CHAPTER ONE
In the beginning
"Rahlynn? Rahlynn? Where are you my son, come here?” Yells out Rahlynn’s mother as she walks around the farmstead looking for her lost boy.
“Rahlynn if you do not get your butt over here…” her voice is cut off as she finds him lying outside their barn covered in soot. Quickly she runs over to her seemingly unconscious son and takes his head into her arms. “Oh my what has happened, speak to me son are you alive?” No words escape him at first, and then a few moments past and he coughs. “I am sorry mother I do not know how it happened.” Confused she questions him further until he tells her while catching his breath.
“I was tending to the cows when it happened mother, I don’t know how it happened I don’t know what caused it. I had been playing with the gold piece father gave me before he left for the city and I dropped it in a pale of water, but when I reached to pull it out something strange happened.” He stops to take a breath while watching his mother’s confused expression. “It turned to ice, I was trapped with a pale of water on my hand, I don’t know how it happened I don’t know what caused it but it was frozen to me mama.” Taken aback his mother sits him upright and stands up, as she looks down to him she says, “continue.” “Well I got scared so I tried to shake off the pale, but it wouldn’t come off it was frozen to me so good that it was as if it was my hand. Just as I started to give up it exploded into tiny shards of ice and bucket and flew all over the place and when I looked down to my hand it was lit up like a small bone fire.”
She studies her son’s tale for a moment while tapping her foot, thinking that she is disbelieving, young Rahlynn quickly protests, “I tell you no lies mama, its like those people do at the fairs when they conjure tricks and spells.” Completely startled his mother takes a few steps back “Wha…What did you just say?” “You know mama when they spit fire and make things disappear.” Rahlynn voices with a hint of glee, “Do you think I could do?” Cut off by his mother’s scornful face, “DON’T YOU EVER SPEAK LIKE THAT IN MY PRESENTS AGAIN, YOU WILL NEVER BE LIKE THOSE HEATHENS THOSE HORRID PEOPLE OF DARKNESS!” Startled Rahlynn crawls backwards fearful of his mothers wrath, “If you can do as you say then there is only one cure for such a madness, you will be sent away to Stormwind, there you will remain in the servitude of the Church until they can cleanse you of this darkness!” “but mama, mama I don’t want to leave,” he pleads, “You have no choice now Rahlynn you’ve been touched by darkness there is no other choice!”
A few days’ later men from the Stormwind’s orphanage come to retrieve Rahlynn. He’s taken away on a carriage without so much as a goodbye or wave from his mother; she did not speak with him much during their last few days together besides demanding him to do things around the farm. She acted as if he was nothing but a servant boy. Several hours later they arrived in Stormwind where the Orphan Master greets Rahlynn, he was registered and shown his quarters, which was not nearly as nice as his bed at home.
After several months Rahlynn became as comfortable as any boy could become in such conditions. The other boys and girls in the orphanage were mean and bad children so Rahlynn stayed to himself. He found the day-to-day chores simple compared to what he had to do back home. The only thing he dreaded throughout the day was when one of the priests would come by and try to teach him what it meant to be a man of the light. He would try and teach Rahlynn to heal and to over come the powers the were building up inside of him but every day resulted in him being wrapped around a whipping post and whipped until he would cry out that his powers were evil and sinful. One day on his 19th birthday he received a letter from Archbishop Benedictus requesting an audience with him, and of course he complied.
“Young Rahlynn, it would seem that you have been with us for several years now. I hear you are a fine boy when it comes to your deities, but that you are unable to relinquish the dark powers within you. Is there something holding you back?” For a moment Rahlynn was confused by the kindness is the Archbishops voice, but at the same time a shadow could be seen creeping over Rahlynn’s eyes as he pondered this question. For the first time in his life, his mind had been clear; it was as if a vale had been removed from his eyes. “I” he began to say, “I do not wish to relinquish my powers.” Taken aback the Archbishop ponders for a moment, “And why is that?” he asks, “I do not find them to be evil at all, is not evil in your actions and deeds? Why could I not use my abilities for good, as the mages of old did, as the hundreds of people walking around outside these walls do every single day against our enemies?” smiling the Archbishop sighs, “Young Rahlynn that is the answer I was hoping to hear.” Startled Rahlynn stumbles back, “There is a man I wish you to see, his methods are uncanny but his heart is in the right place, his name is Faeroth, and I believe he can help you.”
Confused and bewildered Rahlynn becomes enraged, “Wait a damn second, if all this torment and training was nigh important, what point was there to the torment you put me through, why now embrace my abilities?” Laughing the Archbishop scratches his chin, “It was never my goal to ride you of your powers as your mother wished, it was my goal to strengthen your resolve, to make sure your heart was in the right place, had you come to me earlier and demanded me to stop the torment as you say I would have, but I had to see that you had what it took to over come such torment.” The Archbishop began to explain, “Your sick, and your twisted,” Spat out Rahlynn before he could consider his words. Before he could think of anything else to say the Archbishop stood and approached him, with a glare that could burn a whole through a mountain, a white aura began to surround them both with a vibrating harmonic sound that threatened to make Rahlynn’s ears bleed, “DO NOT think for one moment that because I show you kindness now that I would not so easily throw you back into the pit of torment you have endured these few years, what I have done to you will be half was bad as what is done if your enemies capture you, which is why I had to test you. Be grateful I do not smite you where you stand now for speaking to me in such a manner! Remember the name Faeroth, seek him out and be of service to him. NOW BEGONE from my sight before I change my mind!”
Without a second thought Rahlynn quickly turns from the Archbishop and runs for the Cathedral doors, he takes one look back to see a shadowed figure approach the Archbishop but thinks nothing of it as he makes his break for freedom. Considering for a moment as he makes his way down the steps, he decides there is no need to return to his room as there is nothing of value and immediately makes his way to leave Stormwind and return home to see his mother.
Several hours pass before he makes it home only to find that his old home is nothing more than overgrown crops, and boarded up windows. He looks around for a moment and takes a seat on his front porch. Several hours pass before he decides that even though his mother has given up all hope, he has not, and so on that day he began rebuilding his farmstead.
Several months pass and then a year, all thoughts of seeking out Faeroth have been lost to him. His farmstead is backup and operational as it should be and his house has never looked better. From talking with his neighbors children who are now grown up and running their families farms he finds out that his mother died shortly after he had been sent away. Torn between the grief of her son being tainted and overwhelmed by the farmstead she died alone and miserable some think of a broken heart. Finding some kind of irony in it but still upset from the loss of his mother he puts it aside as he did with many things into the back of his mind, lost in a jumble of confusion and rage.
It was not until his 21st birthday that a knock came at his door. Confused on whom it would be he answered to find a young female night elf standing there in all her beauty and glory. “Greetings milady” he quickly says inviting her in, “I cannot stay long sir but I am here to tell you that you have been summoned at the request of Faeroth Delmantle for an audience with him and his people, it would appear that you are long over due.” Stunned for a moment Rahlynn fumbles with the trinkets in his pockets and says, “May I have the privilege to know your name young one?” Insulted and shocked all at once the night elf girl stands straight and says, “I’ll have you know sir I am at least thrice your age,” her voice softens slightly, “and if you must know I am Firaawyn.” As if being slapped in the face he raises her voice again, almost as if she is speaking to more than one person, “ Now are you coming with me to see Faeroth or not?” finding this the perfect opportunity he responds, “Only if I get to ride with you.” “I have little patients for flirty humans with no manners!” she retorts, laughing Rahlynn bows and says, “Well I am,” he beings to introduce himself but is swiftly cut off, “You are Rahlynn Delsuvius now pack your bags and lets us be gone.” Firaawyn says irritably. Contemplating Firaawyn’s tone and that she constantly looks over her shoulder out the door something did not sit right with Rahlynn and so he decides to make a run for it. “I will only be a moment, I a have few things I must bring,” Once he was out of sight and safely in his bed room he runs over to his window flings open the shutters and peers out a few yards, closing the image in his mind he vanishes with a loud bang. Startled by the noise Firaawyn runs into his bedroom only to find it empty, turning swiftly around she hollers out the door, “BOOMUS, HE’S RUNNING!” A roar could be herd from miles away as Boomus’s pet bear hollers in response, as if commanded by the chase itself the unstoppable force charges in the direction that Rahlynn had teleported with a stout Dwarf shortly in tow.
A few hours later Rahlynn stops to catch his breath but when he looks up he finds himself staring down the barrel of what appears to be an oversized shotgun. He then turns his head to find a huge white bear breathing hot air on the back of his neck. The dwarf quickly says, “Make a move n’ I’ll not stop him from sittin on you, you pesky over sized gnome!” Confused as to how the dwarf caught up with him so easily he begins to speak only to be cut off by another voice, “Good you found him, now lets get something straight,” She turns her attention to Rahlynn, “I have no time for feisty humans with no mangers, bad odors, and who do not listen. You’re not being FORCED to go to Faeroth you are being REQUESTED.” She looks to Boomus and back to Rahlynn, “Oh and by the way, this is Boomus, get used to him, because you will be spending allot of time together.”
Several hours later Rahlynn finishes packing up a few of his belongings. Strapping them all in a sack and tossing it over his shoulder he turns to find Boomus’s bear sniffing around in his kitchen. “Oh you filthy animal you, out of the kitchen I say!” before having a chance to look around he hears an irritated grunt sound behind him, “I’ll have you know there is not a filthy thing about him, he bathed himself just before we came here.” Startled Rahlynn turns to find Boomus standing behind him with his gun lazily at his side standing tall, for a dwarf. With a voice that could be considered soft for a dwarf he adds, “And his name is Dobhailen, he’s me best companion.” Taking a quick look at the dwarf and his clothing he responds, “I can see why.” An hour later the four of them where on the road for Iron Forge but it would be no easy trek. After miles of walking through cold and unstable terrain Rahlynn yell’s over to Boomus, “Where are we going?” stopping for a moment Boomus looks back to him and yells, “To the greatest place in all of Azeroth… Iron Forge” he turns and continues walking so easily it is as if he doesn’t even realize their walking in almost a vertical angle. Rahlynn looks over to find Firaawyn gracefully leaping from one stone to another with matching ease to Boomus, as he crawls scrapping joint and limb from every stone he passes.
Several more days pass, then a week, and finally they arrive in Loch Modan. Rahlynn had heard tales of Loch Modan, but never once had he traveled so far from Elwynn Forest. Later that evening they arrived in a little town he found to be named Thelsamar and rested in an inn. While having a drink he listens in on the conversation between Firaawyn and Boomus,
“Lucky we were,” Boomus says,
“Aye, I’ve never seen the Steeps or the badlands so quiet, lucky we definitely where. But why didn’t we just take the tram?” She questions Boomus,
Leaning in to whisper Boomus responds, “I wanted to see if he the courage and stamina you claim,”
Smiling Firaawyn responds, “I only repeat what the Archbishop has told me, we were just lucky that something else had the attention of all the things we COULD have had to face down there, we might not have made it out alive, you should not be so coy with peoples lives Boomus,”
“Eh, were alright aren’t we?” Boomus beings to respond but notices Rahlynn’s interested ear their way and quickly quiets down.
Standing Firaawyn turns to her two companions and yawns, “Ill be heading to bed now, you too… Just don’t kill each other while I am asleep.” And she quickly turns to make for a bed.
Yawning Boomus lays his gun on the table and grabs a piece of half cooked meat, disgusted Rahlynn covers his mouth when he watches Boomus take a nice big bite out of it and toss the rest to Dobhailen. “So” the dwarfs lean towards to Rahlynn, “Want to have some fun?” For a few minutes Rahlynn is afraid to answer, what could be fun in a dwarfs eyes? Mind you Rahlynn had meet dwarfs in the past, he was not so sheltered that he did had not meet the other races in the world, but his mother was very quick to comment about what kind of “people” these other races here. “Aye I think I could do for a little fun after all that walking, what had you in mind?” he asks. “Well I wouldn’t mind seeing what ye made of human, you got’s a pair that’s for sure running from me Dob and all, and ye’ braved the steppes and the badlands, although there was not much game out. I’d like to see how you do in a little one on one combat with me and me friend here,” he says as he tosses another piece of meet to Dobhailen. “You mean fight the two of you?” he says with a slightly off voice. “Aye, I’m told yer handy with da crafty stuff, I don’t care for it me’ self much but it has its uses.” Boomus questions, “Ah oh no not really” Rahlynn explains, “most of what I have done has been by accident.” “Well then let us see if we can accidentally have some fun then shall we,” Boomus says as he stands up and walks for the door, “coming?” Rahlynn sighs fearfully and follows Boomus outside and into a large field just atop the inn. “Now then the rules be you stop before you killlem, I have a few potions that will revive us back up for another round, now I don’t know how safe the stuff is ta drink over and over again, but Firaawyn seems to think its ok.” Boomus explains before Rahlynn interrupts, “Well what makes her so sure that it’s ok to drink at all?” He questions, “Well,” considers Boomus for a moment, “She makes them.”
After a few minutes they prepare to do battle Boomus positions his swords at his waist side, and reloads his gun so that it’s full to the brim. Nervously Rahlynn rubs his hands together unsure of how to stand. “Right then, GO” Boomus lets out a shout that would have scared most people right out of their cloths, in fact Rahlynn is sure it has worked on more than one lady in the past. Moments later Dob charges for him and Boomus runs towards a nearby tree. Completely confused on how to handle this situation Rahlynn does the first thing that comes to mind. He starts thinking cold thoughts. Roars of laughter sound as Boomus falls over barely catching himself with the tip of his gun, even Dob falls over laughing as they watch poor Rahlynn standing there frozen in a block of ice. “Oh you’re a funny one aren’t you, but that won’t win you no battles.” He laughs as he approaches Rahlynn’s frozen body and knocks on the ice. “Hey you in there, you alright?” He says becoming more serious. A few moments pass and Boomus starts to become worried, “hey, come on now it’s not funny no more.” With almost a tone of fear in his voice he yells loudly, “Hey whatever it is that you did to get yourself into this situation, well… Do the opposite!!!” A few more seconds pass and suddenly the ice bursts from Rahlynn’s body. Falling over Rahlynn gasps for air and catches himself on his hands and knees. “Wow…” he says. Boomus leans over, “You alright boy?” With a confused look on his face he looks up to Boomus and says, “Actually, im perfectly fine. In fact…. That was actually fun.” Boomus jumps up laughing so hard he started burping as if threatening to spit up his dinner. “Well then, how about we try that again, only this time, you focus on someone other than yourself when casting your spells, although I would prefer NOT being turned into a block of ice!” Explains Boomus.
After taking a few minutes to gather their thoughts and prepare themselves they get back into position. Boomus calls the go ahead and Dob charges again. This time Boomus stays in place waiting to see another funny display of magic, but is taken off guard when Dob comes to a crashing halt. He looks down to Dob’s feet only to find each one encased in small blocks of ice. He looks inquisitively at Rahlynn who says, “I thought smaller.” They both laugh and the battle continues with poor Dob frozen in place. They both make a run towards the trees to stand their ground and prepare their next attack. Rahlynn peeks his head around the tree only to see the barrel of Boomus’s gun pointing at him from a distance. Boomus lets off a shot that sends out a nice loud bang and follows it up with a howling laugh as he watches Rahlynn leap out of the way onto the ground. “You crazy dwarf you could have killed me.” Now with a stern look on his face Boomus beings to stalk towards Rahlynn and says, “In the real world boy, EVERYONE is out to kill you.” And he takes aim with his gun again. Quickly thinking on what to do next Rahlynn changes his focus to a few inches behind Boomus and (BANG) he disappears right as Boomus’s shot goes off. Shocked by the sudden disappearance of his target Boomus looks around but right as he turns to find Rahlynn standing behind him he notices flaming hands stretch out towards him. Just as the fireball is released Boomus drops his gun and unsheathes his swords deflecting the blast, sending it flying off into the air. He stumbles back a few inches from the force of the blast and tosses his flaming hot swords to the ground, but before either of them is able to make another move, Dob lunges on top of Rahlynn and pins him to the ground.
Laughing Boomus walks over to Rahlynn and whistles for Dob to move. He extends a hand in which Rahlynn is at first hesitant to take. Boomus help’s Rahlynn up and they both brush the battle from each other’s cloths. “Right then, so in all honesty you’ve much to learn, but I tell you now, master your spells, and you will be a force to reckon with!” Boomus compliments in a stern voice. “Thank you, your not so bad yer self.” Rahlynn retorts, yawning Boomus smiles, “well then let us be off to bed and get some good rest. Although you might want to refrain from mentioning this little duel to Firaawyn, as you can tell she’s is a bit of the…. Motherly type, you know the type of mother you hope to never meet.” Laughing they both make their way back to the Inn.
When the sun rose high the next day Boomus, Rahlynn and Firaawyn continued their long journey to Iron Forge, then back south to Stormwind where Rahlynn got to take his first Tram ride. He meet with Faeroth and learned of the politics that worked it’s way in and out of every person’s life in Stormwind. He had fun with his newfound friends, surprised that he would come to trust them so quickly and easily. Faeroth had introduced Rahlynn to a master of the arcane arts in Stormwind in which he spent every day with his face deep inside the books of magic. Several years passed and our young Rahlynn grew to be a fine man, pushing 25 he decided that it was time to take to the road again, to see the world in some new light. Boomus and Firaawyn tried to come with him but he refused, said it was something he had to do alone. And so our much more learned and wiser Rahlynn set off to journey and learn of the trials of Azeroth through his own eyes.