Zaph’s Quest – continued

Van and Zaphodicus stepped out onto the streets of Dalaran and made their way to the Legerdemain Lounge without speaking. What they had to say were not for the loiterers to overhear.

They stepped in and made their way to a table by the stove across from the bar.

“So,” Van started as he nonchalantly crossed his legs and folded his arms, “Zaph has a quest for you. Pants from the Forge of Souls. Got a plan?”

Zaphodicus nodded, “The start of one. I know it’ll take more than myself to pull this off.”

“May I offer some suggestions?” Van asked “ You’re going to need someone to tank, someone to heal, and a lot more damage than you can put out. No offense.”

“None taken. I take it your question was rhetorical and I’ll hear your suggestions whether I want to or not?” he asked, smiling.

“You take it right. The Forge is the domain of Arthas, and I know all too well the consequences of meeting death when he is involved in any way. I would not wish that on you.”

Zaphodicus rose a finger, “While we’re on that topic, I’ve been meaning to ask you some things. Like, did you ever have rigor mortis? Can you teach me that death grip thing you have? Or that army of the dead you raise? Now that’s a summoning I would think would be deep demonology, worthy of a warlock.”

Van sighed, shaking his head and patiently said, “Yes, it passed, but I still get some serious aches in my joints in Storm Peaks. No, you can’t learn the grip. I wouldn’t teach it to you if I could.” In a condescending tone he added, “I wear plate and pull things to me. You wear cloth and send them away. Remember? So far as the army of the dead goes … eat your heart out, Goldie!” and he started laughing and slapped the table.

“Don’t start with the Goldielock thing again, we’re not kids anymore. Fine, let’s get a plan together.”

“First of all, don’t take some strangers from any old realm that’ll probably have more attitude than skill. You’ll need the best. For tank, I would suggest Celanna. She can take what they’ll dish out, IF … you have Kreios healing. With her in front of you and him at your back, things will go as smooth as they possibly could. For that extra damage I would say Kreleicon and Odiefrom. They’ll make the kills clean and swift, including the rats.”

“Ok, but my question is why not Aradia and why not you?”

Van paused, looking as though he was trying to decide how to answer.

“Ever see Celanna and Aradia in the same room? Ever wonder why?”

“Now that you mention it …”

Van motioned him closer, “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you’re family so this goes no further, ok?”

“Ok.”

“You know how Aradia really likes Kreios? Well so does Celanna, and Aradia knows it. And like every other guy in Azeroth, Kreios is oblivious to it all, so if the mage throws a little damage to the tank instead of the boss, who’s to notice? Dead tank means dead you, my friend.”

“Gotcha. Pallys. With all that magnetism I’m surprised their plate isn’t covered in paper clips every time they walk in an office! So what about you?”

Van shrugged and said, “The salmon are running in Grizzly Hills, and Zaph has me fishing so he can have his “feasts”. He also wants the naga from the Isle of Quel’Danas for his nuggets. ‘They taste better.’ he says. He is losing it big time.”

Zaphodicus nodded, “We’ll have to have a meeting of the guild to decide what to do with him. Right after this ‘Pants Quest’. But for now he is still the Czar.”

To be continued …