#raethar

-----

“Thank you, Magister Sun’fallos, for your contributions to our continued studies. Your sabbatical is thus accepted and approved - we greatly anticipate your reports and learnings upon your return to Quel’Thalas.”

With a crack of a gavel and a round of thankful applause, the current matter is closed, the most recent of these lengthy proceedings. High Magister Varnil Belo’var stood at the podium, placing the gavel down to sign a document produced approving the current action of permitting Magister Sun’fallos time away from his station. Sun’fallos bowed to the collective in thanks before offering his signature to the parchment. The document was then passed to the front row of observers for further signatures, those of the highest station within the Magistry including Grand Magister Rommath himself. Sun’fallos retreated from the front, receiving praise and handshakes as he returned to his seat even as silent judgement was cast upon him from elsewhere. Raethar stood as Sun’fallos approached, placing a hand upon his shoulder and offering his own words of congratulations.

Belo’var returned to the podium, lifting a hand to quiet the murmuring that had swelled during the minutes of silence as the document was finalized. “Thank you, thank you - this conclave will continue.” He glanced over to his agenda, striking the matter of Sun’fallos through with a stroke of an inked quill before calling upon the next subject.

“We, the Collected, do hereby recognize the esteemed Magister Raethar Runeweaver.”

A sea of eyes turned toward Raethar as he stood, smoothing out his robes as he began the journey to the front. He smiled to Aelvar knowingly as expressions of curiosity, joy, and judgement spread across the faces of the collected Magistry, this point of proverbial no return now cemented with Belo’var’s announcement. Raethar smiled warmly as he approached the front, nodding in kind to those who would greet him along the way, old friends and associates from his many years with the Magistry, and smiling even more warmly to those who he knew looked upon him with secret disdain.

He offered respectful handshakes to the front row of Magistry leaders to thank them for their time and service before clasping the hand of High Magister Belo’var as the leader of the day’s proceedings bequeathed his position behind the podium to Raethar.

“Thank you, High Magister Belo’var, for the opportunity to address the Collected this afternoon. Your expert leadership of these proceedings is particularly noted, and I know I speak for far beyond myself when I offer my sincerest thanks for your oversight.” A gentle wave of applause is given to Belo’var as he nods and takes a seat to the left of the podium, settling in for Raethar’s remarks.

“Esteemed members of the Silvermoon Magistry,” Raethar began, his hands resting upon the edges of the podium. “A new era,” he said, looking out over the faces of his fellow spellweavers. “That is what we are here to recognize. We gather here during a time of rebirth for all of us, for all of Quel’Thalas - a time of new horizons, new possibilities, and new direction. While the future itself remains unclear, what is clear is that the opportunity for us to proceed toward that future as a unified and strong collective has been won. We are cleansed, we are pure, and we are true. True to what it means to be sin’dorei. True to the strong tenets of Quel’Thalas. True to ourselves as we all embody our mantra of perseverance time and again!”

His voice grew in power throughout those lines, ushering in cheers of agreement from some of the prideful attendees. Raethar let go of the podium, clasping his hands behind his back as he moved to the side to stand in full view of the Collected.

“But this day, these months of success, this aftermath of victory - these did not come without clear challenges. Without pain. Without deep loss.” The collective quieted as Raethar continued, a somber mood returning to the gathering as it did before during the speeches of reflective memorial. “It is over those dark memories that our current dawn ascends. But, just as the darkness of twilight gives way to the light of the sun, the grass and land beneath is touched by both.”

Raethar stepped from side to side as he continued, his hands still clasped behind his back as his eyes darted from face to face, establishing personal connections to his audience who offered him respectful silence. “For well over two centuries, I have had the distinct pleasure of serving this body. I recall fondly studying voraciously at the Falthrien Academy, shoulder-to-shoulder with some of you in this very audience, before continuing advanced work in Silvermoon. Deep, targeted study in the subject of runestones pushed my trajectory to the spires of Dalaran itself as I swelled with pride as the opportunity to represent our great Kingdom grew ever larger.”

He smiled as he spread his arms to the audience. “These are all feelings that I know I share with you all. The pride, the academia, the knowledge, the greatness - these are all experiences that we, the brightest minds of Quel’Thalas, this grand Collected, welcome and appreciate regularly as we hone our collective abilities sharper than the tip of the finest ranseur.”

He tapped a finger into his opposite open palm. “But what happens when that proverbial ranseur cracks into armour made from stronger materials?” He splinters his fingers apart in mock explosion. “The spear cracks, bends, relents - bested by a stronger will.” He allows his hands to return to his side.

“This was my experience.”

The silence from the audience was deafening for there was no cause for reaction. Raethar allowed the moment to linger before shifting back toward the podium to place his hands on its sides once more. “Six years ago,” he continued, “I truly had everything I had ever dreamed of. A strong House,” he said as he pointedly looked to his cousin, Magister Ran’thas Runeweaver, “a proud position alongside you all, keen magical abilities at my fingertips, and, of course, Nilwissa, my beautiful wife.” He smiled as he looked out to the collected faces. “Needless to say, the proverbial ranseur was sharp, indeed.

“Sadly, that spear met its immovable object, as you all can know and imagine. With the coming of the Scourge, the Fall of our great Kingdom, and the destruction of the Sunwell itself, all of the comforts I held were stripped away. Our House was crushed, my abilities grew distant, and, despite our best efforts, Nilwissa fell to the callings of the Wretched.

“Even still,” he added, tapping the podium with his forefinger, “somehow, the worn spear was lifted again and again. Though broken, the sharpened point merely a dullened extension, the ranseur maintained potential against all odds.”

He gestured to the green felfire displays that still glowed around the courtyard. “Despite the gifts that our fallen Prince had found, our magical salvation, my own prowess continued to slip away. My hunger was sated somewhat, yes, but the shattered tip would need to be fully remade. As I eventually made my way to Quel’Danas after many long years, I did what I could to assist, but…” he sighed, shaking his head. “It was nothing compared to what I once was. My talents were beginning to feel akin to distant memories.”

He shifted away from the podium once again, looking over the faces before him. “Fortunately, all of that changed.” Raethar held himself higher, his voice ringing more proudly as he commanded the attention of those gathered. “With the rebirth of our great Sunwell, the ranseur was remade, its dullened metal replaced with shining golden might. But not just mine, no. The weapons of so many of our kin were similarly remade as Lady Liadrin ushered in a new future at the very heart of the Plateau.”

With a push of holy magic, Raethar conjured around him a golden aura, a shimmering barrier that surrounded his form as his eyes glowed with golden radiance. “The Light,” Raethar offered, his hands outstretched to his sides as the audience continued to watch, “...is my salvation.”

He allowed the energy to retreat, returning to the podium as curious eyes watched him. He truly was unsure how the Collected would react, but he knew that this was now his path. He smiled toward Aelvar in the audience as he repeated and expanded upon the words he spoke to his apprentice earlier.

“Clarity,” he said with purpose. “For the first time in years, a path forward has been introduced, a path that I see myself taking. No longer does the dullened ranseur lay to the side; it is now sharpened with renewed purpose. I can see my steps leading onward, urged forward by the Sunwell’s newfound golden radiance - a true opportunity to return what was lost and rededicate myself to the whole of Quel’Thalas.”

He opened his arms to the audience from behind the podium. “Today,” he continued, his voice still ringing with pride as he fought down any uncertainty, “after two and half centuries of service as a Magister, I announce my departure from these ranks in order to dedicate myself to a new calling. In honour of my late wife and to all those of Quel’Thalas who may need the Light for protection, I prepare to depart this podium as a sin’dorei reborn. In time, I expect to return to my academic studies and discover how these Light-born energies may be utilized to reinvigorate my lost abilities, but such learning will require an alternative path.”

He takes a moment to pause, moving once more to the side of the podium, bowing his head in thanks to all collected here. He looks over the Collected with a warm smile, catching the eyes of many in attendance before he repeats the words of Prophet Velen at the time of the Sunwell’s rebirth.

“Just as this day marks an ending, so too does it herald a new beginning.”

Raethar stood there in silence for a moment, curious how the body would react. Breaking the silent pause following the conclusion of his remarks, Raethar heard the scrape of a chair followed by the beginnings of a soft clap. Aelvar, his beloved apprentice, stood up from his seat and began to applaud the former Magister. One by one, other members of the Collected, the members of the Magistry that comprised today’s gathering, stood from their seats, offering their own respectful applause. As Raethar continued to stand next to the podium, he swelled with pride as he looked from face to face, nodding at those who celebrated both his newfound path and his years of dedicated service to the Magistry.

He bowed to the front row before him as the most remarkable members of the Magistry applauded as Raethar looked to his right to find High Magister Belo’var looking upon him with pride. The High Magister ended his applause to discuss matters briefly with a scribe, a Magistrix Silvale, who hurriedly began to write upon a parchment before moving to review its contents with the front row. Belo’var approached Raethar as the applause began to subside, placing a hand upon his shoulder as he nodded and took the podium once more.

“Thank you for your words, Master Runeweaver,” the High Magister offered both to Raethar and to the greater Collected. He looked down to catch eyes with the Grand Magister who nodded, sending Magistrix Silvale back toward the podium to confirm the written contents. Belo’var received the parchment as the Magistrix retreated toward her seat, continuing to address the audience.

“Your impassioned remarks are duly noted and appreciated. While it is always a moment of reflection and, on occasion, disappointment when one of our own decides to depart, I believe I speak for many of us when I offer that I understand your position and appreciate your many years of contributions.” The High Magister picked up the gavel once more to address the full Collected.

“In recognition of your many years of service to the Magistry, we offer the honorary title of Raethar Runeweaver, Magister Emeritus. This body accepts your formal resignation and looks forward to a meaningful continued partnership in service to Quel’Thalas.”

A fresh round of applause was ushered forth after the High Magister clapped the gavel in finality. The appropriate signatures were offered as Raethar began to make his way back to his seat, finalizing his honorary title of Magister Emeritus. Raethar returned nods, handshakes, and appreciative smiles as he made his way back to his seat, receiving a strong hug from Apprentice Aelvar. He chuckled at the lad as he lowered himself to his seat, looking to the podium as High Magister Belo’var continued the proceedings.

While the next speaker was introduced, Raethar’s mind returned him to the shores of the Sunwell itself alongside Lady Liadrin and Prophet Velen.

Just as this day marks an ending, so too does it herald a new beginning.