’t you be asleep,” he scolded, sitting the bridle down and walking over to her.
“Where is he?” she asked.
“Resting in an inn in Stormwind,” Thomas said, wrapping his arms around her. “He wasn’t ready to come home.”
“It’s been two days …”
“He wasn’t easy to find …”
“He can’t feed himself!”
“There is a lot he can’t do right now, but so much more he’s capable of … he just can’t see it. Norah, he needs his brother …”
“That thing is not my son!” Norah cried.
“He is,” Thomas replied, “he saved Sara and Nathaniel from that hell …”
“He was their hell …”
“He broke free from the Lich King, denied his dark brothers in arms to make sure Sara and Nathaniel made it home safely … he protected them for almost a year … he is still our son … and he is Nathaniel’s only hope.”
“How …”
“I’m going to take Nathaniel north … we’ll find Foster …”
“You would take that child to a war zone?” Norah gasped, “And you haven’t held a blade in decades, you know what is going on up there … you’ve heard tales from our boys when they went there. That isn’t a place for old men and broken children!”
“He is no child,” Thomas said, “He has seen more pain than anyone should ever experience! Norah if he continues down the path he is walking, he will die. I don’t want to go to war, but our son needs a protector … a shield. I can do that, I have failed my children so many times … please, let me help Nathaniel find his way.”
“You could die,” Norah said, wiping a tear that had fallen down his cheek.
“I can’t promise you I won’t,” Thomas said, “I am well aware of the dangers that lie under the snow. However, I’m not a foolish old man and I’ll be protecting our son I won’t do anything to put his life at risk. But he’s stronger than you think … stronger than he believes. He saved my life when James came at me with an axe, you would have never guessed he was broken if you had seen him. If I can give him a bow, and point him in the right direction, instincts will take over and as they do, self-reliance will return.”
“I’ve mourned too many … please …”
“You’ve mourned a daughter that returned alive with a grand-daughter and a son who we also have found out still lives,” Thomas said, “please should I not return, don’t mourn me … instead celebrate the love we had, because I do love you more than anything, my wife.” For a long moment they stood there embracing in middle of the barn when a soft cough came from the doorway.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Grant said, “Rosemary was getting worried.”
“Norah,” Thomas said gently, “you head back inside; I need to talk with Grant. I won’t be long I promise … it’s been a long couple of days.”
He could tell their discussion was not done but she nodded her head and after kissing his cheek left the two men alone. “What’s up, Tom?” Grant asked.
Thomas studied his old friend for a long moment. They had been friends for almost thirty years now, never able to conceive children themselves the Paxtons had been second parents to their children and grandparents to the grandchildren. “I have a favor to ask,” Thomas said finally.
“If it’s within my powers, Tom … considerate done,” Grant replied.
“I need you to watch over my girls for me,” Thomas said, “I’m going to Northrend.”
Grant frowned and seemed to focus on a spot over Thomas’s shoulder. “You’re going, to find Foster? You know they have these things called “Letters”, you drop them in a mailbox and …”
“He won’t come home,” Thomas said. “And I’m not going there to make him come home. I’m taking Nathaniel to him … he should have never left his side.”
“Tom!” Grant growled, “Northrend is a frozen over hell, that boy of yours …he’s not well.   He doesn’t belong in the battlefield! Why in Light’s name would you take him there?”
“Yes, there is a chance he’ll die there … that we both do. But if he stays here it is guaranteed. I don’t need Norah to move in with you, Sara reminded me tonight Conway women are strong. Sara will be here with her, I just need you to keep one eye on them. We paid the house off last spring, and have money in the bank that will cover costs until I come back. When I enlist with the Stormwind militia there will be a small stipend sent to Norah as well. And if I die … they will compensate …”
“No gold will ever replace you!” Grant growled. “You WILL come back, all three of you!”
“So I can count on you to watch over my girls?” Thomas asked, extending his hand.
“Of course,” Grant said, taking the offered hand and pulling Thomas into an embrace. “I’ll keep them safe, don’t worry about them. You just come back to us in one piece.”
The men walked back to the house together and found their wives sitting near the fire, with tea that had grown cold in their cups. Norah’s eyes were red from crying and Thomas’s will waivered. “My love?” he said softly.
The smile that came to her lips contradicted with the tears. “Just needed a good cry,” she said, “and I know tears are not what you need right now, my husband.   You have branded yourself since we lost Foster and I’m afraid I too lost my way and blamed you for things that were not your fault. I know you say you need to do this trip to save our son, but I believe this journey will let your soul find peace once more and once it does mine will too.”
“Don’t you worry about Norah,” Rosemary said standing, “We’ll take good care of her, when do you plan to leave?”
“No longer than a week’s time,” Thomas said, embracing his wife. “There are matters I must attend to before I depart but I will not loiter.   There is a chance Foster has already dead … again and I’m afraid I have no contingency plan if he is, but he’s a Conway if anyone can survive in Northrend it’s my boy.”

This Morning …
Thomas spoke with Supervisor Raelen first thing in the morning and told her of his plans to travel to Northrend. The young woman was surprised but promised to keep an extra eye on his wife while he was away. Afterwards he packed a small backpack of necessities along with a money belt tucked under his shirt. A quick survey of Nathaniel’s apartment made it apparent they would both have to visit an armor smith before leaving, his son’s armor were pieces of mismatched mail. He packed a second backpack with basic clothing items for Nathaniel; they would flesh it out in town.    Afterwards he hitched up the horse to the wagon and Norah joined him for the ride into town. They stopped at Goldshire so he could say goodbye to his daughters and the grandchildren.
Neither Jenna nor Wendy supported his decision but wisely did not pursue it. Jenna added a couple bottles into the backpacks, saying they were salves for wounds and Argus added a bottle of his own. “Brandy,” the blacksmith said, “to keep you warm in that frozen hell.”
After getting promises to watch over Norah, Thomas and his wife continued into Stormwind. The streets were already busy; he skillfully maneuvered the horse and cart through the crowd.   “We’ll go to the inn first,” he told Norah, “collect Sara, Nathaniel and Violet then do some shopping.”
As he pulled the horse up outside the dwarven inn The Golden Keg, he heard a distant shrill whistle, it was faint but clear. Without thought he returned it as he swung down from the wagon, “Stay here!” he told Norah as he raced into the inn. “He promised me,” he thought to himself. Running up the stairs he discovered the door to Sara’s room unlocked, the empty room he found was not a surprise. “Damn it,” Thomas swore as he hurried down the stairs two at a time. Bursting out the door he found Norah unhitching the horse.
“Go,” she said, “he needs you. It sounded like it came from the docks, was too far away to be the cathedral.”
Thomas kissed her before jumping on the horse and urging it into a gallop.   He tried to avoid the pedestrians but the curses coming from behind told him he wasn’t succeeding. Once he reached the dock he looked around, he spotted a woman pointing to a boat that was pulling out. “Mr. Conway!”
Thomas turned to see Bethany riding up on a white stallion. “That was Nathaniel wasn’t it?” she said, “I heard the Farstrider distress signal during my prayers … he should be in bed.”
Thomas ignored her questions and urged the horse over to the woman he had seen earlier. “Ma’am,” he said without preamble, “I’m looking for my son and daughter; she would be traveling with a small babe.”
“I don’t know about your boy,” the woman replied, “but a woman came up to me and swore that Bobby Chapman had kidnapped her sister and babe … when I didn’t believe her, she ran up the gang plank of The Dawn and jumped overboard landing on the deck of The Black Grail, Bobby’s ship … I’ve never seen the likes.”
“He dressed me like a woman and made me act like one …” Thomas’s stomach tightened. “This woman, is she the one that let out the whistle I heard a bit ago?”
“Damn near made me deaf,” the woman grumbled. “She heard a whistle come from Bobby’s ship and that’s when she went crazy.”
“We need to stop that ship, now!” Thomas said, “Only another Farstrider would know that cry for aid or my family. My daughter and her child are on that boat, and they sure as hell don’t want to be.”
“Marcus! Francis!” The woman bellowed, “Stop The Black Grail, don’t let her leave port!”
“Aye Aye!”
“Please,” Thomas implored, “I need to reach that ship … my children need me.”
“The galleons won’t let it out of port …”
“I’m a priestess,” Bethany said, “They may be injured.”
The woman studied both of them for a long moment, “What the hell,” she finally said, “Andrew! Your sloop is ready to sail, mind sailing the three of us over to Bobby Chapman’s ship? I’ve been told he has unwilling cargo.”
“Right away, Leesha!” A man with scraggly black hair and unkempt beard motioned for them to board his ship.
As the small swift sloop quickly made its way out to the harbor, Bethany gasped and pointed up. “Is that Sara?” She cried.
Thomas followed her gesture and his heart lurched. Climbing up the mast of The Black Grail was someone clothed in a dress. A second person was skillfully following them up. “Wait, what is going on at the stern of the ship?” the man named Andrew asked. Through an open window a bald man appeared, in his arms was a small bundle. He jumped down and landed on a small dingy that had been tied up alongside. From the same window Sara appeared and jumped down, the man in the boat caught her. Then the line was cut free and the larger ship pulled away.
“Wait, if that is Sara then who is …”
Suddenly three short and one long whistle came from the dingy. Their small sloop was just pulling up next to The Black Grail as Bethany let out a scream and pointed. Thomas watched his son jump from the top of the sail into the harbor below. Taking his boots and shirt off Thomas dove in the water, watching for Nathaniel. When the elf didn’t resurface he dove down. He spied Nathaniel fighting with the dress he was wearing; it must weigh a ton soaked through.   Reaching his son, he wrapped an arm around him from behind intent on bringing them both to the surface. The elf struggled in his hold. Reaching around Thomas gently grabbed his jaw and turned his face to him so he could see who held him. As soon as their eyes met his son relaxed and he kicked them both to the surface. Nathaniel gasped for breath as a bullet ricochet off the water, not sure if the bullets were aimed at them or the other ships in pursuit Thomas pulled them back under the water. The current tugged at the water-logged dress Nathaniel was wearing, threatening to pull him away. Reaching behind the small frame of the elf Thomas gripped the fabric of the dress and yanked. The cloth ripped and allowed the elf to slip out. Once free of the dress Nathaniel was easily able to swim beside him.
Once they had surfaced again, Thomas glanced around and spied the sloop. Sara and her rescuer were in the process of boarding it.
“Sara!” Nathaniel cried.
“She’s safe,” Thomas answered with relief, pointing to where Sara was waving from the deck of the sloop. “Can you swim on your own?”
“I’m cold,” Nathaniel said through chattering teeth.
“Then a swim will warm you up, come on, it’s not that far.” The cold sea water was seeping into his body; he set off keeping one eye on Nathaniel. Assured the elf was keeping pace he focused on the rope ladder hanging over the edge of the boat. As he climbed up the ladder he heard Sara cry, “Beth … no!” And there was the sound of splash. Andrew helped him over the side and wrapped him in a blanket. Thomas frowned at the robe lying on the deck; the one Bethany had been wearing moments ago.
“Damn it,” the bald man said as he jumped overboard. Thomas hurried to the railing and watched as Bethany and the other swam with Nathaniel to the boat.
“What happen?” he asked as he helped Bethany up the ladder and Andrew appeared with another blanket.
“Hypothermia,” Bethany replied.
Thomas grabbed another offered blanket and wrapped it around his son as he took him out of the arms of the other. “Damn it,” he said, “why didn’t you say anything?”
“He couldn’t, Mr. Conway,” Bethany said.
Thomas held his son close as the others treated him with magic and potions. He took the offered health potion and drank it, welcoming the warmth he felt.
“Oh, this isn’t a healing potion … it’s a sleeping potion I should have used it on his ass like I threatened to do before I left the hotel.”
Thomas startled and could only watch as Nathaniel was forced into slumber. Bethany remained close channeling her magic into his son. “Seems I owe you a lot, sir,” he said to the bald human.
“Arthur Huwe, at your service, sir,” the man said with a nod of the head. “I’m a member of SI:7 and teach the young rogues how to make sure the pointy end goes into the bad guys and how to not poison themselves. Also a good friend of Miss Conway and Miss O’Connell and you are?”
“Pa!” Sara cried kneeling beside him and wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’m so sorry! I just let my guard down for a second.”
“What happen?” Thomas asked, “Is Violet okay?”
“She’s fine,” Sara said, “a little cranky for being in a soiled diaper, for someone who seems to kidnap infants for a living they have no idea how to care for one.”
“Kidnap infants?” Thomas growled as he eyed the ship that had been forced to stop.
“I had met Bobby the other day,” Sara said, “he seemed nice enough, bought my coffee for me. After we said our goodbyes last night Bobby appeared in the hallway. He had mentioned he travelled so I just assumed he was staying at the inn.   We spoke for a short time and as I turned to leave he put a cloth over my face and muffled my scream. I tried to fight him as he pulled me into a room but before I knew what happened I woke up in the belly of the ship with Violet crying beside me. No idea how they carried me out of the inn without the Innkeeper Tillstone noticing.”
“She did notice,” Arthur said. “It seems the gentleman with a room beside yours likes loose ladies. As you see you’re no longer dressed in clothes of your own. He hired a woman and then put her dress on you. Lady Tillstone noticed a loud rowdy group leaving in the wee hours of the morning, one of them was walking kinda funny she said, like they had too much to drink. She was just happy to have them out of her fine establishment.”
“Pa,” Sara said, “he was going to sell my baby to someone in Stranglethorn, he just wanted me along to feed her. He said …” his daughter shuddered, “he was going to tie a brick to my ankle and throw me overboard the day before we got there … unless I pleased his men.”
“Bastards!” Arthur growled, “Did they touch you? I’ll make sure they die in the most horrific way … organs shutting down one at a time … over a period of days …”
“No, Art,” Sara said, to Thomas’s relief. “They definitely had plans to but not the time. How did you find me?”
“I have connections,” Arthur said, “found the prostitute they hired, applied some pressure … got the name … question is how this one found you?”
“He’s a Ranger of Silvermoon,” Sara said pressing a hand against Nathaniel’s cheek, “I knew he would find me.”
“Well, his diversion worked well,” Arthur said, “though his choice of clothing was interesting, really made the sailors drop their guard.”
By now the boat had reached the dock and Thomas reluctantly handed Nathaniel over to Arthur so he could get dressed himself. His pants were still wet, but he slipped on his shirt and boots before once again taking the blanket wrapped Nathaniel in his arms. “Your Ma is waiting at the inn,” he said.
“What is Ma doing in town?” Sara asked. “I thought we were going home today.”
“I have news of my own,” Thomas said, “but it can wait until we are all dry and warm.”

That Evening …
The Innkeeper had moved the whole family into a larger room with two double beds and a hearth that had a welcoming fire within. Norah and Sara sat in matching rocking chairs, as Violet nursed contently. Nathaniel was still sleeping; the potion from earlier coupled with the sheer exhaustion of the past few days had worn his son out. He slept tucked under warm blankets in one of the beds with Bethany sitting nearby holding his hand. Ever so often, Thomas could see a soft glow as she channeled magic into the slumbering elf. They had broken the news of Foster’s existence earlier in the day and Bethany seemed to take the revelation well enough.   Better than his daughter had with the news of his desire to go north. Even now her eyes flashed as the chair rocked a little too hard.   There was a knock on the door and Thomas answered it.   “Here is your laundry,” the man at the door said, “everything washed, dried and pressed!” He tipped the man a handful of silver and took the offered clothes.   After setting them down on one of the dressers he picked up the broadsword purchased earlier in the day. Walking to the far corner of the room he lifted it up and took a couple of practice swings. “Glad the ships take time to reach landfall,” he said, “my shoulders will need to adjust to the heaviness of the sword and shield.”
Sara’s angry creaking of her rocking chair answered him. Thomas had to smile and continued to swing his sword, getting a feel for its weight. Norah bent over and whispered something to her daughter. “No, it’s not all right!” Sarah shouted and Nathaniel bolted upright. Bethany quickly placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, the elf looked around confused. Sara covered her mouth. Thomas slipped the sword back into its sheath and walked over to Nathaniel’s side.   Bethany tried to get him to lie down but his son pushed her gently away.
“Pa?”
It was one word but so many questions. Thomas sat down on the edge of the bed. “We’re in the inn where you spent the night.”
“This isn’t the same room,” Nathaniel answered, still trying to shake off the effects of the sleeping potion. “Ma, I don’t feel so good.” Sleeping potions had always given his son ill side-effects when he awoke. Norah used to give them to him when he was a child to keep his ears hidden and with it his birth race. His wife moved over and placed a hand on Nathaniel’s cheek, Thomas was sure Bethany could have handled the aches but the younger woman let Norah’s familiar touch ease the elf’s woes.
Thomas took Nathaniel’s hand; it was cold to the touch. “Get back under the covers,” he said gently. “The innkeeper moved us to a bigger room,” he continued. Nathaniel lay back down after Bethany added a second pillow behind him to keep his head and shoulders more upright. Norah tucked the heavy quilt around her son before sitting back down.
“Why is Ma here?” Nathaniel asked.
“She was with me when I heard your whistle,” Thomas replied.
“Tell him why she’s in town,” Sara snapped.
Thomas glared at his youngest while Nathaniel looked perplexed. “It can wait,” Norah replied patting Sara on the shoulder, though her words were quiet the look she gave the young woman spoke volumes and Sara fell silent.
“We should try to get some broth into you,” Bethany said after a long awkward silence. “You’ve slept most of the day away, your body needed it but it also requires more than the Light to survive.”
Nathaniel pushed her away and got out of bed, his eyes on something beyond Thomas’s shoulder. Thankful he had foresight to put leggings on his son, Thomas watched the elf walk over to the dresser and pick up the sheathed sword. Slender fingers traced the hammered out pattern on the shield nearby. “Who’s going to war?” Nathaniel asked.
“We are,” Thomas said. “We’re going to go find that brother of yours.”
There was a large mirror hanging over the bureau and in it Thomas saw a wistful smile come to Nathaniel’s face. “Pa, I can’t ask that of you … your place is here with Ma.”
“You don’t have to ask,” Thomas said, “I’m going … I’ll be your shield.”
“And I’ll keep you both safe,” Bethany said, startling the room.
“Beth,” Thomas started, “I can’t promise your safety …”
Suddenly the priestess’ body started to glow; angelic wings appeared on her back as the room filled with the holy light. The warmth caressed Thomas and the whole room could feel the power flowing out of Bethany. “I’ll keep myself safe, Mr. Conway,” Bethany said, “and you two as well.”
The glow faded and Bethany walked toward the door. “I’ll go get some broth,” she said, “Nathaniel, back in bed. If we’re catching the boat to Northrend by the end of the week we have work to do to get you healthy and large portion of that will be on your shoulders.”
The elf set the sword back down and walked back to the bed. “Can you snag some of those rolls too?” he asked, climbing back under the blanket.
After Bethany had left the room Nathaniel rolled over and his side and eyed his sister. “Guessing you aren’t too thrilled with all this?” he asked.
“You are in no way shape or form to be out there fighting, Big Brother,” Sara said, “and Pa is a farmer not a soldier, I don’t care what he did 40 years ago! It’s suicide … we just got home, give Pa and Ma more time, they can heal you … I know it!”
Nathaniel seemed to study his sister for a long moment, just as Thomas got ready to say something his son spoke. “No one will die, Sis, I promise …”
“Don’t promise that,” Thomas interrupted, “you are not a seer …”
Nathaniel looked over at him, his eyes brighter than he’d seen them since his son got home. “I promise, we’ll all make it home and I will be whole when we do. We were wrong, it wasn’t Ma and Pa I needed, it’s Foster.   He and time is what I require, I can’t wait, the longer I sit idle the more likely he’ll be lost to us. Without me watching his back and keeping him grounded. I don’t want to take Pa into that frozen hell, but he’s right I need a shield. I am stronger when I fight with … for someone.”
The door opened and Bethany walked in carrying a tray. Nathaniel sat back, “and I’ll be twice as strong protecting two. I can do this.”
Thomas eyed his son; the change was welcomed if unexpected. Bethany sat the tray down across his lap. Nathaniel eyed the soup and then looked at Thomas, “Help me out, Pa?”
Thomas smiled and picked up the spoon, “Of course, my son,” he replied, “open.”
After the soup and roll were gone, Nathaniel drifted back to sleep. Bethany told them she would be back tomorrow and excused herself.   “I’ll sleep with Nathaniel,” Sara said.
“Do you think that is wise?” Norah said, unpacking a sleeping gown for herself.
“I slept with him for almost a year,” Sara said, “he’s a hair puller but doesn’t kick.”
Thomas smiled and moved the bassinet over to the empty side of the bed, then excused himself so the women could get changed for bed.   He walked downstairs and sat down at table, at this time of night the dining area was almost deserted.
“What can I get you, laddie?” the dwarven innkeeper asked.
“I haven’t been a lad in years,” he replied with a smile, “just a cup of tea please, Lady Tillstone.”
“And I’ve never been a lady,” she replied with a hearty laugh.
She returned a short time later with his tea and he sipped on it, his mind planning out what he needed to do over the next few days. Nathaniel’s new found vigor was welcoming, there was little doubt it would wane at times as the past came back to haunt his son. However, as long as the spark was there, a little fanning was all that was needed.
Warm arms wrapped around him from behind, looking up he saw the loving gaze of Norah on him. “Want company?” she asked.   His wife was dressed in her sleeping gown with a shawl pulled up over her shoulders.
“Your company always,” he said with a smile, standing and pulling a chair out for her.
“Our son is not the only one to get his vitality back in his gaze,” Norah said as she sat down. “You have fire in your eyes I haven’t seen since we lost Foster.   I hope this journey bring peace to your soul regardless of the outcome.”
Thomas knew she was right; he had been just existing for a long time and now he felt as if he was living, he had chance to set things right with his eldest. He finished his tea in comfortable silence and then escorted Norah back upstairs. There was a candle burning on a night stand.   Walking over to the second bed, he checked on Nathaniel. He had turned in his sleep and his hand was wrapped in his sister’s curls. Smiling Thomas adjusted the quilt and then moved over to the bed Norah was laying down in. He took off his shirt and shoes, leaving his legging on slipped in bed beside her. And for the first time in a long time he thanked the Light and prayed that it watch over his family both near and far.
- 33
- 34
- 35
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Shattered