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THE FOUL WORLD OF LADY VIOLENCE

Almost two weeks it took us to reach Stormwind City. During that time I avoided most contact or socialization with Nina and Sabrine, but not to an extent where it would be harmful. I dealth with it, just like I was told by Daros. The man just came to me when he had realized the problem and said to me: "Deal with it". Well, what else was there to do to be honest. I knew I had to deal with it, but I wasn't sure how to. My whole conservative family would have been outraged by it, so how was I supposed to act? I meant no harm to anyone, I just wasn't used to it. The rest of them I wasn't too fond of in the first place. I got along with Saroni though, who was the only cheerful one of the group. I kept wondering on how a girl like her ended up to this kind of group, but I had kept myself from asking too much.

We docked to Stormwind Harbour, where I immediately saw a great monument stone, surrounded by flowers and tributes. I supposed it was cruel to know some of those names were quite sure to be Twilight Infiltrators with families completely oblivious of the fact. The group and I stepped on the pier. The sun was shining brightly above us and it was one of those last heatwaves of summer. As I was getting used to walking on land, a dock officer walked towards us. Daros walked past all of us and confronted him.
"Names, registration, docking fee and the purpose of your visit!" the officer declared with two tough looking guards behind him. I figured that Proudmoore's news with the Osprey's testimony tightened security drastically.
"We are the crew of the Osprey, we're at TO-33872 in the ranks of Steamwheedle Cartel's shipping register," Daros shot back, "I am captain Daros Neilson, we are mercenaries on a mission to ensure, that the last surviving crew member of the late commodore James Dunham's fleet survives his jorney home to Lakeshire! Jaina Proudmoore, the Lady of Theramore has paid our fee in advance." he continued, showing a theramorean certificate signed by Lady Proudmoore. The officer took a careful look at it and nodded in approval. Afterwards he looked Daros in the eyes firmly, writing something in his logbook. Afterwards he turned towards me.
"The sole survivor of Dunham's fleet, Corporal Bradley Rockhill." I greeted saluting to the officer with a calm, blank expression.
"At ease, soldier." the officer said and I took my basic stance. He looked me over as I didn't move and looked him in the eyes.
"My condolences, corporal." he said. I just looked down and nodded a bit, muttering my thanks.
"I'm afraid it's all I can give however." he continued.
"It's fine..." I said back at him. I really had no ability to establish proper conversation and the officer seemed to notice.
"We heard from Proudmoore of course." he said, turning to Daros again, "King Varian has ordered you horses to Lakeshire as you arrive. The King cannot welcome you home personally as he hoped, but offers a soft way of transportation back home, for you and whoever escorts you there."
"Thank you for the information," I said, "but I beg your pardon, as I wish to get on my way."
"Of course." he said empathically. "Have a pleasant journey home, soldier."
"Thank you, sir." I said and made one more salute, proceeding to walk. The others walked after me without saluting the soldiers, for they were officially foreign civilians to Stormwind.
"We do have to make that order." Daros reminded me.
"I remember... Dwarven district first." I said quietly.

In the middle of a burning night elven settlement sat a lone household which wasn't burning that seriously, but the fire was spreading there as well. Everyone in the village was dead. In pieces, burned, impaled or crushed... No matter... they all laid dead. Soldiers, priestesses, druids, dryads, civilians and children alike, butchered. Along the corpses laid demon remains, killed not as severely, but showing that everyone... even expecting mothers had put up a fight. One of those had her stomach and uterus split open and the unborn infant not even properly formed yet, was half hanging outside, dripping from blood and any other possible liquid. There were countless raven's painted on the walls of trees and households with the blood and flesh of the inhabitants. Also the moonwell had been defiled, by a succubus enchanting and forcefully taking one of the men of the village in front of his family, and then splitting both's throats open with her knife, spilling both's blood in the moon-blessed waters. Only afterwards were the mate and child allowed slow euthanasy by felhunter claws.

But still, that single house was still inhabitable... in a manner of speaking. Inside the household nothing was actually alive, but silent singing could be heard. It was a man's voice... raspy, hoarse and nowhere near a pretty singing voice, but he sang despite all that. The Crimson Raven sat on a stool in the desecrated home, also infested with intestines and bodyparts. He was swaying back and forth while singing... and what he sang was a typical human lullaby. In his arms he was holding a small dead night elven child, throat split open and legs ripped off the torso. The Raven was holding the child in his arms and rocking him back and forth and singing a lullaby in common language. The child's right eye and mouth were still wide open, leaking with liquid. The left eye was missing from its socket that clearly showed signs of it being torn off forcefully.
"Go now, go now, little child,
down the sleepy path.
But if you get lost and wake up again,
I swear I'll rip your guts in half..." the Raven kept singing...
Suddenly, the already badly torn throat gave away, and the child's head fell to the floor. The Raven looked at it with eyes widened.
"Oops..." he said, and gave it a manic laugh, dropping the corpse and kicking the child's head to the corner. Not long after that he heard a battle horn, which he recognized as kaldorian. He gave it a wide grin and started stepping outside like he owned the defiled village, which he practically did.
"I guess that's where I leave..." he said cheerfully to himself. He grabbed a cigar from inside is battle-robe and lit it with his fingertip. He inhaled and walked out of the village to the other direction.
"It's sad I won't be seeing their faces..." he grinned in slight disappointment.

Further east, Zargath Stonefist of the Warsong Clan was storming through a warsong encampment. The bulking and experienced warrior a little less than 30 years of age wore the standard warsong warrior garments. A hide harness, in addition to spiked pauldrons, along with boots, gloves and short trousers made of fur, just that he also had a cloak made of the same fur which he carried on his large back, indicating that he was a sergeant. His black hair was on a long tail and his beard was trimmed to be disciplined, but not totally gone. The concerned orc took long and powerful steps to the tent of the commanding officer. The guards in front naturally blocked his way.
"A report to the centurion." Zargath said to the guards before they asked anything.
"Let him in..." came a female orc's voice from the tent and the guards moved aside. Zargath nodded to them and entered the tent. He looked at the woman, who was more heavily armoured than the rest of the warriors. She stood in the middle of her large leather tent, by a table with the map of Ashenvale on it. In human standards the woman would have been hideous to many, but Zargath admired her. He gave her an orcish salute, by standing tall and pounding his chest with his fist twice.
"You don't look like you'd have good news..." centurion Zurra Steelfang said sighing a bit. The muscular green bald woman had a tough, but a calm look in her eyes as she eyed Zargath.
"Centurion... the assassin has failed. We found his mangled body from the woods when we sent a search party." Zargath reported, standing tall and straight as proper warriors did.
"As I feared..." Zurra said and nodded, "So I suppose the target has reached Hilandir village already..." she said and walked around the tent slightly stressed.
"Most likely, if not destroyed it already..." Zargath replied, getting disgusted images of what he expected the village to look like right now.
"So I have made a mistake... have I not..?" she said, turning to Zargath with a slightly regretful expression. Zargath hesitated for a while, for he did have an opinion, but it was not proper to talk against a superior.
"I am sure you did as you thought best..." Zargath started out.
"Of course I did!" Zurra replied with force, "I always do as I think is best, but sometimes I think wrong, like anyone can!" Zurra spat as Zargath looked slightly surprised and fixed his posture.
"Now... I want you to tell me truthfully... Do you think I acted recklessly?" Zurra asked Zargath with a demanding face. The male was a bit uncomfortable with this rare situation, but did voice his opinion eventually.
"I think you took the wrong approach, centurion." he said bluntly, "The Raven is a master in deception... and cannot be beaten in his own game. That is what I think, centurion."
"So what would you have done?" Zurra asked calmly.
"I would have trusted on a straight force that would have the ability to see and fight through his deception and set him in a fight he cannot expect and therefore... not win."
"You are a very smart orc..." Zurra said to Zargath with a slight grin.
"I thank you, centurion." Zargath said, nodding humbly.
"That sounds like a clever plan, sergeant." Zurra said and turned around walking away from him, "So now that my misjudgement has led to deaths of innocents and unarmed, I dare not risk any more dishonour on my name. Would you carry my responsibility to get the Raven killed, in my stead, so further unnecessary deaths could be avoided?"
Zurra was being serious with the question, this Zargath knew. He knew that Zurra did not see the night elves as more than overzealous enemies, but she had understanding on honour. Killing innocents and unarmed was not something she was fond about, as much a warrior as she was. Zargath understood her and did not shun the desicion. It was not easy to lead a war and the upcoming battle was important. She needed to focus.
"If that is what you wish of me, I will take charge of removing The Crimson Raven from the world once and for all." Zargath said, nodding humbly again.
"Thank you, sergeant. See that the forsaken don't find out, or the warchief is forced to execute us both." Zurra added. "You can go..."
"Swobu!" Zargath said and saluted, leaving the tent.

The road home took way too long. I was beat and dreadfully tired all the way. During the trip, nothing peaked my interest. Most of the time I just sat on my horse or at my place while we camped for the night. Our route took us across Elwynn through Goldshire and towards the east. Resupplying in the town of Goldshire ensured us food and supplies enough to last until our stop by mage tower by the eastern main road leading towards Redridge. I still didn't talk much to the Osprey during the days, for depression and exhaustion had gotten the best of me. Nina and Sabrine? I was too tired to give a shit about those damn lesbians and their blasphemous acts... The Osprey however started to become more cheerful. They had avoided death by inches twice in a week or so and their injuries were healing well. The biggest threat Elwynn had to offer was a couple of miserable bandits, struggling defias filth and such, so it figured that they had started to relax. Another night came above us and we moved from the road to the woods to set up a camp. The men slept in their own larger tent while the women had their own. I however spent my nights in my own tent which Daros had admittedly generously bought me, since the men's tent didn't contain much space and Arthur had the habit of snoring like a dragon. It was perfectly fine for me, for I needed my space. The group was laughing and actually having fun for themselves now, but I was deaph to it all. Not a single word or conversation remained in my mind, so I just finished my evening meal quickly and headed to my tent, trying to get some sleep. Something was missing. I didn't know what it was, but I wanted something... Just something... I returned to the real world when someone entered my tent. To no-one's great surprise, it was Saroni. But I didn't mind her company too much.
"Hi, Bradley... how do you feel?" she asked.
"I feel fine..." I lied looking away while laying on my back.
"Allright, well... can I show you something? Just something I made?" she asked me.
"Sure..." I said, although I wasn't too much in the mood. Saroni was quite much the friendliest towards me from the very day I came across the group and of course I should have been thankful to her for many things, so I didn't at least want to be rude, even though I quite much wanted to sleep right at that moment.The elf carefully crawled to sit next to me.
"Did I... tell you about my hobby?" Saroni asked me.
"Did I not see it first hand on the Osprey?" I asked her. She gave me a smile. I noticed she was holding something behind her back.
"No," she said, "slitting throats and other forms of flesh with a dagger is my job. A hobby is something you don't necessarily need but ENJOY doing."
"You don't enjoy your job?" I asked.
"No." she said.
"Then why do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Slit flesh for living?"
"It's because I'm good at it... and it makes a living easily. As long as there is strife, somebody will want someone dead."
I frowned a bit. I still found it hard to see her as one of the Osprey. So different she was from the rest...
"Are you sure you couldn't switch career?" I asked.
"The Osprey holds the best salary," she replied, "a place to be at, free meals, free healthcare and a family."
At this point I raised my eyebrow. She was so nice and friendly... I believed that she saw the rest as colleagues, companions, even friends... but to take this group as a family? There was something seriously wrong with this girl, I was sure at that point.
"What of your... real... family?" I asked. She darkened her gaze and looked down.
"Conservatists... racists... On top of that, they forced me into marriage with some slimy old rich filth, who I had always hated..." she told me looking sad. I felt for her and my attitude changed rapidly.
"I'm... sorry..." I said.
"It's fine, I'm over it..." Saroni replied, smiling in a strong manner, "My so-called family lived in Theramore and I think they still do. That's why I tend to be a bit on edge while there, they'd probably try to take me back by force, and I don't want to trouble the Osprey or Lady Proudmoore about it."
"So you ran away from gome?" I asked, putting pieces together.
"Correct. Here we get to my hobby..." she said. Taking out what she held behind her back. It was a piece of wood peeled to a slate, that looked like a small silouette of a hawk. I looked at it and smiled. It was very finely crafter and it had a small hole in the head, which apparently was meant for a string of some sorts.
"That's real nice." I told her, admiring the work.
"Thank you." she said with a smile, "It was all the fun I had while in that forced marriage... releasing my artistic self and expressing my feelings in a piece of wood with a knife. All I did with Nolvet - my husband - was formal public appearances, make food, clean the house and... satisfy his needs..."
Saroni took a deep sigh and looked at me.
"It went on and on... until one day I lost it." she said quietly.
"What happened? I asked a bit cautiously. Saroni kept looking at me for a while and turned away again. I was about to apologize for the question, but then she spoke again.
"I had gotten very depressed... I was more a prisoner than a wife. At one point I just started crying every day, for that just wasn't the way I wanted to live... I couldn't sand it..." she said. Then she paused and took another deep sigh before continuing.
"That one evening when I was making another wooden figure... my best yet... he came. He slapped the beautiful figure from my hand, laughing at how "useless" it was to make them in the first place. At that point I cried. He mocked me, hit me and tried to take me by force, even though I really didn't want it..."
Saroni swallowed and continued.
"I lost it... I shouted and hit him with the knife..." she said, a grim look on her usually happy face.
"Where did it hit?" I asked cautiously again. Saroni turned her head towards me.
"Right there."
I shivered when I realized what she meant. That I really didn't want to happen to me and hearing grim secrets wasnever fun to begin with.
"After I realized what I had done, I fled..." Saroni carried on, "I ran to the city after stealing some of his money, spent the night in the inn, fearing they'd come for me..."
"Who?" I asked.
"Our families... His was respecting of him and mine got to a higher standing due to our marriage." Saroni explained. I nodded in understanding.
"They would be vengeful?" I clarified.
"I didn't know WHAT they would have done, but I didn't want to find out. The next day I went out to town in terror, trying to find someone to help me... when I noticed a poster... It said that a band of mercenaries with a boat was holding a sort of a small tournament to pick three new members... I couldn't afford any of Theramore's official boats, so I decided to try to buy and ride from them..."
Saroni smiled again, indicating that this is where her luck turned.
"Daros, meldrinn and Arthur were there... looking over dozens of applicants. Humans, Quel'dorei and a few dwarves... I spoke to them about wanting a ride out of Theramore... that I was being hunter with a strong possibility... I had to be honest, so I told everything. Daros was... very young back then, but only a little different from his current self. He was a bit more lively and he didn't have his metal arms yet.
"How long ago was this?" I asked. Saroni smiled to me again.
"Seven years..." she said. I was surprised of course. Seven years with the mercs and she was still warm-hearted as ever. "Is that even healthy?" I windered. If not, then that was the nicest illness in the world.
"Anyway," Saroni said, "cynical as they are, Meldrinn and Arthur were quick to turn my problems away, but Daros had a grin on his face. He... he told me to participate in the exams."
"Say wha'?" I asked. It did sound like a crazy and careless idea to me.
"I'm being serious. I quote: 'Do your best in the exam and you'll get your ride for free." Saroni said.
I handled what I heard for a moment. I knew Daros very little, but this made him sound very reckless. I decided to listen further though, before making my judgement.
"I was nervous, but desperate. I really didn't see any other choice, so I applied..." Saroni said with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"So you hit the job by an accident?" I asked with slight amusement.
"That is one way of putting it." Saroni replied, "Anyway, the exams were mostly disastrous. I had no fighting experience nor any magical skills. They tested my accuracy, speed, strength, skills, everything I needed and lacked... until the decisive test. I was pathetic at everything until the last exam. For that, we had to combine everything from before and split into teams. I was teamed up with two of my kin. Ilfeth, a strong and encouraging swordsman and Sabrine. Now Daros tried his best to balance the teams, which caused myself to get teamed with one of the best."
"Sabrine?" I asked. Saroni nodded.
"Unlike many that scorned me among the participants, Ilfeth was concerned about me and Sabrine refused to complain." she said.
"So what happened?" I asked. Saroni chuckled.
"She just told me to do exactly what she told me to. And I did. The teams were pitted against each other... and she guided me all the way. She told me when to move, when to strike, when to pull back... and I got out unharmed. Ilfeth's movements were quick and completely synchronized with ours... and we won."
I raised my brows. I could place where the secret to the victory was, but I was very impressed nonetheless. The exam clearly proved that individual skills count for naught if you cannot cope with others with them. Saroni was weak so her group could have been practically down a person, but Sabrine's intellect and reading of the battle turned them... Saroni included into victors.
"So that's when I was recruited along Ilfeth and Sabrine." Saroni told me.
"And Ilfeth is..?" I inquired. Saroni looked sad.
"He fell in the field..." she replied.
"Oh... I'm sorry..." I said regretfully, for she clearly mourned his death.
"It's fine... But... I really just had to give you that slate..." she said smiling, "Look in the back of it."
I blinked and turned the wooden hawk around. On the other side was a carving in common language.
"To Bradley Rockhill, a great person and the one hero of Commodore James Dunham's fleet. Keep your mane glorious and fur thick, for the world is yours to take. Not here to take you."
I read the text and smiled. It cheered me up a little, but less than the realization that Saroni was there for me, despite knowing me very little.
"I... I like it a lot..." I said with my first smile in a long while.
"I am glad you do," she said, "but I think I'll let you sleep now... goodnight..." she said and was about to leave.
"Wait..." I said, for all of the sudden, I didn't want her to leave. It was like she was the only one keeping me sane in my misery. She turned around, looking confused.
"I'd... like you to stay for a bit..." I said to her. I realized that she was my only friend outside Lakeshire right now. She tilted her head to me and kept smiling.
"Allright, well... I suppose it's not that late yet." she said and crawled back, sitting right next to me.
"Is there something else you had in mind then?" Saroni asked me innocently.
"Not really," I replied honestly, "I just enjoy you being here..." I said. Her smile faded, she didn't look upset, but taken... She blushed a bit and blinked her eyes.
"I... like you, that's all..." I said nervously, realizing afterwards that I was surely blushing myself. As I realized it, I blushed even more, looking away. I laughed nervously as I was searching for more words.
"I know it sounds kinda stupid, but..." I managed to stutter as I looked back. I froze when I realized that her face was suddenly much closer.
"I like you as well... very much..." she said, and before I realized, I felt her warm lips against my own.

It's as if the tent was on fire suddenly. I had felt a girl kissing me before, but this was something new. Not only was she an elf, but the girls from home were quite much just having fun, or they somehow else didn't feel too... real. I never knew or learned how a woman's mind works, but she felt more... honest and serious than anyone that had ever kissed me. It was strange, since we had known for very short, there wasn't that much build-up that we shared for this... although she did feel actually fond of me. After a short hesitation, I answered her kiss and wrapped my arms around her gently. For despite all the confusion and coming out of nowhere, I enjoyed it and it filled me a feeling I supposed that I had been longing for. It lasted for a couple of minutes, which felt like a few seconds, and then she slipped her palms under my shirt. That made something ring in my head... something saying against it all. I opened my eyes, grabbed her wrists and pulled her hands away from there. She looked slightly startled and looked at me.
"Wh- what's wrong..?" she asked me. I gave her a reassuring smile.
"Look, don't worry. I meant what I said, I really did." I told her and looked down, "It's just... it feels very sudden... I'm sorry..." I stuttered. I looked at her again and she nodded with a slight smile herself.
"You are right... forgive me, I shouldn't have..." she said quietly.
"No, don't be sorry. It's fine, really..." I told her back. We looked at each other, and both smiled, ensured that everything was allright. As we turned quiet, we started to hear something. Saroni first, with her elven ears. One of the long earleaves twitched as she turned her gaze. Afterwards I heard it as well. I came from the women's tent... sighing, moaning from two females. I didn't need to think twice of what was going on there. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Talk about mood killing...
"Urgh... now I'll never get any sleep in there..." Saroni said sighing. I looked at her.
"Perhaps they'll stop soon?" I said.
"Trust me... they won't... But I feel bad asking them to stop..." Saroni said, rubbing her forehead, sitting still. I nodded, understanding the problem.
"Well... you can stay here for the night if it helps..." I said automatically, "We can still take it easy, you know. You're just... sleeping near me. That's all..." I continued, praying that I wouldn't make it sound like awkward and suggestive. She looked at me warmly.
"I know what you're saying, and... I appreciate it. Thank you..." she said and laid down on her side next to me.
"Uh, you can have the cover... I said, offering the fur that had come with the tent to her.
"I'm used to sleeping without one, under the sky... You need it more..." Saroni said with a slight giggle. It felt like underestimation at first, but my frustration disappeared when I realized that she was right. I sighed and pulled the fur over myself.
"Not before marriage!" I said inside my mind to the annoying one, that was already up and ready.
"Good night..." I told Saroni.
"Sweet dreams..." she told me back.

"I knew all the time..." father told me, "I knew all the time, that if ANYONE survived in the fleet and would crawl back if he was impaled by fourteen arrows... it would be you, son." the old timer said. That praise was all I ever wanted to hear. I was so taken by my family's reaction to my return. Father, mother and Penelope, my little sister of fifteen. We were having a feast in our house and it was damn good to be home. Mother made my favourite food, father had brough my favourite ale... Everything was perfect again.
"Thank you, father. I couldn't be happier to be back to you all..." I said overwhelmed with joy.
"In addition..." father said pointing at me. His large beard made it hard to notice, but he was smiling widely, "Whole Lakeshire has organized a feast in the inn, to celebrate the hero of our town!" he said. It was too much for me to handle, I covered my face and almost shed tears of joy. Mother and sister were shedding those tears already and both hugged me.
"I was so afraid... Welcome home, my baby boy..." mother said while sobbing.
"I knew you could do it, Brad..." Penelope said, sobbing as well.
"Well, let's not make them wait 'Bradley the Rock-Hard' any longer, shall we?" father said and walked to us, beginning to lead us outside of the house. I couldn't wait for all this. I could never imagine this all to be THIS great. Oh how I wanted Saroni to see this... Wait... where was Saroni anyway?

"Rise and shine, Eranikus." I heard Daros' voice. I shook my head and peered around and sighed. I was almost home, but not quite there yet. Daros woke me up from my dream by nudging me with an arcanite knuckle. I sighed and got up from the tree which I was resting against, getting my backpack, which the rest had done already. Arthur was as cynical as always, Meldrinn seemed eager to go... but the rest actually laid their smile on me. Especially Saroni. We hadn't done anything further after that night we kissed the first time about a week ago, but we promised each other we'd discuss it. The main topic would have been meeting each other, for she was with the Osprey while I remained a proud citizen of Stormwind Kingdom. I looked around and smiled widely. It was a dream, but it was the best dream I could have, and exactly what I hoped to see when I got back home. Not that returning could have felt any worse than the dream whatsoever. It was damned good to be in Redridge alone at last.
"Just a couple of hours on horseback and we'll be there." Daros said, nodding and jumped on his horse. Everyone else got on their own as well, me included. Two hours... so little yet so much. The Osprey was in a good mood as the journey was coming to its end. First time in ages, I had a proper talk with them. Two hours felt like nothing, while talking, talking and laughing with them. And suddenly I saw them. The glorious lake, the bridge over it which was still under repairs, and the town which I had learn to call home. I took a deep breath as we stopped to embrace the sight. The end summer was still making its last heat and light waves above the lake, making it glitter. I inhaled the odor of the lake, fresh fish the new shipments of lumber... frankly... smelled like home. I was sure nothing could go wrong this day... ever...
"Smoke..." I heard Meldrinn say as he looked to the eastern reaches of the town.
"What?" I asked, returning from the skies. Daros peered the same way.
"Something's burning real good..." Daros said slightly worried. Everyone else saw it, and I saw it too. Big pillars of black smoke raised up towards the skies from the eastern part of town. Then it hit me... -I- lived in the eastern part of Lakeshire. My eyes widened and I kicked the horse to ride as quick as it was capable. Across the bridge which was at least sturdy enough to ride on, I rode as I had never ridden before. I heard the Osprey follow me with the same pace, but I cared not. I just thought to myself, that everything was fine. Nothing was going to be wrong... not this day... not now...

As I got closer to the area I lived, I heard shouts and saw familiar faces. Friends, neighbours... acquintances... they shouted my name, noticing my return, but they did not sound happy. No... it was just my mind playing tricks... it wasn't possible...
But it was...
As I reached my neighbourhood my heart was impaled by a dozen needles. Every house in the district, including mine, had been burned down and levelled. All that was remaining was smoking ruins that smelled like orcs...
"No..." I said and jumped down from horseback when the horse was still running. I rolled on ground, getting bruises and got up. I ran past all the other houses, reaching mine... or what was left of it. It wasn't even recognizable... it was just burned wood and a pile of shit.
"Bradley..." I heard a woman's voice from the left... I looked that way with eyes frozen with shock. It was Hailey, a neighbour of ours. Behind me I saw Saroni gasp and the rest of the Osprey arriving. I did not turn to look at them.
"Hailey... where are they, I must know!" I urged her. Hailey tugged to her brown hair and looked away.
"I'm sorry, Bradley... they are..."
"Don't lie to me!" I shouted to her, "You lived right next to us, and you're alive!"
My lower jaw shivered as I looked for every last possible reason why my family could still be walking the land.
"I... was out in town when the orcs struck..." Hailey said, tears running down her cheeks, "They caught everyone by surprise... nobody... survived... They have all been buried already..." she told me, ready to burst into tears properly any second now. I shivered, looking at the ruins of my home and realized it. My family had been killed...
"Get lost..." I told Hailey.
"I'm sorry, Bradley... I..." she stuttered.
"I SAID GET LOST!" I raged at her. She looked at me startled and started sobbing, leaving me there. I kept looking at the ruins and dropped on my knees. Their faces... the faces I wanted to see happy upon seeing me again... Father, mother, Penelope... I realized I could never see those faces again. I looked at the ruins, tugged to my head with both my hands, gritting my teeth. I let out a shout... a shout of pure agony and grief. I felt tears run down my dirty cheek as I kept shouting so hard that I expected my lungs to shatter. I felt someone hug me from behind, which I knew to be Saroni, but I couldn't react to it much. I stopped shouting and started sobbing. I hadn't cried in ages, but I suppose that was the time if ever. I cried and didn't care if there was people and the Osprey seeing it. I felt Saroni's sympathy on me through her arms, but it didn't help. Not at all. The rest of the Osprey looked at the wreckage.
"By Elune..." Meldrinn said.
"This isn't funny..." Nina said rubbing her forehead with both hands, apparently feeling sympathy on me as well, "This isn't funny at all..."
"The world rarely is..." Daros grunted, crossing his arcanite arms and standing straight, "We play in the Foul World of Lady Violence, Nina. It's not the most pleasant place to play the game in, but it is what we have. And we cannot change the rules..." the demon said in a deep and serious tone.
"I'm sorry, Bradley." Saroni said on the verge of crying herself it seemed. I knew I had all their sympathies... even Arthur's but at that moment I still felt lonely. More lonely and miserable than ever in my entire long but still short life...