Soulbinder Nyamii descended the front steps of Auchindoun with a warm smile and even warmer open arms. "Commander Pinter," the Draenei priestess said as she took Pinter's hands and kissed her cheeks. "So wonderful to see you."
"Of course I would come, Nyamii," Pinter said. "Anything the Exarchs need."
Balthus, Voren, and Fitzlenoob stood behind Pinter on the steps. It was their first excursion as a true five-person group, and Pinter was eager to see how well they worked together since the debacle that was Highmaul. The newcomers had more than proven themselves completing a dozen hazardous mission throughout Draenor since joining Pinter's garrison. Today would be the real test.
Mandala stood next to Pinter. She didn't like this. She hadn't liked it since the small, skittish messenger arrived at the Talbuk yesterday with news that Nyamii had uncovered the traitor within the ranks of the Exarchs. She took Pinter aside when the messenger retired to his room and told Pinter as much. "Remember Corneas," Mandala said. "Not all who claim to be allies are what they seem."
Pinter had agreed. "But still," she said, "if it's a trap we'll be ready. And at least we'll find out who's the rat within the Exarchs."
And that was that. Jarvus and Anna were investigating reports of a defeat in Spires of Arak, so the mission fell to the other newcomers. Now they greeted Soulbinder Nyamii on the steps of Auchindoun, ready to face whatever she had discovered and bring this evildoer to justice.
Nyamii let go of Pinter's hands and smiled at Mandala. "The lovely Mandala," Nyamii said. "Truly you are the equal of Yrel."
"Thank you," Mandala said.
Nyamii recoiled a little at the terse reply, but she motioned for them to follow. Mandala never left Pinter's side as Nyamii led the way. They climbed the steps of the ancient temple of the Naruu, and they entered the cavernous, holy sanctums of Auchindoun.
The atrium opened up as if lifting all who entered into the heavens themselves. The walls rose high overhead, arching into points high above, and white sheets of light glowed through the domes, penetrating as far down as the floor and illuminating the room as if a hundred fires burned. Pinter couldn't help but marvel at the amazing architecture, at the exotic yet perfect civilization the Draenei had built. They were beings of light, and all who entered this place knew what it meant to feel the light's embrace. Even Mandala couldn't take her eyes off the arch high above, gazing at it with a glorious sublimity that made Pinter laugh. Mandala grinned, and they continued after Nyamii.
A group of three acolytes emerged from a doorway. Nyamii nodded at them, and they bowed before they walked on. Nyamii stopped and gathered the five adventurers to her. "There are too many ears out here," she said. "Best discuss this behind closed doors."
Nyamii led them deeper in the temple, turning up a ringed corridor, not saying much as they walked. A few Draenei defenders lined the walls, and a few more acolytes passed them with expressionless greetings. Pinter wondered if emotions were forbidden in Auchindoun, but when she glanced at Mandala she noticed the paladin's hand gripping her sword hilt. A knot formed in Pinter's stomach. It was probably nothing, she knew, but even one word from the Draenei they passed would put her mind at ease. She remembered what she had said. If it was a trap, at least they'd know who the traitor was. Pinter drew her large bow and moved an inch closer to Mandala.
"Straight through here," Nyamii said, pointing to the door at the end of the corridor. "The Western Transept. The acolytes are conducting a ritual, but when they finish we will have the room to ourselves."
"Should we wait?" Pinter asked. "I don't want to disrespect anyone."
"It will be fine," Nyamii said. "They won't even notice us."
They walked through the open doorway where a large platform raised above the floor. Two groups of Draenei acolytes held up their hands and created glowing balls of light in the air, uttering some sort of prayer in Draenic that Pinter couldn't translate. Mandala could, and she knelt out of respect for the service the acolytes performed.
"Alar il, Naruu," Mandala whispered as she bowed her head. "Kar il ruk belaros."
Pinter put her hand on Mandala's heavy spaulder, seeming to understand what her friend had just uttered, letting her know that she was there and they would fight as one when the time came.
"What is this?" Nyamii cried out in shock.
The acolytes were glowing red. The light they created had gone the color of blood, and the room suddenly went dark as night. "With Ner'zhul's blessing," one of the acolytes said. "We call upon the Legion to destroy these pests!"
"Fan out!" Pinter yelled, but the others were already taking positions. Mandala's sword and shield were in hand, and a six-armed demoness rushed ahead to join her as Fitzlenoob called out a summoning spell.
"Light save us," Nyamii said.
Pinter grabbed the Soulbinder and pushed her behind them. "We'll handle it," Pinter said.
The balls of light took on humanoid shapes, and then two towering beasts with horned heads and stumpy limbs stood among the acolytes. The acolytes turned in unison to the five adventurers and pointed. The beasts attacked with a blood-curdling roar.
Mandala was undaunted, as always. She roared back as a bubble of light appeared around her, and she knocked the first beast back with a single ram of her shield into its snout. The beast skidded across the platform, knocking down a group of acolytes like bowling pins. Purple fire rained on the prone beast as Fitzlenoob worked his magic. The monster's skin crackled and popped, and then Voren launched a huge fireball that struck and exploded. The beast flew apart, and the acolytes could only watch as Mandala joined the six-armed demoness fighting the other beast.
Pinter moved in with a barrage of arrows to keep the acolytes at bay, striking down three of them before they could run for cover behind one of the pillars on the opposite side of the platform. Mandala ran in a circle around the second beast, keeping its attention, distracting it from the six-armed demoness who then laid into it with a flurry of sword blades. The beast howled in pain from a dozen cuts. Black ichor flowed from its hide, then another fireball flew forth, hitting it square in the forehead. All that was left of the creature was a pair of smoldering horns.
