Karis

-A Warcraft Tale-
-Part of the "Tales of Warcraft" series-

By Loc-zsu

The events of this story are set in the MMORPG World of Warcraft roughly during the time of the Burning Crusade expansion.

Credit goes to Blizzard for creating the world that this story takes part in, as well as many of the characters involved.

Karis, Tylira and quite a few other characters that will appear later are completely custom created characters and used with permission of the creators.

Chapter 1

Karis didn't much like it in Silithus. With slight difficulty, and a fair amount of grumbling on her part, she scrambled to the top of the sand dune before her. As she pulled her young, petite frame on to a nearby rock, a slight breeze washed across her, bringing with it a large gust of sand.

Coughing and spluttering, her eyes watering, Karis pulled her slightly tattered cloak tighter around her, lifting it up slightly so as to cover her mouth and nose from the onslaught of wind driven sand. Her purple tinted skin that remained exposed stung slightly from the tiny specks that struck her, causing her to grumble more.

Turning around so that her back was to the wind, she reached up and rubbed her weeping eyes, only succeeding in grinding the sand into them even more. Letting out an inaudible sigh, Karis chastised herself for not thinking to take any kind of eye-wear with her when she ran away from the Cenarion Hold.

In fact, she had brought very little with her when she snuck away in the dead of night. All she had was a canteen, which was now only half filled with water, a small pouch with some various bits of food in and the clothes she was wearing. The protective eye-wear, however, wasn't the only thing she wished she had brought with her. Her long, dark hair had nothing to shield it from the onslaught of sand, and in the few days that she had been ambling around Silithus, it had become very dry and weathered, losing its usual gleam. This, of course, didn't stop it from constantly blowing into her face when she was trying to work out where to go.

Where she should go… It was something that Karis hadn't quite worked out for herself. She certainly wasn't going to go back to Darnassus, to her parents. Her mother was always too busy with her guard duties, and her father spent all his time in the market place. It was why they sent her to live with her uncle in the Cenarion Hold in Silithus.

The Cenarion Hold was the other option that Karis flat out refused. She hated it there more than Darnassus. At least in Darnassus she had the other children to play with. In the Hold, she was stuck indoors all day, cleaning clothes for the troops, or arranging books, or cooking! She was twelve! She was meant to be out laughing and playing!

Feeling the anger build up inside her, Karis let out a strangled cry as she kicked out at the air, venting some of her frustration. It was no use her getting angry over the situation. She had forced herself here, after all. Sneaking about in Darnassus and watching the druids train in combat in a heavily guarded area had been the last straw for her parents.

Although the other children in the group had simply been told off by their parents for what they had done, Karis' own parents had jumped on it as an excuse to cart her away to the Hold for her uncle to look after her. It would teach her discipline, they had said to her as she begged and cried for them not to send her away. But they didn't listen to her. She had tried to escape from the supplies convoy they sent her with, but each time she was found and dragged back.

Her uncle hadn't been too pleased to see her either. Her mothers brother, he was much like his sister. He had trained to become a warrior, and was just as skilled at it as Karis' mother. Unlike her, however, he was sent to the Hold to help out there, rather than serve in Darnassus. Quick to anger, her uncle had been fast to put her to good use and keep her out of his hair. For the first month, Karis had hoped that her parents would turn up to whisk her away, apologising for what they had done.

It was after the second month that she gave up hoping. They weren't coming for her. They probably hadn't even thought about her since she was gone. With that knowledge in mind, Karis had decided she was going to leave. No one would miss her, and certainly not her family.

And now, she found herself wandering through Silithus, not sure where she was going to go, or what she was going to do. She had managed to avoid any Silithids that were often reported as roaming around the area, as well as the cultists too. She didn't have a weapon to fight with, and she hadn't exactly taken any combat training herself. All she had was her speed.

Deciding that she had spent long enough standing on the rock, Karis jumped down onto the sand, instantly losing her footing on its grainy surface. With a yelp, her arms flailing, she tumbled down the dune before coming to a stop at the bottom, sand now residing in every nook and cranny of her clothing.

Standing up, Karis shook herself down, the dune offering some protection from the wind as she did so. After a few minutes of shaking, and hopping around as she emptied her leather boots of any sand, Karis started walking on again. Numerous times, the wind threatened to pick up her tiny form and carry her away. Once, it almost succeeded, causing her to lift a few feet of the ground and hurtle forwards, planting face first into a near by dune.

After that instant, she had spent a few minutes curled up and crying. Her parents she may not have missed, but someone to just hold her…that was something else entirely. As she lay there, the sand starting to build up around her and cover her, Karis decided that enough was enough. She was sick to death of sand, and she wanted at least to talk to someone else.

With that in mind, she was soon back on her feet and trudging through the sands, determined to find a way out.

It was whilst she was wandering around that she was struck by a sweet, aromatic smell. At first Karis thought she had imagined it, simply shrugging slightly as she pushed some of her hair from her face and carried on. But then the smell came again, the smell of fresh flowers, and recent rain fall.

Determined this time that the smell was real, the young night elf chased the smell to its source, sniffing eagerly in the air. The smells lead her to the top of a long path that started to head up hill. Breaking into a slight sprint now, she managed to make it to the top, running past what looked to be a small encampment, and stopped as she looked at the source of the smell.

Of course…she thought to herself as she looked down into the large crater before her. Reaching outwards, covered by a thick canopy of trees, was the Un'goro Crater. A smile crept its way across Karis' cracked lips as the gentle warm breeze from the crater wrapped itself around her tired body.

She had read about the Crater when she was still in Darnassus and had been fascinated by it. She had always wondered how such a place could exist between two deserts, its lush forests full of life, surrounded by arid wastelands.

Slowly at first, Karis walked down the steep slope that lead into the Crater, the dry air of the desert soon being replaced by the more humid atmosphere of the thick forest, the occasional cool breeze blowing across her and cooling her down.

As she made it to the bottom, she stopped and closed her eyes, still smiling. All around her there was noise, but not the noise of a desert storm which she had had to endure in Silithus. The noise in Un'goro was much more pleasant. The sounds of birds chirping overhead as they flew between the trees, whose leaves rustled lightly in the wind. In the distance could be heard the noise of large creatures letting out slight roars, followed by gentle thumps as they walked along the thick green grass.

Opening her eyes again, Karis looked at the area around her, not sure of where she should go next. Looking down at her self and feeling her hair, she decided that it would be a good idea for her to get cleaned up. It didn't take her long to find a set of springs grouped together.

On the far side of the springs, in-between the steam that rose steadily from the hot water, Karis could make out large reptilian creatures that were running about, guarding nests. She remained still, watching them for a moment with keen interest, although at the same time, glad that they were on the other side, away from her.

Bringing herself back to her current situation, Karis quickly removed her clothing, chucking it in a pile by the side of the spring before running into the inviting waters. As soon as she felt the warm water touch her skin, she felt herself relax.

She hadn't had the chance for a proper wash since she had come down to the Hold. There was spare water for simple bathing and washing of her hair, but that was always it. Being in the middle of the desert, they rationed their water supply fiercely. Being able to take a proper bath was a welcome change for the young girl.

Soon, Karis spent her time simply resting against the edge of the spring, her entire body submerge under its refreshing waters, save for her head. Her eyes closed, Karis smiled even more, all the troubles of her mind fading away as she enjoyed the luxury she now found herself in.

Slowly opening her eyes again, she looked at her reflection in the shimmering water, noting the state of her hair. Taking in a deep breath, Karis dived under the waters surface, completely submerging herself as the water washed through her hair. Surfacing again, letting out her lung full of air and sucking in a fresh batch, she could already tell the water had had an affect on her hair.

After taking a few moments to swim about in the waters, Karis returned to the shore and climbed out of the water. Picking up her cloak, she dried herself down before shaking her clothes, getting as much sand off of them as she could before putting them back on again. After tying her cloak around her waist, Karis moved away from the springs, looking around.

As she stood away from the springs, she felt her stomach growl at her, signifying that it was time for her to get something to eat. Rubbing her belly slightly, Karis pulled out her small pouch and opened it, looking to see what was left inside. At the site of only a few crumbs, she let out a slight sigh and put the pouch back. It looked like she was going to have to forage for food.

Spending almost fifteen minutes looking for food, Karis found what looked to be edible fruit, handing from a tree. Looking around for something to use to get the fruit down, she eventually opted to throw stones at the fruit and hope that it would cause it to fall down.

Her first few throws missed wildly, bouncing off of the tree or sailing off to the side somewhere. Eventually, one of her throws hit its target, causing the fruit to shake slightly, but remain in place. Stamping her feet on the ground in a mild tantrum, Karis picked up more stones and started throwing them at the fruit.

As she threw a stone, a raven flew over head and landed on the branch that kept the fruit from Karis' reach. Karis looked at the darkly coloured bird as it perched itself there, looking down at her, its head tilted to the side.

"I don't suppose you want to help me, do you?" Karis asked the raven, pointing at the fruit then at her mouth. The raven continued to look at her for a moment before hopping along the branch so that it was positioned above the fruit. Karis nodded and smiled eagerly as the raven looked at the fruit, then her.

"That's it!" she said as she moved underneath the fruit. The raven watched her intently before stretching its wings and flying off of the branch, causing a frustrated moan to escape from Karis who fell to her knees.

As Karis sat on the ground, her stomach grumbled again, causing her to look up at the tantalizing fruit, wishing she could have it. From behind her there was a sudden bird call as the raven came flying back towards the fruit. Karis watched as the raven's wing seemed to slice through the stem holding the fruit up, causing it to drop down onto Karis' lap.

With a slight cry of joy, Karis picked up the fruit and took a large bite out of it, the sweet taste causing her to smile. The raven flew overhead again before landing on the ground in front of Karis, looking up at her.

Karis looked at the raven for a moment before breaking a piece of the fruit off and offering it to the bird.

"You helped me, so it's only fair you get some little guy" she said with a grin. The raven looked at her some more before bouncing over to her hand and taking the piece of fruit gladly, swallowing it down.

Karis shared the fruit with the raven, smiling the entire time. Once she was finished, she stood up and stretched her arms out above her head. She looked down at the raven who hopped up to her feet, tilting its head to the side as it looked up at her.

"Time for me to go on, little guy" Karis said to the raven, reaching down and lightly petting it, causing it to ruffle its feathers slightly. "Thanks for your help though! I doubt I would have gotten the fruit down by myself any time soon."

The raven let out a slight squawk before it stretched its wings and flew upwards, landing on Karis' shoulder. She winced slightly as she felt its talons dig into her shoulder slightly, but soon got used to it.

"You going to keep me company?" she asked the raven, looking at it. The raven squawked again, ruffling its feathers some more before nipping at its wings, seeming to be digging out some dirt. Karis smiled at her new found friend before checking she had everything. The last thing she wanted to do was lose what little possessions she currently had.

With the raven on her shoulder, Karis found herself feeling more upbeat about things as she moved through the thick undergrowth of the Crater. The further into the Crater she moved, the louder creatures started to become. More than once she narrowly avoided being stepped on by giant creatures.

"I don't think it's safe for me here…" Karis whispered to the raven on her shoulder, who responded with a quiet squawk of its own. Karis let out a sudden yelp as the ground shook underneath her, a large Devilsaur suddenly moving up behind her.

Karis turned and looked at the giant creature, which in turn stopped and looked at her. Karis remained frozen in place as she looked into its beady eyes, the raven on her shoulder squawking madly. Raising its head back, the Devilsaur let out an almighty roar before it started to charge towards the tiny girl.

Bringing herself back to reality, Karis turned around and sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her. Behind her she could here and feel the mighty Devilsaur bearing down on her, easily catching up with her as she jumped over loose branches, weaving past rocks.

Casting a quick glance behind her, Karis ran head first into a collection of low hanging vines, easily getting tangled up in them as she tried to escape. Struggling against the vines, she heard the Devilsaur approach her from behind, its foot steps starting to slow down as it sensed its prey was trapped.

Karis started to feel tears roll down her cheeks as she struggled further, trying to untangle herself. On her shoulder, the raven spread its wings before launching towards the Devilsaur, trying to claw at its eyes.

"Someone… help me!" Karis cried out as she felt her arms and legs start to ache from the struggling. Behind her, the raven continued its valiant efforts to distract the Devilsaur, buts its attempts were as futile as Karis' own. With tears now freely falling down her cheeks, Karis went limp as she cried heavily.

Her mind filled with thoughts of her family, of Darnassus. As much as she hated them, she still found herself missing them. Would they ever wonder what happened to her? Or was she now forgotten? Karis closed her eyes tight, waiting for the inevitable to happen. It was then that a soft voice broke through to her.

"Do not worry, child. You will be safe now." Karis opened her eyes, still sobbing slightly, and turned her head to the side, trying to find where the voice had come from. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted another night elf moving towards the Devilsaur, arms at their sides.

"Beast, it is in your best interest to leave" came the voice again. It was certainly a female voice, Karis could tell. It had a certain softness to it. "I do not wish to harm you, but I will if I have to."

The Devilsaur seemed to stop for a moment, ignoring the raven that was still circling around its head. It looked to the woman for a moment, regarding her. It let out another loud roar and lunch forwards, snapping its jaws at the same time.

From the corner of her eye, Karis watched the woman deftly jump out of the way, landing on the Devilsaurs head. The Devilsaur started to lurch about, trying to get the woman off, but every attempt seemed to fail. Reaching out, the woman placed her hand at the back of the creatures head, followed by a bright flash. The Devilsaur stopped for a moment, swaying on its legs slightly before falling forwards, seeming to be dazed.

The woman gracefully jumped off of the Devilsaur and moved quickly to Karis, the raven following behind her. Pulling a knife from a belt around her waist, the woman easily cut through the vines that were holding Karis in place. As soon as she was free, Karis turned around and wrapped her arms around the woman's waist, burying her face against her stomach, crying heavily.

A gentle smile formed on the woman's face as she placed a hand lightly on the back of Karis' head.

"It is ok" came her soft voice once more. "You are safe now."