#tempestkeep

The purple, spinning gateway stood ominously before her. Her stomach ached with anxiety at the thought of outcomes and possibilities within. But first there was the rabble by the front door to take care of. Kael'thas' other servants were not nearly as powerful as the great bird, but they were a nuisance. Although, she mused, it was rather comical that she now looked eerily similar to them. Perhaps that would work in her favor. 

The idea piqued her curiosity. Rather than blasting her way in, perhaps a more subtle approached could be utilized, putting A'lar in a friendlier frame of mind. Rain took a breath, pulled her shoulders back, and turned her nose up to give her best Sin'dorei impression. Here goes nothing.

The architecture reminded her of the Draenei style, smooth and flowing with colorful accent colors lighting the way. Groups of Sin'dorei roamed around exuding grace and snobbery. All green eyes shot to her, as she stepped further inside. "Halt!" several of them lunged forwards with weapons drawn. "State your business."

Now came the time to see if her performance could stand the test. Rain quirked her brow and sneered at their weapons held towards her. "Really?" she scoffed. "I don't think that's how you should greet your new mistress."

The guards shot each other confused glances and squirmed. One of them spoke up. "We..um..I wasn't informed of any newcomers arriving today. Much less a...."

"Mistress?" she purred. "Pity. I'm quite sure your superior would be disappointed in your turning away someone with my," her eyes glimmered, "specialties." It was working. She could see deep down in his eyes, past the front door guardsman badge, he was incredibly curious now. 

"And what specialties are those, exactly?" 

Her gaze continued on him, watching his every feature, analyzing and correcting her body language to further draw him in. "The kind that leaves enemies as a pile of ash on the floor. And leaves lovers....well," she teased, "that's a story best left to private conversation." 

The guard flushed red and smirked. 

Gotcha.

"Well Mistress, you seem like the sort that would be welcomed here by the Master. But I would ask that you speak with his generals first."

She bowed her head auspiciously. "Of course."

"In the meantime, if you would follow me, I will escort you to the Phoenix Hall." She sauntered behind him in utter shock. Did that really work? Or is this guy just an idiot? It didn't matter now. She was headed exactly where she wanted to be, the Phoenix Hall. 

As they entered the grand room, Rain had to resist the urge to let her mouth gape open. It was far more beautiful than she'd remembered. Overhead, A'lar circled, blazing a beautiful, fiery trail around the room. He was magnificent. "I will speak with him," she said pointing up.

"The phoenix?"

"Is that what it is? Fascinating." She hoped feigning ignorance would be successful at reducing suspicions. "I will speak with him." 

The guard shuffled around and squirmed before nodding and setting off to call the bird's attention. After several gestures and posturing and great phoenix flew downwards and landed just a few strides away from Rainbrooke. Her heart pounded and her insides jittered around like young fireflies. Never had she so ached to burst into a dead run. But nothing would stop her now, not even her own fears. 

"Mistress, I present A'lar, the great phoenix of Kael'thas."

She strode towards them in a gracefully smooth float. "Well, well. Aren't you the prettiest bird I've ever seen?"

A'lar appeared to gaze through her, and for a moment time seemed to stop. The two locked eyes, one phoenix to another.

He knows.....

She was completely unsure of what was going to happen. Would he alert the guards? Or try to attack her? The brief seconds ticking by were tortuous. Everything was weighing on this interaction. 

"I will leave you to get acquainted," the guard blurted out. "I will go and fetch one of the higher ranked officers to get you settled in Mistress."

Rain nodded without even taking her eyes off of A'lar. She'd be damned before she was the first to look away!

A voice crept through to her, subtle and curious. "No I believe you are the prettiest bird ever seen."

His words were surprising. She had not expected that kind of response. "I'm not sure why I ever doubted your ability to see past this form."

He chuckled. "Yes, I can only assume you took it to remain hidden amongst the mortals for a time."

"Something like that." Dear gods it would be difficult to even try and explain everything, so she didn't bother with the details. "You must be wondering why I'm here."

A'lar tilted his fiery head to the side, eyeing her closer. "That question had crossed my mind. Amongst others."

"I've travelled all this way to...to...seek your guidance. To ask you several important questions and then leave as calmly and peacefully as I came." Rain twitched and rolled her fingers behind her back, desperately hoping he wouldn't see how fearful she really was.

"We shall see. Ask your questions," he answered sharply.

"The tales say that you were created by Kael'thas. Were you a mortal before? Or..." "Me? A mortal?" he laughed. "No my master's power set into motion my creation." She frowned worriedly. "I see. Yes, of course. And what of your abilities?"

The fire radiating off of him shifted to an angrier shade of orange as he spoke, "My abilities, you say?"

She had to fix this quickly. "Forgive me, poor word choice. Are you limited to the fire magics granted by your master or have you learned other magics?"

His color returned to normal. "We are creatures of pure magic. But to combine too many facets together would be disastrous. One vessel can only contain so many before it...overflows."

Is that what's happening to me? 

"And what would happen if the vessel overflowed?" she pressed.

"Devastation."

Just like in the dreams. Everything he'd told her thus far made sense. "Is there anyway to stop it without triggering the....devastation?"

A'lar remained silent and motionless.

"Please!" she pleaded.

"Return to your master," he answered.

Rainbrooke reacted to his words as if she'd been struck. News had recently reached her that Smolderon was missing. Her master was gone. "I have none. He has left me."

"Then it is only a matter of time."

"But what of the rebirth? I could simply go somewhere remote to....devastate and then...." ideas spun through her. "But I would come back in this body and have the same problem all over again." Tears swayed heavy in the rims of her golden eyes.

"A phoenix is created by a master...and if that master is lost....another must be found." "A master? But who could I trust? Who would understand everything I've been through?" her voice cracked.

His voice hummed low. "I envy you, my dear. So powerful. So beautiful. Unbridled. Tis a dangerous and glorious thing."

Rainbrooke managed a faint smile. It was a compliment coming from him. "Thank you, for everything."

"My master will not take kindly to my allowing such a wonderous creature slip through my fingers.....but you and I both know what his fate will be, so it matters very little."

She raised her brow inquisitively and surprised. "I don't know why I ever doubted you."

"Because you're wise. Now begone. Find your new master."

Without hesitation she swiveled her wrists and spoke a small incantation, teleporting herself back the safe harborage of Shattrath. She pulled her hood back over her red tendrils and set out for the inn. She could barely walk, much less fly anywhere else for the time. The inn would have to do for tonight. 

As she lay her head down on the pillow, utterly exhausted and overwhelmed, her final thought echoed....

Her breath hitched as she set eyes on the little face before her. Two beautiful blue eyes stared, and soft pink flesh grasped. Alysa was everything a baby should be, warm and loved, so much love. Rain’s hands folded around her gently, like cradling an egg, and brushed the soft dark hairs along her head. She was so entranced, she'd hardly even noticed the calls of the child’s mother, Livian.

"Rain! Stop!...." She glanced up and around. The noises were fuzzy and so were the https://www.pinterest.surroundings. It looked as though the entire area around them was covered in a thick, soupy haze. "Rain! Please!....." Livian cried. What could Livi possibly be concerned about? It's not like she would ever do anything to harm Alysa. Rain's eyes trailed back to the infant in her grasp, but Alysa wasn't there. Only a smoldering heap of ashes clung in her shaking palms. She couldn't breathe.... I...I couldn't....I.... Tears and sobs escaped her as she cradled the ashes to her chest. I'm so sorry....

"Would you like a refill on your tea Miss?" the waiter inquired. Rain's attention snapped back to the cup betwixt her fingers, now just barely containing any of the warm contents. "Miss?" he pressed. "Yes, yes." She held her cup out and tried to smile. There was a small bit of comfort watching the amber colored liquid pour from the spout and splashing into the dainty cup. She wished desperately that the herb infused water could wash away these disturbing visions. But in the end she knew that was just a wish, not a reality. 

After cleaning up a few of the spilled droplets, the waiter bowed his head and dismissed himself to attend to other customers waiting. She watched him for a few moments before refocusing on her cup. It was rather ironic that she found herself reflected in a teacup. Warmth swirling and churning in a certain amount of chaos, all contained in a dainty, porcelain container so easy to break. "Bah," she muttered.

The haunting reality was Rain had no idea what she was doing anymore; no clue who she was or even what she really wanted. She was a hot, swirling, churning mess and quite possibly dangerous. Everything that had happened in the past few months had left her in a place she was not familiar with. Before, she'd lived 100 lifetimes of men and knew precisely who and what she was. Now, it was a different story. Was she a phoenix? A golem? A Kal'dorei? A Quel'dorei? 

What bothered her even more, there was no one to guide her. Her friends had helped her through these processes. Livian had created this unique golem for her and had been continually maintaining a close eye on her developments, but even Livian didn't know exactly what would happen. When Rain had felt like sharing any new progress or changes the poor dragoness would be thrown for a loop and drown herself with guilt and worry. 

Rain was not a child to be coddled or caged, even for her own safety. The only thing Rain was completely sure of was that she needed training. The fire magic was a minor concern in comparison to the other abilities popping up. And these visions....hallucinations.....whatever they were....were becoming a real problem. She needed someone to trust. Someone to guide her and teach her how to control all of this. The mere mention of training had sent Livian into a tantrum, but Rainbrooke knew there was more at risk than just the wrath of the Magus Senate. Livian was right, however. Those pompous politicians, powerful though they are, are not to be trusted. But who?

She drummed her fingers across her lips anxiously, wondering if she would spy the stubborn drake coming to drag her back to the mortuary. Livian would be furious when she received Rain's letter explaining her choice to seek training. In her heart, though, Rain knew it was the only option, especially after what she had seen. 

There was only one other phoenix she was aware of, perhaps he would be able to shed some light on the situation. That is, if she could get him to talk to her. He served the great Prince of Silvermoon, Kael'thas Sunstrider. But he was a phoenix nonetheless. 

She tossed a few coins on the table, making sure to leave a generous tip for the waiter, and made her way to the portals. Shattrath would be the closest to she could get to Tempest Keep without alerting anyone. Several timelords had created a magical field upon the entrance to that place, transporting those back in time to when the occupants were still alive. It served as a testament of the plunders of devotion to the Fel. Kael'thas and his minions had done terrible things with magic and it proved to be their downfall. Now it seemed that period of time might hold some of the most important answers for Rainbrooke.

She stepped through the portal and arrived instantaneously in the City of Light. Refugees pattered back and forth through the corridors, buying and selling goods. She did her best to blend into the crowds, pulling her hood over the red tendrils of hair and trying to cover her face.

She hurried quickly in buying her gryphon ride and setting out. The sooner she was away from crowds the less chance she had of being discovered, or of causing a scene. She used to love crowds and parties, dancing all night. Now, the thought almost made her vomit.