Darnassus - Part 1

A few weeks later, Kul'thran finished the necessary training in order to enter the forest of Ashenvale. He had bought a new axe, and trained himself to use a short sword in his left hand--the weapon he obtained soon after. Ashenvale was a dangerous place, both for the Alliance and the Horde. While it was a very lush and fertile forest, he had learned that some areas were infested with demons, and others with Satyrs. Not to mention the poisonous spiders, and other creatures that laid in wait for any unsuspecting prey.

Arriving at Spintertree Post in the northeastern area of Ashenvale by Wyvern, Kul'thran examined the outpost from the air. It was small outpost with a large watch tower near the front. Various small, stone buildings were placed here and there around the outpost, giving the guards a place to eat and sleep. Splintertree Post was placed there to watch for Alliance members trying to attack the Warsong Lumber Mill nearby. It made itself a small deterrent to the Alliance, especially the night elves, who wanted nothing more than to destroy the Lumber Mill.

I wish they wouldn't cut down the trees, but I don't see any other way to get lumber for the Horde's supplies, Kul'thran thought as he landed and got off his Wyvern.

Dusting off his gloved hands, he began to make his way past the guards out of the outpost. They didn't seem to pay the troll any mind, save one guard, who gave him a slight nod.

Once he was past the guards, Kul'thran hid behind a tree and opened up his map. Neeru had summoned him again, and told the troll to meet one of his associates north of Astranaar--a night elven city. The area was marked with a red circle. He was excited, not only to fulfill Thrall's objectives to find out what the Shadow Council was doing in Ashenvale, but to see a night elven city! His fingers tapped the map rapidly as he thought about it.

Rolling up the map and putting it away, Kul'thran made a whistling noise. Within seconds, a red-scaled raptor ran up to him and sniffed his feet. "Dat's a good boy, Kulvir," the troll said to the raptor. Kulvir had been in Ashenvale for a week now, awaiting his master's arrival. The Bloodtalon licked Kul'thran's face in a happy greeting.

After petting his companion, Kul'thran started down the road of Ashenvale with Kulvir following him. No too long after, he ran into a crossroads. One lead to the south, back to the Barrens, and the other pointed in a northwestern--mostly western--direction; the sign for that direction read "Astranaar." Without any hesitation, Kul'thran took the western road. As far as he knew, and was told, the night elves did not keep a patrol between the city and the Barrens across the road. He was then free to go across the open road without any trouble. He had heard rumors that Alliance members would occasionally cross this road, but, he didn't encounter any, which he found to be quite odd.

As he distanced himself from Splintertree Post, the air started to feel more fresh. The smell, while there was a hint of demonic taint, was quite relaxing with clean aroma of the forest. The road was made of some rough stones, but Kul'thran's feet, used to the rough terrain of Durotar, did not bother him. The large amount of trees dimmed the light, and through their green and purple leaves, giving a slight pinkish tint to the evening sun.

Then Kul'thran stopped and took a deep breath as it came into view: the city of Astranaar.

To the troll, it was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. There were houses and buildings with violet rooftops, made of fine wood, and with moon-like symbols and decorations on the walls. Upon poles were glowing, crystal lights that dimly illuminated the streets. One of the larger buildings was built within a tree and was two stories high. At the front of the city, Kul'thran could see a stone gate with a bright crescent moon set on the top. Surrounded by a lake, the city was set on a beautiful, and lush green landscape.

Unfortunately, he also noticed two night elf Sentinels--both female--guarding the entrance. He felt disappointed, and wished he could sneak into the city just to take a look at what night elf life would be like. Creeping forward, Kul'thran moved in to get a better view of the city before remembering he had a job to do.

Sighing slightly, Kul'thran hid himself from the Sentinels' views behind a tree, and looked at his map again. North of here. He peered around his tree, and looked at the city. He figured north of it would be around to the right of the entrance, and circle around the lake.

As he was pondering this, he heard some strange tongue behind him. "Ashi, toredei," was around what it sounded like to Kul'thran. He was about to turn around when...

Whack!

At first, he didn't feel a thing, but then the pain seared though his head before he went unconscious.