Sasha spent the entire summer and fall in Darnassus, mostly under the patient tutelage of Dazalar and Keldas. She caught on swiftly, and in a very short space of time, she had been promoted to the advanced beast master courses in which she excelled. Frostfyre was a willing and highly intelligent worker, she understood all her mistress bid her to do. It had been remarked on by her tutors that she had excelled so greatly that she would shortly be approved for graduation, never had a student finished the course this swiftly before. Even her father had taken two years to complete it.
Ayanna Everstride was very curious about her young protegee, she was constantly devising all manner of exercises and tests. On one such occasion, she had taken Sasha out into the forest that surrounded Dolannar to see if she could tame other creatures.
It was most odd as Sasha could not tame, nor see into a single animal’s mind. Her teacher had told her that this was very strange considering the uncanny bond that she shared with her worg already. Sasha felt it was too, however, she remembered Gorthan telling her much of worg and orc lore, and how he had said that the first worg in an orc’s life usually carried with it the deepest bond.
Perhaps that was how it was with her and Frostfyre, and if something happened to her companion quite possibly Sasha would be unable to replicate it again. The thought frightened her she had to admit. However, she would enjoy this time while it lasted. Worgs lived many years after all.
The young woman would forever be weak at melee combat, but that didn’t seem to concern her teachers. They told her that she was so strong at beast mastery and her pet so mighty, that she would easily earn a coveted place in King Wrynn’s forces when she graduated. That estimation of her abilities filled Sasha with pride, she would spend her evenings writing to her family and regaling them with all her tales of her recent experiences.
Kelsey and Sasha had become best friends, they shared a room at the hunter academy. Kelsey also finished at the top of her class in marksmanship, even the best of the instructors could not outshoot her. Never in recorded history had the Rangers admitted a gnome to their ranks. Give Kelsey anything that fired a projectile, and she was dead on target.
Sasha had to admire the spirit of her plucky, pink-haired friend. The two would often sit together after a long day’s training and talk to one another of their lives. Kelsey had survived the horror of Gnomeregan, her entire family had escaped, fortunately, but they were penniless, and the snow-filled landscape of Coldridge Valley was a tough place to begin again. Her father had begged for employment at Steelgrill’s Depot. The Featherwhistles, also gnomes, took pity on the refugee family and he landed a position repairing mechanostriders. A job he became very adept at. Kelsey grew up in the snowy wilds of Kharanos, she had loved to explore and that’s where she learned to shoot so well.
The two of them were always on the outer at the academy, there were no other gnomes, and only one other human, that being Alexi Hanley. Who still seemed to have quite an infatuation for Sasha. He would at every opportunity approach the two girls to talk. He made many overtures that Sasha could have interpreted as an opener to a budding romance, but she was unwilling to be drawn in. Her heart still belonged to her golden-eyed love.
She had told Kelsey all about him of course, just as she had told Erin, the gnome just listened and at times would make a thoughtful sound or nod her head. She was very nonjudgmental.
At night when she was almost asleep Sasha still thought of him and wished they were together. It frightened her sometimes though that her memory of him was slipping from her mind. It had been after all well over a year since they were parted. She wanted him by her side so badly, yet she didn’t know how this dream of hers could even be achieved, there didn’t seem to be any place where orcs and humans could coexist.
*****
Winter arrived, and with it the Feast of Winterveil. The young woman was no longer hesitant to travel alone. With her pass to the portals the journey across the entire world was swift and easy. Any distance she must travel she simply climbed up onto Frostfyre’s strong back and the worg would cover the miles with her easy, economical lope. It was wonderful to finally be reunited with her dear Papa and Thane again.
The city of Stormwind was hung with all manner of bright lights and decorations for the upcoming feast day. Carol singers were out on the streets spreading cheer. A light dusting of snow lay on the ground and the tops of the trees. The city was the vision of the perfect Winterveil postcard, and it made Sasha smile.
She and her father had left their companion animals at home, and ridden double on her father’s horse into the city to Aunt Evelyn’s house. Sasha shivered even beneath her warm coat, she found she was cold here this year, far colder than she remembered ever being growing up. She guessed she had become rapidly used to the more temperate environs of Teldrassil. Cold or not Sasha was excited to finally be able to see Erin again, it had been eighteen months. So much had transpired in that time.
Aunt Evelyn was happy, all her family were finally at home to share the holiday, she was bustling about in the kitchen baking, humming a happy tune to herself when the pair of them entered. Uncle Benjamin was relaxing in his chair by the roaring fire.
“Well look at you two come out of the forest,” he jibed.
“It’s been a while Brother,” the two men bear hugged.
“My look at you young lady! I heard you have been doing remarkably well up there in Darnassus.”
Sasha smiled at her Uncle and hugged him. He smelled of oak, wood smoke, and bourbon. The freshly cut Winterveil tree permeated the room with a fresh scent of spruce.
“I thought I heard a commotion out here, well hello you two!” Aunt Evelyn greeted her brother-in-law and niece, warmly hugging each of them in turn. She pushed Sasha from her arm’s length, both her hands resting on the young woman’s shoulders, looking her up and down. “My girl, you have grown, it seems Kalimidor has been good for you.”
“Yes Aunt, I have been enjoying my studies immensely.”
“Sasha!” Came the enthusiastic cry from the top of the stairs, followed by the thrum of swift feet on the hollow wood, as Erin rapidly ascended the stairway. The two cousins hugged for long moments as the rest of the family watched on.
The girls had much to catch up on as they carried all the brightly wrapped gifts to place beneath the tree. The adults were mostly quiet, just rejoicing in the season, nibbling at the delicious pastries, and sipping on the special jug of Badlands bourbon that Uncle Ben had set aside for the occasion.
Sasha and Erin had much to catch up on, and they spoke animatedly without cessation. Though there were many other subjects that they wished to speak of later, that was not for parent’s ears.
Dinner was a fine affair, Devin had supplied a young, fat pig from Elwynn forest he had shot on one of his recent hunting expeditions. There was corn casserole topped with melted Dalaran sharp. Baked vegetables, her Aunt’s gingerbread cookies, and the pièce de résistance the Delicious Chocolate Cake. It was a challenging recipe to make, but her Aunt had spared no expense for this family homecoming.
The festive day was very pleasant, after dinner gifts were exchanged. The small family sat about the warmth of the fire as yet another dusting of new snowfall descended on the city.
“This one is for you,” Sasha’s Aunt Evelyn handed her a gift wrapped in bright blue paper. She tore the wrapping from the item, the object felt thin and hard beneath the bright paper. It was a hair comb, the top encased in a silver floral design, and the body and teeth of the comb were expertly carved of fine cream bone.
“Well thank you Auntie that’s lovely.”
“I figured you could use a new one, my Dear. The one you were using was old and shabby.” Evelyn smiled. “I don’t even know where you got that one.”
Sasha inwardly winced, her Aunt was referring to an object so dear to her it could never be replaced. Of course, her dear Aunt didn’t understand, she had not made the gesture to be unkind Sasha reminded herself. Offering her Aunt further thanks and a happy smile.
After the gift giving the two girls took their eggnog and went upstairs to speak in private. They closed the door and sat down on the bed.
“So tell me all about him?” Sasha prompted her cousin excitedly.
“Well his name is Kali’vas Sunblade, he's twenty-five, well he’s actually sixty…”
Sasha looked at her cousin quizzically but didn’t interrupt.
“...but you have to allow for the fact that blood elves mature slower than we do, so sixty is our twenty-five. You see.” Erin added hastily.
Sasha nodded, but she was already trying to work out how a relationship would work over time between two beings that aged at vastly different rates. No small wonder that Aunt Evelyn was struggling with this news.
“He’s in some of my classes, he’s a Silver Covenant mage. He’s very adept at the arcane school of magic, something I am terrible at. I almost failed that class last semester.”
“So how far have you two gone?” Sasha nudged her cousin and they both giggled.
“Well, he’s a great kisser and he’s very romantic. I always feel so special when we are together, but to be perfectly honest we haven't done much more than that. I mean... I want to, but…”
“If he’s the right one you will,” Sasha interjected, sensing her cousin’s awkwardness with the subject. She could remember a time when she would have felt the same.
The two girls spoke long into the night and when they grew tired they shared the small bed, just as they had when they were children.
*****
After the winter holiday break, it was time for the family to return to their lives. Erin returned to her studies in Dalaran, and Sasha to far away Darnassus. She graduated a few weeks later, and when asked what she intended to do now her schooling was complete, she decided that she would take a short time off before accepting any offers of employment.
With good intentions Ayanna Everstride had tried to push her young charge to accept a more immediate deployment in Ashenvale, however, Sasha had alternate plans and refused to be persuaded. She had decided that she would go and stay with Erin in Dalaran for a time. She dearly wanted to meet her cousin’s beau, and of course, see that mystical floating city for herself.
She stood in the violet gate awaiting Erin’s company. She had at first been very nervous to travel to this city with her rather unconventional choice of canine companion. However as she gazed about the busy terminal full of travelers at this hour, she realized that those fears were entirely unfounded. Dalaran appeared to be a very cosmopolitan city, as she looked out of the tall archway she noticed an immense Horde shaman run by, shifting swiftly into his ghost wolf form. Sasha wondered what it might feel like to have that ability.
“There you guys are,” Erin’s cheery voice came to her above the sounds of the bustling city. The two hugged, and Erin wasted no time escorting her cousin to where she had her rooms, located in the lofty spires of the Violet Citadel. An immense building that completely dominated the Dalaran skyline.
“This place is amazing,” Sasha said almost breathless. “I can see why you love it here.”
“Yes, it’s pretty remarkable.” Erin agreed.
They climbed the spiral stairs for what seemed like an eternity, Sasha was already dreading having to take her companion for a bathroom break.
They stopped before a solid wood arched door bearing the slotted in name of Wrynn, and Erin let her cousin inside. The high-ceilinged room was most lovely, it had decorative arched stained glass windows, and finely patterned thick carpets in the trademark purples and pinks of the locale. It was furnished with taste to not be cluttered. Yet there was everything one needed here to be comfortable.
“Tomorrow we can all go and look at the city. Kali’vas has the day off, so I thought we would make it a threesome.”
“Sounds wonderful ‘Sis.’”
“I have made up a bed, and one for Frostfyre too.” Erin indicated the cot over near the balcony, and the folded quilt beside it that Frostfyre might use to lay on.
They spent the late afternoon and evening hours catching up on all the latest gossip over a dinner of mead-basted caribou brought up from the Ledgedemaine Lounge, and chased it down with cupfuls of honeymint tea. All from the balcony which afforded the most glorious view of the city below and the sunset.
When the hour grew late it was time for sleep. Sasha slept remarkably well, happy she had made the journey.
*****
The next day Sasha woke as the sun cascaded into the high arched windows, the sky was clear and the wind was light. It promised to be a glorious day. Frostfyre was whining and pressing her cold nose repeatedly into Sasha’s hand. Unfortunately, Sasha had to make the long trip down the vast flights of stairs to give poor Frostfyre relief first thing in the morning. The responsibilities of a hunter could never be conveniently laid aside. She let her run in the park for a time before returning to Erin’s room.
“I’m sorry there is no place here for her to pee up here.” Erin apologized.
It’s all right, so what are the plans for today?” Sasha asked eagerly.
“Well we are going to meet Kali’vas in the Ledgerdemaine Lounge for breakfast, and we will go from there.”
Erin led her guest through the city, it was only a short walk to their destination. Past a few stores that lined the busy roadway, their destination on the corner. Sasha hoped that Frostfyre would be okay alone in Erin’s apartment. She didn’t wish to return to a disgrace.
They entered the lounge and Kali’vas noticed them immediately, rising from the table he’d reserved for their party. There were many patrons at this hour with the very same agenda, an easy morning breakfast with friends.
Kali’vas was handsome, he had fine unblemished skin, a clean-shaven, strong jawline, and beautiful light blond hair tied in a loose ponytail that hung over his left shoulder. Sasha just about swooned when she gazed at his gold eyes. Eyes that reminded her of another.
He took Erin’s hand in his own and kissed it, as he smiled at Sasha. “Good morning ladies.”
His voice was both eloquent and buttery smooth, as were his mannerisms. It was plain he treated Erin like a Queen. Sasha could see why her cousin was so smitten.
He pulled out chairs for each of them and only sat once they were seated. Sasha even with the most cursory of glances could see his dress sense was impeccable. His pants were made of the darkest fine velvet, cinched about his trim waist with a black leather belt that sported an elaborate silver buckle, featuring the engraved emblem of the Silver Covenant. His shirt was a deep purple hue with silver buttons and full bishop sleeves.
A waitress came over to their table as they were getting settled. Service in this place seemed to be very prompt.
“Hello everyone. I am Sandra and I will be taking care of you all today. Is there anything you would like to start with, and what are we all drinking?”
“Ladies first,” Kali’vas invited.
Sasha looked over the menu and the drinks list, dark eyes scanning the options. She rarely came to a place like this it was kind of overwhelming.
“Well, I guess I will have the sweetened goat’s milk. It would not do to have our tale censored for drinking under age.”
Erin laughed and ordered the same thing as her cousin.
“I will take the Carraway Burnwine please, and let us start with some briny hard cheese, and does dinner come with that delicious sweet potato bread?” Kali’vas inquired.
“Yes it does,” the waitress said cheerfully, at once leaving the trio to decide on their entrees.
They sat and spoke over the food, it was to Sasha very good. She was used to far simpler fare or the unusual foods made by the night elves.
Kali’vas took a deep drink of his wine, he seemed to Sasha’s mind somewhat of a wine and fine dining connoisseur. He was very cultured.
“Have you ladies heard of the latest news?” He said raising one of his very long eyebrows.
“What news?” Erin’s hand tenderly sought Kali’vas’ bejeweled one as it rested on the table.
He affectionately squeezed Erin’s proffered hand and continued. “The soldiers say that there is scourge activity in Icecrown.”
“Really, surely it’s just a rumor?” Erin interjected.
“Well I don’t know, I personally have been hearing these disturbing rumors off and on now for months. I really think there’s some truth in it. Many in Dalaran are beginning to openly speak about it.”
“Oh, I hope that isn’t true Kal.” Erin’s voice quavered.
“Me too, my Dear. It would be a catastrophe.”
The trio spoke on many topics, Sasha had decided she really liked Kali’vas. He seemed considerate, courteous, and kind. He was very different from the haughty night elves that she had spent the past few months with. Her teachers had been kind and inclusive, but the other students not so much. If it was not for the presence of Kelsey, her stay in Darnassus would have been quite difficult. She reminded herself that she must write soon to her gnome friend.
Somehow the passage of their conversations drifted to Sasha’s experience at the hands of the Blackrock orcs, and the fate of the one she loved. Sasha didn’t wish to bring all of this to light in front of Kali’vas, he was still very much of a stranger to her, and she didn’t know what he might think of her liaison with an orc of all things. Not that she was ashamed of her actions, but she didn’t wish to make things difficult for Erin.
Kali’vas listened to the tale mostly narrated by Erin intently, his golden eyes narrowed. She told of Sasha’s lost troll friends and of her love sent away in chains to who knows where. Sasha felt heat rise in her cheeks on the telling of it in some parts. The handsome blood elf seemed interested and concerned. His smooth brow furrowed with a frown.
‘There must be a way to find him,” Kali’vas said at the end of the telling.
“Imprisoned in the Stockades over a year ago you say?”
Sasha nodded in affirmation.
“The others at the lock-up in Redridge?”
“Yes,” Sasha said quietly as the waitress gathered up the empty plates and glasses.
“We could easily teleport close to those places,” Erin interjected.
“With the right spells and potions, we could perhaps get the information you seek?” Kali’vas added.
Sasha took the last sip of her milk, she could hardly believe what she was hearing. Her companions were steadfastly in her court.
“My Grandmother is a very skilled alchemist, give me a couple of days, and let’s see what I can come up with.” Kali’vas offered.
They spent the rest of the day sightseeing in the city and the Crystal Forest. Sasha had never seen anything so wondrous in all her lifetime. As the sun set, Kali’vas said his goodbyes and promised he would have news for Sasha soon. The two girls returned to their apartment and Frostfye’s behavior had been exemplary.
It had really been a very charming and unexpected day.
*****
It had been a couple of days before Kali’vas had returned with his findings. Today they sat in the Hero’s Welcome, it was not nearly as busy as the Legerdemain Lounge often was. His choice was deliberate as it would not do to be overheard.
As they sat beneath the dim blue lighting in the establishment there were very few patrons about. He took from a fine black satchel a selection of vials, placing them on the tabletop, they were all identical. They were pinkish in color, all tightly stoppered.
“Invisibility pots,” he said quietly allowing the girls to take a close look. “Distilled from the almost impossible-to-find ghost mushroom, and the more commonly found sungrass. One sip and you can move undetected for eighteen seconds. Now that doesn't sound very long but it’s surprisingly useful. The downside is you can’t take it again for another ten minutes. Grandmother was very insistent about this.”
Sasha and Erin took up the tiny glass pots in their hands. He appeared to have a good supply of them.
“Then there is this, I don’t know if this will be helpful or not but...” He pulled from the same satchel an old, brown, leather-covered book. It was dogeared and the pages were yellowed with age. “Savory Deviate Delight, if we can procure the ingredients this meal changes your appearance for an hour into a man of shall we say lesser morals.”
“Oh,” Erin stated incredulously. Making a face.
“Meaning that we could more easily infiltrate the prison system to gather information!” Sasha added excitedly. She could see exactly where this was going.