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| - Lucia decided she really hated boats. The constant movement, the overwhelming scent of fish and the incredibility cramped quarters were not to her liking. Not one bit. She would have preferred the gentle ride of a zeppelin to this rocking thimble any day. She clutched her stomach and groaned, her head ached and her stomach rolled with the ship. Of course, it didnt help that the solders had booked passage on a fishing vessel instead of the passenger one. Faster they had said, but at this point she didnt care much about being faster. A good side to this ship was that Lucia wouldnt have to step foot on another boat. The fishing vessel was headed for The Menethil Harbour to drop of a load of fish and that cut off a lot of traveling distance. Several of her guard had left her, taking the passenger boat to drop off their missives. She had overheard the tail end of a conversation, before they noticed her and cut it off, something about operatives in the southern barrens and Theramore. She didnt much care about that, she just wanted to be back on dry land. When the Seamans Folly docked in the harbor, Lucia said a fond farewell to her captain. He was a surly, rough man that despite his surliness was still friendlier then the guards she traveled with. He had told her stories while she lay in her bunk overcome with sea sickness of pirates and of the ladies. He gave her instructions on how best to deal with the goblins and how to avoid losing a cargo. Lucia had felt enlightened, bored to tears and corrupted all at the same time. Her face she burned from his lady tales. Her guardians rushed her along, and soon they were back to traveling, but at least it was on dry land. Well, the Wetlands at any rate; and they were exactly that, wet lands. Swampy pools came right to the road, crocodiles wandered in and out, snapping at the toads that hopped everywhere. A light mist had begun to fall and the trip was now, officially and truly: Horrible. By the time they reached the crumbling bridge into the Arathi highlands, Lucias hair was stringy, her robes were sopping and she shared her horse with a bundle of scaly crocodile hides that stank. In the highlands the rain continued to fall, much to her chagrin. Her and her guards took a quick detour to a camp called Refuge Pointe settled in a natural mini valley where yet another of the strange plain envelopes exchanged hands. Then, finally, back on the road which they followed as it led west. Her guard seemed to get more and more jumpy as they went. She was eager to be in Southshore as well. Outside a massive wall the guard pulled forth their weapons and she could see their heads swiveling from side to side; searching everywhere. With a sigh of relief, Lucia finally entered Hillsbrad. She let her eyes wander wherever they would take her. It is such a beautiful place! Her eyes skittered over the strong trees and pretty countryside; they crossed over a wooden bridge that arched over a stream. She saw large turtles paddling along the bank and milling about in and out of the water. She was awed by the sheer loveliness of the place. Her little group wandered off the road and followed the stream south until they reached the human settlement of Southshore. Lucia had arrived in her new home. At first glance it was everything she had dreamed it would be. Built close to the sea it had a little dock you could sit on and enjoy the breeze off the water. Here and there, little gardens were planted with a riot of various strange looking plants. The houses were spaced out and looked wonderful. But there, the illusion ended. The town was so very quiet. Little groups of people were clustered together or rushing about then darting back inside and shutting their doors. It was heavily guarded so that it looked more like army barracks then a town to live in. In the distance Lucia could see the graveyard, huge mounds of freshly dug earth. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw a soldier dragging a body behind him. She paled. This was not a town to live in. This was a war zone under siege! She had been lied to and strung along. She was a fool. The guards she had traveled with clustered tighter around her and ushered her into the heart of the town. Once there one of them handed her a letter and said briskly, The last missive we have to deliver, and good riddance. She stared in shock at him. What? He sneered at her, showing his yellow teeth. We know all about you, harlot. Sympathizer of the horde! You should be put to death for the vile things youve done with that undead in the stockades. It was all I could do to travel this long with you. Enjoy your stay, missy! Im sure youll find the company more fitting to your taste, and he pointed to a mass of horde pushing at the line of defense that was mustered only moments after she arrived. The guards all laughed at her before snapping reins and leaving. Lucia stood stupidly in shock in the middle of the battle torn town. Trembling hands held the plain brown envelope in her hands. Her shaking fingers were failing her, but finally she opened the letter and read. The tears slowly falling off her face to leave little stains on the cruel words within. Lucy, When you receive this you will by then know that you are no longer welcome among your people back here. I would suggest, kindly and with your best interests at heart of course, that you not return. I hope it was worth it. Two weeks ago a letter arrived from my sister, who is by the way, dead. Feel free to inhabit her house if it is still standing. In her letter she informed me of the truth. You are not my cousin, but my half sister. That harlot that called herself my mother bore you and gave you to her sister to raise. Your father had been a drifter and left her dry to go beg my father to take her back. I suppose you get your disgusting nature from her. She was known for her illicit liaisons with the horde, attempting peace she called it. Well, I take the same stand my father took before he died; No quarter, No mercy. There can be no peace as long as the evil beasts walk Azeroth. I am sick that I share even a drop of blood with a horde sympathizer. May you find out their true nature in your new home. Look around you Lucy; that is what they are about. Horde killed my father, horde killed my sister but they may actually serve some purpose if they act as your executioners. Trial by jury Lucy, Judged by your new found peers and sentenced to death. May your dirty soul be cleansed through pain, Jayes Alerion Lamden Proud member of The Legion of Purity and Validity Lucia stared at the words, tumbled off her horse and fell to her knees. Defeated she hung her head and felt her spirit die. Everything she had believed in had been a lie. The beauty she had dreamed of was shattered in the ugliness of truth and for a moment she understood why Kopfjagger killed the living. Lucia only thought of him now. She hoped he would come and be her strength again. Until then she would wait. Until then, she could survive. She looked up at her horse and saw her collection of belongings. Among them were her precious plants that she had intended to plant beneath a new window. Not here, she thought bitterly. She would rather let them die in the pots then in the blood stained soil of Southshore. With a heavy heart Lucia wrapped her hand around the reins of her horse and approached a guard nervously standing about. He pointed her in the direction of her house and went back to his jittery glancing. She just shook her head sadly and let her feet take her to the house. Once she was at the threshold, she began to slowly unpack her meager belongings. She sighed as she set down the pots holding her herbs and left them in the sun to die. ((This part of the story was written in partnership by Kopfjagger and Lucia. I have the honor of retelling it but at least half, if not more, of the creative power comes directly from Lucia even though her name does not appear to the left of the post. *bows deeply to Lucia* Thank you, Lucia, for letting me retell our story, I hope to do it justice.))
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