(I don't own any of these characters. Also, this is my first fic, plz be kind xDD :3)
She'd faced up against Deathwing the Destroyer. Had looked down at The Lich King, Arthas. She faced Garrosh, her old Warchief in Pandaria. Now, preparing to face off against Gul'dan and The Legion, the only thoughts passing through her head was warm drinks and anything that wasn't snow.
The weather was verging on a full on snow storm, making walking almost impossible. Taaplin was on her way back from a meeting with the Frostwolf Clan, and is now regretting not taking the flight back to her Garrison. She only wanted a few extra minutes with Rua, her rylak clad with iron armor. Since landing in Draneor, she had been very busy. Her and Rua haven't gone hunting since they were in Azaroth.
"Rua, you doing ok?" Taaplin asked, "It's not too much further now." Rua seemed to let out a growl letting Taaplin know that she was as fed up with this weather as her owner was. They climbed over a high snow mound, the shadow of the Garrison walls were now in sight. Taaplin let out a sigh, glad to see her home.
As she entered the walls, the wind died down, and for that she was glad. Her followers greeted her with "Hello Commander", "Welcome Back" and "Good to see you back, Commander". However, just outside her great hall was Shadow Hunter Ty'jin. -He is hardly found away from his maps and plans, so why was he waiting out here?- Taaplin questioned "Commandah, it seems ya' have a visitah. It's that Archmage Khadgar." Ty'jin informed her. "He be waiting for ya' in the Great Hall."
-Khadgar?! What brought the Archmage here? he hardly ever leaves the Kirin Tor area in Zangarra.-, thought Taaplin as she walked towards the Great Hall with Ty'jin and Rua behind her. She had helped Khadgar many times since they came to Draneor, but normally, if he needs her aid he will just send his arcane servant to notify her of any missions. What is so important he had to come here alone?
He was stood at the plans table with Saurfang, listening to the orc and his plans, nodding along when Saurfang looked towards him. Khadger would also gesture towards the map and then the follower sheets. "It's so nice to see you found someone to play with Saurfang, having fun?" Taaplin jested. "Hello Commander." Saurfang smiled, "It appears that the Archmage here has some experience with planning missions" he smirks towards Khadgar. "We were merely discussing tactics. If that is how you enjoy your free time commander, perhaps you are working too hard." he jokes as he looks back at Taaplin, "I thought you would have returned from the Frostwolf Clan sooner, I was about to send out our Hunters to find you."
"I picked a bad time to go hunting with Rua, that's all. My bad decision was made worse with the snowstorm." she informed the two men while swapping her wet boots for warm ones.
"I do apologize for making you wait so long Khadgar, had I known you were waiting on me, I would have flown back" she said, running her fingers through her red waves of hair. "If you wish to speak privately, I can secure you a room at the inn?" she asked, walking towards the door with Khadgar behind her.
"Would I be able to get a room for a few days actually? If you agree to what I ask of you, it will take a couple days to prepare for this." he seemed to look at her, maybe trying to judge her reaction.
"I was worried once I was told it was you and not your Arcane servant. Has something happened to the Kirin Tor here?" Taaplin was beginning to worry now. They were at the inn door at this point.
"No no, everyone is fine. Though this mission is quite important, that's why I came here, in person." He smiled.
"Ah I see. One day, you'll visit me purely because you miss my company." said Taaplin as she opened the inn door. Khadger laughed as she walked through the door.
They entered the inn and Taaplin immediately felt the warmth hit her cold face, and felt relief. She walked pass all the peons and workers off duty enjoying the food and drink being constantly served. They hardly noticed their own commander walking through the tables towards the Innkeeper.
"Oh! H-hello Commander!" the Innkeeper stuttered out. He seemed surprised to see Taaplin here. "What can I get for you?"
"I was just wondering if you had any rooms free for the next few night for my friend here" Taaplin gestured to the Archmage beside her. "I'd also love if some hot drinks could be brought up as well please, this weather is just terrible." She still had to change out of her wet under shirt and armor, and she was holding back a shiver, although Khadger seemed to notice this.
"Of course Commander, I'll send the drinks up once they are ready." He then handed Taaplin a room key with the number 'four' on the wooden key-chain.
She and Khadgar walked up the stairs, each step creaking under the weight of their feet. The stairs then curved out onto a landing and opened out into a hallway with six doors. They walked down to the end of the hallway, facing the door with '4' etched into it. Upon entering the room, Taaplin instantly knew that the Innkeeper had given Khadgar the more spacious room. A large double bed in the center, woolen rugs and furs covering the wooden flooring where ever there was an opening. A circular table was to the left of the bed, closest to them, and surrounded by three chairs. What caught Taaplin's attention however, was the rather inviting fireplace at the opposite end of the room. It had already been lit, filling the room with a pleasant heat and a warm glow. She wished she had brought other clothes, so as she could dry the clothes under her mail gear. She set her crossbow on the table, hastly making her way to the fire. She was already knelt in front of the fire, holding her hands out to the flames, when Khadgar set his staff against the wall. He looked at her like he was trying to hold back a laugh.
"I don't think your clothes will heat up or even dry while you have your mail gear on over it" he teased. "I will be a gentlemen and turn around if you wish to remove your armor to allow your underclothes to dry."
Taaplin looked at his face, wondering if he was joking, but the thought of warm and dry clothes decided for her. "I'm not taking off my clothes Khadger, But your gentleman title shall remain intact if you lend me that cloak of yours?" She joked. She is sure that Khadger was blushing at this point, but she couldn't see clearly since he was hiding his face. She took off her chestpeice and pants, leaving her in a sleeveless shirt and her leggings. He was removing the cloak he had worn here, and handed it to her while pulling over a chair to sit in front of the fireplace. She murmured "thanks", and wrapped the cloak around her, kneeling on the rug to be as close to the fire as possible.
"So..." Taaplin said, turning towards Khadgar, "What death defying mission are you giving me now?"
"Nothing like that." Khadgar replied. "I need you to come with me on my mission" He had dread in his eyes.
"Where do you need to go?" Taaplin worried over him, wondering what could be troubling him so.
"Back to where the answers to my questions may lie." His eyes looked deeply into hers. "we are going to The Guardians Tower."