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Scalecommander Emberthal was still reeling over the death of Scalecommander Sarkareth. She tried so hard to push him away from his destructive path, but Sarkareth was determined to do his bidding.
Neltharion.
He was dead. Had been since well before the Dracthyr's awakening. Sarkareth led many Dracthyr to their deaths. They aimed to please him, whether out of love or loyalty she did not know. She knew his mind was plagued. The void tainted it. Aberrus tainted it.
Emberthal balled her taloned fingers into a fist. She was writing letters out to the other Scalecommanders. Or rather, attempting to. Her mind kept drifting dangerously close to the edge of insanity.
She'd already completed letters for Azurathel and Viridia, and she was doing the finishing touches on the letter for Cindrethresh.
Not many knew of Sarkareth's fall. At least when it came to the Dracthyr. She had a few champions that had joined in the fight with the mortals. They had done what she could not.
One of her more dear Dracthyr champions, Ember, had thoughtfully gathered shards of Sarkareth's signet. Her gaze flashed over to the pouch on her writing desk that contained said shards.
With a soft growl, Emberthal focused back on her letter. She finished it swiftly and sealed it into an envelope. Once she put her wax seal on each letter, she called three of her champions into the room.
"Ember." She addressed a blue Dracthyr that adorned silver armor. "Take this to Scalecommander Cindrethresh in Orgrimmar."
Ember accepted the letter from her commander. "Consider it done." She bowed before leaving the room, but not before sending Emberthal a concerned look.
Emberthal turned to a black Dracthyr next. "Demona." She held another letter out. "Deliver this to Scalecommander Azurathel in Stormwind."
Demona took the letter with a nod and left the room.
"Avilsos." Her gaze finally fell on a red Dracthyr with golden armor. "Deliver this to Scalecommander Viridia in The Forbidden Reach."
"As you command." The male Dracthyr's voice boomed around the room, having spoken a bit too loudly. He accepted the letter before leaving Emberthal to her thoughts.
---
Her three champions had gone two hours ago. The Scalecommanders should be here any moment now.
Emberthal paced heavily around her quarters in Valdrakken as she waited.
Will they come?
Emberthal shook her head sharply.
Of course they will!
A soft knock sounded on her door, making her head snap in its direction.
"Enter." She called out.
A green Dracthyr opened her door. "Hello, Emberthal. I got your letter."
Emberthal lit up some. "Viridia! Thanks for coming."
Viridia shot her a nod as she walked inside. "Of course. I can't stay long, though. The Healing Wings need me."
"I'll be as quick as I can. I'm just waiting on Azurathel and Cindrethresh before I begin."
"I am sure they will be here as swiftly as their wings can carry them." Viridia stated as she sat down on a stone stool.
As the words left her mouth, two figures hovered in the doorway. Viridia eyed them over Emberthal's shoulder.
"Ah, right on time." Viridia bowed her head in greeting as Emberthal turned to welcome the blue and red Dracthyr inside.
Azurathel gave a loud huff as he entered. "What is so important that we had to "drop everything and come straight here"." He hovered near Viridia and crossed his arms over his chest.
Cindrethresh snorted, "Come now, Azurathel. It wasn't worded quite so harshly!" Cindrethresh bowed before Viridia in greeting as she made her way over to the other two.
Azurathel scoffed, "Perhaps we got different letters." One green and one clouded eye narrowed on Emberthal.
The black Dracthyr sighed heavily as she closed the door. "Perhaps the letters were different.." She placed a hand on her head and closed her eyes. "I've been rather..distracted. And for that..I apologize."
Cindrethresh and Viridia shared a concerned look while Azurathel grunted. Cindrethresh shoved him roughly before going over to Emberthal. "What is the matter, Em?" She placed a gentle hand on the black Dracthyr's shoulder.
Azurathel was about to comment on her rudeness but Viridia silenced him with a glare.
Emberthal rested her other hand briefly on Cindrethresh's before she pulled it away and turned to face her fellow scalecommanders. She eyed each of them carefully before straightening, willing herself to look like the leader she was. She failed, however, to hide the torment that was apparent on her face.
"Scalecommander Sarkareth is dead."
Shocked gasps came from Viridia and Cindrethresh, while Azurathel simply bared his fangs.
"What?! What did that fool do this time?"
Emberthal shot Azurathel a sharp glare. "He became corrupted by the void. By Aberrus. By Neltharion." Neltharion's name dripped off her tongue like venom as she spat it out.
Azurathel shuffled his feet awkwardly as he looked away. The rough scalecommander had fallen unnaturally silent.
"I..hope he did not suffer?"
Emberthal turned her sharp gaze to Viridia, softening it drastically before she addressed the preservation Dracthyr.
"He did not. Or at least.." Her gaze flashed away briefly in thought. "That is what my champions told me."
Cindrethresh frowned before she pulled the black Dracthyr into a tight hug. Emberthal let out a startled gasp.
"Cindrethresh, what are-"
"Shhh. Just accept it." Cindrethresh rubbed Emberthal's back, between her wings, in a soothing manner. That was all it took for the scalecommander to crumble.
Emberthal threw herself upon Cindrethresh, burying her face in the red Dracthyr's neck. Her anguished wails echoed around her dwelling.
Viridia appeared next to the two, offering hushed words of comfort to Emberthal. She even sprouted an emerald blossom to warm the atmosphere.
Azurathel frowned at the trio. He was never good at comforting others. He gave a soft sigh before kneeling down.
"Emberthal."
Emberthal sniffled and lifted her head ever so slightly to look at Azurathel.
Azurathel bowed his head. "I am terribly sorry for my harsh words, and I am terribly sorry for the loss of..our dear Scalecommander Sarkareth. He was a brave and loyal warrior, a bit rash at times.." he let out a soft chuckle at a fond memory before shaking his head. "He will be missed dearly."
"And remembered, but not by who he turned into.." Viridia started.
"But by who he used to be." Cindrethresh finished.
"May Sarkareth soar high through the moonlit sky." The three scalecommanders said in unison. A special saying amongst the Dracthyr when one of their kind passed on.
Emberthal closed her eyes as she composed herself. "May Sarkareth soar high through the moonlit sky." She echoed.
The black Dracthyr pulled away from Cindrethresh and wiped the remaining tears off her snout. "Thank you."
Azurathel rose back to his feet. "Someone will need to take Sarkareth's place."
"Right back to business, I see." Viridia shot Azurathel a teasing grin, causing Cindrethresh and Emberthal to chuckle.
"What about..Dezran?" Emberthal suggested. "I believe there is still good in him."
Azurathel hummed. "A good choice.." he rubbed his chin in thought.
"He's been in Zaralek Cavern, yes?" Viridia asked.
Emberthal nodded, "I'll go see him myself. Maybe I can talk him into it."
"Who will go with you?"
Emberthal turned her head to look at Cindrethresh. "I will take one of my champions with me. Unless you would like to go?"
Cindrethresh grinned, "I'd love to! It's been a while since we traveled together."
Emberthal gave a small chuckle as she nodded. "It has been quite a while." She turned her head to glance at Viridia and Azurathel. "I'll write you two a letter as soon as we get back."
Azurathel snorted, "Can I get the good letter this time?"
The other three Dracthyr laughed.
—
Emberthal waved goodbye to Viridia and Azurathel as they left. Viridia was headed back to her Healing Wings while Azurathel headed back to the Alliance city of Stormwind.
Cindrethresh helped Emberthal pack some rations before the two scalecommanders headed off towards Timberstep Outpost. It was the closest camp to a tunnel that led to Zaralek. They would spend the night there before heading out in the morning.
The two Dracthyr took their time as they flew through the light pink sky of sunset. They could see the Ohn'ahran Plains from their great height having flown down from Valdrakken.
Every inch closer they got, the more nervous Emberthal became.
Would Dezran accept the role of Scalecommander?
Would he end up corrupted by the void like Sarkareth?
Or would he accept just to stab every Dracthyr in the back?
Every thought swirled around in Emberthal's head like a violent cyclone.
Surely Dezran would not become like Sarkareth...
A/N: So, yeah! Just a little short. Sorry if anything is wrong lore wise! If you want more just let me know. Also, thoughts on the pairing of Cindrethresh and Emberthal? That was originally my plan, but I could also do like a sister thing. Thanks for reading!