#taladren

The boy looked much different than he did five years ago. Aside from getting taller, he had accepted the more demonic parts of his heritage, and the lack of "treatments" the Confessor had once given him allowed his horns and tail, both a shade darker than his long braid of purplish black hair, to grow. 

Araidne had offered him a job on the farm when he showed himself finally to her, a week after Neri had yelled at him before leaving after Davon. Years of working gave him a tan… not as sun kissed as the Lightdancer cousins, but no longer pale and hidden in the shadows. 

In fact right now Stray was laying on the barn roof, arms behind his head as he watched the clouds. Below he could hear Andre working on his homework and Taladren practicing to take the knight exams, paths both of them took a year after Davon had left when Merry… actually Stray had no idea how Davon's sister managed to attract the attention of Moonglade (though there were suspicions). He only knew that dreaming was mentioned by the druid that came looking for her, and that she happily agreed to training. A few months after that Mira had arranged lessons for Andre in magic and for Taladren in swordplay.

Those few visits from Davon were painfully short. There was much the two needed to tell each other… and much that never did get said and saved for later, when they had time.

Still… Stray much preferred this strange family he had now, and he was grateful to Davon and Neri for pulling him away from the light cult. There were still nagging worries that he shared with his aunt… The Confessor disappeared after the events in the Shadowlands, and Mira could only find vague hints of her sister's presence. Whether or not it was safe for him to leave the shields Araidne had set up around her farm… 

He sat up at a familiar scent, grinning at the sun and freckled-kissed girl that had grown just as much as he had, "Neri!" he called down, "Decided to feed me to your teacher yet?"

"Decided t'stop whinin' an' make Davie stay yet?" She teased back, "Or you lookin' at t'new batch of farmhands Aerie hired for t'summer?" 

He hopped down and threw his arm around her shoulder, "Nah. None of them taste as good as he does. Tempted to try his cousin sometime," he laughed as she swatted at him, "You came for his homecoming."

"Merry's comin' too. She's wantin' t'surprise him," she glanced over at the two teens, "Tho' I gotta feelin' she ain't stayin' long. Neither are those two." 

"Think she's more like you and my cousin?" Stray nodded, "I figured as much. Andre's gotten over his trauma years ago. Mostly at least. He'll need them to keep the nightmares away."

"I don't even wanna thin' of t'trouble those three will get tangled in. An' Merry's worse than 'Ona ever was. Not t'mention Tally's got no sense of direction. I'm tempted t'take them t'Atlas an' have Darnath place trackers on all three."

 "Luckily Auntie placed those already. You three ended up fine," he grinned at the snort that earned, "Think Davon will stay this time?" 

Neri gave a knowing smile, "Maaaaaaybeee. 'Pends on whether or not a certain half incubus can convince him to get back wit' Levi's caterin' business." 

He shrugged and she rolled her eyes, but changed the subject to a safer topic before they went to help set up the impromptu party for the homecoming. Taladren and Andre came as soon as their lessons were done, talking of the letters that Merry had written them, years ago when they first started, they had terrible spelling and many mistakes, but soon she was writing just as well as any of them, and once more a rat from the docks had made something far more of herself. And this time without a dragon involved (though Stray suspected a certain dragonsworn had a hand in the druids noticing the girl in the first place). Now she was talking gleefully of the different animal forms she learned (she finally got her wish to be a wolf) and of the flying lessons in bird form.

“She always knew she wanted to be a druid. She heard of the Harvest Witches the Gilneans had and that was one more thing that could connect her to her father,” Taladren sighed, “And then whatever happened in Drust just made it worse.” Neri and Stray both stayed quiet at that, it was something that Davon never told them, except that both knew that the youngest sister, Doolie, had been lost along with Captain Branwen, and if Kit and Luce hadn’t arrived in time and brought the three survivors to the farm… “I don’t think it made it worse,” Andre said quietly, “It just gave her more of a reason to get stronger,” he gave the taller reddish blond teen a Look, “I took my lessons for a reason too. You get tired of getting rescued.”

“Don’t see why not, come here first, meet our new family member,” he climbed in her lap and looked up at the bird, “You get to name her.”

“She’s pretty Mama,” he said, “You should tell Mr. Leos. He’s good with animals! He taught me a lot when he was your patient.” Raine blushed, then smiled gently, “I was about to write him. I haven’t in a while, I don’t want him getting lonely in his own travels.”

“Can’t he come back? We can all travel together. He was nice,” Taladren yawned and closed his eyes, “Stormy. I like that name for the owl. Can we keep her?”

“Until she can be on her own, yes,” there was no answer to that, and she glanced down at the soft snore, rubbing his back at finding him already asleep. It took her another few moments, but she was able to carry him to bed and put Stormy in a makeshift nest on the bed stand, kissing both on the forehead before tucking them in. Then she walked back to her desk and took out a parchment and a quill.

Leos,

I am sorry that it has been some time since I’ve written. These past few months have been one of desperate healing and grief for so many, and I have been lost in my callings. It seems some part of that may be healed… last night there was a secret gathering of those in the Horde that wanted to hold a memorial for the lost Teldrassil. The seeds are from that, the druids and shamans grew their own tree… nothing like a world tree, but still something very profound and wonderful. We were asked to grow the seeds wherever we can on our travels.

...I did sing an added blessing to them. Don’t give me that look, I was careful to ensure that no one saw the wings.

There are so many that needed healing from the War of Thorns. Taladren and I have been traveling so far to heal so many. I was proud to be a part of the Memorial.

I left one of Ladnis’s feathers as an offering, along with a little apple blossom that Luna had weaved into a flower crown for me. Not one of her special feathers, the last of those Mira used when she went to help the shamans in Silithus in secret, but… Ladnis and I thought it appropriate. I still hear her sometimes, it’s faint, we don’t talk like we used to when I first returned. I don’t see her in my reflection any longer. Yet I know she’s still here, I feel her. It’s… difficult to explain.

They had animals that needed rescuing, I almost wish that you had come, they all would have found a home. Yet, even without you there, I think they were able to save them all, Taladren and I are going to care for an owl that lost her hearing during the burning. She’s a pretty thing with white and grey feathers, and Taladren named her Stormy. Lyren, one of the ones that works here on Atlas with Mira, adopted an owl that lost some of his feathers during the burning. I saw deer and bear cubs there as well, along with nightsabers. I hope that they at least have found some peace and hope in the ones that have taken them in.

I also hope that somehow peace and regrowth can happen without there being more pain… but I am unsure as to how. The war continues, and for reasons I cannot understand. Grief and vengeance… those I do, but for the Warchief to have planned for…

We had peace, we had come together and healed many hurts. When the Legion was defeated, it should have lasted.

Greed is… not something I understand. And it seems to be the main driving force of the Horde’s leader.

Enough of that, there is nothing I can do but heal… and that is exactly what I shall do.

Taladren has made a few friends lately. A boy named Andre has come to live with my students at the farm near Halfhill. He has seen something terrible, and barely speaks, but he smiles when Taladren visits, and they play together. During Pilgrim’s bounty, there was a girl named Merry, a half-Gilnean that wears false ears. She and Taldren… did not play well together, but at the end of her visit (her cousin is now Mira’s student), they seemed to have some sort of arrangement of friendship. She at least stopped biting him (...no, she’s not cursed, don’t worry on that. It’s a way to stay in touch with her father I think) and he stopped trying to tell her what to do.

Lyren has two girls about a year older than Taladren, I’m hoping that they’ll be friends. He has so few, and my wanderings with him do not make it easy for him to form anything lasting.

I miss you terribly. Taladren and I both do.

I only hope that perhaps your calling and mine will lead us to the same place at the same time.

With love,

Raine

We are there still, even with Argus and most of the Legion defeated, and the troubles caused by war earlier in this continent nearly all quieted, there is a great deal to do, even before thinking of the spring planting, and I have spent much of my day in the fields with them and my nights making medicines for the Pandaren that live nearby. It is a tiring life, but a happy one. Arymia has gotten a dairy cow finally, and she has a creamery that Dunath has built for her. It's a pretty little stone building added near the kitchens, and I've included some of the butter she has made with the loaves of bread I usually send you. The smoked fish is from Taladren's fishing trip with Litsu, he was very proud of what he had caught. I hope that you've been eating well.

There are nightmares of war coming.

I have been fighting with myself on this matter, debating if I should reenlist and rejoin the medic corps, or stay here with Taladren. It is... not something I confided to anyone else, but there is a terrible bright light in my visions, hiding the hungering shadows cast by it. Yet at the same time, I have another vision, one of a motherly comfort in the darkness, with a softer light in the center of it. I am... unsure of what either means, despite telling Mira the second vision to ease her worries about her daughter. Things that were so very clear when I was a Spirit Healer seem a dream now. And Ladnis has gone quiet as of late, so I cannot speak with her on such things. I wonder if I drew too much on her power during the storm that wrecked Atlas. I want to stay with Taladren. To find a place for both of us to belong to and quietly live, and for you to come home to us. Yet, is that a selfish wish? And where would we settle? Here is already someone else's home, I am only a guest at this farm now... no matter how those three cry to the contrary. Dey put far more effort and money into this farm than I ever did. Besides, I will be needed, and I have yet to repay my debts. ...writing these thoughts out have made things much clearer to me. Yet I wish that I was speaking to you in person, even if you yell at me for being foolish. More than that I miss sitting with you as we did near the last we spoke. I am not sure when I fell in love with you. It certainly wasn't during your healing, not when you were so demanding and boorish... yet when it was over, I did not want to leave your side. Should I have chased after you when you left? Perhaps... however, I know you had your own debts. I couldn't follow you at that time, not with Lorelei and Taladren both missing. Another selfish wish of mine... I wish I had. It seems that I am a selfish creature in my second life, yet I am bound by duty. I will pay my debts before I choose my personal wishes. Tomorrow I will contact the General, ask him where he needs me to be. Perhaps our paths will cross again. Perhaps it'll be soon. Perhaps is such a cruel word. With my blessings and my love, Raine

A crackle of flame that afternoon was the only warning she had before Mira appeared, and she started a moment, then paused, noting the dark circles under the eyes and the worry lines marking Cero's doll, "Is she..." "She is stable, and plans are being made," the blood mage smiled, "I brought a present for the young Master. I thought that perhaps you would appreciate it as well," she gave Raine a package, "Simple teaching. Leona's old tutoring books I used. I never did get more advanced mathematics, but she chose not to go towards a life of a scholar. Still. No reason to let any of those slide," Raine opened the packaged and blinked at the slim books, "But in case the young Master is like my Leona," Mira took out a verdant sphere and played with it a moment, "No reason he can't begin a little training." "He's only turning six..." Raine started, "Schooling..." "The Academys in Silvermoon start accepting children at the age of five for their pre-school program, real world experience is one thing, but education is an important thing for children to have as well," she pulled out a small wooden sword, "If you want, Varotin can give lessons..." "...how many broken ribs has Leona had?" Mira gave her a look and took out another verdant sphere, "And for the whimsical," the sphere disappeared into a small green dragon, "It's enchanted, but only to fly and chirp. Young Master doesn't need the lullabys when his mother sings so beautifully after all." "Thank you for the presents Mira." "Raine... do you still have visions?" The question caught her by surprise and she waited until Taladren came and cheered at the little dragon and wooden sword, the boy running off after talking with Mira, proclaiming he was a dragon-knight and off for some adventure with the maps Kit had given him. "...I... why do you ask...?" "My daughter's soul was split from her body. I'd like to know what is coming," Mira frowned, "If the rumors are correct, war, but..." "That I don't need a vision to tell you of," Raine glanced up, "Stay in the clearing!" she called out, "You want to know if I can see anything more." "How risky is it for you?" "Dangerous. There are still members of the Masters of Light around, they would know if I looked," she frowned as she watched Taladren run, "And there's no guarantee that it will be the future or the past, or how clear the message will be." "Prophecy runs many risks," Mira agreed, "I won't ask you to look then. But..." "If I have a vision, you would like to know of what," the priestess smiled, "If the General is ready, then why are you hesitating on bringing her whole again." "...memory." Raine was quiet for that loaded word for the both of them, both watching the young boy play at protecting his dragon from unseen dangers, then blinking as Mira stood up and went to add to the play, summoning up little creatures made of flame for him to fight. They never returned to the conversation, the evening was spent centered around Taladren and his birthday. Only when he went to bed did Mira make ready to leave. "It was good to see you again. I have work to do," Mira waved her hand, writing fiery words in the air, "You will see him soon." There was a soft smile at that, "Perhaps. It would be a good thing for Taladren, Mr. Leos was very kind to him." Mira's hand fell, and she turned to Raine, "...he was kind to you as well, be selfish for once. And... come visit once we rebuild, there will always be a room for you and the Young Master." "There's a bright light in the center of the darkness." "...your vision?" "There are two. One where the darkness is terrifying and hungry, another with a different sort of darkness, one comforting and... almost like a mother. There are different Lights as well. The vision for you... it's the comforting darkness, it's protecting the light at the center... a warm one, she will be alright." "...the other vision, who is it for." Raine frowned, "All of us. The terrors are not just the darkness, the lights are too bright to look at." "Was there no comfort at all in it?" "Very little. But enough to fight for." Mira nodded, "Then that will have to do," she pressed the fiery runes, opening a door, "...Take care of yourselves. I will let the General know when I see him that Young Master enjoyed his day of life-gift," she took a deep breath, "Don't get caught in this war Raine." "...if the Light leads me there, then I must heal. You know that."

The blood mage frowned, then stepped through the door and vanished from the clearing.

@generalcero

The herb garden was growing well, and Raine was quietly singing as she harvested her ingredients for salves and poultices while Taladren chased a few butterflies. It was strange. The Light had not led her anywhere since her return with Luna's egg, so for now she was staying at Atlas with Mira. Which was just as well, she liked working in the medical bay, and she was enjoying helping Mira set up the pediatric practice. The little whelplings were adorable, though she hoped that Mira didn't scare them too badly. Perhaps she was needed here. She had helped with the healing of one person already. She made a note to prepare more tea for Lyren, he would be running low soon. Suddenly the skies grew dark and she frowned as the Light whispered victory over Argus. It was only half a second later that she fell to her knees, covering her ears at the screams, vaguely aware of Mira's voice coming over her communicators. "Serene get the blood bank ready." How could she remain so calm? Something horrible was happening, the world... Ladnis, calm. Raine took a breath, straightened herself as she grabbed her basket of herbs, glanced over at Taladren who had fallen down and wide-eyed at the earthquakes and sudden storm that had started, but otherwise unharmed. "Come on, quickly, get inside," she said as she picked him up, "Stay here in Auntie Mira's apartment, I'll shield it and return as quickly as I can." "I have one to prep for medical bay, standby." She blinked as she opened the door and two Serenes were there, "Sweet will stay here and watch Taladren," one of them said, "Come on, it's worse than we think." The other took the boy and laughed as he took her glasses, and Raine nodded as she ran with Serene to the medical bay, getting there just as the next thing came over the communicator. "Internal bleeding, suspected puncture to the lungs based on difficulty breathing." "Who do I need to match?" Serene muttered as she washed her hands and put on gloves before placing her bag on the table next to the operating bench, already acting as if she knew, already opening it and waiting. Raine frowned as she washed her hands and started prepping medicines, not knowing what was happening, but knowing that there would not just be one coming here today. She glanced over as Serene pulled out tubing and syringes, laying them carefully on the table, then the mage paused, tilting her head to listen to the communicator. "She is stable for now, but it is a temporary fix. Serene I need blood to match..." The woman took in a sharp breath, already pulling out a vial as Mira said the next, "Oathblood-C. Rizzy and I are en route now." Raine paused, "That's..." "I knew when the screaming started," Serene said calmly, "Aura can barely move. The ley lines are completely compromised," she started to set up the operating table, "The demonic energies that are with that last attack..." "How are you so calm?!?" Raine couldn't stop Ladnis from asking that. "Simple," Serene looked at her, "I'm not. I've split. Aura calls me Thoughtful. You met Sweet, and the one he calls Lust is with him. Serene is sleeping for now. And as her Strength, it is my duty to remain as calm as possible and solve the problem at hand," she looked to Raine, "Finish preparing the medicine, Leona will not be the only one here tonight. You're a combat medic aren't you? We've just entered a battlefield." Raine quietly nodded, and went back to her work as Thoughtful waited for her Teacher.