Aris - Fighting Death, Part II

“An’ well, it’s nawt like ya needed ta hear about dinner. It wus nice though--spendin’ time with them. Shame it was that last real time I’d see them fer years.” The woman gave the sky a wry grin. 

She tugged a small flask free from her bodice's hidden pocket and unscrewed it. Tipping it against her waiting lips, she rolled the familiar burning liquid around in her mouth. After a moment, she swallowed and gave a little sigh. "Ain't nuthing like a li'l Gilnean apple brandy ta make ya feel at home."

There was a long moment of silence before Aris grimaced. "Yeah, I know, mum. Straight an' up. I'm doin' better, but… it ain't exactly easy. I still ain't told him the whole of it." Aris took another drink and replaced the lid, holding it in her hands as she drew her knees up and rested her arms on them. She admitted softly, "Maybe I never will."

Aris managed a weak smile. "But yer different. Never met ya, but pa told me a lot of stories. He didn't have a lot of time, but ya must have been wonderful 'cause he wus always talking 'bout ya."

She chuckled, "Pa loved the story 'bout the first time Unca Brogen visited. His brother wus so excited ta meet meh, but I wusn't havin' none of it. I cried and fussed every time ya tried ta pass meh ta him."

"Poor Unca Brogen. Anyways, seems that ya sat by him the entire time, singing an' talking jus' so he could spend time with me. Good thing, too. Ya did good, mum. I spent so many evenin's listenin' ta stories at his knee. I… I think they made meh feel better when ya were gone. I wus too young ta really understand much, 'course." 

She sighed and laid her cheek on one of her propped arms. "I'm wishin' that I could 'member it, mum. Riq says… well, er-said, that it wouldn't have mattered much anyways. He said that even his memories faded in the end. I'm guessin' we jus' aren't made ta linger on ol' voices an' such."

"It's a shame the painful memories like ta stay fer longer. I’m thinkin’ that I would much rather seen ya in my mah dreams than what I often do. Which reminds me… I guess yer wantin' ta know why I didn't see the boys fer a while, huh?” 

Aris took a deep breath and looked up at the gloomy sky. “It wusn't long after that the worgen attacked. I got separated from them as we were helpin' people ta evacuate. I wus fine though. It wus sumthin' else I had ta worry about…"

* * *

Aris heard the cries of alarm as she hurried down the streets of Gilneas. They were empty except for those few still fleeing toward the rallying point, but she was heading the opposite direction. Large furred beasts were everywhere, attacking people randomly. Her heart throbbed painfully as claws scraped the building above her, and she pressed tightly against the wall as the sound passed. 

Her friend's home shouldn't be much further, but she paused at another door as she heard weeping and flinched. Every delay could mean Ardell was in danger or that she'd miss him as he headed to the rally point, but it couldn't be helped. She looked about cautiously and rapped lightly on the door. "Oi. Sum'un in there?"

"Oh! Thank heavens, darlin'! I thought they'd forgotten us!" The door cracked open revealing a woman cradling a small child.

Aris flinched. "Ain't no one fergotten. It's jus' a mess. If'n ya can git ta the square, they're plannin' ta git everyone out. But ya gawt ta be careful. Those wolf monsters are attackin' everywhere."

The mother's eyes widened, and she looked behind Aris. "Ya aren't gonna take us there? If it's that dangerous ‘n all..."

"I… I wusn't sent officially. I wus jus' tryin' ta find a friend." When Aris watched the other woman's expression fall, she ran a hand through her mussed hair. "Ah hell, stay there. I swear on mah life that I'll come back fer ya and anyone else I can on the way back from findin' mah friend."

"And if they git ya?" The woman's small child looked between them anxiously, sniffling as the mother asked her question.

Aris sighed. "Then I'm dead, but ya know where ta go. At least ya gawt a chance knowin' that. They ain't goin' to wait much longer though. If'n I take too long, yer better off headin' out yerself. My friend's house ain't far. Jus' a couple more streets."

The woman nodded slowly. "I… I understand. We'll wait for ya. Be safe." 

Aris returned the nod; the door closed. She stifled a groan, but knew there was no other choice. She mumbled to herself, "Gilneans need ta stick t'gether. The King ain't goin' ta leave anyone behind if'n he can help it. I jus' happen ta be the helpin' hand this time."

She continued her cautious path to Ardell's home. The woman checked several more doors, but these were all silent. Many more were cracked open. There was more than once that she ducked inside a house as she waited for one of the wolf creatures to pass.

Just a few more houses down and then they could make their way back. The sound of movement had her ducking into an alley and crouching in the shadows. She grabbed her dagger with a shaking hand. The footsteps moved closer; there were several this time. Her muscles tensed. Without a door between her and them, they could—

“Shhh. Move quietly and stick together. We’ll have a better chance.” Ardell’s familiar voice made Aris nearly jump out of her skin.

The young woman cautiously edged to see a group of men and women. She caught a glimpse of kids and those carrying the youngest in the center of the group. There must have been a dozen with Ardell at the head of the group. Aris couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips.

She muttered to herself. “‘Course he’s helpin’. Ain’t ever seen Ardell nawt helpin’.” Just as Aris’ shoulders relaxed, she heard the scrabbling of clawed feet above her. 

"Aw shite!" Her head snapped to see a wolfish figure leaning on the overhang. "Oi! Over here!" She leapt out, drawing its attention to her. "Ya hungry? Then chase me!" She spun and ran as the creature snarled and tensed to pounce.

The woman caught a glance of Ardell's worried expression, and managed a grin and wave. She called over her shoulder, "Hit the Connell house on the way! I'll catch up!"

She didn’t catch what he yelled after her as she twisted down an alley to avoid the wolfman’s lunge. Her breath came in rasping gasps, and she grabbed at a pile of wooden crates in a desperate attempt to slow the creature. Aris didn’t stop as they crashed behind her, but she risked a glance only to see it leap atop the mess.

Aris cursed as she rounded onto another street. The monster’s growls crept closer behind her, and legs protested as she pushed harder to run away. Looking sharply side-to-side, the young woman turned toward a path leading to the central square of Gilneas. Scratching claws echoed off the buildings, distorting her ability to tell where the beast was.

She darted around a cellar and skidded to a stop as the wolfman landed on all fours a few yards in front of her. Aris shrieked and scrabbled backwards the way she’d come. Her sweaty hand shifted on her dagger. She’d almost forgotten she had it. If worst came to worst...

"Awooo!" The distant howl made the woman stumble. She collided bodily into a crate by the off-kilter gate leading outside the city. Her dagger slipped from her grasp and skirted across the cobblestone with a loud clatter. The woman looked over her shoulder, eyes wide as the pawsteps behind her stopped.

There was nothing there.

She stayed there frozen and listening, but still nothing. Her breathing slowed, and the woman finally straightened. She stared into the Gilnean streets with a little frown. "Wus it called by that howl?"

"That's no longer your concern." A heavy weight struck the back of her head, and Aris' world tilted as she crumpled to the ground.