Jon and Griffonclaw left Raven Hill at first light and used Jon's warrant to change horses at Sentinel Hill and at Westbrook. From there, they went to Goldshire and up to Stormwind. As they passed into the Trade District, they pulled up at the square adjacent to the auction house.
"Jon, you go and update the Constable; I will check in with Lord Shadowbreaker and see if there have been any other victims. Let's meet in the Cathedral after that?" said Gryffonclaw. Jon knew that Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker was the head of the paladins within Stormwind.
"Sounds like a sound plan," said Chess.
The two pointed their horses toward their destinations and headed off on the cobblestoned Stormwind streets.
Jon headed for the Old Town section, where he hoped to encounter Officer Connelly at the Alliance Command Center. A series of buildings and barracks out of which the Stormwind Constabulary worked. He found Connelly at her desk, laboriously working on the paperwork which kept the city bureaucracy working (insofar as it actually worked). He updated her with their findings and they made their way to the Cathedral of Light together.
When they reached the entrance, they inquired of Brother Sarno, who greeted visitors to the Cathedral.
"Greetings, Master Chess, Madam Constable," said Brother Sarno. He knew Jon by sight, as he had often brought supplies to the refugees under the care of Mia Greymane.
"We're looking for Sir Gryffonclaw," said Jon.
"Sir Gryffonclaw? He was here but left with an attractive woman shortly after arriving," informed Brother Sarno.
"A brunette human woman?" questioned Jon.
"Indeed, just as you say," answered Brother Sarno.
Officer Connelly and Chess exchanged glances and turned, exiting the Cathedral and heading down the Cathedral stairs.
"Where was the last body found?" asked Jon.
"The cemetery; let's check there first," answered Officer Connelly.
The two of them ran around the west end of the Cathedral. Unencumbered by armor, Jon sprinted ahead, out-pacing Officer Connelly, reaching the cemetery first.
"Let's see... if I was going to drain the life out of a paladin in broad daylight without being interrupted, where would I go?" Jon muttered to himself, scanning left and right. An idea came to him just as Officer Connelly caught up.
"Where do you think they went? she asked.
"Check the Tiffin Ellerian Wrynn Memorial - it's the favored meeting place of people who don't want to be seen. I'll meet you there," Jon said, muttering an incantation and vanishing from sight as Officer Connelly rushed off.
Jon merged into the Shadows and began running for another set of graves also screened with arbor lattices; the Queen's memorial had a pair of guards standing sentry duty at the entrance, and although it was possible, Jon was willing to bet that the other place, unguarded would be far more attractive a spot.
At least if he was wrong, Officer Connelly would have those guards to back her up in case of trouble.
Jon arrived at the sound of a moan, although from pain or pleasure, he could not tell, perhaps both, coming from,m behind the concealing arbor trellis. Stepping through to the side, he saw what he had expected to see - Gryffonclaw on the ground, on his back, his armor removed, and set to the side. Riding astride him was a beautiful brunette woman with glowing red eyes. The two were surrounded by a crackling ebon nimbus of necromantic energy.
Jon's hand sought a vial in his supply pouch, and he swiftly uncorked and hurled it towards the woman. Jon became visible as he left the Shadows, drawing a pair of knives. The vial and the liquid struck the woman's face, and she screamed, leaping off the partially naked paladin as it burned.
As suspected, she seemingly vanished; Jon saw that the woman was no longer human but a Forsaken, one of the accursed undead. Her skin was pallid, and her jaw extended unnaturally as she hissed at Jon, who threw both knives without hesitation. The blades flew true and embedded themselves with a meaty thunk.
The woman-thing rushed Jon, who leaped backward. She ripped the knives embedded in her while her face smoked. Jon could see where the liquid had burned into her unholy flesh, but neither daggers nor projectile had been enough. She raised her hands, surrounded by the same ebon energy Jon had seen.
"Foolish mortal! You will not interrupt my work. The Legion may be gone, but our work continues! They have made me more than a mere mortal, more than Felcaller Whitley's mistress; they have gifted me with the powers of the Sayaadi! " she said. "The Veiled Hand will rule this shattered world. We herald a new beginning!"
A flash of blinding Light manifested behind her, engulfing her. Jon watched as the Light ate at her flesh and dissipated into the fantastic night.
"Or not," commented Gryffinclaw, standing still deshabille behind where she had been. "Once you broke her concentration, her control over me was broken. The Light has forever ended her dreams of conquest. By the way, what did you throw? Acid?
"Stratholme Holy Water," Jon smirked at his half-brother as he heard the sound of armored folk rapidly running toward them. "I believe in being prepared. Be that as it may, do me a favor?"
"Certes. What?"
"Put on some pants before Officer Connelly arrests you for indecency!"
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