the19thduckpotato

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The ancient Bronze dragon shifted his massive bulk with an appreciable groan, sensing the moment had arrived. He knew where he would find the pair and subsequently deliver his news, for better or for worse.

All things must serve to protect the sacred timeline. So says Lord Nozdormu.

And indeed they were beside the smaller waterfall fountain, splashing sun-flecked water and laughing in that carefree way all creatures should be able to.

He waited for them to notice him, not wishing to begin this conversation any sooner than he wanted to. But needed to. Even so, the dragon felt the sands of seconds slipping away ...and was perhaps a bit nettled at not being noticed immediately. Ego aside, he was well aware of his great size.

Finally he just cleared his considerable throat, a sound like rocks crumbling down a deep well. "Magister Mosengaw."

The male elf jumped and leapt to his feet, long maroon locks swaying as he hastily bowed. "Sir!" Behind him, the copper headed female elf peered up at the visitor.

The dragon's snout broke into a craggy smile. "Tellou." Then he burst into rumbles of delighted laughter as the other elf tackled him, her tanned arms pressed against his scaled chest. "Easy there, my little sundrop! You nearly toppled me over."

Tellou returned the smile, glowing eyes crinkling at his beloved Shika as she playfully stuck her tongue out at the ancient. "Anokrosdormu my friend. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Ano took in a deep breath and let his form sift into sand before reforming as a wizened Tauren. He still towered over them but at a more reasonable size. "I bring news of your hometown," he said, resting a gnarled hand on Tellou's shoulder.

Tellou's brows furrowed and Ano could tell memories of the Lich King's attack surged back. The relentless onslaught of the Undead Scourge and the near decimation of both Silvermoon and its people, just to get at the Sunwell. Beside him, Shika gently took her elf's hand and squeezed. She knew Tellou still blamed himself for not saving more people, for surviving the horrors when others did not. That single day had propelled his chronostudies like nothing else ...with the end result of Tellou untethering from Time itself.

Tellou simply squeezed Shika's hand back, mind already working and formulating plans for whatever Ano said next.

"Silvermoon faces a new threat as writ by the timeline. And I would be remiss in my duties as a guardian if I did not inform all her children that she cries out for aid."

Tellou nodded, plans still running through his head. "Thank you, o great guardian. May I ask the nature of the threat?"

Ano half-smirked at the use of the fancy title. He is anxious but his humor still remains intact. Good. He'll need it for what's to come. "Of course, friend. Best not to go unprepared. The Void--"

Tellou inhaled sharply, all his thoughts suddenly scattered. He openly stared at Ano. "The... the Void?"

And despite the half furious, half fearful stare, Ano saw beneath it a flicker of interest.

All things must serve to protect the sacred timeline, Ano reminded himself even as his heart dismayed. He remembered another mage, swept away in an unrelenting thirst for dark knowledge. The same mage responsible for Silvermoon's near destruction, the beloved Sunwell corrupted to raise the mage into undeath as Azeroth's most dangerous archlich.

Kel'thuzad.

Ano did not want to believe Tellou capable of such heinous ambitions. But nor could he deny just how much the mortal had achieved on his own with chronomancy; a feat that should have been near impossible. Not that it hadn't come with consequences. Now Tellou couldn't remain overlong in any one time before being forced to "blip" to another time and place. A condition Shikanodormi was hoping to help contain.

Untethered though Tellou may be, his timethread (like all others) still crossed the sacred timeline at immutable nexus points. Time could not, would not be denied... a fascinating paradox in itself. Or perhaps that was the reworkings of future Bronze Guardians, keeping the sacred timeline intact. All to say that an important nexus point approached and it was not a matter of if, merely when.

"Ano?" Tellou asked carefully.

The ancient shook his head free of his many thoughts and pat the mage's shoulder companionably.

"My apologies, friend. My mind wanders among the threads," Ano replied.

Shika's eyes sparked interest and Tellou raised an eyebrow.

"Anything you can share?"

Ano merely looked at him, betraying nothing that could be mistaken for influence.

"....oh."

"Whatever you choose to do with what I have told you, I will also add that I would like to see you back again. This ancient creature enjoys hearing firsthand accounts of Time's events."

Ano smiled warmly at both of them, trying not to mirror the faint anxiety Shika's gaze now radiated. The tricky aspect of this particular nexus point was that its potential influence wouldn't be obvious right away. Ano could see down the two threads of Time splitting away, the figure waiting at the end of either thread. One crowned with goggles, the other shrouded in nothingness. Both capable of entangling in Ano's other deep concern over his granddaughter's own split thread. He knew which he would prefer to emerge victorious. He also knew Time would move on, regardless of his preferences.

"Now then, journey forth and answer the call, Magister. Know that you travel not as observers but as active participants. Your city needs you and the help you bring." Ano pressed the elves' hands together, then rested his over theirs as if offering protection.

Tellou nodded firmly, thoughts of redemption lighting his face. Shika kissed his cheek, wordlessly promising him her full support.

"Al diel shala (safe travels)," Ano intoned as he now sketched a rune of sand in the air.

"Shorel'aran (farewell)," Tellou replied as a portal swirled open. He paused for only a moment--staring at Ano as if trying to ascertain some unspoken thoughts--before Shika tugged at his wrist. Then, with a "what can you do?" grin, Tellou followed his beloved through the portal to Silvermoon.

Ano remained a moment after the portal closed, watched as the spent sand blew away in the breeze.

May the sacred timeline be preserved.