Into the mist: Chapter 8

The days on sea was long, the sounds of the once fresh waves had become a dull habit for the ears. His legs were aching and his thoughts seemed more prone to linger towards the past. About his family, Gilneas, his Isabelle. Already he knew he had been her unfaithful. Unfaithful with nothing less but an orc. For a moment, Gabriel, were disgusted by himself. He looked over the railing. Some of the men were still doing their duty the others had gone below deck to drink their savor in rum and ale.

“Oi, Sir Gabriel.” The voice of one of the crewmembers ringed through his ears. It was the new recruit, Michael Lafeur. A round lad, with short legs. He was the son of a baron, clearly one that enjoyed his meals, more than his training. He held an orange in his hand, holding it towards Gabriel with a smile.

“Here you go Sir Gabriel. Remember to eat the citrus fruits, or you’ll catch scurvy” Michael seemed to know a bit about the sea. Giving him a welcoming nod, Gabriel took the orange and started to peel it. Each piece of it skin, was dropped into the ocean, as they both watched the orange dots float away.

“So, Michael. Getting used to the army yet?” Gabriel asked with a solemn tone. Trying to start a conversation on a usual subject. “I know it can be hard in the start. A lot of old habits needs to be changed and you’ll be away from the daily life goods in longer periods, not knowing if you will be back or not”. With those words, Gabriel knew he had taken it too far. Discreetly insulting Michael, without even knowing itself before he had thought over it.

Michael smiled and made a short chuckle, looking out over the ocean “indeed, I miss the daily life goods back home. Nevertheless, I am excited for this trip. It’s almost like a once in a lifetime thing.” Michael took a piece of his orange and started to chew on it. His nose wrinkling to the sour taste.

“The mist is in sight!” the outlook shouted from the crow’s nest. Gabriel and Michael directed their gaze towards the mist.
“All men on deck!” Shouted the captain. The sound of rushing footsteps, creaking wood, and a few sounds filled the air for a few minutes as the men lined up on the deck, looking towards the dense mist. As they entered the mist, a cold chill went down everyone’s spine. Debris floated in the water, a Horde and Alliance flag intertwined passed them by and caught on to a nail on the ships haul.

“By the light… W-what happened?” Michael shivered, as he looked further into the mist. A towering mountain formation took shape, against it, there were a shattered boat, and a dwarven corpse was just barely visible, the tattered beard swaying to the waves in the water. Gabriel shook his head, and looked further inland once more. Finally a suitable place to throw anchor appeared.
“Prepare to throw anchor!”  Shouted the captain. A few seconds went by, before people got busy. “Get them Rowboats into the water; we need to set camp and rendezvous with the rest”.  One of the men took hold of the ship bell; the sound was loud as the bell was struck multiple times. Soon it was answered from further out in the mist. It was the other ships. Hours went by, as the ships docked, and the men grouped up on the shore. The mist seemed to have cleared a bit.

Gabriel looked around; it was a jungle to all he cared for. Unknown trees, plants, and animals all over it. He frowned as he heard what sounded like a group of monkeys running about in the distance. Michael came up to him, poking Gabriel’ shoulder curiously.
“So, what do you think we will find here?” said Michael skeptically as he looked into the forest. Gabriel shrugged and answered.
“Horde… that is for one. Possible some locals, and wild animals…” he took a moment to think before continuing his answer, “A tropical disease if we are lucky. But what is most important, is to get the Prince, and get him home.” Gabriel shivered by the thought. He already knew how it felt to lose one Prince. How irrational once leader could become, but also how quiet. He hoped to himself, that King Wrynn’ son would not sacrifice himself, as Prince Liam did for his people.

Days passed, weeks even. They had made little progress. Rumors that the SI:7 had found the prince had been heard. Also about how they had lost him again. They had made contact with one Horde a few times already, but also made contact with one of the local tribes. A group of Fish-people named Jinyou. Negotiations seemed to be going smoothly with them and the Alliance officers; however, Gabriel seemed rather skeptical. They reminded him of murlocs, a typical nuisance in Elwynn Forest, and they were not the best of fighters either. Another people they had made contact with, was the Pandaren. They looked like bears in Black and white patterns, mostly. In the beginning, Gabriel had been sure they were druids in disguise. However, after a while even were proven wrong again.
“Pandaria” Gabriel mumbled to himself, while packing one of the carts that was meant to travel further inland. “I wonder when we are done here.” He looked around, before sitting up in the cart with the supplies and a few other soldiers. Even they seemed skeptical of everything. Bear people, fish people, monkey people, Lizard people, and those freakish large statues of creatures named “Mogu”. The cart set off, the road was bumpy and air was humid. Though the scenery was a beauty, it all seemed to hide some larger and darker secret.

  Time went by, days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months. The lands of Pandaria were starting to buzz with life from all over Azeroth. Gabriel had been collecting additional scars through a multitude of battle against new foes. Though combat was something that came to him naturally, it still seemed unreal for him. He had been told by the local pandaren, to never use his negative emotions to fight or meet a problem. In the start, it all seemed like hogwash to him; however, by now he knew exactly why it had been told this.
“Sha… “He mumbled to himself. Looking over the ocean on his new post in the Krasarang Wilds. Large stone walls had been erected and ships were now coming in weekly. Just down at the other end of the beach, the Horde had made base as well. Gabriel thought back to the happening in Northrend. To him it seemed the usual; another fight, another sacrifice, another land destroyed by the war brought by strangers.

“Oi Gabriel, the shift is over soon. Ready to get something to eat?” Michael came  up the stairs with a smile. No longer was Michael the chubby, baby-skin noble son that joined us. He had lost a lot of weight, as well as one of his eyes. Michaels left ear was flayed, and for a while, he seemed somewhat changed in personality as well. Gabriel looked over his shoulder and nodded.
“I’ll be down in a moment. Just taking in the sight” Gabriel looked over the ocean once more, he could not deny its majestic beauty. He then glanced at the beach; Red markings covered the sand, debris from previous battles were littering beach. Turning around fully, he looked passed Michael and into the wilds, there was something magical about Pandaria. Something that he could admire, and fear.