Enemies Within

*Eversong Woods, Dawnsea Chapterhouse*

The chapterhouse was a small structure, containing a central shrine surrounded by corridors that had several rooms to accommodate the priests and priestesses that called the edifice their home. Deeper within the building, behind the main shrine, were a few rooms reserved either as storage or as the personal office and living quarters of the Prioress of the shrine. It was within the deepest part of these private areas where Alizathel's personal sanctuary was placed, and it was here that she performed her morning rituals.

Young for a Sin'dorei in such a position of power, Alizathel looked humble kneeling upon black velvet cushions before the marble slab of her personal altar. Eyes closed in meditation and prayer, her hands rested in her lap and her breathing was calm, even as the acrid, burning scent of the incense drifting from the censers on either side of the altar stung her nose and throat. Her prayers were silent, her inner voice quiet as she sought wisdom not from the Light, but from the shadows that gather at the light's edge; from the power rooted deep within the individual and their own selfish desires.

The priestess released a deep breath, her next inhalation taking in more of the incense and causing her eyes to water. The painful distraction was part of her meditation, part of her ritual to maintain her inner focus and iron will. It was nothing compared to the discomfort of bending and channeling shadow through her living form, the destructive force unnatural to one who had once been a simple healer.

Just as she was in the very deepest recesses of her meditative pose, the door to the small shrine burst opened, startling her; no one should be entering this part of the chapterhouse, as the only way into the almost closet-like room was through her own sleeping quarters. She rose quickly, her fel green eyes affixing the intruder with an intensity that made the other Sin'dorei falter in the doorway.

"P-prioress! A thousand apologies for the interruption, but he's here!" the novice priestess squeaked under Alizathel's stern gaze.

"Calm yourself, Namari, and tell me who exactly 'he' is if you would," Alizathel responded, her voice calm and controlled. It would not do to make the novices too fearful or they would not think for themselves, which is precisely what had put them all in this remote chapterhouse in the forest in the first place.

"T-the Master at Arms, Prioress," novice Namari replied, her voice frightened. "H-he said he wishes to speak with you immediately, without delay."

Alizathel's eyes widened and she felt her heart beating fast in her chest. The Master at Arms of House Dawnsea did not pay a visit for friendly chat, nor should his attention be on this minor little branch of House Dawnsea's holdings. Alizathel had spent great effort to avoid the notice of the rest of the House for as long as possible. It seemed now her efforts had failed. Worse, she had recently had a clandestine meeting with a member of House Sunfire. Should someone have discovered this...well, it was best not to think of it. When she replied, her voice had the same tightly controlled tone to it, "Very well. Bring him into the shrine room itself and I will be there in a moment."

As novice Namari bowed and backed out of the room, Alizathel silently cursed to herself. She turned to the altar, taking up one of the censers and hanging it from her belt. From the top of the altar she grabbed a skull-headed mace and also strapped that in place, and then sat a crown of dark iron atop her short, black hair. As she passed through her sleeping quarters, she paused to glance at herself in the mirror. Blackness greeted her gaze, her own dark black dress with its long sleeves drinking in the light. Combined with the black crown and her own black hair that partially covered one of her eyes with the way it was styled, she was as unlike the typical Sin'dorei as one could get. She gave herself a grin before turning from the mirror and heading towards the shrine; impressions were important after all.

As she passed through the corridors she saw the rest of the novices gathered here and there in alcoves, talking quietly to themselves. Everywhere fear permeated the very air; all here knew what such a visit might entail and after the disaster that had befallen Dawnsea Manor recently none wished to guess what might come next. Alizathel offered her flock grim smiles as she passed, feeling very much like she was walking towards her own noose.

She entered the shrine room itself through a side door, moving past the red and gold holy shrine to stand in the center aisle of the rows of intricately carved marble benches, her eyes taking in the sight of the Sin'dorei who had entered from the main double doors that lead out into the forest beyond. Two of them she dismissed at once, for they were clearly Blood Knights wearing Dawnsea's emblems and had been brought as bully-blades as necessary to ensure compliance. It was the third she studied shrewdly, her eyes taking in the sight of the exquisite leather armor and slender swords at the Sin'dorei's hips. A short cropping of blonde hair capped a face that held only malice in its gaze, the Master at Arms of House Dawnsea being a slender, lithe elf yet capable of inflicting death in a moment's notice.

"Master Methas Sunspark, it is an honor to greet you. How may I assist you?" Alizathel purred in just the correct tone of politeness. She offered the other a deep curtsy to show respect.

Master at Arms Methas Sunspark grinned when she addressed him, his eyes running up her curvy form in a manner that she found immediately distasteful, as if he were appraising her for her value or selecting an excellent cut of meat. He strode towards her, his voice booming, "Prioress Alizathel Dawnsea, I come on official business to bring you the word of your Matriarch."

Alizathel felt a lump forming in her throat and simply nodded; the last thing she wanted was Kenzie Dawnsea taking an interest in her, or in the chapterhouse. It was the primary reason she'd reached out to Selenthiel Sunfire in the first place; to avoid being under the thumb of the ruthless woman who, until now, had seemed content to enjoy the finest things in life and leave the rest of the Dawnsea bloodline alone. It seemed that time was to come to an end abruptly.

Getting no response, Methas drew closer, his Blood Knights milling about behind him and eyeing the shrine over with disinterest. When he spoke, it was in an almost gloating tone, as if he knew her discomfort, "Lady Dawnsea has purchased a new estate close to Silvermoon. It is to replace the one that was...so unfortunately lost in recent times. You and your clergy are to rededicate and bless the structure prior to the magic users laying down the wards and guards against our enemies."

"It would be our honor to bless the estate and its grounds," Alizathel responded dutifully. "It seems that you have been sent on an unnecessary journey, as I would happily have agreed to this request even if it came through missive only. You honor us by personally delivering it."

Methas's grin widened and he came within a few inches of Alizathel, this time not hiding his gaze as he ran his fel green eyes up her body from her boots to the crown atop her black hair, "It is my duty to ensure that the House is running in an orderly fashion so the Lady Dawnsea is not...bothered. Things such as the loss of an entire estate and the guards who are stationed there tend to get her notice, and she would prefer that such an event not recur with her new holdings. It would be a shame if someone had to be...harmed...to ensure that such a thing didn't happen again, wouldn't you agree?"

There was no mistaking the menace in his tone or the implications of his words. Alizathel swallowed and nodded, her voice low, "I would have to agree, Master Methas. House Dawnsea's holdings should remain unsullied by our enemies. You can, of course, depend upon us to bless the structure properly."

"Good, good," Methas purred in her face. His grin widened, becoming mocking now as he said something that shocked Alizathel to her core and made her gasp aloud. "There is another matter that I am to task you with. We know that Seluna's essence has been placed in a phylactery. Lady Dawnsea wishes it found. Immediately."

"I-I know nothing of such an artifact," Alizathel stuttered, her eyes wide. "I was not of Seluna's inner circle as you well know. I have already answered all of the questions that your Blood Knights put to me on the matter."

Methas moved so close now that his breath was hot against her neck as he whispered in her ear, his hand caressing Alizathel's face, "That is a shame, because the Lady Dawnsea suspects otherwise. Very few of Seluna's priests escaped the fall of the estate. You and those here are all that is left now, treasure that you are. It would be a shame if you failed to reveal information that you might be aware of. Possibly fatal..."

While she had been intimidated before, Alizathel found Methas's touch to be repulsive. When one of his hands slid up her thigh, rage built in her. Dark, inky black shadows began to seep from her, the power of her faith drawing from her anger and bathing her in the energy. A tendril of the shadowy power came up, wrapping around Methas's wrist where his hand was still caressing her face. When she responded this time, her voice was icy cold and condescending, "If you do not step back from me immediately, you will come to learn just how I survived. Commoner trash will not place their hands on me, regardless of their station. You forget what blood flows in my veins."

Methas withdrew a pace, his face contorted in rage. Behind him his bully-blades turned, each grasping sword hilts in a menacing fashion. With the distance between them restored, the shadows around Alizathel began to fade. It was for this reason that she was taken by surprised when Methas rushed forward again, his hand coming out to backhand her before he shoved her. She tumbled backwards, falling onto the smooth marble floor, her iron crown clattering on the stone as she crumpled, her dress like a pool of spilled black ink around her. Shadows raged from her, tendrils lashing the air around her. Through a purple haze of dark magics she gazed up at him, fearful and infuriated all at once.

He grinned down at her, hands on his hips and his Blood Knights flanking him with drawn steel. His voice was cold and commanding now as he gazed down at her, "Learn your place, Prioress Dawnsea, lest you lose it. The Lady Dawnsea has been disgraced, and she has not forgotten who was present at the battle, who failed in their service to her. As you lay on the floor, consider that it is symbolic to where you are in her mind even now."

Silence reined for a moment, and the shadows around Alizathel continued to rage. After what seemed like an eternity, she managed to choke back her rage enough to get them under control. Still laying on the floor, she dipped her head, her voice low, "I-I apologize, Master at Arms. I will heed our Lady's word."

"Good, see that you do, Prioress," Methas said coldly. He eyed her over again like she was some treat that had been dropped, his gaze lingering on where her dress had exposed her pale white legs. "The Lady Dawnsea wishes to have the phylactery in her possession as quickly as possible. Being one of the few survivors of the manor house, you will investigate and locate it before bringing it to her. Do not fail her, and do not fail to bless the new estate properly. Her eyes will be upon you, do you understand?"

"Yes, Master at Arms," Alizathel responded from her place on the floor.

Methas grinned, "Good. I will leave you to your reflection and meditation then, Prioress. We will meet again quite soon."

With that he turned, his Blood Knights grinning at her before sheathing their blades and stalking after him. It was not until the double doors had boomed closed behind them that Alizathel managed to release the breath she'd been holding. A shaking hand came up to rub her face where she'd been struck. A side door opened and two novices rushed in, gasping as they saw the Prioress on the floor. They ran over to her, quickly helping her to her feet, one of them handing her the dark crown that had been on her head. All of them looked worried, their eyes full of questions.

Alizathel shook her head, knowing the news she would share would not be good. The priests and priestesses of the little chapterhouse were part of House Dawnsea, yes, but they had secretly betrayed it. That they lived was because they had fled the battle at Dawnsea Manor, and had refused to support Seluna in her madness. How much of their rebellion Kenzie Dawnsea knew of was questionable, but the Master at Arms would complicate matters and could have them all killed if they were not very careful. They were walking on a sword's edge now, all of them, and it was up to her to lead them safely across.

In a voice tinged with worry, she gave orders to her novices, "Gather the others. We must prepare for a blessing. Send the senior novices to my personal quarters. We need to begin planning how to seek out Seluna's phylactery. The day we've all feared has come."

The novices gasped and then bowed deeply before hurrying off, their concerned shouts beginning to echo through the chapterhouse as the news spread. Alizathel herself stood still, gazing down at the black iron crown in her still shaking hands. She glanced up at the door to where the three had left, her voice laced with venom now, "I shall do your task, Methas, but not in the manner in which you would prefer. When I find her, when I find Seluna's phylactery, I will ensure that it is taken care of properly. Never again will I stay my hand, and I swear I will prevent a recurrence of what happened. Even if I must be used as a game piece by others, I will take Seluna somewhere that you will never get her."

She breathed out, her anger growing, her last words an echoing whisper spoken through rising shadows, "And once I do, I will have the resources necessary to ensure that you never touch me or anyone else ever again."

Encounter in the Ghostlands

NOTE: This story has been co-written by myself and Kyliska!

Kenzie Dawnsea entered the dilapidated building where Kyliska Sunfire was being held prisoner. She smirked as she made her way towards the cell that she was being held in. Kenzie had kept Kyliska there for a few weeks and had been torturing her, mostly emotionally. She was being forced to watch as Kenzie slept with her beloved Andithiel Felo’melorn. She would tear apart their Houses and cause strife between them. Also hurting someone close to Biara Sunfire always made Kenzie happy. She hated that bitch and she would hurt and feel pain as long as Kenzie lived.

Kenzie made her way to Kyli’s cell. She looked weak, and tired. Her face was bruised and there was dried blood on her body. It appeared that she had tried to find a way to escape. She tried to remove the manacle that was around her ankle, but to no avail. She was strong but not strong enough, especially with no magical ability. Her ankle was very bloody and bruised. Kenzie could see that Kyliska had not been eating much recently either. There was a lot of food that was left uneaten. She shrugged and made herself visible. She cleared her throat and Kyliska looked up at Kenzie. Only to Kyliska, she was looking at herself.

Kyliska stood up slowly and walked to the edge of the cell and stared at Kenzie. “Who in the fel are you, and why did you capture me?” she asked.

Kenzie laughed. “Oh my dear Kyliska, the truth will be revealed when I am good and ready for that to happen. I do hope you like your quarters.” she smirked. “I know they are not quite what you are used to, but I think they are quite nice!” Kenzie laughed again. She was enjoying Kyliska’s pain all too much.

Kyliska spit in Kenzie’s face. “You bitch! You will let me out of here right this instant! Give me my identity back and stop sleeping with my Andi!” Kyliska raged. Kenzie could see that Kyliska was broken, even her little outburst was not at the level that it usually was. Her plan was working quite well then. Kyliska started to cry, the tears streaming down her face.

Kenzie wiped the spit from her face and reached through bars to slap Kyliska in the face. “You will do well to know your place Kyliska. You are a traitorous bitch’s daughter and that is all you are and ever will be. Biara is not truly your sister and she will never love you as much as her flesh and blood.” Kenzie said coldly. “Also, your beloved Andi, well clearly he must not love you as much as you think either. Or else he would know that he has been sleeping with an imposter for weeks now. He has never once thought I was not you. How sad is that? Your soul mate, your one true love, cannot even tell that I am not you.”

Kyliska’s face fell. The sudden realization that Andi did not know she was missing hit her. She was just focused on the torture of watching him with another woman, and did not even think of the pure fact that he did not know it wasn’t her. She fell to the floor. Her will to keep trying to escape her prison had ended. Kenzie had broken her finally, and fully. She looked up to Kenzie who was still smiling at her. “You are right. He does not even question that you are not me. I…...maybe I deserve to be here. For all of my sins that I have committed. My father would be so ashamed of me if he knew all the things I have done.”

Kenzie stared back at Kyliska and talked softly. “I have no care for what your father would have thought of you, but yes your beloved, and your “sister” do not care that you are missing. I could be you forever and they would not care or notice.” she went to leave but turned back around. “Oh and you really should eat something, you will just fade away. Oh wait, no one will really care if that were to happen. I did include some wine though and also a little something extra to help take some of the pain away if you chose to do so.”

Kyliska looked towards the wineskins and then noticed something that for some reason she had overlooked before. It was a pouch of blood thistle. Somehow this imposter must have known that she was once addicted to the drug and left it for her. Kyliska began to sob as Kenzie walked away. Kenzie left the dungeon and could not wipe the smile of satisfaction off of her face. Her plan could not be working any better. She must now head back to Kyli’s estate and see to Andithiel again. She mounted Kyliska’s horse and started to ride towards the Ghostlands.

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

The Ghostlands were dark and dreary, as they always were regardless of the time of year or even time of day. Muted sounds echoed beneath the oppressive stillness of the dead forest, the groans of distant undead and the sounds of predators taking prey as common as the crackle of dead leaves as Avielle’s deathcharger plodded along.

She had visited the city again, something that she was doing more frequently as of late, and was returning to the dark little piece of the Ghostlands that she called home. This far from the reclaimed lands in Eversong, the world was filled with danger and darkness. It was a home of sorts, and something she’d grown familiar with.

That was why the sound of a horse’s hooves echoing from the poorly paved road up ahead gave her pause. She yanked on the reins, her steed coming to a halt and giving out a little growl of irritation before she calmed it with a soothing hand. In the stillness the sounds she’d heard were growing louder, a rider approaching from deeper within the Ghostlands or perhaps the plaguelands. Whether it was friend or foe she would soon find out, for she was not of the habit of letting uninvited guests wander through the haunted forests unchallenged.

Avielle slipped from her mount, patting it and shooing it further up the trail, crouching down in the dead foliage and watching the trail ahead. She remained motionless as only the dead could, her glowing eyes the only sign of her as she waited. It took only moments for the rider to come into view; a blood elf on a Blood Knight’s charger, the figure not bearing the arms of a Knight perhaps but sitting regally as one.

Although the Blood Knights were the law of the land, it was still suspicious to see one out in the haunted wilds, and so when the rider came close enough, Avielle rose from her hiding place and stepped into the road, rune-spear held ready to gut the horse if the rider chose to advance further.

“In the name of Quel’Thalas, I command you to halt and identify yourself,” Avielle said calmly.

Kenzie slowed her horse down and looked at the elf that was talking. She smiled and spoke. “I am Kyliska Sunfire, not that it is any of your business Death Knight.”

Avielle’s mouth opened in shock, her eyes wide as her spear immediately moved to a non-threatening position, “K-kyliska did you say? But Sunfire? You have wed then, or was this always your surname?”

Kenzie stared at the Death Knight blankly. Why was she so concerned with what her new last name was? Her horse shifted slightly and Kenzie held the reins tightly. “You have not told me who you are, and also why are you so interested in my last name and who I am?”

Avielle nodded, offering the mounted elf a bow before looking back up at her, “My name is Avielle Silverlight, and if you are the Kyliska that I think you are, I have been seeking you for a very long time. I have an oath that must be fulfilled. I have sought you, or your mother, for the last several weeks.”

Kenzie looked at this Avielle with a confused look on her face. She shook her head and spoke. “Avielle, I am sorry but I have more pressing matters that need to be attended to. I cannot stay and talk about my sordid past and your supposed oaths. I must be going.”

Avielle gasped, rushing forward and grabbing the charger’s reins, her voice imploring and containing in it a hint of a banshee’s wail, “Please, I beg of you, stay but a moment and listen. As a Knight you must at least understand the need to uphold the honor of one’s name and station. It is vital that you hear me out, and that I learn of your mother as well!”

Kenzie gasped herself as Avielle ran towards her, she pulled back on the reins and the horse bucked and knocked her off. “What in the fel are you doing! Why would you charge me like that! My mother is dead and that is all you need to know, now please let me be!” Kenzie brushed herself off and attempted to get back onto her horse.

Avielle rushed to the fallen elf’s side, looking shocked. She reached out, brushing debris from the other elf’s clothing, her voice low, “I am so sorry to hear of Lady Sassariel’s death, Kyliska. Please know that I come before you not to seek revenge but to offer you hope instead. It is why I have sought you for so long; we are linked together, you and I, and you must hear me out.”

Avielle paused as the other elf got back in the saddle, a thought stirring in the back of her mind. She looked down at her hands; the hands that had just touched the Blood Knight, and then back up at the other elf, blinking a few times.

Kenzie looked at Avielle with a slightly confused look on her face. Sassariel, that was Kyli’s mother’s name! She tried to refresh the confused look and looked back to Avielle. “Maybe there is another time we can catch up on old times. I really must be going.” she looked towards the Death Knight and saw the expression on her face. “Are you alright?”

Avielle was no fool, and the look that passed across ‘Kyliska’s’ face at the mention of her mother’s name had not gone unnoticed. She stepped back a few steps, her back straightening. Although she attempted to conceal her emotions, there was a frigid coldness to her voice that had not been there a moment before, “Oh yes, of course, Lady Sunfire. I do apologize for causing you any inconvenience. I will let you be on your way now, and seek you out at a more opportune time.”

Kenzie nodded. “Yes thank-you.” she stated. “Let us meet and we can discuss these matters fully at a later date. Good day.”

Avielle bowed once, her gaze unwavering on the other elf, “Good day to you, Lady Sunfire.”

As Kenzie rode away, those two glowing eyes remained affixed on her back, the hard stare cold and unforgiving until it faded from view.

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

After the ‘knight’ had ridden away, Avielle called out in the Language of Death. Her deathcharger trotted from the nearby foliage, coming to her side at her call. As she mounted, her mind ran over the encounter again and again, her suspicions deepening with each passing moment.

The Knight’s touch was not unpleasant, not light-filled. She did not feel uncomfortable in my presence. Even if she’d been used to fighting the undead, my touch should have been uncomfortable unless she is used to the touch of evil creatures. And she didn’t recognize Sassariel’s name immediately. Why? Too many why’s.

Avielle snapped the reins, her steed setting out in a fast trot through the dead forest. As she thought over the encounter yet again, she directed her mount towards the direction the Knight had come from. The road was long and dark, heading towards the distant plaguelands, the broken gates of Quel’Thalas not far off.

As she rode, Avielle scanned the terrain around her, checking to ensure that the Knight had not ridden from somewhere deeper in the woods. After a few minutes of riding, she suddenly tugged on the reins, bringing her steed to a halt. Something in the woods had caught her eye.

She dismounted, her plate armor clinking lightly as she moved with purpose towards the dead undergrowth in the forest to the right of the path. She pressed through crackling dead branches and piles of leaves, her eyes affixed on a strange lump laying beneath the brush.

As she bent down, Avielle pushed some branches aside, and her eyes widened as she revealed a dead Felhunter, it’s body pierced by the thrust of an ax. Wary now, Avielle drew her own blade, stalking through the clearing around the dead beast and studying the terrain. Her investigation revealed the presence of several more dead demons, and something else as well.

She kneeled down in the leaves, her spear in one hand and her face coming close to the ground. She held out her free hand, pressing it lightly against the ground in a spot that looked burned. Instantly the skin on her arm began to crack, the flesh flaking as it dried up. Avielle’s eyes widened and she withdrew her hand in shock, the remnants of the Light left at the scene of the battle evidence that a paladin had fought in this place, and recently.

Alarmed now, Avielle rose, dashing back towards her deathcharger. She hopped up into the saddle, the beast already moving as she took her seat, sensing her urgency. She snapped the reins hard, the beast dashing further up the trail now, towards the gates beyond.

If the ‘Knight’ had come from the plaguelands, there would be a trail. Avielle would discover her origins and what she had been doing. And then she would go back and discuss it with the imposter.

Cloak billowing out behind her, Avielle dashed into the darkness of the Ghostlands, heading for the plaguelands behind, the thud of her deathcharger’s hooves warning the denizens of the haunted forest to keep their distance, for a real undead threat now hunted her prey, and when she found out everything she needed to know, someone was going to answer her questions whether they liked it or not.

A Meeting

((The following RP is brought to you as a joint effort between Kenzie and Seluna. We wrote it together. It is very long! :) ))

The door to the suite opened quietly as the House Dawnsea guards permitted the young priestess entry. She glided forward, her expensive and form fitting dress making only the barest whisper as she moved to the center of the room, bowing deeply before Kenzie Dawnsea. At a glance it was clear that Seluna Dawnsea was graceful and courteous, if nothing else.

"My Lady," She said in a soft voice, "I've come as you bid to provide you with healing magic. Since you were so concerned about others observing you in a weakened state, perhaps we should ward the room from prying eyes and ears before we begin the healing session? I would not wish for you to be discomforted in your time of grief."

She paused, her fel green eyes scanning the contours of the room, as if appraising it. "I believe that this sitting room would be ideal for such wardings, and for me to perform the healing you require as well."

Kenzie looks at Seluna with a slight smirk on her face.

"Yes warding the room before the healing can take place would be a great idea. I do wish to get a good night's sleep."

Seluna nods and bows again, "As you wish Lady Dawnsea."

With that she whispers words of power that sound something between a spell and a prayer. Magic composed of shadow and light flows around her and into the air, drifting slowly towards the walls and clinging to it, creating a barrier of power.

As she chants, Kenzie notices for a brief moment that her eyes are a pale ice blue, rather than the fel green of the Sin'dorei. The impression lasts for only a moment as the spell is completed and Seluna's chanting falls quiet.

"That should be sufficient to allow us to speak without being overheard of seen," She said with a smile.

Kenzie summons her felhunter for extra protection against anyone scrying on their location. She looks at Seluna with a slightly confused look on her face. She noticed that there was something off about this Sindorei but she couldn't place it. She wasn't sure if she would be completely honest with her. Well she would have to try to find out.

"Now that we can not be disturbed, we must have a very serious conversation." Kenzie started. "I saw, and felt what you tried to do to me at my husbands funeral. First of all why would you do that and secondly there is something not right about you...."

Seluna looked at Kenzie with a pleasant smile as the wards fell into place. Upon hearing the noble's words, she dropped the pretense of her pleasant air almost instantly. Her expression changed to one of extreme malice, her eyes flashing from fel green to ice blue.

"It is you who should be answering questions LADY Dawnsea," the priestess snarled. "Until your untimely arrival, House Dawnsea was firmly my ally, and in addition was causing strife against my upstart daughter and her own allies. Your...interference in affairs has caused me much delay in my plans."

The young Sin'dorei paced, suddenly agitated. "Now I find that this Suncrown witch has decided to throw her hand in with House Dayfire. This is intolerable!"

Kenzie smiles at Seluna, and it is not a pleasant one.

"Oh I should be answering questions, is that so?" Kenzie said. "You are insane if you think that I will only answer your questions without you answering MINE! I saved you just before with that Mage and gave you an alibi, you owe me."

Kenzie laughs at the audacity that Seluna was showing. Who did she think she was? Kenzie was sure to find out exactly who and what she was!

"I don't know who your daughter is but all the other noble Houses seem quite favorable to me and feel very bad about my current situation. Now answer me what are you?" Kenzie glared at Seluna.

Seluna straightened, staring at Kenzie for a moment. Her eyes flashed back to blue, this time remaining that way. Wisps of shadowy magic flowed from her body, curling gently up into the air and the temperature in the room plunged.

"What am I? I have lived for hundreds of years before your pathetic parents even thought to spawn you," Seluna sneered. "I am the past, the last remaining representation of what the Quel'dorei SHOULD be. I am the future of Silvermoon, the future of Azeroth. I have returned from my eternal slumber to set right the things that you young UPSTARTS have failed in. To rebuild everything that your carelessness has lost us."

She brought her arms up, and tendrils of black power snaked across the room, slashing into Kenzie and attempting to connect to her mind. They passed silently through her clothing, through her skin, seeking the spirit connected to the flesh of the Sin'dorei.

And they found nothing.

Stunned, Seluna's power faltered as she stared in wide-eyed disbelief at the elf standing before her.

'You...you are not what you appear to be at all," She murmured. "You are no simple Magistrix or summoner. Your spirit and flesh are disjoined. I cannot access the two together."

She gave Kenzie a hard look, "What exactly are YOU?"

Kenzie began to laugh as she stared at Seluna. Fire began to envelop Kenzie but she was not burned or hurt at all. She would try to curse Seluna but she had a feeling that it would do nothing to her. It might cause her some pain but that is all. They seemed to not be able to harm each other.

"Yes you are correct, I am not exactly as I appear either. It would seem that we both are pretending to be something we are not." Kenzie said. "This is not my true body. I actually used to be human. I have a grudge against Biara Dayfire so I made a deal of sorts to turn into a Sindorei."

Kenzie smiled at Seluna. "I see that we cannot harm each other. This puts us both at a great disadvantage. What do you propose we do about this?"

Seluna instantly stopped all of her own magic and stared at Kenzie in stunned disbelief for a moment. After a time, a smile crossed her face and she slowly began to laugh, her voice echoing with a hollow sound, her true self exposed to the noble.

"You have a grudge...against my DAUGHTER!" Seluna said between laughs. "How wonderfully delicious! It is my daughter that I have come to unseat from power. It is my daughter that has thwarted me, and is responsible for my presence."

Her laughter died away as she appraised the flame-wreathed noble. "You are extremely powerful. I could detect that even several days ago. To learn that you've made such a desperate gamble, all for revenge, is amazing. Of all those I've encountered in this twilight version of the city I once knew, you are the first to offer me true challenge."

Seluna straightened and then curtsied before the other noble. "Allow me to introduce myself then, LADY Dawnsea. I am Selun'athiel Dayfire, wife of Tel'athar Dayfire, and mother of that bitch Biara. The true heir to House Dayfire, and I WILL see my House restored to proper order."

She smiled and brought a hand up, allowing wisps of dark magic to escape from her skin. "My daughter has done me a great wrong, and summoned me from my grave by dabbling in necromancy. It is my intention to teach her the error of her ways; her and all of the others who failed to protect my city from the scourge, as well as those outside of the city that seek to besiege it."

Kenzie also had a look of disbelief on her face. A smile crept across her lips as she began to speak.

"This is too ironic that we both want to see harm come to Biara. My human name was Kenzie Weslin, and now it is Kenzie Dawnsea as you well know." she started. "It is a pleasure to meet someone who has the same goals as me, and who seems to be just as powerful."

Kenzie's fire started to die down as she realized that this Seluna was no longer a threat.

"I suppose we could become allies of sorts. We both want to thwart Biara and clearly you do not want to take over House Dawnsea. I could use your help in running the House though since you were the Lady of House Dayfire. I am new to all of these Sindorei politics after being a human for so long. I think we could be true allies, what do you say?"

Again the look of malice passed over Seluna's face, one that would make most Sin'dorei cringe with fear. After a moment, the look faded and was replaced with a smile. Seluna's eyes faded back to a fel green.

"It shall be as you say. I will remain within your House, and help you guide it to a place of power. In return, my daughter, her allies, and anyone who stands against us will fall to our power," Seluna replied.

"We shall usher Silvermoon into a new era of power. An era guided by those who know how to wield power properly, and who know how and where to apply it to greatest effect."

Seluna paused and brought her hand up, looking at it in amusement. She looked back at Kenzie, "In past times, I would have offered you a blood oath, and taken yours to seal our alliance."

She began to laugh, "The blood in these veins means nothing to me, as the blood that flows through you means nothing to you. Such an oath would not bind us. Suffice to say then that our alliance will be sealed on mutual understanding. Should you cross me, I will see your guise undone, as you would see mine undone."

Kenzie laughed in amusement.

"Yes that sounds better than a blood oath! You are right these bodies are not our own. I do have to admit I am liking this Sindorei body better than my human body! Also I will live much longer than I would have as a human!"

"Already our plan has taken form." Kenzie said. "Biara has offered to have dinner with me to help me get over the grief of losing my husband. I have accepted of course so I can gain her trust, after that I will crush it just like she crushed the image of my sister....."

Kenzie looked down and for a slight moment sadness passed through her eyes. Almost as soon as it happened it was gone.

"She betrayed my trust and fooled me into thinking she was my sister Biara Weslin. She implanted memories into my mind. Even still I do not know what memories are my own or what ones were made by Biara." Kenzie sighed. "I trusted that bitch. I loved her as my sister. I thought I helped raise her. The day I found out that she was truely a Sindorei was the day the human in me died. I wish to utterly destroy Biara Dayfire. She will pay for what she has done to me and to you."

Seluna smiled a predatory smile and nodded her agreement.

"My daughter will pay, as will others who try to prevent us from completing this work. I have already taken steps to find out exactly what my daughter is up to."

She paused in thought, "That bitch Sraenna Suncrown is going to pay for interfering with my efforts so far. All of House Suncrown will learn the price of standing against me. In past times they had been of great assistance to me, but now their very lands have been torn asunder and they are as nothing. I will return them to the dust of their land, when their suffering is over."

She composed herself, looking at Kenzie before nodding in satisfaction. "It is decided then. Should any move against you, they will face my spells, and should any seek to thwart me, they will be given to you to be dealt with. House Dawnsea will rise, and House Dayfire will be given a new ruler."

"I will remain in touch Lady Dawnsea. Call upon me in need, and know that my plans will unfold with you in mind." Seluna gave a polite curtsey again.

Kenzie nodded at Seluna.

"Yes Seluna, please just call me Kenzie." She said. "I look forward to working with you. We will make them all pay for what they have done to us. I will have dinner with Biara and gain her trust and we will go from there. If you would like you can decide how best to handle that Sraenna."

"Till we meet again...."