RP Adventures: The Shadow's of Caine

Candelion- Part 12

**More Adult themes- WARNINGS. **

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     Another storm descended upon the jungles in the night, washing out the already hazardous roads. And to make things worse, a band of murlocs have effectively blockaded the path leading to another rickety bridge. If we went around, it would surely add a few more hours onto our already constrained schedule. Back at camp, they had made it very clear that we had two days to get to Booty Bay and out of the jungles before the Blood Moon was supposed to take effect. Thus, my traveling companion was eager to make progress. 

      Allaster has barely been able to look at me since Nesingwary gave us our ultimatum. Fade is in a groveling mood due to weather, I suppose. I watch the two of them stride ahead, seemingly making this journey on their own. Me, just their glorified shadow. 

     We had two options before us. One, turn back around and have me get the troll's boon. Two, we go down this mudslide of a cliff to reach the riverbank, cross over and  continue through some ancient troll ruins and thick, unforgiving jungles. I'd made my stance very clear. 

     Whatever path was laid, whatever choices I made or denied, I had to believe that Elune's grace was with me. I had to believe that my choice in refusing the Blood Moon's warding was a good one. Otherwise, ...

    No... 

     I refused to brood over the potential dangers I have put ourselves in. But who's to say that staying at the camp any longer was safest, anyway?

     It was smarter to leave. Having a bounty on our heads, the best choice was to keep moving. I could always go to Kalimdor, but I had a sickening notion that Caine wouldn't accompany me.

    I knew those lands better. I would have the safety of my people. Even if they considered me a lesser-elf, I was still a sister. Surely, Reygina had a limit to her patience and would grow old or bored with the chase... we just needed to find the safest place to wait this out. 

     Before the debacle with the trolls at camp, I could've seen me and Caine traveling just about anywhere. I might've been able to convinced Caine to travel on to Ratchet and into the Barrens, only a short trip to the mystical forests of Ashenvale. But those last days at camp were jarring. His sullen mood palpable. I'm aware he can barely tolerate my presence. But he just doesn't understand. 

     Clearly, his fellow human's failed to educate him on his histories. The wars between the Amani trolls, Highborn Elves, and the humans had been long and savage. Shouldn't he'd felt the distress of his ancestors as he conferred with trolls and their Loa magic? The humans of Arathor would be outraged in seeing him, one of their own, so foolishly trusting in a troll. 

     Therefore, he is just as responsible for this as I am, only his youth and self-denial are keeping him from seeing reason. 

     My boots meet the slippery mud and I tread slowly, balancing on the way down. Caine and Fadeleaf are not as graceful, acting like children and sliding down instead. They make it to the bottom of the hill well before I do, but they are entirely covered. Fade looks more like a hyena instead of a panther, his black fur painted with splotches of grey, brown, and green clay. 

     "You need a bath," I sign. It's the first thing I've said to him all day. 

     He attempts to wipe the mud off his face and tunic, but it only serves to smear things further. He looks utterly ridiculous. 

     "What are you talking about?" He motioned to his ensemble. "I'm perfectly fine! You, on the other hand... Stink." 

     I wanted desperately to be offended, but I was too delighted that he was speaking to me at all.