The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream - Finding Myself

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from a Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 1

''Awakening''
Oh, how long have I been out of it? Where am I? I sit up with a wince, and survey my surroundings. I look up, and I see that I'm sitting under a large tree, with branches lush with foliage. I look around, and notice a nook in the nearby tree, and reach in it. Oh well, at least I still have my journal. I've had this journal forever. It used to be my mother's before she passed from this world. I might as well write down my thoughts, maybe it will help me clear my mind. Who am I? What am I? By Elune, what in the world in Azeroth, is with this monstrous headache? I don't remember where I am. Or who I am. Or what I'm doing here. I have to find out, who I am, and why I'm here. I have to... If I don't then I won't ever know my true purpose in life. I look to a nearby pile of brush. Laying in it is a leather satchel. I place the journal in it, before getting to my feet and taking off, into the distance.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 2

''Starting the Journey''
I continued to sprint farther and farther away, from the place where I had first awoke. I have to find out, what I am, and what happened to the rest of my kind. I know what I am now, I'm a Kaldorei, however what path I walk, I do not know, yet. I forced myself to pick up my pace. Nothing is going to stop me, from completing my goal. I jumped over fallen logs and trees. As I continued to sprint, I felt my energy begin to leave my body. I continued to run, until my legs gave out one me, and I fell to the ground. I will rest here for the night. At first light, I will continue my search, to find out why I'm here, and who I am.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 3

"Aches and Pains"
I stopped briefly, and glanced up at the setting sun. My whole body ached, like it had never ached before, and every single bit of my energy was drained from my body. Still I must write in my journal. Oh my, that was one heck of a day. I don't know if it was me, or this place that I'm in, but I feel that something is not right. The question is what... Azeroth is out of balance, and if the balance is not restored, I fear for what may happen. I cannot rest tonight. I must travel until the sun sets the next day. If I don't then I risk not being able to stop, whatever is about to happen. And that I cannot risk. There is no way, that I can stand by and let the balance of the world be as the way it is now. I just can't... I'm a Druid, and it is my job to protect the balance of this world. It's been my job from the first day I was brought on to this planet, and it will be my job, until my dying breath.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 4

''Exhaustion''
*The handwriting in this entry is shaky, as if the writer is exhausted.* How long have I been traveling for? I only meant to travel until the setting of the next sun, but I must have traveled much longer than that. Or it feels like I have. I can't seem to make sense of anything. But no matter what my physical or mental condition may be, I can't stop now. I have to find out why the balance of this place, has shifted. If the balance of this world is not maintained... Just then a felt a shiver ride down my spine. Well I would rather not think about it.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 5

''Caged''
I awoke this morning, to find myself surrounded by a group of beings that I had never encountered before. I guess that I must have passed out from physical exhaustion. Terrified and unsure of what else to do, I got to my feet, and tried to run. Sadly, I wasn't quick enough. Before I could escape their grasp, I found a loop of thick coarse rope around my neck, keeping me from running any farther. I tried to break free, but before I could make another move, I found that I had loops of ropes around my wrists. I struggled furiously against my captors, but it wasn't of any use. I was theirs now. Who they are and what they want with me, I do not know. They led me away to a nearby camp, where I was shoved into a large cage, and watched the door being locked. My captors took one final look at me, and then walked away, leaving me to spend the night alone, in my prison. Now here I am locked in a cage, unsure of my fate.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 6

''A New Language''
I awoke this morning, only to realize that I was still caged, like a wild animal. By Elune, what do these beings want with me? I glanced over at a small group of them, by a nearby fire. They sure didn't look like anyone or anything that I had ever seen before. I tilted my head to one side and the other, trying to make sense of my situation. After a few moments, one of the beings slowly got up from the fire site, and walked over to me. He muttered something in demonic. What does that mean I wondered? I mean, I can't understand what he's saying. I still don't know they captured me, and threw me in this cage, in the first place. I wish I knew. At least then, I may be able to reason with them. But the fact remained that I didn't know who they were, or what they wanted with me. Little did I know, that I would learn that, sooner then I was expecting. The being muttered something else in demonic and then walk away, shaking his head, gently.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 7

''Wondering''
The sun is beginning to set, and I still don't know what these beings want with me. I've had a few of them get up, and walk over to me. Stare at me for a few minutes at a time, if their studying me. Who are these beings, and what do they want with me? I have to find out. I have a sneaking suspicion that they just didn't capture and bring me here, to keep me in cage, and gawk at me all day, day in and day out. No... There must be a reason why their keeping me here. And I must find out why. As I jot down these thoughts I wonder what will become of me, and if I ever will sleep under the open night sky again.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 8

''Tears''

*Tears dot the page, signifying that the author, was quite upset when this page was written.* I'm sitting here, watching the sun set, behind the bars of my prison, wondering what will become of me, and what the next sunrise will bring with it. There is something not right here. These beings haven't touched me, since they threw me in here. This makes no sense to me. Why did they capture me, and just stick me in here? I mean, there must be a reason, why their keeping me hostage. I think at least... Being captive will wear down one's mind. It doesn't matter how strong a beings mindset may be, after a while captivity will wear their mind down. My body aches from sitting and lying on the steel floor of this cage day in and day out. I long to feel the prickly touch of lush grass under my feet once again, I long to be free, and to be able to run until I fall to the ground from absolute physical exhaustion, but I doubt that I will ever be able to do that again, considering that I'm a captive now, and I have no longer have any freedom.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 9

''A Strange Feeling''
I sit here looking at the sunrise, clutching my journal tightly. It's my fourth day in captivity and I still don't know what these beings want with me, or why they brought me here. I can sense something is different. My captors seem to be paying closer attention to me. Every hour without fail, one has gotten up and walked over to me. Stared at me for a few minutes or so, and then walked away. I have a ominous feeling that I'm about to find out, why they captured and brought me here. As I sit here, and watch the day pass, I wonder what will happen to me later.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 10

''Being Marked''
The sun is beginning to set. I still haven't figured out why my captors brought me here, or what they want with me. I'm scared. Something is going to happen, and it's not going to be a good event mind you. I can sense it. I look up and see a small group of them approaching. I must not let them find this journal. It's the only thing I have left to remind myself of who and what I am. If they take this from me, then I fear that I may lose track of myself. I quickly hide my journal before they notice it. One of them points to me, and turns his head to look at a group of his kind, who are gathering in the middle of the camp. He gestured towards another of his kind, who was standing next to him. That one unlocked my cage door, and placed a loop of thick coarse rope around my neck, and pulled me out my cage. Two others then grabbed hold of my wrists and they led me over to the middle of the camp, where the rest of their kind were. Much to my surprise one of them, who resembled a Night Elf came over and yanked my head up by the roots of my hair. She held my head there, just looking at me. After a few moments of this, she withdrew her dagger and forced me to show my right hand, so that my palm was facing upwards.

"You'll do nicely for tracking the demons for us. Once we mark you that is."

I blinked briefly. "Hold on?! What?! I could understand her?! I mean she looked like one of my kind yet, she wasn't clearly one of them. What in the Fel?! I can't make sense of this."

She grinned slightly, as she noticed this. "You have much going through your mind, don't you young one?"

"Young one, what in the Fel?! She spoke like one of my kind, yet she wasn't one of them and I knew that full well. You could say that, I replied calmly. What do you want with me?"

"You're going to help us hunt down demons, young one."

"I refuse! I won't help you do anything!"

"Oh? You really don't have a choice in the matter, Kaldorei." She grinned wickedly.

"Damn you!!! Let me go!!!"

"I'm sorry, but I just can't do that. You're too valuable to us."

"I'm not of any use to you! Now let me go!!!"

"Shut it, Kaldorei. I grow tired of your pointless words. You're ours now, and you will continue being ours until the day you die. Now it's time to mark you. You will become one of us."

She tightened her grasp on my right right wrist, and positioned her dagger at the right top point of my palm, and dug her dagger into the flash of my palm. I winced in pain. She grinned wickedly, as she continued to carve a unknown shape into my palm. After a few moments she withdrew her dagger from my palm, and muttered a few words. I looked down at my palm, to see that the shape of a star had been carved into it. Suddenly I screamed out in pain. I looked down, and saw that the outline of the freshly carved scar was glowing a shimmering sliver color. She let go of my hand, grinning wickedly. I pulled my hand to my chest, screaming in pain.

"There now you're one of us. Throw her back in her cage, and let her recover. At first light, we'll see what she can do."

One of them grabbed my right wrist, and they began forcing me to walk back towards my cage. Before I had a chance to react, they shoved me forward. I lost my balance, and fell into my cage. I heard a clicking sound as my door was locked.

The one who had marked me, walked over to my cage a few minutes later, as the sun was just about to finish setting.

"See, that wasn't so bad now, was it?"

"Damn you!!! What in the Fel?! What did you do to me?!"

"I marked you. You're one of us now. At first light, we will see exactly what you're capable of. Until then Kaldorei..."

She let out an evil sounding demonic laugh and spun on heel, and walked away, leaving me all alone.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 11

''Sensing Change''
I sit here, watching the moon rise higher and higher in the night sky. My right hand is killing me. Now, keep in mind that I'm no stranger to pain, but still... This hurt more than anything that I had ever felt before. I don't understand why my hand hurts so much. At any rate, I have to escape from my captors. All I know is that they want me to help them hunt down demons. I have to escape, if I don't, then I don't dare think of what might happen. Over the time period since I became captive I've sensed changes in the world of Azeroth. Azeroth is changing. This world is dying. I must find out why. If I don't then I fear what may happen, if things continue on their current path.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 12

''Tracking''
I sit here, watching the sunrise. I'm still captive. I still don't fully understand, what use they think that I will be to them. I want to be free. I must escape. I must...

"Well, well good morning, Kaldorei."

I growled slightly. I recognize that voice. It's the voice of the being who carved the scar into my hand.

"What do you want with me?" I growled.

"Now, now Kaldorei, you really should mind your temper. After all, as long as you behave and do what we say, we'll treat you well enough."

"Treat me?! You think that I'm your pet?! You think that I'm just going to give in, and let you use me, like I'm some sort of tool?! Is that what you think?!"

"Yes Kaldorei, that's exactly what I think. Now come on. It's time to see what you can do."

Before I can react I'm dragged out of the cage, and cast iron collar with a length of chain attached to it, is placed around my neck and snapped shut, with a click.

"Now let’s see what you can do." She grinned wickedly at me. "Release the demons."

One of her kind opens a small cage that he's sitting nearby, and opens it, freeing several Imps.

"I told you, I'm not going to help you, do anything!"

"Yes, yes... That's what they all say, when we first start training them. You're attitude will change. Just give it time, Kaldorei."

Suddenly I hear a strange sound, and I look to my feet, where I see a small Imp.

"Get, you piece of crap." She growls at it. The Imp quickly scurries off. "Now we'll start you out with something small. Go find the Imps we've set free."

"No! I refuse to help you!"

"You really don't have a choice in the matter, Kaldorei. Now be a good little Kaldorei, and do what you're told." She withdraws her dagger, and pokes in my back with it. "Come on. You have a job to do."

I refuse to move, despite the dagger poking me in my back. "I told you, I'm not helping you do anything!"
"Come on now, behave yourself. I really would rather not use force to get you to listen to us." A wicked sneer slowly spread across her face.

"I said no. I won't help you. Now let me go!"

"Well I hate doing this to you, but it seems that I don't have a choice."

I eyed her warily, as she reaches into one of her pockets and withdraws a device that I didn't recognize. She raises this device to part of my neck that is not obscured by the collar that she has around me. She places it on my neck, one of her fingers on a button on the device.

"Now I'll give you one more chance to be a good little Kaldorei, and listen to what you're told to do. I suggest you take it, if you know what's good for you, that is."

"I won't help you! I refuse to help you! Now let me go!!!"

"Well then, I guess you leave me no choice in the matter."

She presses the button down with one of her fingers. Suddenly I'm overcome by pain. It's as if ever fiber in my being was on fire, all at the same time. I fall to to my knees. After a few seconds of this, she takes her finger off the button and removes the device from my neck. She then puts the device back into the pocket that she took it out of.

"Now, be a good little Kaldorei, and do what you're told. That is unless you want to experience, what you just went through."

My breathing is labored. "What in the Fel, did you do to me?!" I growled.

"I told you that if you didn't listen to me, that I would force you to. That's my way of doing so."

"Damn you!!!"

"Now let’s go. You have some tracking to do."

She grabs me by the roots of my hair, and yanks me to my feet. She motions to another of her kind, who grabs a small cage, and walks over to us. I try to struggle against her, but I'm still in too much pain, to put much of a fight. She jabs me in my back with her dagger, and forces me to walk out of the camp. We traveled for several hours. Mind you, I can't say the exact amount of time that we traveled for, because I was still recovering from her earlier attack. Eventually we reached an area that resembled a prairie.

"Here we are. Now your job is to go find at least one of those Imps that I set free. Now get to it!"

"No! I refuse to help you!!!"

"Oh, you sure about that? Come now, I know that you're kind doesn't like to see anything die."

"I don't care about demons and the like. Kill it if you like. That would be kinder to it, then keeping it in a cage all day."

"If you say so."

She glances over at the other of her kind, who had traveled with us. "Go find one of the Imps, and bring it to me. Let’s see just how strong this Kaldorei's will truly is."

He nods his head, and then takes off at a brisk jog, to hunt down one of them.

"Now as for you... You're going to wait here with me. I want to see just what you're capable of."

I let out a deep primal sounding growl, from somewhere deep within my throat.

"Now I know what you really are. I know what abilities you have. Now be a good little Kaldorei, and show them to me."

"No! I refuse to!"

"Well then, you leave me no choice."

I eyed her warily, as she reaches into the same pocket, where she kept the device that she had attacked me with earlier. She takes it out, and places one of her fingers on the button on it. I know what is coming, but I will not be broken by her. I am strong! She will not break me!

She places the device on the same part of my neck that she had before, and pushes the button down.

I open my mouth to say something, but before I can do so, my legs give out on me, and I fall to my knees. I let out a beastly sounding scream. The pain is even more intense this time around. She continues to hold the device to my neck, until the pain is so intense that I fall to the ground. After a few minutes of this, she releases the button, and withdraws the device from my neck.

"Now be a good little Kaldorei, and listen to me. When my assistant comes back with a Imp, you are to dispatch it. If you do as I say, then things will get better for you. If you do not do as I say..... Well then let’s just say, that you will highly regret it."

I growled slightly, as I lay on the ground.

A few minutes later, her assistant returns, holding a Imp, by one of its horns. He bows down before her.

She looks up at him. "Good, good. You caught one."

"Yes m'lady."

"Okay Kaldorei, you know what to do. Dispatch it."

I slowly force myself to my feet. I look the Imp directly in its eyes. I can sense that it's terrified.

"What's taking so long, Kaldorei?"

I turn to face my captor. "I told you, I'm not going to kill it. I refuse to!"

"I see. Well there is no way that you're going to be broken all the way today, which doesn't surprise me."

She looks to the Imp's captor. "Dispose of it."

He nods his head, and places his free hand around the Imp's neck. With amazing power he snaps the Imp's neck clean in half.

I hear a shriek, and I turn my attention back to the Imp, just in time to witness its eyes closing, and it leaving the world for good. A single tear runs down my face.

She looks to me, as she notices this. "You truly care for all living things. I knew it. There is nothing that you can hide from me, Kaldorei. Now come on. It's time to go back home. Dispose of the corpse."

The Imp's captor drops its lifeless corpse to the ground.

She pokes me in the back with her dagger, forcing me to walk back towards the camp. We arrived back at camp, as the sun was setting behind the clouds. She led me over to my cage, and takes off the collar, quickly grabbing me by the collar of my tunic, before I can escape.

"Get in."

Before I have a chance to react, I'm back in my cage, and I hear the clicking sound of my door being locked.

"I'll finish breaking you at first light, Kaldorei. Until then, you're free to your own devices."

She then spins on a heel and walks away.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 13

''Trying To Understand''
I sit here, watching the sun give way to the moon. I still don't fully understand what these beings want with me. The one, who looks like one of my kind, said that I was going to help her track demons. I will do no such thing! I have to escape... I just have to...


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 14

''Insanity''
Sunrise again. Oh, how long have I been held captive? Being held captive will mess with one's mind. And I'm no exception to that rule. Slowly but surely, I'm losing my sense of time. My sense of whom and what I am. It's almost as if I'm slowly descending into madness. For all I know, I very well could be. I can't stay here. I can't lose myself. If that happens, then all hope is lost. I will never be able to find myself again.

I awoke with a monstrous headache this morning. I've never felt anything like it. Come to think of it, I've been having these blasted headaches, for quite some time now. But they have greatly intensified since my capture. I don't understand why. On top of that, I swear that I keep on hearing voices. Inside my head no less, I must be going insane. At least that would be the logical explanation. But something deep in my mind, tells me that the above isn't the case. Something or someone is trying to talk to me. The question is who or what, is trying to do so. But why would anyone or anything, be trying to communicate with me? I mean, this doesn't make any sense. I've been trying to make sense of why I'm hearing voices, and where they could be coming from. But I can't think of an answer. If I ever hope to find out where these voices are coming from, and what their trying to tell me, then I have to escape. I have no choice. If I don't escape, then I'll surely lose myself, and I can't risk that. The question is how I escape. There must be a way. There has to be a way. Now all I have to do is think of it. That may be easier said than done though, in this case.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 15

''Planning My Escape''
The sun is almost at its peak in the sky. I think I've figured out a way to escape. Next time the one who marked me comes over, and takes me out, I will go along with her. Then hopefully I will have a chance to escape, if she takes me out of the camp. But I'll have to wait and see what happens.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 16

''Escape''
The sun is setting once again. I've lost track of how long I've been kept captive by these beings. "I can't stay here... I can't let them keep me as a pet, or slave... Or whatever the Fel, they think I am to them. I won't... I won't be broken. It's time for me to get the Fel out of here. The question is how can I escape? There has to be a way... There just has to...” My ears twitch slightly, as I hear the sounds of footsteps approaching me.

“Have you been behaving yourself, Kaldorei?”

I let out a low growl, as I turned my head away.

“Look at me, when I'm talking to you, wretch!”

“Why should I?”

“It's simple really... You belong to me now! And you will until the day you die! So either behave or deal with the consequences.”

“The consequences can't be any worse then what you've already done to me.” I retorted back.

“Heh, you have no idea what I'm capable of doing to you, do you, Kaldorei?”

“I can handle far worse then what you've already thrown at me.”

“Oh really? Are you sure about that, Kaldorei?”

“Yes, I am, although I don't see what difference it would make to you.”

“You'll see very soon, Kaldorei. And when you do... Maybe you'll finally realize your place.”

“I don't have a place. And even if I did, it wouldn't be with the likes of you!”

“I never anticipated having this much trouble breaking you. You're stronger than the others, I've broken. They broke so easily... They had no will of their own. I could easily meld them into what I wished them to be. But you...You're different. You're stronger, much stronger than any of them were. You have a will of your own. You just won't give in. But time will fix that. And I have all the time in the world.”

“You're not immortal.” I retorted back, with a snarl.

“Oh, I know that. But I don't need to be immortal to break you.”

“I told you... I'm not going to break! I don't care what in the Fel, you do to me! I'm not a pet to you. I'm not a slave to you either!”

She scoffed slightly. “I'll tell you one thing though. I'm getting sick and tired your backtalk. You belong to us now. You should start acting like it. If you know what's good for you, that is.”

“I don't belong to you. I've said it many times, and I'll say it again!”

“I've had enough of your backtalk. It's time for you to show me what you can really do, Kaldorei.” A wicked grin slowly spread across her face. She walked a few steps away, and picked up the cast iron collar, and walked back over to me. “Come on. It's time for you to show your true colors.” She opens my cage door, and reaches towards me.

I bare my teeth, and snarl slightly, as she reaches for me.

“Now, now... Be nice...” She grabs hold of the back of my vest, and yanks me out of cage, promptly flinging me to the ground.

I feel a growl, trying to make its way up, but quickly stifle it.

She grabs me by the base of my scalp, yanks my head up, and holds it there for a few minutes. “This will be fun...” She then quickly slaps the cast iron collar around me, with her free hand, and closes it around my neck. “There... Now you're set to travel. Let’s go, Kaldorei.” She picks up the length of chain that is attached to the collar and lightly yanks on it. “Get up.”

I slowly get to my feet, and turn to face her. “Good girl. Now let’s go...” She lightly yanks on the chain, and points towards the area that leads out of the camp.

I hang my head slightly, as we start to leave the camp. No sooner then had we left the camp that another of her kind comes running up to her.

She turns to face him. “Is there something you wanted?”

“No boss... Well... I just wanted to see, if you wanted any help dealing with your newest recruit.”

She turned back around to face me. “No. I think I can handle her. Besides I think it may be best if we spend some time together. Perhaps we'll come to an understanding of sorts.”

“Okay boss.” With that he bowed down before her, and then left.

“Now let’s continue. Shall we, Kaldorei?” She lightly yanked on the chain.

I hung my head slightly, as we made our way out of the camp. As we traveled, she kept a tight grip on the chain, which held me captive. After a few minutes she began to speak.

“You know... I used to be like you. Why do you think that I look like one of your kind? Why do you think it's possible for me to speak your language?”

I hacked slightly at this thought. If she was like me and the others of my kind, at one point in time, then why had she changed into this? Why had she given up her freedom? Why was she one of them now? This didn't make any sense.

“If you were one of us, why did you change and become what are you this now? Why did you give up and why did you become this?”

She tightened her grip on my chain. “I had no choice. That's why... I was taken from my parents when I was young and raised as an Illidari, I was raised to be like them and hunt demons.”

I hung my head slightly. “I'm sorry...”

She looked out into the distance. “It's okay... We didn't know each other back then. If we had, then maybe things would have been different for the both of us.” She loosened her grip on the chain, ever so slightly. “You're not going to break, are you?”

I slowly nodded my head. “You're correct.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “I've kept you long enough then.”

I froze in my tracks. What did she mean? Was she going to kill me, just because I couldn't be broken?

She sighed heavily, as she dropped the chain to the ground, and walked over to me. She gently placed her hands around my collar. “Take this chance and run. If you fail to take this chance, then the others like me will keep you captive for the rest of your life.” She quickly undid the clasp that held the collar around my neck, and sighed heavily as it fell to the ground. “Go on. You're free now...”

I turned to face her, unsure of what else to do.

“Go. You're free now. You would never become one of us. I knew that from the time, I first set my eyes on you. You're stronger than any of us. Now go. Be free. Live the life, I never had a chance to live.”

I looked at her, shaking my head briefly. “Why the sudden change? Why decide to let me go now?”

“I have a reason behind everything that I do. But you don't need to know the reason for your freedom. Just go. Run while you have a chance a too. Please... You don't belong back there, with the others of my kind. I know you don't. You know that as well. I know you do... Now run. Be free.”

“Thanks. Thanks for everything...” I bowed my head slightly, as I shifted into my cat form, and turned to look at her, one final time, before sprinting off into the distance.

She hung her head slightly, as she bent down, and picked up the collar, and the coil of chain. She turned to look at the setting sun, before heading back to camp.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 17

"Freedom"
"Freedom, how good it felt it to be free! I could run again, and do anything I wanted. There wasn't anything to bind me. I was free to do as I wished." I traveled for quite some time, after I was set free. I can't recall exactly how long I traveled for. If I had to take a guess, at how long I traveled for, I'd have to say, that I traveled for a month or so. At any rate after traveling for quite some time, I stumbled across a group of beings, called Invictus Sanctum. I later learned that they were guild, a group of beings that I could and would call family. A few weeks later, I was inducted into their guild. As time passed I grew stronger and practiced the arts of my path. I learned many things about the world around me. I grew in both knowledge and age. About six months later, I was in the guild hall and stumbled into Lady Teesah's office. There was a ton of papers on her desk. I was rather curious, so I looked at the top one. It was an application, to be inducted into the guild, by a being named Vaerdon Sitron. My ears twitched slightly as I looked over the application and saw that this being was a Kaldorei like me, but he had chosen the path of a Rogue. I smiled softly, as I finished looking over the application and then left the office. Perhaps I should meet with him. I smiled and headed out in search of him. I found him in Westfall aiding in the various tasks that needed doing there. I smiled, slipped into my cat form and then melded into the shadows around me. I watched him carefully as he picked his next target. He readied his throwing knife, watching the Fleshripper carefully. A few short seconds later, he threw his knife at it, but it missed, and fell to the ground. The Fleshripper flew towards him rapidly. "Oh, no you don't." I growled at it, and pounced on it from the shadows. It let out a shrill shriek, as I tackled it to the ground, and clamped my jaws around its neck. I then yanked my head to one side, with a fair amount of force, breaking its neck. “There that's better.” I spit out a mouthful of feathers, and turned to face the Kaldorei, who was looking slightly surprised at my sudden appearance out of nowhere. I smiled slightly as I slipped back into my normal form.

"Hello."

"Hi. Ummm...Miss.... Miss...." He stammered.

I smiled softly. "You can relax. There's no reason to be formal with me. My name's Tarika, by the way. I'm looking for a Kaldorei who goes by the name of Vaerdon Sitron. Might you be him?"

He seemed slightly surprised as I said this. "Yes, I am him, in fact. Is there something that I can help you with?"

"Ah, good. Glad I found you."

"Why is that?" He asked, looking quite confused.

"I saw that you put in a application to join the ranks of Invictus Sanctum."

"How...How did you know about that?"

"I have my ways." I smiled slyly at him. "How about we go someplace a little bit safer and talk?"

"Okay."

I smiled softly, as he walked over and picked up his throwing knife, and then started walking towards a rundown shack that seemed to be abandoned. He walked inside it, and sat down by a small bundle wrapped in silk cloth, against the far wall. I sat down across from him, and we began talking some more.

"So may I ask how you came across Invictus Sanctum in your travels?"

He smiled slyly at me. "I have my ways, just as you have yours."

"True enough, I suppose." I stifled a soft chuckle. “He's sharp on his feet.” I thought to myself.

A few short seconds later the silk bundle squirmed slightly, and let out a soft cry. "Did that thing just cry?"

Vaerdon gently picked up the silk bundle and began to speak softly to it. "Shhh...It’s okay Kin. It's okay."

"Kin?" I raised one brow at this.

Another soft cry came from within the silk bundle.

"Yes. Kin, he's my son. Kin is short for Kinmoto."

I smiled softly, as Kinmoto let out another cry. "It's okay little one." I began to sing a lullaby softly to him, that my mother had sung to me, to soothe me, when I was little. A few minutes later, as I finished singing the lullaby Kinmoto let out a yawn, and slowly fell back asleep. "There's my little one." I smiled softly.

"That was beautiful. You have a lovely voice." He said to me, with a smile on his face.

"Thanks. My mother used to sing that to me, when I was his age, to help soothe me, when I was fussy."

"I see."

"So, are you interested in joining the ranks of Invictus Sanctum? And if you are, may I ask why."

His response was short and simple. "I wish to lend my blades to a group of beings who stand for what I believe in."

"That sounds like a noble cause."

"I'd like to think so." He said, as a soft smile slowly spread across his face.

"I think you'd be a good fit for the guild. Here's the meeting information." I handed him a piece of semi-crumpled parchment, which contained the details of the meeting place and time. “I hope to see you there." I stood up and bowed before him. "Take care of yourself and Kinmoto." I then left the run-down shack.


As I waited for the next guild meeting to come around, I grew stronger and explored the world around me. A few days later Sunday had finally rolled around. The evening came and it was time for the guild meeting. I made my way into the guild hall, and sat down with my back against the far well. A few minutes later, some others started arriving. I greeted them warmly as they arrived. A few minutes later Vaerdon walked into the guild hall. I smiled softly at him. He returned the smile, and sat down a few feet away from me, against the far wall. A few minutes later, Lady Teesah and Cambro walked in and up to the front of room, and stood on a podium there. Azurre and a few of the other officers showed up, and went and stood, on the podium. I walked up to Teesah and the others on the podium, and bowed down before them. Teesah smiled warmly at me, before turning her attention to a nearby stack of papers sitting on a table behind her. Cambro nodded his head, and Azurre waved once. I then gave one final bow to all of them, before going back and sitting down where I was before I had greeted them. A few minutes later, Cambro spoke, his voice calm, but demanding attention.

“We'll get started in just a few minutes. Until then converse among yourselves, or do whatever you like but no dueling in the guild hall.” He then turned his attention to a stack of papers, that he held in his hands.

Palmar and another young man looked up at Cambro.

“Please Cambro, we won't do too much damage.”

“Speak for yourself. I won't do too much damage. You're the one who destroys the areas where we duel.”

“I do not...” Palmar said with a joking grin, on his face.

“I beg to differ, my old friend.”

Cambro looked from the stack of papers. “No dueling. And that's final. You two can duel after the meeting, but outside, not inside.”

“Please?” Palmar, begged him.

“What did I just say? I said no. If you two must duel, then do it after the meeting, and do it outside. I'm not in the mood to repair any damage that may be caused by you two's rough housing.” He then went back to looking over the papers.

“But.... But...”

“I said no. And that's final.” His voice sound a tad annoyed, as he said this.

“Grumpy old man...”

“You shouldn't have said that...” The second one replied.

“Psh, what's he going to do? He's just a grumpy old man. It's not like he could actually do anything. Even if he hit me, I'd barely feel it. It would be like a fly hitting me.” Palmar said with a slight chuckle, seeing if he could get on Cambro's nerves.

Cambro scowled slightly, as he heard this. “An old man, am I?”

“Well you have to admit, you're not as young as you used to be.” Palmar, teased. Trying to get on Cambro's nerves even more.

“I'll admit that's true. But it doesn't mean that I can't best you in a friendly duel.” Cambro said, with a slight grin spreading slowly across his face.”

“Let’s see what you have then, old man.”

Cambro grinned slightly and walked off the podium. Azurre spoke up, her voice calm and soft, as it always was.

“Cambro, didn't you just say yourself, that there would be no dueling in the guild hall?”

“Yes, I did. But that was before this young pup challenged me, by calling me a grumpy old man.”

“Cambro, are you seriously going to get all worked up over that?”

“I'm not getting worked up. I just have a title to defend, is all.”

“Oh? What would that be?”

“Cambro, the invincible...Silly...”

“Uh huh... Sure, whatever you say Cam.”

Cambro glanced back at her, grinning slightly.

She stifled a soft chuckle.

Cambro smiled slightly, and then turned his attention back to the young pup, who had challenged him in the first place. “Okay, you ready to get your butt kicked?”

“Haha, bring it old man.”

“Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you.” Cambro launched towards his challenger, and quickly launched an attack, hoping to stun him.

His challenger was slightly caught off guard by this, but managed to side step his attack.

“Not bad, Cambro, but not good enough, very close though.”

Palmar quickly regained his composure and charged at Cambro, quickly yanking his sword free in one fluent motion.

Cambro yanked his shield free, with a great deal of force, and a small shower of sparks flew, as his challenger's sword clashed against Cambro's shield.

“How did you parry that? There was no way, that you should have been able to yank your shield free in time.”

“I may be old, but I can still put up a fight when need be.”

“Oh, that's it. Bring it on, Cambro.”

“Very well, Palmar, just remember you asked for this and not me.”


Cambro shoved the majority of his weight, into his shield, and grinned slightly as his challenger was forced to take a few sudden, rapid steps back. Not wanting to give his opponent the slightest to recover, he thrust the shield out in front of him, and a slight grin briefly flashed across his face, as his challenger was thrown off balance, and fell to the ground. Within a blink of an eye, Cambro held his sword against the man's throat. “You were saying?” He panted slightly, as he slowly started to catch his breath, after the duel.

“Yeah, yeah... Ease up a little would you? Your sword against my throat isn't exactly the most comfortable feeling.” Palmar's eyes flicked down to the sword that was now held against his throat, and then back up at Cambro.

“Ah. Sorry, forgot that I still had you pinned.” He grinned sheepishly, as he sheathed his sword, and offered a hand, to help his challenger up.

Palmar, stifled a soft chuckle. “Uh huh, sure you did, Cambro.” He said as he accepted Cambro's hand, and grinned slightly, as he was helped to his feet.

“Haha, well it serves you right for not listening to your elder's in the first place.”

“Yeah, yeah...”

Cambro shook his head briefly, at Palmar, before walking back up onto the podium, and turning his attention to those, who had gathered there, that night.

“Okay, now that Palmar, has hopefully gotten his excess energy out; let’s get started, shall we?” He glanced over at Palmar.

“Yeah, I'm good.”

“That's what I wanted to hear.” He said, with a slight chuckle, before turning his attention back to the group. He briefly turned his back, to grab the pile of papers. His eyes quickly scanned them, and then looked back up at the group, who was gathered before him. “So it seems we have one induction tonight. Vaerdon Sitron. Are you here?” His eyes scanned the group.

After a few tense moments, Vaerdon spoke up. “Yes sir. I'm here.”

“Ah, good, good. Would you please step forward?”

Varedon glanced over to me, seeming slightly nervous.

“It's okay. He won't kill you. He just seems a tad scary at times.”

Cambro's eyes flicked to me. “Tarika...”

“My apologies, sir, I meant no offense by it.” I grinned sheepishly.

“Oi, young ones…”

I chuckled softly at his words.

Vaerdon stifled a soft chuckle at the conversation between myself and Cambro, and slowly stood up. “I'm right here, sir.”

“Ah. So now you finally decide to show yourself.” Cambro tried to put on a scowl, like he was mad, but everyone could tell that he was joking, and not mad in the least bit. “Well come on up here, so we can get this induction started. Okay?”

“Yes sir.” Vaerdon walked up to where Cambro and the others were standing, and stood at attention.

“Please kneel, and we'll get you inducted.”

“Yes sir.” Vaerdon knelt down before Cambro and the others.

“Do you have any questions for any of us?”

“No sir.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes sir. I'm positive, sir.”

“Well if you're sure, then let’s go ahead and get started.” Cambro recited the oath, and Vaerdon answered each part of it, honestly, carefully choosing his words.

“You seem like you'd fit in well here.” Cambro turned his attention to the other officers, and Lady Teesah. “Do any of you have any questions for him or any objections for that matter?”

“No, he seems okay to me.” Azurre replied, smiling softly at Vaerdon.

“Same. I'll trust your judgment on this matter, Cambro.” Lady Teesah, replied. Her voice calm as it almost always was.

“Ot?”

“Hmm?” A little figure looked glanced up at him.

“Do you have anything you'd like to ask out newest recruit, before I induct him? Or do you have any objections?”

“No, no. He seems okay to me.” Ot, replied. Her voice chipper and level, as it always was.

“Well since no one seems to have any questions, or objections for that matter, let’s get you inducted.” Cambro recited the oath, and a few short minutes later, Vaerdon had been inducted into the guild.

Now my memory fails me, even to this day. It always has and probably always will. So I can't tell you the oath we use, to induct new members in to our guild, seeing as I don't recall it, not even in the slightest sense.

“Welcome to the family. Please rise.” Cambro said as he smiled at him.

“Thank you sir.” Vaerdon slowly stood up.

Cambro nodded his head once. “Please go take your seat again.”

“Yes sir.” With that Vaerdon walked back and sat down next to me, with a huge grin on his face.

I stifled a soft laugh, and smiled softly at him.

“Well since we have no other inductions tonight, let’s go ahead and move on to guild matters.” On that note, a few various matters were brought up, but were quickly settled.

“That didn't take nearly as long, as I was expecting it to, which is a good thing. So on that note, does anyone have any matters they'd like to discuss?”

No one spoke up, which wasn't surprising. Seeing as rarely anyone has any issues or matters to discuss.

“Well since no one spoke up, I will end the meeting on this note, and hope to see everyone next week. Take care, and thanks for coming, and Vaerdon welcome to the family, we’re glad to have you among our ranks.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“This meeting is finished and everyone is dismissed. Thank you for coming.” With that Cambro and the others on the podium began discussing various topics amongst themselves.

I slowly stood up, and looked to Vaerdon. “We're glad to have you. Especially me.” I smiled softly at him, before bowing down before him, and quickly leaving the guild hall.”


“Tarika wait...” Vaerdon said, but I had already long since left the hall, and gone outside. He looked around for me, and seeing me no where he shook his head briefly. “Dang she's fast with her exits.” He muttered under his breath.

“Well that's Tarika for you.” Azurre said with a soft chuckle, as she turned to face Vaerdon. “You can probably find her outside. That's where I'd guess she typically goes after the meeting.”

“Thank you.”

“Your welcome, Vaerdon.” Azurre smiled softly at him, and then turned her attention back to the others.

Vaerdon bowed down before her and the others, and then quickly made his way outside. “Tarika? Are you here?”

My ears twitched slightly as I heard his voice, and I walked up to him, in my cat form, still hidden in the shadows. “Yes, I'm here.”

His ears twitched ever so slightly, as he heard my voice. “Where, I don't see you anywhere.” He said, as his eyes scanned the surrounding area.

“Haha, I'm here. Hold on. I'll show myself to you in a minute.” I said, as I stifled a soft chuckle.

“Okay...”

I smiled softly I slipped out of the shadows, and looked at him, still in my feline form. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“You're a cat...”

“What?” I looked down at my front paws. “Oh... Haha, sorry about that,I typically spend most of my time in this form, so I typically don't notice when I'm still in it. I'm guessing that you'd rather talk to face to face instead of muzzle to face?”

“I'd prefer that, yes.” He said, as he stifled a soft chuckle.

“Okay. I'll change forms. Give me a moment.” I slowly closed my eyes, and focused all my energy and attention on changing back into my human form. I gritted my teeth slightly, as the last few patches of fur faded from my body, and were replaced by skin.

“That was rather disturbing to watch.” He said, as he shook his head briefly.

“Sorry. I'm still working on shifting forms, without looking totally horrible while doing it. So you wanted to talk?”

“Yes.”

“I'm all ears, my friend. Well not literally, of course. But you know what I mean, right?”

“Yes, I do. I just wanted to say thanks for being there for my induction. It really meant a lot to me, to have a fellow Kaldorei there, and you in particular, seeing as you're the first member of the guild I met.”

“I wouldn't have missed it for the world, Vaerdon.”

“Thank you for everything.” He leaned in and wrapped his arms around me, giving me a gentle hug before slipping into the shadows.

I smiled softly, and slipped back into my cat form, before fading back into the shadows, and vanishing from sight. I spent a good portion of the rest of that night, relaxing, reflecting on the day's events.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 18

''Love''
As time passed I grew and learned about the world me. The fine line that I share with the others that walk the same path, I do. It’s our job to keep the world of Azeroth in balance. I watched others like me, keep passing me in everything they did. One morning just as the sun peeked over the horizon, I jumped down from my resting spot up in a tree, and landed in a crouched position on the ground. Teesah, Cambro, Azurre and the others had given me permission to sleep in one of the spare rooms, in the Garrison. But I hadn't been with the guild that long yet, so I didn't feel like I should have access to a room. Not to mention, I had spent the majority of my time, before I had joined the ranks of Invictus Sanctum, spending my time running around, and then shortly before nightfall, seeking refuge high up in a tree.

I smiled slightly as I slowly rose to my feet, and stretched ever so slightly. Haha, I remember the times when I used to jump from my resting spot, which was typically high up in a tree, and then jump to the ground. I can't recall how many times I either miscalculated or just plain messed up on my landings, beyond belief. Thank Elune, those days are past. I tried turning my head, but my neck was stiff, as anything. I looked up to the rising sun and lightly jerked my neck to one side and then to the other, causing it to crack. Ow... Neck crick! Ow, those things hurt, a little bit. I slowly raised my right hand to my neck, and gently and started to rub it, trying to relieve some of the tension in my neck muscles. After a few minutes of this my muscles finally started to relax.

Sighing lightly, I gave one slight jerk of my head, to one side and then to the other, cracking it once more. Ah, that's better. I looked up at the rising sun, and went to a nearby stream. I knelt down by the edge of it, and lightly splashed some cold water on my face. Slowly rising to my feet, I smiled slightly, as my thoughts floated to Vaerdon. I hadn't seen him recently, and every guild meeting I was able to attend, I looked for him there, but it seemed he was never there. Well he was a Rogue, and I suppose it's in their nature to stay hidden in the shadows most of the time, but still... I have feelings for him. Well at least I think I do. I mean... I had never felt this way before. My parents had never really told me, what it would feel like when I had fallen in love, with my soul mate, so to speak. I wasn't sure if he was my soul mate. I mean... He was the best being I had ever met, and he could read me like a open book, at any given time. I couldn't hide anything from him. And yet...He could hide almost everything from me. I eyes flickered shut briefly. Was this what love was supposed to feel like? Or was I letting my emotions get the better of me?

A single tear ran down my face, from my right eye, as I thought of my parents. “They had been killed long ago in a mighty war, which is now referred to as “The War of the Ancients,” when my kind, the Kaldorei were fighting against Sargeras. Of course Sargeras wasn't the only opponent we had to face. No, no. There were two other mighty opponents which we had to face in battle. I to was there, fighting alongside my parents and their comrades. They were named Archimonde and Mannoroth. Each of these three had at least one title bestowed upon them. Sargeras, the Greatest Enemy of all life, and the Ravager of Worlds, was the first. Archimonde the Defiler was the second. The final one, Mannoroth, the Destructor. These were the titles given them. Although by who, I don't know. These three demons, they destroyed everything my kind ever knew to be true. What do I know is, the name of the being who allowed these monsters access to our world, Queen Azshara, I was never told much about her, and practically forbidden to try and learn anything about her.”


But it just wasn't them that we were facing off against. No, of course not, they had brought their armies with them. They brought demon warlocks them. And those beings brought their minions, Infernals, giant stone beings that held power over fire. They called forth hellish metros from the sky, and sent them crashing down into the graceful spires of Kalimdor's temples. Doomguards, a band of merciless, burning, bloodletting killers marched across, Kalmidor's fields, slaughtering everything and everyone in their path and with the help of the Infernals brought the continents once lush and vibrant fields, to their knees. They left nothing but pain and suffering in their path. And finally the three monsters brought packs of Felhounds with them. Demonic hounds, bred to sniff out magic, and alert their masters.

These beings and creatures are what my kind fought against. These are what took the lives of my parents and so many others of my kind. Their leaders and them, had torn the once great continent of Kalimdor apart, and now that world I knew, ever so well, was nothing but a former memory. How I hate them. I've been told time and time again, by so many beings, that it's wrong to hate anyone, regardless of what they have done. How can I not hate them? They took my family from me. They took a good portion of my life from me. And others expect me to forgive them for this? I'll never forgive them for what they did, to my family, my friends, my comrades, my people, and me.

I briefly closed my eyes for a moment before looking up at the rising sun. Soon enough the morning would give way to the afternoon, and then in turn in the afternoon would give way to the evening, the evening would give way to the sun set, the sun set would give way to the moon, and then the whole cycle would start right over again, as soon as the sun rose the next day. Letting out a heavy sigh, I slowly raised my hands to my head, and ran them through my hair, in a rather futile attempt to get any knots and tangles that may have formed in my hair overnight out. I spent about five minutes doing my best to try and make myself look presentable. I sighed heavily as I lowered my hands back down to my sides. “I give up...” I then closed my eyes and shifted into my cat form, grinding my teeth slightly as I did so. The whole experience of transforming into a beast of one kind or another is still so foreign to me. I'll get it down one day, hopefully sooner than later. As the last little bit of the transformation took hold, my fingernails and toenails became razor sharp claws, more than capable of doing a fair amount of damage if needed.

Once again, my thoughts floated to Vaerdon. “I wonder where he is?” I chuckled softly, and reached my front paws out in front me, lightly digging my claws into the ground, and arching my back slightly, as my tail rapidly flicked to one side, then to the other, and then back to the middle again. “Well time for some hide and seek.” With that I gathered my front paws under me, and took off into the forest. After searching for about forty five minutes, I picked up his scent. I skidded to a sudden stop, melded with the shadows around me, and looked upwards. There was Vaerdon, sitting high atop a cliff, overlooking Thunder Falls. “How in the heck did he get up there?” I shook my head briefly. “Well that's where he was, and he had to have made his way up there somehow. So there had to be a way up there.” A few short seconds later, I began searching for the path he had taken to reach his current location. I found it easily enough, and silently made my way towards him. I stopped as his ears twitched slightly, as if he sensed something, possibly even me. After a short second, his ears stopped twitching and I continued sneaking up on him. My tail twitched ever so slightly, as I crept into pouncing distance. His ears twitched slightly again, but this time I paid no attention to it, and sprinted towards him. Quickly dashing around in front of him, I jumped on him in a manner, so that my front paws landed on his chest, sending him tumbling backwards into the shallow water behind him.


“Ooof! What in the....?” He said, sounding rather surprised as he slowly sat up.

I couldn't help myself. I broke out laughing softly, and slipped out of the shadows, still in my cat form.

“Tarika?” He said, as he slowly got to his knees, gently rubbing the back of his neck, with his left hand.

“Yes, it's me.” I smiled slightly, and slipped out of my cat form.

“How did you manage to sneak up on me?” He said, as he rose to his feet, his now soaking wet hair plastered to his face, as were his clothes.

“Oh, I have my ways.” I chuckled slightly.

“I'll say you do.” He smiled softly at me, and walked over to where I was standing. He then lightly wrapped his arms around me. “So what brings you out here?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you silly. You're the only other one here that I know of at the moment, unless you brought someone else with you.” He glanced around, pretending to be on the alert.

“Haha, you silly,I didn't bring anyone else with me.”

“You sure about that, Tarika?”

“Yes, I'm sure.” I smiled softly at him.

“Good.” He started walking over to the left side of the river bank, lightly holding my hand in his.

I smiled softly, and willingly followed him. He sat down and gently patted the ground next to him, signaling for me to sit there. I smiled softly and did so.

“You never told me why you came out here.”

“Oh, right...” I grinned sheepishly.

“Are you going to tell me, willingly? Or do I have to drag it out of you, by some horrible means of torture?” He asked teasingly.

I smiled softly at him.

“Find me, now why would you go through all the trouble that you probably went through, just to find little old me?”

“I don't know...” I said softly, as I lay down.

“Uh huh, are you sure about that?”

“Yes, yes. I'm sure...”

“Why do I think otherwise, hmm?”

“I don't know...”

“Oh, I think you do.”

“No, I don't.”


“Tari, you know I can read you like a open book, any time I want to. So come on... Tell me the truth. Why did you come all the way out here?”

I did my best to act like I was mad at him, but of course, he saw right though my act.

“Come on... You and I both know that you didn't come seek me out, just for the thrill of doing it. So tell me why you're here.”

“Oh fine... I came out here to find you.”

“Oh? Why if I may ask, did you seek me out?”

“I just wanted to talk to you about something.” I answered rather evasively.

“Oh? And what would that be?”

I sighed lightly before responding. “Just about something between you and me, I can’t really explain it easily, at least.”

He scowled slightly. “Tari, you're being evasive again. You know that I'll get the truth out of you, one way or another. So why not just come right out and say what you mean?”

“Vaerdon, it's not that simple...”

“What's not that simple, Tari, if you have something to say, then say it. I'm not going to get mad at you, regardless of what you say. I promise. So you don't have to worry about that.”

“Vae, it's not simple... It's really not.” Less than a second later, I realized that I hadn't said his full name, as I had been doing before.

“Vae, huh? Is that a new nickname or something?” He chuckled slightly.

“I meant... I meant to say, Vaerdon. It was just a slip of the tongue, is all.” I said, as I looked away from him, quickly fighting down a blush, which was trying to rapidly fill my cheeks.

“Uh huh, sure...”

I bit my lower lip, at my mistake.

“Tari, come on and spit it out. Come on... I know you want to say something. So just say it already, silly. I'm not going to get mad at you, or anything. I promise... Tari, just come on and say what you came here to. No harm is going to come out of it. I promise.” He smiled softly at me.

“But... But...”

“Tari...”

“Vae.....”

“Tari, spit it out. Come on... And there you used that nick name for me, again.”

“Oh fine... I came here to ask you... To ask you...”

“Tari....”

“I came here to ask you how you truly feel about me.”

“Feel about you?”

“Yes. I mean... Kinda of...Maybe... Yes... No... I don't know...”

“Yes, you do, Tari. Come on...”


I bit my lower lip, and started chewing on it slightly, as I mulled over what to say, in my mind. After a few minutes, I had finally chosen my words, and started to speak. “Vae, I think... I think... I love... I love... I love you.”

He slightly adjusted his position and turned to face me, so that our eyes met. “Do you truly mean that? Is that how you really feel about me? Tari, please... Please tell me the truth.”

“Yes. I truly love you. I mean I think that's what I've been feeling since, the day I met you. I think... I'm not sure... I've never felt this way before... I'm sorry...” I said, as I started to look away from him.

“Don't be sorry, Tari. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I... I.... I just should have kept my feelings to myself. “I have that to be sorry for. You probably don't feel the same way about me. I'll just leave now. I'm sorry to have bothered you, and wasted your precious time.”

“Tari... Don't be sorry. You have nothing to be sorry for.” He paused briefly before continuing. “I've been meaning to tell you something…To tell you...To tell you the way that I truly feel about you. I love you, Tari. I've never met anyone else like you, in my life. You're everything I could ever want and so much more. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I shook my head, rather violently; as if I couldn't believe what I was actually hearing was true. “Are you...? Are you...? Are you telling me the truth? Do you truly love me?”

“Yes, and of course I'm telling you the truth. I could never lie about something like this. You should know me better than that, Tari.” He leaned in closer to me, and placed a tender kiss on my lips.

My eyes flickered shut, and I enjoyed the feel of his lips, against mine. After a brief moment, he pulled away. “I'm sorry...”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, silly.” I leaned in and placed a caring kiss on his lips, before slowly pulling away.

“I love you, Tarika.”

“I love you as well, Vaerdon.”

And with our true feelings exchanged, using the words, we ever so carefully chose, to convey them, we spent the rest of the day together. The last thing I remember before falling asleep that night, is laying down next to Vaerdon, and feeling the most happy, that I had ever felt in my life.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 19

''The Night From Before''
As I write this, I'm sitting atop the roof of the Garrison, nursing some old battle wounds, that have suddenly decided to start causing me trouble. The sun is just starting to rise, bathing the land in its warming gentle rays. The creatures of the day are just beginning to stir, and soon enough, they will be up and moving around in full force, doing the tasks that they must do, to survive. I wonder what happened to Vaerdon. I was with him until late last night. I guess after I had fallen asleep he must have taken his leave, for one reason or another.

"Could it be that I've actually found the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with? There's no way... It just possibly can't be that easy. It just doesn't make any sense, does it? I mean... Is finding one's soul mate supposed to be that easy?” My ears twitch slightly, as I hear commotion coming from inside the Garrison. “Are the others up already? Man, talk about early risers. Well I better stop writing this entry, before I'm found. Much less anyone else come across this journal, and read my thoughts.” I chuckle slightly, as I jump down from my resting place, and briskly walk over to a nearby tree, with a narrow crevice in it. I bend down and quickly hide my journal in it. As I slowly rise to my feet, and my stomach growls loudly. I'm hungry... I wonder what the others are having for breakfast. I chuckle slightly, as I quickly dismiss the thought of eating with them from my mind, and slip into my cat form, quickly melding with the fading shadows around me, and start my own search, for something to eat for breakfast.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 20

''A Hidden Past''
It seems that once again, I've fallen behind on my entries. Perhaps I should I just write my thoughts down when I get chance to do so. Right now though... I should be thanking Elune that I'm still even living. It turns out that Vaerdon has had a troubled past. One evening I invited him to Darnassuss, to spend the evening together. He seemed hesitant when I asked to come with me. At the time I had no idea, why he seemed so hesitant to do so. But little did I know that I would find out, that evening. That evening that I had intended to be a peaceful respite for us, would turn into a nightmare, and one that I would never forget, at that. Allow me to explain a little bit about Vaerdon. He's kind, caring, compassionate, and so many other things. He was always soft spoken, and level headed. Yet, he always seemed to be burdened by something. I asked him several times, why he seemed so troubled. But each and every time I asked him, he told me that it was nothing, and tried to reassure me, that everything was fine, and that it would always be that way. He told me that he would always be there for me, and that we'd live together happily. I should have known that he was just trying to reassure me. But I trusted him, with all my heart. And I shouldn't have. That evening in Darnassuss, that I had planned to be a respite for us, turned into a nightmare. A small band of Sentinels came upon us. They immediately drew their blades, and pointed them at myself and Varedon. I had no idea why they had done this. One of them, who I assumed to be the leader of their band, walked up to Vaerdon, and raised the tip of her sword to Vaerdon's throat.

“Your kind is not welcome here.” She growled.

I looked to Vaerdon, and then my eyes flicked down to the tip of the Sentinel's sword which was now at Vaerdon's throat. My eyes then flicked up to the Sentinel who was holding the sword. “He's done nothing wrong by coming here.” I spoke softly, my voice calm, yet hesitant.

The Sentinel's eyes flicked to me. “He's not welcome here. You should know that, Druid. Or do you not understand that he's no longer one of our kind.”

“One of our kind, he’s the same as you and me, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“I don't understand... He's the same as us isn't he?”

Her eyes flicked back over to Vaerdon. “Have you not told her yet? Have you not told her, of the taint you now carry in your blood?”

Vaerdon growled slightly, his eyes never wavering from the Sentinel. “She doesn't need to know about that...”

“Oh? What makes you say that?”

“Know about what, Vae?”

“Nothing Tari, its nothing for you to concern yourself with.”

“Vae...”

“It's nothing Tari. I promise.”

The Sentinel chuckled darkly. “I'll let you leave the city alive this time. But if I ever see you around here again, I will kill you. And that's a promise. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. Then leave and don't come back. Ever...”

Without another word, Vaerdon took my hand in his and we quickly boarded the boat, which led back to the Eastern Kingdoms. Once the boat docked in Stormwind, he kissed me softly on my lips once, before melding into the shadows around him.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 21

''A Peek Into The Past”
I sat high up in a tree, with my eyes closed, balancing on the balls of my feet. Last night had been so confusing. I had intended the respite to Darnassuss, to be relaxing for both myself and Vaerdon. But it didn't turn out that way. Shortly after we had arrived there, a band of Sentinel's approached us, and the leader of them had held the tip of her sword to Vaerdon's throat, and accused of him of being tainted. Vaerdon, tainted? What? I didn't understand then, and I still don't understand now. Vaerdon was one just like me and the others of my kind, wasn't he? I shook my head violently trying to sort the events of last night out. After a few minutes, I slowly rose to my feet, still confused as I had been before. My thoughts floated to Vaerdon. I have to find him. It's time that I know what's going on. A few days ago, he told me that he was heading to Darkshire, to deal with some tasks there. I jumped down from my resting spot and landed in a crouched position on the forest floor below. Vaerdon... I quickly slipped into my cat form, and made my way to Darkshire. As I arrived in front of the inn, I stopped briefly and looked around. I made my way into the inn, and looked around. He wasn't there. I went into one of the houses, that I suspected was going to be vacant, but much to my surprise, I found Vaerdon there.

“Vae?”

His ears twitched slightly, as he heard my voice, and slowly turned around to face me. “Tari? What... What are you doing here?”

“I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you. I wanted to make sure, that you were alright.”

“Tari, why wouldn't I be alright, what’s gotten into you?”

“It's just... It's just that after our trip to Darnassuss, and that Sentinel... I feared that something bad had happened to you.”

“Tari, I'm fine. Really...Just ignore the Sentinels. They don't know what they’re talking about.”

“Vae, please tell me...”

“Tell you what, Tari? There is nothing to tell you.”

“Vae, stop trying to hide your past from me, I love you and I always will. Regardless of your past, you know that.”

“Tari...”

“Vae, please... Please I beg of you.” I slipped out of my cat form, and raised my head to look at him.

“Tari, everything's fine. The Sentinels just don't like me. That's all...”

“Vae, they said you were tainted.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it.

“Vae, please... Tell me... Tell me what they mean...”

“Tari...”

“Vae, please... Please...” I bowed my head slightly.


“Fine... I'll tell you what they mean... Long ago, I was captured by a group of beings called the Illidari. They cut out my eyes, and tried to fuse my soul with a demon. Luckily, I was rescued before they could complete the final step, needed to do that. That's why I almost always wear this band of cloth over my eyes. That's also why this band that I wear over my eyes has, the markings, of a raven, and a wolf, a dragon and a panther, the markings of an assassin. The Sentinels consider me tainted because of the Illidari's attempt to fuse my soul with a demon's.”

“But you're not tainted... You're one of my kind. You're a Kaldorei, right?”

“Yes, Tari. I'm just like you and the others of your kind, and I always will be. There's no convincing the damn Sentinels of that, though. Tari?”

“Yes?”

“Promise me something.”

“Anything... I'll promise you anything at all.”

“Promise me you'll never go back to Darnassuss, ever again.”

“What? Vae, you can't be serious...”

“Tari, I am serious. I don't want to risk the Sentinels finding you. If they do find you, there's no telling what they'll do to you.”

“I'll be safe. I promise...”

“Tari, please... Please don't ever go back there. I can't risk losing you.”

“But Vae...”

“But nothing, Tari... Please... For both my sake and yours, never go back there again. Promise me... Promise me you won't ever set foot in Darnassuss ever again. Please Tari... Promise me...”

He slowly took the band off from around his eyes, and looked to me, his eyes meeting mine, which were now nothing more than two balls of glowing pale yellow energy.

I bowed my head slightly. “I promise... I won't ever go back there again.”

“Thank you, Tari. You have no idea how much that means to me. I love you more than anything. I couldn't bring myself to live without you.”

“I feel the same way about you, Vae. I've felt that way since the first moment I met you, and I will always continue to feel that way about you, until the day I leave this world.”

Without another word, he walked over to me, and placed a soft kiss on my lips, before smiling softly at me, and gently starting to wrap his arms around my waist. A few short seconds later, an arrow flew through the window, shattering the glass, before embedding itself into Vaerdon's upper back.

His eyes flicked shut briefly, and his grip loosened on me, as he fell to the ground, unconscious.

“Vaerdon!!!” I quickly knelt down beside him, and yanked the arrow from his back, hastily bandaging the wound.

His eyes flicked open for a brief second, and he weakly reached for his right glove, his left hand shaking violently. Less than a second later his whole body went limp.


“Vae!!!' I gently placed my hands over his wound, and slowly closed my eyes. “Elune, help me. I call upon thee to lend me your powers. Elune, grant me your powers of healing, and kindness and eternal and everlasting compassion and understanding.” I bowed my head slightly, as my hands started to glow a shade of soft green. “Vae, please... Please come back. You can't die. You just can't... Please...” I focused all my energy on him, and struggled to stay upright, as I felt every last ounce of energy leave my body. Less than a second later, I blacked out, and fell to the floor next to him. I don't remember how long as I was out for. The first thing I remember, as I was slowly starting to come to, was Vaerdon's voice speaking to me. His voice was quiet and worried sounding.

“Tari? Tari, can you hear me? Say something, please...”

“Vae, is that you?” My voice was weak and soft.

“Yes, Tari. It's me...”

“Thank Elune, you're alright.”

“Tari, what the Fel were you thinking? You could have killed yourself, by trying to save me.”

“I'm sorry... I just... I just couldn't deal the thought of losing you.”

“Tari...”

“I'm sorry...”

He sighed heavily, as he pulled out his hearthstone, and then wrapped his arms around me. A few short seconds later, the hearthstone began to glow a bright green, and before I knew it, we were standing in a small building, in Stormwind City.

"Vae, what are we doing here?"

“To get you checked out and to make sure that you're okay.”

“I'm fine, really. I'm just a bit tired is all, really I’m fine. All I need to do is a rest for a day or so, and I'll be back to normal. You just wait and see.”

“Tari, I'm not taking that chance. I can't risk losing you. I'm going to have the priests at the Cathedral take a look at you, just to make sure you're alright. Okay?”

“Okay...” I shook my head softly, as the gryphon landed, and he slid off its back, before picking me up in his arms. He glanced down at me, before heading towards the Cathedral.

“Tari, what am I going to do with you?”

“I don't know...” I chuckled softly.

“Oi...”

“Love me?” I asked, a tad jokingly.

“You silly... I already do that.”

“I really don't know then.” I chuckled softly again, as he carried me up the steps of the Cathedral, and up to where the Priests were.

One of them looked over to Vaerdon.

“Is there something I can help you with, my friend?”

“Yes. Would you please mind taking a look at her, and just making sure that she's alright?”


The Priest glanced down at me, and shook his head slightly. “You seem tired, like you’re drained of nearly all your life essence, what did you do to yourself? For the sake of the Light, you look like you’re going to pass out…”

“Yes, yes. I'm fine.”

“Tari...”

“What?”

“You know what... Come on now, let them check you out.”

“Vae...”

“Tari... Please if not for your sake, than at least let them check you out, for mine.”

I glanced up at the Priest, and then to Vaerdon. “Fine... I'll do it for your sake.”

“Thank you...”

“Yeah, yeah...”

The priest then turned his attention back to Vaerdon. “Please set her down on the floor, and I'll see what I can do for her.”

“Right away and Tari?” He gently lowered me to the floor, and took my hand in his, as he knelt on the floor by me.

“Yes?”

“Don’t you dare try and go running off, besides in your current condition you wouldn’t even make it past the door, much less even a few feet.”

“Well let’s see what we can do for you. Shall we?”

“Very well...”

The Priest gently placed his hands on my lower stomach, and closed his eyes, as his hands began to glow a soft shade of gold.

A few short seconds later, I felt a warm tingling sensation, flowing through my body.

After a few minutes, the priest opened his eyes and looked up. “How are you feeling, now?”

“Much better, thank you, sir.”

“Your welcome.”

“Thank you, Tari.” Vaerdon, said to me, as he tenderly brushed aside several of my bangs that had fallen astray.

“Yeah, yeah...”

He chuckled softly, as the priest took a few steps back, and then he offered me his hand. I gently took his hand, and smiled softly at him, as he gently helped me up.


“Come on, let’s get you back to the Garrison, so you can get some well deserved rest.” He smiled softly at me, as we walked out of the Cathedral, and towards the gates of the city. We paused briefly there, for just a short second, before we continued walking towards the Garrison. After walking for a fair amount of time, we reached the Garrison, and walked towards my quarters. He silently opened the door to my quarters, and led me inside, before glancing over towards my cot, and then back at me.

“You need to rest, Tari.”

“Vae, I’m not tired, I feel fine, really.”

“Tari, go lay down, if I see you out of that cot before five entire days are up, I’m going to tie you to it, and then you won’t have a choice but to stay there. Do you understand me? I love you, and I'll see you soon. Okay?”

“I love you to, also are you sure that even ropes could hold me?”

“If not ropes, then chains, and if not chains, then I suppose I’ll just have to keep a vigil on you, to make sure that you don’t get out of your cot, before you’re fully healed.”

He smiled softly at me, before leaning in slightly, and gently placing a caring kiss on my lips, before leaving my quarters, and quietly shutting the door behind him.

I slowly lay down on my cot, and drew the sheet up over me. “Vaerdon...” I whispered softly, before passing out.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 22

"Trouble Follows"
Somewhere off in the distance, a wolf or some creature like it let out a rather mournful sounding howl. My eyes flicked underneath my eyelids briefly, before I opened my eyes, and slowly propped myself up in my cot, using my arms to steady myself. "Vae..." I whispered softly under my breath, as I glanced out my window, at the rising moon. The most recent attack on him had me on edge. Slowly, I made my way to the edge of my cot, and swung my legs over the edge of it. Shakily I stood up, and reached for a nearby a robe, which I had sitting on a nightstand, located not too far from my bed. I slowly slipped the robe on, fixing my hair as I went, and then quickly yanked on a pair of simple cloth dress shoes. A few seconds later, my eyes landed on my staff, but I decided not to bring it with me, instead opting for a couple of small, ornately jeweled daggers. I was worried about Vae. After he had rescued me, and gotten me checked out by the priests, he had vanished without a trace.

I bowed my head slightly, as I made my way downstairs, and silently slipped out of the Garrison. I then slowly closed my eyes, and slipped into my cat form, before making my way to the docks of Stormwind City. Just as I reached the docks, the boats that carry travelers to Darnassus arrived. I waited till it had come to a complete stop and then hopped on the deck. A few minutes later, the captain checked to see if anyone else was boarding the boat. Seeing no one he gave his crew the orders to shove off, and set sail, which they promptly followed. I made my way over to a corner of the boat, and settled myself there. I then drifted off to asleep, despite my best efforts not to do so. I can't tell you how time passed, only that I awoke to the sound of the captain's voice shouting, that we had arrived in Darnassus, and to disembark the boat. Standing up slowly, I made my way off the boat, and through the portal that led to Darnassus. I slipped into the shadows, and quickly made my way to the Temple of the Moon, where the High Priestess resided. I silently slipped inside and quickly made my way up to where the High Priestess would be. As I rounded the corner, to my horror I saw Vaerdon lying on the ground, bound tightly with rope. My immediate reaction was to try to charge at the two Sentinels who were standing guard over him. But I quickly got control of my emotions, and stayed hidden in the shadows, watching the coming event unfold.

"I can't believe you were dumb enough to ever come back here again. What a fool you are." One of the Sentinels said, as she chuckled darkly.

"I'll say..." Said the other one, as she delivered a sharp blow to his rib cage, evoking a startled and weak sounding gasp out of him, but doing nothing more than that, as he lay there, helpless.

Vaerdon said nothing in response to their words, instead laying perfectly still, being unable to fight against them in any way, but using his own words, if he had chosen to, at that point in time.

A few seconds later the High Priestess took a few steps towards him, and looked down at him. "You're tainted, Kaldorei. And that causes quite a few issues within itself."

Once again, he said nothing in response to the Priestess’s words.

"I can't have you here. To be quite truthful with you, it may be best if you leave this world, for good."

One of the Sentinels, delivered yet another sharp kick to his rib cage.

Vaerdon said nothing, instead laying still, not trying to fight back against them.

"As much as it pains me, to dispatch you from this world, I have no other choice, but to do so. I sentence you to death, Kaldorei."

Both of the Sentinels grinned wickedly as they hauled Vaerdon to his feet, and held him there, securely.


I stayed in the shadows, hidden from view, and listened to the High Priestess's words, and then watched as the Sentinels forced him to his feet, and held him there, against his will. "I couldn't let this happen to him. I loved him. There was no way that I was going to let him leave this world. Not like this!" I slowly slipped out of the shadows in my cat form, and then quickly shifted into 'human' form.

"You again... What are you doing here?" One of the Sentinels growled at me.

"Tari?! What are you doing here?! You shouldn't be here!" Vaerdon shook his head in complete and utter surprise at my presence there.

I looked to him, and slowly reached my right hand out towards him, but one of the Sentinels, quickly smacked it away. I bowed my head slightly, and walked to where the High Priestess was standing, stopping a few feet in front of her. I then bowed down before her, in way of a proper greeting.

"Pardon me, m'lady, but may I please speak with you?"

She raised one eyebrow slightly, at my words, and then began to speak. "About what, Druidess?"

"The Kaldorei that you're Sentinels are holding captive, m'lady."

"So you know him then?"

"Yes, m'lady. I know him quite well."

"And what exactly did you wish to speak to me about?"

"The sentencing you've dealt to him, m'lady."

"What about it?"

"I've come to beg for his life, m'lady."

"Why in the Fel would you do that? He's tainted, Druid. He's no longer to fit to live among us." One of the Sentinels, sneered slightly at Vaerdon, as she said this.

The High Priestess's attention immediately snapped to the Sentinel who had spoken, and she cast a harsh, cold, unblinking glare at her briefly, before turning her attention back to me. "So you've come to ask that I spare his life, correct?"

"Yes, m'lady."

"Why should I grant you what you ask? Do you not know, that he is no longer of pure blood, Druidess?"

"Yes, m'lady. I am aware of that."

"Then why should I continue to let him live?"

"I love him, m'lady. I love him with all my heart and soul."

"You love him? What a foolish young Druidess, you are. Why love him? What reason is there to love him?"

"Please m'lady. I love him, and that is all I know. Please spare his life."


She glanced over at Vaerdon and then back to me. "Very well, Druidess. I will do as you ask, this one time, and this one time only. Escort both of them out of the temple, and make sure that they don't come back in. Release the Rogue from his bonds, before you escort him and his lover out.”

"Yes, of course, High Priestess." The Sentinels said in unison, and one of them left Vaerdon's side, shortly after cutting the rope that bound him, and walked over to me.

"Come on, let’s go." She said, as she grabbed hold of my right wrist.

The High Priestess watched us, as the Sentinels tightened their grip on us, and she then spun on a heel, and walked off towards her quarters.

"I can't believe she showed mercy to you, demon." The Sentinel that was holding Vaerdon captive said.

Without another word, we were forced to the edge of the balcony, and thrown off it. We both landed on the ground below, with a sickening thud.

A small band of Sentinels walked up to us, and forced us back to our feet.

"Escort them out of here, and make sure they don't ever come back." One of the Sentinels spoke, from above.

The leader of this band of Sentinels nodded her head once, in understanding, and quickly had her troops escort us out of the temple and escorted us out to the Waterfall behind Darnassus. Without another word, they marched us to the very edge of the ledge, and pushed us off. Somehow Vaerdon managed to deploy his Ravenchute, and hopefully landed safely. I however was not so lucky, and ended up landing on a ledge below, with a sickening thump. It was there that I spent that night, wondering and hoping about Vaerdon, praying that he was alright.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 23

"Going Down"
The coming morning as the sun began to slowly rise in the sky, I sat up with a wince, and peered down over the edge of the ledge that I had landed on, the night before. Slowly I rose to my feet, and walked over to the edge of it. As I looked down, I saw that there was nothing but water and few tree branches, below me. Shaking my head slightly, I stepped off the edge of the ledge, and plummeted towards the water, landing in it, with a rather large splash. I winced slightly as I surfaced, and made my way onto dry land. I then pulled out my hearthstone, and activated it, quickly vanishing from sight, and ending up in Vaerdon's house, in Cut Throat Alley. I looked around to make sure that I had the right house, as I scanned my surroundings, I recognized a few of his personal belongings, and that confirmed to me, that this was his house. "Vaerdon, are you here?" There was no response, so I checked the whole house, to see if I could find him anywhere. But sadly, he was nowhere to be seen. Shaking my head slightly, I picked up a brisk jog, and headed towards the Flight Master. Once there I bought a flight to Darkshire, and landed there shortly after. Slowly I made my way to Vaerdon's house, and walked inside. I looked around for him, but still he was nowhere to be seen.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 24

"Going Through the Portal"
Sighing heavily, I left his house, and made my way towards the portal that was located in Twilight Grove. Once there, I slowly walked inside and was immediately surrounded by a thick emerald green, swirling mist. I have no idea why he would go even go in here but it’s worth checking, I suppose. I knelt down, and closed my eyes. I'm not sure how long I stayed there, but the next thing I remember is hearing Varedon's voice, though it sounded like it was a thousand miles away. I slowly stood up and walked towards the sound of his voice. After a few minutes of walking, I came across his form, lying unmoving on the ground. Panicking, I quickly grabbed hold of him, and dragged him out of the portal, and lay him down gently by the Moonwell.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 25

"Trapped"
I looked to him, still panicking and gently took his right hand in mine. A few short seconds later, he finally began to come to.

"Tari....?" His voice was soft and weak sounding.

"Vaerdon, thank Elune, you're okay."

"Tari, where are we?"

"The moonwell located in the Twilight Grove. Vaerdon, what were you doing in the dream?"

"Looking for you, Tari. I was looking for you."

"Why? Vae, why did you go in there? You could have died!"

"Tari, I was worried sick about you. That's why I came looking for you."

"Vae, please don't ever go in there again. Promise me... Promise me, you won't ever go in there again!!!"

"I promise Tari. Thank you, for everything. I love you."

"I love you as well, Vae."

We continued talking for a few more minutes, and I sat next to him, resting my head on his shoulder, that was closet to me. Suddenly we heard marching and the clinking of armor. We turned around to see a band of Sentinels, twenty of them, five archers, five mages, and ten bladesman.

"Vae run!!!" I screamed at him.

"Tari, no!!! I'm not leaving you!!!"


They marched forward, in a formation shaped like that of a hawk and quickly had us backed up to the portal, and surrounded us. Suddenly one of them leaped forward at us, and Vaerdon charged towards her, forward with both his swords, blocking the blow but leaving himself open. The Sentinel, the same that had been in Darkshire and Darnassus, sunk her sword into his chest.

"Vaerdon no!!!"

He staggered back and slipped into the portal.

"Damn you!!!" I screamed at them.

The Sentinel that had stabbed Vaerdon, walked up to me, and pushed me back, I lost my footing and fell to the ground, with a sickening sounding thump.

"I told you, that if either of you two ever came back, that I would have you killed."

"Dam you!!!"

"Temper, temper, girl." She delivered a sharp kick to my ribcage, sending me flying several feet away, and landing on the ground with yet a sickening thump.

"Damn you... How dare you attack him!"

"I grow tired of your words, Druid." She said, as she slowly walked up to me, and grabbed me by the collar of my robe, quickly yanking me to my feet.

"Get off me!"

"Shut it, Druid!" She said, as she pushed me back towards the portal.

"Vaerdon!!!"

"You're a fool Druid, and now you're going to pay for being one." She forced me back towards the portal until my back was up against it.

"What are you doing?" I growled at her.

"Using you as bait, girl. Now get in."

"No, I refuse!!!"

"You don't have a choice, Druid. Now get in there, before I force you to."

"I won't!!!"

She chuckled darkly, raised her sword and quickly slashed my right shoulder open.

I screamed out in pain.

"Now get in."

I braced myself, and glared at her. "I told you, I'm not going in there!"

"You don't have a choice, Druid." She gave one final hard push, and I tumbled backwards into the portal.


I landed on the ground, with a sickening thud, lying on my back, my breathing labored.

"Vae....?" I coughed up a little bit of blood, and then passed out. I have no idea how much time passed, but the next I remember hearing is Vaerdon's voice.

"Tari?! Tari can you hear me?!"

"Yes, I can hear you Vae. Are you okay?!"

"Yes Tari, I'm fine for the most part. Just a little cut up. Where are you?"

"I'm in the dream."

"At least we're in the same place. So any ideas on why they threw us in here?"

"Yes..."

"Okay."

"I suspect they threw me in here, knowing full well, that I would do my best to come to your aide. I think they may be using me as bait."

"Bait? Bait for what, Tari?"

"Bait for you, Vae. They know how much I care for you. They know that I'll do anything for you."

"Dammit... Tari, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"As am I, Vae."

"So how do we get out of here?"

I'm not sure if he already knew that I had begun searching for him. Shortly after he asked his question, I found him, and wrapped my arms around him.

"Vae!!!"

"Tari!!!"

I leaned into him. "Come on, we have to get out of here."

"Agreed."

With that Vaerdon took my hand in his, and started leading me deeper into the dream. After traveling for quite some time, we arrived at what looked like another portal. We slowly walked through it, and came out the other side, into Ashenvale. As we traveled through Ashenvale, we both lay our eyes upon, how far the taint had spread, and all the beings it had corrupted. After a few more hours of traveling together, we parted ways once again, but this time, not before placing a gentle kiss on each other's cheeks.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 26

"The First Signs Of Worse To Come"
I’ve let myself fall behind in my journal entries again. So much for the promise I made to myself a while back, saying that I would do my best to keep on top of these entries. Oh well, there's no point in dwelling in the past, so let’s get these thoughts down now, shall we?

I haven't seen Vae, in only Elune knows how long. I'm not quite sure where he got to, but he left Knimoto in my care, so now I'm trying to balance taking care of a little one, and the ever growing challenges of learning how to become a great and powerful Druidess, at the same times. And let me tell you, it's not as easy as one may think. Almost every time I leave Varedon's house in Stormwind, I have to take Kinmoto with me. I can't very well leave him behind, when I'm out and about doing my training, but thankfully he doesn't get into too much trouble, for the most part, although he does get into trouble from time to time, but that's to be expected with a child of his age.

Recently I've noticed changes in the world. Subtle changes, but still... All may not notice them, but being a Druidess, I certainly do. Most recently in addition to the creatures of Azeroth, acting strangely, and quite a fair bit more skittish than usual, I've heard rumors of tremors from beneath the world, I stand on. It's almost as if the very core of Azeroth is changing inside itself. Or perhaps I'm just imagining what I'm sensing due to the current stress, I'm going through. Time will tell, as it always does. But for now, I must cut this entry short. Soon the sun will rise, and I will have set to work dealing with the various tasks that need doing.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 27

"Getting Worse"
It turns I wasn't imagining the changes that I was sensing, and my fears are well founded. Now there's another thing that I have to contend with. I don't mean to whine, I really don't... But for the sake of Elune, at the current point in my life, I'm a single mother, and a Druidess in training. I think I have enough on my plate, without these new fears, and on top of that, I don't have the slightest idea what happened to Vaerdon. Oi... Well I can't change any of this, so there's no point about worrying about, what can't be changed, right? At any rate...

The tremors have now increased to full blown earthquakes. One evening I was sitting just inside the door way of Varedon's house, and a large quake hit, greatly upsetting Kinmoto, who was already quite upset, by his father's sudden disappearance. I was just getting ready to stand up to put him to bed, when the quake hit. This one was quite a bit stronger than most of the others, that had hit before it. Luckily, I was able to keep my balance by some sheer miracle and keep hold of Kinmoto. A few minutes later, after I had finally managed to calm him down, I carried him upstairs and put him to bed, and gently placing a kiss on the middle of his forehead, before I watched him fall asleep, and then headed back downstairs. That night was a sleepless one. Every few hours there was a slight tremor, some stronger than others, but for the most part, they weren't that bad. The next morning just as the sun had started rising, before Kinmoto had awoken, I slipped outside to fetch a few supplies that I needed. As I was out exploring the city, I came across several groups of oddly dressed beings. All of them were dressed in strange robes, rather like someone from a cult would wear. As I walked along, I could hear several of them, mutter something about prophecies, and how if we chose to follow them that we would be saved, from the ever encroaching danger.

A few hours later, after I had finished shopping, as I was walking past the church, I heard a small group of people talking about some sort of cult. Could the cult that they were talking about, be the same groups of beings that I had encountered earlier? And if so, why were they here, and what did they want?


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 28

"Going From Bad to Worse"
Things in Stormwind City, have just kept getting worse by the day. I'm worried... I haven't seen or heard from Vae, in a few weeks now, or perhaps it's been longer. Kinmoto is growing up without a father, and that's the last thing I want for him. I don't recall when it was, but at one point Vaerdon had told me that Kinmoto was blessed, and one day he would grow up to become a great Druid. I know he's right. Already Kinmoto is starting to show signs of his talents and powers. Mind you, he still has quite a long way to go, to become a great and powerful Druid, as do I. But in my case, it would be Druidess, not Druid. But those are details, that really don't matter at this point in time, and I doubt they ever will.

The earthquakes have gotten worse, and now the tremors are even more frequent and powerful, then they ever were before. With each passing day the talk of the cult grows, and the residents of the city become more and more panicked. Part of me wants to move, and get away from it all, but I have no other place to go, so that's not an option. I'm worried... Between the earthquakes, and the ever growing tremors, along with Varedon still missing, I'm starting to wonder, if the fates aren't out to get me, themselves.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 29

"Gone Without A Trace"
Yet another week has passed and their still has been no sign of Vae. Every morning when I wake, I take care of Kinmoto, and then go in search of Vae, if my life allows it. He hasn't been to any guild meetings now, in quite some time, and I fear for his safety and well being. I've searched for him everywhere, yet there's no trace of him. It's almost as if, he never existed in the first place. Vae, where are you?


--Asha'Falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 30

"Out Of the Frying Pan, And Into the Fire"

The earthquakes have now reached what seems like their peak. Each one is so powerful that you can't help but take notice of it. Kinmoto hasn't slept in days, the poor boy. The quakes keep him up at night, and I'm almost positive he realizes that his father is still missing. I still continue to search for Vae, every chance I get, but I never find a single trace of him. Is he gone from this world? Did he die, or get killed? Why haven't I seen him in so long? Is he laying out injured somewhere, unable to get help? Vae, where are you?!


--Asha'Falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 31

"Total Chaos"

The situation is now dire. The earthquakes struck the Guild Hall today. The basement is now totally destroyed for the most part. That's where Ot, did her studies. The rest of the building is still standing, although to be quite truthful with you, I have no idea how, but make no mistake, I am thankful for it. I now carry Kinmoto with me, everywhere I go. I won't risk leaving him behind, not now... Not when things are this dire. Wherever I go, he goes with me.


--Asha'Falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 32

"A Face from The Past"
Lady Moonjade, made an announcement, a few days ago, since the worst of the quakes seem to be over, she's organized a formal, and all guild members are welcome to attend, and each may bring one guest with them, if they please to. I sent a letter to Vaerdon, hoping, praying that he would show up. Even if he didn't stay, at least I would know that he was alright. The day of the ball quickly came, and I read the location of where it was to be held at. Darnassus... Of all the places for the ball to be held at it, this had to be it... I'm not exactly welcome there, but I had already promised one of my fellow guild members that I would attend, and I wasn't about to go make on my promise that I made to them. So I slipped on a lovely black dress, a pair of simple, yet elegant cloth dress shoes, and fixed my hair the best I could. I then quickly made my way down to the docks of the city, and caught a boat to Darnassus. Once the boat docked there, I quickly slipped into my feline form, and went to the place where the ball was to be held at. I settled myself into a semi-dark corner and waited for the others to start arriving. A few minutes, they started doing so. Once everyone was there, Lady Moonjade said a few words, and the ball began. While everyone was being social, I stayed hidden away, keeping my eyes open for any sign of Vaerdon.

After a few hours, much to my surprise and utter happiness, he did show up. He was dressed in his battle gear of course, but he was there. I quickly ran up to him, and promptly threw my arms around him, losing all control of my emotions at that point in time, and just stood there, with my arms tightly wrapped around him, and his arms tightly wrapped around me. After a few long minutes, we finally let go of each other, and made our way over to a quiet corner, and started talking. I told him about what had been going on, since I had last seen him, and that Kinmoto was still safe in my care, and that he missed his father. After about three hours or so of us talking, Lady Moonjade, mentioned something about the Sentinels and how she was part of them.

The Sentinels…The very worst subject that anyone could bring up around Vaerdon, much less one from the ranks of our own guild. Lady Moonajde was one of them, and she had been for quite some time, but I had never known until now. After a few words from her, Vae quickly pulled me aside, and told me that he was leaving the ranks of Invictus Sanctum, forever. He told me that he would always love me, and do his very best to keep in touch. He told me to look after Kinmoto well, and that he would never forget either one of us, and he would love us for all eternity. He placed a tender, caring kiss on my lips, before vanishing back into the shadows, once again. As I watched him fade away, I had a sickening feeling somewhere from within me that I would never see or hear from him ever again.


--Asha'Falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 33

"Missing My One True Love"
It's been several weeks since I last saw or heard from Vaerdon, I can't help but think that he's gone for good this time. I wish that Lady Moonjade hadn't ever spoken a single word about the Sentinels... If she hadn't...Then maybe he would still be here, and we would be a family. But that's not the case. I'm sure Lady Moonjade, meant no harm to come of her talking about the Sentinels... But harm did come of it. He's gone now... And he's gone for good. I can't help but think that. Every time I look at Kinmoto, it reminds of Vaerdon, and how our son will grow up without a father. None of this ever should have happened. We should have been able to stay together as a family, and live our lives together as that. But that won't ever be the case now. Or at least it seems like it won't ever be the case. At any rate, there's no use in me continuing to write about him, and what could have/should have been. So let’s change the subject shall we?

We've been working on re-building the basement of the Guild Hall. We're not anywhere near finished yet. I've been training day in and day out, often with Kinmoto, hidden someplace safe nearby. I've started exploring areas, that were ravaged by the quakes. Something still seems out of place. Could it be that Azeroth still isn't done changing? I have a feeling that I'm probably right, and that is the case. But regardless, I'll have to meet with some old friends of mine, and discuss the matter with them.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 34

"A Surprise Letter In the Mail"
I got quite a surprise today, and one that made me very happy at that. I received a letter from Vaerdon. He told me that he was safe, and he was stationed in Theramore, protecting and helping the beings who lived there. He said that he missed me and Kinmoto, and hoped that we were both doing well. Of course I sent a response straight back to him. And told him that me and Kinmoto, were safe and well, and that we miss him. After I had sent the letter off, I spent the rest of the day, shopping to pick up some needed supplies, before heading back to Vaerdon's house, where I had left Kinmoto at.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 35

"Bad News"
A few months have passed, since I last heard from Vae, and I was starting to grow more and more worried about him, by the day. There was a knock at his door this morning, and a letter was left there. The letter was to inform me, that Vae had been killed in battle. All the color faded from my face, and my ears drooped. "No... He can't be dead... There's just no way, that he can be gone. Vae..." I clenched the letter tight in my hands, as tears flowed down my face, and I dropped to my knees. I spent the next week in his house, coming to terms with his passing, and doing what I could, to help Kinmoto. As the week came to an end, I realized that, I could no longer, take care of Kinmoto. I love him dearly, but I can't watch over him anymore. Whenever I take him out with me, when I train, he's in danger. I can't risk him getting hurt. I sent a letter in the mail today, to Vae's only sister, asking her to watch over Kinmoto. I love him more than anyone will ever know, but I can't risk his safety, not anymore. "Goodbye, my little one. May you live long and walk the path that you seek. May Elune watch over you." A few hours later, there was knocking at Vae's door, I opened it, and it was his sister. Tearfully, I let her in, and picked Kinmoto up in my arms, from the cradle he was laying in. With a heavy heart, I walked back to over and gently handed him to her. I then gently placed a kiss on his forehead, and said a prayer, before she bowed down before me, with him in her arms, and left without a single word. I fell to my knees sobbing. "Vae, forgive me. Kinmoto, this is for the best. I'm sorry, my little one."


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 36

"My Training Continues"

It's been several months, since I've been able to write another entry in my journal. Vae, has passed from this world, and I can only hope that Kinmoto, is doing well. I've been training, day in and day out, trying to practice my art. I haven't slept well, in quite some time, but that really doesn't bother me. Its Sunday today and there's probably a guild meeting, as per usual. I'd rather not go. But I'm doing so anyhow. Perhaps it will do me some good, to spend some time with the others.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 37

"Life goes On"
I've continued my training, as a Druidess. The thought of Kinmoto, lingers in the back of my mind, constantly. I wonder how he's doing, and what's become of him. I long to see him again, and to hold him in my arms, but I'll never be able to do that again. But I won't be able to, and there's no point in dwelling on the past. So let’s move on, shall we?

I've been attending guild meetings, more and more frequently, although why I've been doing so, I'm not really sure. Perhaps it's because I seek companionship from those who gather there, now that Vae is gone. But I've never really been that social for the most part, so that theory doesn't make a whole lot of sense. So I'm not quite sure, why I've been attending them, more and more frequently. I've been frequenting Stormwind City, more often, and now I've even started going into some of the taverns there. Of course, I've always been in my feline form, when I visit them, not only to hide my face, but if a situation arises where I must defend myself, I can do much more damage when in my feline form, then I can, while I'm in my 'human' form. Although perhaps 'human' isn't quite the right word to use in this case, seeing as I'm not human, and my kind and their kind, have several rather distinct differences. Come to think of it, I could probably protect myself if needed, while I'm in my 'human' form, seeing as my fingernails resemble claws more than anything else, and worst comes to worst, I could always bite someone, but still... I'd rather not, so that's why I stay in my feline form.

Earlier this evening, I wandered into the Blue Recluse. There was a man, sitting at a nearby table. He was enveloped by shadows, and dark flames, licked at his body. I raised one eyebrow briefly, before realizing that he was a Priest in shadow form. After realizing this, I sat down a few feet away from him, and watched him.

After a few minutes he noticed my presence, and grinned lopsidedly at me. I raised one eyebrow, and stayed perfectly still. A few seconds later he began to speak.

“You may want to work on your stealth a bit there, fair Druid, unless you actually happen to be a large white cat, which has just wondered into the city, which I highly doubt.”

I stayed perfectly still, looking at him, not saying anything, for a few seconds. “Wait... Are you telling me, that you can see me?”

He just nodded his head.

“How can you see me?”

“Practice. Years and years of practice.” He slowly raised one of his hands to his forehead, and lightly tapped it, with one finger.

I cocked one brow at this. “Well then I guess there's no point, in me staying in this form then.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “You can stay in whatever form you like, but I wouldn't mind seeing the face behind the fur.”

I shook my head briefly, and shifted into my original form.

He looked at me, and smiled briefly.

“Please have a seat.” He gestured to one the chairs surrounding him.

I looked at him, and then at one of the chairs. After a few seconds, I sat down in one that was positioned directly across from him.

“Would you care for a drink, miss?”

“I'm not one to typically drink, but I could go for one.”


He smiled and stood up. I raised one eyebrow at him. He walked over to the bartender and ordered two fairly weak alcoholic beverages. A few minutes later, the bartender handed him two mugs, and he walked back over to the table. I looked at him.

“Do I owe you anything?”

“Nope.”

“Thanks.” He handed me one of the mugs, and then went back and sat down.

“So what brings you here?”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“I just thought that I would come here and relax for a little while.”

“Ah, I see.”

“How about you? May I ask what brings you here?” I slowly took a sip from my mug.

“Same reason as you, just looking for a place to relax, after a long day of fighting, it feels good to sit and just to relax, even if it’s only for a few short minutes.”

I stifled a sigh that was doing its best to come out. At first I thought this guy may have been a threat. But he was on the same side as me. I should have known better, then to think he was a threat. I slowly but surely let my guard down.

We sat there, sipping from our mugs, talking about various matters.

I grinned slightly, as I heard a soft hooting sound, coming from outside.

“Did you hear something?”

I just smiled, and turned my head towards the doorway, before whistling sharply. A small owl, with coal black feathers flew up to my side. It stopped there, and hooted softly.

He sighed heavily. “How come animals, never seem to come to me?”

“She's just a bit timid, that's all.”

“Yeah sure...Whatever you say.” He grumbled slightly.

I smiled and slowly stood up, walking over to him. The owl hooted softly.

He held out one of his right hand, for the owl to perch on. Much to his dismay, the owl stayed hovering in the air. He sighed heavily. “I guess it's too much to ask of it, to perch on my hand...”

I glanced over at the owl. It hooted softly, and gently landed on his hand.

He smiled at it, and then looked at me. “Flighty little things aren't they?”

“It's not just you... She typically doesn't land on anyone, not even me.” The owl turned her head, and hooted at me. “Well at least she's not trying to bite you. That's a good sign.”

He smiled softly.


After a few minutes, a Gnome came running in, chasing after a Wind Elemental. We both turned our attention to the gnome, and watched as he quickly dispatched the Elemental. Then as quickly, and suddenly as he had come in, he left.

I looked at the Priest, but said nothing.

“Another one of those Elementals, they’ve been everywhere recently.”

I raised one eyebrow at this.

“So they’re here too?”

“Yes, unless we're both just crazy, and happened to see the same thing. Did you see it, as well?” He chuckled lightly.

“Yes. I agree with you. Either we're both crazy, or we both just saw the same exact thing.” I let out a soft laugh.

He smiled briefly, and we continued talking, about various matters.

A few minutes later, I heard a scream, and turned my head, to look at a woman, who was being chased by yet another Elemental. A few seconds later, she was suddenly encased in ice.

“What in the Fel?”

A few seconds later, the same gnome that we had seen just a few minutes earlier, came rushing in, and freed the trapped woman, quickly dispatched the Elemental. He then left again, just as quickly and suddenly, as he had come in.

“Did you see that?”

He turned to look at me. “See what?”

I shook my head briefly. “Never mind...”

We continued to talk for quite a while. Long after the sun had set, he slowly stood up. “I must be going.”

“As must I, training is always on going or so it would seem.”

He started walking towards the doorway, and suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, and turned to face me. “I never got your name.”

I smiled softly. “It's Tarika.”

He bowed his head slightly. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Tarika.”

“May I ask what your name is?”

“It's Zarinn.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you as well.” I bowed before him.

He did the same, and then left the tavern.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 38

"Memories and The Current Time"
So many days have come and passed, since I first awoke from my dream. The very first thing I recall when I woke on that day, was the prickly feeling of the grass which I lay on, pressing against my body, the warmth of the sun's rays, bathing me in their calming light. As I awoke my ears twitched to the sounds of the creatures around me, the birds chirping, and the grazers munching peacefully on their grass. Whenever I close my eyes, I can still recall that day, just as crisp and clear, as if it was the current day. But I know in my mind that it's not. No, that day has long since passed, and it never return, for no mortal can turn back the hands of time. So let’s speak of the current time, shall we?

I met a Priest, who goes by the name, Zarinn, just a few days back. How we met, was normal enough, but what transpired in the time we spent together, was anything but normal. I never expected a human of all beings, to be able to detect me so easily. He was able to pick up on my presence right away, and there's never been anyone else who I've met, who has been able to do that. He seemed scary at first, but after just talking to him he put me at ease. How he did this, I don't know to this day, and I doubt that I'll ever know. The whole time we spent together he never once pulled back his hood, so that I could see his face, and in the past, when I couldn't see the being's face who I was talking to, I grew nervous, not being able to read their facial expressions. Yet with him, I never once grew nervous around him. I don't understand it. I couldn't see his face at all, yet I wasn't the least bit nervous. I never did understand how he was able to put me at ease, when I first met him, and I still don't have the slightest clue how he managed to do so. He's like no one, I've ever met before, and I'll probably never meet another one like him. He's something else, and I'll just leave it at that.

Now onto the next subject at hand... Not too long ago, a letter came in the mail, from one of the Elders in Darnassus, none the less. He said that he wanted to meet with me, but he gave no more detail than that. He didn't state the reason why he wished to do so, or a time or date to meet on. That's the oddest letter that I've ever gotten from my mentors, especially considering that most letters they've sent to me, have always been much more detailed than that. Something isn't right about this letter. Why would they be so vague on the details, they chose to include in it? Why be so impersonal when writing a letter, much less a letter to a student? I mean... I know full well that there are some cases, where a letter is meant to me impersonal and vague. But in this case, I don’t think that is the case, it just wouldn’t make sense. No, it makes no sense, and this worries me, greatly. I can't wait to send a response back to them. If I do, then I risk running the chance that whatever he wishes me to meet with him about, slipping away, or possibly even getting worse, and I can't have that. I won't have that. I still have so many matters that I have to attend to where I am now, but this letter takes priority over all of them. So sadly, I must cut this journal entry short, dare I risk delaying my meeting with the Elder any longer. Farewell until I write again.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 39

"Arrangements"
It seems that the fates have actually allowed me some free time, to catch up on my entries, so I best get to it, before that changes, either by the fate's hands, or by something else. Let’s see... Where to begin?

I traveled to Darnassus, a few nights ago, but much to my dismay, I was told that the Elders were too busy to meet with me, and directed to go back to Stormwind. I'm not welcome in Darnassus, so I headed back to the city, and continued my training there. A Kaldorei, that isn't welcome in Darnassus. So many of my kind would that find odd, to say the least, almost unbelievable, to a certain extent. Although I suppose that's what I get, for falling in love, with one who my kind considered tainted. But that's in the past now, he's passed from this world, never to return. I know that full well. There's no point in dwelling on the past, it won't change anything after all. So let’s move on, shall we?

I ran into Zarinn, shortly after I arrived back in Stormwind. He was in the Trade District, although why he was there, I don't know. I was in my feline form, and still thought it best to keep my face hidden. Not from him, mind you, but from others, who aren't fond of me, in the least bit. I bowed down before him, as best I could, and started walking away. Much to my surprise, no sooner then had I taken a few steps, I heard his voice call out to me. My ears twitched slightly, as I turned around to see what he wanted. A few short seconds later, we started talking about setting a time and a meeting place. Although how we got on that subject, I don't have the slightest clue. At any rate, after a brief conversation we decided on meeting upon the top of Thunder Falls, in Elwynn Forest, in three days from the present. Right after, the meeting arrangements had been made, he smiled and bowed down before me, and before I could even respond, he was gone. Man, talk about a quick exit. Now as I sit here, perched high up in a tree, writing my thoughts down, I hear a voice coming from within the Guild Hall, calling my name. There's no doubt in my mind that they want me for something, and I best not keep them waiting. Farewell until I write again.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 40

"The Meeting"
Three days have passed, since I last talked to Zarinn, today is the day that we're supposed to meet atop Thunder Falls. The sun is starting to set, and I still haven't heard from him, so I'll just head to the meeting place, and see if he comes. Now what's the quickest way to get to Thunder Falls, from here? I looked around, from my view point in the trees, trying to plot the quickest route to the Falls. After a few minutes, I thought of a route that may work, and jumped down from my perch, landing in a crouched position, with a wince. Ow, bad landing, bad landing in my 'human' form, none the less! Once again, I had mis-judged my landing, and paid for it. Wincing, I slowly stood up, and did my best to crack my spine, hoping that it would at least lessen the pain from my horrid landing. Sadly, once I managed to crack my spine, it didn't do nearly as much good, as I thought it would have done. Shaking my head, at my own stupidity, I made my way towards Thunder Falls. My father had always told me, "If you're going to be stupid, then you have to be strong." Or something along those lines... My memory fails me, even at my age. How sad... Oh well, enough with the pointless rambling. Let’s move on. After traveling for about half an hour or so, I reached the top of Thunder Falls, and settled myself on a rock, just above the waterfall. I slowly closed my eyes, taking in the ever fading rays of the sun. A few minutes later, I heard Zarinn's voice.

"Evening Tarika."

My ears twitched slightly, as he spoke. I stood up and turned to face him. Much to my confusion when I turned around and looked for him, he wasn't anywhere to be found.

"Wrong place, silly." He said with a slight chuckle.

"What do you mean wrong...." I stopped mid-sentence, as I turned back around, only to see him, standing right next to where I had been sitting, only a few moments ago. I shook my head briefly, as I looked at him. "How did you.....? How did you get.....?"

"Cat, got your tongue, there?" He asked with a slight chuckle, as he noticed my difficulty with speaking.

I said nothing, in response, instead just shaking my head and smiling.

"I'll assume that means, yes."

I chuckled slightly.

As for how I got here, without you seeing me, which is what I believe you were trying to articulate there, let’s just say I have my ways." He chuckled slightly.

"I'll say you do." I replied, with a tone of mock annoyance in my voice. I'll openly admit, I was quite surprised that he was able to sneak past me, much less how he did it, without me even detecting him, in the least bit.

"I have my ways, Druidess, just as you have yours."

"True enough. So why did you want to meet?"

"Just to talk, nothing more, nothing less."

"Ah, okay."

He patted the rock, upon which he stood, and smiled. "Care to have a seat?"

I smiled and took a seat nearby on the same rock as him. "It's peaceful here."

"Agreed."

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. I was hoping that you would start us off." He said with a slight chuckle.

"Me? No way... I'm can't start conversations for my life." I shook my head briefly.

"Oh? I beg to disagree."

I smiled and shook my head. A few minutes later we began talking about various matters. What exactly we talked about that evening, I don't recall. By the time we finished talking, the sun had long since set behind the clouds, and the day had given way to the night. A few minutes later, we both stood up and bowed down before each other, before leaving.

Well I best be ending this entry, and getting back to the tasks at hand. Until I write again, my friends.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 41

"Love and Heartbreak"
Several weeks have passed since; I last met with Zarinn, atop Thunder Falls. I've been keeping busy, training day in and day out, regardless of what my life sometimes throws in my way. This evening I decided to stop at a small local tavern and much to my surprise and delight, Zarinn was there, sitting quietly at a table by himself, sipping at his drink. Smiling softly, I slipped out of the shadows still in my cat form, walked over to him, and gently rubbed up against his lower legs. He stifled a soft chuckle, as his gaze flicked down to me, briefly.

"Evening, Tarika."

The moment he said my name, I stopped rubbing up against him. "How did you know it was me?"

"Practice, years and years of practice." He raised his left hand to his forehead, and tapped it lightly with one finger.

"Right, I keep forgetting about that."

"You'll get better with time, Tarika. So what brings you here?"

"Just looking for a small respite, before I retire for the night, and yourself, my friend?"

"The same more or less, I’m also seeking a respite, of course. Are you planning on retiring for the night soon, or would you have a few minutes to spare to meet with me, later?"

I slipped out of my feline form, and into my 'human' form, quickly brushing aside several stray bangs, which had fallen out of place, during the transformation. "I wasn't planning on heading to bed, anytime soon. Well not going to sleep at least, anytime soon. So the answer is yes, I have some free time to meet with you later." I smiled softly at him.

"That's good news, very good indeed. Shall we meet as the same place, as last time, atop Thunder Falls?"

"That works for me. Is that where you'd like to meet?"

"Yes."


"Okay, we'll meet there then. I hope to see you soon." I smiled softly, and walked out of the tavern. I paused briefly, before slipping back into my cat form, and heading towards the inn, located in the Trade District, buying a few supplies there, before quickly starting to head towards Thunder Falls. After traveling for about half an hour, I arrived atop the Falls, and looked around for Zarinn, but there was no sight of him. Thinking that I may have beat him for once, I smiled slightly, and settled myself atop a large boulder, overlooking the Falls. A few short seconds later, I heard his voice.

"So you finally made it. Good, good."

I smiled, shaking my head briefly. "So you beat me here again, eh?"

"Yes, it would seem that way." He stifled a soft chuckle.

I couldn't help but stifle a soft chuckle, and slip out of my feline form, so that we could talk, face to face. "So why did you want to meet?"

"I just wanted to talk to you. It's nice to have some company from time to time, although I'm rarely as social, as I'm being right now."

I smiled softly at him, and we sat down on the same boulder, as we did the last time, we met here. A few minutes we began talking about various matters, and I lost track of time from there. We must have talked for at least three hours or so. Suddenly Zarinn, said he had to go, he stood up, and walked over to the boulder, that we had been sitting on. I quickly stood up, looking at him, rather worriedly, hoping that he was going to use a spell or something along those lines, to get down safely. But he didn't... The last words I heard from him, before he took that fatal step, and fell to his death were, "Goodbye Tarika." Then he was gone. He killed himself.

"No, he's not dead... He just didn't do take his own life... No, there's no way he did. There's no way he would have done that. No, he's not dead! He can't be dead!" I sobbed, as I made my way down off the waterfall, scaling the sheer rock face, trying to get down to him, as quickly as I could. I shakily reached my right hand out, and placed gingerly placed it on his neck, checking for a pulse, but there was none. He was dead... I quickly yanked a single maple seed out of a small leather pouch, which I wore around my waist. Fumbling slightly, I pried his mouth open, and tried to get him to swallow it, but it wasn't of any use. It was too late. I closed my eyes, and put my both my hands on him. My hands began to glow a soft green color. "Elune, please grant me your strength. Please bring him back. Take my life essence, and give it to him, if you must. But don't let him slip away from this world. Please.... Please I beg of you!"

A few minutes later I blacked out, and fell to the ground. When I awoke, my eyes landed on Zarinn's now lifeless corpse. Sobbing, I let out a shrill whistle, and a few minutes later, a small white Tickbird appeared, next to me. I quickly jotted down a note, explaining what had taken place, and tied it tightly, to the bird's left leg, before directing it, to go find an old friend of mine. I don't know how much time passed from that point on. The next thing I knew, my friend had come, and had his right hand, on my shoulder, trying his best to soothe me. Still sobbing, I asked my friend, to help me transport Zarinn's body to Mount Hyjal, so that it could rest under the great tree, Nordissal, so that maybe one day he could be brought back. Rather reluctantly he agreed to help me, move Zarinn's corpse to Mount Hyjal. From that point on, things moved quickly.


Everything from that point on was a blurr, and still is just that to me, even to this day. The next thing that I clearly remember is watching Zarinn's body, being laid to rest, under the great boughs of Nordissal. I After his body had been laid to rest there, my friend tried his best to convince to me to leave. But I wouldn't budge. There was no way that I was going to leave Zarinn, not now. Eventually my friend gave up, and left. For the next three weeks, I spent my time by Zarinn's corpse, refusing to let anyone or anything get near it. As the last evening, on the third week came to an end, I forced myself away from his corpse. Rising painfully to my feet, I placed a caring kiss on the middle of his forehead, before I slowly stood up, as a single tear escaped me, and landed on his left cheek, slowly running down it, before hitting the ground, that he rest on. "I'll be back, I promise." My voice cracked slightly, as I said this, and I fought to hold back the tears, that were threatening to show themselves. Quickly I bowed down before his lifeless corpse and made my way back to Stormwind City, and to the Guild Hall. Once there I hastily wrote a letter to the Guild, explaining what had happened, and that I was going to back to Mount Hyjal, to stand guard over Zarinn's corpse, until he either came back to life, by some miracle or another, or his body was destroyed, because there was no chance of him coming back. I quickly tacked the letter to the wall, and swiftly left, to return to Mount Hyjal.


*A letter written on tear stained parchment hangs on the wall, near the entrance of the guild hall. It appears as if great care was taken in writing it. And the composer of the letter was quite upset when they wrote it.* It reads...

"Dear members of Invictus Sanctum,

My name is Tarika. I'm proud to be a member among your ranks. Sadly, I must go on a journey. I would like to remain in your ranks if possible, while I'm gone. I suppose, I should tell you the reason for my upcoming journey. I met with a close friend of mine, late last night, through early this morning. We met atop Thunder Falls, in Elwwyn Forest. Our visit went well. My friend seemed bothered by something. He mentioned that he had been exiled. He gave me no further details on this. After we were done talking he stood up, and we said goodbye to each other. What happened next, horrified me. He walked to the edge of the falls, and stood there for a brief second, before stepping off the edge of the rock, he was standing on. I thought that maybe he had cast a spell to shield himself, upon landing. But that wasn't the case. A few seconds later, I heard a sickening thud. I rushed to the edge of the rock he had been standing on and looked down.

To my horror, I saw him laying unmoving on the rock. I quickly made my way down to him. I knelt down by him, and checked for a pulse, but there was none. He was dead. I fought the tears that were trying to come, and gave him a final parting gift. I transferred a large portion of my life essence to him. I then had his body transported to Mount Hyjal, and placed to rest under the Great Tree, Nordrassil. My hope is that the natural energies there will preserve his body, at least until he decides to either accept or reject my final parting gift to him. I can only hope that the beings there will watch over him. I grow weaker by the minute. I gave so much of my life essence away, that I can barely write this. I will be departing to Mount Hyjal this Sunday evening, after the guild meeting. I can only hope that I can hold that long. I would depart sooner, except I happened to run into a friend of Zarinn's in Stormwind City, as I was heading to the portal that leads to Mount Hyjal. She said that he kept a journal. That he wrote everything in. She's agreed to get it for me, and hand it off to me, at the next guild meeting. If it wasn't for that fact, I'd depart sooner. I'm hoping his journal may hold some secrets to why he just suddenly ended it. That is why once I get hold of it, I will be packing the few personal belongings I have, and departing to Mount Hyjal. I will stand guard over Zarinn's body, until he either decides to accept or reject my final gift, or my body gives out on me, and I pass from this world. Either way, I can't control what happens. If Elune sees fit to help heal me, then so be it. If that turns out to be the case, then I hope to be back, within a few weeks. However if she does not see fit to help me, I will ask her to take the rest of my life essence and transfer it to Zarinn, to give him a greater chance of coming back. I will miss you all dearly, and hope to return as soon as I can.

Sincerely, Tarika Nightrose"

As I made my way towards Mount Hyjal, I wondered if I'd ever see Zarinn alive again, or see the beings, that I had come to call my family.

*The last few lines of the journal entry, are tear stained, and her typically tidy signature, seems to have been written with haste.*


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 42

"Painful Waiting"
Two weeks have passed, since I've returned to Mount Hyjal, to stand guard over Zarinn's corpse. Over those two weeks, I've rarely left his side. Yes, this place may be considered a sanctuary by some, but in every sanctuary, there are demons who seek to terrorize the inhabitants of that sanctuary. So I'll continue standing guard over Zarinn's remains, either until Elune helps me, or there is no longer any sign that his spirit will return to his body.

Something is calling me away from Mount Hyjal, and back to Stormwind City. Perhaps if I were to go back, maybe I could find some clues on why he did this to himself. Still... If I were to leave his remains unguarded and something did come across them, then I'd never be able to forgive myself, if anything happened to him. I have some long time friends who are currently stationed here. Perhaps I will ask one of them to watch over his remains, if I choose to go back to the city, and see if I can find any clues, as to why he may have done this. Yes, that's what I'll do. I can only hope his remains stay safe, while I'm gone. On that note, I slowly stood up, bowing my head slightly, in due respect to his remains, and made my way to the post where one of my friend's was stationed at. After walking for about twenty five minutes, I reached their post. Slowly I approached them, my head slightly bowed.

"Oh evening, Tarika. What draws you away from your vigil, if I may ask? You've rarely left that human's side, since you had him brought here. So why leave his side now?"

"I've come to ask a favor of you, my old friend."

"A favor? May I inquire what you ask of me?"

"I want you to watch over Zarinn's remains for me, while I'm gone for a little while. I should be back within two weeks at the most."

"You can't be serious... Tarika, he's not coming back. You know that full well. Besides he took his own life, and if his spirit was going to return to his body, then it would have done it by now. Tarika, he's gone for good. You've got to realize and accept this."

I growled slightly at her words. "You don't know that. Stop speaking of matters that you don't have the slightest grip on. You never knew him, when he was still alive, besides, you and I, don't walk the same path. I'm a Druid, and you're a Warrior. And you dare speak about Zarinn, like you knew him? You and I, are of the same race, but we don't walk the same path. Keep that in mind."

"Tarika, he's gone. Just give up on him, already."

"No, I refuse to give up on him, Virika. I won't give up on him. Not yet, at least. So don't go telling me what to do."

"He's dead. You know that full well. Now just grow up and accept it."

"He may be dead to you, but he's not dead to me." My eyes darkened slightly, and I raised my gaze to meet her's. "I'm asking you to watch over his remains, as a friend, more then anything. Now will you please do this for me?"

"Tarika, you're going to get me in trouble. You know the Elders aren't happy about you having his remains brought here, in the first place. And now you're trying to drag me into this mess? The answer is no, Tarika. I'm not watching over his corpse."

"Virika, I've done for you, what I'm no asking you to do for me. Shouldn't you return the favor, I once did you for you?"

"Tarika... You can't be serious about this whole thing."

"I am serious, Virika. I'm just as serious, on this matter, as I am, on all the other matters."

"Tarika... Fine, you win. I'll watch over his remains for you, till you get back. But I'm only doing this, because I'm a childhood friend of yours. Do you understand?"

"Yes, and I thank you for it, more then you'll ever know."

"Yeah, yeah... Just get going, and get back here, as soon as you can. Okay?"

"Don't worry, I will. May Elune watch over you, my friend."

"And may she watch over you, Tarika. I can't believe I'm doing this for you."

"Neither can I, Virika. Neither can I." And with those words, I slipped away, and started the long journey back to Stormwind City.

Farewell until I write again, in this journal, where I confess my true thoughts and emotions.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 43

"Answered Prayers?"
I've arrived back in Mount Hyjal finally. Zarinn is still in the place and condition that he was in when I left. I wonder if he will ever wake from his eternal slumber. As I write down these thoughts I'm sitting here by his seemingly lifeless body, the few creatures that wander by have seem to know why I brought his body here, they know of the powers of the area that can heal one's broken body. I glance over at him as I'm writing this entry, his eyes are closed, and his skin the same color as it was when he was still living. He looks like he's just sleeping; I have to keep reminding myself that he's dead. I want him to come back. It's been about a month since his passing. I can't stay by his side. On my last trip back to Stormwind City, I was hoping that I'd find some clues as to why he took his own life, without explaining why. I have to venture back there, at least one more time. I have to go back and see if I can find anything that may be of use or possibly explain why he killed himself.


-Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 44

"A Chance Meeting"
The time has come for me to return to Stormwind City once again, something is calling out to me from there, and I have to find what or who it is. As I write this entry I'm sitting by Zarinn's remains, wondering if he'd even want me doing this. Regardless, the time has come and now must depart for the city once again. "I'll be back as soon as I can, Zarinn. May Elune watch over you, in my absence, my friend." With those words, I turned to a nearby doe that was standing a few feet away. "Keep an eye on him for me, while I'm gone will you?" The doe let out a soft snort and pawed at the ground briefly with her right front hoof. "Thank you, my friend." And with that being said and done, I pulled out my Hearthstone and whispered "Stormwind" into it and with a flash of sudden bright green light; I was standing in the inn located in the Trade District of Stormwind City. With a slight wince, I stepped outside and slipped into my cat form. It was there in that form I stayed, sticking to the shadows until I came across a rather young looking woman, standing alone in one of the alley ways, located not too far from the Cathedral. I got close enough to her to take in her scent. My muzzle crinkled slightly, as I took in her scent and I bared my teeth at her, still staying hidden in the shadows. She smelled like him... She and he had a very similar scent. Could she and Zarinn be related? I took a few steps back, so that I could better analyze the situation and what to do. If she was related to him in some way, maybe she could help me figure out why he killed himself. However if she wasn't, she'd either think I was crazy or she'd just pay me no heed. With a soft growl, from deep within my throat, I slipped out from the shadows and gave a light tug on one of her pants legs, hoping to get her attention which I did.

She looked down at me with a rather quizzical expression on her face and studied me briefly, before bending over slightly and reaching down to pet me on my head. My first instinct was to bite her; however I did manage to suppress it. Why do most humans seem to think that I'm a rather large white panther like cat wandering at first glance? For the sake of Elune, I'm not a cat! I'm a Druid!

"Hello kitty." She said, as she slowly withdrew her hand from upon my head.

My tail flicked slightly in annoyance of her words. "First off, may we talk about something? And second off, I'm not a cat."

"Ah, my apologies then…May I ask what you are exactly?"

"I'll just show what I am; I'd prefer to do that anyhow."

"Very well."

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth slightly, as the transformation took place for me to return to my normal form. She watched me as I transformed, seeming not to be put off in the least bit, by my not so graceful transformation process.

"Ah, you're a Druid, eh?"

"Yes, I am."

"Ah, I see. What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well I'm not quite sure how to put this but you smell familiar."

She cocked one brow at my statement. "I smell familiar? I'm afraid that I don't follow."

"My apologies, allow me to explain. I came here in search of some information about a particular individual. Perhaps you could assist me, if you'd be so kind."

"Okay, perhaps I could help you, although that depends on who you're talking about exactly."

"A Priest, who goes by the name of Zarinn…Do you know anything about him?"


She raised one finger to her chin and lightly tapped it a few times. "Aye, I've heard his name before. It was rumored that he was quite a Priest. He was said to have a way with the Shadows and his Shadow Form. Other than that, I don't know much about him."

"You're lying... Don't try and lie to me. I can see right through the fake and empty words, you use to form your hollow lies."

"Lying? I'm afraid I don't follow, Druid."

"You're saying less then you truly know about Zarinn."

"Now what makes you say that?" She responded, as she eyes me briefly.

"Simple... You smell like him."

"I don't understand what you mean by that..."

"You and he share a very similar scent."

"Are you sure that your nose hasn't betrayed you, Druid?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You and him are somehow related. Would you be willing to tell me how you two are related and/or tied to each other?"

"Possibly, although that depends on why you're asking and if you're sure about your statement that me and him are related."

"I'm quite sure that you two are related and the reason why I'm asking about him is because he's gone..."

"What do you mean gone?" She asked, her voice suddenly becoming much tense sounding then it was before.

"He killed himself after he met with me with one evening, by stepping off Thunder Falls and landing on a large boulder below."

"I'm sorry to hear that..." She said, as her voice became cold and steely sounding.

I noticed the change in her voice right away. "Tell me, do you know or can you think of any reasons why he may have wanted to kill himself?"

"No, all I know is that he kept a journal. Perhaps I could get it for you, if you wish, although it would take me a little bit of time to get."

"If you could manage to get it, I'd be eternally grateful."

"Alright, at the earliest I can have it to you by this coming Sunday evening. Will that work?"

"Yes it will, thank you."

"Where would you like to meet?"

"Westbrook Garrison, just outside the front entrance."

"Very well, I will bring the journal to you then."

"Thank you very much, once again for everything."

"You’re welcome…Now if you will please excuse me, I have to be going." She turned around and started walking away.


"Wait! Wait please; I have one more question for you!"

She stopped dead in her tracks and turned her head to look at me. "Yes?"

"You never told me how you knew Zarinn. I want to know, please tell me..."

"Simple, he was my only brother."

"Your brother?" My face paled at her words.

"Yes, I'm sorry to hear that he's gone. I truly am and I'm sorry for your loss, as well, Druid."

"So that's why you two shared such a familiar scent. You're brother and sister..."

"Yes, we are...or in this case we were brother and sister. Now if you'll pardon me, I really must be going." She looked away from me with those words and walked away.

As I finish writing this entry I'm walking down the path that leads to the Guild Hall to gather my last few personal belongings, before I head back once again to continue my vigil over Zarinn.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 45

"The hand off"

Several days, have passed since I last talked to Zarinn's sister and Sunday has rolled around. I'm sitting here, outside the Garrison waiting for her to show up but there's no sigh of her. I can only hope she shows, after tonight's meeting I will only stay till the moon reaches its highest point in the sky and then I will make my way back to Zarinn's side. My ears twitched slightly, as others started arriving for the guild meeting. "Since others are finally starting to arrive that probably means the guild meeting will be starting fairly soon." I mused under my breath, as I headed upstairs to the meeting room. Soon after that Lady Teesah, Cambro, Lady Moonjade and the other officers arrived and they took their rightfully place on the stage up at the front of the room. Soon enough, others arrived as well, officers and lower ranking members alike. We all took all rightfully places and conversed among ourselves while we waited for the meeting to start. Soon after that Lady Teesah announced that we'd be starting the meeting soon. As she said, the meeting started a few minutes later. Lady Teesah started off with inductions and the meeting continued as per usual. About half way through the meeting, Zarinn's sister showed up and walked in calmly. I looked to her and inclined my head slightly, as I walked past her.

"Follow me, please." I whispered to her, under my breath.

She did so and we walked outside.

"I brought the journal like you wanted me to." She said, as she reached into her pack and took out a worn leather bound journal.

"Thank you." She handed the journal to me.

"So what do you hope to find in here?"

"Hopefully some leads as to why he killed himself."

"Ah, I see. I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you for everything."

She simply smiled and then left.

I looked down at the journal which I now held in my hands, as a single tear escaped me. "Zarinn...." I mumbled under my breath. As I clutched the journal tightly against my chest, I made my way back into the Garrison and into my quarters. Once there, I swiftly packed the last few of my personal belongings before vanishing from the Guild Hall once again and making my way back to Mount Hyjal. Wearily, I made my way back to where Zarinn lay at. I looked a few feet to my left and the same doe was still standing there. "Thank you, my friend." The doe simply let out a soft snort before walking off. With a wince I lowered myself down a few feet away from Zarinn and took his journal from within my satchel. Stifling a worn sigh, I cracked it open and started reading it. This is where I end my journal entry, much less I risk writing anything more, pertaining to Zarinn and myself.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 46

"Death Comes Quickly"
Something is nagging me about the encounters that I've had with Zarrin's sister. She seems so different from him, that sometimes I doubt they are even be related. He was kind, compassionate, patient and understanding; he was always willing to listen and try to help. His sister on the other hand, seems so heartless. She shows very little to no emotion, her voice has no warmth to it. I have to seek her out and talk to her again. There must be something she isn't telling me. The entries in Zarinn's journal make little to no sense. I won't learn what I need to from reading them. I looked to Zarinn, as a single tear escaped me. "I'll be back as soon as can, my friend." With those words I pulled out my hearthstone, whispered "Stormwind" into it, and vanished within a flash of bright green light. I arrived back at the inn, located within the Trade District of Stormwind City, and made my way to Duskwood, seeing as I needed to stop there and talk to an old friend, who worked as a barkeep there. I walked into the tavern where my friend worked and was told that he wasn't there. With a worn sigh I left the small town and started wandering throughout the forest that surrounded Duskwood and the surrounding areas. Much to my surprise, I saw Zarinn's sister, dressed in her full battle gear, or what looked like it, sitting on her Saber a few yards away, so I walked over to her.

"Can I help you?" She asked, as she turned to look at me, from atop her mount.

"Yes, we need to talk."

"About what, if I may ask?"

"Zarinn....I want to know more about him."

"I already told you what I know, Druid."

"You're lying again... Don't lie to me." I responded back, as I slipped into my cat form.

"And what if I am?"

"I don't have time to beat around the bush with you. So this is what I'll do. How about we have a friendly duel? If you win, you don't have to answer any of my questions and I won't ever bother you again. However if I win, you tell me everything you know about Zarinn. Do we have a deal?"

She eyed me briefly, before sliding off her Saber. "Aye, we do."

"Good, then let’s duel, shall we?"

"Yes, lets..." She slipped into the shadows and I did my best to track her, sadly I failed and before I knew it, I felt one of her daggers being plunged into my back.

I screamed out in pain, as I spun around to face her.

"Too slow, Druid." I heard her say, as she melded back into the shadows.

I looked around warily, my eyes full of fear. This wasn't a normal duel, she intended to kill me. She wanted me dead.

A few seconds later I felt one of her daggers plunge into my right side and I fell to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Had enough, Druid?" She said, with a rather dark and sister chuckle.

"Damn you....I said a friendly duel, this isn't friendly!" I mused at her under my breath.

"Oh well, I guess I don't play by the rules then, eh?" She responded, with a slightly amused sounding chuckle.

"Damn you...tell me what you know about Zarrin."


"I'll only tell you one thing Druid and that is the name of the being who killed you...although I suppose since you'll soon be dead, there's no point in me telling you my name, anyhow, now is there, Druid?"

"Damn you...." I whispered softly under my breath, as I coughed up a little bit of blood.

'Soon Druid, very soon you will join Zarinn. Say hello to him for me, won't you?"

I closed my eyes, as my breathing became more and more shallow. "Zarinn...Help me." I whispered under my breath.

"You'll see him soon enough Druid, patience."

I let out a low sounding growl from deep within my throat.

"I'll leave you to die in peace. I'm sorry it had to come to this."

"You're not sorry, you're lying about that."

"You're right, I'm not sorry. Farewell Druid and friend to my dearly departed brother." With those words she walked away, leaving me to my fate.

'Zarrin, I'm sorry, my love. I'm so sorry. I'll see you soon, my dearest."

"Who are you talking to?" I heard a female sounding voice say.

"Who's there?"

"Relax, easy now. I'm a friend, not a foe."

"State who you are before you come any closer or I will do my best to defend myself."

"I'm a friend, just take it easy and I'll help you, alright?"

I coughed up some more blood, before I was able to respond.

"You really took a beating, my friend."

"I want....I want to see him."

"You want to see who?" The voice said, as a Female Worgen came into view.

"Zarinn...."

"I can't say I know who that is. Let’s get to work on closing your wounds, shall we? If you'd allow me to that is."

I nodded my head weakly and she walked over to me.

"Alright...I'm going to cauterize the wounds as best I can and that should stop the bleeding. This may hurt quite a lot and I'm sorry, just try and deal with the pain as best you can."

I closed my eyes, as she set to work on closing my wounds. About half an hour later, she looked to me and said she was done. She slowly stood up and then helped me to my feet. We traveled back to Garrison and she saw me to a cot.

"Try and take it easy, please."

"I will thank you for everything."

She smiled and left the Garrison.

This is where I end my entry, thankful to be alive and anxious to return to Zarinn's side and continue my vigil.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 47

"Returning to my Love's Side"
It's been three days since Zarinn's sister attacked me and nearly killed me in what was supposed to be a friendly duel. I'm finally starting to feel like my old self again. It feels so good to be able to actually stand up and walk around for short periods of time. Since I am now mobile again, I will return to Zarinn's side. Perhaps something has changed for the better and he'll be coming back again. However I highly doubt that but I refuse not to be by his side. Rising with a wince from my bed, I walk over to where my staff rests against a nearby wall. Gingerly, I pick it up and secure it to my back, before slipping into my cat form and starting the long journey back to Mount Hyjal. Nightfall has come and I'm back by Zarinn's side. I want him back, I want to hear his voice again, I want to be with him. I look over to him and notice his chest is rising and falling slightly, unless I'm seeing things. I look once more, carefully. He is breathing, it's a miracle. The question is will he ever wake up again?


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 48

"Zarinn's return"
I've been back and forth between Mount Hyjal and Stormwind City, several times, since I last wrote in here. Almost another whole month has passed since Zarinn first left this world. I received a letter from, Cambro saying that he wanted to see me, why he didn't say. The guild meeting is tonight, perhaps I will try and go to it, now that Zarinn's condition seems to be improving slightly. I spent the rest of the day standing guard over him. As the guild meeting drew closer, I placed a gentle kiss on Zarinn's forehead before hearthing back to Stormwind City and heading to the Garrison. Soon after I arrived the meeting started and I settled myself down in a far corner against the back wall, my thoughts still lingering on Zarinn. I must have drifted off as the meeting went on, because I don't recall what was said that night. However what I do recall is seeing Zarinn there, at first I thought that I was asleep and was dreaming. Groggily, I opened my eyes and noticed the bottom of a robe near my front paws. Blinking I took a sniff of the robe. It smelled like Zarinn. My tail twitched rapidly, as I looked up and saw that it was him, his face was covered by a cowl and he looked like Fel but it was him! I couldn't contain my overflowing joy and pure surprise. "Zarinn, how did you.....when did you....How, when, why?" I managed to speak before giving him a gentle hug.

"You don't remember, Tarika?"

"Remember what, Zarinn?"

"You gave me the chance to come back, I just couldn't accept right away, because I had some matters to attend to in the world where I spirit resided. Some soul searching to do, is another way to put it."

"You're truly back?" I asked him as a single tear of joy escaped me.

"Yes, Tarika, I'm truly back."

"I have something I'd like to tell you, Zarinn, if you have time to talk that is."

"Not tonight, I'm afraid but I'll talk to you again soon." With those words, he grinned a devilish grin under his mask and walked off, but not before lightly tapping his forehead with one of his fingers a few times.

"He's back, I can't believe it! He's back!!! Praise Elune!!!" Once I had calmed down a little bit I looked around the meeting room. "Where is everyone?"

A young woman who I had never seen before spoke up, her voice soft and timid. "The meeting is over."

I blinked a few times. "Thank you."

She smiled and left the hall.

I got to my feet and left the Guild Hall, and I write this entry as I head back to Stormwind City, overjoyed that Zarinn is back and here to stay.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 49

"Flight"
Everything has finally returned to normal, at least somewhat. I've continued my training day in and day out. Recently I received a letter from the Druid Trainer who resides near the farmstead located nearby the Keep. The letter informed that she wished to meet with me and see how my training was progressing. I slipped the letter into my satchel before slipping into my cat form and heading to where she stayed at to meet with her. A few minutes later I arrived at her residence and slipped out of my cat form.

"You wanted to see me, Miss?"

"Ah, there you are. I've been watching you train recently and I think you're ready to learn a new skill."

I cocked one brow at her. "What skill would that be?"

"Well it's actually more of a form then a skill. I believe you're ready to learn your flight form, if you'd like that is."

"I would be honored to learn it, Miss."

"Good to hear, let's get started then." She walked outside and I followed her. It was there that I spent the rest of the day, learning about my flight form. Now as the sun starts to set behind the clouds, I shift into my flight form and head back to the room, which I've rented for the night.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 50

"Landing Practice"
I've been practicing getting used to my Flight Form, I really need to work on my landings, seeing as they've been crash landings more often than not. Much to my dismay one of my not so graceful landings landed with me with a broken arm and now I have got to get that healed, so the day next day I came across Walex in the Blue Recluse. I slowly walked up to him, staying hidden in my feline form and sat down a few feet away in front of him. he turned to face me a few minutes later and smiled as he saw me.

"Evening, Tarika! How are you?"

"I'm well, mostly...." I answered evasively.

"Tarika, what's the matter? Something isn't right, tell me what's wrong."

I winced slightly as a sharp pain shot up in my right leg.

Walex noticed this. "Tarika, what is it? What's the matter?"

"It’s nothing, Walex."

"Tarika, it's not just nothing...You're in pain, you can't hide that from me."

"It's nothing really..."

"Tarika, I can't help you unless you let me."

I winced slightly, as another sharp pain shot through my right front leg. Bowing my head slightly I slipped into my original form and showed him my badly mangled arm.

He blinked at me in disbelief. "Tarika, how long has your arm been like that?"

"Three days or so, why do you ask?"

His face paled. "Three days?! Tarika, you should have gotten that checked out the instant it happened, not waited three days!"

"I was hoping that it would heal on its own..."

He simply looked at me and planted the palm of his right hand over his face. "Dear Light, Tarika.... There's no way that's going to heal on its own. You should know that..."

"I was still hoping...."

"Tarika...." Walex looked at me, with a look of mock annoyance.

"Sorry, I know I should have gotten it checked out right away."

"You're damn right about that..." He sighed heavily. "Alright, let's see what we can do for that arm of yours..." He slowly reached out to gently grab my right arm. Panicking slightly I took a sudden step back.

"Tarika....your arm needs to be looked at."

"It'll heal on its own, really. I promise it will..."

"Tarika, no it won't. Now let me see it."


I inclined my head slightly and relaxed my arm letting him take it in his hands. Slowly he held my arm in his right hand and gently moved his left hand up and down my arm feeling for breaks or fractures, which he found three of.

"Dear Light, Tarika.... You really got yourself screwed up badly. What were you doing when this happened?"

"Playing tag with some Horde that decided to show their faces around Stormwind City, in my flight from none the less."

He let out a sigh. "Tarika....you're supposed to stay back and heal your allies, not charge headlong into battle."

"I know, I know....but they were attacking Lady Moonjade and Aidora."

"Tarika, they can handle themselves, you on the other hand, cannot fight that well yet."

"Walex, they were attacking the guild, I had to help."

"Alright, I can understand that. Now hold still, I'm going to see what I can do to fix your arm up."

"Will it hurt?"

"Possibly a little bit, yes. Just bare with me, okay?"

"Alright...."

He smiled softly and placed his left hand on the first of the breaks, and set to work on mending my arm the best he could. About fifteen minutes later he looked to me, as he gently let go of my right arm. "Alright, that should do it. Please, please just take it easy. For the sake of the Light and my sanity, along with the rest of the guild's sanity, please take it easy!"

"Alright, alright, I will...."

"Thank the Light.... I suggest you go back to the Guild Hall and get some rest. You'll need plenty of it to recover, fully.

"Understood, thank you for everything, Walex, I really owe you one."

"Got that right..." He said with a slight chuckle.

I stifled a soft chuckle and made my way back to the Guild Hall, which is where I write this entry.


--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 51

"Taking a Break"

It's been quite some time since I last wrote in here; I've decided to take a short break from my training and to go on a trip back to Mount Hyjal to meet with a few old friends there. I'm not sure how welcome I'll be there, especially considering what stressed I caused them last time I was there. Regardless I'm going back there anyhow. I best finish packing and get going. Farewell until I write again.

--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose

[Kirana]

The Memories upon waking from an Emerald Dream

Finding Myself

Chapter 52

"Back to Training"

As expected I wasn't welcome back at Mount Hyjal and the tasks that need doing there are still above what I can handle, however I was told of a continent called Northrend. A few fellow Druids told me that the Scourge still ran rampant there and without the Lich king to keep them in check, were more of a threat now then they had been in the past. They suggested that I go there and see what I could do to aide the beings who were there. Scourge...I've heard of them but exactly what they are, I don't know. I think that I will head to Northrend and see for myself exactly what my fellow Druids are talking about. My life is coming back in order, I've seen Zarinn out and about in Stormwind City quite a few times, he seems like he's doing well for the most part. We've rarely had a chance to speak to each other though, seeing as one of us always seems to end up being called off to deal with some sort of issue that suddenly decided to rear it's ugly head.

As I write this entry, I'm sitting at the docks in Stormwind City waiting for the boat to come that will take me to Northrend, I'm quite content right now really. Zarinn is alive and well and the boat that travels between Stormwind City and Valiance Keep should be coming in momentarily. "Ah, I do believe the boat is arriving." I whispered softly under my breath, as I glanced out over the water and saw a large, well built ship coming in, and the captain at her helm, expertly slowing his vessel down, so that she stopped right in front of the dock that I was sitting on, with my journal cracked open in my lap.

"Secure the vessel, m'lads." I heard the Captain shout and his crew did as they were told, quickly setting about the various tasks that needed doing to keep the ship from pulling away from the docks. His eyes settled on his crew only briefly before he looked to me, as I was rising to my feet. "Headin' to Northrend, lass?" He shouted to me from his perch behind the wheel.

"Yes, I am. Do you happen to have room upon your vessel for a passenger, Captain?"

"Aye, of course I do. Gather your belongings if you wish to come with us, we won't be docked here for more then a few short minutes, and say your goodbyes if you have anyone to say them to, lass, then bored the ship."

"Understood Captain." I replied to him as I picked up the leather satchel that I had brought with me, containing what little I could carry easily enough, without the risk of being slowed down. "Zarinn, I love you and I always will....I'll see you as soon as I can, my dearest." I whispered into the wind before walking towards the ship and boarding it, before settling myself down on the floor of the ship, with my back up against a nearby wall and my journal still in my hands.

The Captain scanned the dock for any more passengers before glancing down at me and speaking. "Don't you have anyone to say goodbye to, lass? There's no guarantee that you'll be coming back alive from your trip to Northrend alive, if at all, lass. If you have anyone to say goodbye to, I highly suggest you do so now."

I glanced up at him, my expression calm but hollow, before speaking to him. "I do have someone to say goodbye to, Captain, but he's nowhere to be found."

"Do you wish to wait for him, lass? This may be the last chance that you'll ever get to speak to him."

"Negative, Captain. I don't wish to delay you in any way, shape or form."

He sighed heavily. "Very well then, lass." He said to me, before turning to address his crew. "Cast off!" He shouted to them and they quickly set to work readying the ship to take off into the open ocean.

I slowly closed my eyes and placed my journal in my pack before opening them again, and looking to the Captain, only briefly before the boat started to slowly sail away from the docks. As the ship traveled I fell asleep or so I highly suspect that to be the case, for when I awoke, I was awakened by a icy cold blast of air. Slowly, I stood up and slung the leather satchel that I had brought with me over my right shoulder and walking towards the stairs of the ship, and looking around.

"Here we are, lass, Northrend." The Captain said as he walked towards me.

"It would seem that way, Captain."

"Are you sure that you don't want to turn back, lass?"

"Yes, Captain, I'm sure."

"Aye, very well then, lass. May you travels be safe."

"Thank you, Captain. Yours as well."

He nodded his head once before walking back to the wheel of the vessel, and watching me step off the ship and onto the dock, before I headed towards Valiance Keep.

As I finish this entry I'm sitting here at the inn located near Valiance Keep, my thoughts on Zarinn and his well being, and if I will ever see him again, not on my training like they should see be.

--Asha'falah

--Tarika Nightrose