Marachius Ainsley

To Stormwind

Marachius rushed into the building, his mace tapping against his legplates as he walked briskly through the hallway. Finally he he came to a closed door and knocked three times in quick succession. He was barely able to wait for the call to enter before he had the door opened to the office.

“Ainsley,” the commanding officer said as he looked up from his desk. “Something you need?”

“Yes, sir,” Marachius came to an abrupt stop just inside the room. “I need to go to Stormwind.”

“Stormwind? Why?” the older paladin asked as he rested his hands on the desk.

“Reggy. My friend, Regynn. She’s missing. She’s not at her apartment.”

“Maybe she’s with friends? A vacation with someone special?”

“I thought so at first. But she’s been gone for a couple of days now. And her landlord said she left quickly.”

“Why Stormwind?”

“That’s where we’re from, sir. I think she’d go back home.”

“She in trouble?”

“I don’t know, sir. Maybe. There was…  there was an incident recently.”

“Incident? Something bad happen?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is she running because the law’s after her?”

“No sir!”

“Settle yourself, paladin.” The commanding officer leaned back in his chair and stared at Marachius. “Request denied.”

“Sir?”

“There are some new actions being planned. We need everyone to stay put for now.”

“But sir…”

“I said ‘no’, paladin! Are you hard of hearing?” the officer asked, an edge creeping into his voice as his volume grew.

“No, sir,” Marachius said as he stood up a little straighter.

“Report back to your billet, paladin. Your squad has a patrol coming up soon if I remember orders correctly.”

“Yes, sir,” Marachius answered dejectedly.

“Dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.” Marachius turned and moved back into the hallway, shutting the door behind him. He took a deep breath and looked from one side to the other without really seeing. Then he let the air out quickly and began stomping towards the door.