Julean - Chapter two

The sounds of the campfire sparkled quietly as Julean stared into the lively fire, she couldn't get her thoughts off on those last few days. She recently had been forced to leave her farm, her family and now she had no one left. Her little sister, Cymeth, had left a few weeks ago and that had taken a hard blow on their parents. Neither of them nor Julean knew where Cymeth was. She could be dead, maybe been taken as a slave or just living her life in glory. One stock crumbled into ashes, it was late in the night and Julean couldn't sleep at all. She could possibly just mount Tempest and ride away but they would eventually get her back again. Slowly turning her eyes to look at Priestess Josetta, she bit her underlip. Why'd they do this to her? She knew she was more than just a farmer girl. But she'd never imagine being an priestess of the light. No. She shook her head. She wanted to be a fierce warrior. Not some... puny woman in a white robe. She snorted for herself and dragged up her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, resting her head on the kneels, a tear slowly running down on her cheeks. She wasn't freezing, and they had passed the border of the Highlands to Wetlands just a day ride ago. Wetlands, she never liked the name of it. This place probably was cursed with icky stuff. And murlocs.
”Tha's a promise...” She quietly murmured for herself. She sure was going to keep that promise, she would come back one day to the farm, to her family. And hopefully would Cymeth be there aswell. She missed her little sister, and she was just getting all more worried over her now that she was gone and haven't heard a word from her.

The man that was keeping the priestess company came back and noticed Julean sitting by the campfire. ”Why aren't you asleep yet, kid?” He clearly had been running a bit, according to his heavy breathing and Julean just glanced at him for a second but decided to just ignore him and muttered for herself that she wasn't tired. The man shrugged and walked to Josetta to check on her. She was asleep, which was expected and he nodded before leaving them both again for another patrol. He always seemed on his guard. Probably was for the best anyway.
”Cymeth... I 'ope tha' yer doin' better than me rite now.” Julean murmured, letting out an sigh. The sound seemed quite calm, so far there wasn't any attempts on any ambush on them, only the quiet buzzing sound from all the bugs around them – and that soldier patrolling the area. Julean was startled by Josettas' voice. ”Why aren't you sleeping, Julean?” She didn't answer to Josetta, no. She stood up and then went to her felt and laid down. She huttered a little but took the extra felt and dragged it over her and Tempest slowly walked to her, sniffing a little. Julean smiled, stretched out her hand and patted her horse on the muzzle.
”I'm fine, dear. Jus' freezin' a lil'. 'S cold out 'ere.” She explained to Tempest, ignoring Josetta who only sighed and then looked for her companion.

The smoke were standing high in the darkblue skye, it was late in the evening. Julean breathed hard, she had been running for a while and couldn't find Tempest anywhere! She was sure she had him here, exactly at this spot! There was no time too loose. She sprinted towards the farm, only too see the fire engulfing the houses, the stable. She could hear the horse screaming, her nostrils was filled with the burned flesh of the animals. There was no time to loose! Julean ran to the opening where it should've been a door, which was hanging in the hinges. She coughed as the smoke filled her lungs and crouched down, calling out for anyone that was in there.
And she could hear it faintly, someone was calling her name. ”Jul-ean..” It was barely that she was able to hear from where it came from, but definitely was near. She moved carefully closer, jumping away from the spot to avoid a big log fall over her. She coughed again and hold up a piece of cloth over her mouth. There was someone just infront of her, she just couldn't see who it was.
”Jul-ean.. 'elp..” Julean could hear the words clearly in her head. She carefully pushed away the remains of the table in the room half sprinting towards the person infront of her and then sat down on her knees, being close enough to see her sisters face, an their parents laying unconscious behind her.
”Cymeth?! Wha' happn'-” she was interrupted by another log that falled down next to her and she tried to move Cymeth away from the spot, but Cymeth flesh slowly started to fall off from her body, as if she was burning up and when she tried to speak the.. creature only tried to speak with a hoarse voice. No words that could been reckognized. Julean noticed the bodies of her parents, their clothes were ripped apart and their bodies had rottened. She gasped, holding both her hands over her mouth and almost felt as she was going to vormit from the stench coming from everything. She hadn't noticed it at first. Then she felt something digging into her neck.

”NO!!” She cried out, startled as she sat up. The sun were shining and she was sweating and felt cold. Julean looked around herself, the soldier had made an campfire, probably for preparing the breakfast. She huttered and wrapped the arms around her and bit her underlip.
”Julean, what's wrong? You've been screaming for the last few minutes..” Josetta asked, with an hint of being worried in her voice but Julean shook her head, not wanting to talk about it. It was nothing Josetta could do, but she had prepared some tea for the child. ”Here, have some tea atleast, we must be going soon again.”
Julean nodded, taking the cup of tea in her hands. It was warm, Julean was about to drop it but shook her head to get the images out from her head. It was just a dream. A dream! Trying to think of something else sipped she on the tea, it was tasty. Green tea, with some taste of honey in it.
”I've sent an letter to the other Priests' in Northshire saying we will be there in 'least a week. It should probably take less if we get no trouble. ”Josetta's guard repoted and she gave him a nod and stood up on her feets. ”Prepare the horses, we'll be leaving in a few minutes.” She then turned her eyes to Julean. ”Drink up your tea, dear. We still have a long journey ahead of us.” Julean sighed, but nodded, still not wanting to go but quickly drank up her tea, almost burning her tongue in the haste aswell.

Josetta looked up at the sky, they had been riding for a about three days now since they left Juleans' family on the farm. Three days, and only a few more if they were lucky. A few drops started to fall down from the sky, a bad sign of a storm coming. And it didn't take long until the sky broke down on them all three. It started to thunder and rain heavily. ”We need to find somewhere to stay! We can't go on like this!” She yelled out to be heard. Like the solder had been expected a weather like this he yelled back to her, ”There's a house not too long from here! We could stay there untill this storm is over, priestess!”
She nodded in agreement and gave the sign for setting into gallop. They all three shoved their heels in their horses sides and soon were in full gallop. ”Hiyaah!” They could also hear orcs starting yelling behind them and Josetta cursed. She had hoped for a journed without trouble. But to her suprise one orc soon falled down backwards, some had hit his head, he was bleeding badly! The corpse falled down with a thud in the mud, the other five orcs continued to run, even more furious now. Battlecries could been heard from them, screaming by full throats. Another bang came from infront of them, Josetta reckognized it as a gunshot and then another orc falled down to it's knee but quickly stood up again, not giving up. When she looked forward she could see three dwarves with guns and axes. She chuckled for herself quietly.
”GET 'EM, LADS!” One dwarf yelled, firing out another shot with his gun, missing the orc but made another quick shot and was more successful this time with downing one orc. The other two, one female dwarf, slowed down the other orcs. Fortunately for them did the orcs soon give up, heavily injured from all the shots. As for Julean, Josetta and her guardian, they were safe now, slowing their horses down.
”C'mon! Ye can't stay outside fer much longer ye wimps!” The dwarf yelled to them. Josetta wasn't late with answering them with her gratitude, leading her horse with the other two to the stables before they went into the house. It was warm inside, but their clothes were drenched by the rain. Julean were huttering even more now and sneezed.
”Ahh, yer sure are lucky! A storm like tha' won't end 'til after a few days so yer stuck 'ere.” The dwarf said, chuckling a little as he pulled down a hood, nodding to them all. ”Aye, Ashlan Stonesmirk 's mah name, lasses – an' lad.” Ashlan said, then introdoucing the other male dwarf as Einar Stonegrip and the female as Bethaine Flinthammer. Josetta curtseyed and told the dwarves their own names, turning her head to Julean who sneezed again and seemed to look even worse than before. ”And... Miss Droverson seems to need something warm to drink, maybe a warm blanket together with a warm cup of tea? Please sit down infront of the open fire, child.” Julean bit her underlip, huttering and wanted to complain and but sneezed again and sat down infront of the fire. Bethaine came to her and wrapped a warm blanket around her smiling gently. ”Yer'll be fine soon, child. We'll take care o' yae while yae are 'ere.” Julean returned the smile and closes her eyed, wagging back and forth a little as she was freezing. She was sitting on a thick bear pelt, it made her legs feel a little warmer but she had to take off her clothes. Glancing over at the males in the house she quietly asked to Bethaine to tell them to turn around while she undressed.
”Aye aye, yae bettah get tha' out frem tha' clothes, lass. Unlucky catchin' tha' cold rite now.” Ashlan chuckled, turning around with a smirk. Josetta wasn't late with taking off her own clothes and she studied Juleans body. It was noticable the child had been training hard, but she still had the feminine body. Josetta sat down next to Julean and took the blanket she was handed by Bethaine and smiled. ”Thank you, miss Flinthammer.” Bethaine just chuckled and shook her head, saying she could just be called Beth and Josetta nodded. ”We will stay here just for a few days, we must continue immediately.”
The males turned around, ”Aye. But yae will stay 'ere then fer 'least a few days. Depends on tha' weather.” Einar said. There was nothing to do about it and Julean soon laid down on the bear pelt, closing her eyes. She felt exhausted, even if she just had been sitting on Tempest' back so didn't she get much sleep last night. She soon falled asleep and Bethaine put over another blanket to keep her warm. That night Julean slept without any interruptions, which was a good sign for her in Josettas' eyes. She had to be up on her feets soon as possible.

Two days passed, but the storm was still going on. There was nothing for them to do about it, but Julean was atleast feeling better. She was sipping on a warm ale they had given her, Josetta was against at first but Julean ensured she would be fine with just one, when she actually took three. Even at her young age so had she been drinking before, without her parents knowing of course. She spent most of her time staring into the fire. That dream she had, on the first night away from home. It was still in her head.
”I bet tha' storm 's ovah in two days, we can escort yer te Ironforge, will go much faster fer ya tha' way.” Offered Ashlan them. Josetta was about to complain but it was the least they could do for showing their gratitude to the dwarves. She nodded and then had a warm cup of tea herself, she had recently made it and took a sip. When they got to Northshire should Julean have a day to rest before they begun their training. The dwarves were playing tricks for Julean, as she being the only child here, singing songs and tried to make it a good time for them all as they waited for the storm to be over. Julean found them amusing, they were also kind, which only showed that they were safe with those people.

The storm slowly were going away. The sun poked out from the clouds down on the ground. Tempest were stomping on the ground, clearly wanting to go already to wherever they were going too. Julean felt much better, but she still seemed a little weak, why Josetta had no idea. They all three mounted up, the dwarves had prepared some rations to them for their journey. Everything from bread to some ale and salted meat. It probably was too much since when they got too Ironforge, then there was only the for them to take the tram to Stormwind.
”A'rite lads an' lasses. Let's go! An' slay every o' those cursed Dragonmaw orcs ye see!”
They were soon off, up for the tunnels towards Loch Modan.

Under the whole journey was Julean quiet, her mind were going on everything that had happened. What would Saihna say when she found out? And Cymeth? She sighed, leaning over Tempest neck, gently patting the horse on the side. ”'Least 'ave ye, dear.” She murmured into his ear.
They soon came to the gates of Ironforge, this time were they lucky enough with the weather. It wasn't snowing or any bad storm here.
”Aye, we've arrived, yae'll be fine now?” Ashlan asked, peering at Julean and Josetta nodded. Confident that Julean had enough strength for getting to Northshire with them. ”Yes, thank you, master Stonesmirk. We owe you all one for this. Please, do come to Northshire Abbey and seek me out anytime.” Einar just shrugged but it was Bethaine who spoke out, before Ashlan said anything. One could see he had something in his mind.
”Jus' treat us on yer ale when we come by, aye?” Josetta smiled with a nod. It was a cheap price, but when it came to dwarves, it could turn out to be quite expensive. Which probably should be more than enough as payment. Hopefully.
”Of course, I'll do that. Until then, light be with you all.” She curtseyed for them all and soon they all three went towards the tram.

They had to lead their horses onto the platform, Tempest was the one who were most scared of it, not seen anything like it before. His hooves clampered against the metal platform and he neighed loudly. Which ended up in a echo in the long tunnel. Julean looked around carefully, not prepared for the quick start so Josetta holded a arm around the girl and smiled warmly. ”We're almost there. It's just outside Stormwind.” With that said, Julean peered at the glass and her eyes went wide. They were under the water?! She gasped, and the guard chuckled lightly under his breath. ”Don't have to worry, kid. The gnomes have ensured us this is quite safe to travel with.”
They soon came to the end of the tunnel, the platform stopped with a 'pshh' sound and Tempest was probably the happiest one to get off that plattform. Josetta didn't waste any time standing here and lead Julean out from the tram, to the dwarven district.

The District however stank, it was smoke everywhere and it made Julean even more nervous. Her dream came up in her head again and she murmured a 'no!' walking close to Josetta. She leaded them to the canals, noticing that Julean didn't like being in the dwarven district at all. ”Welcome to Stormwind, miss Droverson. This will be your home later, when you've grown up a bit.” Explained Josetta. Julean could see alot walking along the canals, she tried to see if there was any fish in there, but didn't see anything. Boys were running around playing with each other, some were fishing. There were guards patrolling and then soon came into the trade district. There were alot of people there. Some even tried to sell things to her but Josetta shooed them away from her and sighed.
”Some people think everyone has money to buy their things.” Clearly she was slightly annoyed over all the people here. Juleans attention went to a man who yelled out about selling swords and training. She smiled, there was a man she was going to poke later. When she was able too, that is.

Josetta saluted the guards at the gates of Stormwind as they entered Elwynn Forest. Birds were singing, people seemed to duel each other just for fun, and it looked like they tried not to hurt each other too much. It almost was like at home, in the highlands. But she only felt more depressed. She missed her parents and her home.
It didn't take them long though to get too Northshire Abbey. Was this going to be Juleans' new home? The priests and guards greeted her happily, and they walked inside the small cathedral.
”Welcome, apprentice Droverson, we've been expecting you. You probably are tired, get some rest. Your training will start in a few days.” Was Julean greeted with. Was this her new home? How would she be able to live here? She swallowed hard and was lead up to a room. Josetta opened the door for Julean. She looked in, it was atleast ten or twelve beds here. One looked to have recently been fixed.
”Here will you be sleeping with the other girls. Try get some rest now, dear. I'll come by later and check on you. And I'll get some food for you while I am on it.” Julean nodded slightly, mumbling a thanks to Josetta and then walked inside, slowly to a unused bed in the back of the room. She put down her bag and sat down on the bed. Julean Droverson, that was her name. She sighed, slowly fell down on the bed and cried. She had been holding it inside her for so long. Would she ever see her parents again?