CHAPTER FOUR
The Search Begins
Several days later
The ground rumbles and begins to unsettle. Rahlynn steps back into a stance poised to attack. With his walking staff in his left hand he width drawls his scimitar and holds its steady. The beast charges with a hungry ferocity, a formidable 9 foot raptor, it halts leaning forward and letting out a high pitch scream that could stand the hairs on the back of any warriors neck. It charges again hopping every so many steps to pick up speed. Rahlynn raises his sword into the air and mutters a few words, as the final word leaves his lips a bolt of lightening strikes his sword and he turns it about aiming it directly at the raptor. The raptor is struck with the full force of the electrical attack and is tossed sideways to the ground. It lies a moment moaning and then shuffles about until it regains its composure. The sword now lays to Rahlynn�s side as the raptor beings a second charge, a grand fireball is conjured between Rahlynn�s fingers and with a fierce determined holler he releases the carnage at the raptor. The fireball passes over the raptor has it charges and burns and chars its skin step by step. Just inches from Rahlynn�s feet the raptors head lays lifeless has it finishes it crashing halt.
Rahlynn reaches down and picks up his sword and reseats it on his belt. He calms himself and brushes the battle away and walks on towards the ocean. It is a beautiful day for Stranglethorn Vale, not a description often depicted by most people, but to Rahlynn it is the sounds and smells of a place that determine its beauty, not what it looks like. He walks on listening intently and allows his remaining sense�s to be keen so that another Raptor, or worse, a troll does not ambush him. Several hours later he makes it to the coast line with little effort, the day seems to be calm, he assumes most animals must be fed as they do not seem to attack much this day. Using the coastline to make way towards Booty Bay as he finds it the easiest path to travel, he comes across a group of what sounds like pirates. Knowing that they have not become aware of him yet he decides that the best course of action is to walk straight through, as he is unlikely to sneak by. Once his presents became known three of the pirates quickly approached him, but what he found strange was the manner in which they acted. The first of the three pirates spoke, �That was a mighty show you put on back there against that beast, and judging by what I see before me, you must be the man we were sent to find.� Confused for a moment has he did not expect anyone knowing his business with Booty Bay he inquires, �And what manner of person would expect me?� As soon as he finished his question he could hear the steps of a horse approaching lead by another pirate, and felt the rains placed in his hands. �The manner of the person expecting you is for you to find out, he will see you in Ratchet you can sail there from Booty Bay its only a days trip. This horse will speed your arrival to such a place.� And with those words the pirates left him be. Thinking it all over for a moment he thought to himself jokingly, �Who am I to refuse such a gift.� And quickly mounted the horse and set off for Booty Bay.
Several hours later he arrived in the bay of thieves, cheap skates, and con artist known as Booty Bay. This place is scattered with all of the low lives of Azeroth. From Goblins to trolls this is a breeding ground of gambling, money, and violence. There is but one law in Booty Bay and that is you do not fight whilst under the watch of the goblin guards. Which mean anywhere considered Booty Bay was neutral territory no matter what your grief with someone was. Having finished is business of buying a few �secret� supplies he found his way to the docks and with his horse in tow hitched a ride across the ocean to Ratchet.
Once he arrived in Ratchet a day later he was again greeted only this time buy a man who knew his name. �Rahlynn Delsuvius I presume,� the man spoke, Rahlynn could tell this was an older gentleman has his voice was not only rough and stern it was also a voice of wisdom and experience. �Aye that would be I, and what may I call you?� �Call me friend for that is the only name I shall go by for now, I bare you news Rahlynn of a man once lost to you, so listen closely for I havent much time to explain.� Rahlynn�s attention now caught he listed closely to this friend.
�In your youth you once new a man, a man of great stature in the Alliance�s army, a man of great deeds, courage, and honor in the Alliance�s army. A man who once single handily led a platoon into certain death with one goal in mind. Domination. All but he fell in this battle, but he never spoke of it for it was a battle that is said to have never happened.� Rahlynn thinks for a moment of a such a man but shrugs it off and continues to listen; �This man several years later was on a expedition to uncover a certain artifact that could have changed the world for all time. This artifact was never obtained and he was murdered in the process. You never saw him again.� Still thinking on whom this man might be he began to question but the friend would not have him speak. �This man Rahlynn was your father.� Shocked and stunned at the comment Rahlynn wanted so badly to ask, to know, to learn of who his father was. He remember the last time he had seen his father some 20 years ago, only a few years before he had been sent to the orphanage by his mother, but he eventually gave up as no one could answer such question. The Friend eventually interrupted again not allows Rahlynn a breath of question. �I am not telling you this because I wish you to obtain this artifact for us, no I feel you need to know the truth. Or at least as much as I can reveal to you, the artifact that your father was sent to receive was the head of Thrall. Obviously this was never completed, the question was, how did the horde know your father was on such a mission? Whoever the scoundrel was that ratted out your father also reported him to the cross roads, where a platoon of Orcs, Trolls, and Tauren were sent to murder your father and his men. I tell you this because your father and all the men did not all perish, I among them lived to tell the tail, but I fear I have grown too old and timid in my years to revenge such a friends death. When I heard from your mother that you were sent away I followed you. For many years through many obstacles but I never interfered, for I feel every man�s fate or destiny is in his hands alone. I was there when the undead took you in and burned your eyes; I was there when the Tor trained you to be the mage you are now. I spoke with you once or twice but never have I revealed myself to you as I did not wish to interfere with what was meant to be.� Listening closely Rahlynn begins to recognize this voice and out of instinct touches his hand to the Orb on his for head. �Yes Rahlynn that was me also.� For a moment Rahlynn felt mad, angered that this man, this Druid had been following him all these years and never once did he stop to help. Not when the magic spell was released from the painting to destroy his eye site. Not when he was sent off to the Orphanage, never once accept for this Orb. �Why do you come to me now then?� Rahlynn says with a tone of anger to him, �Why should I care for your words, or the story of my brave and foolish father?� �Because Rahlynn, I know the man you have become, I know the revenge you would wish to seek, for had they not killed your father, your life would not be as it is.� And with those words, Friend, vanished.
Rahlynn dropped to his knees. �What do I do?� He spoke to himself. �The armies of the crossroads killed my father. My father who was meant to kill their leader, my father who was betrayed by his own people, what am I to do?� For a few moments he pondered over these questions in a blind rage, then preparing to bring himself back to his feet he placed his hand on the ground to find a round object. The moment his hand grasped around it visions filled his mind.
�Son�� A voice echoed several time. �Son� has you found me at last?� The object questioned. �Yes� he spoke in his mind. This type of object was not foreign to Rahlynn, several mages have used them in the past they are forms of communication that can be used over miles and miles of space. �Father� Rahlynn inquired, �But if you�re dead how do you� �Rahlynn, I hope this is you I am talking to for I fear if this is in the wrong hands that all will be lost.� Quickly Rahlynn released that he was not speaking to his father, that this particular object had been imbued to deliver a message from long ago. �Rahlynn as you know if you are listening to this, my Friend has found you. On my deathbed I gave him this message, being in certain locations of the world triggers the message. When you have found the spot that I have assigned the message the message will be placed. Right now you should be standing at the edge of the dock in Ratchet, with both knees on the ground. I had to be specific in order to make sure that no one could intercept this. My messages cannot be long so listen closely. Travel to Stormwind and enter the park district. Stand within the moonwell�s center and say praise to Elune. Only then when the next message play. Fear Rahlynn for your life shall never be safe less you follow these instructions.� And the voice vanished. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts Rahlynn decides that if what his father says is true, then such a message must be heeded. Quickly he made his way back to the boat on which he arrived knowing his destination to be again Booty Bay. He boarded and set sail for the docks of danger.
Once arriving in Booty Bay Rahlynn gathered whatever supplies he would need, sold off the horse that the pirates were nice enough to give him, and caught a ride from a Griffon to Stormwind.