Broken - Part VIII

GAME: WORLD OF WARCRAFT
CHARACTER: KAIDEN, AIDEN

Hidden in a deeply hooded cloak, traveling from merchant to merchant in the market, Kaiden bought what supplies he could afford. His pack was light as his earnings as an adept were meager at best, a few
pieces of bread, block of cheese, flint and stone, threaded line and several hooks as he figured he could find bait himself. The only weapon he could afford was a heavy iron broadsword. If it wasn't for the strength training he received, the young man may not have been able to even pick it up yet alone wield it properly. Using a scrap piece of parchment, he checked over the things he would need in order to find his friends or at least make a real effort to. Wrapping the cloak tightly around his shoulders as he slung the sword against his back, he could feel the cold metal through the thin layers of his clothing. Gripping his pack in his opposite hand, his knuckles turned white from the grip as he weaved between the masses of the market.

His first step outside the city of Silvermoon sent a chill through his body, this was the first time that he had ever done something disobedient in his life. Up until yesterday, he had led a sheltered and guided life that was decided upon since his birth. Kaiden was to make his way through the ranks of the Blood Knights, retire on a nice pension or retain a desk job while wedding a woman with name and wealth. His mother already had a few prospects in mind while his father boasted to other families within Silvermoon of his son's future promotions. This was more than a mere act of defiance for the young knight; this was something that he had to do in order to call himself a man or be able to see his own reflection without cringing. Both Kaleyen and Finis were more like brothers to him and deserved more then what was being given as a search party or rescue.

Tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear, he took to the path that led to the Ghostlands. He had heard stories of rogue Trolls and Night Elves who had taken encampments there, a fine place to start
looking as he figured they would both captives if they were still alive. If they were still in Eversong Woods, rumors would have surely reached the Silvermoon market of a squad of Blood Knights, meaning
they had to be away from the eyes and ears of a Blood Elf. It was still early enough in the morning that he should be able to put enough distance between him and the city before anyone realized he was gone, but he would have to walk at a decent pace. The fact that he had no heavy armor to weigh him down made this task rather easy for the elf that was use to marching in full battle armor.

He was leaving Fairbreeze Village getting closer to the Dead Scar when an unfamiliar but young voice spoke up. "You know the road ahead is closed." It was phrased as a question yet the asker didn't give him enough time to respond before speaking again. "And only a fool would consider taking it."

Turning around in circles with a hand gripping the sword on his back, he searched for the source of the voice. "Who goes there? Show yourself." Kaiden used the most commanding voice he could muster
considering the circumstances. His mind raced on who it could be, did his father get his letter sooner than expected and sent someone out to intercept him? He was still going over the possibilities when the voice spoke up again.

"I'm right here."

Turning around again, Kaiden still couldn't put a face to the voice.

"Do you need glasses or are you seriously that daft? I'm up here!"

With that Kaiden looked up to see a young blood elf, his knees hooked on a branch as he hung upside down looking at him. He opened his mouth to speak but wasn't entirely sure what to say. He had never encountered another hanging upside down in a tree before.

The young elf put his thumb against his chest and grinned as he looked down. "Aiden"

Kaiden looked up at him half confused, did this boy know him? Maybe someone he met when he was younger perhaps; regardless, he did get his name wrong and that should be corrected.

Clearing his throat before he spoke so he could be heard, he responded. "No, it's Kaiden."

The look on the other's face was hard to judge as he was still hanging upside down. "I said Aiden."

Taking in a deep breath before Kaiden opened his mouth. "I know what you said, and it was still incorrect, it's Kaiden."

With this the young elf did a flip and jumped down to the ground to stand face to face with Kaiden. He was visibly younger then the young knight and wore an outfit of brown and green leathers with a bow and quiver of arrows across his back with a simple dagger against his hip. Looking up at Kaiden, his arms crossed against his chest. "I know what you said and what I said and what I said is still right, Aiden."

Without realizing it, Kaiden was drawn into the childish argument. "Listen little boy, I know what you said what I said and what you meant to say is what I said and I know my own name."

The insult caused the tips of the young elf's ears to turn red, yes he was younger in years then the man who stood before him but he wasn't a mere boy either. "You many know your own name but can't pronounce or even remember my name when I spoke it not moments earlier. It's a bad sign when your memory goes old man."

Each taking a step back as they proceeded to insult the other had given. A few moments of silence passed before they both shouted simultaneously. "MY NAME IS KAIDEN!" "MY NAME IS AIDEN!"

Blinking in realization, Kaiden pointed towards the other. "Aiden?"

The young elf nodded and pointed back. "Kaiden?" The young knight nodded before they both burst out laughing. Kaiden offered his hand to the young elf as he calmed. "It's nice to meet you Aiden, now what's this about a road being closed?" Taking the paladin's hand firmly in his, he replied much the same. "And you, Kaiden." Yet what he said next removed the grin from his face. "The road is closed for the safety of travelers by order of the Farstriders." Kaiden's ears perked as he waited for the boy to continue "The dead do not remain dead and seek out those that still have life. I have seen it myself, trust me you don't want to take it."

He hadn't thought about the dead taking his friends, and this possessed a new concept that he hadn't thought of before. Regardless, he had to make his way to the Ghostlands to see if he could pick up anything regarding his friends. "Well, I have no choice; I have to make it to the Ghostlands." He looked ahead at the path wondering how long he could make it before the young elf interrupted his thoughts.

"There is another way, I could take you if you want." Kaiden shook his head as he walked up to the boy. "I don't want to put you in that kind of danger, just tell me where this other road is and
I will find it." Aiden replied with a keen look. "You don't understand, there is no visible trail or path, or any way for you to make your way to or through it without a guide." Placing a hand on the young man's shoulder, Kaiden seemed still reluctant. "And what of your family, surely they would realize that you're missing."

Aiden laughed as he started walking the opposite direction of the road. "They are use to me being gone days, even weeks in the woods. Lets get going if you're still going?" With a simple nod, Kaiden followed the young man, unsure of what he was getting himself into.