The Farstrider Enclave  

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When Layla finished her renegotiations with the magistrate, she turned to Lanthios and asked: 

[how did you know?] 

{how did I know what exactly?} inquired Lanthios with a smile 

[that he would give me the spell book… just like that… he didn't even question or give me a look of suspicious other than annoyance…] replied Layla with puzzlement 

{umm… well let's just say it was a feeling… and more importantly, I'll finish my stroll around town and found out some useful information!} replied Lanthios as he reached into his bag, A bag in which also shocked Layla 

[since when did you get a travel bag!] exclaimed Layla with joy 

{funny… I was just about to explain! You see, as you were busy renegotiating with our friend, I went back to town and it turns out, there was a reward for killing that Nerubian leader! 

However, his reward was awful, to say the least… just some old sword and clothing… eeh… so instead I asked if I could exchange the reward for some bags, of course, the man looked at me weirdly and I had to use your name to get him to agree…} replied Lanthios a little bit annoyed at the memories. 

[hhhold on! wait a minute… they actually listened to you!] replied Layla with shock. 

{Oh! Yeah… about that… it wasn't easy but I rather not reiterate all their comments… I didn't think you would want to hear all the nasty stuff…} replied Lanthios 

[I guess you're right… hearing that might have caused me to burn a few 'things'] replied Layla with a dead stare 

Feeling the mood change, Lanthios decided it would be best to change the subject so he asked: 

{did you learn the spell?} 

[umm…oh! Yes, the book made it so easy! But why did you want me to learn living bomb? Weren't there hundreds of spells I could have learned?] replied Layla with a head tilt 

{Yes, but I wanted you to learn living bomb because of its unique property…} replied Lanthios with a grin 

Thinking back on the spell, Layla was puzzled for a moment before asking: 

[unique property? Like what?] 

{that it spreads with it goes boom! Maaha} replied Lanthios with a laugh and his arms wide 

[umm… I don't get it… I don't see how why that is important.] questioned back Layla 

{sigh, Layla think back… what is the mission that the magistrate gave us?} replied Lanthios 

[umm… that we are to go into the towers in Ghostland and maybe Deatholme…but I don't see how…] 

{Listen… Layla… how do you think we are to sneak into towers filled with cultists and gargoyle guards, that mind you… can see through stealth!} replied Lanthios with a raised brow. 

[umm…] 

{exactly!} replied Lanthios with a laugh 

[exactly what? You still haven't answered the question!] replied Layla expurgated 

{Hehe… Layla the answer to your question lies at your very feet…} replied Lanthios crypted-ly 

Annoyed by Lanthios smug grin, Layla looked down at her feet, to see groups of roaches and rats scurrying about! Seeing such pests touching her shoes, Layla grew disgusted as her hand burned with righteous flame! She would have burned them too if Lanthios hadn't stopped her, as it might affect the plan he had in mind later. 

 [why are you stopping me!] screamed Layla as she was held comically by Lanthios. 

{Calm down! You've seen worse! Why are you acting up with just this?} 

[Shut up! It's because I've experienced worse is why I want to kill them!] replied Layla with burning eyes, that covered her hidden tears. 

{yeah, yeah… Look we need them so just calm down!} replied Lanthios as he patted Layla's head in an attempt to appease her mood. 

When she finally calmed down enough, she asked: 

[so, how are these… 'things' supposed to help us in our plan?] 

{simple, you will cast a 'living bomb' on them, and then we send them into the tower for us to spread their gift as it were… Hehe… when our enemy's skin burns, I'm sure they will come out to see what going on… and then hopefully… they too will spread it to their gargoyle guards…} 

[Then we ambush them during the confusion!] said Layla cutting in. 

{yup!} replied Lanthios with a high-five 

[but wait… how are we supposed to get all these bugs into the towers? Are you going to train them?] asked Layla as the excitement dwindled 

Rolling his eyes, Lanthios said: 

{of course not! How in the world would I even do that? Haha... No... silly… we will get a priest and have them Mind control the buggers for us! Maaha} 

[okay… where do we get a priest!] replied Layla 

{finding one isn't the problem... It's paying them!} replied Lanthios as he played with a depressing empty wallet 

Seeing the empty wallet, Layla made a suggestion: 

[umm… maybe I can use my name and…] 

{beg for money?} interrupted Lanthios 

[...] 

{No! You're not going to lower yourself to begging! I won't allow it! Plus, it will only hurt your reputation if we do! And it may even draw weird suspicion… No… I have a better idea!} replied Lanthios with a stern 

[and that would be?] replied Layla with defeated shoulders 

{By doing work! And I just so happen to know a place that is hiring} said Lanthios with his usual grin 

[what place?] replied Layla 

{Farstrider Enclave!} exclaimed Lanthios 

[farstrider? What is that? Where is that?] asked Layla 

{It's a military outpost out here in Ghostland's… don't worry I've already asked around so I know where to go… It just so happened to be just around the corner from Sun Crown Village!} 

[Wait… isn't that the place…] 

{yes… It's the name of the village that the spider took over…. Anyway, we'll head for Farstrider enclave as temporary mercenaries or adventures whichever excuse works!} exclaimed Lanthios with nostalgia. 

Meanwhile at Farstrider Enclave 

[captain Helios…] 

[what is it… courier… what do you have to report… is about the trolls!] replied Helios with seething teeth. 

[No, my lord… it seems two adventures are here, sent by the magistrate himself. And they wish to see you…and one of them is a main member of the Sunstriker family!] 

[I see… welcome them in, let's hear what they have to say.] replied Helios with suspicious eyes, as the Farstrider and the magistrate have been at odds for years now. 

[umm… What is that stuck-up magister planning this time…] thought Helios to himself 

But with those thoughts in his mind, he was shocked to see that his guest was but a child and her slave! Annoyed but knowing he can't just turn away a member of the Sunstriker without just cause, he felt great annoyance that the magistrate would want to waste his time like this! 

[So, is this another of the magistrate games! To send to me a child and mutt?] said Helios angrily 

{with all due respect my lord, the magistrate did not send us to you… we came on our own accord, when we heard the news in Tranquillien, about the recent attack here on Farstrider…} replied Lanthios calmly 

[ehuh! Why is the dog barking? Miss Sunstrike… do you view us so below you that you'll have this... 'Thing' talk to us in such a matter! Guess I'm not surprised... By the action taken by a child!] replied Helios in an extreme tone 

Hearing his words, spiked Layla's rage, but she kept them down, as she figured he was providing a bait to set a trap with his words. 

[Hero Helios… I wouldn't dream of looking down on the heroes who spilled their blood in service to our home… but what my slave has said is the truth, the magistrate only asked us to look into the matters of Deatholme… but we are here for a different matter…] replied Layla very carefully 

[oh! And what matter is that?] replied Helios with raised eyebrows 

[we wish to offer up our service for coin, as we need to hire a priest…] 

[A priest…huh… for what purpose… and no… wait… doesn't the magistrate have priests in their service… why not ask them…and you're a Sunstriker… did your daddy forget your allowance!] replied Helio with a growing suspicion, with a crowd of mockery laughter 

Hearing Helios mention that they could have asked the magistrate to borrow a priest, caused the pair to give each other an awkward side eye! 

[dammit Lanthios! Why didn't we think of that!] complained Layla in her mind before replying with a bow. 

[sigh, your right… I'm a Sunstriker…but with no authority under that name… so I can only latch onto my people's goodwill, who know of its importance… but that is beside the point… the main point is that we need a priest who is not in service to the magistrate… as to why… I cannot tell you… please forgive my rudeness] 

With squinted eyes, Helios digested Layla's words with much scrutiny before an idea popped up in his head. 

[very well... I do owe a Sunstriker a favor… I'll consider my debt paid after this! You two did say you wished to make some coin… right… Okay, I've got the perfect job for the two of you… hell if you succeed, then I'll even throw in a recommendation to a priest I know, that isn't part of the magistrate to help you… how does that sound.] replied Helio with a cunning grin 

[that would be much appreciated.] replied Layla with another bow 

[very well… your mission is to investigate the troll villages Zeb'tale and Zeb'nowa and bring me back the heads of over thirty-six different trolls… and if you should bring me back the head of their chieftain Kel'gash… I'll let you choose something from my personal stash! 

 Oh! And if you have the time… you should check out their catacombs, we believe they may have one of our men captured there… should you bring them out alive I'll pay you extra.] replied Helios with a mocking smile 

With a nod, both Lanthios and Layla agreed to Helio's terms and asked if they could spend the night, as their journey from tranquillien was long and filled with miscellaneous fights. Helios agreed and while they were shown their room, Helios's assistant asked: 

[sir... Why did you give them such a task? Surely you don't believe a 'dog' and child can kill so many trolls… do you?] 

[Ha! Of course not! I expect that child to cry and come begging for our help! But the child aside… her slave is a different matter… his eyes… though a dog, his eyes had a cunning appeal to them… like he expected this to happen or wanted it to… ugh this is why I can't stand the lesser races… 

always scheming like those traitorous humans! In any case, I don't suspect him to be something we can't handle… just send someone to keep an eye on them… after all, having a member of the Sunstriker family die under my watch, a child no less… could prove problematic in the long run.] replied Helios as he planned his invasion of the troll villages with his consorts. 

[it is as you say my lord, but perhaps it matters not… I mean wasn't her mom the one who held all the power? And with her death, I don't see why we need to fear them anymore… I even heard that some of the other members of her family… have started losing favorability with the regent lord.] replied the assistant in whispers 

[even if that be the case… now's not the time to be playing power games… right now we need to do our jobs… and that is to make sure these trolls go extinct here in Ghostlands! Sigh, if only Lady Sylvanas was still here…] replied Helios with a look of remembrance. 

Meanwhile: Inside their room, Layla had the most lavish of bedding, with silk and all fixing, while Lanthios, on the other hand, stood over his 'dog bed', which was one simple bean chair that the Elves used for pets. Of course, it wasn't just any bed, but a premium brand of dog bed that was silvermoons most popular! 

Enraged by the mere sight of this 'dog bed' Lanthios wanted to tear it up like a normal pet, but was stopped shortly after by Layla cute laughing at the situation. 

{well, I'm glad someone is happy!} said Lanthios sarcastically 

[Hehe… it's okay… look we'll share the bed, Hows' that?] replied Layla still in giggles 

{great! I didn't think you would ask! I'm so tried!} 

[wait a minute] screamed Layla as Lanthios was a foot away from the bed 

{what?] replied Lanthios confused 

[you smell! Go take a bath then come back to bed!] replied Layla with a stern face 

To her words, Lanthios sighed as he agreed that he did smell rather bad, with all the rainwater, etc. but then to his horror, he remembered that blood elves' bathrooms aren't really private, and since they are sharing a room…he looked at the tub that was an open concept with a see-through thin purple-blue veil! And began to sweat! 

Seeing his nervous face, made Layla burst out uncontrollably in laughter! 

[Hehe! Come on… what's the problem Lanthios? Were around the same age! Besides it's nothing we haven't seen before…] said Layla with a sudden blush, as she remembered past memories, With an added tone of mockery. 

With defeat evident in his eyes, Lanthios walked up to his dog bed and reluctantly got himself comfortable. 

[pst! You're no fun!] said Layla as she began the bath water 

[what with that look of unbelief? You don't expect me a (girl) to not to take a bath! After all, we've been through… No, I'm taking one! Look away if it bothers you so much… puff, they were so nice to even give us a pair of new clothing…] continued Layla with no shame 

While Layla bathed, she would occasionally peek to see if Lanthios would sneak a 'peek' but ultimately, he was a good boy and was actually about to fall asleep until Layla asked: 

[Hey, Lanthios… why didn't we ask the magister to borrow a priest?] 

{ugh… honestly, I didn't think of it… but now that you say something… it's probably better that we didn't} replied Lanthios half asleep 

[umm... Is it because you're worried that the magister will take away one of the rewards?] replied Layla with a deep thought expression 

{Oh! I didn't even think of that one… that is also a good reason… no, my reason was that he might try to take all the credit, by having the priest slander us or something…

hell, I wouldn't even put it past the man, to order the priest to interfere with our investigation or send him secret info, or just straight up betray us at a critical moment… Like, let's say he 'roaches out' when things look bad and leaves us to die.} replied Lanthios 

['roaches out'] said Layla softly to herself confused by the terminology 

{it's nothing, the important thing is that tomorrow we need to be mindful of our handlers, who will be joining us.} replied Lanthios 

[handlers? Ugh, more politics! Just great!] said Layla as she stared into the night moon. 

[was my acting okay... Lanthios…] said Layla after some time 

{...} 

But all she heard back was Lanthios's deep snoring! So, she just continued to look out the window with future worries on her mind.