Seeing Stars [RC]

[Cepht]

A shiny silver coin lay captive in the cold, clammy fist of a Forsaken vagabond wearing nothing more than a purple brew fest hat, a tattered shirt and a filthy loincloth that bore the name "Riley" in large black letters. He skittered along the path towards the Gurubashi arena whispering "Casper Claspy, come hither dither dum diddle dum." Before long he noticed a dead blood elf upon the ground, a Draenei woman and humans fighting in his midst. Strangely, Casper, his imaginary butterfly had disappeared.

Perhaps it was instinct that drove Riley to hasten his pace along the path. The humans were armed and attacking one another. As he fled, the rhythmic drumming of his feet striking the ground reminded him of the sensation of fear, adrenaline and panic. Before him was a sin'dorei and a human, then a fel-guard, and in the far distance, a Draenei. He ran and hid behind the elf, for fear of the human before shuffling to the side of the road.

A foul stench of burning hair filled his nostrils and stung his eyes. He waved his hand but could not dispel the smoke. Next his head began to resonate with chattering voices. The words "Nine" and "Danger" began to echo in his mind. He closed his eyes but was blinded by alternating images of the number nine surrounded by a jarring orange and green halo. The letter "d" flashed in his mind in a trail-like pattern with each repetition of the word. He held his ears as if to block out the overwhelming din and ran past the fel-guard who had vanished in passing.

Upon spotting the Draenei, the words "Singe her" slithered into his mind. He tried to resist but the hissing command grew louder, "Ssssssinge her!" The hissing command made his head and spine twitch with an uneasy chill. Wanting it to go away he obediently flicked his wrist. With a flash of flame the Draenei caught fire. He continued to run as her flailing body smoldered and burned.

Having released the flame Riley's hallucinations began to fade. Two men atop dark steeds blocked his way. He stopped and stared, not knowing what to expect. They asked what had happened down the road. He pointed back towards the crowd and from his lips came just one word, "Murder!".

With that Astus and the other figure approached him. He was struck and fell backwards as the two figures continued to approach. He tried to scurry away on his backward facing palms and feet. His loin cloth dragged in the sand as he pushed his feet and grasped at the sand with his hands, With a flash, a bolt was cast. He fell on his rear as he thrust his hands forward in a vain attempt to shield himself. The bolt passed though his hands and chest, then struck the ground beneath him. His body collapsed. As if death was not enough, his skull was kicked and fractured and from it ran a putrid ooze.

The two took the corpse while still soft and slumped it over the back of a steed, then began to transport it along the road towards Duskwood. Upon nearing the watch guards they ditched the body - tossing it like trash into a bush that lay along the side of the road. Without much ado they continued on their way.

Months had passed and the elements had begun to take their toll on the rotting cadaver. Its mouth provided a hiding place for a small family of snakes and its flesh became a breeding ground for flies and fungi. In its clenched hand the silver coin remained. A corner of which would sparkle ever so faintly on the rare occasion that a ray of light would break though the thick canopy of trees overhead.

[more to come]