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--present day--
Dawn came to the dark and dreary skies of Duskwood, if pitch black night lifting into dull, somber greys could be called a dawn at all. Though the sun shone bright above the clouds, its light only lit the cursed cloud cover just enough to signal the start of a new day.
An Azerothian reveille sounded out through a ram’s horn, calling forth the soldiers from their slumber. It did not take long for the whole regiment to get on their feet and go through their routine of gearing up and striking down camp. The whole regiment was abuzz before the rest of sleepy Darkshire stirred, recruits and veterans alike milling about camp, chattering and cleaning up before heading out.
It was in this controlled chaos that the distinct golden glint of a Paladin’s armour could be seen moving through the sea of the tin-silver of the common soldier. A few of the conscripted men saluted as Eleazar passed, others thanked him for the fascinating sermon he had presented the night before. The man in the Argent Dawn tabard returned their responses to his passing through in gracious kind, his respect for the nearly nameless soldiers just as deep as their respect was for him.
As Eli neared the center of the camp, the regiment officer looked up from the makeshift situation table and acknowledged the approaching paladin with a nod. Eli returned the nod from a distance and quickened his pace until he stood at the table with a salute and ready stance.
“Paladin-Ambassador of the Argent Dawn, Eleazar Thomaius Abraham. Reporting for duty, sir.”
The regiment captain returned the salute. “At ease, Paladin. We are equals here, Master Abraham.” He smiled as he walked back around the table to look at the possible routes the column could take through the Blasted Lands to their accursed destination. “I heard from the men who attended your service last night that they found the treatise in your sermon rather enlightening.”
“A word d’vinely inspired, I say, sir,” Eli replied humbly, his Westfall twang clear as the day. “Though the pos’tive feedback is much appreciated.”
“Good to know.” The captain picked up one of the papers on the table and perused it for a moment. “I can safely assume you know why you were summoned, Master Abraham?”
Eli produced the summoning papers he had received not more than a fortnight ago, being careful to show the royal seal of Stormwind as he handed the parchment to the captain. “Yessir. It seems that my skills in the language of the Draenei are needed – for diplomacy reasons, of course.”
A look of curiosity mixed with confusion found itself on the regiment captain’s face as he looked up from the summoning papers to examine Eleazar’s expression.
“You don’t look or sound at all disappointed that you may not be seeing combat, Master Abraham,” the captain remarked, though not unkindly. “Most paladins of your kind tend to be chomping at the bit for a good and righteous battle.”
The paladin didn’t hesitate to wave a gesture of dismissal at the statement. “And I still do, sir, as I am just as zealous for the Light as any other Knight of the Silver Hand … but I express my zeal in other ways.” Eli paused for a moment. “For I believe that the battle never really ends with swords and shields, sir. The battle for souls is one waged at all times, and that is where I contend the most.”
“As evidenced by how impressed my men were with your sermon last night!” the captain spoke with a submissive smile and chuckle. He held out his hand in a welcoming handshake. “With that said, and after I introduce you to the other dignitaries we’re escorting through the portal, let me be the first to say ‘Welcome aboard’, Master Abraham. I’m sure my men will be glad to have you with us.”
Eli shook the captain’s hand in kind. “And I’m sure I’ll enjoy their company as well.”
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Originially written by TheKittyLizard
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