Trials of Azeroth

Chapter 19

The man, elf, dwarf and gnome crept silently through the many corridors, keeping to the shadows as they traversed the maze. Every minute or two a few men would pass through the hallway, forcing them to retreat to the shadows and pray that they would stay hidden. Through a stroke of luck, they remained unseen, and delved further into the depths of the castle. Down the hall, to the left, the din of raucous laughter and chatter echoed throughout the passageway. Following the set plan, the group began to make their way down the hallway and towards the source of the noise. However, as they traversed through the shadows, Codin saw something that made his heart jump. Down the hall, looking over Hwinion's shoulder, he saw a certain Stoneraven with a heavily scarred face and pronounced limp shuffling down the hall. In his hand, he saw something that made his heart stop. A silver pocket watch with an Elwynn oak tree engraved on the front cover, glinting in the torch light. Hwinion caught on immediately.
"Codin, wait-" He cautioned. The warrior drew his dagger and began to creep forward.
"What's happening?" Asked Belmin, struggling to see past his vertically advantaged comrades.
"Codin, not yet!"
He paid no heed to the advice. His desire to regain what was rightfully his was enough to utterly sway his decision. Meanwhile, the Stoneraven was still limping forward down the hall, unaware of what lay before him. Codin took a deep breath, brandished his blade and sprung up out of the shadows, like a bat out of hell. The bandit froze in shock at the cloaked, bearded, dagger wielding warrior who sprang out in front of him, and before he could even cry out, the steel blade of Codin's razor sharp dirk pierced his leather cuirass and bit into his abdomen.
"Remember me, eh? Old pal?" Greeted Codin, looking into the scarred bandit's eyes as he pried his pocket watch out of the Stoneraven's cold hands. The footpad grunted and gave a look of utter confusion and shock, before his eyes rolled back into his head and blood began to seep through his tunic. Codin then withdrew his dagger, wiped off the blood on the man's sleeve and sheathed the weapon back in its scabbard as the bandit crumpled to floor.

Codin walked back to the others, with a glint in his eye and fire in his belly as he examined his precious watch. 'Shining and pristine... just how I left you.' He thought, smiling like a Cheshire (Or should I say 'Goldshire') cat.
"Great job, Codin, absolutely fantastic(!)." Sighed the Elven Hunter.
"What?" Smirked Codin, visibly happy with himself after retrieving his most prized possession.
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, we happen to be in an entire castle full to the parapets with Stoneraven bandits, thugs and mercenaries, and when they find one of their own lying dead on the ground in one of the corridors, I don't think they'll just shrug it off and continue on with their day." Explained the night elf, with his head in his hands (As usual!).
"Ah... Yes, that might be a slight problem." Codin nervously laughed.
"Well, at least we got the lad's watch back, right?" Stated Belmin, trying to find any positive the situation presented.
"I believe we have more pressing matters on our hands than Codin's watch, dear Belmin." Sighed Fizzbiscuit.
"Wait!" Exclaimed Codin.
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
"I think that maybe, perhaps, possibly... I might have a plan." Stated the warrior.
"Well, I hope you're not offended, friend, but you don't seem very convinced." Replied the gnome. A smile began to grow on Codin's face once more.
"Ooh, trust me... this one'll be good." He smirked.