The World is Forever Changed.

The world tree had fallen, as Vexxis feared it would. She took a moment of grief, weeping alone in her bedroom at the news she received from her beloved Cendelorn. Luckily, she had prepared for this, making sure to keep in good touch with Lady Ludlow and getting things in order. The Vineyard’s had been erecting livable spaces, tents and gathering supplies for those that may be displaced if the world as they knew it fell into the Banshee Queen’s grasp. It would prove, sadly, that she was right to do so. 

She wiped her tears and gathered up the stack of fliers sitting upon her nightstand and headed out into the village, calling a meeting in the center of the village. This is what her grandfather spoke of when she received her markings, to take the weight of the world and carry it for those that could not. She calmed her shaking voice and spoke loudly and clearly, sternly but with love. “It has come to my attention that Teldrassil has fallen to the hands of Sylvanas and her Horde.” she began, taking pause as she stood upon a large fountain’s edge in the center of the village, fliers clutched to her chest as her other hand moved about with her words. “The Kaldorei, the Worgen and many other Alliance people have seen it as their home for many years now - especially the Kaldorei. It was our capital and now it lays in ash. Their refugees, those that have made it out alive will be moving into Stormwind territories as soon as their ships arrive. They will have nowhere to go. They will be scared and scarred beyond anything you could imagine by the tragedies this war has laid upon them. I want each and every able hand to begin now working in order to make their transition here as easy as possible. Tailors, cobblers, gardeners, butchers - all those that live here with your reputable skill begin your work. Make your wares in mass so that those we gather here can be as comfortable as we can make them. I entrust this will be done swiftly and without hitch as your Lady Ludlow would will it so.”

The eyes were upon her, some crying and some just standing in awe as they nodded their heads. Vexxis’ presence here was one that had garnered respect and love in the eyes of the villagers, and for that she was thankful. It paid to show kindness, and today proved that.

She nodded her head and the people filed out to do as they had been asked. Swiftly she checked in with the makeshift houses that were being built and the large tents that were being erected on the outside of the village all the way to the ends of the Ludlow property’s line, and then she made haste into Stormwind upon horseback. Once there she placed the fliers in her arms upon every public building that would allow her to do so, especially at the harbor and near the Stormwind Keep.

She truly had no idea the impact this would have on her place within the Vineyards, as that was not on her mind. The only thing that mattered to her was that she was doing the right thing, and to care for the people that had always cared for her.

(( @ludlowvineyards @cendelornshadowdagger @elizebella for mentions ))

A Letter to the Orphan Matron

With the fliers already in place, her work in Stormwind was done. She had never left her horse’s back until she made it back to her home in Ludlow Village, pleased to see after the hours had passed that some of the work she asked for was done, and was continuing to be worked at without resistance. A bit of peace was held in her mind for that at least so she could continue her next task.

Upon living here among these people she had made many friends, though one not so important as Kensly Garlunde, the orphan matron. Vexxis knew the cost of war and how mothers and fathers alike were fighting it, and likely died doing so. There would be an influx of orphans arriving at the harbor of Stormwind in likely little more than a day’s time. She had to prepare all fronts, if she were preparing any at all. And so her letter began, tears spattering the paper in which she hoped would not smear the ink.

-Dearest Kensly,

The news has spread that Darnassus and Teldrassil as we know it lays in ash. Sylvanas and her Horde have seized its shores and the World Tree stands no longer. Many refugees will be coming into Stormwind Territories as I have told those of the village. Along with those refugees will be orphans that will need a safe and good place to go, some older.. some as young as babes from the womb. I need your help, my friend, to place these orphans in your care. I will do whatever it is in my power to get you the hands you need to care for such a task properly, as these orphans will not be Kaldorei alone. Even gnomes if you can imagine it. Prepare your facility as needed. I will be ordering those in the village to send you supplies and will have the man power you need to distribute them as they begin arriving. If there is anything else you need of me. Beds to be made, more structures to be built, please let me know and I will make sure it happens. As you can tell, it is with great sorrow that I write this letter, but also with great hope that we can restore the people that have lost their homes with the hope they so have earned and deserved.

With Love,

Vexxis-

She let her tears flow freely then as she moved through the gates of Ludlow Manor and made her way into the wing that Lady Ludlow usually inhabited, finding her new handmaiden Georgea, placing her hand upon the young Gilnean’s shoulder. “I wish for you to deliver this message with haste to Kensly Garlunde, Miss Bridgeton. Do not stop until you stand upon her door step and the letter is in her hands. Urge her to read it as quickly as possible.” It was easy to see by the urgency in Vexxis’ voice and the tension that resided within her tone that it was of the utmost importance. Georgea, despite all the turmoil and chaos that was happening around the village nodded her head with a bubbly smile. “Not to worry, Miss Skybloom. You can count on me to delivah the message as quickly as needed.” The tall handmaiden then made her way down the hall, nearly tripping on a rug that would have received a rolling of the eyes and annoyance of any others. It was met with a soft smile from the druidess though, and a bow of her head. “Thank you, my dear.” the druidess said as she made her way out of the manor herself, seeing the woman off to do the task. She only hoped that the girl would reach Kensly sooner rather than later.

(( @kenslygarlunde ))

(( @ludlowvineyards ))

Home? Part II

Sunrise.

It had been only a day or so since he had resettled into his new living arrangements. He sat down coolly in comfortable reclining chair looking out the small wooden window that had been magically sealed for his own protection. No punch, outside or inside was going to break that glass, but it provided such a magnificent view of the outskirts of Stormwind City. Araethius swears he could see the hustle and bustle of the city, and hear its denizens run their errands to and fro.

But.. nagging thoughts constantly ate at the paladin’s frail mind.

Did she place me here?

Am I not good enough for her anymore?

Is this what I deserve?

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Crossroads: Part II

If it wasn’t for nightmares, Araethius wouldn’t have dreamt anything at all. He didn’t realize anything at all.

That he had been slowly deteriorating. Blind to it, he believed nothing was wrong.

It didn’t matter that Araethius wouldn’t eat or sleep for days at a time. His mind adrift on a sea of turmoil.  Often times, he would wander out into the garden in the middle of the night with no warning and sit in the moonlight, saying nothing, doing nothing. He would look straight, seeing things that were not there, sometimes hearing things that were not real. He wouldn’t make a note of these voices, occasionally he would whisper things under his breath he thought no one could hear. He would repeat words he had just said under his breath as reassurance.

Kensly had gone out. She was meeting with some physician, she said. Araethius, far more lucid throughout the day than when he was during the evening, was slowly eating a banana when he heard a knock at the door.

That’s strange. Who could it be?

A salesman?

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The Next Morning

The morning sun blasted through the curtains of their bedroom window, but only one remained in bed. Kensly was up before daylight, tending to their four children as she always does. Their five month old twin sons are the first to wake and be fed this morning. She quickly changes their diapers and places them in their adorable matching clothing that is hand stitched by their own mother. They kick and squeal at Kensly as she makes faces and coos at them both while carrying them downstairs to place in on their tummies. “There we are, my handsome sons. A little tummy time for some exercise will have you crawling in no time.”

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Araethius didn’t arise until an hour or two after his wife arose. The mid-morning sun shining right through the chink of their bedroom. He opened one eye, drowsily looking around the room, his eyes finally coming to rest on the empty space where his wife slept before turning back to the window, bringing up a hand to cover his freshly awaken eyes from the glare of the mid-morning sun.

 I overslept.

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The Ship.

Parched lips smacked together as pink hair spilled out over the sides of the small life boat Sprankles had been hoarded up in for weeks now. At night she was sneaking on board and stealing what food she could from the ship she had found herself on. It was the very ship that had retrieved the Admiral in the first place, so of COURSE, she couldn’t let herself be known.. But she was really thirsty, and she was really hungry. She had not been able to sneak on board in nearly three days.. things going missing were starting to be noticed. One might not think that a gnome such as herself would require much in the way of food.. But whole hams were missing… more bottles of ale than she cared to admit, were missing. Most of all, cake was going missing. The captain’s cakes. She had icing smeared on her cheek from three days ago right at this very moment, as a matter of fact. She had to make a choice now. Go on board and show herself, or risk starvation and dehydration as there was still no land in sight. She didn’t even know if the boat was going back to Stormwind, or where they were taking Admiral Valesong.. if she was even still alive… so it was now or never.

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A Long Night

I scream, and no one hears me. Am I being punished finally for the sins of the past?

Is this is it for me?

What about them? What about me? It would be the same sequence of events all over again. All of the strange stuff that I did before Argus, everything that I did after. The ignorance, the stupidity, the pain, the suffering, the looks they all gave me, the disappointment in her eyes.

I wasn’t the confident man she married all those years ago.

I’ve degenerated into this… husk of a man.

I don’t even think I can call myself a man.

Why did I turn out this way?

Where did it all go so wrong?

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Brother of the Sandwich

   “Hello friends! Jungnay Softmaw here once again. I have another tale for you today, and this one is about a man of loyalty and heart, also a good guy to have in your corner. A very good friend of mine Mace Longclaw, and a sandwich which was not the best, but that is for later in the story friends.” Jugnay lets out a hearty laugh and scratches his belly. “Well if my memory serves me right…I believe I first met Mace at a poetry gathering at his brothers house many moons ago. I was on guard duty once again, and Mace was serving drinks and food. The poetry gatherings really did not need guards I feel, but I enjoyed the poetry all the same.” Jung chuckles a bit. “And any Ludlow function always has good food, so it was a win-win. It was not until a guard training session that I got to know Mace a bit better…”

   “I could go for a good sandwich…Oh sorry friends…yes…where was I…ah yes, guard training.” Jungnay chuckles a bit. “So on this particular day it was just Mace and I, and we had quite an interesting task before us. Araethius Dawnforge the head guard training person…I guess…I just call him friend like I do everyone friend. I am sure there is a title but I do not recall.” Jung chuckles a bit and scratches his belly. “Anyway Araethius had set up a wall climbing exercise for Mace and I, and when we reached the top there was a prize of a sandwich which was made by his wife Kensley. First one to the top gets the prize. Well I looked at Mace and he at me, and then we started the climb. Mace and I both knew I think that it was not going to be a straight up climbing race, because Araethius always had tricks up his sleeve.”

   “So Mace got a bit of a lead on me out the gate, but then the traps started going off, metal pellets falling down on both of us…it was not very fun.” The first wave of pellets came down on us and Mace fell down luckily he had not been that high up, but he is a man who does not quit and he got right back up and going again. Now I had the advantage as I was making my way up the wall, but then the second round of pellets came at us, we both held on this time and nobody fell but it definitely slowed us down and pissed us off. How would you like metal pellets dropped on you friend! Anyway friend we are now both nearing the top of the wall and now the third round of pellets come down on us as Mace had just about caught up and then he slipped ,but I reached out and grabbed his arm, and he grabbed my arm and together we did not fall, as I held on to let him get his footing once again. And I said to Mace “When we get to the top friend I say we split the sandwich, we both been through enough of this.” Mace agreed in his fashion with an “F” bomb sprinkled in…but that is Mace for you.” Jungnay let out a hearty laugh. “So we made it to the top together…both of us beaten from those damn metal pellets and the climb itself, but we did it as a team and from that moment on I knew I could count on Mace Longclaw.”

   “Oh yes so the prize…the sandwich that needed help.” Jung chuckles a bit. “Mace and I split the sandwich and sat upon the roof eating our victory lap, but it could have used a helping of mayo and maybe a bit of pepper.” Jungnay gives a hearty laugh and scratches his belly. “But in the end we won the day and that is all that really mattered.”

   “Since then Mace and I have been out several times working together. Once was to help get Miss Sable back for she was kidnapped. But we have to give most the credit to Gilbert’s dog Otho on that one though, the dogs got a good sniffer.” Jung chuckles a bit. “Mace and I did dispose of some of the thugs that had taken her that day. I still don’t know why she was kidnapped, but I know we were all just happy to have her back.” 

   “We have also been out bounty hunting together, Mace and his now wife Sable started their own bounty hunting company…Listen to me just rambling now.” Jung chuckles. “Well friends I think this concludes our story. Plus I think I could use a sandwich right about now.” Jungnay chuckles and scratches his belly. “Until we meet again friends, white tiger watch over you all.”

@macelongclaw @ludlowvineyards,

@sable-longclaw @araethius @kenslydawnforge @gilbert-ashbourn @longclawofgilneas for mentions

Counting

“One door, one floor, one bed, one fireplace, one rug, one shelf, one table, one first-aid kit, one picture.” Sarah’s eyes focus on everything her one room cottage with the door wide open. 

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