The Virus Within

The dust settled behind you as you walked down the road leading back to Ironwind Stronghold. The familiar sight of the massive fence offered a sense of security, a stark contrast to the wilderness you'd left behind. A lone, shambling zombie spotted you, a potential target. But a sharp growl, a low rumble from your own throat, reminded it of your shared nature, and it veered away. Ahead, the regular morning horde was being led away by a horseback rider, a common sight here.
As you neared the gate, a flurry of panicked activity erupted within the Stronghold. People were running, scattering like leaves in a storm, but the guards weren't sounding the alarm. This wasn't a standard attack; it was something else, something perhaps even more unsettling.
