A/N: We're Back! For now, I guess :P Apologies for the hiatus and what I'm sure to be is more, but we got Episode #8 here ready to go! This episode wasn't meant to be as long as it was but it just sorted played out the way it did and before I knew it, it was over 40 pages! This went through a lot of rewrites and changes as nothing I came up with was satisfying, but I finally managed to sink into something I liked and built on it.

I feel this episode might display a little rust on my part as I have had such lack of motivation when it comes to writing lately. But I've been in a writing mood for the last few weeks and I was able to get it done. Hope you enjoy!

Exploding Sheep

Episode 8 - The Whistler

"And when they had returned home, there on the carriage door handle was...a hook!"

"So?"

"Don't you remember? The creepy elf that chased them around? He had a hook for a hand!"

"You said it was an axe."

"Oh...I guess I got the Tale of the Hook mixed up with the Ballad of Wendell McAxe-Hands."

Aema grabbed her forehead in exhaustion but said nothing, settling for a growl. The sun had begun to disappear over the mountains as they traveled the road, and Kayden had opted to annoy her with telling ghost stories. Why that of all things, she had no idea. But this was Kayden. His entire existence was a complete mystery to her in general.

"I hope your memory fares better with the map," she hissed at him.

"Oh, don't you worry about that," Kayden yawned, clasping his hands behind his head. "I've traveled to Quel'Thalas enough times that it's burned into my brain. I'll get you there."

"Before Gervais, remember?"

"Well, our success in that venture would be much more plausible if we had crossed the river. Remember?"

Aema snarled at him, but kept walking. She didn't need to be reminded of that embarrassing ordeal yet again or the events that followed. The duo kept along in silence, shadows stretching along the road as the sun continued to sink. It wasn't until twilight had settled in that Kayden spotted something along the road.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing towards the object.

As he and Aema approached it, they could see that it was a road sign, a tall beam of wood with an arrow atop pointing straight ahead. On the arrow were the words Goldshire etched into its surface. Aema let out a breath of relief.

"Finally," she sighed. "Once we're there we can stock up and have a real meal for a change."

"You saying you don't like my soups?" Kayden frowned, hands on his hips.

"Discovering what you put in your soups terrifies me more than Deathwing destroying the entire planet," Amea muttered before continuing past the sign.

"My soups are good! And the main ingredient is love!"

"Shut up and let's go!"

Chuckling to himself, Kayden obeyed, falling back into step with the worgen. Their footsteps rang softly on the stone paved road, and in the darkening distance they could see lights twinkling like gold in the night. It wasn't much longer before the tall buildings and houses of Goldshire could be seen, their path now illuminated by tall street lamps. Aema picked up her pace. She could practically taste the ale and roast beef they served at the Lion's Pride Inn. It wasn't until Kayden and Aema crossed over the threshold into town that they began to slow their pace. It wasn't too much long after that they completely stopped. Both man and wolf surveyed their surroundings and something was immediately amiss.

There wasn't a single person on the street.

Both Kayden and Aema shared a glance. Goldshire was a rather decent sized town, and was often busy all times of the day with locals, traders or wandering adventurers. But as of this moment, it seemed completely barren.

"This…is weird," Kayden uttered, scratching his head.

"Where the hell is everybody?" Aema asked herself.

There was no answer but the eerie low whistle of the wind. Kayden wandered over to a nearby house and found all of its windows boarded up from the inside. But he could make out faint light between the cracks. He rapped on the glass.

"Hello? Anyone home?" He received no reply and frowned. "Huh. It looks like they're trying to keep something out…" he said, running his hand through his hair.

Aema's left ear twitched, and she turned her head over to the northwest side of town. She began to march down the road, ears turning and flickering. Kayden followed her, jogging to catch up. Aema stopped and let her ears search the area again before taking a left down another street.

She rounded another barren corner where she suddenly stopped, Kayden almost crashing into her. Her ears swiveled once more and she turned to her left. There was a darkened alley, away from the lamps that lit the street, and Aema slowly moved into the shadows. Scratching his beard, Kayden followed her to a staircase attached to the building next to them. Aema knelt down at the foot of the steps, her blue irises scanning the darkness between each step. She then did something Kayden would consider rare for the worgen. She smiled warmly and held out her hand.

"It's all right," she spoke with warmth and sweetness. "You can come out. I won't hurt you."

Kayden stared at this bizarre display of gentleness in amazement, but soon turned his head back to the stairs where he spotted a small figure in the shadows. Slowly the figure moved, coming around the side of the steps and stepping out to where the duo could see. It was a little girl, no older than six years old with dark red hair and a silver and blue dress. She stared at them both with fearful hazel eyes. Kayden put on the friendliest smile he could.

"Hey, sweetheart," he addressed in the same manner as Aema, "what are you doing out her all by yourself?"

The response he received was enough to make both him and the worgen flinch as the girl suddenly let out an ear piercing shriek that echoed through the entire alley and out to the street. "Look what you did!" Aema hollered at him over the girl.

"What?! What did I do?!"

Before Aema could cuss him out or attempt to calm the girl, there was an explosion of raised voices that resonated from all around them. From out of the darkened corners of the buildings and from barred doorways of houses, figures with torches and weapons burst forth, and Aema and Kayden soon found themselves with weapons of all sorts pointed in their direction. Men garbed in steel armor surrounded them, their colors proudly sporting the golden lion of Stormwind. Kayden cleared his throat and offered an uncomfortable wave.

"Uh, greetings, gents. What's the good word?" He felt a sharp sting from the flat side of a sword slapping against his shoulder.

"Shut it, scum!" the footman ordered. "Tried to nab yourself another one, eh? Didn't think we'd be smart enough to lay a trap, eh? Eh?"

"...Are you actually asking me, or are you just saying things?" Another slap against his shoulder. "Ow! Stop it!"

"What is going on here?" Aema demanded to know. "What's with the hostility?"

"Don't play dumb!" another footman sneered. "We saw you trying to steal away with that girl. I should have known a worgen would be a culprit. Now, what did you do with the others?"

"We weren't trying to steal her, and what others? What are you talking about?"

"Hold your lying tongue, beast! You'll need it when at the mercy of the Marshal when he hands down your sentencing. Now, move!"

Aema and Kayden were roughly pushed back onto the street and escorted into the center of town. They exchanged annoyed looks, not at all pleased to be at the mercy of yet another mob. The little girl that they had found followed them from a distance, desperately wanting to see what would happen to these criminals. Aema instinctively reached for her daggers, but a sharp poke to her back from a sword dropped her hands back to her sides. "Don't even think about it, wolf," came a harsh voice in her ear. She growled in ire, but did as she was told.

It wasn't long before they reached the familiar sight of the Lion's Pride Inn, every window emanating bright lamp light. Shapes of bodies could be seen in each one, suggesting it was a busy night. Aema and Kayden were pushed towards it, two soldiers ahead of them opening up the front doors. A wave of heat and noise hit them to which they barely had time to react as another rough shove sent them forward. Stepping inside the inn, Kayden and Aema looked around to discover not only the noise, but the reason for the empty streets and buildings.

The Lion's Pride Inn was filled to the brim with townsfolk. From the main floor to the upper floor, bodies of all shapes and sizes faced the center of the inn. They all shouted in a jumbled mess of words, shaking fists or waving their arms. There were children present, all wide eyed and hiding in the secure grasps of their parents. In the center, standing on a table, was another man in Stormwind armor surrounded by more footman. This man was older, wisps of grey streaking through his short light brown hair and goatee. He held up his hand to silence the roaring crowd.

"That's enough!" he hollered. "I understand your concerns and the severity of this situation, but my men and I are doing all that we can."

"You need to do more, Marshal!" a man on the upper floor shouted. "My little boy was taken last week! And the Crowstone's lost their twins the week before!"

An eruption of voices sharing in the man's opinion as well as his loss came forth.

"I assure you we are putting our best effort into it, but we can only do so much with so little information."

"Marshal! Marshal Dughan!" the guard in front of Kayden and Aema yelled, catching everyone's attention. "We got 'em!"

There was a collective gasp of surprise as everyone leaned over the rails above and the people below all stood up on chairs and tables to get a look at their culprits. Marshal Dughan stepped off his table and marched forward, pushing people out of the way. He stood before his men, eyeing Kayden and Aema before turning to the footman. "Where did you find these two?" he asked.

"Outside the tailor shop, sir. Fell for the bait just like we said they would."

Dughan frowned. "I told you not to carry out that plan. The children are not to be put in harm's way."

"I-I know, sir," the footman replied sheepishly, "but it worked! We got the vagrants right here for you!"

"Regardless of who you have caught, you disobeyed my orders. That's two weeks pay deducted and latrine duty."

"A-Aye, sir," the footman mumbled, face red with embarrassment. Marshal Dughan turned to Kayden and Aema, his eyes darted between them again before crossing his arms.

"What are you two doing in Goldshire?" he asked.

"We we're just passing through. Stop at the inn, maybe spend the night. That's all." Aema answered.

"A human and a worgen, eh? Don't see that every day." The man looked them both up and down before setting his hands on his hips. "What were you doing with the girl?"

"We found her hiding in what looked like an empty town. We wanted to help her," Aema declared loudly so that all may hear.

"She's lying, sir," another footman interjected. "She's a bloody worgen and I heard that they eat children on a full moon." Aema made a face of disgust and held in her malice, but was surprised when she saw the Marshal sharing in her expression.

"And where did you happen to come upon such intel, Brewster?" Dughan snorted.

"Why, it's common knowledge, sir!"

"To whom? Superstitious den mothers and ignorant fools? Don't be an idiot, Brewster," he spat. The footman appeared shocked but said no more, ending his gaze down to his feet. Marshal Dughan turned back to Aema who regarded him with curiosity. "Relax, wolf. You'll not be persecuted due to your race or such folktale nonsense. Not by me at least. You're a member of the Alliance and so shall you be treated as one." Aema said nothing but nodded her head in appreciation. Kayden elbowed her and flashed a smug grin. The wolf rolled her eyes. "That being said, I still need to take precautions due to recent…incidents. You two have names?"

Kayden opened his mouth to answer but Aema slapped a hand over it. "We're a bit private on such matters when it comes to strangers. You'll forgive us if we keep that to ourselves," she said respectfully.

"That might suggest you have something to hide. Perhaps now is not the best time to be secretive."

"Interpret it as you will, but seeing as you already find us suspicious I doubt the knowledge of our names would make much difference in the matter."

The elder man regarded Aema with a skeptical gaze but simply nodded. "Perhaps so. Now, you say you only just arrived in Goldshire?"

"Yes."

"I see. Walt!" A soldier from behind the Marshal came forth. "Bring the witness." The man saluted and disappeared into the crowd. There was a rumble of mumblings that traveled through the inn upon the appearance of these two strangers from the night. "As much as I wish I could say I believe you, I'm afraid I need a little more than your word. You understand."

"As if we'd have much of a choice?" Kayden sighed.

A moment later, the footman returned with a rather elderly and short man. His face was a map of wrinkles, skin cracked from time in the sun. An old grey cap was fitted upon his head and an eye patch placed over his left eye. Marshal Dughan brought the old man closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Now then, old man, are these two what you saw the night the girl was taken?"

The man peered at both Kayden and Aema with his good eye, first focusing on Kayden. He looked him up and down before shaking his head. "No, the damn thing definitely wasn't human."

All eyes turned to Aema, and she could feel the weight of the inn's stares. "And her?" Dughan asked. Again the old man took a good look at Aema, squinting all the while.

"Hmm, it was foggy that night, but…" Everyone waited with baited breathe, but after a moment he shook his head again. "No, she's too small. The thing I saw was taller, more hunched, and it stunk to high heaven. I'm telling you, it's one of those damn gnolls! It has to be! I could hear the thing whining, like it was singing a damn song!"

"It's the kobolds!" someone from the back of the inn shouted.

"No, it's those Creepy Goldshire Children!" a woman from above yelled.

Once again, the inn exploded in a powder keg of disputes. Marshal Dughan tiredly rubbed his forehead. As he attempted to regain order of the frightened people around him, there was the sudden sound of the inn doors slamming shut. It was so loud, everyone turned towards the noise. Upon doing so, they discovered an old grey haired woman, wrapped in a thick wool cloak standing before them. Her face was sleek with a sharp nose and prominent cheek bones, a few wrinkles running through her pale skin. Dark brown eyes flowed over all that she could see, and the woman slowly walked into the hall.

"Fools," she hissed. "You're all fools to shout out your accusations of gnolls or kobolds." Angry eyes swept across the inn as she addressed all who dwelled within. "This is the work of a creature far worse. A creature from another plain of existence; one that claims the souls of the young and innocent. You know of whom I speak! The Whistler has come!"

"Oh, Gods…" Marshal Dughan groaned in contempt, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"The Whistler?" Kayden spoke aloud, face scrunching in confusion. The old woman's eyes snapped over to him, and Kayden felt a chill run down his spine once they rested over his form.

"It comes in the dead of night," she said, her voice low and scratchy, bony fingers spread out towards him. "It comes with a fog that carries its song to the children. A haunting melody that leads them to their doom."

"That's enough, Mary!" Dughan yelled, pushing his way past Kayden to confront her. "This town is struggling enough and we don't need your stories making things worse."

"It is no story!" the woman screeched. "It is an evil from old times and it is very real, Marshal Dughan."

"It is nothing more than a fairy tale. There is a logical explanation, one that I will uncover and put an end to, of that I can assure everyone."

"Just like you assured me, Marshal? That you assured my Sam would be safe?" the elderly woman whispered, venom and resentment dripping from her tongue. Marshal Dughan did not reply, his face taking a somber and ashamed visage. "You failed him just as you have failed the children of Goldshire." She turned back to the townsfolk, dark eyes blazing with ire. "This is a punishment…Punishment to all who have sinned! The Whistler takes your children and you pay the price with their blood!"

The children scattered around began to sob in terror, their cries flowing over the crowds and another onslaught of voices came forth. Some yelled at the Marshal while others threw out insults to the old woman. "Get her out of here!" Dughan commanded, his voice hard and furious. Two footmen grabbed the woman by the arms and begun to drag her away.

"The Whistler comes! It comes and will not stop until every last child has been taken into the Abyss!" she cried before disappearing through the doors she had entered in.

The Lion's Pride Inn continued on with choruses of shouts, accusations, and pangs of grief. Marshal Dughan threw his hands up to silence the people though he had to wait a few moments for results. "Pay no heed to what you have just heard. It is the ramblings of an old woman consumed by her grief. There is a culprit of flesh and blood that is responsible for these heinous cries and we will find them and your children. I give you all my word." That answer did not seem to meet the approval of most as they started another round of shouts and hollers. Dughan motioned to his guards and they began to file out of the inn. He turned to Kayden and Aema and said, "It seems you two are clear. If you wish to stay at the inn then you may do so. I only ask that you keep a keen eye open and if you witness anything strange in the slightest that you report to me immediately."

With that, he spun on his heel and left with the rest of his men, their armor clanking loudly with each step. The shouting eventually ceased, dying down to mutterings as people began to leave the inn, clutching their remaining children close to them. Kayden scratched his head and frowned. "Well…That was a scene."

Aema did not reply. Her attention was focused on a little girl who stood amongst the passing residents. She seemed a tad younger than the girl that had first encountered, with short black hair that barely reached her shoulders. She looked around fearfully with watery blue eyes, clutching a doll made of straw tightly to her chest. Aema slowly approached her and the child looked up at her in both fear and fascination. The worgen smiled, her usually hard features now soft and warm.

"Why, hello there," she greeted the girl kindly, kneeling down so that she wouldn't look so intimidating. "You look troubled. Did you lose your parents?"

The girl sniffed and tugged on the pleats of her forest green dress before nodding. "I can't find them," she croaked shyly.

"Well that's no good. I'm sure they're here looking for you. Would you like me to help you find them?" Aema asked, tilting her head with another smile. The child looked her over again with caution, but her body slowly relaxed and she nodded. Aema held out a friendly hand for her and just as the child was about to take hold of it, she was wrenched away violently.

"Stay away from my daughter, you monster!"

Heads turned at the outburst to witness a woman holding her daughter protectively in front of a surprised worgen. The woman looked beyond terrified, her eyes staring at Aema with malice and resentment. Aema just shook her head as she stood up.

"I was just-"

"Keep your cursed hands off our children! Goldshire has had enough tragedy and I don't need my daughter becoming one of…of…your kind!" the mother spat.

Aema's surprised expression soon melted back into her common scowl as her veins burned with ire at the woman's ignorance. With a barrage of insults on the tip of her tongue, Aema stepped forward to unleash them but stopped when she noticed the entire inn staring at her. They all shared the mother's expression and held their children even tighter now. So much fear and hate was directed towards her that she could almost feel its weight. The sensation caused her to freeze, unsure as to how she should react. As if sensing her emotions, Kayden took the opportunity to step in between her and the mother.

"She was just trying to help your daughter," he informed her scornfully.

"We don't need her help so keep her away from us. She should be muzzled," the mother hissed before quickly exiting the inn, others soon taking the same course of action. Kayden could not help displaying a look of disgust before turning back to his ebony furred companion. Aema stared at the floor, eyes hard and mean.

"Don't-" Kayden began but was cut off by the wolf.

"Let's rent a room. We need to leave at dawn."

Aema turned away from him and made her way to the innkeeper on the other side of the room. Kayden sighed as he ran a hand through his hair and briskly followed her footsteps to catch up with her. Halfway across the room, Aema stopped. She remained there for a few moments before reaching into a small coin purse that hung from her belt. Pulling out a handful of coins, she turned to Kayden and stuffed them in his hands.

"Rent us the room," she ordered, her voice low and holding back a flurry of emotions. "I don't want any more hassles tonight."

Kayden looked down at the coins before looking back to her. Aema crossed her arms and stared ahead into the large fire that danced in the massive fire place to their left. He simply nodded and did as he was told. Aema watched as the flames licked the open air and the wood glowed and cracked, intense heat spilling forth.

It was almost as intense as the rage that filled her heart and the sorrow that followed it.

"Here we are."

Kayden and Aema stood in front of a door in hallway, the sounds of Lion's Pride patrons rumbling below their feet. After a decent meal that came with the cost of renting the room, both human and worgen quickly finished their dinners before heading up to their lodgings if only to avoid more confrontations. Kayden stuck a key that had been given to him by the innkeeper into the keyhole and twisted it. The lock opened and he pushed the door open to reveal where they would be spending the night.

It was a rather standard room with a small hearth off to the side and a chamber pot in the corner. A small dresser and closet were positioned against the wall across from the hearth and skylight in the roof displayed the cloud covered crescent moon. But the coziness the room emitted was overlooked by the fact that Aema and Kayden were staring at the single bed in the middle of the room. Aema growled as she turned her head to Kayden.

"Is this a joke?" she asked.

"They didn't have any split bed rooms. This was all they had," he informed her. He tossed the bag off his shoulders onto the floor and ran towards the bed. "I call dibs!" Before he could dive onto the first real bed he had seen in over six years, Aema grabbed hold of the back of his tunic and kicked his legs out from under him. He crashed to the floor with a wheeze.

"Nice try, but as always, you get the floor," Aema told him, looking down at his prone form.

She stepped over him and began to remove her armor and weapons. Kayden sat up stiffly and glared up at her. His face softened slightly as he watched the she wolf unclip her belt that held her daggers, her face mimicking the expression she had when confronted by the little girl's mother. Rubbing his chin, Kayden attempted to bring her thoughts away from such things.

"Why didn't you tell the Marshal our names?" he asked.

"He didn't need to know them, and I think the less people know about us the better given our circumstances," she answered, pulling off her shoulder plates.

"I highly doubt that. You just didn't want to tell him because I would know it." Aema ignored him, slipping her armor up over her head. Kayden scoffed a laugh. "Wow…That is sad."

"Shut up and go to sleep," the worgen ordered, casting off her armored leggings and tossing them at him. He avoided them and stuck his tongue out at her.

Aema stretched her neck until a pop was heard and she settled into the bed, the anger she felt from earlier momentarily subsided upon the content feeling of the warm sheets and soft mattress. She almost smiled as she nestled her head into her pillow. Kayden grumbled to himself at the sight of her comfort as he reached over to grab their travel bag and placed it underneath his head as a makeshift pillow. Silence hung in the air and just as Aema felt her eye lids become heavy with sleep, Kayden sat up and leaned his elbows on the bed next to her head. Her eyes opened fully and she narrowed them at him.

"What the hell are you doing?" she asked, voice slightly muffled by the pillow.

"Do you think this Whistler thing is real?" he asked.

"Go to sleep, idiot man-child."

"Oh, come on. You're not the least bit curious?"

"No, now quit flapping your gums and go to sleep!" Aema barked.

Kayden rested his eyes on the bed before smiling playfully at her. "You know, I bet we could both fit in this thing." Aema cocked a brow.

"Are you drunk? Piss off and go to sleep already!"

"But you look so lonely. I'm here if you want to snuggle," Kayden told her cocking his head and batting his eyelashes at her.

"The thought of snuggling with you makes me sick to my stomach," Aema spat.

"Are you sure? I'm really good at it. Here, I'll show you…"

"What?! No! What are you doing?!" Aema cried in disbelief as Kayden rolled onto the bed and flopped himself atop of her back first, spreading his arms and legs wide. She kicked and thrashed to shove him off but Kayden went limp, his dead weight making it difficult for her.

"The more you fight, the worse it is to resist," he sang, voice ringing with amusement. "Give in to the snuggles! You'd be surprised how soft and cuddly I am."

Roaring with fury, Aema summoned the strength to push him off her and to the floor. Kayden landed chest first then suddenly cried out as his arm was yanked upwards at an excruciatingly painful angle. Before he could attempt to get up, Aema slammed the back of her foot into his head, forcing it into the wooden floorboards. She bared her teeth at him and with both hands on his wrist, she gave a good twist. Kayden yelped in both pain and laughter.

"What is wrong with you?!" the wolf hollered. "How many times, Althane?! How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me?!"

"I was playing around!" Kayden answered from underneath her foot. "It was supposed to be funny!"

"That was not funny!"

"You're so serious all the time! You need to learn how to relax!"

Aema toyed with the idea of snapping his arm but settled for another stomp on his head before letting him go. She stormed back to the bed and returned back to her previous position, but not before glaring at Kayden who sat up rubbing his arm. "This is the last time I'll repeat myself; GO. TO. SLEEP. And if you try anything like that again, I'll-"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it." he interrupted her, waving off her threat with his hand. Aema glowered at him one last time before blowing out the lantern on the small bedside table, the room enveloping in darkness. Aema enjoyed a brief minute of silence before she heard Kayden's voice cut through the black. "If we can't cuddle, how about I sing to you? I gave my love a chicken, it had no bones..."

Aema whined in pure misery and pulled her pillow over her head.

The sun had barely begun its ascension over the far away mountain tops when Kayden and Aema walked out the doors of the Lion's Pride Inn. The streets were just as bare as the night before, windows and doors still boarded up in attempts to keep out whatever was plaguing them. They passed a few shops, their signs gently creaking on their chains with a soft wind that flew by and it only added to the emptiness Goldshire emitted rather than the hustle and bustle of trade or adventurers. Amea and Kayden approached the end of the town where the stone buildings began to fade and a long stretch of road continued along pass a few acres of farm land.

As the two crossed the threshold, they could make out a group of people coming towards them. The closer they came, the clearer it was as to what they were seeing. A small gathering of men, ten or twelve, slowly trudged their way towards Goldshire. They held torches and various farm tools that gave them the appearance of a mob. Worgen and man stepped aside for them as they passed, and not one looked up at them. Their heads were down in solemn defeat, and some were even sobbing as others tried to console them. Further and further they went, entering back into town and Kayden shook his head.

"They must have been out all night," he mumbled sympathetically. "I can't even imagine what's going on in their heads right now."

Aema too watched the group fade away, their all night search for their children seemingly in vain. Her memory flashed back to the mother that pulled her child away from her. The degrading and insulting things that spewed forth from her ignorant mouth. The rage it brought forth was nothing new. It was akin to that of opening an old wound, a faded scar from long ago but with pain as fresh as the day it formed. Aema hated them. She hated how they treated her and other worgens, as if they were never human in the first place.

But the children...

No child ever called her a beast. No child ever spat at her or treated her like some sort of stain on Alliance society. They all regarded her with a careful cautiousness but more so curiosity. She was different, but they seemed excited at that. Accepting of that. Kayden sighed sadly and turned back to her. "I take it we should get moving?" he asked. Aema did not answer; she only kept staring back at Goldshire. Then, without even realizing it, she began walking towards the town. "Hey! What are you doing?!" Kayden cried, jogging to catch up with her.

"I need to talk to the Marshal," was all she said, increasing her pace.

"What for?" Kayden asked, keeping up with her. The rogue did not reply and Kayden felt a smile form on his lips. "You want to help those kids, don't you?" Again, she was silent but her pace quickened again. "What about Gervais and Savard? I thought you wouldn't stop moving for anything?"

Aema stopped, shoulders rising and falling with a heavy sigh, then turned towards him. "I want nothing more than to beat that little prick to Quel'Thalas and keep as far away from Quillback as possible...but I can't leave here without exploring the possibility that I could help those children," she said. Her words were stern but her face reflected sincerity and compassion. Kayden felt his smile grow larger at such a rare sight, as if he was given a small gift in the form of her tenderness.

"Well...I think I can say that we see eye to eye on something for once," he told her earnestly.

"You'll excuse me if I don't jump for joy, Turnip Head," Aema snorted sarcastically.

"Aaaannnnddd there she is again."

Rolling her eyes, Aema pushed forward with Kayden in tow. They hurried their way through the streets, now starting to come alive with shop owners and townsfolk ready to start their day. Heading towards the north west section of Goldshire, the two escaped convicts happened upon a small church where Stormwind soldiers were filing out of and patrolling. Ignoring the stares thrown their way, Aema and Kayden opened the twin wooden doors, the candle lit exterior of the holy place unveiling before them. In the middle of the room, between two rows of pews, Marshal Dughan was in discussion with a solider. He saw them approaching and dismissed his man.

"Still here I see," he said as they stood before him. "I would have thought you would have left by now."

"Tell me what's been happening here," Aema ordered rather than asked. Dughan's face expressed surprise and confusion.

"Why are our problems of sudden interest to you?"

"We'd like to help," Kayden explained for her. Dughan looked back to Aema and she nodded though still wore a mask of impatience and ill temper.

Marshal Dughan paused before shaking his head. "That's very noble of you two, but I'm afraid there's little you can do. My men and the townsfolk have combed the woods and farmlands around here for a ten mile radius. There's no tracks, no sign of anything that would aid us in finding the missing children. It's as if…they vanished out of thin air."

Kayden and Aema shared a look before the wolf asked, "When did this start?"

"The first child went missing a month ago. Disappeared in the middle of the night. After that, more occurrences took place. We doubled our night patrols and witnessed nothing, but once dawn came, a mother would run out of her house screaming that her son or daughter was no longer there."

Kayden crossed his arms and cleared his throat. "What about this Whistler the old woman was going on about?"

The Marshal sighed and shook his head. "Nothing more than a fairy tale."

"She said it came in the fog. That old man claimed he saw something in the fog the night the most recent disappearance took place. Something not human."

"We've had some issues in the past with gnoll thieves that live west of here and kobolds to the north," the leader of Goldshire explained. "They sneak into town after dark from time to time to steal various trinkets, but I've never known them to take prisoners."

"Tell me about The Whistler legend," Kayden said. Aema scoffed.

"Will you stop, you idiot?"

"I want to know!"

"He said it's made up! Why do you need to know about it?!"

"Just humor me, Marshal," Kayden sighed, looking back at the other man.

Dughan shrugged and revealed that, "The Whistler is an old Stormwind legend. It was said to be a dark spirit that sang some sort of melody that would lure children out from their homes so it could take them. But it was nothing more than a tall tale invented to keep rebellious boys and girls in check. There is no such thing."

"But-"

"That's enough, Althane," Aema snapped. "We've entertained your childish fantasy long enough." She turned back to the Marshal. "Other than gnolls or kobolds, is there anyone else suspected? Maybe with the aid of magic? These vanishing acts could be the results of teleportation magics from a mage."

"We've had a few mages pass through here over time but none close to the time of the first disappearance. I honestly can't think of anyone in Goldshire who would be capable of such a horrid act. Good, hardworking people live here," Dughan replied.

"What about that old woman from the inn last night? Mary? She seemed a bit...out there, and she seemed to have some sort of quarrel with you."

The man sighed and solemnly averted his eyes to the floor. "Mary Ravenwood. She and I unfortunately do have a past." Dughan sat down in one of the pews, looking towards the front of the church where a priest was saying his prayers before a giant cross. He was silent for a moment before continuing, "She came to Goldshire a few years back with her son Sam. Where from, nobody was certain, but they were a bit of an odd sort. They kept to themselves mostly, never talked much to anyone in town and only really showed themselves when they needed supplies. I called them forest folk as they preferred the solitude of the woods and lived off roots and herbs. The townsfolk were a bit weary of them, thought maybe they were practitioners of black magic or satyrs in human guise. They seemed harmless to me, different and a little strange, but harmless none the less.

They lived in an old cabin out in the forest a few miles east from here which suited everyone just fine. The Ravenwoods had their privacy and Goldshire scarcely saw them enough to maintain their impressions. Things were quiet for a few years until three months ago. Sam, being an only child, started to express interest in socializing with the other children. He was timid at first, observing rather than interacting, but as time passed, he grew a little bolder and wanted to make friends. The other children weren't so keen on that. Sam was interested in reptiles and insects, things the other children didn't consider normal. They called him names and threw stones at him, but each day he came back, hoping the outcome would be different from the time before. I admired the courage such a little one had.

His mother was also apprehensive on the idea of him playing with the town's children. She knew that she and Sam were different from them and that scared people. She thought Sam might get hurt, but I told her that a boy Sam's age needs to grow up with other children. Make friends and go on adventures. I assured her I would keep an eye on him and step in if I felt he was in any danger. Sam continued with his efforts and it seemed he had exceeded as the other children eventually invited him to join in their games."

Marshal Dughan was silent, eyes cast down at the floor again. He remained that way for so long that Aema and Kayden thought perhaps he fell asleep. He then raised his head and let out a sigh heavy with guilt and sadness.

"Then, one day this past summer, during a session of prayer to the Holy Light, the children came running into town screaming. They wept and moaned something about Sam and some sort of accident. I had them take me and some men back into Elwynn Forest, to the spot where they played. There was a small cliff that overhung a stream, and when I arrived..." Marshal Dughan paused to look at the cross again. "...When I arrived Sam was already dead. The children said they had been playing near the stream and Sam ventured too close to the cliff's edge. He tripped over an exposed root and fell, breaking his skull on the rocks below. I'll never forget the sight of rushing water carrying his blood down the stream."

"That's awful," Kayden commented.

"And Sam's mother?" Aema asked, knowing full well how the rest of the story must go.

"Hysterical isn't strong enough a word," the Marshal murmured. "That boy was all she had, and I had to be the one to bring him to her wrapped up in cowl, his body already stiff. Mary's hate for me and for this town was born that day. Hate for me because I didn't keep my word, and hate for Goldshire because she believed those children murdered him in cold blood."

"Do you believe that?" Aema inquired.

"I believe it was a tragic accident. One I wish I could have prevented."

Aema bit the inside of her lip and turned to the side, her brow pensive and heavy. She eventually turned back to the armored man and said, "Tell me Marshal; the children who have gone missing. Who are they?"

Dughan made a face that indicated he didn't quite understand the reasoning behind her inquiry but told her all the same. "The Peterson boy was the first to disappear. Then it was the Auckland's daughter, the baker's boy, Rosetta's girl, Jon and Wendy's son, then the Crowstone twins."

"Were these the children who were playing with Sam?"

The Marshal's face melted into surprise and recognition before furrowing his brow. "Yes…I believe they were."

"Well, given that information, you don't think perhaps Mary Ravenwood would be a suspect? She had a pretty large motive," Aema replied dryly.

"Mary was angry and grief stricken but she's not a danger to anyone."

"Are you so sure? She seemed pretty threatening last night. She could be using this whole Whistler thing as a cover."

"Her cabin was one of the first we investigated when searching," Dughan told her tiredly. "There was nothing there to suggest she was involved with anything. She's an old woman, by the Gods, those children could have easily fled from her."

"Can I ask something?" Kayden interjected, raising his hand. "The nights those kids disappeared…was there a fog?" As soon as he asked the question, the worgen beside him cuffed him upside the head.

"Moron! What did I say?!"

"Marshal?" Kayden groaned, ignoring Aema. The Marshal shook his head and sighed in agitation.

"Yes, there was, actually, but the weather in Goldshire is like that this time of year. It's nothing out of the ordinary." Marshal Dughan stood up from the pew and smoothed out his colors and adjusted his gauntlets. "Now, if you two will excuse me, I have work to do."

Just as he was about to leave, Aema called out after him, "Marshal?" The man stopped and turned. "Where is Mary Ravenwood's cabin?"

Dughan narrowed his eyes at her but answered. "Head east, then follow the path that leads into the forest. You'll come across it soon enough." He turned to leave, only to hesitate and turn back. "Mary has suffered enough hardships. I ask that you do not impose any such accusations on her. Leave the poor woman to her grief."

His heavy bootsteps echoed through the church as he exited, doors opening and closing with a loud bang. Kayden rubbed his lightly bearded face and nodded to himself. "Yup…Sounds like a monster."

"Imbecile," Aema moaned.

"You heard him. He said there was a fog each night a child was taken, just like in the legend."

"He also said that was normal weather around here, lunk-head."

"You don't find that suspiciously coincidental?"

"Keep your immature theories of monsters and spooks to yourself, Althane. I'm going to do some real investigating," Aema proclaimed, heading for the exit. Kayden joined her as they stepped back out into the cool morning air, and the she wolf made her way east.

"He told us not to bother her," he reminded the rogue.

"I don't care what he said, "Aema snorted. "Mourning or no mourning, she has too much motive to be ignored."

"But they already looked into her. What do think we'll find that they didn't?"

"Maybe something, maybe nothing, but the Marshal's guilt makes him soft on her," Aema informed him. "I, on the other hand, won't be so gentle."

"There's a shock," Kayden muttered under his breath. That earned him a hard bonk on the head.

"I forgot how beautiful Elwynn Forest was," Kayden remarked as he and Aema traversed the small path that led them through the woods. The late morning sun shone down through the forest canopy, splashes of sunlight stretched across the wild green land. Seeing a large fallen log, Kayden leapt up onto it, balancing himself as he strode across. "My father used to take me hunting here," he said, wobbling a bit. "We'd spend the day tracking deer then he'd tell me stories about Lord Lothar and Uther Lightbringer."

"Uh huh," Aema muttered, clearly uninterested. Kayden jumped down and sighed.

"I miss those days."

Aema paused. Her mind went back to the days of her own youth, where she too ran through the forests of Gilneas, playing with other children. Her friends. A pain of longing and heartbreak stabbed her chest but she merely shook it off. Now was not the time to let herself dwell in such thoughts. Her sleepless nights did enough of that for her.

They followed the path for another half mile when Aema stopped in her tracks. She sniffed the air and frowned. "What is it?" Kayden asked, stepping up beside her.

"There's a strange odor in the air…like…sulfur," she mumbled curiously.

Following the scent, the worgen went off into the brush with Kayden following close by. Weaving and ducking through the thick bushes, the scent became stronger, and the two eventually came to a small grassy hill. Aema continued to sniff until Kayden tapped her on the shoulder. She made to snap at him but paused when he pointed forwards. Following his direction, Aema spotted what appeared to be some sort of totem atop of the hill. As they approached it, it became clear that the totem was in fact a crudely made headstone.

It was a slab of rock stuck into a patch of earth that looked to have been laid down some time ago, new grass beginning to form in the dirt. The rock had various trinkets laid across it; figures made of sticks and straw, crow feathers tied to twine, and what looked to be a worn out ball, its hide surface cracked and faded. On the rock's surface were words, etched on by some sort of sharp tool.

My beloved Samuel,

My life was truly blessed the day you came into this world.

May the spirits take you into their arms and grant you everlasting peace.

Forever, your loving mother

"Sam's grave," Kayden mumbled. Aema took in a deep inhale then almost gagged, stepping back and shaking her head.

"Gods, that smell…" she hissed. Kayden took in a whiff of the air and he too snorted with a grimace.

"That is definitely sulfur, and powerful too." He looked around before throwing the wolf a curious gaze. "But where's it coming from?"

"If I had to guess, I'd say the grave," Aema answered.

"Really? What about a demonic presence? I've heard agents of the Burning Legion emit a strong smell like sulphur."

"If the Burning Legion was present here I highly doubt these woods would be in the condition that it's in. Something else is going on here…" Aema studied the gravestone once more before turning around. "Come on, let's find this woman and see what she has to say about it."

"Can I talk to her then?" Kayden asked as they slid down the hill and back into the brush.

"Why the hell should you?" Aema snorted.

"Because you're not exactly Miss Subtle, and given the sensitive nature of the situation, I really don't think it's wise for you to be…well, you."

"Well, given the nature of our situation, you're a damn moron, and as Rule Two clearly states, you do as I say, and I say you keep your mouth shut and let me handle this."

"Of course, how foolish of me to suggest such a thing," Kayden uttered as they came back to the path.

"Your sarcasm is noted."

Onward the wolf and man traversed the path that weaved through Elwynn Forest until they finally came across black smoke from a chimney rising up over the trees and into the early afternoon sun. Plodding their way towards it, Aema and Kayden happened across a small log cabin. It was slightly bigger than Ertha's though not by much, the roof old and moss covered. A pile of firewood next to a chopping block rested off to the side and the one window the cabin seemed to display was dark, covered by a curtain. Adjusting her armor, Aema approached the cabin and began to look around. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as far as she could tell. Walking up to the door, she raised her fist to knock.

"What do you want?"

Kayden let out a girlish scream of surprise as the old woman they were looking for suddenly appeared beside him. She stared at them with unfriendly eyes, her arms full of wildflowers and other plants. Aema set her hands on her belt and tipped her chin up at her.

"You Mary Ravenwood?"

"What's it to a worgen? Wait…" the woman mumbled, squinting at the she wolf and man before her. "You're the two they dragged into the Lion's Pride last night, aren't you? Hmph, I'm surprised that lot didn't string you up simply for being a wolf."

"They entertained the thought, I'm sure," Aema replied.

"Well? What business do you have here?" Mary asked, walking past them towards her cabin.

"We were hoping to ask you about these disappearances."

The old woman stopped at her door before slowly turning back, a scowl on her face. "I see. Here to belittle me like the rest, are you? To mock me? A crazy old woman and her stories."

"I'm here because there are children in danger," Aema sternly stated, stepping closer. "I want to know why, and I want to know who is responsible."

"There's nothing you can do. The children of Goldshire are lost and you cannot stop it."

"You mean The Whistler?" Kayden interrupted. Aema shot him an agitated sneer.

Mary regarded him for a moment then shook her head. "Doesn't matter what I mean. You don't believe me anyways."

"I believe this has to do with Sam's death," Aema bluntly responded. Mary's eyes widened slightly and her lips formed into a tight frown. "Marshal Dughan told us what happened, and I don't think these vanishing children are the result of some spirit or monster."

"Pray tell, what exactly do you think, wolf?" Mary hissed, her thin frail fingers clutching the plants tightly in her hands.

Aema narrowed her blue eyes at her. "I think it's nothing more than a ruse."

"Easy now…" Kayden said to her softly but was once again ignored.

"You believed that those children were responsible for Sam's death, that they murdered him. Is it a coincidence that those exact same children are the ones who have vanished? No, I think not."

"You think I took those children?" Aema's answer was a cold hard stare. "Get off my property," Mary spat, turning around and entering her cabin. She tried to close the door, but the black furred wolf kicked it open, sending the old woman stumbling back.

"Hey!" Kayden protested.

"You wanted revenge," Aema continued, standing over Mary who leaned against a small wooden table. "Goldshire was never kind to you or Sam, so you wanted them to pay. It's what you said last night. That they were paying for their sins. You took those children and you're going to tell me what you've done with them!"

"Get out of my house!" Mary screeched at her. "You know nothing! Nothing!"

"I know a liar when I see one, now tell me!" Kayden entered the cabin and tried to pull Aema away but she pushed him off and stuck her face in front of the other woman's. "They took Sam from you and no one would believe the accusations of some outcast who lived in the woods! You wanted them dead! You wanted blood for blood! Admit it!"

"Yes!" Mary shouted over her. "Yes, I wanted them to pay!" The cabin became silent with the exception of Aema's heavy breathing and Mary's sobbing. "Sam was everything to me…The only remnant I had left of a life long forgotten…They took that from me…because he was different. You of all people should know that pain." Aema ignored the comment along with the wave of sorrow that came with it. "How could I not want revenge?…No…Justice."

"And you think killing these children is justice?" Aema demanded to know.

Mary let out a sad laugh and shook her head, fresh tears dampening her wrinkled cheeks. "I was broken, yes, and I was angry…But I never harmed those children or anyone else."

"You just admitted that you did."

"I said I wanted it, but I am innocent of these crimes." She pushed herself back up to her feet and Kayden went over to help her. "The truth of the matter is that I don't know what happened the day Sam died. Perhaps…Perhaps he really did fall by accident. I have such doubt about that story but how could I know? I wanted justice for my son, but I could not take upon such acts on what could be innocent children." Mary let herself fall into a nearby chair and clutched at her chest. "I am no monster, wolf. I am a mother who lost her son and spends her days in torment and grief, is that not punishment enough?"

Aema opened her mouth to retort but Kayden held up his hand. "We tried your way, now we're going to try mine," he told her. Before she could protest, Kayden knelt down next to Mary and softly said, "Tell me about The Whistler, Mary."

Aema threw her hands up in disbelief. Mary sniffed and shook her head, grey hairs dancing to and fro. "I'm sure that fool of a Marshal has already told you that it's nothing more than a fairy tale."

"He did, but I want to know why you believe that it's real."

Mary looked up at him, locking dark brown eyes with forest green. "Because I've heard it," she whispered. "The nights whereupon a child has been taken, I've heard its song outside my cabin. Deep in the fog it echoes, both lovely and terrifying. I don't know how else to describe it."

"You never saw it?"

"No, the fog is thick when it comes. To look upon it would be to look upon evil incarnate."

"Mary…If this thing is responsible, there must be a way to stop it," Kayden declared.

"The Whistler cannot be stopped," Mary mumbled. "Those children are gone from this world, taken to a place beyond our senses, and you will not find them. Just like my Sam…Now leave me...please, just...leave..." Mary whispered, turning to bury her face in her palm.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Kayden spoke sincerely as he stood up.

He threw Aema a disapproving look and she merely scoffed it off. Kayden walked past her back outside, and as Aema was about to follow suite, she stopped. Turning back to the old woman, she allowed her features to soften slightly and said, "My opinion hasn't changed on this matter, and I still don't accept this Whistler story, but for what it's worth...I am sorry about your son. I know all too well that being different can be a frightening notion to others but no one should ever have to lose their life over it, especially a child."

Mary did not reply and Aema left, closing the door behind her. She joined Kayden who awaited her at the path's edge, arms crossed and an unimpressed frown on his lips. "Was that really necessary in there?" he questioned.

"Children's lives are at stake, dingus, and I'm not screwing around playing nice," she claimed. "Besides, I thought you said we were 'eye to eye' on this?"

"Yeah, on helping kids, not blindly accusing a poor mother who lost her child of murder."

"You need to get tough, Althane," Aema declared, jabbing him in the forehead with a finger. "Some problems you can't pussy foot around."

"You should talk," Kayden whispered under his breath.

"What was that?" the worgen growled.

"I said what's next?"

"Let's head back to Goldshire. I want to get back before it gets dark."

"If we stay the night again, I get the bed this time."

"You get the floor like the cur you are." Aema stopped mid walk and grabbed his tunic, pulling him close, teeth clenched. "And if you try that shit again from last night, I'll light you on fire."

"I love it when you talk dirty," Kayden smirked.

"Ugh."

The sun was close to setting by the time Aema and Kayden returned to Goldshire, the late evening casting an orange glow across the land. But with it came a herald of clouds heading in from the north, dark and grey. The two former inmates of Quillback Prison were on their way back to the Lion's Pride Inn when they were stopped by one of the Marshal's footman. He ran up to them, hunching over and out of breath. Regaining his wind, he stood up and adjusted his helm.

"Marshal Dughan is looking for you," he panted. "He needs to speak with you immediately."

"Take us," Aema said, and the guard quickly lead them back to the church. A large unit of guards were posted outside and they moved aside to let the three pass. Opening the giant doors, Aema and Kayden found Marshal Dughan kneeling down next to a small girl and what appeared to be her parents. As they came closer, Aema recognized the little girl as the one in the inn that had lost her parents. Dughan and the family moved their attention over to them and the mother gripped her child tightly, sending a fearful and resentful glare at Aema.

"What's going on?" Kayden asked.

"It has been brought to my attention that there was one more child who was there the day Sam died," Dughan revealed. "The Brixton's girl here, Sarah." The girl, whose tiny face was puffy and red from crying, clutched her doll closer to her. "She has come forth to tell me that she witnessed what happened to Sam." All eyes fell on the little girl which only made her more frightened, burying her face into her mother's dress. Marshal Dughan knelt down again and said, "Come now, Sarah, do not be frightened. Just tell us what happened."

The girl regarded the middle aged man with watery eyes and turned away again, whimpering. "Just tell the Marshal, Sarah," her father said, a thin, messy haired man with a beard to match. "You're not in trouble, love." Sarah still refused to look out from her mother's dress and Marshal Dughan sighed. That's when Kayden took a step forward.

"You mind if I try talking to her?" Dughan shrugged and stood up to move out of the way. As he knelt down, Kayden looked to Aema. "Do I have your permission, All Mighty One?" he asked sarcastically.

Aema thought about kicking him right in his face, but instead she crossed her arms nodded her head. "Why not? You're nothing more than a child in a man's body. She'll probably be able to relate to you more than any of us."

"I choose to take that as a compliment," Kayden mumbled before bringing his eyes to the little girl. She peeked out from her mother's dress to find Kayden smiling at her. "Hello, Sarah. I've been told you have some big news to tell us." She continued to hide her face. "You're scared, huh? Hmm…Say, did you know that I can do magic?"

Sarah slowly turned her head, exposing a curious eye. Kayden's smile widened and he held his hand out, snapping fingers at Aema. "What?" she asked gruffly.

"Give me a coin."

Rolling her eyes, Aema reached into her coin purse and threw a gold coin into his palm. He held up the coin so that Sarah could see it, turning her head a bit more. Kayden flipped it in the air, caught it, and slapped it over the back of his other hand. When he lifted it, the coin was not there. Sarah turned fully to look over his hand, curiosity flooding her.

"You dropped it, didn't you?" Aema mocked.

Kayden glared at her but brought his attention back to Sarah. "Where did it go?" the girl now inquired, her voice small and quiet.

With a flick of his wrist, the coin in question suddenly appeared between Kayden's fingers. With another flick, it was gone again. Taking the coin, Kayden pressed it against his ear and then it seemed to magically appear in his other hand. He did it again and passed it back and forth as if the coin was being transferred through his head until he stopped and made a face. He looked at his now empty hands in bewilderment until he slapped the back of his head and the coin popped out of his mouth and back into his hand. Sarah allowed herself a small giggle at the display.

"Pretty neat, huh?" Kayden asked. She nodded. "You know what else is neat? This is no ordinary coin. It's a magic coin, which means if you hold it, no one will be able to hear what you say except me and you. Would you feel better telling me about Sam if you had the coin?"

Sarah looked around at the other adults nervously but nodded again, taking the coin from Kayden's hand. She hesitated for a moment then meekly began to speak. "I followed them into the forest. They never let me play with them so I wanted to see where they go. I hid behind a tree and saw them at the hill with Sam. They were playing Orcs and Humans. Sam said he killed Connor but Connor said that it didn't count. They started yelling at each other."

"One of the Crowstone's," Marshal Dughan whispered to Aema low enough that Sarah wouldn't hear them.

"Then what?" Kayden gently asked.

"Connor said...he said Sam wasn't welcome here and should go back to where he came from. Everyone else began to tease him. Sam stared to cry..." Sarah's face scrunched as new tears began to slide down her cheeks. "He pushed Connor and then Connor pushed him...Sam was close to the cliff and fell over...Everyone was quiet and then they all started crying. Connor said not to tell anybody what really happened because they'd all get in trouble…That The Whistler would take us away...I thought I'd get in trouble too," she sniffed.

"Gods..." Marshal Dughan breathed, taking his head into his hand.

"So why are you telling me now?" Kayden pressed.

"Because the others were taken by The Whistler. They were being punished for lying...I don't want to be taken...I liked Sam, " Sarah sobbed. "He knew a lot about bugs..."

"Okay, Sarah, okay. We won't let anything take you," Kayden comforted her, kindly stroking her hair. Standing back up, he turned to Aema and Marshal Dughan. "Well…There you have it, I guess."

"I can't believe it," Dughan sighed.

"Take your men up to the Ravenwood cabin, Marshal," Aema said. "Take Mary into custody."

"For what?" Kayden objected. "She said she didn't know if they did it."

"She was angry enough to do it, and when you mix anger and grief, you get some pretty dangerous results. Not that you would know."

"I know more than you think," Kayden hissed at her.

"So you suggest I take a unit into Elwynn Forest and arrest Mary Ravenwood? Tell her she was right all along and put her to the gallows?" the Marshal asked Aema.

"No," Kayden spoke first. "The fact hasn't changed that this was still an accident. Those kids did what any scared kid would do. I'm not justifying their actions but I don't believe Mary had anything to do with their disappearances and I fear telling her this will push an already broken woman further over the edge, maybe to a point where she actually will do something."

"You wish me to hide the truth from her?" Dughan questioned incredulously.

"The truth has already been given, or at least a form of it. It was an accident. If we can find those children then punish them however you see fit, but for the sake of that poor woman's sanity…let sleeping dogs lie."

"Oh, come on, Althane," Aema spat. "You really think that-"

"Sir!"

All three craned their heads over to the entrance where a young footman briskly walked up to them. He stopped and saluted. "What is it, soldier?" Dughan asked.

"It's creeping over the forest, sir. It will be here by sundown."

"What will? Speak!"

"A fog, sir."

It didn't take long for nightfall to come, and with it, came the fog that had been spoken of. A thick shroud of mist that snaked its way through the forest, seeping into town like a spilled keg of ale. It enveloped all of Goldshire, the lights from houses and street lamps a dim glow that provided little illumination. The streets were quiet, the townsfolk closing their shops and running home to bar their doors upon seeing the fog stalk towards them. Despite the town's still silence, the streets were not devoid of human presence.

Kayden had begged the Marshal to have men patrolling the streets, armed to the teeth. Dughan was still not convinced of the Whistler theory, but agreed that precautions should be made. He had men patrolling the streets in threes while two stood guard outside the Brixton house. Despite the girl not being involved with Sam's death, he thought it important to have her watched over as she was indeed there, and if she were to be taken, then all would suffer for this tragedy. Goldshire being the large town that it was, Aema and Kayden volunteered to patrol as well as an extra set of eyes. However, eyesight had become quite the issue with the fog that covered them like a blanket.

"This fog is as thick as peanut butter," Kayden remarked as they walked down a barren street corner.

"You mean pea soup, idiot," Aema corrected snidely.

"Hey, you eat what you like and I'll eat what I like."

Aema groaned and her ears flattened back against her head. "We're wasting our time out here. We should be grabbing that old woman before she tries something."

"Again with this. Look, I know you want to help and it's admirable, but I don't think that taking out justice on an old woman based on suspicions is really the way to go."

"What other explanation is there? She's the only one with a motive, and don't you dare start with this Whistler crap again. Why are you so convinced that Goldshire has some sort of monster running around?"

"You're telling me that the Lich King is normal, but there's no possible way that a creature like this could exist."

"The Lich King isn't a fairy tale," Aema argued.

"All fairy tales hold some form of truth. Besides, the Scourge consisted of ghouls and ghosts, didn't it?"

"I'm not arguing the merits of the supernatural with you, so you need to-" Aema didn't finish her sentence. She paused mid speak and her brow scrunched as a tight frown formed on her muzzle.

"What? What's wrong?" Kayden inquired.

"It's…" she began, sniffing the air. "It's sulphur…"

Kayden's eyebrows shot up and he too smelled the air, and there was the unmistakable smell of sulphur they had discovered earlier that day at Sam's grave. It wasn't long at all before they heard it. It was faint at first, Aema's ears twitching to get a better listen, but it became clearer, and when they realized what it was, Kayden and Aema slowly locked eyes.

It was a whistle.

A long sharp melody that cut through the air. The sound was unlike anything they had ever heard before. It sent goosebumps through their skin, but at the same time, found it…comforting, almost alluring. Aema pulled her blades free from their sheaths and tossed Kayden his axes. They went back to back, each facing the ends of the street.

"Still think it's a fairy tale?" Kayden murmured, trying to peer through the fog.

"This proves nothing," Aema retorted. "This could be some local prankster's idea of a joke. The whole town is spooked enough and I…"

Aema lost her ability to speak again as her eyes widened. Some distance in the fog, she did not know, a large black shape slowly made its way across the street. The whistling was even louder now, and the shape seemed to be the source. "You what?" Kayden asked when she did not continue. The worgen still didn't answer as she watched the mysterious form disappear into the fog as easily as it had appeared.

"…There's something here."

"What's here?"

"Something…big. I think it's making that sound."

"How big we talking?"

"Just…big," Aema said through gritted teeth, eyes searching for the shape again. The whistling became faint, as if it were moving away, and after a few moments, it was silent again. "It's gone."

"But where did…The Brixton girl!" Kayden shouted as it dawned on him. "It's here for Sarah!"

"Which way is her house?" Aema asked with panic.

"Shit! I don't know! I don't even know where we are with this damn fog!"

"Split up! If you find something, call out!" Aema ordered and took off down the street, Kayden doing the same in the opposite direction.

Where exactly Aema was heading, she had no idea. The fog was so thick that there was almost an unseen weight to it. It made her all the more on edge as anything could spring out at any moment, catching her off guard, a hard as that was for a rogue such as herself. She couldn't help but feel a small irony at that. Aema jogged through the fog, twisting and turning whenever she could make out a building or a bend in the street. Realizing what she was doing was pointless, the she wolf stopped where she was in an attempt to get her bearings.

Aema spotted a dull glow from a distant street lamp and headed towards it. The worgen slid to a halt, ears twitching and turning as they searched for that melody again. Nothing but an eerie silence was all that she found, until her right ear stood up straight. It was faint, barely audible to even her hearing abilities, but it was there. That whistle. It was coming from south of her position.

Taking off in that direction, Aema carefully stalked the cobblestone streets, wary of this unseen shape leaping from the mist or walking smack dab into wall. A few more faint lights from houses glowed above her, and Aema readjusted her grip on her daggers. The whistling was slightly louder now, but nothing had yet to appear. The wolf's ears twerked again when she caught the sound of footsteps. They too were so quiet that she almost didn't hear them. Aema squinted into the mist and ever so slowly, a shadow began to form within. Ducking behind and old horse cart, Aema crouched low, her muscle tense and ready to spring forth. Closer and closer the shape came, stretching out over the fog.

It was just about upon her and she held her breath. The moment the shape passed the cart, she leapt out and collided with something solid. Aema and the shape rolled around on the streets, wrestling for control for one another until Aema found her way on top. She raised her dagger high in the air and just as she was about to bring it down, she heard an all too familiar voice.

"Hey! Hey! It's me! Kayden!" Catching her breath and letting her adrenaline pause for a moment, Aema saw that the culprit she had pinned down was indeed Kayden. He smiled up at her and waggled his eyebrows. "Couldn't wait to get on top of me again, huh?"

Reluctantly dropping her arm, she sneered at him as she stood up. "This isn't the time for your crap, Althane. Did you find the Brixton house?"

"No," Kayden groaned as he collected his axes and stood up. "I heard that whistling again and followed it here. That's when you blindsided me."

"Yeah, well, I-"

Aema was interrupted as a blood curdling scream cut through the fog. Both of them snapped their heads over to the direction of the sound before it was heard again. Aema and Kayden took off towards it, weapons at ready. Aema could smell faint traces of sulphur and it was getting stronger the more they ran. Eventually they came to a house that emerged from the fog and the screaming that emanated from behind its closed door. They made to burst through the door but paused as they discovered the two bodies of Goldshire footmen lying on the ground. Their heads had been twisted backwards by someone or something possessing incredible strength. Tearing their eyes away from the horrific site, Aema kicked the door in to the Brixton house, she and Kayden rushing in to confront whatever awaited them.

What they found was no intruder, but Sarah's mother on her knees screaming as her husband held her. "She's gone!" she wailed. "My little girl is gone!"

"What happened?" Kayden asked.

The man who held his wife swallowed heavily and shook his head. "Everything was fine…She was in bed and the guards were outside…That's when we heard it. S-Some sort of…whistling…It went on forever then…just…went away. When we checked on Sarah…she was gone, and the guards were dead…" His wife screamed again and suddenly Marshal Dughan piled into the house with more guards.

"Do not tell me she's gone," Dughan pleaded. The looks on Kayden and Aema's faces and the broken parents before him was all the answer he needed. The Marshal bowed his head in remorse.

Aema's nose began to twitch and she craned her head back to the outside. "It's still near," she exclaimed and raced out of the house with Kayden in tow.

"You three go with them!" Dughan ordered a trio of men who held lanterns. "Everyone else start knocking on doors and see if anyone saw something!"

Aema, Kayden, and the three footmen raced through the fog covered streets of Goldshire, the worgen pausing from time to time to catch the scent. After a series of twist and turns, the group found themselves heading out of the town and into Elwynn Forest. For what seemed like an eternity, Aema led them through the brush, taking them further away from Goldshire and deeper into the woods. One of the footmen groaned as he tumbled over a hidden root.

"Where are you taking us, wolf? Have you gotten us lost?"

"No," Kayden answered for her. "I can smell it again."

"This way," Aema declared, taking off to the right. Through more bushes and trees they passed, until they came upon a very familiar hill.

"There!" one of the footmen shouted, pointing his lantern along with his finger.

All eyes stared forward to find the grave of Samuel Ravenwood, his tombstone standing out in the fog. But more importantly, there was Sarah Brixton, standing atop his grave, back turned to them. Kayden's face scrunched in discomfort and he shook his head.

"That stench is almost unbearable," he gagged.

"Oy! Sarah!" a footman called out. "We found you, love! Let's get you home!"

Sarah did not move or even acknowledge that the group was there. Something was wrong. The footman began up the hill towards the grave, but Aema pulled him back. "Something isn't right," she said.

"Yeah, we're standing around here like a bunch of wankers when the girl we're looking for is standing right there."

"No, it's here. Can't you smell it?"

"Bog stench from a nearby swamp, that's all."

One of the other footmen nervously shook his head. "I don't know, Brewster. There isn't a swamp around here for miles. Maybe you should listen to her."

"The day I take orders from a worgen will be the day I shit gold coins." Brewster tore himself free from Aema's grip with a scowl and approached the girl. "Come on now, Sarah. Let's get you home," he said as he approached her. Bending down in front of her, the solider found the child staring forward into nothing, expressionless. He gently shook her. "Hey, come now, it's not safe here. We need to-"

A loud whistle cut through the air, playing the same melody Aema and Kayden had heard previously. Brewster stood up and unsheathed his sword, searching for the source. "Get out of there, Brewster!" a footman called.

Before Brewster could even begin to heed his companion's advice, something shot out from the fog and wrapped itself around the footman's neck. He gurgled a scream, hands clutching at his neck as he was lifted off the ground. He hovered there for a moment until he was pulled back into the mist where he screamed and went silent as a loud snap echoed. Everyone remained till, holding their breaths. The whistling started again, this time accompanied by heavy footsteps.

Closer and closer it came, and Aema snatched a lantern from a footman and tossed up the hill. It soared over the little girl and crashed just behind the gravestone, spilling oil everywhere and igniting with fire. It seemed to burn away some of the fog and create some more visibility, whereupon their eyes widened at the sight they saw before them. Towering over Sarah, illuminated by flames, was what was surely referred to as The Whistler.

Ten feet tall it stood, its hunched body thick with what appeared to be black muscle. But upon second glance, its limbs and body were that of moving, living insects. Beetles, centipedes, spiders, and worms moved along like a rippling wave, giving the creature its form. Within its chest, something glowed a bright green, small rays peeking through the bugs that crawled all over. On a massive wriggling neck was not a face, but the giant skull of a snake, its empty sockets filled with two red dots that gleamed. Razor sharp fangs created a permanent ugly grin where the haunting melody leaked out from as well as that sulfuric odor that was always present. It threw its head back and let out a spine chilling roar.

"By the Gods!" a footman cried in terror. "It is The Whistler!"

"Quick, attack it before it takes the girl!" the other said and charged forward with his mace.

The red eyes focused on him, and as he charged the monster with his weapon held high, The Whistler brought its arm up and from its living limb, something shot out that was akin to that of a toad's tongue. It wrapped around the footman's throat much like it did to Brewster, and with a massive heave, the creature flung the Goldshire guard through the air until he smashed into a tree. He fell to the ground, body broken in a tangled mess of limbs.

"Spread out!" Aema shouted as the remaining three began to disperse.

The Whistler's eyes shot back and forth between them before focusing on Kayden. It lashed out with that sticky tongue like appendage again, and Kayden dove belly first into the dirt as it whipped over him and crashed into a small tree, breaking it in half. It tried again, only this time, Kayden was ready and he brought his right axe over in a horizontal swing, the bladed head sinking deep into the tongue and pinning it to another nearby tree. In a second swift motion, Kayden brought his left axe down, cutting through the appendage and spilling a green like ooze all over the grass. The monster roared in pain and the tongue disappeared back into its insect formed hand.

As the creature recovered from Kayden's attack, Aema sprung forth from the bushes and leapt high in the air. Spinning mid leap, the wolf cut through a large portion of The Whistler's shoulder. She landed in a crouch, her daggers covered in the same green ooze. Looking back, she could see the sizeable chunk she had just taken from the beast only to have her eyes widened as insects began to writhe and worm together to patch up the damage he had done. Roaring again, The Whistler brought down its giant fist to smash her, Aema rolling out of the way just in time.

As the battle continued, the last remaining footman carefully made his way over to Sarah who still remained in place the entire time. "Let's get you out of here," he whispered to her and attempted to pick her up. A loud hiss from behind pulled the soldier's attention away and he raised his sword as the creature's hand lurched for him.

He swung his blade, cutting through the insects, but more appeared to take the dead ones places. Screaming, the man was hoisted up into the air by his head, legs kicking frantically. The Whistler's red eyes pierced into his own, and with a shrill bark from its fleshless serpentine mouth, insects began to crawl all over the footman's face. He tried to yell but his mouth became full of moving, squiggling beings that began to fill his ears and nostrils. He went into uncontrollable spasms as his body was filled with flies, bees, and ticks until he finally stopped moving. The Whistler threw the body away as if it were a piece of rotten fruit.

"How the hell are we gonna stop this thing?" Kayden panted as he joined Aema. "Every time we make a cut it just heals itself!"

Aema had no answer for him. It was situations like these that made her wish she was skilled in some form of magic. The monster bellowed and whipped its arm in their direction, a flurry of wasps and hornets breaking free and heading towards them like a swarm of tiny arrows. Worgen and man both rolled through the grass and behind a tree where the insects embed their stingers into the thick wood instead of their flesh. Turning its attention back to the girl, The Whistler stood over her and seized her in its living hand. It raised her in the air, the melody it sang now spilling forth from its snake skull. Sarah continued to stare into nothing like a zombie.

"Shit! It's going to take her!" Kayden cried in horror.

Aema gritted her teeth, mind racing with some sort of solution. It was then that everything they had discovered over the day suddenly came flooding back to her. The sulfur smell from Sam's grave, the children that were missing, The Whistler's form. All of it was connected to this creature. A creature made of insects and the features of a reptile. It finally dawned on her and Aema sheathed her daggers.

"What are you doing?" Kayden asked. She did not reply, instead, she stepped out from behind the tree and made her way towards the beast. "Are you crazy?! Get away from that thing!"

The Whistler held Sarah high in the air and its chest began to squirm and shift. The bugs began to disperse, revealing a bright green orb hidden behind them. It pulsated and produced a hazy yellowish green mist. Slowly, The Whistler lowered Sarah towards it, the orb pulsating faster. The haze seemed to reach out for her, as if it were going to pull her in, but Aema came to a halt just before the creature and yelled out.

"Sam!"

The Whistler stopped and snapped its head towards her, fangs bared as that wretched sulphur odor washed over her.

"Wait…What?" Kayden frowned, brow scrunching.

"Let her go, Sam," Aema continued. "This isn't the way..." The monster barked and growled, as if it were arguing with her. "It was unfair and it was wrong…but they don't deserve this." The Whistler roared in anger and swiped at her with its free hand. Aema narrowly dodged it.

"Careful!" Kayden called from behind her.

"You didn't deserve what happened either," Aema stated, getting back up to her feet, "no one does and they deserve punishment, yes, but not like this." Fangs snapped at her in protest, and the giant snake skull lowered down so that it was face to face with the wolf. The sickly colored haze the orb caused now leaked out from its jaws and Aema had to fight the urge to gag. Red eyes peered into her onyx ones, and just as the fangs looked ready to lunge forward, Aema spoke in a low whisper. "I know what it's like."

The Whistler hesitated, leaning its head back slightly. Aema sighed through her nose, bottled up feelings of anger and remorse working themselves back up to the surface. She held her arms wide, as if she were offering herself to the beast.

"Look at me. Look at what I am. You don't think I understand the pain that comes with being different? To be alienated by everyone around you? Hated because they don't understand or don't want to?" The Whistler closed its jaws, tilting its head almost curiously as red eyes continued to watch her. "I'm an outcast, just like you. Feared and hated because I look different, because it doesn't fit their perception of normal. They think I'm a monster." The creature made a strange sound but did not move, still regarding her with those blood red orbs. Aema stared at her feet before bringing her eyes back up to the being in front of her. "But I'm not a monster. I'm not a monster unless I let them make me into one. I too want to hurt those who ridicule me, spit at me or cheat me for being a worgen. I want to so bad that it hurts...but I don't. If I give into those desires then I become everything that they fear I am...and that is far worse than anything else they could do to me."

The Whistler stared at her, insects buzzing and chirping, then looked to Sarah. Aema stepped closer.

"You're a good boy, Sam," she said softly. "You and your mother did not deserve to be treated the way you were, and what happened to you was wrong, but it was an accident. It will have its consequences and justice will be handed down, but they need to understand why they were wrong. They need to understand why it should never have happened." Aema gently reached out with her hand and softly placed it atop the snake skull. "You are not a monster, Sam...You are not this...thing. So please...one outcast to another...if those children are still alive...let them go. Don't let them or this town turn you into something you're not, no matter how much you want to."

The creature watched Aema in silence, and then it let out a low sound like that of a whine before lowering its head. Aema gently patted the smooth fleshless head, her throat feeling dry and tight. Kayden watched from the side, amazed at what had just transpired. He looked at Aema, the she wolf's head down and eyes closed as she affectionately stroked this thing's head. He let a half smile creep on his face as he was enjoying the fact that she was full of surprises. The Whistler, or Sam as it were, put Sarah back on the ground before shuffling back. It spread its arms wide and howled up into the night. Once the howl died, the insects that made up its body suddenly burst apart and fell to the forest floor.

They all crawled, wriggled or flew away into the forest, leaving behind the large snake skull and the glowing green orb. The red eyes in the skull slowly faded and the orb pulsated a few times before going still. The orb then cracked and that haze steamed out from inside, the sulfur smell coming along with it. The orb then began to melt, liquefying and seeping into the dirt atop Sam's grave. All was silent, the fog that had surrounded them quickly began to disperse and the fire from the lamp fading away into nothing.

Kayden joined Aema who was checking on Sarah. "How is she?" he asked.

Aema gently tapped the girl's face and she blinked a few times before looking around in confusion and fear. "Where am I? Where's momma and papa?" she inquired to know quite urgently.

"You're safe," Aema smiled down at her, "and we'll get you back to them right away."

Kayden nudged her shoulder, asking, "How did you know that thing was Sam?"

"I put the pieces together," Aema commented. "The Whistler was made up of everything Sam loved which was what made the children shun him. My grandmother used to tell me stories of angry spirits returning as something else to torment those who wronged them, usually a form that frightened them the most, in this case, a legend used to scare naughty children. I thought them nothing as stories, but she always said that hate and anger can live on beyond the grave. Coupled with everything we've been told, it seemed like the only answer."

"So I guess you owe Mary Ravenwood an apology, hmm?"

Aema simply glared at him. Kayden walked over to the grave and tapped the soil with his foot. It reeked and was still moist with that strange liquid. He made a face and was about to ask Aema what she thought it was when suddenly a small hand shot out from the dirt.

"AH! ZOMBIE!" Kayden shrieked, grabbing his axes. He stopped, however, when he heard a muffled scream from beneath the dirt. Getting on his knees and digging away the soil, the head of a small boy appeared who began crying. It wasn't long before more hands rose up from the dirt and Kayden and Aema began to dig away.

It wasn't long before Kayden pulled up the last of the missing Goldshire children, the others all huddled together, dirty and crying. They sobbed for their parents and Aema had to try and get them to calm down. "Easy, easy, we'll take you home, but how did you end up in the ground?" A little boy shivered and wiped his nose before saying,

"We don't know! We only remember someone whistling, and then a green light and we were in this shadowy place. It was foggy and smelled, then...we were in dirt!"

"Shadowy place?" Aema repeated.

"It was dark and scary, and we couldn't see anything! I want to go home!"

"Sam's mom did say that The Whistler took them to a different plane of existence," Kayden said to the worgen. "It would offer another explanation to the sulfur smell. I've read that certain magics used to travel between two planes can leave traces that smell like sulfur."

"Why didn't you mention that earlier?" Aema snorted in irritation.

"Because you hit me every time I brought up anything about The Whistler, which by the way, was real. Totally called it."

"It was Sam, you clod."

"Whose vengeful spirit took the form of said legend to exact his revenge on the town of Goldshire. Ipso facto - I win."

"Whatever," Aema muttered. "Let's get these young ones back to town." She rooted around the bushes for a moment until she found the fallen lantern of the last footman. Relighting it, she and Kayden led the children through Elwynn Forest and back to Goldshire.

"You know," Kayden said as they walked along the darkened path, "I have to say that little speech you gave was quite insightful if not accurate."

"So glad I could impress you," Aema mumbled dryly.

"I think people could learn a lot from you. I'd say you've got more humanity than some people I know." Aema looked at him from the corner of her eye but said nothing. Kayden then wrapped his arm around her. "But if not, no worries. You still got me and I llllooooovvveeeee yooouuuu," he cooed and kissed her furry cheek.

Aema then promptly pushed the man into a nearby pile of thickets.

The moment Kayden and Aema walked into Goldshire with a group of frightened, dirty but alive children, the streets became flooded. The children's missing parents scooped them up in their arms, tears of happiness running rampant. Kayden received many slaps on the back and handshakes while Aema only received a quiet thank you from those brave enough or unbiased enough to approach her. Marshal Dughan approached the two and clasped both their shoulders, praising their success. He desperately wanted to know what happened; where the children were, the stranger that took them, all of it.

Aema went on to explain that Sam was the cause for these disappearances, his spirit taking the form of what he perceived to be The Whistler in order to gain revenge. She omitted her speech that ultimately saved the children, but was confident that Sam would no longer be a bother to Goldshire.

"Well done, adventurers," he praised them with appreciation and relief. "Well done, indeed. You two are certainly heroes."

"All in a day's work," Kayden hummed, inspecting his fingernails. Aema shook her head.

"Still...Sam," Dughan sighed, shaking his head. "I had heard tales of vengeful spirits during my time in Khaz Modan with the Stormwind Army, but thought them only to be fabrications of soldiers who partook in too much ale."

"You should get out of Goldshire more often, Marshal. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff this world holds" Kayden smiled. The Marshal laughed.

"Perhaps I should."

"Marshal." The old solider turned his attention over to Aema who held a serious and stern gaze. "Would it be rude of me to ask a favor of you?"

"Given what you've just done, not at all."

"I want you to explain to those children what they did and why it's important that they understand. When they come of age, you can hand out whatever punishment you see fit, but they have to learn."

"Of course."

"Not just the children," Aema went on. "Everyone here has to learn. The world doesn't need another pointless death of a child and the undeserved grieving of a mother just because you seem to think them strange or different."

The Marshal bowed his head and nodded. "I will do my best to prevent such tragedies. You have my word." Aema simply nodded.

"Speaking of mothers; I'd still think it best not mention any of this to Mary," Kayden added.

"You might not have to worry about that," Dughan sighed. "Mary is gone."

"Gone? What do you mean gone?"

"I and several other men went to her cabin to check in on her, but when we arrived, the cabin was empty. There was nothing more than what few thing she had left behind and a strange odor in the air. The fog made it impossible to search for her so I will assign a group to head out on the morn."

"Odor? Like…sulfur?" Aema inquired.

Marshal Dughan made a face and slowly nodded. "Yes. How did you know?"

Kayden and Aema exchanged looks before Kayden said, "I don't think you'll find her, Marshal."

"Why not?"

"Because I think she's gone to a place where she and Sam won't have to worry about anything like this ever again."

The Marshal's features reflected an expression of surprise and regrettable understanding. He nodded in acceptance of what he had been told. "I see…Well, you two are owed a great debt from us. I don't have much in the way of gold, but I will have my men replenish your rations and you may stay at the Lion's Pride tonight, free of charge."

"As kind as that is, we must be going," Aema declined. "We have a long journey ahead of us and we must keep moving."

"We'll take those rations though," Kayden interjected before being shoved aside by Aema. Dughan laughed again.

"Never one to say no to a free meal, eh? You remind me of that gnome fellow."

Aema's eyes popped open wide. "Gnome? What gnome?" she asked frantically.

"Oh, what a sight that was. A gnome passed through here with two ogres. My men tried to attack them of course what with them being ogres and the recent disappearances, but the gnome assured us he was simply passing through and the two creatures were what he called 'Performance Ogres'; harmless brutes that do tricks and he was on his way to sell them to a circus some ways past the Eastvale Logging Camp. He had a way about him, silver tongue and an interesting charm. He had most of the townsfolk captivate with his speeches and ogre juggling demonstrations."

"How long ago?" Aema blurted out, stepping close.

"Two days prior to your arrival I believe."

"We need to go. Now," Aema hissed, grabbing Kaden by the tunic and pulling him away.

"But your rations," Dughan protested.

"He's got a point," Kayden affirmed. "We are low and if we're going to be chasing Gervais though the night, we need adequate supplies."

Aema growled and stamped her foot before releasing him and crossing her arms. "Fine! But make it fast!"

Marshal Dughan ordered to nearby guards to make haste and bring forth supplies. Aema's foot tapped the ground impatiently as her body was fueled with adrenaline. Gervais! That wretched little snake was here! They just missed him! She wanted to break into a run and take off into the night, each step bringing her closer to that pompous fool. As Aema and Kayden awaited their supplies, two familiar figures timidly approached them. Kayden was the first to notice and he nudged the she wolf with his elbow.

When she averted her attention over to what he was referring to, Aema found Sarah and her mother standing awkwardly before them. The mother gently squeezed her daughter's shoulders, smiling down at her before looking back up to them.

"Um…I just wanted…to say thank you," she said quietly. "Thank you for saving my little girl…and…I'm sorry…I'm sorry for the things I said at the inn…You are no monster…"

Aema's expression softened and she nodded, accepting the woman's apology. The mother knelt down to her daughter and whispered something. The little girl shuffled her way towards Aema who crouched down in front of her. Sarah shyly pulled at her nightgown as if trying to hide, but then unexpectedly wrapped her arms around the worgen's neck in a hug.

"Thank you," she said in a tiny voice.

Aema froze. The feeling of the girl's arm around her in appreciation and comfort was a gesture so scarce for her that it almost felt foreign. But the longer she held on, the more Aema's heart swelled at the feeling, and she could feel tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She looked to the mother who softly smiled. Sarah finally released her and Aema managed a genuine smile.

"You…You are most welcome," she whispered, trying not to let anyone hear the emotion in her voice. She brushed away a few stray hairs that hung in the girl's face and softly stroked her cheek.

Sarah went back to her mother and the two joined the rest of the townsfolk who celebrated the return of their loved ones. Aema stood up and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, quickly trying to regain her composure. She turned around to find Kayden smiling at her. Her grumpy like visage returned quickly and she growled at him.

"What?"

"You're just a big ol' softie, aren't you?

"Bite me, Althane."

The two were soon joined by The Marshal again and a footman who brought with him sacks of various goods. Kayden stuffed them into their bag and slung it back around his shoulders. The Marshal thanked the once more and just as they were about to depart, a second footman came running up from the crowd.

"Sir!" he cried. "We have men on horseback with a regiment wanting to see you!"

"What men?" Dughan frowned.

"Soldiers from Quillback Prison, sir! They're looking for two fugitives! A man and a…worgen…" the footman's words died on his lips as he stared at Kayden and Aema.

Marshal Dughan too gawked at them, Kayden and Aema looking very nervous. He looked back over the crowd and could see the distant forms of horses coming up the street. Looking back at the two, he could see their hands on their weapons, but had yet to unsheathe them. Dughan eyes darted back and forth in thought before he looked to the man and wolf one last time.

"Go," he said. "I'll hold them here as long as I can."

"But, sir-" the footman began but was cut off by his superior.

"But nothing! You are not to speak a word about these two as are anyone else! That is an order, understand?!" The soldier merely nodded. "What are you waiting for? Go!" Dughan ordered to Kayden and Aema. With faces reflecting of gratitude, the wolf and man took off in a run.

They kept running despite the soreness in their bodies after dealing with The Whistler, passing out of Goldshire and the few farms before venturing deeper into Elwynn Forest. With burning lungs and aching legs, they came to a stop in the darken woods trying to catch their breath. Kayden wiped away some sweat and spat away some spittle that had formed in his mouth.

"Talk about…timing…" he panted.

"Not now," Aema hissed. "Not when Gervais is so close."

"Relax," Kayden groaned, stretching out his back. "The Marshal said he'd hold them for a while. That should give us plenty of time to get some distance between us."

As if the universes heard the human's optimism, they heard the distant cry of horses in the dark. Peering through the vast trees, Aema and Kayden could faintly make out a series of small lights that most likely represented torches or lanterns. Groaning to herself, Aema pulled Kayden along back into a run.

"So much for that," she growled.

"It's gonna be another one of those nights, isn't?" Kayden whined.

Aema said nothing and pushed him along. The two fugitives ran through the forest as the moon shone down through the tree top, the furious pounding of hooves and armored men closing in on them with the intent of dragging them back to Quillback Prison and the madman who ruled it.

A/N: Bleh! Spooky! Looks like Kayden and Aema are in some hot water now...or always. Stay tuned for Episode #9!

Episode 9 - The Brother's Boom

While trying to out run Captain Eryon, our heroes come to a bridge that's guarded by three goblins loaded with dynamite. If they can solve their riddles, they may pass. If not, then there's going to be some major fireworks in Azeroth tonight.