An Unwelcome Homecoming

The dawn was bright and clear along the docks of Silvermoon. Only a few ships remained in the harbor; the last of the fishing vessels having set out before the sun broke over the horizon. Even still, the piers bustled with activity all along the fringe of Silvermoon as those areas controlled by major Houses conducted their daily business. Stone walls separated many of the compounds from one another, and private rear gates at each compound often lead directly to the main spires of the Houses that controlled the various sections of the harbor.

Activity along the docks controlled by House Dayfire was sparse at this time of day; much of the business of the House was conducted by overland travel, and the Dayfire piers were used only every other month to ship goods or receive vessels with merchandise ordered by the members of the House. It was for this reason that some alarm began to arise amongst the workers and House Dayfire guards who were stationed within the compound as a sailing ship appeared at the far end of the harbor, making its way swiftly through the smaller boats that had set out late in the morning.

As the ship drew closer, it became obvious that the vessel meant to dock at House Dayfire's pier, despite the fact that no shipments were expected for several weeks. Mutters of alarm turned into orders by the guard captains to arm, and the guards quickly donned their armor and strapped on weapons, preparing themselves to deal with the visitors, whoever they turned out to be.

As the ship neared the end of the pier, it's sails became still, as if the wind had suddenly died down. The vessel slowed unnaturally, gliding in gracefully and gently bumping the pier as it came to a full stop. For several moments, no movement was detected on the ship, although several of the dockworkers gave it a hard stare, as if it looked familiar somehow.

After a few minutes, a banner was unfurled from the mainmast, and it rippled in the wind. The ship's crew began to appear, a mixture of blood elves, orcs, trolls and tauren all staring sullenly at the guards along the docks. The guards eyed the newcomers warily, trying to make out the device on the banner as a gangplank was lowered to the pier and figures began to descend. A gust of wind snapped the banner taut for a moment, and it became clear what was on it; a black flag with a white blade emblazoned on it, a yellow sun in the center of the blade. It was a modification of the more familiar, and now defunct, House Sunblade seal.

One of the dockworkers hissed as he took in the sight of the banner, speaking low so that the swiftly approaching visitors couldn't overhear him. "It's the Golden Blade! That ship's been missing since the scourge invasion!"

The figure in the lead, a short Sin'dorei female with golden blond hair and a pout on her face paused and turned to look at the Sin'dorei that had spoken. "It's called the Shattered Blade now, and she's not been missing; she's been oh so very busy."  With that, the woman strode towards the waiting group of guards, a large crowd of surly looking sailors trailing after her in a disorganized fashion. She came to a halt a few feet before the House Dayfire guards, her hands on her hips as if she expected them to step aside immediately.

"Who are you, and what is your business here?" The guard captain asked with a scowl.

Fel green eyes flashed and studied the Sin'dorei, as if looking for the slightest hint of weakness. A slight smirk played over the Sin'dorei's face as she decided whether she would answer the man or simply stab him and move on. After a tense moment, she smiled and said, "I'm here looking for Kyliska Sunblade. Go and fetch her for me, before I grow bored preferably. You wouldn't want to entertain me I suspect."

The guard captain frowned and replied, "Lady Sunblade does not appear on the summons of some unknown guest at this time of the morning. Why don't you take your ship back out into the harbor, and we'll signal you when and if she wishes to meet with you, at a reasonable time of day."

The blond Sin'dorei frowned ever so slightly, her hand coming to rest on the hilt of a jeweled sword pommel at her hip. "Wrong answer." She turned to look at the sailors behind her. "Throw them in the harbor, and find me someone more reasonable."

With wolfish grins the sailors took out a number of swords, clubs, and other assorted weapons and advanced on the heavily outnumbered guards, who backed up slowly, eying the advancing mob with alarm. Just before the first blow was dealt, the dockworker that had originally spoken yelled out, "W-wait! I-I'll take the message! There's no need for this!"

Everyone froze in place, all eyes trailing to the Sin'dorei woman. She drummed her fingers on the top of her sword pommel for a moment, as if thinking the offer over. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, she nodded. Sighs of relief were heard from several of the guards and workers.

"W-whom shall I say is calling on Lady Sunblade?" The frightened worker asked.

The woman smiled at the worker, although the expression didn't seem to reach her eyes as she replied, "Tell her that her dear cousin Celessarae Sunblade has returned. Tell her that I wish to speak to her about financial issues, and that she should come visit me before we leave port again."

The worker nodded and smiled, "I'm sure Lady Sunblade will be overjoyed to see a blood relative!"

Celessarae smirked and turned away before replying, "Somehow I doubt it, considering I seized this ship from her father. Go and deliver my message without any further delays. I am growing impatient and you would not want to see what happens when I'm angry."

She turned to walk back to the ship, a hand to her head. Several of the sailors watched the messenger leave and turned, shouting to Celessarae before she was out of earshot. "Captain! What about these lads? What are we supposed to do with them while we wait?"

Celessarae sighed, her headache growing. "Is it too much to ask for you to make a simple decision on your own once in a while? It's bad enough that I barely slept at all last night and that when I did, I had a horrible nightmare about being a Kaldorei, and now you plague me with menial tasks? I already told you, throw them into the harbor!"

With that she turned and walked quickly back to the Shattered Blade. A small smile played across her lips as the sounds of heavy objects hitting the water could be heard behind her.

It was good to be home.