The First Battle: 1 - The Call

The Hinterlands were slowly darkening as the sun dipped down below the mountains. A cool breeze danced through the trees and finally found the paladin sitting upon her warhorse. The lady dwarf sighed, turning her face into the wind, a small smile on her face. Brown hair wound up in a loose bun tried to fall free, but was unsuccessful as the breeze passed, ruffling her dark tabard on its way down the valley. The golden, two-headed eagle on the sable field seemed to glow in the dimming light, and Seona Lightstone shifted in her saddle.

A long, low howl came from the distance and her eyes opened, alert for any potential danger. The warhorse's ears pricked forward as well. Leaning over, the young paladin patted her warhorse's armored neck. "Easy, Caliburn, easy. Sounds like the beast is still some way away." Caliburn snorted in response, one ear flicking back to listen while its twin remained forward, waiting for another howl. The abnormally large wolves of these lands were known to take down fully-grown gryphons.

Seona turned Caliburn back to the west, giving him is head as they headed back to the keep. The Wildhammer dwarves were wary of strangers, but she had been working with them for the last few days and they were a little more open towards her now. They didn't turn her away, at least.

Just as she was entering the Dwarven town, she heard a call come from her guild stone. Muffled from her pack, she slowed Caliburn and reached down quickly into her saddlebag, pulling it out.

"Any who can, please, come to Stormwind! Our aid is needed at the Stockades!" The voice that came from the stone belonged to Cendall Fost, one of the Lords of the Kingship. Seona, worried, immediately spoke into her stone in reply. "If my hammer can be of service, I will be there, though I'm not the most seasoned." The stone immediately responded, again with Cendall's voice, "Join us in the city, Seona. Make for the Stockades, near the Canals."

"Yes, sir." She altered her course, then, pushing Cal to run up the ramps to the keep's gryphon master. A few quick words and she had a flight to the city. Hopefully whatever was happening in the city would be kept in check by the troops stationed there. She wasn't lying when she had said she wasn't seasoned. Regardless, she'd do her part, one way or another. Her eyes locked onto the horizon and she gripped the gryphon tight, willing it to fly faster.