The Protector By Jase Darien Dakota Prologue "Quiet!" Captain Mandell hushed his unit with a whisper. They melded into the forest, becoming shadows within shadows.  In truth the command was unnecessary. Everyone saw the same thing. The Deepshire Forest was vast and lush. There was never a moment when a man could not hear the sound of birds and insects, or beasts hunting far off in the distance. Sound echoed within the wood, bouncing off the tall oaks and maples. The reason for the unease, which had not escaped anyone's notice, was the sudden and deafening silence. There was nothing. One of the scouts under Captain Mandell's command picked

I've become delusional. I know that. The problem with being delusional is that you don't know what's real and what's just in your mind. I like to think I'm living in an illusion. That this desert, Tanaris, is just some crazed vision. I'm really in little Lissa's tent. Passed out from the stress and heat. Hiding from the truth. Yeah. There was no portal. No Ahndrea. No broken heart. Man, I have strange dreams. Wake up Derrex, time to work. "Huh...?" My eyes opened and I looked around my little cave. It was filled with lamps and bits of shiny things that would reflect light all around the cave. Even in the dead of night, my cave shone like a

Kelgrad was a sleepy town. Nothing exciting every happened there. The villagers farmed and worked hard to survive every winter, which was always brutal. Every year there was less food for each cold season, and the village elders were growing concerned. Not often there were travelers coming into or though Kelgrad. The eldest had built the town close to the base of Mount Hellgard. A forbidding mountain at the best of times, Mount Hellgard sent terrible snows, rains and worse at the town, but Kelgrad had always persevered. This winter seemed to be no different. It had rained more in the summer then it ever had. The crops were smaller then they

It had started to rain in Elwynn when Durion slipped out of the Lion's Pride inn. It didn't stop raining until he was  at the docks in Stormwind, glaring at the boat to Northrend. He grumbled something about wishing he was a mage instead of a druid so he could just teleport around the place as he shifted into bird form. He flapped his way around the air current until he settled down on the crow's nest of the ship and tried his best not to vomit down on anyone. It wasn't a overly long journey to Northrend, but it gave him time to think. Kerrinthel was right, he knew, but it terrified him to face his father. A man that was supposed to mean th

I was never very fond of Summer. It was always hot and sticky and humid. I was the type who'd go outside and curse the sun before going back and hide in the air conditioning. Why I ever agreed to go camping up in the mountains, I'll never know. Maybe I guessed it would be colder. I think mountains and I see snow, bears and Bigfoots. Or is it Bigfeet? Anyway, a friend of mine, who was dazzlingly beautiful but I'd never tell her that, convinced me a camping trip would be a great idea. We could go fishing and hiking and do all the outdoorsy things friends do. I had said no right away, but those eyes of hers...a bat of an eyelash, a small pout.

A week later, Durion and Valeera stood before the King who was frowning at their recollection of their mission. "So, this man, who you assume is Lord Tallmoon, took Bias, injured and tainted as he was, and vanished." Valeera explosively sighed. "We looked everywhere, Varian, we did! But there was no trace of him at all. From what we could get out of everyone, he came in with some woman, who vanished just before Bias was shot with the arrow. So she must have gotten him while we were all trying to figure out what was going on." Frowning a bit more, the King turned to Durion. "What have you to say to all this druid?" The King didn't seem pleas

The next morning, the ruins of Eldre'thalas were filling to the brim with spectators. Each paying admission to greedy goblins who grudgingly gave half to the ogres who scowled behind them.  Box seats had been erected this year for those willing to pay the hefty amounts for them. One box was built close to the edge of the arena, just above the only exit. In it, sat two people, despite the box being big enough for ten at least. Captain Andaris sat looking almost bored.  His cowl was pulled back but his face was still covered with a mask. Next to him sat his first mate, Commander Fairlane. "This should prove to be an interesting experience, Co

The next month moved swiftly for the druid and he ally. His hunch was right and by the time they entered Orgrimmar, Valeera was dressed as a Blood Elf slaver who kept a tight leash on her favorite pet. Durion stayed in animal form as much as possible, though he hated being led around by a young girl who liked to keep him in a cage or beaten until he was submissive. With his fur being ratty and having a bad temperament from the treatment, he was a terror in battle. Valeera could hardly keep up with him as they fought through the training rings of Orgrimmar. Many Arena Masters offered to buy the cat from the vicious girl but she would merely l

Rain, always rain. Today it came down in sheets. Pelting the colorful trees of the Ashenvale forest.  Leaves danced about as a Night Elf slowly pushed his way through a bit of underbrush. Durion scowled down at his new armor. The King had insisted he not only keep his identity secret, but to use a special set of armor that would help him in the coming days. Many would call the armor a dress more then anything. Durion felt robes were not exactly the best form of battle gear, but he had to admit they flowed well and he moved more freely. When in feline form he felt more agile, as if the armor he had before was weighing him down, but now he cou