Zenobya Amberblaze

The Hunted (part 2)

Zeno entered the tavern, clearly agitated at the recent turn of events and the fact that is was a busy night with plenty of opportunity for eavesdroppers. She spotted Dizarak near the back bar and marched up to him, smiling briefly at the greeting she received from the various workers near the door.

Diz looked at her with concern. For her to be away from Olathia's side meant something must have happened. “What brings you out tonight?”

Zeno frowned, noticeably different from her usual scowl. “I have more information about our 'friend'.”

Diz's eyes widened as he nodded. “Come with me.” He excused himself from the small group he'd been speaking with and lead her upstairs to speak with one of his mates, another member of the Raven Guard. The large paladin eyed both of them as they walked up to the landing, still keeping a close eye on the door and the patrons below. “Ash, this is Olathia's Left Hand.”

Ashraen squinted as he leaned on the railing, the wood creaking in protest under his weight and that of his armor. “I know who she is, love. More curious as to why she's here.”

Zeno shifted her gaze between the two giants, relaxing slightly. If these two were responsible for keeping an eye out for undesirables, it would make her job much easier. She still wasn't sure what Diz might have shared and who he shared with. “I have reason to believe a very dangerous person has been here recently.”

Ash arched a brow. “Mm, really? Who? When?”

At least he doesn't waste time getting to the point. Zeno looked sideways toward Diz before answering the paladin's rapid-fire questions, and the void male visibly stiffened at her words. “I heard him.” Then she turned to Ash. “I'm not sure when exactly. I am not sure exactly how much you have been told, but someone is hunting my boss. I believe it is one of us.”

Ash narrowed his gaze at the undead woman before him. “I've gotten the gist of that. A source tipped me off before you. What does 'one of us' mean?”

Zeno shifted on her feet, still unwilling to divulge information about the less-than-secret society the former servants of the Lich King had formed. “A death knight, to be specific. Normally we have ways of tracking each other, and this one in particular has been missing. He's considerably more bloodthirsty than others, and if my hunch is correct he's out to finish a job.”

Ash bared his fangs and muttered a curse. “That's what that meant... Godsdamnit.”

Diz looked at the other male while pointing a thumb at Zeno. “Besides what I relayed from her, who told you about this?”

Zeno broke in, shifting again. “Wait, someone else knows about this?”

Ash flicked a look toward his mate. “Moira.”

“This was supposed to be kept quiet,” Zeno hissed through clenched teeth.

Ash glanced down at Zeno. “Moira gives me most of my tips and trade offs. She's not a gossip, trust on that.”

“She's a high-ranking courtesan in Silvermoon,” Diz added. “Call her an intel broker, if you will.”

Zeno nodded, but was clearly unsettled by that news. “I believe the one who attacked Olathia and left her for dead while still under Arthas' control is still stalking her. It would explain his disappearance.”

“I still don't understand why now,” Diz wondered aloud. “It's been so long.”

“I've already spoken with Diz and Perchedon here about it, but I didn't have much information other than he uses an axe,” Zeno continued. “I heard his voice in my head the other night. Only one word, but it was enough.” She shuddered at the recent memory, hoping she was wrong and fearing she wasn't. “If he was here, you'd be able to tell me.”

Another Illidari, a very shy male with a large spider on his shoulders, had come up the stairs, hesitant to interrupt. Both of the giants turned to him. “What's wrong Behail?” Diz asked.

The Illidari instinctively reached up to cuddle the spider. “I, umm... Perchedon wanted me – for some reason – to... tell you, he will help with... whatever it is... you are speaking of.”

Zeno smiled and nodded at Behail, while Diz thanked him. “We will brief him later. Thank you, Behail.” The Illidari turned and shuffled back down the stairs with a sigh, seemingly trying to not run from the tense conversation. Ash stared at the spider as he made his way back to the main part of the tavern.

Zeno turned back to the two large men and let her voice carry slightly, knowing Perch would hear her but making sure he caught her words over the din of the busy room below. “He is a troll, and not a Darkspear. I would know that accent anywhere.”

Diz snapped his attention to Zeno before peering at Ash. “I haven't been around to keep as watchful of an eye, so I haven't personally seen anyone like that...” Perch had indeed caught her words and headed up, crossing his arms behind his back when he reached the landing, and Zeno tipped her head in greeting at him.

Ash grunted and nodded. “Shouldn't be too damn hard to spot a Tr-...” His head tilted as Perch approached. “Though I really don't remember one. Taoln was flirting a troll, but I don't think he was a death knight.”

Perch nodded back at Zeno before adding, “Trolls are rare in this area, though we do get them from time to time.” He avoided meeting Diz and Ash's gaze for some reason, but Zeno cared not about whatever interpersonal issues the men had as long as it didn't get in the way of keeping her boss safe. “I don't recall a death knight troll, though I can have a few of my Illidari scout the island for traces.”

“How long ago was the troll here?” Zeno asked, immediately back to business. She turned to Perch. “That would be good.” Yet another bar employee made her way up to the small but growing group. Zeno looked at her blankly. “Are you Raven Guard also?”

The void female regarded all of them with a sly grin. “Oh- ha. No, not that. My ears were just tinglin' with all this chatter.” She blinked a few times, looking at Zeno as if trying to place her. “Ya said something about a troll, not a Darkspear, and a death knight. Friend of yours?” She chuckled as if making a joke to herself.

Zeno narrowed her eyes. “Who isn't a friend of mine?”

Diz regarded the newcomer with widened eyes. “Wait. Have you seen one, Iri?”

Iri shrugged. “See all sorts with a friendly enough smile.” She gestured toward the back bar. “Had one here Monday. Asked me to keep an eye out for for-...” She turned her gaze back toward Zeno. “A blood elf death knight. And now you're here. Not named Hilde-somethin', are ya?” Zeno stiffened at the mention of that name and cursed under her breath. Ash snarled and bared his fangs, cursing colorfully in about three different languages. Iri clicked her tongue, noting the various reactions. “Aye. So it is you he was lookin' fer then.”

Diz abruptly turned and slipped past the group, heading downstairs. “I have to ask Azryl something.”

This just got increasingly more difficult. “Then he knows I am looking for him.”

Perch had been silent for most of the conversation. He shot Zeno a pointed look. “I take it this isn't good. What should we do?”

“No, it is not.” Zeno's scowl was far more pronounced than usual. “For now, just stay alert. If he causes any trouble, kill him. I would rather be the one to take his head myself, but I cannot be everywhere at once.”

Ash crossed his arms. “You have to keep her away from here, Zeno.”

“I will be glued to her side no matter what.” Zeno's promises carried a little more weight than most.

Perch sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I'll see if Feng would be willing to help. She can sniff out a death knight from a mile away it seems.”

“If I had more information the last time I was here, he might not have slipped past.” Zeno looked at Iri again. “Did you happen to catch his name?”

Iri lifted a brow. “Might have done. What's it worth?” She motioned toward Perch and Ash, shrugging. “Seeing as he walked right past these two, seems ya might be wantin' someone who pays attention.”

Ash snarled violently at Iri while Zeno stared her down. “Name your price.”

Perch forcefully shushed Ash and added, “I'll see to it that you're rewarded for any information you give us.” Ash just crossed his arms, eye twitching.

Iri looked between the two promising riches for a simple name. “Called 'imself Gerrozak. Leather armor covered in blood, his and others.”

Zeno cursed loudly this time. “He's a cannibal. He eats his victims. That blood was probably his last meal.” She scowled even more, if that were possible. “Makes sense he'd be looking for me, even if he doesn't know I'm guarding Olathia. He doesn't like to leave jobs undone.” Her hand wandered up the scar covering her right eye, a ruined mess of blue flame. “He did this too.”

Iri scrunched her face. “Lovely, that.” She took this as her cue to leave and headed back down to the bar and more pleasant conversations.

Perch's ears perked up and he looked at Iri as she went downstairs. “Yes. I saw him too now that you reminded me.”

Diz had returned just in time to catch that last bit of information. “If he's anything like you say he will go for the kill the same way.”

Perch crossed his arms over his stomach and dipped his head. “I should go pay Iri.” He turned and headed down the stairs, glancing up at Diz as he passed.

Zeno nodded at no one in particular, staring at the floor. “I will do my best to keep her away, unless I am with her, but she is far more stubborn than she lets on.”

“At least we know if she's here with either you or Wayland we should be fine?” Diz turned toward his mate. “Ash, if she shows up alone what do we do?”

Ash growled. “Ya pick her up, stuff her in a cave, and sit on her.” He flicked his ears and bared his teeth in frustration. Zeno snorted, the closest thing to a laugh anyone would get from her tonight.

Diz sighed. “I'd say at this rate, he's kill on sight. No questions asked.”

Ash made a face and licked a fang. “Thinking back on Monday, I believe I know the troll. And if anyone sees him again... No questions asked. No playing with food. No hesitation. We end him.”

Having seen the paladin in action before, Zeno believed this to be true. “Monday... That's when I heard him. At least that bit is accurate. I can hear him if he's been someplace I have recently.”

Diz had a thoughful look on his face. “If Zara is at the manor, and you are here, who's with Olathia now?”

Zeno cast a wry smile at Diz. “Wayland.”

“And he doesn't have a description.” Diz turned his mismatched gaze from Zeno toward the door. “Get moving.”

Don't get used to giving me orders, little one. “I suppose I could interrupt.”

“I don't give a shit if the boy is balls deep, Olathia is to be kept safe and that is the end of it,” Ash muttered. Diz grimaced as Zeno waved to the others and headed for the door, slipping between the crowds of people who still kept the tavern hopping even at this late hour.

mentions: @dizarak, @ashraen, @olathia, Behail - WyrmrestAccord, Perchedon - WyrmrestAccord, Ireille - WyrmrestAccord