Leah Rainweaver

With a gasp, and then an immediate hiss of pain, Leah awoke in stuffy darkness. Confusion settled over her as she struggled to remember exactly how she had ended up in this self-made tomb. She remembered following a lead she’d been given whilst in Bastion. The fight and subsequent chase with a Mawsworn, the despair and near complete resignation before she had found momentary safety and managed to heal herself.

Then there was nothing. Nothing except for sleep. Leah was unsure how long she had been out, but apparently it was long enough to drive away some of the despair she had been feeling before. 

The pain in her chest was much less than it had been before she’d slept, though not entirely gone; it was manageable now, however. She’d pushed through worse pain in far worse situations. All she had to do was escape this… this completely forsaken place. Literal hell. Leah had ventured here a handful of times in the past, though she’d never gotten quite so far in as this current trip. She could get out of here. She -would- get out of here. There was no if about it. The Leah she was prior to healing and getting rest might have been resigned to death and eternal torment, but current Leah was decidedly -not-.

Leah extended her hand towards the top of her staff and siphoned some of the water to her palm. She sipped at it as she formulated a plan, noting that she had never before had to drink the water from her staff. At first she thought nothing of it, but she continued to get flashes of.. Memories? No, they couldn’t be memories; the flashes were of her leaving her hiding place and making her way to safety. Perhaps she was hallucinating. 

She cocked her head to the side, musing as she stared at her staff, and it struck her. This water was from the springs the Jinyu people’s Waterspeakers used when they sought to see the future. Her very staff was from one of their fallen. How had she not immediately reached that conclusion? 

Adrenaline spiked within her,and she did her best to focus on the bits and pieces she was getting. They weren’t much, in fact she didn’t even know if it was enough for her to form a plan on at all, but it was certainly better than nothing. Despite knowing the overwhelming odds against her, Leah felt oddly optimistic. 

She remained sitting for another half hour, continuing the healing she had left unfinished the previous.. day. And when she had not received ‘insight’ for a ten minute long stretch, she decided that the effects of the water were finished.

 There was no point in waiting any longer. And there was also no way for her to know for sure when the coast was clear outside of her tomb. Leah made an attempt to call on Earth for guidance, but as before, it felt hollow here, and she got a muddy view that honestly did not help her. Jump in blind, it was, then.

Leah took the feathers off her satchel, tucking them into her armor for safe keeping, and then dropped the satchel itself on the ground. There was no point in bringing it with her, as the damage to it was more than she would be able to fix. It was only pure luck that the feathers had remained unscathed, and while most wouldn’t consider a few feathers to be very valuable, Leah knew them to be her totem for Air. She would have been able to function without them, but in this place, she could use all the help she could get.

And so, with all the confidence she could muster, Leah opened the wall of her tomb and stepped out.

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Fresh Highland air. It felt like it had been years since she’d last been home, though in all reality, it had been… what? Six months? Leah had arrived just in time for the Moot to begin, a lucky happenstance. Though after escaping from the Maw and deciding to put her search for her father on hold, Leah was not much in the mood for celebrating.

She’d stopped by her uncle’s home first, something that felt odd to do when her entire life they’d barely spoken. It was more out of obligation than anything. The last he’d heard from her, she was still very much on the path to marriage with the prominent Dark Iron lord, Glauric Goldwrought. But that was… that was… over. Shaking her hair out of her face and rolling her shoulders back, Leah went in to tell her Uncle the news with all the grace and confidence she’d learned from studying how to be a noble while she had been with Glauric.

It went.. alright. It was hard not to miss the disappointment in her Uncle’s face when she’d explained her current relationship status to him. While the Thundermar clan was already prominent and powerful on it’s own, her marriage to Glauric would have made them all the more powerful. Connections were everything, and regardless of the fact that Leah was an all but estranged niece to the Thane, it was a connection that was undoubtedly wanted. 

Leah was sure her Uncle would get over the loss of the marriage, and even if he didn’t, it didn’t matter to her. She knew she’d made the right choice. And then Leah turned a corner into the town square and saw Glauric.

Her heart caught in her throat, and all the fear and emotion she’d been pushing down in order to survive threatened to overwhelm her. Every fiber of her being yearned to throw herself into Glauric’s steady arms, to feel safe again. To be reassured. Comforted. Loved.

She gritted her teeth, tears welling in her eyes as she struggled to shove everything down again. Glauric was no longer hers. She had no right to seek comfort in his arms any longer.

Most of her evening was spent on the outskirts of the Moot crowd, half watching, half talking herself out of pulling Glauric away to be held by him. She knew she still had feelings for him, love even. But she also knew she did not want to end up as her father had in a marriage where she would likely always be unhappy, but unwilling to leave because of the love she felt for her partner.

When the Moot ended, Glauric finally approached her and Leah forced herself to be normal. Smile, smirk, tease a little. Everything was fine. They talked for a little, wandering back into the town square and sat on a fence by the fountain together, and in that moment, Leah’s resolve almost shattered. By the skin of her teeth, she mostly maintained her facade and her determination that she couldn’t be with Glauric, but she did not hold herself back from leaning against him, from allowing him to wrap his arm around her. 

The warmth she felt in that moment, the safety.. It threatened her resolve again. But it was good to be close to him, even in this simple way. She was renewed, though she was also left doubting her choice again.

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The grass smelled different in the Valley of Four Winds. It was almost a sweet scent. Or perhaps that was the lotus flowers that surrounded her. Whatever it was, Leah felt completely at peace. She would have to make sure she thanked Delfin profusely for suggesting this place to visit while on her trip. 

It was hard to believe that only a handful of weeks prior, Leah had been ready to give up. And now she lay here in the grass of a lotus farm, staring up into the endless black sky, marveling at the stars that littered the void. And she felt good. Better than she had in a long time.

Her visit to the Jinyu people had been enlightening, and she’d left with their blessing and instruction to practice a few different skills, ones that--she hoped--would finally help her in finding her father’s soul. Everything happened for a reason, and Leah knew that her last experience in the Maw had led her to the idea of seeking aid from the Jinyu. Their skills were unique, and with any luck, Leah would be able to replicate some of them when next she worked up the courage to return to the Shadowlands. 

But she didn’t know when that would be. 

Life had been.. good, since she’d come back to the land of the living. She’d met new people, worked, trained, created. Every now and then she almost could forget about her quest to find her father’s soul. It was refreshing to not have to think about it every waking second of her day. There were moments of guilt sprinkled throughout her last few weeks of life, but overall, she just focused on living.

Though now that she’d made her trip to Pandaria, she was at a crossroads. Did she continue living, or did she return to the land of the dead?

If she stayed, there were so many possibilities. Perhaps she could speak with Glauric and get things sorted out between them. Or maybe she could try for something new. Delfin perhaps? Or maybe that Theldur lad, he’d seemed nice enough. Was she willing to let go of Glauric enough to move on?

If she returned to the Shadowlands, nothing was certain. She could practice and practice, but ultimately, it might all be for naught. There were millions of souls within just the Maw alone. And thus far, she’d found no definite way to find out were individual souls were at. For eternal beings whose entire purpose was ushering the dead to their afterlives, all the creatures there she’d spoken with were incredibly  bad at record keeping. How could they not have some massive archive tucked away where all the information on souls was kept? It was a huge oversight on… someone’s part. If she could leave a suggestion somewhere, she would have.

A breeze stirred the grass around Leah where she lay, and she closed her eyes, listening to Air as it danced around her. She took a deep breath.

Life.

She chose life. For now, at least. Leah was not ready to venture to find her father again yet. A small smile formed on her lips as she followed the breeze with her mind. Oh to be so free! 

If only she could just dance through the next few weeks, carefree and unhindered like that breeze. 

Perhaps a drink would help her sleep. She got up, keeping the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and went to her door. Carelessly, she flung it open and stepped out into the hall, nearly running into Glauric as he returned to his own room. Leah stopped short, offering an awkward, apologetic smile, “Och, sorry ‘bout that.”

She met Glauric’s eyes and he returned the smile, even if it did look a bit formal and not as warm as it used to be. “That’s quite alright. Though you should watch where you’re going.”

Leah forced a pitiful laugh in response and nodded, “Aye, aye, I’ll try and remember that.” She swallowed, forcing herself to resist the urge to bury herself into Glauric’s chest. If anything could make her feel safer--and saner--it was certainly that. But Leah had no right to it anymore, and she knew she needed to continue trying to move on. It was best for her. Did she want to end up like her father had? In love with someone who couldn’t completely love her back? Who couldn’t completely love their children?

She gestured towards the stairs leading down to the main floor as she noticed Glauric giving her an appraising look, “Just gettin’ a nightcap. Sleep well, eh? Big day t’morrow.” Leah turned to leave almost as soon as the words had left her mouth.

“I could join you.” He said as she turned. 

‘Of course you could. I would love for you to join me.’ she thought to herself. But outloud, she replied as she stopped at the top of the stairs, “Nae, that’s alright. Just grabbing a quick drink, nae plannin’ on stayin’ down there long.” 

Leah could see the faint disappointment in his eyes, but he nodded, respecting what she’d said. “Very well. But we’ll have a drink to celebrate our arrival back to Ironforge tomorrow after we rescue everyone as is always our task.”

She smiled genuinely and nodded, “That, I can agree t’.” And she gave a small wave and then tucked some hair behind her ear as she began to head downstairs. Though as she went, she could have sworn she heard Glauric say something else, but it was unclear to her; she was just trying to get away from him as fast as she could so that she didn’t give in and seek out comfort and normalcy from him. They weren’t together anymore, she reminded herself for the hundredth time that day. She’d done just fine on her own before Glauric, she could do just fine on her own after him as well.

A few people remained in the dining room of the inn as she arrived at the bottom of the stairs. One or two pairs of eyes looked up to greet her, but everyone was subdued. Conversation, if it existed, was quiet and short. The weight of what faced them on the morrow was easily seen in everyone’s faces.

Leah grabbed a small bottle of her favorite drink and retreated back upstairs with it. Glauric was no longer in the hall when she returned, and she felt disappointment creep up within her chest; though she was quick to try and stomp it back down. He’s moving on, just as you are. Can’t expect him to be pining after you. There are probably dozens of women that have tried to move in on him now that he’s unattached again.

She clutched the bottle tightly to her chest, one arm sort of wrapped around it as she took quick steps back to her room. Leah put her hand on the doorknob to go in, and then paused. Was she being stupid? What if one of them died tomorrow? What if -both- of them died tomorrow? She should go to him, right? Both of them were doing everything they could to pretend that they didn’t still care for each other, but that was stupid in the face of almost certain death.. or undeath, as the case might be.

Leah turned and looked down the hall, three doors away from her own. Her hand remained on her own doorknob through sheer force of will. But then it slipped. And before she could stop herself, her feet carried her to Glauric’s door. Her heart hammered in her chest as she reached for the doorknob.

But she stopped. 

Her fingers rested lightly on the doorknob. One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. Three heartbeats. They felt like eternity as she stood there like a statue. And then she withdrew her hand.

Going in there meant that she was accepting a fate where neither of them lived. How could she possibly allow herself to think that? They were going to live. All of them. Glauric, Bath, Losk.. the entire company. Everyone within Ironhearth that night. The portal would work. They would all survive and laugh about this over drinks.

Leah took a step backwards away from Glauric’s door. She could feel her heart ache with the dull pain that had been with her ever since she had told Glauric that she couldn’t be with him. Most of the time she could ignore it or pretend that it wasn’t there. But it was always with her. And in the stillness of the hallway, for the first time that night, Leah could not hear the moan of the undead outside. She could only hear her heartbeat, and she could feel the cold.

Leah had spoken with him once before in the spirit realm, it had been the first time she’d met him; at least the first time that she could remember, as he’d died when she was very young. 

He smiled warmly at her, and she immediately felt at ease; her father had that same smile. “Yeh look well, Leah. I was hopin’ we would speak again someday. Yeh’ve been neglectin’ yehr kin.” His smile remained in place, but there was a faint look of worry about him.

“I’m sorry, grandfather. I’ve been…” She shrugged as she let out a deep breath, “Busy, I s’ppose.”

Davy ran a hand down his beard, then hooked his thumbs into his belt as he paced the room, “I don’ s’ppose yeh know where yehr Da is? I have looked, but I cannae find him.”

Leah frowned, her uneasiness heightened by that statement. So it was not just her that could not find him. Where could he possibly be then? She shook her head in response to her grandfather’s question, “I have nae seen him in quite some time. I had hoped yeh knew where he was. Wanted t’ talk t’ him about somethin’.”

Davy looked at Leah, giving her a knowing look, again, that reminded Leah very much of her father. “This about that lad yeh’ve attached yehrself t’?”

She cleared her throat, blushing a little, “It’s.. well..” She paused, then nodded, “Aye, it is. At least partially.”

Her grandfather grunted and then wiped a hand under his nose, “It’s not really my business, but I don’ see what yeh’re doin’ with him. Doesn’ seem good for yeh.”

Leah blinked, not expecting such a blunt comment from Davy. Her father had always been much more tactful than that. She frowned a little, “Yeh’ll forgive me for disagreein’ with yeh, grandfather, but yeh don’ know him.”

“I know his type though. Yeh bein’ with him reminds me o’ yehr Da bein’ with Sybil.” Davy’s face settled into a decidedly disappointed look, “Selfish sort o’ bloke.” He shook his head, “I may not know him well, but I know enough. Yeh’ll end up like yehr Da; in love, but never truly happy.”

Leah winced at that. Her grandfather knew exactly how to get straight to the point. She looked at the ground, his words stinging strongly. As much as she hated to admit it, he was probably right. Leah had been denying the similarities of her mother and Glauric for a long time now, but it was hard to do so when someone else called it out.

She continued to remain silent and Davy huffed, “Yeh’re young. Yeh shouldnae be lookin’ t’ settle down yet anyways. Should be enjoyin’ life. Don’ mean t’ hurt yehr feelin’s, but..” He offered an apologetic look, “I’m sure yehr Da would be sayin’ the same thing t’ yeh if he were about.” Davy looked around, “Yeh should find him. I cannae do it. He should be here with the rest o’ the kin.”

Leah could see darkness creeping in around them, and she knew her time here with Davy was short, “I’ll do what I can, Grandfather. I’ll find Da and send him back t’ yeh.”

Davy’s voice took on an echo, “Good. Kin need t’ stick t’gether. Remember that.”

The darkness overtook Leah, and then, she opened her eyes. Dusk was settling in the Highlands. The smoke from her incense had all dispersed now, and Leah sat there, the chill easily piercing her clothes. She called on Air and immediately the chill was gone, replaced by a much more comfortable temperature. Her heart felt heavy, the worry for her father increased, and the acceptance of the reality of her relationship weighing on her.