Chapter 6 - Tomorrow

It took me a day or two to fully understand the cost of our victory. The "Alliance" as it was being called had indeed triumphed over the evil of the Burning Legion, but we kaldorei had to sacrifice our immortality and our holiest site, Nordrassil the World Tree.

Moondris and I parted ways soon after the battle ended. As she left I had her bring a message to Anthra for me. I would have to return to the Emerald Dream for a time, but I wanted to meet her after I was done there. I wanted so bad to see her immediatly, but the orders came from Archdruid Stormrage himself, who would also be returning to the Dream. She agreed, and aside from a quick slap on the arm she left swiftly with the other huntresses and warriors back to Darnassus.

As the other remaining druids and I began the march back to Moonglade, I couldn't help but feel the stinging pain of loss. We all lost our immortality, and I had lost my master as well. In fact, the only reason I was even alive is because he paid the price of death for me. He has always looked out for me, and now I was left to finish my training unguided. My lonliness was amplified by the fact it would still be sometime before I could see Anthra, and the world honestly seemed darker for it.

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My remaining time in the Dream felt too long. Where as the first time years had melted into days, now the hours seemed an eternity. My involuntary solitude was tough enough to deal with without seeing the faces of Leraar and Anthra evertime I closed my eyes. But I did my part. I communed with my animal spirits, learned the ways of balance magic, and practiced my restoration spells. I learned how to best aid Elune and the world around me.

On the last day I stood surrounded by the Dream. I felt weary and I longed to be home. Ysera the Dreamer came to me, his voice once again billowing in my head.

"Are you prepared to leave this place?", he asked.

"Yes, I wish to honor my master by serving the the Druid of the Claw and demonstrating my skill."

"Then go and bring honor to Leraar, I'm sure that will not be hard for somone as talented as you Ueki."

"You flatter me lord, I only wish to serve Elune." I said, anxious to go.

"Well I shall not keep you Ueki. Remember this place is open to you whenever you need guidance." he said about as compassionatly as you can with a voice that echoes in your mind.

"Thank you."

I awoke in the Stormrage Barrow Dens. Upon exiting I made my way straight to the hippogryph master and just as I was about to leave a messenger caught up with me.

"Ueki Dreamstar?"

I turned around to see who had called out to me. A young druid with short messy light purple hair still in his initiates robes stood before me. The look on his face instantly told me he probably knew less than I did.

"Yes, and you are?" I replied.

"Fariel Nightbreeze sir, I was sent by Archdruid Staghelm to find you. I was just on my way to the Barrow Dens, I didn't know you were awake." he said his unsual honey colored eyes hinted he was relieved that he didn't have to enter the dens.

"I haven't been long, actually, Staghelm you say?"

"Yes sir, can you please come with me, now that you are awake they have some questions they would like to ask you.", he said as he motioned behind him, toward the largest structure in Nighthaven, Dendrite Starblaze's home.

"Questions? About what?" I asked hoping they would not be questions about Leraar.

"Regarding your former master, Leraar Siltwalker." he said politely. "Now let us go, and sir, if they ask, I woke you."

I could only nod as we walked towards the house. I followed him through Moonglade and into the town of Nighthaven silently. It seemed odd, I almost felt as if I had somehow done something wrong and was being escorted to my punishment. I put the thought out of my mind but the feeling of dread refused to leave.

As we neared the house I could see a small crowd gathered outside the house, and all of them looked official. And in front of me in the midst of the congregation was none other than the High Priestess herself. Lady Tyrande Whisperwind was standing discussing something with the other guests. As Fariel and I approached they all turned around and Dendrite Starblaze moved through the crowd to greet us.

"Welcome to my home druid, please follow me, now that you are here we may begin.", he said. I knew better than to ask what he meant by that.

Everyone outside proceeded into the house and walked through the messy study and up the stairs to the second floor. An even more impressive library awaited upstairs, housing more books than residents of the town of Nighthaven, which could be seen through the open balcony just behind where Master Starblaze was now standing. To his right, The High Priestess Tyrande Wisperwind stood, and to his left stood a man in Archdruid robes. He spoke first.

"You must all know me by now, but for those of you who don't I am Fandral Staghelm, Archdruid. That having been said let us begin," He said as he turned to me. "Ueki Dreamstar, you were studying under Master Leraar Siltwalker correct?"

"Yes sir that is correct.", I answered.

"And you also fought in the battle of Mount Hyjal, tell me, where is your teacher?" he asked bluntly.

"Oh stop treating this like an interrogation Staghelm." said Lady Whisperwind.

"I have no reason to yet believe it is not Tyrande."

"You may call me High Priestess, Staghelm, do not pretend you and I are friends."

"Please Archdruid, High Priestess, let us continue...", interrupted Master Starblaze, concious of the other occupants who were feeling out of place due to the sudden chill in the air.

"Of course," Archdruid Staghelm said as he regained his composure. "This council wishes to know the events you witnessed at the battle of Mount Hyjal regarding your master Leraar Siltwalker, Ueki Dreamstar, Druid of the Claw."

"And this council would also like to thank you first and foremost for your service during the battle, Ueki...", added Lady Tyrande. "but your cooperation in this matter in vital."

"I understand Lady, and thank you," I said ignoring the Archdruid's scoff. "As for the events of the battle I'm, afraid you will be dissapointed. My master died honorably protecting me from a Legion attacker. The creature was large and made of yellow flame and upon its defeat it somehow killed my master."

"Leraar was not counted among the dead because there was no body found. Can you explain this?", pressed Staghelm.

"If you are implying disertion I must say you are quite mistaken,  No body was found because it was a powerful explosion that killed him. When I was able to recover from the blast myself there was nothing but a crater where he had been standing. Leraar Siltwalker died protecting me" I said firmly.

"Are you sure?" Staghelm began.

"Yes, there is no doubt in my mind." I said annoyed.

"We don't mean to imply that you are lying Ueki, we only aim to know the truth and every detail is vital to that, no matter now insignificant" Dendrite Starblaze added.

"I am afraid that is all there is to it."

The council began talking amongst themselves for a time, and I stood there anxiously awaiting any information until the High Priestess spoke up.

"Thank you Ueki, I have one more favor to ask of you if the others have no more questions for you."

No one seemed to reply so she continued.

"I will show you out. Gentlemen, excuse me for a second."

She lead me back downstairs and when we were out in front of the house she spoke to me in a hushed voice.

"There is a priestess at the Temple of Elune that I am sending on something of a pilgrimmage, her task is her own but for her protection I would ask you to escort her. Are you willing to do this?"

A priestess...? What are the odds that it was her?

"This may sound like a strange question, but what is this priestesses name?"

"Anthra Shinefallow"

My heart stopped. Did she ask for me by name? Surely this could not be coincidence.

"I will.", I replied as calmly as I could.

"Great, excellent. Come to the Temple of Elune in Darnassus tomorrow, at mid day, I shall have a friend of mine send you off. Now excuse me while I finish the business at hand, May Elune watch over you." As she finished she simply nodded then turned back into the house and up the stairs once more.

Once I could no longer see her I let my jaw finally drop and I began to walk back into Nighthaven. Tomorrow I would be reunited with the woman who had been captivating my thoughts ever day since we first met. Tomorrow I would finally be able to express my true feelings for her. Tomorrow could not come soon enough.