Annadia Thorn

[ Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash ]

As they rounded the northwestern shores of Tirisfal, it came fully into view.

The Voidstorm.

A dark swirl of Shadow and Void suspended in the sky, lanced by a spear of Light.

Quel’thalas, below, was still hidden behind the horizon.

If the winds held, they’d make the harbor come morning.

A N Y P O R T  –  F O U R   D A Y S   E A R L I E R

From Kul Tiras, it was merely an ominous presence on the edges of the horizon when it manifested, the lookout noting it as a stormfront that was unlikely to reach the Aralya’diel at her dock in Anyport.

But it was Seraanna who emerged from her quarters soon after, tentative steps taking her to the rise of the aft deck where she looked silently to the east. Shadows swirled about her feet, rising and falling, and when she returned to the main deck the crew parted before her like waters before a tidesage.

The ren’dorei’s declarations that dark power swelled past the eastern horizon would have been disturbing enough, had there not been a quaver to her voice as she described emanations of the Void from the distant shadow. And she insisted that they needed not to stay distant, but must instead sail to Quel’thalas with “all haste that... we might make.”

Maxinora stood quiet in the doorway to their shared quarters, but Annadia was the one to challenge her sister.

“The hell, Seraa? It’s just a stormcloud, we can’t drop everything for–”

“...no.” The whisper cut off Annadia’s protest like a cleaver. “Azj-Kahet. K’aresh. Now she comes for Quel’thalas. Our home, dear sister. Take us... home.”

Seraanna turned, crew shuffling out of her path as she returned to her quarters, the Alchemist wrapping an arm over her Shadow’s shoulder and glancing back at the Captain before closing the door.

* * *

Later that evening, Annadia stood watch on the aft deck, searching for that dark smudge of shadow her sister had sensed, finding it only by the lack of stars in its place on the horizon. Seraa’s whispers echoed in her mind. Now she comes for Quel’thalas. Younger years played in memory, the pair of them hiding in Silvermoon’s rubble, minions of the Scourge lumbering through ruined streets, and darkness descending on her soul as the Sunwell was extinguished.

The unhurried pace of Ko’jin’s tread, recognized easily, broke her reverie and drew her attention. It was an effort of will not to reach for a weapon, even when it was an old friend that approached her back.

Habits learned in Murder Row never died.

“I know you be doubtin’,” the old troll offered without preamble, coming to stand beside his captain and leaning forward to rest his elbows on the railing. “Lotta money, lotta trade we be settin’ aside if y’do as ya sistah asks.”

“It’s another four days to make our contacts in Boralus, three for the business,” she sighed. “Even with the armistice, Kul Tirans pay top coin for exotic goods. We’d give that all up. Not to mention passing by pretty boy’s place entirely, either bring him and Cherise with us or risk dropping them off in Gilneas.” A humorless laugh. “And you know how much Gilneans love the armistice.”

“True, true. Still, you heard her, same as me. Been more herself since she came back from Arom’s Stand wit her Alchemist, for what dat’s worth. But dis?” Ko’jin tilted his chin towards the horizon. “Hearin’ de fear creep inta her voice, ya cool sistah’s voice? Dat grips me gut more den any shadow in de sky.”

Annadia was silent, eyes closed as she drew a slow breath.

“It was simpler when it was just the three of us, Ko’jin. Me and Ghaz following you while you ran around with that stupid amulet.”

“De woons!” Ko’jin laughed.

She chuckled low. “Yeah. But some things are still simple when I don’t let all this shit get up in my head.” A wave of her hand encompassed the Aralya’diel, the cargo on the deck yet to be traded or stowed in the hold, the ragged piers and flickering lights of Anyport. “In the end, it’s Seraa. I trust her. She’s my sister.”

The sin’dorei sighed heavily before offering Ko’jin a sidelong glance. “And you know most of what we’ve gone through together.”

“So let’s wrap it up and get out of here." Annadia slapped her hands on the railing, a sound of finality. “Unload what we’re trading, secure what we’re keeping, and sail for Quel’thalas with all the haste we can make.” The last few words uttered in imitation of Seraanna’s halting murmurs.

Ko’jin rose to his full height and snapped off a surprisingly passable salute, a smile wrapped around his curving tusks.

“Aye, Cap’n. S’much for de pleasure cruise...”

* * *

The ship was already a-bustle the next morning, crew loading and unloading cargo as Ghaz engaged in a spirited debate over moorage fees with Anyport’s goblin quartermaster that sounded like the prelude to a brawl. A courier was the least noticeable thing in the cacophony, dodging the barely-organized chaos to deliver a message for the Aralya’diel’s captain.

Minutes later the prelude was on the precipice of mak’gora, work slowed to a near-halt as crew and dockhands began to exchange bets on orc or goblin. Few heard the string of curses that came from the captain’s quarters, but the wooden thud of the door slamming open drew the attention of some. It was the echoing retort of a gunshot that stunned all into silence – even Ghaz and the quartermaster.

Annadia stood on the deck, gun lifted in the air and a sheet of parchment in her other hand. The morning breeze made a loose mess of her unbound hair, and she’d hastily tucked a half-buttoned linen blouse into leather pants, but there was still a full complement of weaponry at her belt. Eyes ablaze, she stuffed the still-smoking pistol into its holster and drew a shortsword with casual ease. The crew that knew their captain’s storied “education” stepped carefully backwards.

“Now that I've got your attention – stop fucking around!” The sin’dorei leveled her blade towards Ghaz. “Enough with the foreplay and pay the moorage already. At a fair fucking rate, too,” she snarled towards Anyport’s quartermaster. “And if you two’re gonna have a hate fuck, then do it quick. The rest of you get back to work. We sail on the tide.”

“Cap’n, that’s in two hours!” One of the newer crew, joined at their last port in Kalimdor, spoke up.

“Damn right it is. Better get on the fucking stick, then.” A menacing jab in his direction served as emphasis.

Annadia spun on her heel and stomped back to her cabin, the parchment still in hand. The crew were already scrambling to work, but Ghaz caught a glimpse of a sigil on the note - a cog writ in black ink.

“It’s that kinda news, huh? Ko’jin was right, pleasure trip’s done,” the hulking orc muttered before returning his attention to the quartermaster. The goblin peered back with more confusion than anger.

Annadia smiled then, something sharp lurking within her gold-green eyes.

The clipper Aralya’diel cut a sharp profile moored at the docks below Paw’don village; her lines and craftwork showed the vessel as one from Suramar’s shipyards, although the cut of her sails, for those with an eye, bore the influence of Quel’thalas. A lanky figure with long tusks and a shock of upright hair stood on the forward decks, a three-fingered hand held over his eyes as he peered towards the village above.

“‘ey, Cap’n Tightpants,” the troll called out, “I tink dat be your sister comin’.”

Annadia ducked out of the clipper’s aftcastle, adjusting a tricorn hat adorned with a nigh-ridiculous feather to just the right rakish angle. Black leather pants, fitted tight enough to earn the troll’s epithet, were tucked into knee-high cavalier boots buckled close around her calves, the outfit topped with a bishop-sleeved loose linen shirt left dangerously unbuttoned and secured only by an elaborately embroidered half-corset.

All the ensemble required were her blades and pistols, but those? Those remained below decks. The conditions of Paw’don's dockmaster were strict, and the local Pandaren had not forgotten the memory of what had once been Garrosh’ar Point.

“Yeah, that’s Seraa,” the sin’dorei agreed, walking across the deck to join the troll at the clipper’s forecastle. The distant figure was making her unhurried way along the winding path from the village to the docks, followed by a shadow far darker than could be accounted for by the springtime sun. “I’m surprised you remember her. And Ko’jin - you’re gonna have to stop calling me that when we get a full crew.”

Annadia gave him a sidelong look, golden eyes narrowing as the troll burst out in laughter.

“Only when you stop dressin’ like de covah o’ some cheap trash book,” the lanky troll retorted after his laughter subsided, “or mebbe you be plannin’ for an early Hallow’s End, eh?” His broad smile, echoed by Annadia a breath later, dulled the sharp edges of their banter.

She lifted a lazy hand with one finger extended in a near-universal gesture. “Let me have it, huh? It’s fun to play the part. We’re still breaking her in,” Anna patted the carved railing, “and I’ve been dreaming of my own ship since I was little. Besides…”

She checked the cinch of her waspie and adjusted her bosom emphatically, “If they’re distracted by my tits, they won’t see how blind we’re stealing them.” Her grin grew sly, long brows raised with hints of salacious intent.

“If it’s larceny on ya mind, you gon be needin’ more den dose baps,” Ko’jin snorted with mock derision, only to wince and move away from the punch Annadia aimed at his arm. “Spirits, ya be abusin’ yer crew already! Fine cap’n you gonna make.”

Annadia huffed an exaggerated pout of aggrievement before looking back along the path. Her sister was near halfway from the village, close enough that Annadia waved and shouted a greeting, the shadowed figure raising a hand in silent response.

A nudge from Ko’jin pushed Annadia in the direction of the gangplank. “You go’wan an’ meet her. Ghaz won’ be back from Two Moons ‘til mornin’, an’ I still gotta finish wit’ inventory in de hold.” He considered Anna for a moment, “You still tink settin’ aside dat space be a good idea?”

“…Yeah. I got a feeling.” She gave a curt nod, still looking towards Seraanna’s approach and waving again. “This time.”

“Best t’be trustin’ a captain’s hunches, ‘den. Mebbe I’ll stop in t’greet you an’ her after y’both had some time for catchin’ up.”

“Captain.” A pleased smirk. “I still like the sound of that. Don’t lose yourself in the hold, or all the wine’ll be gone by the time you’re out.”

“An’ here you be tinkin’ I didn’t lay in extra.” Ko’jin made a shooing gesture. “Now git, ‘fore she boards an’ takes de helm while we’re jawin’.”

Annadia flipped the bird at him again and left, boots clacking along the gangplank as she debarked. Ko’jin watched, the troll‘s thick fingers worrying a dull amulet worn about his neck until he saw the two sisters - sin’dorei and ren’dorei - meet in an embrace still a hundred-odd yards from the docks. Only then did he make his way belowdecks.

"Dreamer be walkin’ again..."

* * *

mentions: @longveil

"No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow."

Annadia Thorn (Longveil-Morrowsun) by @noirsnow