The Awakening pt. 2

Author: Kayaara

As the white forest began to make its way over the horizon, the elf quickened his steps, the human following. Only until they took a step forwards across the border of the two lands did they stop, the elf taking a deep intake of breath (not that it was too important anyway), looking to his left and exhaling. To their side a small camp was formed, makeshift tents and a small fire in the middle. There were about five people – none of whom she knew but they were dressed the same way and her new companion seemed to know them. He looked at her, nodded, then started towards the camp, the human following behind.

As soon as the two approached those at the camp stood up, watching their movements. Upon noticing the elf’s face, they stopped and got back to what they were doing before. They entered the camp and the elf sat down in front of the fire – the human merely followed. Quickly the rest of the Death Knights joined them.

“I’m Eldorath. I found these people after the battle; they’re safe.” The elf – Eldorath – mumbled, his helmet lying idle to the side of him.

The human coughed, reaching up to take her own helm off leaving her blonde hair. She was also pale – not in any way surprising – and most notable, a scar ran from just below her right eye across her nose and finishing at the bottom of her lip. “Valsey Ca-“she paused, then started again. “Valsey Carabell.”

Around the fire, Valsey could count (excluding herself and Eldorath) another Blood elf, a Forsaken, two more humans and a Draenei. Speaking up next was the Blood elf. She appeared to be in worse condition than Valsey; her left ear was cut and she wore multiple scars on her face, including one over her eye (or, her eye socket. It appeared she lost her eye presumably due to the decay or the battle at Icecrown). “I’m Syandrys.”

“Carletta Allen.” The forsaken croaked. She glared at Valsey, “we don’t need any trouble here. But I can trust El so, you’re good for now.”

Valsey shot Carletta a glare back, slowly nodding. To her side the Draenei rolled her eyes. She kept a straight face. “I’m Faala. Carletta’s bitter about everything. Pay her no mind. This woman here’s Talia.” Faala gestured to the human beside her. She had a bandage covering most of the bottom half of her face, and Valsey decided better not to ask. “The one with her is Tyrell.”

Tyrell was sat up, Talia lying with her head in his lap. He played with her hair absent-mindedly.

“Eldorath. When are you leaving?” Faala stood up, her armour clattering as she rose.

“Tomorrow. You all staying?”

“Yes. Talia’s not ready yet. It’ll take a few more days for her to recover.”

Eldorath turned to Valsey, “I’m heading to Azeroth, taking a stop at Dragonblight first though. You’re welcome to join me or stay here.”

Valsey nodded at Eldorath almost immediately, “no, I’ll join you.”

Faala had left to go inside one of the small tents, appearing a short time later with bandages in her hand. She sat back down between Valsey and Talia, facing the latter. Tyrell tapped her shoulder and she sat up, looking at Faala crossly. Faala scowled at the human irritably, causing Talia to roll her eyes and take her bandages off. Valsey stared. Behind the bloodied bandages was a large gash in the side of her cheek not quite meeting her lips, but close enough for Valsey to assume she was unable to talk because of it. Faala paid no second thought and began wrapping the new, clean bandage around the gash.

“How did you get that?” She asked bluntly, gesturing to the now bandaged woman.

Faala went to speak, but was interrupted by a deep voice, “was when we were escaping the Citadel.” Tyrell resumed his position as Talia’s pillow, the woman looking blankly into the fire.

“Yes, yes. We all got some damage from that nasty place. The Azerothians still believed I was against them! The nerve of one of them - stabbed me right in the stomach. Mind you, doesn’t affect me being double dead and all. Still was a nasty thing to do.” Carletta leaned back as she spoke, her bony hands holding her steady.

“I was fine leaving.” The Blood Elf replied.

“Then,” Valsey began, “how did—“

“This was before I became well,” Syandrys pointed to herself, “this.” She pursed her lips. “It was actually my lover who did it to me. When I was asleep, he slipped a dagger from under his pillow and stabbed me.” She automatically reached up to where her eye once was, a scowl forming on her face. “I’ll kill him, I swear.”

Valsey hummed. She couldn’t remember if she’d ever had any relationships before her transition. Her memory was still pretty fuzzy; after all, she’d only just managed to regain control of her body not even an hour ago. Part of her assumed she would just start to remember little things: her childhood, parents, siblings, friendships, home.

“What is this, stories around the campfire?” Carletta joked, then pulled a straight face. “Fine, fine… You, what was your name again?” She pointed towards Valsey, who replied with her name again. “Hmm, Valsey. Got anything to share?”

To be honest, she couldn’t remember much from before she transitioned. She remembered dying – that was going to stick with her forever – but figured that story wasn’t one she wanted to share, especially with a group of strangers. She stared into the fire, hoping the fire would somehow be the key to all of her memories. She didn’t even know why she was trying so hard to remember. These were strangers! But there was something in the way that Carletta finally seemed to be interested in what she had to say, and Faala’s motherly gaze, and Tyrell and Talia’s closeness even after death; Syandrys’ openness with the group, and the way Eldorath not only saved her, but the way he sat just a little bit closer to her and even asked her to accompany him.

She blinked, eyes widening as she stared into the open fire. “I have a sister.” The fire crackled, and it reminded her of her sister’s dirty blonde hair fluttering in the wind as they walked down the streets of Stormwind City. Lexa would skip a few steps ahead of her, a carefree smile on her face. When she smiled it lit up her entire face, a toothy, pure smile that made Valsey proud to have such a wonderful younger sister. And that’s when she realised why the fire made her think of Lexa Carabell: she had a fiery personality. She looked kind, gentle, sweet, but when she spoke her words weaved into rants and bouts of passion. She was a nice person, that was for sure, but if Valsey could have used any word to describe her sister, it would be fiery.

Faala smiled at Valsey, “what was her name?”

“Lexa. She’s younger than me. I don’t know how old she is now, but she was… Fifteen when I died.” She nodded, once to confirm to herself. “She was so kind when we were younger, but as we grew up she turned into such a troublesome girl.” It was nothing too serious if she could remember. Staying out past curfew, skipping church and messing with the wrong crowd were among the main problems their parents had with her.

“I think it’s very nice you remember her still. Do you think she’d want to see you?”

Valsey shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe? I think she’d be shocked to see me like this. My parents on the other hand – I don’t think they could ever bring me in again.” The more she talked, the more she realised she could actually start to remember her past. “Oh well. It’s not like I care anymore.”

Eldorath shuffled beside her, and before she could say anything else he had a hand on her knee in a comforting manner. The gesture was sweet, and she felt herself giving him a small smile.

From her other side, Faala looked up at the sky. “I’m going to get some rest. Anyone else?” Tyrell nudged Talia, and the two stood up together.

“Talia could do with sleeping. We’ll see you all tomorrow.” Tyrell said, guiding her into one of the tents.

“Right. Carletta? You can keep watch most of the night. Li-“ Faala pursed her lips. “Goodnight.” And she left the remaining four, entering the small tent besides Tyrell and Talia.

Eldorath removed his hand from Valsey and shrugged his shoulders. “Can you still sleep?”

That was something Valsey wasn’t sure about anymore. She couldn’t recall sleeping ever since she died, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t able to. “I guess I still can. Can any of you?”

“I can, yeah. Carletta can’t, though. And I’m not sure about Syandrys..?” The blood elf in question shook her head in reply. “She can’t either. I’ll probably stay awake with these two – feel free to get some rest if you can, I’ll wake you up when I’m leaving.”

Valsey nodded, standing up and taking her helm and weapons with her. She uttered a goodnight before opening up one of the empty tents. Inside, she dropped her helm down and axes safely beside the makeshift bed. Then, she removed her armour until she was left in an undershirt and shorts (it wasn’t like she felt the cold anymore to worry). She neatly tucked them to the side and wrapped herself under the thin covers, closing her eyes and allowing her mind to wander.