One step closer
A female elf had walked through a portal. Her skin was radiant white and her hair was like copper. In her red dress with golden accents the citizens of Dalaran knew she was a Sin'dorei magi. She walked with a book in her hands while she was followed by a hovering chest filled with books. The arcane mage was admiring the architecture of the city while she walked to the Violet Citadel. Her race had an addiction to magic. What she saw was a city using magic for everything. How she would love to stay. Faradrona had come to test her abilities to see if she would be admitted to the Kirin Tor if circumstances were different. At least she wanted to know if she was able.
The leader of the Silver Covenant herself came to collect the mage. Faradrona had hopes her aunt would open up to her.
"Greetings aunt Vereesa, it is nice to see you after all these years." The ranger stared with disinterest to her distant niece who last saw her at Windrunner Spire before the Scourge incursion. For a brief moment their eyes met. Faradrona saw the cold eyes and expected no friendly reply.
"No Horde member may address me as family. If it was up to me I would throw you in jail. However you are here with an invitation of the Council of Six." Vereesa turned around and walked with a quick pace.
"Follow me if you want to meet them." Faradrona was well in hiding her disappointment. As Faradrona walked the stairs she returned to admire the city and let the chance of reuniting with one of her family go. With a command Faradrona was asked to stay at the entrance.
Vereesa informed the gathered hooded magi of Faradrona's arrival. The Sin'dorei had recognized the figure that wasn't hooded. Jaina Proudmoore. Although of similar age the leader of the Kirin Tor looked older than Faradrona. The years of tragedy had scared her. Her once blond hair was silver beside one lock. Her voice was still warm of the stories Faradrona had heard.
"Welcome Faradrona Windrunner to the Violet Citadel. We are ready for you to demonstrate your powers. If the Council is impressed you will be admitted." Faradrona in politeness had made a wavy bow and addressed the group of Azeroth's most powerful magi.
"If you will follow me outside please?" Jaina frowned one eyebrow but waved to the other to follow all curious of what the arcane mage was going to do.
Outside Faradrona took a deep breath. In her mind she knew she would be admitted if she displayed her abilities. Faradrona used her might as her hands waved one spell after another. She made everyone levitate and her magic whirled around the council. Even Khadgar who was normally sarcastic and not easily impressed opened his mouth in disbelieve. Vareesa on the other hand looked with hate as she was clearly agitated. Faradrona now created a massive elusion. To the people now it felt as if they floated in space. They witnessed various cosmic events. When they all slow fell back the ground they found themselves in Dalaran again. Now Faradrona waved her hands in abrupt motions and snow floated in the air as it was being whirled up. As a final display Faradrona raised her arms and a colon of fire reached to the heaven as the warmth melted the snow and a light rain was felt. With a humble bow towards the council the mage was done. It was silent. In her mind she thought she might have been too confident. Perhaps they weren't impressed? An applause followed. Jaina smiled and walked to mage.
"Lady Faradrona your display… is unparalleled by anyone. You are admitted within the Kirin Tor as a student. I have no doubt you even will be a council member."Faradrona tried to smile back yet she looked down in anger.
"Thank you but I decline this great honor. It was my dream to come here yet… my loyalties are with my people. I must find a cure for my people's addiction. The biggest forces are in conflict with one another. Their prejudice, mistakes and hatred to one another must end. My dream was to be here, I am sorry for having wasted your time."
Kalec smiled. "Lady Faradrona, you have shown great potential that surpassed most of us. Remember that when your duties are no more there is a spot waiting for you here."
Faradrona had retreated to the gardens of Dalaran to calm her excitement. She was good enough to join even the Council? It had surpassed her dreams. Her Sin'dorei obligations never concentrated on becoming a member of the Kirin Tor. For a while her feelings were mixed. She knew she would pick being with her people. For the moment she imagined that there was peace and she was a humble magi in the big city of Dalaran with no major obligations. She whispered. "One time all the conflicts will be over and there will be peace so we lead normal lives."
Her thoughts were interrupted by a person approaching. She had hoped it would be her aunt after all holding out. It was not her. Her aura was far different. It was Jaina Proudmoore that now stood in front of her.
"I saw your magical display. It was by the least to be called impressive. What was more impressive that you refused a place amongst the council so to help the people of Azeroth come closer to each other." Jaina halted in her sentence as she looked down in shame.
"It is… it used to be my dream too. I tried for many years to no avail. There were moments in the beginning when I founded Theramore that peace was there. Unfortunately it would come to an end again and again. Finally I… gave up and even strengthened the hate."
Faradrona stood up and wanted to comfort Jaina for revealing her inner feelings yet the silver haired frostmage continued.
"I feel a good soul within you lady Faradrona. You still have what I lost. Perhaps we can mediate between our factions? Perhaps… we can try…?"
Faradrona stepped back towards her chest of books and pulled out her most precious item. "It is a start. My faith however rests in a legend. A hero from another world would drop by. The hero would roam around and meet his soul mate and unite the forces of this planet and fulfill great deeds. Peace…"
Faradrona pressed the grimoire close to her chest when Jaina grabbed Faradrona's hand. "I know that story unfortunately it is only a legend lady Faradrona."
Faradrona looked startled into Jaina's eyes. She was surprised to see a warm lady Jaina Proudmoore against a Horde member no less. "Call me Faradrona."
Faradrona bit her lip and slowly handed the grimoire over. Jaina felt the content and read a few pages. "It is ancient Kaldorei I cannot read it. What does it say Faradrona?"
"It is ancient Kaldorei written by a priestess of the moon before she died in the War of the Ancients. It ended up with the Highborne that left to Quel'danas where the Quel'dorei added a few pages." Jaina looked at the writings.
"If only…"
Faradrona placed her hands on Jaina's. "Jaina do you speak with truth that you desire peace for all the people? For Horde as Allaince?"
Jaina hesitated for a brief moment thinking over the years when she was a young hopeful person. "Yes Faradrona what can I do for you to trust me?"
"Nothing Jaina it is I that will have to trust you."Faradrona pushed the grimoire firmly in Jaina's arms.
"My family heirloom, they would disagree for lending you this. That legend was elaborated over ten thousand years of studies and added in this grimoire. Give it back to me when you are done please." Jaina held the book tight against her chest with one arm and grabbed Faradrona who felt she was making a mistake.
"Faradrona I will return it to you, today you have gained a sister."
Days had gone by. Faradrona was enjoying the rest at her tower pouring herself a cup of tea. When she sat down she reviewed some rapports of her work as magistrate. When she was done she brought the cup to her lips and stared over the landscape. A portal opened and a tired looking Jaina had walked through. She fell on her knees in front of Faradrona embracing the grimoire tight to her chest. Faradrona saw tears rolled over the humans face and tried to comfort her. Now Jaina looked up and smiled. "They will succeed where I failed."
A blue haired Night Elf in armor pointed at Faradrona. Faradrona spoke the Kaldorei language. What she heard were orders to kill her. In an instant the Sin'dorei raised her arms while the grimoire she carried floated around her. The frost barrier she raised already paid off as glaives bounced off. The attack had angered Faradrona who had come in peace to Darnassus on invite by Jaina Proudmoore to have the grimoire examined by the High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind. With quick spell casts the sentinels all around her moved in slow-motion. Knives, glaives dropped to the ground. A druid had sent a swarm of insect to the arcane mage. She had one answer. One arcane explosion ended the creatures' existence and retaliation came to the druid as he was changed into a squirrel. Waves in the air created a blizzard which sealed the exits of the temple. Faradrona had sweat on her forehead concentrating to keep all the spells up as she walked to Tyrande. The priestess called for the aid of the Mother Moon. The light shined down. Tyrande had invoked the moon goddess's help in the past and it served her well. However the spell had no effect on the angry looking mage. Tyrande was shocked.
"Mother Moon you wish no harm come to this Sin'dorei?"
Faradrona was in front of the High Priestess.
"Now I have learned how it must have felt when my ancestors fled from the Night Elves. I came here on request by Jaina and if I had been a novice mage my blood would had colored the pavement." Tyrande bagged forgiveness for her daughter's action.
"I am dreadful sorry for my daughter's reaction. She was not informed. It is my fault I hadn't told Shandris straight away to inform all the sentinels. Frankly I would have not expected you to portal in our holy sanctum..." Tyrande looked at her frightened people that were incapacitated by spells.
Faradrona was a calm character by nature. She loved the plain and calm settings of the temple. It had taken her off guard. She was not inexperienced in combat and had repelled the swift assault on her.
"Lady Faradrona Windrunner you have my word you will not be harmed…"
Faradrona snapped. "I was given that promise before I came here. Do you not desire peace?" Tyrande wanted to touch Faradrona's face but her hands were pushed back as she responded.
"Yes I do desire peace. It is the Mother Moon's teachings. Please release my husband and the others and accept our meant apology."
Faradrona waved her spells and her hold was released. To Faradrona's surprise Tyrande had grabbed the mages hand and thanked her. Tyrande had gotten on her feet and moved around Faradrona as a lioness protecting her cubs. With a serious tone she addressed her people.
"No harm is to befall our honored guest. She has the love of the Mother Moon. You have acted to what was thought best in your duty to protect. However I am distressed about the ferocity of wanting to inflict harm on the lady Faradrona. I hope what I saw was wrong." Malfurion had walked up to Tyrande and Faradrona and bowed his head. Faradrona elegantly nodded her head with opening one hand.
"My apologies lady Faradrona. Have you came by later I would had protected you instead of trying to defend my wife. Tyrande was telling me about a guest was going to arrive and thought you were there to hurt that person. Not knowing it was you. I have no excuse for my behavior." Malfurion touched his beard and bowed again. Then he smiled and wanted to calm the mage down.
"Thank you for the experience of seeing the world through the eyes of a critter." A small smile formed on Faradrona's face which was short lived when Shandris had joined the group. Shandris was a beautiful young looking woman. A very feminine look befell her beauty. Yet she wore a well-fitting plate outfit which enabled her to move as agile as the cats they road into battle and have the protection against blows from melee weapons.
"You have my apology mage. But one wrong move and I will finish what I started." Tyrande was shocked and expressed her distress.
"Shandris I will not have this. I will talk to you later." Shandris showed a victories smirk on her face, bowed, turned around and walked away. Faradrona followed with sight after the general's walk to the other sentinels. Shandris's behavior was not oncoming to the Sin'dorei. Her youngest sister could act as cold and aggressive to others that were a threat to her family. We are far more similar then you like to admit ranger.
"Lady Faradrona I am so sorry that your first visit to Darnassus turned out like this. I have no words for my feelings." Tyrande felt the arm of her husband wrapping around her. He stretched his hand out to Faradrona.
"I have to take my leave to enter the Emerald Dream. I suggest you two will go to our house and have a lunch. Perhaps that will take away the uneasiness that has occurred."
Faradrona had forgotten the incident as she watched over the city from Tyrande's porch over viewing the area. Her thoughts wandered. People of the forest, these people are so close to nature. It is hard to believe we are descendants from these people. Faradrona although appearing calm was uneasy. This feeling left when another guest appeared. With her grimoire on her lap she watched another mage walk to Tyrande's residence. Faradrona waved back and Tyrande sigh a relief seeing Faradrona smile.
The feeling her own kind had grown so accustomed of wanting to kill the enemy as soon as they met did not set well. Her thoughts dwindled to the letter she received from Jaina that requested a Sin'dorei mage to have an ancient book examined. The idea of a truce was welcomed but not by her own side. Tyrande's eyes drifted to the book. Did it contain hope of two heroes that would do the Mother Moon's work? Was it right to think that conflict would end? The High Priestess had known the tranquility after war. She did not enjoy that peaceful time completely with her life mate away in a den assisting the green aspect Ysera. When Malfurion would be around more often there was conflict in the world. Tyrande would welcome the day it would only be she, her husband and the moon goddess.
The High Priestess welcomed the frost mage of the Kirin Tor and led her to an anxious waiting arcane mage. Tyrande smiled as Jaina and Faradrona embraced each other as sisters. As they had set down Faradrona presented her family heirloom to the priestess. Both mages sat on the tip of their chairs as Tyrande opened the book and witnessed the ancient bundled pages. The first were what looked like fragments of letters. It wasn't complete and time had taken a toll on the paper for some centuries. The priestess sensed magic preserved them now. She read the sentences that were half gone of the first small letter out loud.
It had been ten thousand years but the dialect came to her in an instant. She had to reformulate the imagery of the sentences as her words as a song left her full lips.
"he will find this world in turmoil when… the sky will reveal his presence... comfortable gaze shall fall on a daughter of Elune… find her full of emotionsthat calm down when they are united... insecurity will vanish and sadness in her… replaced by joy… thoughts once separate interweave as their…rotate like Azeroth and its… Together traveling the land they shall for fill… work. Whatever race shall roam the lands harmony is brought… vanquished. I pray to my Mother I have the… through this war and find him so he can be with… or her. If you… I am no more. Tell my story only to…, the one that has strayed away from… embrace. Perhaps I was at… having not told her my story… She must keep… even over generations… Paradrona."
Tyrande gasped. The name triggered a memory. There was once a priestess whom her Mistress had also called the daughter of Elune as well as the queen. The High Priestess Dejahna revered Paradrona. It was this wandering priestess that guided Tyrande in her first healing when she was just a child. Tyrande looked up at Faradrona who was telling a story.
"My mother Valeara Windrunner was the keeper of the family grimoire. One night she read this letter in the moon light. That night the moon had been awfully bright. It was then that my mother was besieged by a feeling. She felt something stirring in her stomach. She was pregnant. It was her wish to name her Paradrona. My sister whom has most faith in the legend had picked up the sword at a young age to protect the ones she loves. Paradrona is a knight and waits eagerly to serve them." A flash of her sister's past crossed her mind during the fight for Quel'Thalas against the scourge.
She was only thirteen years old when war broke out. Paradrona wore a red, black and yellow armor set, the same colors as her mother and father's. Faradrona tried to be strong as she had the infant Incursia hanging on to her robe while she used both hands to keep Paradrona to follow her away from the violence. Paradrona was halted by a frost spell used by her older sister when she had jerked away. With the pommel of her sword Paradrona had bashed down on the ice and freed herself again. This time there was no stopping the juvenile paladin. Out of breath she ran through the streets to meet up with the troops.
The scourge had broken through. Paradrona grabbed her sword and wanted to join the line when she was grabbed from behind. With a fear in his voice Arunis was yelling at Paradrona.
"Your mother told you to stay back Paradrona. Why are you disobeying her?" Paradrona yelled back.
"Let me help. We need all abled people to save our people." Arunis called a ranger.
"Take this child back and make sure she stays there." Paradrona was being dragged away kicking and screaming. Paradrona surprised Arunis as she yelled.
"Where is my mother fighting?" Arunis looked away from Paradrona. The words brought emotions to the ranger-general eyes. Arunis had witnessed his commanding officer crushed by debris. With sacrifice in mind Valeara had blown up a part of the city gate when the scourge had marched through unstoppably. This action had bought time for the army to regroup and revise their defenses.
"Valeara…" Arunis ignored Paradrona not showing the tears in his eyes. Instead he gave command to what was left of her army.
"Counter attack now. Let the sacrifice of our brothers and sisters not be in vain."
The Quel'dorei that had survived the onslaught of the scourge in remembrances renamed themselves Sin'dorei.
The arcane mage looked at the friendly face of Tyrande. It warmed her heart.
"One day she shall serve the legends." Tyrande expressed her thoughts to the two mages. There was something that wondered her. Unlike the Night Elves once the Quel'dorei weren't immortal.
"Your sister will serve them. Does that mean…?" Faradrona smiled at her and Jaina as well.
"Jaina and I have studied all the anomalies described in the grimoire which were added over thousands of years. It has given us a date." Faradrona became overwhelmed as the moon at the night sky appeared. All excited Faradrona had rested her hands on the grimoire when Jaina touched them.
"We will witness peace Tyrande. We will find the legends and give them our full support." Tyrande stared at the moon. The light reflected in her eyes more and it seemed they were glowing.
"I sense the Mother Moon. It hasn't been so strong since…" Faradrona had stood up and her fingers waved. The book floated and opened at the blank pages. Faradrona's eyes also glowed with moonlight. Tyrande fell on her knees and prayed while Jaina stepped back to give the arcane mage more room. A quell made scratching noises on the paper. With some minor drawings the feather disappeared and the glow from Faradrona's eyes as well. She was just in time to catch the book as it was slowly descending. With her stretched arms the book lost its floating capacities completely. As the pages were shined upon by the moonlight Jaina and Tyrande stood beside Faradrona all three of them curious of what was written.