Old Dogs, New Tricks

The blast furnace of super heated air from the Firelands around the citadel smote Assassen with its firey breath.  There was a howling gale of heated air at all times at this spot as the worlds winds sought to leech the heat away from the lava flows.  Assassen endured it because this was the best vantage point for observing the area.  He had taken his leave of O two days ago and of Lovetails last evening after her business was done in Shadowmoon.  Brian had some questing of his own to do and Mert was currently knee-deep in orc blood in some forsaken battleground or another.  No one liked a fight better than Mert.  Assassen thought him perhaps some kind of vampire that feasted on the deaths of his foes, and there never seemed to be a short supply of the enemy that wanted Merts blood and Mert was tireless the pursuit of theirs.  Regardless of whatever mischief he had been into, the boy rarely returned with more than a scratch and a big repair bill.  The dwarf sat upon a marvelous blue drake.  He had to confess it was his favorite, and she was the most disciplined of his flying mounts.  She would brave the howling furnace for as long as he chose to remain.  The other great thing about his blue drake was that she was a frost drake and while she had no ice weapon, just being close to her decreased the air temperature by 10 degrees. He shifted in his saddle and grabbed a flask of water from the hook on his saddle; this wind would dry even a dwarf out fairly quickly.  The scene below was a flowing nightmare of lava, part of the legacy of Deathwing's escape.  Their forays into the Firelands had not yet brought them to Ragnaros, but time and persistence would have it so soon....very soon.  His mission today was simply to intercept a courier on the road to the citadel.  He hoped there weren't too many in the entourage; more than six against one was a heavy workout.  The vigil was becoming a bit long and the air was stifling.

Ataracia looked out over the city of Dalaran.  It was a beautiful city floating serenely above the Crystal Forest.  She had come here to think.  There was so much to process, so much to feel.  What would become of her sister?  Here was a sister whose existence had been hidden from her for years.  Why would he not have told her?  She could have seen to her education and her training.  But who was she kidding; a forlorn would never be accepted.  Then again, she’d dare anyone to gainsay her choice to educate and house her won sister.  She felt sure the officers would not forbid it, she needed to tell Orious, but she felt he might already know…no she knew he did, she could feel the confirmation in her heart…he knew and had to let her find out for herself.  This is why he chose to orchestrate all this with him out of the way…so she could think about it without interference.  He could, on occasion, be very perceptive and it was actually a relief not to have to talk about this right now.  There were too many things to think about, and it would be a while before she could bring them to words.  He walked back into the high tower and called for some tea…cancel that, some Caraway Burnwine would be better right now.  She wasn’t often for drink, but right now she needed something to quiet her jangled nerves.  Sleepy came up the stairs with the decanter.  “I met the server on the way up and just thought I’d bring it myself sister.” “Thanks dear, I need to drop some stress here.”  “Need someone to talk to or is this a solo battle?”  “Solo for now, if you don’t mind Sis, it’s just too much to think about right now…talking about it might just confuse all the issues in my head.”  “Have you talked to Orious about whatever it is?” “No, and why do you think I need to pass everything by the druid?” “I don’t, but you will anyhow,” said her sister.  “Yes, of course, when I have thought about it a while and have some feeling as to what I think, of course I will talk with him and with you.  I think he is absent right now partly to keep from crowding me about this situation.”  “Smart man,” chuckled her sister.  Ataracia narrowed her eyes at her and then chuckled herself, “Yes, it was mindful of him this time…I may be able to teach the old dog a few new tricks yet,” she grinned and sipped her drink.

The Old Dog was still atop Wyrmrest temple awaiting the end of Thrall’s meeting with Alexstrasza Krasus .  This was not his meeting, and he had not been asked to the council.  It was unusual for him to kick his heels waiting on others council, but then he was unsure that he really wanted in on this one.  He knew if the dragons wanted Thrall, it was serious…maybe even dire, and he was sure they had plans for him too…they always did these days.  He found himself as much in the dragon’s plans and councils as he did in his own guilds duties and assignments.  Love understood and made every effort to allow him to help the dragonflight.  After all they had marked him and warded him on that alien arm of his.  He partly belonged to them and their plans, and after all if the Lifebinder and the Dreamweaver required his services, who was she to meddle in the Aspects designs to save Azeroth?  If her druid was needed then he would be provided. Still waiting irked the druid, so much of the patience learned from the Emerald Dream leached away by battle and the need for swift action here in the phenomenal world of Azeroth.  Perhaps he can be excused for being somewhat impatient…so used to moving and shaking things in his own right.  Presently Alexstrasza came toward him.  “Did you think we had forgotten you dear druid?” He rose in the presence of the Life-binder and replied; “Hardly my lady” and he brandished his arcane arm.  She laughed softly and it reminded him of Love, they did not favor each other in any physical sense, but when they laughed you had the feeling that perhaps what they were laughing about was not what was apparent, and they both seemed to know him better than was entirely comfortable.  He did not feel so uncomfortable in Love’s presence since they had shared their afterlife together, but he felt she drew some spiritual reality from there that he had not achieved, all he brought back was his strange arm. 

Someday he would have to ask her about that, he was sure she wasn’t hiding anything, perhaps it just wasn’t something to talk about…he would know it eventually since they were so intimately connected on an awareness level and with the limited telepathic connection they shared.  The dragon in human form looked into his eyes and said “Thrall must confront many dangers soon, and you and your companions must help him in his endeavors.  He must face the possible future, travel back into the past and assure the world of a future without and beyond Deathwing.”  “You and your champions will eventually have to face the diseased and corrupted Aspect of Earth and destroy him. Perhaps your arm may provide some help and protection…perhaps just enough…perhaps not…this future is not open to me, all is in mist.”  “You often remind me of Krasus…very practical, very quiet, but always trying to think things through and figuring out your place in things….and always thinking about those who depend upon you.  Even more so you always think about her…this too reminds me of Krasus” She smiled sweetly.  “Do not forbid her to stand with you, for I know you will think of it…but your strength is multiplied when you are together, and she would disobey you anyhow.” It was the druid’s turn to chuckle for he knew that to be truth, you did not tell Love to do anything, she did as she pleased whether it pleased you or not.  Not that she was rude or selfish, not at all, but she would not be mastered or tamed, if she aided you she did so with a full and willing heart, but you would not command her. On two occasions he had begged her not to go to battle with them, not just asked but begged and on both occasions she had agreed but disobeyed and showed up at the critical moment instead.  He had to admit that she pretty much saved his feathers one of those times. So forbidding her anything was out of the question anyhow. “ I will not forbid it, Alexstrasza, but I will see to her safety regardless” he said.  “Of course Krasus” she laughed.  “You do have the heart and mind of a dragon…it is perhaps why we get along so well…you seem much like one of my own, as much as a mortal may.  She laid her hand upon his shoulder.  “We will support you, your people and Thrall as much as we can, but much of this is upon you.  Your valor, your strength, this is a fight for the mortal races…it is no longer our fight really, but yours…this is the dawn of the age of mortals. We shall fade” He looked at her strangely and she said  “Do not worry my friend, we are not going anywhere, I perceive you would miss not only our aid but ourselves, this I find most endearing, it is rare we get close enough to mortals that they begin to become friends. I sense Krasus is finished with his instructions to Thrall, I suggest you repair to Dalaran for tonight.  Thrall will know what to do tomorrow.” 

Assassen had waited long enough to begin to feel drowsy.  The drake would not have suffered him to fall but still sleeping aloft should be planned for not simply happen.  He rubbed his eyes and gazed down onto the obsidian paved highway.  The movement of a small contingent caught his eye and he looked closer, 3 firelords with their flame familiars and 2 elite pyrelords…a bit on the iffy side but hell he was the only one here so down he swooped and stood commanding the road they had to traverse.  He began by consecrating the ground and pulling the left pyrelord keeping his healing up while tearing into pyrelord with his axe.  He was well beset and he knew it would be a very long fight.  The first pyrelord fell and he proceeded to fully engage his comrade when a red drake alit 30 yards to his right and from its back leapt a young shaman, Nephelim was a well respected guild member and had fought valiantly on several occasions with him.  The shaman dropped his totems and the dwarf felt the inrush of manna and an increase in his melee speed.  The shaman began by calling the earthquake beneath the feet of the firelords and spamming his chain lightning spell while throwing small heals on the paladin at intervals.  The two of them abbreviated the fight greatly and soon they stood alone on the obsidian roadway. “Well thank ya for droppin’ in…made quick work of a long fight,” said the dwarf. “My pleasure chief,” said the shaman, “I was flying overhead and thought perhaps some rookie was out of his league, once I saw it was you, I was sure you could take them, but why let you have all the fun.”  They both chuckled.  “Need to wet your whistle?” asked the shaman as he produced a skin of dwarven stout. “Ahhh, don’t mind if I do there lad, thanks”  “If you need my assistance I can stay,” said the shaman, “Otherwise I’m off for the Molten Front.  My services have been requested.”  “Aye lad, you go do your duty for the Alliance.  I’ve completed my tour of duty there and I’m off for Dalaran.  I’m fairly sure the officers will be gathering there tonight.”  Nephelim nodded and climbed back onto his red drake and rose in the whirlwind of its wings and headed to the northwest and the Shrine of Malorne. Assassen likewise mounted his blue drake and headed toward Nordrassil and the portal to Stormwind, from there he would have to take the boat to Valiance Keep and a flightpath to Dal.  He thought to himself “I shoulda bought that damn portal ring”

Thrall and Krasus walked around the corner.  “I am sorry friend druid,” said Thrall “to have left you so long in the dark, but I see Alexstrasza has kept you company and that is good enough company for any being” “Indeed I agree completely”, the druid said and smiled at the Life-Binder. She smiled back and took Krasus arm and looked into his face…”He is like you my love…all plans and maps in his head, contingencies and backup plans and all for the safety of this world and one that is precious in it” “That is a bad thing?” asked Krasus with a half grin, “Of course not silly…it is how heroes are made…it is that which is precious to them that makes them heroes…mortals cannot fight so for the world…it is too big, but they will fight like a badger for those that they love. It is why they can overcome immense odds and suffer unimaginable travails, perhaps their hearts are in the extreme even bigger and more heroic than our own.”  “Perhaps,” said Krasus, “I am always amazed by them, this much is true.”  “We should go Orious,” said Thrall and thus they made their goodbyes to the dragons and flew swiftly to Dalaran and a warm fire in their own lodge.  Thrall, of course stayed in the Horde inn so as not to arouse suspicion from the Horde, but that was fine, Orious wanted some time with his crew and of course with the paladin.