Torena

“All set,” he remarked, handing her Artaq’s reins. “You’ll have to lead the way; I’m not sure where the Twilight Highlands are.” He strode over to his hippogryph companion and pulled himself onto her back, making sure they were both comfortable before urging her closer to Torena. She clearly recognised the mage.

Torena cast her mind back and then it hit her “Deathwing and the Dragon Soul” Torena exclaimed “that’s what this was all about, it has to be” she stated “and I also think they were not after you it can only be Shan they wanted as she was also part of the group of us that defeated him”

Torena looked at Cearleon “The others will have to be warned to be on the lookout because surely if there is one group there must be more” she frowned in concentration “I have no idea where some of them are but will have to leave messages and hope they get them in time”

“Looks like a trip to the Twilight Highlands is on the cards if I am to resolve this and find out who is behind it” Torena stated “I will also inform the King’s guards to keep an eye out, though they will be hard to spot if they are as well disguised as these men were” she smiled at Cearleon.

Torena turned her attention once more to the three men, she had noticed the slight hint of purple to their aura’s and knew what it meant. “Who are you and who sent you?” she asked “and I repeat why did you attack this man?” but they still seemed to focus all their attention on to Caerleon.

“I believe they are connected in some way to the Twilight Hammer, I can see there is magic involved here, there is a definite purple aura about them Caerleon” she stated and noticed as she reported this to Caerleon the men began to fidget. “Whoever sent them must have known the exact location as Stormwind is quite a large city, I will summon the city guards so they can be taken in for interrogation which I am sure will not be pleasant.

Just as she had hoped it provoked a reaction and the men began to change, Torena immediately cast a spell that held the magic at bay and stopped the transformations from completing, she saw the shock on their faces. Suddenly one of the men looked at her as if seeing her for the first time and declared “She was one of the blasphemers who took part so she must also die” with that they changed and attacked. This time Torena could not stop the change so was forced to defend herself, Caerleon and Artaq, quickly releasing her fireballs at the nearest. Artaq waded in on the second and killed him with just a couple of swipes of his massive paws before he could react. Torena’s target went down and she turned for the third who was fighting with Caerleon, but as she went to help him the third shimmered and disappeared right in front of her eyes.

He didn’t get a chance to voice his concerns as the men broke free to attack them. The one nearest to him swung a small dagger at Caer, but the Night Elf simply raised a brow in an amused look as the tiny blade simply glanced off the ice on his body. The human lunged again, but Caerleon was ready for him, and used his momentum against him. He grabbed the man by the arm, making him wince at the ice-cold touch.

The Death Knight was about to change forms, when his foe noticed his allies had been dispatched. Uttering something in some vile tongue the Night Elf didn’t recognise, the enemy shimmered and vanished.

Caer straightened up, taking a moment to check their surroundings. There didn’t seem to be any more, but that didn’t mean he was about to drop his guard and let his ice armor fall off just yet.

Torena cast her mind back and then it hit her “Deathwing and the Dragon Soul” Torena exclaimed “that's what this was all about, it has to be” she stated “and I also think they were not after you it can only be Shan they wanted as she was also part of the group of us that defeated him”

Torena looked at Cearleon “The others will have to be warned to be on the lookout because surely if there is one group there must be more” she frowned in concentration “I have no idea where some of them are but will have to leave messages and hope they get them in time”

“Looks like a trip to the Twilight Highlands is on the cards if I am to resolve this and find out who is behind it” Torena stated “I will also inform the King's guards to keep an eye out, though they will be hard to spot if they are as well disguised as these men were” she smiled at Cearleon.

“Would you order for me as I am not familiar with local dishes and I am sure I will like what you chose?” she asked “I would be happy to pay my way but as long as you are sure then it will be my treat next time” Torena reached across the table and squeezed Akirlia’s hand in gratitude, she noticed the slight flush to Akirlia’s face but decided not to comment. Maybe she had embarrassed her but she hoped not.

“I am sure Artaq will get along with Shatterstar he has met many different mounts and is quite easy going” Torena stated with a smile “he is a very patient animal and is used to having to wait around for me” she had not missed the sidelong looks from the other Draenei as they passed the pair but she chose to ignore them, if Akirlia was not bothered then neither was she.

Torena smiled as Akirlia said she new the Exodar well “I would love to see the Crystal Hall and the Vault of Lights I have heard they are rather spectacular, I would also be pleased to visit the central hall which I have been told is the Seat of Naaru” she could feel her excitement building at the prospect “If you think that would be okay?”

Pulling a menu closer to them, Akirlia’s eyes scanned the breakfasts they could choose from, and she came upon a dish, feeling good about the choice. “You might like this,” she said, pointing to the selection. “It’s like the human pancake, but thinner, lighter, and much sweeter. They’re usually served with fruit, and kind you like!” She smiled, licking her lips at the sound of it. “I might go with it, myself, actually! What do you think?”

As Torena spoke of her mount, Akirlia nodded, taking it what the woman had to say. “Shatterstar is the same way, actually. She’s been around all sorts of creatures, though I think horses intrigue her the most. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad that she has such a liking for them, but as long as they don’t harm each other, everything will be fine.”

As the server came, Akirlia ordered them both the same meal, differing on only their choice of fruit, and they were alone again, Akirlia nodding at what she said. “That’s completely fine with me! The Exodar is a beautiful place, and we’ll take in as much as we can, and as much as you’re up for, as well!”

Torena tucked in to the rest or her breakfast and was a little disappointed in a way when it was over. Torena felt comfortable sitting there having had a good but not overly heavy meal and was enjoying the company of her companion, maybe if she talked a little about herself Akirlia might open up a bit.

“I live mostly in the city of Stormwind and its been a while since I could take some time off just to relax by myself, it can be quite a busy place with lots of the other races coming to visit and the market gets a lot of traffic” she said “I have a small house to myself just on the edge of the Mage district and we have a fair few parks that are pleasant to walk around when the weather is warm” Torena explained “There are some really amazing buildings and the Cathedral is quite a spectical”

“As you have probably guessed I am a mage, it took me quite a few years to master the spells but they have proved to be useful” Torena chuckled “Fighting the scourge and other enemies of the Alliance can take its toll so I take a break whenever time and circumstances allow”

“I have no family now as they were killed a long time ago” Torena had to swallow a bit to keep her voice under control, even after all these years the memories still hurt, “so I decided to follow in my parents footsteps to become a mage” Torena looked down at her hands and found she was rubbing them together in her lap, she hadn’t done that in years so concentrated on stopping herself from doing it, she only did it when she was nervous talking about her family.

She was amazed at his resilience as he stood up to follow her outside to see what the assailants were up to. She walked up to Artaq and gave him a gentle stroke through the ruff on his neck “Good lad” she said to him and heard the slight trill he gave when he was happy.

“Caerleon this is Artaq my Quillen, Artaq meet Caerleon” she watched as Artaq turned his head slightly and looked at Caerleon his eyes bright with interest. The Quillen stretched his neck towards Caerleon and sniffed then returned to his guard position.

“He takes his guard duty very seriously which is just as well saved me a few times from walking into trouble” she giggled “Right shall we see what we have?”

“He’s a beautiful creature,” he commented. “From Pandaria I assume? I’ve never been, although Shan talks about it a fair bit.”

He turned his attention back to the assailants. He too could sense there was something not quite right about them; something out of the ordinary despite their outward guise. Caerleon squinted. Definitely magic of some kind… Hanging over them like an eerie mist. They almost looked like they had a purple sheen to them.

Torena turned her attention once more to the three men, she had noticed the slight hint of purple to their aura's and knew what it meant. “Who are you and who sent you?” she asked “and I repeat why did you attack this man?” but they still seemed to focus all their attention on to Caerleon.

“I believe they are connected in some way to the Twilight Hammer, I can see there is magic involved here, there is a definite purple aura about them Caerleon” she stated and noticed as she reported this to Caerleon the men began to fidget. “Whoever sent them must have known the exact location as Stormwind is quite a large city, I will summon the city guards so they can be taken in for interrogation which I am sure will not be pleasant.

Just as she had hoped it provoked a reaction and the men began to change, Torena immediately cast a spell that held the magic at bay and stopped the transformations from completing, she saw the shock on their faces. Suddenly one of the men looked at her as if seeing her for the first time and declared “She was one of the blasphemers who took part so she must also die” with that they changed and attacked. This time Torena could not stop the change so was forced to defend herself, Caerleon and Artaq, quickly releasing her fireballs at the nearest. Artaq waded in on the second and killed him with just a couple of swipes of his massive paws before he could react. Torena's target went down and she turned for the third who was fighting with Caerleon, but as she went to help him the third shimmered and disappeared right in front of her eyes.

Torena noticed that Akirlia seemed a little nervous so was determined to put her at her ease she smiled again saying “I am feeling much better thank you, still a little bruised but they are healing nicely thanks to you”

As Akirlia reopened the door for her Torena passed out of the doorway “Thank you I am really interested on seeing the sites with you as well, its much better with company than going on your own, don’t you think?” she sensed Akirlia fall into step beside her “Besides I would not know where to start” then Torena giggled “Please don’t tell everyone but I have a habit of getting lost in unfamiliar places, particularly in fortresses to the point I have been known to actually jump of the roof to escape” she could feel her face begin to blush at her admission but didn’t think Akirlia would make fun of her for it.

There was a sigh of relief from the Draenei when the human spoke of her condition, glad to know that the woman was healing up nicely. “I’m happy to hear it,” she responded softly. “You took such a tumble that I was worried that you might have been a bit worse for wear! I would have gladly done anything I could to make sure you were alright…I’m no good at healing, but I would have done my best.”

Her expression only brightened as Torena spoke, glad to have the woman as company in the vast Draenei city. “Ah, not to worry then, I know the Exodar like the back of my hand, and I’d be happy to show you around. Perhaps we might even be able to see the Prophet Velen! Though chances are we won’t be able to speak with him…he’s a very busy man after all and normally flanked by dozens of Draenei.

“Would you order for me as I am not familiar with local dishes and I am sure I will like what you chose?” she asked “I would be happy to pay my way but as long as you are sure then it will be my treat next time” Torena reached across the table and squeezed Akirlia's hand in gratitude, she noticed the slight flush to Akirlia's face but decided not to comment. Maybe she had embarrassed her but she hoped not.

“I am sure Artaq will get along with Shatterstar he has met many different mounts and is quite easy going” Torena stated with a smile “he is a very patient animal and is used to having to wait around for me” she had not missed the sidelong looks from the other Draenei as they passed the pair but she chose to ignore them, if Akirlia was not bothered then neither was she.

Torena smiled as Akirlia said she new the Exodar well “I would love to see the Crystal Hall and the Vault of Lights I have heard they are rather spectacular, I would also be pleased to visit the central hall which I have been told is the Seat of Naaru” she could feel her excitement building at the prospect “If you think that would be okay?”

“Please don’t worry about that I am sure anyone would say something along those lines” she said “I hope the bandaging helps and will hold till I can get you to a healer, I only hope the fork doesn’t give you any type of infection” Torena blushed as again she reminded herself that she knew almost nothing of their recuperating abilities.

“I managed to hold them around the side of the house” Torena said to Caerloen’s question “My Quillen Artaq keeps guard on them for us till I can summon a patrol to deal with them” she could hear the anger in her voice “I have no idea why they would do something like this King Anduin has already made a proclamation that this kind of thing would not be tolerated”

“They seem to be just ordinary farmers from their outfits but until we find out for sure they could be anyone” Torena said “I will get a healer to check you out if you need one and then we can go speak to them and see what’s going on, if thats what you want”

“I’m technically kept ‘alive’ by magic so I doubt that will be a problem.” Caer said. He rolled his shoulder, testing not only the wound itself, but also Torena’s bandage work. It held well, and he was sure the punctures would be fine.

“I don’t need a healer,” he insisted as she helped him to sit. “A priest’s magic would do me far more harm than good.” Still, perhaps Shan could do something about it later… “And a stiff drink would be good about now… If it would even work!” He chuckled again, waving a hand that he was only joking and he’d be fine.

He was reluctant to leave the assailants for her to deal with alone, and so despite whether or not she would protest, Caerleon was soon on his feet again to follow her as she went out to see them.

She was amazed at his resilience as he stood up to follow her outside to see what the assailants were up to. She walked up to Artaq and gave him a gentle stroke through the ruff on his neck “Good lad” she said to him and heard the slight trill he gave when he was happy.

“Caerleon this is Artaq my Quillen, Artaq meet Caerleon” she watched as Artaq turned his head slightly and looked at Caerleon his eyes bright with interest. The Quillen stretched his neck towards Caerleon and sniffed then returned to his guard position.

“He takes his guard duty very seriously which is just as well saved me a few times from walking into trouble” she giggled “Right shall we see what we have?”

“I look forward to seeing you in Bear form as I don’t think I have seen a white one yet, I imagine the markings will be quite spectacular compared to most I have seen. I have to admit I have not heard of many redeemed Death Knights appearing in that form either”

Torena watched as Caerlon got up and headed for the kitchen she looked around the familiar room and smiled at the memories that invoked in her mind, all the times she had spent hours talking to Shan and drinking tea.

Suddenly Torena heard a muffled sound coming from around the side of the house, she frowned thinking that’s a bit odd. Then her senses began to tingle something wasn’t right and as she started to rise she heard a smash of glass and a loud thud coming from the kitchen. Torena quickly rushed to the kitchen doorway only to see Caerlon pinned to the wall with a pitchfork sticking out of his right shoulder. She spun around heading out the front door only to see three men appearing from around the corner of the house quickly casting a Frost Nova she pinned them in place. Torena closed her eyes and in seconds her Quillen Artaq landed next to her “Hold them hear Artaq and I will deal with them shortly” she ran back into the house knowing that Artaq would guard them.

He watched Torena chase after them, unable to do much but hang there and brace the weapon sticking out of him. It was so strange, after having been almost completely numb to pain under the grip of the Lich King, to suddenly have the sensation back again.

The mage returned and his head lolled a bit, seeing her tear her robe to stem the blood. Unlike some Death Knights, Caerleon did still bleed, albeit at a much slower rate than someone living. He managed to suppress the hiss he almost made as she pressed the cloth to the wound. He did wince some as the fork was pulled free, and he cursed under his breath.

“Sorry…” he mumbled, meaning swearing in front of a lady, and also that she had wrecked a perfectly good robe to help him. He looked down as she worked, her bandaging skills helping to support his shoulder through the pain. He pushed himself away from the wall, his expression dark.

“Please don't worry about that I am sure anyone would say something along those lines” she said “I hope the bandaging helps and will hold till I can get you to a healer, I only hope the fork doesn't give you any type of infection” Torena blushed as again she reminded herself that she knew almost nothing of their recuperating abilities.

“I managed to hold them around the side of the house” Torena said to Caerloen's question “My Quillen Artaq keeps guard on them for us till I can summon a patrol to deal with them” she could hear the anger in her voice “I have no idea why they would do something like this King Anduin has already made a proclamation that this kind of thing would not be tolerated”

“They seem to be just ordinary farmers from their outfits but until we find out for sure they could be anyone” Torena said “I will get a healer to check you out if you need one and then we can go speak to them and see what's going on, if thats what you want”

Torena realised she was hungry so decided she would see if she could find Akirlia and get some breakfast, the next job was to find her clothes and refresh herself with a shower, if she could find it. Torena looked around and found the bathroom so she took a nice warm shower and could feel her body responding to the effect of the water on her bruised body. Torena looked in the mirror and was pleased to see that the bruises were mostly on her arm and down the left side of her body but they didn’t seem too bad. A few scratches on her left cheek but nothing to worry about.

The next morning, not too early, as she didn’t want to wake Torena up before she was rested, Akirlia knocked softly on her door, opening it slightly and popping her head in. A smile lifted her lips as she saw the woman dressed, and looking a sight better than she had the day before, as tired and injured as she was. 

"Good morning," she said brightly, allowing herself in, shutting the door behind her. "I didn’t mean to startle you, I apologize. And I’m hoping you’re feeling better this morning…you do look a lot better than you were." She gave Torena a smile, nodding in approval as she seemed ready to go.

Torena noticed that Akirlia seemed a little nervous so was determined to put her at her ease she smiled again saying “I am feeling much better thank you, still a little bruised but they are healing nicely thanks to you”

As Akirlia reopened the door for her Torena passed out of the doorway “Thank you I am really interested on seeing the sites with you as well, its much better with company than going on your own, don't you think?” she sensed Akirlia fall into step beside her “Besides I would not know where to start” then Torena giggled “Please don't tell everyone but I have a habit of getting lost in unfamiliar places, particularly in fortresses to the point I have been known to actually jump of the roof to escape” she could feel her face begin to blush at her admission but didn't think Akirlia would make fun of her for it.

“I would love to see the two of you together in bear form, I expect that it is quite a sight” Torena said tryin to imagine what they would look like together. 

“Well to me Illidan seems massive as I am quite short for a human and most people over 6 feet are giants to me” she could feel the laughter starting to bubble up again but focused on not letting it go this time.

“Well mine is a lot different now,” he said with a gentle sigh, clasping his hands together in front of him. “I used to look pretty much identical to her, but with my condition… Now my fur is white, my mane a light silver and my markings glow with the same blue as my eyes. Still, it is unique I suppose. I know of no other redeemed druid-death knights who can do it. Maybe they just haven’t tried.”

“You know, my sister was quite short for a Night Elf, and she had a saying,” Caerleon said. “That Elune only lets things grow until they are perfect, and some people didn’t take as long as others.” He laughed heartily. He knew humans didn’t worship Elune, but he hoped Torena would get the sentiment.

Hearing her stomach, he raised an eyebrow.

“I look forward to seeing you in Bear form as I don't think I have seen a white one yet, I imagine the markings will be quite spectacular compared to most I have seen. I have to admit I have not heard of many redeemed Death Knights appearing in that form either”

Torena watched as Caerlon got up and headed for the kitchen she looked around the familiar room and smiled at the memories that invoked in her mind, all the times she had spent hours talking to Shan and drinking tea.

Suddenly Torena heard a muffled sound coming from around the side of the house, she frowned thinking that's a bit odd. Then her senses began to tingle something wasn't right and as she started to rise she heard a smash of glass and a loud thud coming from the kitchen. Torena quickly rushed to the kitchen doorway only to see Caerlon pinned to the wall with a pitchfork sticking out of his right shoulder. She spun around heading out the front door only to see three men appearing from around the corner of the house quickly casting a Frost Nova she pinned them in place. Torena closed her eyes and in seconds her Quillen Artaq landed next to her “Hold them hear Artaq and I will deal with them shortly” she ran back into the house knowing that Artaq would guard them.

“We would make a good tag-team” Torean giggled “I burn them and you freeze them that will give them the hot and cold flushes all day long” she doubled over at that with laughing, she couldn’t help herself.

Torena took quite a while to calm down long enough to carry on talking “Little Bear, ooh I like that nickname for Shanarra, but to be honest she almost scared me to death the first time I saw her in bear form. The biggest dam black bear I had ever seen went flying past me onto the mob we had come up against and I was so relieved she was on my side, I thought my time had come” she smiled again at the memory.

“Both extremes of temperature,” he said, taking his seat once more. “Won’t know what hit them.” Caer watched Tor laugh, smiling himself at the exchange. He took a moment to drink some of his fresh tea as she regained herself.

“Don’t tell her I said it,” he commented, in reference to Shanarra’s nickname. “She doesn’t like me to use it in front of her friends, I’ve already been scolded several times! But I can’t help it, she’ll always be my Little Bear. No matter how big she is.”

He listened with interest to Torena tell him about the first time she had seen his daughter in her favourite form. While it was not an unusual thing to see amongst Night Elves, he assumed it must have been quite the shock to a human unaccustomed to druids.

“Indeed, the ‘Little’ is more to do with her age; when she first learned to take the spirit of Ursoc into herself, I was quite shocked myself to see the size of her bear form,” he said honestly. “But then, she takes after me. I won’t show you my bear form – for one thing I will probably end up taking all the floorspace… Or breaking the table.” He shrugged.

“I would love to see the two of you together in bear form, I expect that it is quite a sight” Torena said tryin to imagine what they would look like together. 

“Well to me Illidan seems massive as I am quite short for a human and most people over 6 feet are giants to me” she could feel the laughter starting to bubble up again but focused on not letting it go this time.

she smiled up at the young Draeni as she took the proffered glass and took a sip.

“Well it was lucky for me you were visiting I don’t know how long I would have been there had you and your dragon not found us” Torena stated she smiled and said “I am pleased to meet you Akirlia and yes I would like it if you could stay, as long as I am not taking you away from things you need to do” she tilted her head slightly “I would be honored if you could show me around, the last time I was here I have to admit I didn’t get to see much”

"I’m sure someone would have come across your path quickly," Akirlia assured her with a nod. "While the beach doesn’t get traveled nearly as often as other parts do, young trainees to wander by regularly." She paused for a moment, pouring herself a glass of water, taking a sip before speaking again. "The pleasure it all mine, Torena," she replied with a nod. "And don’t worry about taking away from my plans. I was planning on returning to Stormwind tomorrow to meet with a friend, but I’m sure she’ll understand. I’ll send a letter in a bit to her. She’s a very kind and caring soul."

Torena realised she was hungry so decided she would see if she could find Akirlia and get some breakfast, the next job was to find her clothes and refresh herself with a shower, if she could find it. Torena looked around and found the bathroom so she took a nice warm shower and could feel her body responding to the effect of the water on her bruised body. Torena looked in the mirror and was pleased to see that the bruises were mostly on her arm and down the left side of her body but they didn't seem too bad. A few scratches on her left cheek but nothing to worry about.

“Oh my I hurt all over” Torena said, then she fully recalled what had happened “Is the Hippogryph okay?” she asked “I remember the storm and the poor thing struggling to stay aloft then the next thing was we hit the ground, I would have cast a slow fall spell but couldn’t leave the poor thing to struggle on his own, that storm seemed to come out of nowhere”

Torena looked around the room and although not very big it was cosy and warm, she realised she was thirsty and asked “May I have a drink please?” but as she tried to sit up she became dizzy and flopped back down on the pillow “Phew I must have hit my head a bit felt quite dizzy there for a minute” she managed to sit up slowly and pulled the pillow behind her back.

The Draenei rested a hand upon the human’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Relax, the hippogryph is fine. My dragon, Shatterstar, is watching over it at the flight master’s lodge. It seemed pretty ruffled, but is recovering just fine. You don’t have to worry, it’s in good hands.” She offered a smile before resting her hands in her lap, taking a moment to glance over her features.

Nodding to the woman’s request, Akirlia rose from her seat, tail swishing as she poured a glass of water for her. “Take it easy,” she cooed, returning to her side, handing her a glass and brushing some of her hair behind her ear. “You had a rough trip, and you’ll still need plenty of time to get better, though you seem very strong and shouldn’t have a hard time with that.”

she smiled up at the young Draeni as she took the proffered glass and took a sip.

“Well it was lucky for me you were visiting I don't know how long I would have been there had you and your dragon not found us” Torena stated she smiled and said “I am pleased to meet you Akirlia and yes I would like it if you could stay, as long as I am not taking you away from things you need to do” she tilted her head slightly “I would be honored if you could show me around, the last time I was here I have to admit I didn't get to see much”

Torena was beginning to like Caerleon and could see where Shan got her free spirit from, she wondered whether her stubbornness came form him or her mother. She would have liked to ask but was afraid it might open old wounds so decided to leave it for another day when they had known each other for a while.

“Ha, not if I get there first!” he exclaimed with a fanged grin. “Or I’ll hold and you can bring the magic, how’s that, a tag-team.” Caerleon realised he was making jokes about beating up his daughter’s partner, but he only did so because he knew deep in his heart that would never happen. Of course Caer had been around long enough to know that disagreements between them may occur, but he sincerely doubted that there would ever be anything serious.

“I don’t object at all, you’re welcome here Torena,” he said, getting up to refill their drinks. “I’m sure she will be pleased to see you. Little Bear has been swept off her feet lately, I’m sure the chance to sit with a good friend and catch up is exactly what she needs. And if you get on so well with her, I’m sure Calaysia will like you as well.”

As the mage mentioned Shanarra’s height, he laughed too, especially since he was still standing, and Caer was 7’ 2” tall.

“We would make a good tag-team” Torean giggled “I burn them and you freeze them that will give them the hot and cold flushes all day long” she doubled over at that with laughing, she couldn't help herself.

Torena took quite a while to calm down long enough to carry on talking “Little Bear, ooh I like that nickname for Shanarra, but to be honest she almost scared me to death the first time I saw her in bear form. The biggest dam black bear I had ever seen went flying past me onto the mob we had come up against and I was so relieved she was on my side, I thought my time had come” she smiled again at the memory.

Torena decided she wanted to visit the Exodar again, it had been quite a while since she had been there. At the harbour in Stormwind she boarded the boat for Rutheran Village and settled down to read in her cabin. It was much later that she heard the Captain announce their arrival in Gadgetzan and she got up to leave when it hit her, Gadgetzan what was she doing there, darn it she had got on the wrong boat again.

Torena left the boat and decided to fly instead hoping to see some of the land she had heard a lot about. Hiring a Hippogryph she headed for Ashenvale with the intention of moving onto Lor’danel from there.

Torena found Astanaar in Ashenvale to be as beautiful as ever and stopped off in the local inn for lunch, she loved the look of the night elf houses and the trees were as beautiful as she remembered and the local Elves were so friendly. The trees wore there autumnal colours of reds, oranges and purples and almost seemed to make it a fantasy land for which if she had more time she might have stayed a bit longer. However she went back to the Flight master and hired another Hippogryph to take her on to Lor’danel further up the coast.

As the bird was flying over the Veiled Sea from Lor’danel towards the Exodar a huge storm blew out of nowhere and caught the bird throwing it back over the sea, the bird did his best and struggled against the high winds in an effort to go where it was supposed to. Finally Torena saw land and instead of the dignified landing she was hoping for the poor bird crashed onto a beach all grey with ash.

Calling her fae dragon, Shatterstar, by her side for company, Akirlia and the dragon explored the surrounding area with great joy. It brought a smile to her lips as she remembered when she first began to train, young and slightly nervous about landing upon a new planet with new people. It was obvious that she had fit in well, over the years, and she was glad to call Azeroth her home.

Walking the grey, sandy beaches was something that she had always enjoyed doing, and as Shatterstar nuzzled at her face, the Draenei noticed something amiss in the skies, a small black dot growing larger and larger before a hippogryph and it’s rider came crashing to the ground. Shatterstar roared in distress and Akirlia hopped upon her, ushering the creature toward the hippogryph and a female human, checking for vitals of both woman and animal. They seemed to be fine, but still injured at the fall, and Akirlia hurried to hoist the woman in her arms as her dragon lifted the hippogryph gently into her claws, taking off toward the Exodar.

“Oh my I hurt all over” Torena said, then she fully recalled what had happened “Is the Hippogryph okay?” she asked “I remember the storm and the poor thing struggling to stay aloft then the next thing was we hit the ground, I would have cast a slow fall spell but couldn't leave the poor thing to struggle on his own, that storm seemed to come out of nowhere”

Torena looked around the room and although not very big it was cosy and warm, she realised she was thirsty and asked “May I have a drink please?” but as she tried to sit up she became dizzy and flopped back down on the pillow “Phew I must have hit my head a bit felt quite dizzy there for a minute” she managed to sit up slowly and pulled the pillow behind her back.

“It is so good that things are working out for Shan she has suffered much over the years feeling lost at times and to be frank I am so glad I was able to help when she needed it” Torena said, she blushed slightly at his gratitude for helping her “I have to admit she is like the daughter I never had and I love her dearly, we have fought together a lot and understand each others ways” Torena continued “She has saved my life too many times and I would do anything for her”

Torena noticed the slight blush to Caerleon’s cheeks but chose not to acknowledge it in case it caused him embarrassment but locked it away in her mind, she would have to watch the interaction between the two new people in Shan’s life.

He drank some more tea, licking the drops that collected on his moustache. He could easily see how much this woman cared for his daughter, and that made him happy. It eased the guilt he still carried inside for leaving her, even though he knew it wasn’t his choice or his fault. He thought about making a joke about the age difference between Torena and Shanarra but he refrained, not yet knowing how the mage would react to his sometimes strange sense of humour.

Torena was beginning to like Caerleon and could see where Shan got her free spirit from, she wondered whether her stubbornness came form him or her mother. She would have liked to ask but was afraid it might open old wounds so decided to leave it for another day when they had known each other for a while.