The young boy looked at the tattered flier nailed to the board with a scowl, but excitement lit his pale blue eyes as only the promise of adventure could. Slinging his small wooden shield across his back, he furrowed his brow, running his little calloused hands through his unkempt, spiky orange hair before crossing his arms over his chest.
Many full grown mercenaries and heroes of the Alliance glanced at the call for aid prominently displayed on the mission board, each dismissing the contract as beneath them or smirking at the small, paladin-in-training who studied it so intently. But the young Child of Light would not be deterred by the mocking chuckles of his elders.
He knew he would one day become a great hero.
But to take on such a quest… he would need companions.
By the Light… he may require… a raid.
Sheathing his crude sword on his tattered belt, the young paladin tore the flier down from the mission board, stuffing it in his satchel as he set his jaw in determination and turned to begin his journey to find those brave enough to join him on this perilous quest.
He immediately started off in the direction of Stormwind’s Park District. For even the least experienced of heroes knew that in order to make a raid, one must acquire a Guardian druid.
As he walked the crowded cobblestone streets of the Alliance capital, the young boy scratched notes and strategies within his worn parchment notebook, occasionally glancing up at the overhanging blue rooftops of the Trade District. Ignoring the bustling of the vendors and their patrons, he glanced over in annoyance at a little girl desperately chasing a boy through the crowds, screaming for him to return her dolly. Rolling his eyes, he scribbled a few more notes in the margins as he made his way over the canals, through the violet tinged Mage Quarter, and towards the Park.
When the streets once lined with shops and crowded dwellings gave way to benches, neatly trimmed grasses, and trees, the paladin-to-be slid his notebook back into his satchel, glancing around the haven for those that sought nature as refuge.
His eye fell upon a young night elf girl, her dark blue hair bouncing around her as she skipped circles around the wide trunk of a shady tree. She giggled, then suddenly shifted into a small feral cat, bounding around on tiny paws and pouncing on a nearby critter. She then shifted into a little sapling, conjuring a tiny burst of green leaves that pelted the terrified animal, nursing it back to health in a spurt of regrowth.
The young boy strode up to the Kal’dorei, straightening his slightly-too-big Stormwind tabard and clearing his throat.
“Hello, druid! I am seeking a guardian for a perilous quest. I hope to one day become a mighty Hero of Azeroth, and I require companions.”
The night elf girl shifted back into her true form, bouncing on her heels before tilting her head and spinning, arms outstretched.
“Same,” was all she replied.
The boy raised a brow.
“Have you learned your guardian path yet? Are you able to bear the brunt of an attack?”
She laughed, then promptly shifted into a bear cub, bouncing around the little paladin.
“Bork! Bork bork!”
The boy pursed his lips.
“Bears don’t bork…”
“BORK!” she roared.
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
“You are a special kid, aren’t you? Fine… I guess you ‘bork.’ Will you join me?”
The druid bear cub plopped down on her backside, glancing up into the foliage of the overhanging branches.
“Sure. But my kid brother has to come along. Mom says so.”
At that moment, a bored and sarcastic voice floated down from the tree top.
“Whatever it is… I don’t care and I’m not going.”
The young paladin squinted up into the leaves, barely making out the silhouette of a little green haired night elf boy before he dropped down from the branches. He was soon joined by an irritated looking crane chick, who occasionally glanced over at the tiny hunter as if it wanted to attack him.
The Kal’dorei boy narrowed his eyes at the young human paladin.
“Why should I care about this ‘quest?’ What’s in it for me?”
The night elf girl rolled her eyes.
“Killushot doesn’t care about anything. He’s lame.”
“You’re lame,” he spat back at her.
“Um…” the paladin interrupted, glancing back and forth between the violet skinned siblings. “We quest for honor. And glory. And… rewards?”
The hunter Killushot lazily slung his makeshift bow across his back.
“Fine. Nothing else to do, anyways.”
The paladin extended an outstretched hand towards the elves.
“I’m William. But the other paladins call me ‘McJudgin.’”
The druidess shifted into a feral kitten once more, bouncing circles around McJudgin and ignoring his symbol of friendship.
“I’m Specialkidd. Are we ready? Can we go?”
Slowly lowering his hand, McJudgin raised a brow.
“Um… no. We need to find healers. And more damage dealers.”
Specialkidd huffed, shifting back into her night elf form and plopping to the ground with a pout.
“Boring.”
Her glowing eyes suddenly lit up, her ears perking.
“Wait. I know a healer! We can get him to come!”
Her brother was leaning against the tree, kicking at the dirt.
“You mean Hotsndots?”
Specialkidd was already back in bear cub form and bouncing off towards the other end of the park. McJudgin gripped the hilt of the little sword in his belt, half walking, half running in pursuit of the tiny druid. Killushot rolled his eyes, pushing off the trees with a sigh and following.
As they walked, the young paladin glanced over at the temperamental crane chick trailing behind, watching as it squawked and hissed at every critter along the way.
“So… what’s your pet’s name?” he asked politely.
“Crane,” the night elf boy mused.
“His name is Crane?”
“He’s an asshole,” the little hunter responded.
“You are!” Specialkidd called out over her shoulder.
“I hate you,” Killushot breathed, as if bored.
“Same!”