#reddragonflight

The throne room had been cleared of almost all occupants despite some protests from the other council members. All that remained was the Dragon Queen and the Phoenix. Heavy clouds had surrounded the open room, making it feel much more cramped and closed in. Rainbrooke now stood back in her golem form, shaking uncontrollably and griping her abdomen from the pain. Lady Alexstraza walked to the very edge and looked off into the snowy clouds. "Come to my side, Emberscar."

The sound of that moniker rolling off of Alexstraza's tongue send a spike through her heart. She could barely restrain the tears. Livi often called her that, especially when trying to sound authoritative and make a point. The way this dragon spoke it, it sounded much softer. It was comforting. She wiped away the salty tears and joined at Alexstraza's side. 

"I would assume that since you have made such an effort to find me and have submitted yourself, that you trust me. But I question whether you really trust yourself. Do you trust in your abilities completely?" the Dragon spoke softly.

Deep within her heart, Rainbrooke knew the answer. She knew she was a powerful creature, but she did not trust in herself. A deep part of her still believed she was meant for more destruction and devastation that anything else. A monster. "I do not trust in them completely. I've trusted nearly nothing completely my entire life." 

Alexstraza's eyes softened and she nodded. "From what you have told me, I can understand why. Making difficult choices and rash decisions can leave dark marks upon one's soul. But it does not change the beauty of the being beneath them." She reached out to Rain's face and brushed her cheek lightly. "You are not a monster Rainbrooke. You weren't then. And you're not now."

Rain tried her best to believe the Dragon. She was an ancient guardian who'd seen so much. Surely, Rainbrooke could believe her. But the memories of war, and her own grief nagged at the back of her mind.

"Even now you doubt. I can see it in your eyes. But here you are atop a dragon's temple, ready to go into servitude for the chance to save your friends," the Dragon Queen prodded.

Tears returned to Rain's eyes as she answered, "I...I love them."

"And that is proof in itself. You love others more than yourself, little one. True, you are capable of great destruction but you are so much more capable of compassion, selflessness and love. You can be a healing to those around you. And a protection from harm for those in need. Reclaim yourself....reclaim who you are. Call it back to you!" Alexstraza thrust her hand out into the misty clouds and they parted sharply, revealing the shining sun and the snowy landscape below. 

Rain closed her eyes and stepped closer to the edge, letting her toes dangle from the heights. "I am Rainbrooke Emberscar ;veteran of the first war, conqueror of the arena, slayer of the Lich King, pupil of nature and fire, Druid of the Claw, Phoenix of the purple flames and I AM NOT A MONSTER!" her voice shrieked across the land.

In the distance a soft and growing rumbled started, winds swept and swirled, and a dark patch of ash could be seen coming over the mountainous horizon. Her ashes! They were carried upon the wind, like fish in a current. Diving and swishing they came closer, until the wind let them go in a soft fall, depositing the ashes in a neat pile at her feet. "I did it," she gasped excitedly.

"That you did. Now, it's my turn." Alexstraza uttered her own Draconic spell and shed her mortal form. The Dragon Queen's scales shone a brilliant crimson in the sunlight. It was enough to steal the breath of any mortal. She strode closer to the small pile of ashes and, rearing her head back, unleashed a steady stream of fire. Flora and fauna began sprouting beneath the ashes as new life was breathed into them. 

Slowly, the ashes began to move. A very large plant began sprouting from them. A long stem, followed by a bulbous pod, unfurled. The pod was sealed shut but glowed a vibrant green color. Alexstraza sat back on her haunches and grinned, showcasing her gloriously massive teeth. 

Rainbrooke ooched closer to the pod structure and gently touched it. Instantly the pod opened and revealed the flowering bloom. Situated in the middle of the bloom was Rain's body. She gasped sharply.

It was really her. Not a vessel made for her. Not a construct. But really her. Renewed from her own ashes. "What now?" she asked turning to the Dragon.

"Now we rid you of this...container."

"And how do we do that?"

Alexstraza's voice growled low. "We destroy it."

"This is going to be hurt isn't it?" she quipped.

"Still trust me, little one?" Alexstraza replied.

"Yes."

"Then do as I say." She motioned for Rain to move away from the body. "Stand still."

Rainbrooke obeyed and clenched her jaw. It wasn't going to be pleasant, whatever it was. She pictured Livi and Vincent in her mind. And....Alysa.

Alexstraza reared her head back once more and spewed her dragon's fire directly at the golem. The flames engulfed Rain, completely encasing her. Rain screamed in agony but the Dragon's words echoed in her mind, "Stand still!" The golem materials began to buckle and twist. Her new "skin" was melting like wax from a freshly lit candle. 

She tried to remain standing for as long as she could, until finally her limbs began detaching and she collapsed in a heap. The fire continued burning and consuming the golem flesh until all that remained was a small ball-like mass. Alexstraza leapt forward and snatched it her claws. She dug through that remaining clay until she could see a brilliantly shining light. She held the phoenix soul in her hands. 

"Beautiful," she murmured. "Not without blemish, but beautiful all the more." She plucked the light from the clay and pushed it into the chest of the Kal'dorei body still resting within the bloom. Painstakingly long moments passed before Rain took her first breath. Her eyes were not open but she was alive. 

It's an odd thing to know you're a ticking bomb. Every breath lingers in your chest a bit longer. Every time you hear the loud ringing of cathedral bells or a baby crying, your heart stops and clenches in your chest worrying that you might be the disastrous end to someone else’s beginnings. You become eerily aware of everyone and everything around you. I wouldn't recommend it. Until I have all of this sorted I feel it is best for me to remain distanced from you. But i wanted you to know that I love you and Vincent and..most of all..Alysa. I will do everything in my power to protect you and her, even if that means removing myself...for the time being. Be well my dearest Livigosa. Love, Rain

She set the quill down shakily, hoping Livi would appreciate the update. It had taken everything just to keep her hands steady enough to write the damn thing. By this point, she was quite sure things were beginning to get interesting in the pregnancy. It plagued Rain that she was not there to help. Although she had never actually been pregnant, herself, she had helped in a number of battlefield births and had taken a midwifery class shortly after taking up her position as the mortician's apprentice. And beyond all of those technicalities, Rainbrooke loved children and they usually loved her. Perhaps it was her naturally calm demeanor or the warm, fuzzy fur. Regardless, she had a way with them and it was eating her up inside to be away during this critical time.

She looked down at her trembling hands and frowned. They were getting worse by the hour. She needed help and fast. But it all still begged the question of; who? Who could she turn to? Who could possibly accept who and what she was? It would take someone who had the knowledge and wisdom to look beyond appearances. Someone trustworthy. Someone that wouldn't abuse her powers.

I need a fucking dragon, she mused. But then the idea shot through her like an arrow. A dragon....that's it! I NEED A FUCKING DRAGON! She quickly shoved her letter in the mailbox and shot off through town towards the nearest dark alleyway she could find. There was no way in hell she'd go the Bronze flight after what happened with Vincent. The Blue's, gods love them, were a bit too weighed down with logic and rules to suit her needs. The Green's were in a state of chaos after the tremendous loss of Ysera, and Rain doubted that they really needed to be worrying about a time bomb phoenix creation. But that left one flight, one flight that could hold the key.

Old Dalaran was the closest she could get to get to her destination. As she stepped onto the landing area, gryphons and dragons and all other variety of flying creatures swooped around overhead. 

"Give me the fastest you got," she said flipping out several gold coins to the flightmaster.

"But you've only just arrived madam," he snickered.

She flashed a faint smirk and boarded the black cloud serpent that had been summoned. "And it was long enough in this hot bed of mage scum."

The cloud serpent swayed and swished lightly over the mountain range, until Wyrmrest Temple was within view through the snowy landscape. The Red Dragonflight was known for its high regard for all life. Lady Alexstraza was given the title of Life Binder for a reason and Rainbrooke was praying that the Dragon Queen would listen and be willing to help. Besides, who better to fix a dragon made golem than a dragon? 

The trick would be getting an audience with Lady Alexstraza. She was the Dragon Queen after all, and had countless duties to attend to. Had she more time, a well thought out and intricate plan would've been concocted, but time was not something she had. Just short of bursting in and shouting her problems to the heavens for all manner of creature to hear, Rain would have to be bold and straightforward to get what she needed. Or, at least, the chance to get what she needed. 

After landing and taking just a moment to make herself as presentable as possible under the circumstances, Rainbrooke hurriedly set off into the temple. The tower reigned high into the clouds, but all guests entered through the bottom floor. Massive, spiraling columns supported the structure. And the distinct sound of clattering shoes echoed across the marble floors. It was a grand building, but she expected nothing less from a temple full of dragons. 

One of the female attendants finally managed to catch Rain's attention and motion her over. "Welcome to Wyrmrest Temple. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes, I need to speak with Lady Alexstraza," Rain replied very matter-of-factly. 

"I see. Well, I'm afraid the Lady is busy currently. Perhaps someone else may be of assistance to you?"

Had she been in any other circumstance, Rain would've been very content to be put off to some lesser for handling, but this was not other circumstances. "I'm afraid no one else will do. If I'm ignored, it would spell out death for a number of people!"

The attendant squinted. "Is that a threat?"

"No. Merely a warning.....an...eventuality." She tried her very best to express the dire need. "Look, I may appear as any of these other mortals stumbling through life looking for answers from a dragon, but you and I both know appearances aren't everything."

The attendant squirmed around and looked over Rain.

"Please," Rain gasped. "I don't have much time."

"Very well, I will escort you to the throne room, but your visit will be brief and supervised. Is that understood?"

"Explicitly."

The attendant opened a portal to the top floor hovering in the clouds, the throne room, and walked through it. Rain followed behind her, carefully watching and trying to contain herself. Most of the dragons were in their mortal forms conversing and sorting out dragon matters. She specifically heard several of them speaking of Senegos but couldn't decide exactly what was being said. They spoke in a broken mixture of common and Draconic to mask their conversations. 

"My Lady, do forgive my interruption but this seemed urgent," the attendant addressed the group. She then backed away leaving Rainbrooke front and center in the midst of the Red Council. A pair of golden horns poked above the heads of the rest of them and began moving through the crowd. 

The Dragon Queen stepped forward and locked eyes upon Rain, inquisitively gazing her over. "And now you have my attention mortal, speak. What is so urgent that you would interrupt my council meeting?"

Rainbrooke instinctively bowed her head to the great beast before speaking. "I did not wish to come here. I did not wish to come groveling to you....but here I am. I need your help."

Alexstraza watched her carefully, but there was a certain softness to her eyes. "Many come seeking the power of my flight, whether it is to help fight in their wars or restore a loved ones health. But my aid is not meant for those things. It is reserved for only...certain matters. So tell me, which of these things have you come for?"

"Neither, my Lady. I came here for your help. And I came here to offer mine." She snapped her fingers and the delicate mortal golem she wore vanished, revealing the violet flaming phoenix within. There was an audible gasp at her transformation and dull whispers surged through the crowd. "I am Rainbrooke Emberscar, former servant of Smolderon, Lord of the Firelands."

Alexstraza's eyes widened. "And do you come to me with war upon your mind? Do you come with threats!?" she snarled.

"No, great Queen. I come before you a lost creature in a body that is not mine, but crafted by one of your kin. I come before you as a servant....without a master."

The dragon's eyes softened again. "Without a master?"

"He is missing." Her voice cracked. "When I needed him, he abandoned me, leaving me to find solutions that have proved more deadly than I could've ever imagined."

"You say this body is not yours, so that means you had a different one?" she asked.

"I walked Azeroth for 10,000 years as a Kal'dorei Druid of the Claw. I fought and served in all of the great wars. I mourned Lady Ysera. And I grieved the burning of my home. I was filled with rage and Smolderon offered me a solution. He remade me and I existed as a Druid and a Phoenix cohesively."

The Dragon Queen strolled the edges of the room, thinking. "I take it a lot transpired after that for you to be in the shape you're in now."

Rainbrooke dipped her fiery head in a nod. "Yes, some of the choices were mine. Some were not. But the conjoining of my Phoenix abilities and the magics used to create this golem have proved to be...too much. I'm a disaster in waiting. Thus I came to the only creature I knew was strong enough and wise enough to listen."

Alexstraza continued pacing, but remained silent.

Silence was the most tortuous thing to endure in Rainbrooke's mind. No response could mean anything. She winced as she spoke the next words. "I would not expect your help without offering you my allegiance as payment. I can guarantee I am not the strongest of your servants by any means. But I am the only one that can come back from the grave time and time again, ready to do whatever I can for your flight."

The pacing stopped. "You're offering your service to my flight in exchange for help with your "golem" problem?" Her face was hard and intense.

Rainbrooke was unsure of what intent was hidden behind that question, but the terms were correctly stated. She had no choice but to answer, "Yes, my Lady."

"Very well. You may be of use to me and I may be of use to you," she stated calmly and mysteriously. "Your previous form, where is it?"

Rain's fire dimmed and she hung her head low. "I burned it to ash, which I'm sure has long since blown away."