A Dangerous Pair

The double doors to the audience chamber opened, the sound of the gold-painted wooden barriers echoing through the vaulted chamber beyond. At the heart of the Dawnsea estate on Dawnsea Isle, the audience chamber was meant to impress and performed this function well, even upon those who had seen it before. Golden columns spiraled down from the ceiling in neat rows on either side of the chamber, twelve in all, with red and golden tapestries hanging between them. A red carpet lead from the entrance doors down the length of the expansive room, leading up a tier of steps to the throne at the far end. Above the throne a giant golden shield hung, its face bearing the emblem of a sun rising above three waves.

While the chamber itself was impressive, the Sin'dorei that entered it took little time to admire the view, for upon the throne sat two figures that took far more of his attention. He studied them as he approached, his leather boots echoing in the recesses of the chamber. Although there were no guards present, he couldn't help but feel that invisible eyes studied his every move as he walked.

The throne was a massive, cushioned chair with a high golden back and thick golden arms. Although it was designed for a single person to sit upon it, the sheer size of it allowed for more than enough room for multiple people to rest upon it. Generally this would not be the case, as what noble would wish to share their audience chair with another person? The two sitting upon it were an exception to such a rule however, and it didn't surprise the approaching Sin'dorei in the slightest that they were both there.

Seated in the center of the chair, a red-haired elf watched him approaching, her eyes almost blazing fel-green and her expression carefully guarded. Dressed in a form fitting red cloth corset with golden embroidery and equally tight black silken pants, she toyed idly with the long braid in her hair, her red manicure vying for attention over several exquisite golden rings she wore. She sat with her legs crossed, one expensive, high heeled boot bouncing idly as she waited for him to reach the throne.

Across her lap the second elf was draped. Wearing a dark black dress with silver embroidery, she leaned idly against the arm of the chair, her legs hanging over the other edge and her bare feet crossed at the ankles. She picked at an invisible nothing on her dress, her dark black hair draped and framing her face, partially obscuring view of her expression. The approaching Sin'dorei didn't need to see her fully to understand that the face hidden behind the wall of hair was identical to the one that studied him; the two elves were twins, identical in all but the color of their hair. The one sitting upright was perhaps a shade less pale, but it would be difficult to tell them apart at a glance.

As he drew near, the red-headed elf spoke, her voice almost a soft purr, "You are late. Report."

The voice sent shivers up his spine, and he knew that Calexa Dawnsea would not be pleased with what he had to tell her. Hastily he dropped to one knee, his head bowed and his eyes locked on the floor before the throne, "My lady, the attempt failed. Alleriel Sunhaven lives."

The words were met with a brooding silence. Daring to peek up, the elf saw Calexa frowning, her fingers twirling the end of her braid over and over. She sighed lightly, and immediately the other elf, her sister Darva Dawnsea, reached out to place a reassuring hand on her arm. Calexa smiled slightly, patting her sister's hand and then glaring at the kneeling elf, "I am displeased. You were to eliminate the Sunhaven Scion such that we could negotiate with them on more even grounds. Pray that you did not leave evidence that would lead Lady Sunhaven back to this House, for if you displayed that level of incompetence, your service will...no longer be required."

The threat was not even veiled, the tone of Calexa's voice menacing. The room itself seemed to shrink around the kneeling elf, and he found himself breaking into a cold sweat, imagining clawed hands reaching out to touch him. Why he felt this way and what was causing the effect was not immediately obvious, but it got the point across, "N-no my Lady! The orcs I paid had no emblems of our House upon them. I never once mentioned our intentions. Only one of them lived anyway and he will be able to say nothing, as he saw not even a trace of my face."

On the throne, Calexa paused, considering his response. In her lap, Darva stirred, the paler Dawnsea twin leaning forward and clinging to her sister's arm. She looked at the kneeling elf directly for just a moment, quickly hiding her face again and leaning forward to whisper into Calexa's ear. Although his superior Sin'dorei hearing easily allowed him to catch what passed between the two elves on the throne, the words were in a language he could not understand, the sounds guttural and painful to the ears. He shook his head, trying to clear the sound from his mind.

When the whispering stopped, he looked up to see Darva place a kiss upon her sister's cheek with ruby red lips before the dark haired elf turned to stare at him. Calexa leaned against her sister, their cheeks pressed together and her own gaze boring into him. It was beyond unsettling having the two identical elves fixated on him and he quickly looked away.

"We believe this may play to our advantage," Calexa said softly. "House Sunhaven will question who sent the assailants. They will begin to become wary even of those who would be their allies. This may allow us to find others in House Felo'melorn who would be amiable to our goals. You will go now, and await our instructions."

Relieved, the elf bowed low, his voice a muted whisper, "Yes my Lady."

He quickly rose, turning and hurrying towards the exit, distinctly aware of the two pairs of eyes boring into his back. Just as his hand touched the double door to push it open, Calexa's voice drifted to him softly from her place on the throne.

"Your failure will not be forgotten or forgiven. We will be watching you closely."

The assassin grew deathly pale, shivering as he turned and pushed the door open, hurrying out into the relative safety of the corridors beyond. Behind him, two pairs of fel-green eyes stared at him until he was out of sight before turning towards each other. Two identical smiles grew across two Sin'dorei faces as the sisters nodded at one another.

The plan had changed, but it would unfold in their favor either way. Someone was going to pay for what had been done to them.

No, everyone was.

A Costly Decision

A floorboard creaked. The sound was a nothing, a whisper in the reading room and almost lost amongst the crackle and popping of the flames in the hearth. Circular in shape, the chamber boasted two floors of carefully organized bookshelves with scrolls and documents weighing down each shelf. The center of the room was vaulted, with a railed balcony on the second floor overlooking the center of the room where a number of chairs and divans were arranged to allow those reading the works of the library the ability to do so before the warmth of the fire.

Standing near the stone hearth, Alleriel Sunhaven's long ears twitched once as the sound came to her. Barefoot and wearing loose-fitting robes after her evening martial arts practice and bath, she had just selected a tome to read to put her mind at ease before she slept. She paused, the book half-opened in her hands as her eyes slipped closed. Something around her, something within the room felt wrong and out of place all of a sudden, the sound having alerted her in some subconscious way. She delved deep within herself, finding her center and hunting for the source of imbalance in her Chi.

The moment came and passed, and with it a sense of impending fate. As if the entire thing had been orchestrated, Alleriel whirled, the book folding closed in her hands and coming up before her, her sea-green eyes opening as her Chi came into balance within her once more. Through the air a throwing knife tumbled end over end, the deadly weapon glinting in the firelight as it crossed the distance to what would have been her back in an instant. The razor sharp point penetrated the book's cover, sticking in the pages and quivering there.

Alleriel's mind raced, her body already in motion as the assassin on the upper balcony jumped down, drawing a blade and dagger and advancing on her. As she moved, a second projectile eclipsed the spot she'd been standing as a second attacker failed to strike his mark. In her quick assessment of the situation, Alleriel instantly recognized that she was not being attacked by Sin'dorei, but by orcs dressed in black leather armor with black cloth masks covering half their faces.

Out of time to consider the situation further, the first of the orcs reached her, his blade stabbing out at her with a lightning fast jab. Utterly focused now, Alleriel's hand came up at precisely the right moment to slap the flat of the blade, driving the weapon wide even as she whirled to avoid the slash of the dagger. Within the arc of the orc's arm, her hand lashed out again, striking his underarm as her leg came up to strike his groin. The larger assailant tumbled onto his back, his sword flying from his hands as Alleriel continued to move.

Behind her the second assassin slashed at her, narrowly missing the lithe elf as she darted towards a divan, her bare feet easily allowing her to jump onto the high back of the furniture before she neatly dove down and rolled across the floor. Feathers flew into the air as the second orc's blade bit into the furniture, the second strike missing Alleriel by mere inches.

As the blonde elf ended her roll, a third orc jumped down from the balcony above, slashing downward with two of his blades. Still in a half-crouch, Alleriel swept one of her legs out instead of rising, the two swords whisking over her head as her assault knocked the legs out from under the orc. He fell with a grunt, and Alleriel gave him a quick blow to the neck as she rose and darted forward, knowing it would do nothing more than stun him for a moment. Behind her the assassin that had been chasing her struck again, his strike held up by the fact that his companion on the floor was attempting to rise, gasping for air.

Having bought herself a moment's reprieve, Alleriel rolled again, coming up near a bookshelf. She snatched several tomes from the collection, whirling and hurling them as projectiles as the two orcs both advanced on her. They slashed at the books with their swords, one taking the bound edge of a thesaurus to the face. Pages fluttered around them and they began to look enraged as they stalked her. Realizing she would have to face them both, Alleriel dropped into a fighting stance, taking a deep breath and preparing herself for the battle to come.

Unfortunately, the three orc assailants were not the only attackers. Even as she prepared herself, there was a *click* and a crossbow bolt flew across the open space of the room. Having only a moment's notice, Alleriel was not able to deflect the bolt with a belated swing of her open palm, and the bolt passed through the flowing sleeve of her robes, narrowly missing her arm directly and leaving a bloody welt on her flesh as it exited the other side.

Her eyes darted to the balcony above where a dark-haired Sin'dorei held a crossbow in his hands, sighting down the length. The weapon was of special design, shooting small projectiles but having a loading mechanism to allow it to fire up to five of the missiles before needing to be reloaded. Alleriel's face took on a look of surprise and she darted to one side, somersaulting away as another bolt passed through the space she'd been standing. She fell to her knees, sliding in her robes across the wooden floor and slowing to a stop behind one of the feather-stuffed reading chairs. Even as she stopped, a bolt struck the chair and feathers exploded from it.

With the two orcs beginning to pursue her around the edge of the furniture, the sniper on the balcony above, and the third orc stirring where he lay on the floor in the middle of the room, Alleriel came to the understanding that her fate might be upon her. She took in another deep breath, steadying herself and bringing her Chi in alignment within her. She jumped up, quickly dodging away from the orcs pursuing her, her hand extended towards the balcony above.

She could feel the space between her and the assassin. Could feel his finger as it caressed the trigger. She could see the motes of dust that danced in the air between them, sense the deadly potential that hung within that impossibly small space. Into that void she thrust her Chi, her entire focus on that moment.

Green crackling lightning burst from her open palm, crossing the distance between her and the assassin before he could squeeze the trigger. It slammed into the balcony railing before arcing up and over, and the Sin'dorei cried out and hurled himself backward. His weapon fired, the bolt traveling towards Alleriel but thrown off course now, missing her by a few feet and clattering against the stones of the hearth behind her.

Deep within the interior of Sunhaven Estate, shouts arose as the House Guards heard the thunderous retort of the lightning within the enclosed space of the reading room. Footsteps began to pound down nearby hallways as the defenses of the House began to gather to repel whatever attack was occurring. Within the room, the Sin'dorei on the balcony growled through the mask that covered his face, lightly leaping over the railing and turning towards the door.

Behind him, Alleriel skidded to a halt, twirling on her bare feet and bringing a leg up before leaping to the side. Her foot connected with the head of one of the orcs, the blow to the temple knocking him unconscious and causing him to stumble sideways into his companion as he slid towards the floor. The second orc's attack was thrown off as his companion jostled him, and Alleriel was able to slap his clumsy assault to the side. She stepped towards him, lightning fast strikes hitting him in the groin, the stomach, and throat, and the nose before she jumped back, allowing her two dazed opponents to collapse in a heap.

In the doorway, the Sin'dorei who had been on the balcony paused, his gaze reaching across the room to lock with Alleriel's, irritation at the failure of his assassins clearly written there. He held up a small glass orb, dashing it on the ground and creating a wall of smoke in the doorway, obscuring all sight through the entrance.

Again Alleriel sensed that something was amiss, and she fell to the floor as the smoke cloud expanded. No sooner had she done so than a barrage of throwing stars exited the smoke, hurtling towards where she'd been standing. Several strands of her hair were cut free by near misses, drifting onto the stones around her as the spent projectiles collided with the hearth behind her and the orcs that were attempting to get to their feet.

In the silence that followed, only the sound of Sunhaven guards rushing towards her location could be heard. Of the leader of the assassins, there was not even a whisper to hint he had been within the rapidly clearing smoke cloud. Alleriel jumped to her feet, rushing to the doorway and seeing a window ajar in the corridor beyond. She looked out into the night to see the moon shining down on Sunhaven Estate's grounds. Her keen sight took in the crumpled forms of several of her rangers that had likely been cut down while they patrolled the grounds to allow the assassins access to the structure.

In the corridors behind her, House guards rushed towards her, their voices a cacophony of shouts and cries of dismay. Several hurried into the room behind Alleriel, checking on the two dead orcs and taking the third semi-conscious orc into custody.

Alleriel ignored them all, her gaze locked on the still forms laying in the fields beyond. At the dead Sin'dorei that had fallen defending their home. At those who had died because of her decisions, her leadership. There was a price to pay for every choice one made, for every path one walked. The dead in the fields beyond were the price she paid now for choosing to withdraw from the alliance of four Houses that she had been a part of.

Had they convinced others that she had betrayed the Horde? Would more orcs come, thinking she was disloyal to the Warchief when all she had wanted was to protect the Sin'dorei in her care? Or perhaps one of the other Houses simply found her position inconvenient, and sought to eliminate her so that her replacement would be more compliant. Which House was it? Sunfire, Dawnsea, or Felo'melorn? Who owned the blade of the dark-haired Sin'dorei?

The questions circled endlessly in her mind as her gaze remained locked on the dead. Doubt gnawed at her, a feeling that would hound her relentlessly and was a part and parcel of leading others. Though it would make meditation difficult and keep her awake for many nights to come, she could not be deterred. Too much depended on her keeping House Sunhaven's Sin'dorei safely within Quel'Thalas.

She whispered into the night, her voice steady but having a hint of anger to it that was uncommon for her, “Strike well my foes, strike many times in the hopes that you will stop me. When the time comes that I strike, there will be but one blow and you will fall. No more Sin'dorei will die for this. No more of our kin will be slain at our own hands. This I swear.”

With that she turned, striding away from the window and letting her guards do their jobs. She desperately needed the serenity of meditation in that moment.

Taking Action- A Blood Elf Parable

*Written on a scroll in meticulous, elegant script, the story has a small wax seal embedded with the emblem of a sun cradled between two trees and is signed by Seneschal Leneath Dawnrise of House Sunhaven.*

It came to pass that my lady Alleriel Sunhaven, Scion of our House and protector of the Sin'dorei under her care, was troubled. In recent days she had made the decision to withdraw the soldiers of House Sunhaven from Pandaria, fearful of the loss of precious elven lives in that distant land for a cause that had become clouded. Not knowing if she had made the correct decision, she spent a day and night meditating on the issue before emerging from the hall that contained House Sunhaven's reflecting pools, at which point she said that she wished to journey to the Tian Monastery to seek guidance.

It was decided that I would journey beside her to discuss the matter. All of those in our care were safely in Quel'Thalas now, and the trip would be swift one would hope. With this in mind, we packed only minimal supplies in the saddles of our hawkstriders and set out for Silvermoon with some haste. With no magi of our own to open arcane portals, we sought one out within the capital to speed us along our way. This first leg of our journey was taken in silence, each of us reflecting on current events.

Within the city it was an easy matter to find a Magistrix that would open such a portal for us. Not only did the helpful Sin'dorei indicate that she would assist us, she stated that she could open a portal directly to the monastery, which would save us much time. Lady Sunhaven gratefully agreed, and eagerly stepped through the portal intent on finding the guidance she sought. I followed her, and at the last moment before I entered the portal I looked back to the Magistrix. In that moment, I noted with some curiosity that her eyes glowed not with the green of the Sin'dorei, or even the blue of the Quel'dorei we once were, but bright white. She winked somewhat playfully at me, and then the portal took me and I saw her no more.

After a moment of disorientation my eyes opened to see not the Tian Monastery as expected, but instead a towering mountain rising into the distance with the structure we sought only a distant point barely seen at the top. My mouth must surely have hung agape at this moment, for Alleriel turned, a whimsical smile on her face as she nodded towards the mountain and said, “It seems we are to be tested before we can proceed. Let us show ourselves to be worthy.”

It amused me to hear her speak of what would be an arduous trip up the sheer, winding path to the monastery as a simple test, but I nodded and took up my reins, following in her path. It was likely we would need to proceed on foot for at least part of the journey to rest our mounts given our lack of preparation for such a venture. Nevertheless, my Lady steadfastly moved forward, an example for me to follow.

It was perhaps an hour into our trip up the mountainside when we rounded a corner and brought our mounts to a halt, looking at one another and then taking in the scene. Ahead a small portion of the sheer cliffs had broken free, rubble falling on the path and partially blocking it. Before the rubble sat a number of Pandaren pilgrims, a cart pulled to the side of the path and a low murmur coming from them. They glanced up at us, shaking their heads.

“You cannot go any further, it is no use,” said one. The others nodded in agreement behind him as he gestured at the rubble. “We are going to turn back after we have rested. There is no way through that.”

Alleriel merely studied the scene, quietly taking in the situation before shaking her head and dismounting. I watched with some interest as she approached the pile of rubble and began to study it. She smiled, taking the simple wooden staff she carried from her back and resting the end against one of the boulders. With a heave, she used the staff as leverage, tumbling one of the rocks over the cliff edge beside us, the sound of it cracking in the ravine below echoing back up to us.

“You will never move forward if you give up so easily,” my Lady said softly. “It is in the trying, in the perseverance that you gain the strength to remove obstacles from your path. Come, together we can surely clear enough room to pass, and tell the others in the Monastery above of this trouble.”

And so the Pandaren looked at one another and then nodded, rising and moving towards Alleriel. Together they heaved rock after rock over the edge, the work difficult but possible with proper teamwork. After less than an hour it became clear that my Lady's words were true and the path opened before us once more. The Pandaren cheerfully gathered up their things, following us as we continued on our way.

Another hour passed, this time spent in cheerful company as we ascended the mountain path, the Monastery closer above us now, although still some distance away. The path ahead had begun to twist and turn as it rose with the terrain, making it impossible to see more than forty or fifty yards ahead with the winding bends in it. As we rounded one such bend, we were brought up short by a Hozen that jumped onto the trail.

“Wickets go 'way! Go 'way!” the creature bellowed. It was a sight to behold, his body much larger than many of his kind, a giant spear grasped in one hand. As he yelled, he jumped up and down, his empty fist pounding on the ground with a loud thumping noise and setting the Pandaren with us to quailing and quaking with fear.

Several of the Pandaren with us had been carrying spears or staves as they traveled, and they grimly brandished these weapons, advancing on the yelling creature, intent on doing battle with it before it could harm the unarmed and innocent amongst the pilgrims. I winced, realizing that there would be bloodshed on the narrow trail. I must admit my nerves made me shake and the bile in the back of my throat rose to think I would have to witness such slaughter.

Before the first of the Pandaren could reach the Hozen, he was brought up short with a light touch on his shoulder. My Lady Alleriel had dismounted, quickly moving towards the front of the group. She placed herself between Hozen and Pandaren, bringing a hand up to halt them.

“Wait,” she said. “You act with haste and do not take a moment to let wisdom guide your actions. Wait and listen and perhaps you will see that all is not as it appears.”

And so it was. With the Pandaren halted, looking at one another in curiosity, the Hozen calmed himself somewhat, looking over his shoulder. From beyond the next bend came a sound that my Lady's ears had heard underneath the yelling; the sound of battle ahead. The Pandaren nodded, understanding finally that what had at first seemed to be an enemy was, in fact, a friend who was warning them of danger. Alerted now and guided by Alleriel, I watched as the group proceeded with caution, weapons at the ready as they passed around the bend. Following, the scene that unfolded before me made it clear what was happening. A small group of Saurok had assaulted a group of Hozen passing up the trail, threatening to overwhelm the forest dwelling creatures. With battle-cries the Pandaren charged into the fray, my Lady joining them quietly and using her training to help defend the Hozen. It took only a moment for the Saurok to recognize that they would be defeated, and they withdrew in haste, their nimble bodies scurrying over the edge of a cliff and onto a narrow ledge leading downwards that I would not have cared to tread upon myself.

With the threat gone, we took some time to tend to the Hozen who had been injured in the fray, and they gratefully joined us in our journey towards the Monastery. Our group had grown in size, and it amused me to think that what started as a simple journey for guidance had turned into a pilgrimage of so many varying peoples. This thought stayed with me, even as my Lady silently guided us ever onwards.

It was mid-afternoon when we encountered the final obstacle in our path. Rounding a bend and seeing the Monastery looming above us, we came upon a horrifying scene. Standing in the path was a Mogu warrior, his massive body taking up much of the space where one would walk. In his hand he carried a giant halberd, the weapon many feet longer than any that a Sin'dorei might carry and a glinting ax-blade at the end. Behind him, many Pandaren sat on the ground in misery, their hands bound behind them and a general feeling of fear radiating from them.

“More supplicants to serve!” the Mogu's voice bellowed out at us. He waved his weapon too and fro before him, and many in our party stepped back in terror. Never before had I seen such a massive creature, never before had I experienced such terror. How could one fight such a beast on the narrow path? Surely he would conquer us and we would become more prisoners! I am sure such thoughts went through the minds of the others amongst us as well.

There was one who did not quail at the sight of him however; my Lady Alleriel stepped forward, standing between the others and the beast of a Mogu. Calm and composed, she took in a deep breath to steady herself, falling into a combat pose. It was a brave act, and I record it now so that none may doubt that she is willing to put herself at risk for others. The creature laughed when he saw her, towering over her and yelling down at her, “Foolish weakling. You do not have the strength to defeat me! I will make an example of you so that the other slaves do not think to rebel!”

To her credit, my Lady said nothing, simply moving towards him silently. His weapon came down, and I will admit that I closed my eyes, already mourning her passing. And yet, the weapon struck nothing, the blade burying itself in the soil of the trail as she dodged it. Behind me a ragged cheer went up as the Pandaren saw their champion unharmed, the sound followed by a gasp as the Mogu dragged his weapon from the soil and brought it down again.

Again it missed. And again. And so it went on for some time, the creature attempting to shatter Alleriel's body with that cruel blade, and my Lady dodging the blows, nimbly moving from spot to spot or reaching out to slap the flat of the ax-head away and directing the weapon away from herself. I will always be amazed at her speed and determination as she fought, never coming close enough to be struck. After some time, the blade began to rise and fall more slowly, the blows more clumsy as the creature tired itself out. The trail was pitted with divots now from where he had attempted to strike and failed. Finally, the blade slammed home in the soil and despite his tugging, would not come free. Exhausted, he slumped on the weapon's handle, and my Lady walked up to him, a quick kick sending the worn out creature to the ground on his back.

We all looked on in awe, not believing she had defeated him without striking a blow. She smiled at us, nodding at the fallen creature and speaking softly, “Strength of arms is a virtue, but alone it does not win the battle. It is strength of heart and fortitude of mind that sees a battle through to its conclusion. The creature can never defeat you if you fight justly and with the heart needed to attain victory. Never believe you are beaten before the battle begins, or you truly shall be.”

With that she walked over to the captives, freeing the Pandaren. The rest of us followed her, looking at the fallen creature with distaste as we passed it. Once the captives were freed, we all continued up the trail, the Monastery's steps beckoning to us invitingly.

Upon those steps several Pandaren awaited the approaching group, their garb showing them to be monks who lived and trained there. As a group we paused some distance away from them, my Lady walking ahead to stand before them. She bowed low, a smile on her face and a greeting on her lips, “High Elder Cloudfall, it is an honor to visit with you once more. I believe I have passed the tests placed upon the trail, and hope you will give me your wisdom and guidance.”

Even from the distance at which I stood, the confusion on the Pandaren's face was evident. He shook his head, his voice curious, “Tests? We have placed no tests on the trail. Nor were we aware that such a throng of travelers was heading here. I welcome you all, and hope your journey has not been to difficult.”

Alleriel looked up, her eyes wide for a moment as she turned back towards us in confusion, “N-no tests? But then, why did we pass through such trials? I believed wrongly that all of this was designed to see what we would do when...”

Her voice trailed off and a smile crossed her face. It was hard to hear her, but I record her words here as I believe they were important. She spoke softly to herself, her voice serene, “I see it so clearly now. Had we not set out on this journey, I would not have encountered these difficulties. Had I not acted, then ills would have befallen others on their travels. While it is difficult to decide what the right course is, it is the actual doing, the fact that we have acted that has mended these ills. Whether or not I have made the right decision, I have acted. I have not let myself be dissuaded by the difficult path ahead. I have not acted with haste but with informed consideration of the matter. I have not allowed the apparent strength that our allies display to be the only guiding factor, but instead looked to the heart of the matter.”

She smiled at the Pandaren monks, bowing to them and then turning to me, looking more relaxed than she had in days. With a nod, she started back down the trail, even as the pilgrims passed by her and headed into the Monastery. She lightly touched my arm, guiding me back towards our hawkstriders, “I have found the answers I seek. They were within me all along. I had but to listen hard enough to understand them.”

It seems that answers can be found in many places and ways. I hope that the story of Lady Alleriel Sunhaven's journey will help others find their own.

Penned by my hand and will,

Seneschal Leneath Dawnrise

House Sunhaven

Parting Ways

The hawkstriders raced through Eversong, leaving the more populated areas near Silvermoon far behind. Fifteen in number, their feathers flashed brightly amongst the natural colors of the enchanted forest around them. At the head of the procession rode the Magistrix Biara Sunfire, her fire red hair flowing behind her as she urged her mount to greater speeds, glowing blue ward marks glittering on her right cheek as she hurried. Behind her, her retinue attempted to keep up, the highly trained guards of House Sunfire determined to match the boldness of their Scion.

With the speed at which they traveled, it was not long before the group found itself entering a clearing deep in the heart of Eversong, nearer to one of the gentle shorelines that graced Quel'Thalas. Nestled in the clearing was a large estate, a low gold-painted wall made of stone surrounding the structure. Biara pulled back on the reins of her hawkstrider, slowing herself and the rest of the procession down as she studied the structure.

There was little to remark about the building itself. Typical of a noble house, it displayed a bit of wealth in its design and exterior decor that the Magistrix would have expected. The low wall was broken by an arched gateway with a crest centered above it. The emblem that hung there was a golden sun cradled by the branches of two golden trees on a field of red; the emblem of House Sunhaven. Other than this display of ownership, there were no other markings visible, and in fact there was no sign of the typical magical wards, lanterns or floating gardens that other Sin'dorei buildings would have. Biara narrowed her eyes as she noted this, snapping her reins and passing beneath the gates.

Within the courtyard there was activity. Sin'dorei trained with weapons in a small practice yard off to one side, while guards that looked suspiciously like Spellbreakers stood motionless before the twin doors that lead into the estate. Biara also noted that rangers with bows patrolled along some portions of the wall, presumably to make up for the lack of any visible mages or other spellcasters amongst the defenders. Even as the Magistrix absorbed all of this, the twin doors opened and a male Sin'dorei in blue and gold robes passed through them, a smile on his face and his hand raised in greeting. He approached the group, pausing and bowing before Biara.

“Magistrix Sunfire, it is indeed a pleasure to see you on this fine day. To what do we owe the honor of this-” he began. He was cut off before he could finish.

“You will take me to the Lady Sunhaven at once,” Biara stated coldly, her fel green eyes boring into the seneschal.

The other elf bowed again, the smile remaining plastered on his face, “Of course Magistrix! I shall take you to her at once. Your men will need to surrender their weapons to the guards before you proceed.”

Behind Biara, her retinue began to grumble. She held up a perfectly manicured hand, silencing further muttering, “I will proceed alone. You cannot disarm me of my magic anyway and should something befall me, my men will make war upon this manor house and my sister will avenge me.”

“Magistrix Sunfire, I am sure I've no idea what you are referring to. Please, if you will, Lady Sunhaven is right this way,” the elf replied. Biara could swear he was smirking now. She quickly dismounted, her blood red and gold robes falling into place around her as she moved gracefully behind him, her heels pounding on the marble floors as they entered the structure.

They passed through a number of corridors, the interior of the building decorated as one might expect of a Sin'dorei noble house. Expensive tapestries and paintings dotted the walls, statues in alcoves here and there as they walked. Throughout the house was the sound of some instrument being played, possibly a violin although Biara was not entirely certain. It did little to soothe her ire as the seneschal brought her to a narrow doorway at the end of a long corridor and pushed the barrier aside. He bowed, gesturing into the room. “The Lady Sunhaven is within, Magistrix.”

Biara ignored the elf, brushing past him as if he didn't matter, stepping into the room as he closed the door behind her quietly. The room beyond the door was a large circular chamber with windows all around; likely the base of one of the estate's elegant towers. Within the center of the room was a large reflecting pool, a pile of smooth, polished stones in the center allowing water to flow gently down an incline, sending ripples through the water. Along edges of the pool and surrounding the room was an array of flowering plants and greenery that immediately set one at ease. A narrow pathway of stepping stones lead to a flat marble surface before the flowing display of water in the center of the pool, and above the stone a figure hovered in mid-air.

She sat cross-legged, her hands resting on her knees and her fingers pointed upward. Long golden hair flowed down her back, the color much brighter than the blue, brown and gold dress she wore. Hovering as she was a few feet off the ground, Biara could clearly see that the other elf was barefoot and catch a glimpse of the sea-green color of her nails; colors that were not traditional amongst the populace of Silvermoon. The Magistrix's mind immediately tensed, the hovering elf looking nothing less than a Quel'dorei in that garb.

“Lady Sunhaven,” Biara intoned, her voice filled with restrained malice.

The other elf did not respond for a moment, simply floating there, meditating before the flowing water. After a moment, her musical voice came out in a soft, low tone, “Lady Sunfire. Your visit is not unexpected. In fact, I assumed you would have come two days prior to this. You must be very busy in the city, and I apologize that I must consume more of your time.”

Biara sneered at the back of the hovering elf, her words tinged with anger, “Yes, well I generally must set time aside to deal with potentially dangerous political upheaval that could spell disaster for my House. As you well knew when you sent me this farce of a letter.”

With that she reached into a pouch, taking out a folded piece of parchment bearing the emblem of House Sunhaven and tossing it onto the ground. She folded her arms across her chest, staring at the other elf, “I am awaiting an explanation.”

Alleriel Sunhaven murmured to herself, completing her meditation exercises and gently floating to the ground. Her sea-green eyes opened, and she rose on her bare feet, turning to face her counterpart. She gave Biara a pleasant smile, looking her over before responding, “I do not believe much explanation is required Lady Sunfire. The letter plainly states my intentions. House Sunhaven is withdrawing its support from your alliance of Houses. My men will no longer heed orders from the Blackhearts command structure, and I am withdrawing all of my companies back to Quel'Thalas.”

Biara's face blazed with fury and she barked her words out, the sound echoing from the peaceful chamber, “I was unaware that House Sunhaven was full of traitors who would stand against Quel'Thalas.”

Alleriel shook her head, her expression still calm and her voice neutral, “And I was unaware that House Sunfire was lead by an orc.”

Biara's eyes popped wide open and she stabbed a finger towards the other elf, “How DARE you? What are you implying?!”

“It is simple Lady Sunfire,” Alleriel said, still calm and serene. “Your campaign in Pandaria, in fact the entire objective that you have given our alliance of Houses, does nothing but drain the resources of Quel'Thalas and put our people at risk. In fact, more Sin'dorei have been lost due to the plotting of our 'Warchief' than I care to consider. As a result, it is only prudent that I withdraw House Sunhaven's support of this campaign until such a time as the Warchief looks at our people with the respect we deserve and handles our companies with competence when planning his war.”

“I could have you executed for what you just said,” Biara responded sternly. “We are members of the Horde. The Sin'dorei support the Horde. I do what I must for our people.”

Alleriel shook her head, looking at Biara with some degree of sadness, “Lady Sunfire, I must respectfully disagree. The battles at the Isle of Thunder as well as Garrosh's use of our magic for most foul purposes shows that he cares nothing about the fate of the Sin'dorei. Are we so numerous that we can continue to slaughter our own people over a political divide? Will we allow the orcs, creatures that have once before burned our precious forests, dictate the fate of our race? I fear you are blinded by your hatred of the Alliance and by the feeling of power that war brings you. The Quel'dorei are our people, even if they have made choices that we cannot accept politically. Each one we slay, each one of our own we lose to their arrows, brings our entire race closer to the brink of extinction.”

Biara stormed towards the other woman, her face inches from Alleriel's, “You betray all of Quel'Thalas with your words. What will you do, flee to Dalaran? Do you think your green eyes will see you welcomed there?”

Alleriel did not move or show any sign of concern as the other Sin'dorei raged at her. Her tone became more stern as she replied, “I am loyal to Quel'Thalas first and above all else. My men will continue to perform the duties they have performed for thousands of years; the protection of our lands and people. If you believe I will stay my hand when it comes to the Alliance, you are mistaken. I simply refuse to put our soldiers in a position where they can be used as fodder for the orcs, who have shown precious little respect for their own allies. You will need to come to terms with this I fear.”

Biara looked as if she were about to slap the other elf. For a moment she trembled with rage, glaring at Alleriel, “You are fortunate that I cannot bring the bulk of my men here to raze this estate to the ground. Due to your withdrawal from our alliance, I am forced to send even more of my soldiers to Pandaria. Pray that when this campaign is over my temper has cooled in relation to your defiance of the Warchief's will.”

With that she turned, beginning to storm towards the door. She paused as Alleriel's words came to her from over her shoulder. “Lady Sunfire, the reason why you will not come and raze this estate to the ground is precisely because of the threat you just made. In your reign over House Dayfire and later House Sunfire, you have engaged in brutal and senseless slaughter that has resulted not only in the loss of hundreds of Sin'dorei lives, but the utter destruction of the spire that was built by your House in antiquity. The reason why your threat is empty and meaningless is because, unlike you, I put the lives of the Sin'dorei in my care as my first priority. Meaning I have hundreds and hundreds of trained fighters, many dozens to each of your own.”

Biara turned, her eyes wide. Behind her Alleriel remained where she'd been standing, her words contrasting harshly with the serene room around her and the calm look on her face. There was a look of experienced wisdom in the Lady Sunhaven's eyes that spoke volumes about her capabilities and her tolerance for threats against the Sin'dorei of her House. Biara's mouth opened and closed once or twice, at a loss for words.

“Lady Sunfire, I see that you are about to depart,” Alleriel said. “Do know that although I have withdrawn my support for your little personal war, I am still a Sin'dorei, and still support Quel'Thalas. Should you or yours need aid of any sort; food, medical supplies, healing, or the like, please write or call upon me. I will not see a Sin'dorei suffer needlessly, even those under your care. I am not your enemy, but neither am I your friend.”

Biara simply glared, spitting out her words, “You will suffer for your lack of conviction one day Lady Sunhaven. Good day to you.”

She turned, her robes whirling around her as she stormed out. Alleriel's final words drifted over her as she hurried down the corridors, intent on getting Sunhaven Manor far from her sight. “A true leader knows that to lead is to suffer for one's people Lady Sunfire. Every day until the day I am able to lay down this burden I will worry over those in my care. Perhaps you should do the same. May your path be green and golden.”

With Biara gone, Alleriel turned back towards her reflecting pool, the urge to meditate again strong within her. It was best to banish fears and anger to keep oneself balanced after all. As she sat in her meditation pose once more, she murmured to herself in wry amusement, “That went precisely as well as I expected it to go.”

With a smile, she closed her eyes, slowly beginning to hover once more, silence descending on the chamber.

Spare the Rod

Beckyann was still fuming. It had been two days now, and the rage she felt kept bubbling up inside. It would come and go, her mood going from quiet and contemplative to murderous outbursts and hissy fits the likes of which a child would be truly impressed with.

She lay on her bed, barefoot and in a long black dress with silver stitch-work. Crumpled in a heap like some discarded doll, she stared at the open page of a necromancy book, not really bothering to read it. Around her the normally messy state with which she kept her quarters was further degraded than normal by her constant tantrums.

A knock sounded on the door.

Beckyann's eyebrows shot up so quickly they could have launched from her face. She rolled over on her back and glared at the wooden barrier, “Go. Away!”

From behind the door, the voice of Cheree drifted through the thick oak, “Becky, we need to talk. Everyone's getting kind of tired of hearing you in here and it's time to get this out in the open.”

Rage pumped through Beckyann, malicious hate making her hands tremble with rage. She scooped up the book on her bed and hurled it across the room. It struck the door with a loud 'thunk' as she screamed at the door, “I SAID GO AWAY RIGHT NOW!”

From behind the door there was a muttered, “Yeah that'll be about enough of that...” before the wooden barrier shuddered once from a blow. As Beckyann stared at it with wide eyes, it trembled again and then burst inward, Cheree stepping into the room. She was in full armor, her runeblades on her back and goggles still covering her eyes; clearly she'd just returned from some mission or another.

“Becky...we need to talk about th-” Cheree began. She didn't get a chance to finish as the blonde death knight roared into a full fledged tantrum. Beckyann leaned over, scooping up more tomes from the nightstand next to her bed and hurling them across the room. The first bounced off of Cheree's armor, the second sailing over her shoulder to land in the corridor behind her.

The third hit her goggles, making a small cracking sound as some internal component was damaged by the impact.

“I SAID GO AWAY! HOW DARE YOU COME IN MY ROOM YOU LITTLE BITCH!” Beckyann raged. It was more than enough as far as Cheree was concerned.

In a swift motion she advanced on the screaming shrew sitting on the bed, her hands reaching out to draw her runeblades. With a snarl she brought one of the blades down, intent on ending the little tirade before it had gone any further. The blade arced down and would have struck Beckyann in the leg had she not dodged out of the way. Instead it simply sliced into the bedding, lodging there for a moment.

Beckyann snarled, running lightly on her bare feet to avoid the next blow. She was not quite fast enough though as Cheree took her blade and lashed out. She didn't use the edge of the weapon, instead taking the flat of the sword and swatting it across Beckyann's rear as if she were paddling a misbehaving child. The look of indignant rage on Beckyann's face as she was smacked on the butt almost made Cheree laugh, and she followed up the first blow with a second well placed swat to the blonde's rear.

“Act like a child and get punished like one...” Cheree said in amusement.

For her part, Beckyann quickly increased her speed, moving away from Cheree and dodging across her quarters. Cheree attempted to follow her in order to continue the lesson, but was held up when the blonde woman lithely jumped over a hamper that was randomly sitting in the middle of the room. Cheree blundered into it, almost waist deep in clothing that Beckyann had thrown at the hamper and missed with. As Cheree's legs became entangled, Beckyann dashed to the far side of her quarters and reached out with her hand. Dark magics flickered in the air and wrapped around the handle of Beckyann's runeblade, launching it into the air and into her hands. She snarled, turning and holding the weapon ready as she glared at Cheree.

“Come here you little bitch. This will be just like it was in that tower, only now no one will stop me from correcting your little running mouth the way it needs to be,” Beckyann growled.

Cheree finally managed to push her way through the pile of clothes littering the floor, bringing her blades up in preparation for a real fight. Almost as soon as she began moving Beckyann muttered words of necromancy, and howling cold magic flashed across the room at her. She brought her runeblades up, covering the center of her chest and letting the blast flow around the metal. Behind her pictures on the wall shattered and a mirror cracked. Pages fluttered up in the air from the tomes littering the floor and flapped around the room.

Without another word Cheree advanced, her armored form bulkier and somewhat taller than the barefoot Beckyann, whose dress would provide little protection in such a conflict. She brought her blades down sharply, intending to teach her colleague a lesson. Metal rang against metal as Beckyann parried the blows, her dress making her somewhat more agile even though she normally preferred magic over blades. With a grunt she brought her own runeblade up, intent on slashing Cheree's face.

For her part, Cheree was equally focused on the melee, her blades coming up before her and crossing into an 'X' to catch Beckyann's blade as it came down. Metal rang on metal again and with a grin Cheree was able to twist her blades, ripping Beckyann's runeblade from her hand. The weapon flew end over end and clattered on the floor some distance behind the two, leaving the blonde unarmed.

A normal opponent would admit defeat at this point, but a rage-maddened death knight could not be considered an ordinary opponent by any means. With a snarl Beckyann launched herself at Cheree, her knee coming up and colliding abruptly with Cheree's codpiece. The blow was so powerful that Cheree immediately was glad that she 1) was wearing the codpiece in the first place, 2) was not a male, and 3) was undead and could only vaguely feel the blow through the metal. Where Beckyann had learned such a trick was beyond her, but it was time to put an end to the battle.

With a grin on her face, Cheree punched out with the hilt of her sword. It struck Beckyann in the mouth, rocking her head back. Brackish black blood oozed from her split lip as she shook her head in a daze. Cheree's feelings of victory were quickly dashed as Beckyann brought her hand up and jammed it into Cheree's face. At this point Cheree learned an interesting and valuable lesson about Beckyann.

When she did her own manicures, she sharpened her nails into razor sharp points.

The black lacquered nails dug deeply into Cheree's cheek and when Beckyann's hand retracted it was dripping with blood. With a snarl the blonde attempted to gouge her opponent's face again, forcing Cheree to drop her runeblades in order to catch Beckyann's wrist in her steel grip.

With another cry of rage Beckyann's free hand came up, snatching a hairpin from her hair and jamming the seven inches of saronite into the back of Cheree's gauntlet. Cheree howled, releasing her grip on Beckyann's wrist and backhanding the blonde with her gauntlet. Beckyann reeled back, and Cheree gave her another blow across the face, followed by still a third.

Dazed now and trailing black, oozing fluids from her face, Beckyann launched herself at Cheree one more time, her unarmored form colliding with Cheree's chest as she pressed herself against her enemy in an attempt to avoid more blows. Her fingers scrambled against Cheree's armor, attempting to find points to scratch and gouge, while the entire time she shrieked like a banshee.

As Cheree was about to throw Beckyann to the floor, Beckyann's hand came up before her. Confused and dazed, she noticed with distant curiosity that she suddenly had four new rings on her fingers. There was the sound of metal falling to the floor with a delightful 'clinking' sound and she looked down to vaguely notice four round orbs that had fallen from Cheree's armor. Holding her hand up between the two, Beckyann spoke through split lips, “Are those grenad-”

Cheree didn't given Beckyann time to finish. With a clipped, “Yep!” she hurled herself at the other death knight, tackling her onto the nearby bed. As Beckyann bounced beneath her, Cheree's free hand grabbed the edge of the feather mattress and pulled it up, forcing both death knights to roll into the space between the bed and wall and covering them with the upturned bedding.

No sooner had the two fallen beneath the mattress than the room was filled with a loud 'CRUMP' as the four grenades that Beckyann had dislodged from Cheree's armor detonated. Flames and debris filled the room as the explosion wreaked havoc in the confined space. The pressure wave threw pieces of furniture around the room and tore the bedding over the death knights to pieces.

In less than a second it was over, and the sound of debris raining down combined with the small crackle of flames were the only sounds to be heard. In a confused daze Beckyann sat up, looking over at Cheree as feathers from the torn mattress and clothing drifted down on them. A dark black blouse landed on Beckyann's face and blocked her view for a moment. She reached up to snatch it from her eyes only to find that a thigh-high, lacy stocking had descended and draped itself over Cheree's head like some sort of silly hat.

Beyond the shattered bed and room, a four foot hole had been torn in the wall. Standing in the outline of the hole was a motionless death knight initiate that had been patrolling the corridor. His armor was pitted and burned from the blast, and he swayed slightly before falling into a crumpled heap with a clatter of metal.

The two death knights looked at each other for a minute and then a smile began to creep across Beckyann's rather abused face. She began to giggle, and although Cheree was still glaring at her, the giggling was somewhat infectious. When Beckyann reached out and snatched the stocking from Cheree's head, showing it to her former adversary, Cheree began to roar with laughter.

Laughing hysterically now, the two women embraced each other from their seats on the floor. Minutes later, one of Acherus's watch commanders stormed down the hallway to find what had become of his initiate. After finding the initiate in a less than satisfactory state on the corridor's floor, he peeked his head into the room through the hole in the wall to see two extremely beat up looking death knights hugging each other and laughing, even as little fires burned up several books laying amongst the debris. The entire place looked like a grenade...or maybe more than one grenade...had gone off in it.

“There is something seriously wrong with the 1113^th,” the watch captain muttered as he bent down to grab the initiate by his ankles and drag him off to the medical officer on duty. “Does anyone even watch these loons? Whatever poor sap has that job has my condolences.” He sighed, dragging his initiate away as the insane laughter drifted down the hall behind him.

Sometimes the best cure for a bad mood was just a little fun after all.

Heart of the Storm

The sky crackled with the distant sound of thunder, the heavy rainclouds closing in over the forests of Ashenvale. Although the storm was still a way off, the tension of it could be felt in the air like some unknown threat lurking around the bend. In the small Kaldorei camp, Celessarae sighed, shifting in position on the log she sat on to grasp the handle of her mug more tightly.

Storms always brought on the aches. There was no way around it. It was like her arm had become a weather-vane, pulsing with agony that quickened in pace as the storm rode in. The druidess sighed again, sipping the hot herbal tea in her mug as she stared into the fire. The special mix would soothe some of the ache, but in weather like this it would never completely quell it. She set the mug down, running her right hand up and down her left arm in an attempt to massage the nagging ailment away.

The rest of the camp was quiet with most of the Kaldorei sleeping under light blankets on the ground. In the center of the small clearing a campfire had been prepared to cook the day's meal. It was mid-morning, and most of the Sentinels were resting as they readied themselves for another evening of skirmishes with the orc scouts that were pushing deeper into the forest.

Celessarae sat quietly, her eyes roaming over the encampment and studying those with her. Although no longer a Sentinel herself, her experience amongst them allowed her to pick out weaknesses in the defenses. The unit she was traveling with was made up of raw recruits who had only just completed their training, and it showed in the laxness with which they attended to guard duty. The druidess would have assigned far more of the capable fighters as sentries, but it was no longer her place to advise such things. It didn't matter anyway; the others might be sleeping during the daylight hours, but she rarely slept more than a few hours, her dreams always disjointed and disturbing. She preferred the silence of the sleeping camp and the privacy of her thoughts.

Celessarae's gaze roamed back towards the center of the camp, her silver eyes studying the forms sleeping closest to the fire. There amongst the sentinels were a few who had been assigned to ascertain what damage the orcs had done in their most recent incursion; three other young druids that were learning the ways of their elders as Celessarae herself was. Tucked beneath their fur blankets, they slept peacefully, as distant from her in that moment as when they were when awake. She gave a half-smile as she saw a pair of them snuggled together beneath the same blanket; it would be many more years before she managed to feel as relaxed and content as the two looked together, but that was the entire point of endeavoring to learn druidism anyway.

Even as the thought passed through her mind, the serenity of the overcast morning was shattered by a distant scream. It rose up from the forest, the sound of a male Kaldorei in anguish. Celessarae's eyes shot up and stared into the thick foliage, her ears perked to listen intently to the sound. Around her, the camp stirred, Sentinels awakening from their slumber in an instant, glaives in hand and bowstrings taut.

The sound faded off, only to rise up again a moment later. Celessarae rose from the log upon which she'd been sitting, striding quickly through the camp to where the leader of the Sentinels was issuing orders.

“I want four scouts out around that rise to the north immediately,” the Captain said as the druidess approached. “The rest of the camp is to be secured until we can determine what befell our observers.”

Celessarae stood patiently, allowing the elf to bark out the rest of her orders, watching her intently as was her habit. The Sentinel Captain looked calm and organized; exactly the traits one would want in a leader. She would forge the newer Sentinels into formidable opponents with a bit more time. The druidess only prayed she had that time.

When the elf turned, Celessarae dipped her head and addressed her directly, “Captain, our Shan'do is out there along with your scouts. He is the only male in this group not accounted for. That has to be him.”

The distant screams rose up again, and both elves fell silent as they listened with grim expressions on their faces, “I know druidess. My scouts will find out soon enough what has befallen them and then we'll-”

Her words were cut off as a Sentinel hurried into the middle of the camp, making a beeline towards the Captain, “Orcs! It looks as if they slaughtered the party we sent out to survey the damage to the forest and they have captured the druid. One of the scouts took an arrow to the arm and she's fallen back and is circling around our camp. I think it's an ambush!”

The Sentinel Captain frowned at the news, shaking her head slowly. She paused, weighing the situation in her mind, “Strike the camp. We need to move to more defensible ground. I can't lead this group into an ambush and heavy battle; we've neither the equipment for protracted combat nor the experience. Once we've secured our lines we'll send a message to the others nearby and mount an assault on their lumber crews and forward scouts.”

Several of the Sentinels nodded their understanding before springing into action. In moments the camp went from tense to a tide of organized chaos as the sentinels quickly picked up their gear, doused the campfire, and faded into the forest around them. As the Captain turned to organize her Sentinels, a pale hand gripped her arm. She glanced back to see the young druidess looking at her sternly.

“My Shan'do is in the clutches of orcs, Captain,” Celessarae said quietly. Behind her the other druids that had joined the Sentinel group gathered, speaking softly amongst themselves until hearing Celessarae and falling silent.

“I know, Druidess,” The Captain replied. “We will look for him once we've secured our lines. The orcs want us to rush into the midst of their forces so they can cut us down. I am doing what needs to be done for all of us here.”

Celessarae took in the words, her face an expressionless mask behind the red-hued butterfly markings she bore. After a moment she spoke softly, her musical voice containing no hint of anger in it, “That is not sufficient. I won't leave him for the orcs to toy with. I...know what they are capable of. No one deserves that.”

“Druidess...” the Captain began. Her words faltered as Celessarae's face began to morph and elongate. Within the blink of an eye the Kaldorei had dropped to all fours, a sleek black cat taking her place. The speed with which she changed was impressive, and the form had with it none of the aches and pains that the weather had brought on.

Without another word the cat turned, trotting off into the forest.

******************************************

She ran through the forest now, unimpeded by the terrain, her aches, or even her own doubts. As a cat she had a natural urge to run beneath the trees, using the shadows to hide her from the eyes of her prey until the last moment. Her nose pressed forward, taking in the scent of the forest around her and the sickly smell of oil, metal, and blood that the orcs carried on them in the distance. They were hiding amongst the dense foliage, but it meant nothing to her now; they might as well have been standing in the middle of a clearing for all their skulking would do.

She passed the first of them quickly, ignoring them and keeping low to the ground. They heard and saw nothing, her body just a passing breeze as she made her way towards the screams that grew ever louder. A deep determination filled her now to rescue her Shan'do and pay back the creatures that were taking yet another thing from her.

She passed more orcs amongst the trees, their forms hunched down as if the plants would ever truly disguise their grotesque nature. It made her sick to think of them defiling more of her beloved forest but it was not something to dwell on as she ran. She had a mission first; the orcs could be dealt with later. Even as she thought this, Celessarae came upon a clearing where the orcs had dragged their captive.

There was a lot of blood. Much of it was from the slaughtered Sentinels that lay lifeless at the edge of the clearing. Even so, the male Kaldorei laying on the ground was covered with it as well, his body pinned to the forest floor by means of a sword that punctured his abdomen. Shallow cuts ran along his bare upper body, the purple-tinted blood running down and soaking the ground. Above him a rather vile looking orc stood, dagger in hand as he almost playfully cut the druid again. Another howl cut through the silent forest.

“Either they come for you, or you die,” the orc growled in broken Darnassian. It was clear that he was trained in the art of torture, for beyond the daggers clipped to his belt and held in his hand he also had an assortment of chains and whips on his person. One glance was enough for Celessarae to know that he needed to die immediately.

The orc grinned, bringing his dagger up and preparing to drive it into the Kaldorei's arm. Even as his blade descended, a heavy black cat slammed into him from behind, driving him forward and into the dirt. Celessarae landed atop her prey, her long fangs biting deep into his neck and locking into place. Although he tried to dislodge her, the loss of blood and suffocating jaws on his throat quickly silenced him and he grew still beneath her.

She had little time now and she knew it. The kill had been quick and quiet, but the screams had also faded and the other orcs would know. With a faint glimmer she shifted, her elven form stepping lightly over the dead orc and kneeling beside the wounded druid on the ground. He looked up at her through glassy eyes, shuddering with the pain.

“Shan'do,” she whispered quietly. Although the elf had trained her for only a short time, she had come to respect him greatly. He would not be the first of her teachers nor the last, but the moment would remain in her mind forever. Gently she reached out, gripping the sword that pinned him tightly. “Forgive me Shan'do.”

With a quick lurch she yanked the sword free. The druid gasped in agony, and Celessarae murmured quietly, sending a rejuvenation spell into the critically wounded elf. She was still inexperienced with healing magic, but it was enough to soothe his pain at least. A small blessing, but worth the delay.

He smiled at her, reaching up and placing a hand on her arm, “Thero'shan. Somehow I knew it would be you that would come to find me. I fear that you've come too late however, and our time together draws to a close.”

Celessarae's normally composed features broke into a frown and she quickly shook her head. The druid forestalled anything she might say by speaking again, his voice weak and broken, “It is true I'm afraid. I should have paid more attention to the knowledge I already possessed and watched for danger. My body...it is broken, and I will not leave this clearing. Go, before it is too late. Know that I am proud of you, and that you will grow much with your learning. Go and find another to teach you.”

“N-no. No! I will get you to safety,” Celessarae said, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice. Her words reached only the emptiness around her though, the elf laying before her so very still now. She could see his chest rising and falling slowly, but it was so weak; he had only a few more minutes unless she could get help. In desperation, she grabbed his arm, heaving to pull him into a sitting position, hoping to carry him to safety. A stab of agony shot up her left arm; a cruel reminder of her own treatment at the hands of the orcs. She fell backwards, landing on her rump as her Shan'do sighed quietly, slipping away before she could even think of the rudimentary spells she had to heal him.

In the distance, a stick snapped as an orc approached the edge of the clearing to investigate why the screaming had died down. Celessarae ignored the sound, sitting quietly in the soil, staring at the dead Kaldorei sadly. She had lost another connection, another attempt at a future. Only this time she had also gained something. She was not the same broken Sentinel that had first begun to learn druidism. The urge to grow, to learn and fight, had never flowed so strongly within her. It mingled with the primal fury and rage that the orcs instilled in her, that ran through her very blood, and made her heart pound with it.

Another stick snapped as she rose silently, silver eyes scanning the clearing around her. The silhouettes of orcs appeared as they surrounded her, first three, then four then eight of them, all with weapons drawn, each of them stepping into the clearing with a grin on their face. Here there was another elf to torture, another victim to add to the growing pile of bodies the lumber crew had racked up.

In the distance thunder rumbled, the sky's gray vastness framing the clearing as the orcs stepped closer. Celessarae was motionless for the longest time, only her ears flicking as she listened to where they were around her, visualizing the position of each in her mind.

And then the storm began.

Rain began to fall even as the first orc moved towards her. Amongst the gloom and falling water a shaft of moonlight descended, illuminating her blue hair like a halo on her head. Her astral form glowed as she brought her hands up, moonlight flowing in her hands. She was no Sentinel now, but there were other ways to fight, other ways she could be of use.

The first orc learned this as moonlight lanced down more brightly from above him, the searing hot white magic of her power cutting into his flesh. The rest of the orcs lurched towards her even as her hands came down, a burning shaft of pure sunlight setting another of the orcs alight. She murmured as she conjured her magic, the sound almost a song amongst the falling rain. The gloom contrasted sharply with the light of the moon and sun, the glowing energy sparkling as it struck falling drops of water.

One of the orcs behind her threw an ax, the deadly weapon spinning end over end as it hurtled towards her head. In an instant Celessarae was a cat once more, her lithe form slipping beneath the arc of the weapon and a claw swiping at the leg of an orc as she darted out of the circle they had made.

Orcs howled and turned to pursue her, only to find themselves facing the Kaldorei once again in her elven form, her features crumpled into a mask of hatred. She brought a hand up and crooked a finger and instantly vines began to wrap around the ankles of the closest orc, dragging him to the ground. His companions trampled him, eager to slaughter the nuisance. Instead they found only the wrathful glare of the sun as its light hurtled towards them.

Orcs tumbled backwards as the magic struck, howls echoing through the forest as they were burned alive by the searing energy. Around Celessarae the moonlight continued to glimmer; the power her Shan'do had taught her to harness soothing her even as it slaughtered her enemies. Another orc brought his ax up only to find the Druidess extending her hands towards him, a surge of starlight slamming into his chest and searing his armor away.

It continued on this way, the movements of her foes a blur to Celessarae as she dodged and sang and hurled her magic. Her form shifted constantly, like the flowing water that fell from the sky to bathe the battlefield. She was bathed in moonlight when her foes were far; a slinking cat when they were near, her agility allowing her to dodge free of them and slip behind them to wreak havoc once more.

After a time, the forest fell silent, with only the rain pattering down to make a sound. Celessarae stood motionless in the now muddy and blood-spattered clearing, her hair wetly clinging to her face as she surveyed the scene. Around her all of her foes had fallen, their bodies laying in the mud and joining the Kaldorei that they had slaughtered earlier. In the distance orcish war horns rose up as Kaldorei hunting horns sounded. It was clear that the Sentinels had found defensible ground and even now were engaging in battle with an enemy that would be missing a few of its soldiers.

In that moment of clarity, standing amongst the bodies of her allies and enemies alike, a sense of peace fell over the former Sentinel-turned Druidess. In that moment, Celessarae felt the soothing calm that came when the heart of a storm passes overhead, and she realized that the words of her Shan'do were true. She WOULD grow, she would learn more about the world and how to make herself a useful part of it. She would bring balance back to the forests and protect the lands of her people from those who would defile it.

Despite all she had lost, both in that moment and in previous battles and disasters, she would always have the forest. She would always have the moonlight that flowed down on her even now. She would always have Elune to guide her. She would heal and harm, as nature needed her to do. For her people, for herself.

Celessarae Moonfang finally understood her destiny.