Richard Knaak - Night of the Dragon

"There's an inn that might suit one o' your callin', lady. I'll guide you to it."

She bowed her head. "You are being most kind, Garthin Stoneguider."

He smiled knowingly. "No... I'm doin' my duty. You will bestayin", lady, even if you end up in the jail. Orders are orders. No one's leavin'. For your own good."

He obviously meant what he said, both about it being for her own good and especially that he would put her behind bars if necessary. Iridi considered carefully her answer; her intention to leave not in the least lessened despite the dwarf's warning.

"If it is to be so, then it will be so—"

But at that moment, horns blared from the walls overlooking the Wetlands.

With a dexterity and swiftness that the priestess found astounding, Garthin drew his ax. "Stay here! I'm orderin' you to do that!"

He ran off toward the wall. Iridi hesitated for only a second, then followed.

Atop the wall, dwarven guards under the protection of the roofed battlements continued to blare on the horns while others heldtorches up in order to get some view of the dark lands beyond.

And in those unseen lands, Iridi heard snarls and hisses that set her normally-controlled nerves on end.

Garthin stood at the arched gate, where several other dwarves were preparing to march out into the night. More than twenty fighters hefted their weapons and, as soon as the signal was given by one of their fellows above, charged out.

Unfortunately, something much larger tried to charge inside at the same time.

Iridi only caught a glimpse of claws and teeth before the dwarves beat it back, their axes striking one after another with powerful effect. A pained roar echoed throughout Menethil Harbor. Despite that, Iridi caught a glimpse of one warrior suddenly pulled into the darkness... and for the first time she heard a dwarf scream in utter horror.

Yet, despite that awful cry, Garthin and the others continued to push into the night, quickly followed by at least two dozen newcomers. Aware of the determination and might of dwarves. Iridi knew that the threat had to be a potent one.

Heedless of either Garthin's orders or the danger without, the draenei priestess rushed forward. As she did, she extended her hand... and a staff formed in it, a staff whose head ended in a long, pointed crystal set in a sliver base. The crystal flared a bright blue. At the opposing end, a smaller but identical crystal added to the almost blinding effect.

"Here now! Stop!" shouted a guard futilely as she slipped through the gate. Iridi discovered a wide bridge on the other side of the wall, one leading toward the fog-drenched Wetlands. At the far end of the bridge, she made out the shadowed forms of the fighters... and other creatures who loomed tall over the dwarves.

She raised the staff and uttered the words the naaru had taught her predecessors long, long ago.

The greater crystal exploded into even more brilliant light. A monstrous community of hisses and roars assailed her ears, and Iridi finally beheld what the dwarves battled.

They were reptilian in appearance, but stood on hind legs. Their front paws ended in sharp, curved claws easily capable of rending cloth, flesh, and possibly even armor. Most were of some reddish tinge with yellow stripes, and all wore what appeared to be bands of feathers around their wrists and throats.

They pulled back as one, the light clearly more than their narrow, burning orbs could take. The dwarves, their backs to the crystal, were able to quickly take advantage of the situation. They plunged into the band of reptiles, swinging their axes hard. Heavy blades chopped into scaled hides, spilling innards and life fluids. Three of the fearsome reptiles fell to the ground, two of which were quickly dispatched by the defenders. The third managed to crawl back, its twitching form ignored as the dwarves fought those still standing.

But even thanks to her startling intervention, the stalwart warriors were hard pressed. Iridi counted at least twenty of the savage reptiles who, despite the dwarves' deadly axes, were giving as good as they got. They had both the advantage of size and swiftness... swiftness, in fact, that astounded the draenei. Worse, they used that speed in combination with a clear, organized assault, almost as if they were intelligent. The priestess saw one dwarf cut off from the rest, then surrounded and ripped to shreds before anyone could aid him.

This must not continue! Iridi leapt forward, using the staff as a weapon now. She thrust it into the midsection of one reptile, then followed through with a kick perfectly aimed at an unprotected area just under the snapping jaws.

The beast dropped to its knees. With a free hand, the draenei toppled the reptile completely, sending it into one of its companions.

But then a set of claws tore at her cloak. If not for its voluminous design, those claws would have also ripped out her shoulder. As it was, though, her cloak became tangled in the monster's paw. The reptile dragged her toward it, causing the staff to fall from her grip.

Gritting her teeth, Iridi reached her stiffened fingers toward her adversary's open maw—and suddenly the reptile's head separated from its torso and tumbled into her arms. The body shivered, its death throes almost tossing her aside, but powerful arms pulled the startled priestess free before that could happen.

"You must be mad!" Garthin growled. "Get back inside! The raptors will rip you to shreds!"

"I only wish to help!"

"By getting yourself turned into dinner?" With another growl, the dwarf started dragging her back to the sealed gate.

A savage hiss was the only warning they had before a slavering, stench-ridden form fell upon them. Garthin grunted as a tall whipped across his chest, bowling him over and nearly sending him into the water flowing under the bridge.

The raptor ignored her, more interested in the armored dwarf. Iridi realized that it was likely due to Garthin seeming more of a threat. The raptor assumed that it could deal with the softer, less imposing draenei once the dwarf was dead.

But the reptile had taken no more than a step toward Garthin before the priestess flung herself into its midst. Senses heightened by years of intense training immediately analyzed the beast for any and all vital spots.

One hand hit just below the eye. Her foot struck right under the rib cage.

The raptor crumpled, its breath shocked from it, its nervous system stunned by the hand. Iridi landed atop the fallen creature, then rolled toward Garthin.

The dwarf groaned as she held his head up. His gaze fixed on her.

"Get—Inside—" he demanded.

"Let me help you up," the priestess said, ignoring his frustration with her. She glanced around for her staff, but could not find it. Instead, Iridi saw Garthin's ax. She used it to enable the fighter to get to his feet.

"Let me have that," he said in a dark tone. As she obeyed, the dwarf quickly raised his ax high, then burled it in the stricken raptor's throat.

Iridi felt a momentary sense of repulsion, then reminded herself what was going on around them. Garthin had had no choice but to slay the beast.

The dwarf turned to her once more. "Get back inside, or I'll carry you!"

But that choice was no longer available to them. The battle had fallen back to the bridge, and both were now cut off. Although the raptors appeared unable to swim—for surely they would have otherwise crossed the waters and taken the fighters from behind— neither could the dwarves. Despite what Garthin might desire, Iridi would not abandon him for her sake.

But the dwarf would not be ignored. With a grunt, he seized her wrist. "This way!"

Garthin led her toward the right, away from the fight. The dwarf moved with purpose, clearly certain of his destination.