The Ascendant

by Aunty Proton

In "Bright Gnome..." Owl's cousin brought him a Frostsaber token. Now, 6 weeks after killing a Death Knight, he goes to claim his Frostsaber. But of course it's not that simple.

1. Chapter 1

The Ascendant

Part 1

Mistress Jennea Cannon looked up from her grimoire as she heard voices approaching up the Sanctum's spiral stairs. She had to work to suppress her smirk as her student bounced happily into sight and ran to her, while her Guildmaster Kill Mechaswarm followed behind tugging on a handful of the dark wool cloak that shrouded the tall form of his own apprentice, the Night Elf OwlDance.

"Master - "

"You're going," Mechaswarm said for what felt like the fiftieth time that day.

"But Master - "

"Anca's going with you," Mechaswarm said, again for what felt like the fiftieth time.

A soft worried sigh sounded from the depths of the black wool hood. "But Master - "

Mechaswarm let go of the cloak and hopped up onto the corner of the table where Jennea sat. He put his hands on his hips and glared up into the glowing silver eyes. "Do you think you're the only one they've ever exiled?"

Owl's eyes dropped to the floor and he shook his head silently. "I - I don't know, Master. For other reasons, perhaps, but - "

"Come here."

Owl edged forward reluctantly, then closer when Kill gestured at him. Kill reached up, caught two locks of the long black hair and tugged to make the Elf lean over, then caught both ears and held his apprentice still so he could look in his eyes. "Listen to me, boy. Your place is here, with me. You are my apprentice. Even when you are a GrandMaster, you will still be my apprentice. No matter what that stuck-up bitch who raised you says, you have more worth as a good person than she will ever bother to discover. If you learn anything from me besides how to infiltrate and assassinate, you will learn one thing - that loving someone, anyone, no matter who it is, is never wrong. What you did here a few weeks ago wasn't wrong, per se. It was the person you chose to give that love to that screwed it all to hell. You could fall in love with a Troll and I wouldn't care so long as that Troll treated you as you deserve. Understand?"

OwlDance gulped, obviously moved by his Master's words, then nodded a little. Then he carefully slipped his strong arms around the Gnome and Kill hugged him back for a long moment.

"You're my son, you silly long-eared idiot," he whispered into the long ear under his cheek. "Now go there, find yourself a riding cat, and come home. That's all you need to do. You don't owe them anything."

"Yes Master," OwlDance murmured back. He let Kill go and straightened up, then squared his shoulders and with sudden determination reached up and pulled the cloak's hood off. His hair fell back over his shoulders and he took a deep breath. "Anca?"

Ancasta grinned up at him where she sat on the table beside Kill. She was dressed in a new magerobe of light blue with a purple sash, her potion pouches and her little dagger along with her herb satchel. She held her carved wooden staff across her knees and her red hair was still a little damp from her hurried bath only a little while earlier. "I can't wait!" she giggled.

Kill grinned at her enthusiasm. "You. C'mere."

Ancasta jumped to her feet and Kill busied himself straightening her satchel strap and the ties of her purple wool cape. "The Elves are going to just love you," Kill chuckled. "You'll be the most disruptive thing they've ever seen."

"I'm not a Horde, y'know," Ancasta pouted up at him.

Kill smirked. "No. You're worse. You're an inquisitive child who has no concept of keeping your hands to yourself."

"Child?"

"Sorry. Young, upwardly-mobile Gnomish lady," Kill amended. He grew slightly more serious. "The Elves are pretty - well, I guess you'd say dignified. So don't be surprised if you get a lot of worried looks. They're all wondering if they need to lock up the china and silverware."

Ancasta sobered a little at that. "I wouldn't break anything."

Kill smiled. "I know you wouldn't. Unless it attacked you first. And that's as it should be, at least until you're older."

Ancasta nodded and turned as Jennea rose to her feet.

"Well then, ready to go?" Jennea asked Kill. She popped her knuckles and moved a little bit out into the Sanctum's empty floor space.

Kill stood away and watched his apprentice kneel beside Ancasta to take her hand for the teleport spell. Owl turned his head for one last look back at his Master.

"It will be all right. Concentrate on getting your riding cat," Kill said quietly. "And try to keep each other out of trouble."

Owl nodded once as Jennea began to cast the spell, and in a swirl of color they were gone.

Kill heaved a deep sigh and dropped down into the chair Jennea had vacated, dropped to sit and rubbed his eyes.

Jennea came to perch on the edge of the table, looking down at him with a sympathetic smile. "That was all for his benefit, wasn't it? That brave face you put on for Owl?"

Kill took his hand from his eyes and nodded slightly. "I didn't tell him, but I sent Ancasta with him because I'm afraid if he didn't have back-up they'd just outright kill him."

Jennea blinked in surprise. "It's that bad? I thought - "

"That he was exaggerating?" Kill finished her question. "He was, to some extent. That's the traumatized fifteen-year-old talking, not the twenty-seven-year-old. But it's been over ten years since he came to me, and close to twelve years since they threw him out. I have no hope his bitch grandmother has softened her stance but his cousin bringing him a Frostsaber token means he must have somebody in Teldrassil willing to speak to him at least. They would never even consider offering him a Frostsaber even through back channels without some official sanction. But for all we know, it may be somebody with an axe to grind against Owl's grandmother. You know how often people get caught in the crossfire in situations like that. With Ancasta there and sticking to his side, I'm hoping it will make them think twice about eliminating him."

Jennea sighed and shook her head slightly. "All that just because he prefers to sleep with men?"

Kill snorted a humorless laugh. "Miscegenation and homosexuality are very real social crimes among the Night Elves. It's primarily focused on the Sindorei, but having a sexual relationship with any other race is considered unnatural. Each and every one of them are expected to provide at least two children during the course of their lives. They're pushed by their families to produce more, simply because of their losses in Warsong and in the conflicts with the Blood Elves. If the Circle gets even the merest whisper that Owl was getting his bells rung by a Sindorei, and a male at that - hell, Jenny, they'd execute him in broad daylight."

"Why didn't you go with him?" Jennea asked. "As his Master you would have the clout to stop them."

Kill shook his head. "That's Owl's second black mark. The talent he was born with. The Cenarion Circle like to pretend that Rogues don't exist. We fly in the face of their whole black and white, 'peace, love, and understanding' mindset. They were all for him learning to tree-walk. That's a traditional Kaldorei skill. Then one of his uncles caught him 'dark hunting', as they call it. Apparently he was sneaking up on Gnarlpines and knifing them in the back at the age of twelve. And knowing him, he overheard his grandmother and uncles saying something about the trouble with the Gnarlpines and went out to take care of the problem himself. Then they tell him he's 'cheating' when he's good at it."

Jennea's face took on an expression of disgust. "I never would have guessed the Elves to be such conformists. That's not natural any more than being fey is."

Kill wagged a finger at her. "That's where you're wrong. Fey is natural. There are same-sex pairs that crop up in every species yet found. Of animals, at any rate. The Draenei have studied the phenomenon in their own population. Among Draenei, at least, it's found only among males and it's of a clearly genetic origin. They've determined the trait to be present in between three to five percent of their male population at any given time. I'd bet you a roast pork pie someone will someday find it's the same for every intelligent species over a certain population size."

"But I know the Elves have trouble having children - "

Kill shook his head. "They're immortal, remember? Puberty hits at about twenty and the girls can have kids at around thirty. They can theoretically have one child every two years for thousands of years. The fey provide just enough of a brake on the population that the rest of them can go on breeding without their genetics going bonkers and their birth rate dropping to zero."

Jennea shook her head and held up a hand. "Wait, that makes no sense, Kill."

Kill nodded. "I know, Wasichu had to explain it to me three times. Look, Jenny - you Humans live to, what, eighty? Ninety? Compared to the rest of us, that's very short lived. Your birth rate is correspondingly high because of several factors - the relative fragility of Humans, the short life span, succeptibility to diseases, deaths through conflict or plague, what have you. The Elves, on the other hand, are immortal, are extremely resistant to diseases, are big and sturdy, and over the course of their history they've actually had relatively little conflict. If they didn't have a means to keep their population in check, Elves would overrun their environment and starve themselves out. We have that exact situation in Elwynn, with the wolves. So their genetics began to provide means to keep them in line with their environment. They evolved to have trouble getting pregnant, staying pregnant, and the fey started appearing. In the Draenei, their fey are almost always sterile. I don't think it's gone that far with the Elves but Owl will certainly never have children of his own blood. He's incapable of thinking of a female as anything other than a sister. He adores Jevalyn and Zarissa, but it would literally sicken him to think of bedding either of them. Every time some Elven girl tries to flirt with him he turns green and looks like he's going to throw up."

Jennea chewed her lip thoughtfully for a moment. "But - Kill, I've known enough Human fey to know that a lot of them act - well, for lack of a better word, they act like women."

Kill smirked. "Yeah. You've never watched Owl spend two hours fiddling with his hair, or complaining that his armor doesn't color-match, or preening at his muscles in the mirror."

Jennea laughed at that.

Kill smiled sadly. "It hasn't been easy, adjusting to all that. I love him dearly, Jenny. Every pouty, broody, dangerous inch of that gigantic frame. I don't teach him so much as I just show him what I want him to do. He picks up everything as if he's remembering it, not learning it. And he's already skilled in a more diverse range of weaponry than I am. He cooks for nobles and merchant lords, he makes armor and clothing for half the people of the Guild, and usually won't let anyone pay him for it. I honestly don't know how he reconciles the two different OwlDances I know - the good-hearted, quiet leatherworker and cook, and the stone-cold killer. I hope there's another male Elf out there for him, someone who can handle him. But I just don't know. He could easily spend the rest of his life alone, watching everyone around him pairing off and being happy. That kind of thing sours a person, and makes them desperate to do anything for anyone who shows any interest in them. He's already shown he's got that particular trait down pat, with BloodThorn. How long will it be before it happens again?"

===O===

When the swirling disorientation cleared from them, Owl raised his head and looked around.

The walls of the Temple of Elune rose around him, white marble bedecked by moonflower vines. The bubbling of the holy Moonwell sounded all around him, its waters flowing down from the Elune fountain in the Moonwell's heart. He let go of Ancasta's hand and bowed low over his knees in profound obeisance to his goddess, pressing his forehead to the cool stone of the Moonwell's steps. The smells, the sounds, the feel of the place was exactly the same, as if he'd never left.

"Is that your goddess?" Ancasta whispered beside him.

He straightened, sitting back on his heels, and smiled a little at her. He could feel the welcoming and amused presence of Elune all around him at Ancasta's question. "Yes. A representation of her, at least. This is the most holy Temple we have, and this the most sacred of Her images."

Ancasta's eyes were huge as she looked up at the great white marble statue, the magical waters pouring endlessly from the shallow bowl in Her hands. "Why is the water glowing?" she whispered.

"Because of the magic. I'm sure as a Mage you can feel it, at least a little," he said. "All Teldrassil is infused with the magics of the Aldrassil, the World Tree. Here, more so than anywhere else."

"And you profane it by your presence," hissed a voice nearby.

OwlDance rose to his feet, one hand going to automatically pull the cloak's hood over his head. "Do I? Am I not of the children of Elune, good sir?"

An Elven man as tall as OwlDance in a Druid's robes stared at him in disgust, his intricately braided white hair spilling down his back. "Did you not understand that the exile was forever, you abomination?"

Owl clenched his jaw and turned away, toward the door of the Temple. "I believe you have me confused with someone else, sir. Whoever it may be, I pity them. Anca? Shall I show you more of Darnassus?"

Ancasta lifted her chin and nodded, sparing a cool glance at the other Elven man. She took hold of a fold of Owl's cloak. "Yes, I'd like that," she said shortly.

"Come, then. Let us see what we may see," he said and nodded in polite farewell to the Druid. He headed for the door, Ancasta following by a handful of his cloak.

"Who was that guy?" Ancasta asked in a whisper a few minutes later as they crossed one of the many bridges over Darnassus's many streams.

OwlDance laughed shortly in the depths of his cloak hood. "One of my grandmother's many suitors."

"Suitors?" Ancasta asked with a strange look on her face.

"My grandfather has been gone many centuries. He died long before my birth," OwlDance explained. "She likes to keep at least a dozen dangling on her cloak fringes. It's one of her few entertainments."

"Why did he call you an abomination?" Ancasta asked, almost reluctantly.

OwlDance sighed at that. "It is a long story," he said softly. "And a painful one. And I would rather not discuss it now. Perhaps when we are safely home again."

Ancasta blinked. "Okay," she said, bewildered. "But if it hurts you - "

He nodded. "Anca, not everything can be changed with a Fireball. Or a potion."

===O===

They made their way across the graceful marble bridges to the Tradesmans' Terrace, the merchant district of Darnassus near to the Temple gardens. OwlDance kept the hood of his cloak up to hide his face, though it hurt his ears to be so confined. Also he remained shrouded to hide his prized twin daggers, for it was common knowledge that only Rogues were trained to use dual weapons. He would never deny his calling nor his ties to his Master, but he saw no need to advertise the fact. And he kept silent as much as he could. He had grown up a great deal since he was "escorted" to Ru'theran and onto the boat for Darkshore, but it only took one person to start a rumor or raise an alarm.

The Golden Acorn Inn was one of two in Darnassus, and it catered more to those who were not Elves and had come to the ancient city as merchants. Built in the Elven style with wood only, without a trace of metal, the open archways and airy rooms filled with flowering plants and twining vines gave the impression that one was not indoors but surrounded by the denizens of the forest. But it was also cleverly constructed in a way that baffled and deadened sounds, providing privacy without sacrificing the essential living beauty.

He silently handed down the leather pouch of coin that his Master had given them that morning and watched as Ancasta padded up the low stairs and into the Inn. She jumped up onto the Innkeeper's high desk and leveled her emerald green eyes at the clearly amused Elven Innkeeper. "We'd like a room, please."

"Surely." He glanced up at Owl's tall form briefly. "One room? Or two?"

"One," Owl said shortly

"Third floor, in the back of the Inn away from the street," Ancasta continued, repeating the request that Kill had made her promise she would insist upon.

The Elven Innkeeper glanced again at Owl consideringly and Owl shifted and let his cloak fall open so that his daggers were clearly visible.

"Ah." The Innkeeper opened his ledger book and ran a finger down the columns of room assignments. "We do indeed have a room free on the third floor, but not facing the forest. It is on the northwest corner. Will that suffice?"

Ancasta turned to Owl and he nodded once. "Yes, that will do," she said primly. "We shall be staying for at least four days, possibly up to a week," she continued. "I can pay you for four days now, I'll inform you if we need the extra days."

The Innkeeper continued to be faintly amused as Ancasta quickly paid the room fare for the next four days, and then watched as the Gnomish Mage and her bodyguard (for so he assumed OwlDance was) ascended the stairs to the third floor.

Owl led her to the room and secured the door as she drifted around the room looking at the climbing vines and the delicate moonflowers open to the sun shining in the room's balcony archway. Owl swung his pack and the cloak off, stretched and yawned hugely.

"Do you get that often?" he asked as Ancasta climbed up on the balcony's marble railing to look out at the giant trees.

"Get what?"

"People finding you amusing," Owl said in a subdued voice. "As if you are a child."

Ancasta sat down and tilted her head at him as she considered his question. "I didn't in Ironforge, when I was with Master Wolfhammer But since I came to Stormwind, yes." She shrugged a little. "People think I'm cute."

Owl sat down on an ornate chaise-lounge and blinked at her thoughtfully. "I've never seen anyone treat Master Kill in such a fashion. Nor Mistress Nobelina, for that matter."

Ancasta shrugged again. "Master Kill said something to me about it. I don't know if I agree with him or not."

Owl smiled a little. "That's typical of anything he says. And I speak from long experience with his pronouncements."

Ancasta grinned at that, then sobered again. "He told me that attitude toward me is a form of delusion, and that I can learn to hide behind it."

Owl nodded. "Yes. Folk have their own image of you - the sweet child. That kind of image blinds them to the reality And this blinding you may encourage, for folk are far more inclined to speak injudiciously around a child, and also will not take seriously the threat you pose. Thus, you would have the initiative with the element of surprise."

Ancasta frowned slightly, then shook her head and turned to peer out over what they could see of Darnassus. "Master Kill seems like he knows a lot, doesn't he?"

Owl nodded. "It is not a seeming. He actually does know a great deal about a great many things."

Ancasta shrugged. "That's true of Gnomes in general. Just that usually it's concentrated in Engineering."

Owl nodded a little. "He is conversant with such. Though unlike most of your folk he does not make a life of it."

Ancasta nodded, looking down at the brown suede of her herb satchel. "Is he - d'you know if he's - involved with anyone?"

Owl sat back on the chaise and regarded her for a long moment. "He was - once, long ago. But she is gone now. She died as they were fleeing Gnomeregan."

Ancasta flinched visibly at that. "My Grandfather fought the Troggs. He cleared a path for the High Tinker to escape, and went in afterward to rescue over a hundred others who had gotten trapped."

Owl blinked, his expression solemn as if he were weighing how much he could tell her. Then he looked away. "There was a soldier who lived for the High Tinker's command - he was as high above the common run of Gnomeregan's soldiery as King Varian is above his Guard, for that his skill and brilliance in battle were unparalleled. So much did he believe in Geblin's wise leadership that he was often in the Tinker's presence. One day, coming to report to Geblin on his latest assignment, he found there not his King but a beautiful young lady, with sky-blue hair and violet eyes. So struck was the soldier by her beauty that he fell instantly in love with her. She, for her part, saw a handsome young soldier covered in the fame of his exploits and the cunning of the soldier's craft, and likewise fell in love instantly with him. An hour later when the Tinker came to hear the soldier's report, he found the two of them gazing at each other in obvious lovestruck awe. In due course they married, and all should have been well. Until the Troggs came. Until Thermaplugg happened. The soldier we know. But the lady is no more."

Ancasta nodded a little as she understood what Owl was truly telling her. "You've met the High Tinker?"

Owl nodded once. "Master often takes me with him when he goes to report to Geblin. I find him very wise, and undefeated by all that has happened to your folk. I think much of that is due to Master's loyalty to him remaining undimmed."

Ancasta looked out at Darnassus around them. "You know that calling him 'King' is something the Biggers all call him. He's not like King Varian, or King Magni. The High Tinker is elected, not simply born to it. We had a High Executive before we had Geblin. We call them whatever their profession is. Usually it's Tinkers, but not always."

Owl looked solemn at that. "And yet, there was a Princess Amelia."

"If something happens to the leader while he or she is in office, any children who are of age step in to lead until they can organize an election," Ancasta said with a shrug. "They usually don't take a title, unless they already have one like 'Master' or 'Magus' or things like that. I don't know why people started calling her Princess Amelia. But everyone did. My mother told me Princess Amelia was in charge of administering Gnomeregan's domestic services - the healers, the educational programs, child care, counseling, things like that."

Owl opened his mouth to reply, but before he could answer a small high-pitched bell jingled at the room's door.

"Owl - " Ancasta blinked because she was looking right at OwlDance when he simply faded out of sight. She blinked in surprise, mouth hanging open.

"Answer the door," Owl's voice whispered at her shoulder. "If they inquire, I have stepped out to find a meal for us."

Ancasta nodded and jumped down from the balcony railing.

"Who's there?' she asked before she opened the ornate wooden door.

"A fellow guildmate, and a fellow child of Elune," came a quiet, deep-voiced answer.

Owl faded back into sight. "StalkingWolf! Anca, let him in!"

The green-haired hunter slipped inside quickly, his wolf padding in behind him. The ruggedly handsome hunter looked solemnly at OwlDance first, then down to smile gently at Ancasta. "Have you any idea the kind of risk you're taking, brother?"

Owl's face fell into doubt then, and a little fear. He gulped and nodded. "I had not expected to see a friendly soul here, save for my cousin and her mate," Owl said in a strained voice.

"I, too, have come at the summons of the Circle, to present myself to the Frostsabers," StalkingWolf answered. He put a hand on Owl's slumped shoulder. "Do not let your fear nor the danger you are in to color this time, young one. You know as well as I what a wonder you are offering yourself to."

Owl nodded readily at that. "I do. But I wonder if any of them will find me acceptable."

StalkingWolf grinned a little at that. "You say that now, but until you see how many cubs frolic in the dens you cannot understand just how assured you are of success. There are over a hundred cubs alone, and at least five dozen adults."

OwlDance stumbled to the chaise again and sat down heavily. "So many?"

StalkingWolf sat down beside him and Ancasta came to stand in front of them both. "Indeed. The colony in Ferelas was brought over a few months ago, to safeguard them. Several of the females were pregnant."

"Because of the Death Knights?" OwlDance asked softly.

StalkingWolf gave a half-nod. "I have not heard. But why else would they do so? Especially now that we know of the Ascendant's designs on the Alliance."

Owl nodded and took a shaky breath. "Well. In the morning I will go and present myself to them. Tonight, I am going to see if my cousin has returned home. Perhaps here she will feel less constrained, and will tell me what this is all about."

===O===

Rainshadow and her mate Starshine lived in a traditional treehouse dwelling not far from the massive marble gates of the city. Though there was a winding spiral stair around the tree that led to the dwelling, when Starshine spotted them approaching in the gloom of dusk he dropped down a thick rope loop with a plank of carved wood attached.

Owl smiled at Ancasta's look of doubt. Then he shrugged the black wool cloak back over his shoulders and picked her up, and fitted his booted feet into the wood plank's carved holes. "Hold on to my neck, I will need my hands and arms free," he said, and she looped her arms so and held on. "Master would have a cat if he knew I was doing this with you."

"Why?"

Owl grinned as he began to pull on the other strand of the rope and they began to rise rapidly into the air. "Because he thinks you're a delicate little flower who needs to be kept from dangerous things," he said as he lifted them both up the makeshift elevator.

Ancasta eeped as the ground fell away and clutched his neck tighter.

Rainshadow's laugh sounded from above and a moment later Owl stepped onto the platform as Starshine pulled him in. The elder Night Elf clapped Owl on the shoulder with a grin and Rainshadow flung herself at her cousin and hugged him fiercely, giggling as Ancasta squeaked in delight.

"Well met and well come indeed," Rain said, and pulled Owl's head down to hers and kissed his forehead. "You have been too long away!"

Owl smiled sadly. "I never wanted to leave Teldrassil, Rain."

Rain nodded. "I know. Circumstances changing means that you have those now working for your redemption."

"Oh?" Owl set Ancasta on her feet and they followed the scout and her mate into their simple but supremely comfortable treehouse. "I've been curious since we met in Stormwind, cousin."

"I asked that Rain keep the details from you, youngling," said a deep voice as they entered. "And she did so, once I explained I wished to tell you myself."

OwlDance stopped in the doorway of the room as he saw who waited within. He could not have moved if he'd wanted to, the sudden burst of terror held him rooted to the floor and his throat closed around any sound he could have made.

"Elder, you've scared him senseless," Starshine said with a trace of reproach in his voice.

"You - you were there, the day - " Owl stopped again, trembling all over, and one hand fumbled to clutch the doorpost to keep himself from swaying.

"The day your grandmother exiled you," Elder Selandril said and nodded. "Yes, I was. At the time, I was more wroth with her than you, for that it was plain she would accept no quiet means for you to seek your path elsewhere. For some unfathomable reason she felt she had to make an example of you, or to demonstrate what she was capable of. I know not, either then or now."

Owl gaped for another moment, then simply slid to the floor where he stood. Ancasta pressed against his shoulder, glancing from him to the Elder Druid. Rainshadow sat down beside the Elder while Starshine busied himself at the nearby table where a teapot and several cups sat ready.

"Am I to be executed, then?" Owl said in a strained voice.

"Not if you keep your head down and out of sight," Selandril answered. "You have nothing to fear from me. Unfortunately, the years have not changed you overmuch. You look exactly as I expected you would, and as others would expect who remember you. That does not work to your favor, youngling."

Owl stared down at his hands, then slipped an arm around Ancasta and hugged her close to reassure her. "I - Elder, I am apprenticed to - "

"Master Killem Mechaswarm, yes, Rain told me," Selandril said evenly. "She says he is a Gnome, and a Master Rogue. It seems your dark hunting was not simply a boy's petty evil but a true calling."

Owl nodded faintly.

"And your studies with him go well?" Selandril asked, then nodded in thanks as Sharshine gave him a cup of tea.

Owl nodded again. "Master Kill is the best of teachers. I could not wish for anyone more skilled. He tells me I do well, when he is not tugging on my ears to chastise me."

Selandril grinned faintly at that. "It is well, then. You have a life you have made for yourself, and a future. Though one could wish in a more honorable profession."

Owl chewed on his lip for a moment, then said, "Elder, surely Elune did not mean to make us all to one mold. Without some dark, how could we know Her light?"

"Well put," Selandril said with a searching glance at him. "Now come sit properly before me. We have much to discuss. And I am remiss. Be welcome among the children of Elune, young Mage. We have not many of your folk who come among us."

Ancasta nodded and moved away as Owl got to his feet and went to sit on a cushion before Selandril, beside his cousin. Rain pulled another cushion up beside him and Ancasta sat down there, one hand on Owl's knee.

"As you may have guessed," Selandril began, "the Ascendant's machinations are not unknown to us here in Teldrassil. At root cause, that is why we risk your life to bring you here. Not merely for that you may find your soulfriend Frostsaber, but for that I find we need the help of your fellow Rogues. Also that of your Guild, if possible. Now listen well. We have not much time."

It was well into night when Rainshadow led Ancasta down the spiralling stair from her home. Owl had left a few minutes before, vanishing into the night to make his own way back to Darnassus and the inn where they were staying. Rainshadow had borrowed the black cloak. Her Frostsaber, Frost, ghosted up beside them as they walked and Rain rested a hand on his shoulder.

Ancasta said nothing, her mind whirling with thoughts of what Selandril had asked her to do. If nothing else, her part of the plan made a plausible excuse for why she and Owl were here in Teldrassil. But at the same time it frightened her. Owl's life, and Master Kill's life, would be in her hands. And that was something she was not sure she wanted to be responsible for.

Owl opened the door for them when they reached the room at the inn, and in moments Ancasta was curled on the chaise lounge and deeply asleep. The next day would be long, and she needed her rest.

===O===

"I just want you to know, Jennea will probably kill me for this."

"She will not," Owl murmured down to Ancasta as they slowly climbed the shallow steps to the Temple. "And neither will Master."

"No, he'll kill me for leaving you here alone," Ancasta muttered as they passed into the cool marble entry of the Temple.

"I shan't be alone. Or if I am, I shall not be seen," Owl assured her. He stopped as they came before the statue of Elune and looked up at his goddess with a sigh and a mental greeting to Her. "They will never deny a fellow Mage."

"I hope not." Ancasta reached over and patted his leg. "Please be careful."

Owl nodded. "Simply bring Master here, and all will be well. Once he is with us, I will not be so nerved."

Ancasta nodded and watched as he slipped away, vanishing as he slipped into the shadows of the Temple's massive walls. Then she turned and began to look among the Druids gathered meditating in the Temple's indoor gardens, and began to cast her magical senses around for the tell-tale feel of great magics.

===O===

"You wish to learn our portal spells?" the white-haired Elder Mage asked with a faint smile.

Ancasta remembered what Kill had said about taking advantage of people's assumptions and smiled happily up at the statuesque Elven woman. "Yes, lady. It's a blessed long way to anywhere from here."

The elder Mage's eyes twinkled at that. "Indeed it is. Yet you will be here among us often?"

"I plan to be. I'm an Alchemist as well as a Mage, and it's known you have many herbs of use here. Silverleaf, for one. And mageroyal, peacebloom - a girl's got to make a living, you know," she said winsomely. "I have a cousin in that trade as well, she has a shop in Ironforge. She asked me to scout out the possibilities for trade in such."

"Ah," the elder Mage said with a sage nod. "And you come of Ironforge?"

"Originally," Ancasta answered. "I seek my fortunes and teaching anywhere I happen to roam now."

"Ah, the freebooting life," another Druid said nearby. He smiled gently down at the tiny Gnome in her simple, clearly homespun mage robe and purple cloak. "Teach her, SilkWing. What harm can it do? She's clearly of no threat to us."

"It is not she, but what she may send to us that worries me, Raven," the elder Mage said. Then she turned back to Ancasta. "And the future, which is never certain. All right, young Mage. I will teach you the portal spell in the way of my people, mind to mind. If you are ready?"

Despite learning most of her spells from Jennea's grimoires, Jennea had used the mental transfer technique a few times with her. She drew herself up, cleared her mind, and nodded.

In a flash of light, it was done.

===O===

Jennea straightened up and turned from her perusal of the Sanctum's bookshelves as she felt the twisting of the energies of magic behind her. A teleport, but shaky as if -

With a faltering swirl of blue light a form blinked into existence. A small form, in a sky blue mage robe and a purple cloak, with a spray of red hair. The spell burst around her and then faded, and with it the Gnome's energies. She fell half-faint to the stone floor.

"Anca! What the hell?"

Ancasta rolled to her knees painfully, hugging herself, as Jennea rushed to her and helped her up. "Jennea..."

"What in the hell do you think - " Jennea began.

"Don't!" Ancasta begged, clapping her hands over her ears. "I told Owl you'd yell at me! And I don't have time!" She swayed up to her feet, nearly fell again. Jennea caught her.

"Do NOT move," Jennea commanded her student, then twisted one hand and suddenly the vial of a mana potion was in her hand. She took the cork out and held it to Ancasta's mouth. "Drink. NOW."

Ancasta did and gasped as the liquid magic froze her throat going down. But she could feel it filling her like water, like pure light. Instantly she felt stronger, steadier, whole again. "Oh Great Toolbox, Jenny, I've got to get to Master Kill," she gasped out as Jennea took the empty vial away. She scrambled up and started for the Sanctum's portal to the Mage Tower.

"Anca!"

"I'll tell you later!" Ancasta called back as she raced through the portal.

===O===

Kill watched as Stoneblade worked at the forge, four sword blades in the fire as he hammered a fifth. Five new blades for the Guild's Mages to enchant, to be presented to several deserving young Warriors, each a work of art even before the magical jewels and engravings were added. It was costing a fortune but the Jenkins clan was worth it. They were the wheelhorses of the Guild's forces in Outland and they all deserved these blades.

Kill nodded to the Dwarf as he put the blade back into the fire and fished out another, and turned to go.

A commotion outside the forge caught his ears as he heard a familiar young, high-pitched voice. It sounded like his name. But it couldn't be -

"Master! Master!"

It was like someone grabbed him by the throat and yanked him out the door.

She catapulted against him, burrowing into his breastbone as he automatically put his arms around her. "Master - Owl said - Owl - You've got to - "

He went cold all over. "They caught him?" he asked in a croak.

She shook her head against his chest then looked up at him, searching his eyes for a long moment, then grabbed his hand and yanked him down the street. "I need space, I've got to - "

She pulled him out into the Dwarven District's square and stopped, stood stock still, screwed her eyes shut, and lifted purple-glowing hands over her head. "Hold on to me," she said in a strained voice.

His hands clutched at her shoulders but she barely felt it as the spellcasting went on, she blocked it all out as she reached - and reached - for Darnassus, for the Temple, for Owl -

Kill felt real fear beginning to trickle in as it seemed to take too long, was about to start shaking her out of her trance -

The world blinked out, twisted, and in a silent concussion he was standing on grass in the half-dark of the Temple of Elune.

Ancasta slumped and fell right out of his hands.

"Great Toolbox," Kill whispered as he dropped to scoop her up into his arms. "What have you done?"

===O===

It took several minutes to revive her and Kill dared not leave her. Fortunately they were in a shadowy corner of the Temple out of the path of traffic under a staircase. When she did wake she didn't seem all there and though he'd much rather have given her the time she needed to recover he pulled her up to her feet.

"Come on, Copperbolt, we have to go," he growled urgently at her. "Owl. Where is he?"

"He's - he went to - No, I have to take you to - " Her head lolled and fell onto his shoulder for a moment and she sighed and seemed to relax against him. "Didju know you smell like Sugar Bolts?"

Despite himself Kill snorted a laugh and held her for a moment, ruffling her hair. "You're weird, Copperbolt. Where's Owl?"

"Wit' the - Fros'sabers. An' Rain, I think," Ancasta slurred. Then she struggled a little out of his arms and started wobbling toward the door of the Temple. "We gotta go. They catch us here, they'll yell at me for bringing a stranger. C'mon. We gotta go to Selandril. You follow me, but Owl said you gotta be invisible."

Kill understood and let her go, then vanished. "Okay. You know where you're going?"

"Over the bridge, around the bank, over nother bridge, up inside the tree," Ancasta nodded. "I just want you to know I couldn't whack a frog right now so you're on your own, 'kay?"

Kill snorted another laugh. "I think I can handle myself."

"Right. Let's go," Ancasta murmured and started wobbling out of the Temple.

Well, if she got caught maybe the Elves would think she was drunk and put her to bed. Kill followed her silently out into the bright light of Teldrassil's day as she began to wobble her way across the Temple's marble bridge.

===O===

"It feels wrong to be shrouded like this," Owl murmured to his cousin's mate as they walked beside a stream outside Darnassus's walls. The small grotto and stream were one of the favorite spots for the unbonded Frostsabers, with several small caves and abundant water pools. Starshine's Frostsaber, Ice, padded beside his rider, nose to the ground.

"Your saber will know you no matter what you wear," Starshine answered.

"I know, but it just feels wrong," Owl murmured again. "Sacriligous. As if I am trying to hide from them, when that is the last thing I would ever do. Not to them."

Starshine nodded. "They know this, my friend. When your friend comes to you, you'll see your worries were all for nought."

Owl nodded and sighed. "Also I wish I could feel the breath of the trees on me again. Elwynn is not the same. Here there is mist and green and twilight, and I have been too long apart from it."

Starshine gave him a long look. "You are too wrought up, young one."

Owl nodded faintly. "Fear and worry will do that. Perhaps Anca has brought my Master by now."

They climbed up a steep pathway to the top of a ridge and saw a golden female Frostsaber grooming her cub, and beyond them a small group of white striped Frostsabers with at least a dozen cubs gamboling in the mouth of a cave.

"Hard to believe that one day they will each be able to carry the weight of a full-grown Elf, isn't it?" Starshine said as they watched the cubs playing.

Owl smiled at the balls of black-striped white fur tumbling and wrestling, the great white forms of their mothers watching indulgently. The cubs' play seemed to unknot something inside him. He felt the fear and worry for himself and for Anca ease and melt away at the sight of such carefree trust. "It is good to know that somewhere in the world children can still play without fear."

They walked on and came to a tiny secluded pool surrounded by lush greenery, all but completely hidden. Yet it obviously was known for a rough-made stone bench was beside the pool, obviously placed for relaxation and meditative thought. Owl sank down on it with a sigh and Starshine settled nearby on the moss with his back against Ice's side.

They were both silent for some time, Owl wrapped in the black cloak, letting his eyes rest on the ruffled surface of the pool in front of him. But serenity would not come to him, Selandril's assessment of the actions of the Ascendant and the Cenarion Circle did not make for serene thoughts. If Selandril was correct - and Owl could hardly believe it - his grandmother had been subverted by at least one agent of the Ascendant. While his exile twelve years before had been entirely of her own doing, if he was caught here in Teldrassil now his fate may end up being at the decision of the Ascendant. And given his involvement with BloodThorn, he knew the Ascendant would know his name and his place as Kill's apprentice. And Kill had been the hand behind the death of the warlock Cyridon, one of the Ascendant's major lieutenants.

He would follow his Master to the throne of the Lich King, to the very halls of Icecrown, if their enemies made it necessary. No matter that he was not even half-trained yet, he would find a way. His Master was father, brother, teacher. There was nowhere on Azeroth or off it he would fail to go if Kill needed it.

Almost, sometimes, he could convince himself that his Master was all he'd ever need for a full and content life. But some older, more cynical, less idealistic part of him would laugh bitterly at the notion deep inside him, and remember those euphoric times with BloodThorn. It haunted him even now, those few nights he'd managed to slip away and run to his lover's call, using all his skill at vanishment to escape to Darkshire where BloodThorn would be waiting. Kill never knew what he'd done, or where he'd gone. He'd always claimed he'd been asked to cook for a late-night dinner party. Kill had never questioned it.

He sighed. Kill had never questioned it because his Master trusted him. And he had abused that trust. And for what? For an hour or two of pleasure from a Sindorei, who until that last day had never made any efforts but always required Owl himself to make all the sacrifices and risks. Who had never put anything of himself at risk nor balked at making demands couched as playful challenges.

He shook his head at himself, reminded all over again of what he'd done. How could he ever make amends for this?

He knew only one way - to never again allow himself to love another, to excise from his mind and heart even the need for another. It was the only way to ensure that nothing of the sort would ever happen again.

He'd had his chance at love, and he'd chosen the wrong person. Now, he must put it from his mind and heart and devote himself to his work beyond anything else.

Unseen in the verdant undergrowth, golden eyes blinked and a great ruffed white head bowed slowly to the earth.

===O===

"Come on, Copperbolt, we're almost there."

Ancasta nodded faintly to the whisper at her shoulder. She stood swaying for another moment, then gathered the rags of her energies and lurched forward again with her vision swimming. The door opening into the roots of the gigantic tree before her seemed to waver as if it were a reflection in a pond. "Oh Jenny's going to kill me," she mumbled.

"Maybe. This tops your snowdive, that's for certain."

Ancasta grinned lopsidedly. "Sheeped an Orc," she mumbled.

She chuckled breathlessly at the obviously exasperated sigh.

"An' killed three Wendigos."

"I am going to spank your rear myself, just as soon as I find out what's going on here."

"Promise?" Her amusement seemed to give her fresh impetus as she heard an embarrased snerk from the invisible Master Rogue. Her steps seemed a little more sure as she wove only slightly up the slight incline to the doorway and all but fell through.

"You return! And in remarkable time!" she heard Selandril say as the Elder Druid rushed forward to her. "Oh child! You're drained. A moment, I have moonberry juice right here. Rain, close the door if you would please."

"Of course, Elder," Rain murmured as she ducked around Selandril's kneeling form. "Oh, but are all - ah, I suppose I should say, is Ancasta accompanied?"

Kill faded into view on the edge of the small moonpool in the room's heart. "Yes, she's accompanied. Good to see you again, Rain."

Rain smiled as she closed the door. "Master Kill. Owl is safe. He is with my mate, they are with some of the unbonded Frostsabers on the ridge above Darnassus."

Kill slumped with relief. "I don't mind telling you when Ancasta ran up to me in Stormwind I feared the worst."

"It could not be helped. We needed you here, Master Rogue, and we needed you to arrive as discreetly and unofficially as possible," Senaldril said as he settled Ancasta on the moonpool's edge with a small cup of moonberry juice. "And that must remain the case. Once young Ancasta is able, we shall go above where my shields and wards will protect us. We have much to discuss."

===O===

"Subversion? Wait a minute, you mean to tell me you believe Selaya MoonShimmer - Owl's grandmother - you think she's been subverted by one of her boyfriends?" Kill said incredulously. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Great Toolbox, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?"

"Pardon, Guildmaster?"

Kill snorted a soft laugh. "Nothing. Just that I'm trying to train an apprentice who's easily distracted by a handsome set of ears. He's still an adolescent at the age of twenty-seven."

Selandril smiled sardonically at that. "You are not the only one, Guildmaster. My niece NightWing was born only two months before OwlDance. I do not ask what she does when she is out hunting. I find it far more peaceful to remain in ignorance."

So did I. But not anymore, Kill thought to himself, but said nothing. "Do you have any proof? Other than the presence of this new man in Selaya's life?"

"Only circumstantial, which is why I have not taken it directly to the Circle," Selandril said. He sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers as he began to recount his findings. "Shortly after he arrived, he came before the Circle seeking leave to teach here at the Temple. Selaya granted it without consulting the rest of us, which is highly unusual. Only days afterward, he began to monopolize her time, delaying business that the Circle had scheduled to attend. He began to attend not only the open meetings of the Circle but to be present for those sessions we do not open to all. When we protested Selaya dismissed our concerns in such a manner that it spoke of negligence. She is clearly besotted with him and allows him underfoot to far greater extent than she does her own family. Rain, for instance, has not traded more than a handful of words with her own grandmother for several months. Her mate Starshine is my nephew, so we have taken her in."

Kill glanced over at RainShadow and she nodded once and looked away. The family resemblance between Owl and his cousin was pronounced, from the silky ebony hair to the aquiline features of their faces. He sat back in his chair and absently put an arm around Ancasta's shoulders, thinking. "Does Selaya ever leave Darnassus?"

"Infrequently, and when she does it is mostly to Exodar," Selandril answered. "I don't think she's ever journeyed to Ironforge, and probably not to Stormwind for at least a hundred years. But she is instrumental in our friendship with the Draenei."

"And she always travels with an entourage?" Kill asked.

Selandril nodded. "Usually at least a dozen. Sentinels for the most part, but with one or two ranking Druids as well."

Kill thought about that for a moment while Ancasta leaned against him and played idly with the ties of her herb satchel. "Who made the decision to bring the Frostsabers over from Feralas?"

Selandril raised one fine eyebrow at that. "You know of this?"

Kill nodded. "Owl isn't the only one of your folk in my Guild. The Hunter StalkingWolf has been one of my best scouts for at least ten years. He told us before he left Stormwind to come here."

"Ah. Normally that decision would have been a consensus of the Circle. But again, Selaya decreed it herself. No one saw fault in it, but much merit."

"Because of the Ascendant," Kill said thoughtfully.

Selandril nodded once. "We have known there was something amiss in Kalimdor for some time, but we did not have a name for it until you exposed his plans."

The greeting roar of Rain's Frostsaber sounded from below and Rain looked up eagerly. "Frost says Starshine and Owl are back," Rain said as she went to the door.

Starshine came inside, then moved casually out of the path of the door as he kissed his mate hello.

"Master! You're here," Owl's voice whispered, and then he faded into view as he knelt in front of Kill smiling.

"Boy," Kill said affectionately, and reached up to gently tug on a lock of the long black hair. "Those cats giving you a hard time?"

"They are wondrous. I spent most of my childhood playing among them," Owl said with twinkling eyes.

"Any of them seem interested?"

Owl shook his head. "Not yet. But surely one of them will choose me. There are so many now."

Rain closed the door and sat back down beside Selandril and Starshine. "Will you help us, Guildmaster?"

Kill looked up at his apprentice, then down at Ancasta looking at him thoughtfully. "Owl, you know all this Selandril's told me?"

OwlDance nodded. "Yes. I find it hard to believe, but I might be biased."

Kill nodded. "Good boy. Recognizing your own bias is a primary step in critical thinking. Anca?"

Ancasta considered for another moment. "Owl's grandmother is a Druid. A very powerful Druid. Is it safe for everyone else that someone that powerful may be under the thumb of the Ascendant? I mean, look at all the damage Cyridon did."

Kill grunted softly in agreement. Then he looked to Selandril. "I'll see what I can find out, Selandril. If I think the situation warrants it I can have a dozen of my best fighters and mages here in less than an hour."

Selandril nodded. "Fair enough."

===O===

The mist that was ever-present among the trees of Teldrassil moved silently into the terraces of Darnassus with the twilight. OwlDance leaned against the wall in the corner of the balcony of his and Ancasta's room at the inn, arms crossed beneath the black cloak, silver eyes roaming over the roofs and marble pathways of his childhood. The Temple bulked huge and white and glowing, the water of the streams shimmered in the firefly lights that lined the paths of the Tradesmans' Terrace.

"So you were raised by your grandmother?" Ancasta asked softly behind him.

Owl nodded without looking away from the view. "Yes. My father died in the conflict in Warsong when I was four months old. Afterward, my mother volunteered to take his place."

"And she died too?"

"I don't know. I only know she never returned." He pushed away from the wall and went to sit at the table nearby, rubbing his eyes wearily. "Master, I hate not being trained enough to follow you wherever you may go. You are my teacher, it is your job to rectify this situation."

Kill snorted a small laugh at that and picked up another handful of grapes from the tray of their communal meal. "By the time you're trained enough to follow me, you'll have more important things to do. Like the assignments I don't want to bother with."

"Huzzah," Owl said with obvious sarcasm as he sprawled back in his chair. "And at the end of it, what then? More of the same?"

"End of it?" Kill echoed. "There is no end, we just keep going on and on like a Record-o-Reel."

"More of the same," Owl said with a nod. "I suppose it is a certainty of a sort. Like Trolls and taxes, as Zari would say."

"Auction house proceeds aren't taxed. Which is a good thing or you'd be supporting half the orphans of Stormwind," Kill said with a smirk.

"I live in constant fear of acquiring a real job, Master," Owl said dryly. He got to his feet again and began to pace. "I need to do something. I cannot simply sit idly by here. This is my homeland, I know of the danger and yet I can do not one thing about it."

Kill grunted in agreement then glanced over at Ancasta who was standing on the stone railing of the balcony. "Get off that railing, Girly. We're three stories up and a stiff wind could knock you over."

"There's a spell that slows down a fall - "

"Which you don't have yet. Off that railing," Kill called. He suppressed his grin as he heard her exasperated sigh and the light thump as she jumped down to the floor. She flounced over to him and bounced up onto the Elf-sized chair where he sat, pouting. "It's spoil your fun or explain to your father why I let you do something stupid that got you mangled. Which do you think I'm going to pick?"

"I think you need to get over this pointless belief that I'm - "

"Sixteen years old, and the biggest diva I've ever seen," Kill finished for her. "Have you been taking lessons from Zari? Because she pouts just like you."

"I could toast your nibblets - "

"Armor. You might warm me up for a few minutes but that's all. Wouldn't even singe me," Kill reminded her. He glanced at her again and saw she was facing away from him and fidgeting with the beaded ties of her potion pouch. "Waiting is always the hardest part, children. And neither of you do it well."

===O===

OwlDance settled his prized twin daggers in their sheathes as his Master tied his black silk scarf as a face mask. He glanced over at the huddle of sky-blue linen and fiery red hair asleep on the room's Elf-sized bed and then guiltily looked away.

"She'll be angry, you know," he said softly. "Wherever I go, she wants to follow."

Kill looked up at his apprentice and sighed. "She can't. You know that." The Gnome took his own glance at his youngest Guildmate and shook his head. "What we do, she's better off out of. At least until there's no other choice. I'm not joking when I say I'm old enough to be her father."

Owl tried to smile at that. "You are my father, in every way save blood."

Kill grinned under the face mask and lightly punched the muscular shoulder beside him. "And if I hear those giant feet of yours tonight, I'll spank you. Remember that, boy."

===O===

Kill ran silently along the ledge of the domed minaret that comprised the gatehouse of Selaya MoonShimmer's private garden. The thick heady scents of jasmine, moonflower, honeysuckle and roses rose up all around him in the drizzling rain. Inwardly he was glad for the rain, for it would help to hide any sounds he and OwlDance made - but he cursed it too, because it also obscured any voices or approaching Sentinels he might hear inside Selaya's residence.

Finding an open oriole window, he slipped inside and began to creep down the narrow spiral staircase. There were no lights but he knew that to an Elf the bare light of the moon shining through the stained glass of a window now and then was more than enough to see by. He hugged the outside wall and avoided passing through the faint peaked squares of dim light.

If all went well, OwlDance would also already be inside his family's residence compound and probably already making his way toward his grandmother's study. He could not enter the study himself without his grandmother present - magic suffused the very walls of her sanctum and would alert Selaya if he even so much as put a hand on the door. (Owl had told him this with an embarrassed blush, and Kill suspected Selaya had put up those wards a long time ago to keep inquisitive grandchildren from getting into things they shouldn't. And knowing his apprentice, there was probably a story about a little black-haired child creeping into the sanctum in search of "demons".) But Kill's skill at lockpicking could open the door by conventional means, and a charm that Zarissa had made for him would allow him to go within the sanctum without disturbing the wards. OwlDance would keep watch and lead his Master out by the quickest route possible when they were done.

And then, as he was about to slip out of the staircase and into a colonaded veranda, he heard the distinctive sound of an arriving teleport spell.

He flattened himself against the wall in the darkness and froze as he heard armored feet approaching.

An oddly distorted voice said, "Divinus. Speak."

"My lord," said a quiet male voice, and then the sound of plate armor scraping against the floor as the voice knelt. "The Archdruid Selaya presents no significant problems. I anticipate no delays."

"No significant problems?" the distorted voice asked with a sneer.

A pause, then, "Your pardon. The Archdruid herself presents no difficulties. She does, however, have a number of spawn who represent potential problems."

A pause, then the distorted voice spoke again. "Destroy the boats. Target all who may possess the means to portal. Once the means of escape are severed, move against the Circle. Kill as many of the cats as becomes needful to secure cooperation or eliminate threat."

"As you command."

There was the sound of an outgoing teleport spell, and then after a beat the soft rustle and chime of armor moving. Kill risked a peek around the door and saw an Elf in mail and plate armor and a red surcoat walking away down the veranda's length. As the Elf passed the open arch of a doorway, he could see the ears were pointing upward, not back. And the hair was ivory white.

He groaned inwardly, and prayed that Owl hadn't seen this Elf. Even if it was a High Elf, not a Sindorei, the mere sight of an Elf with ivory white hair still had the power to send Owl into silent, tearful withdrawal. If it was a Sindorei -

Well, if it was a Sindorei, he was doing a hell of a job of fooling an entire magical island full of Kaldorei who would not hesitate to tear him apart. He'd seen the Kaldorei of his Guild go absolutely murderously feral at sight of a Sindorei, even if the Blood Elf in question was just standing around doing nothing more threatening than buying a loaf of bread from a street vendor. There was a very good reason why the Guilds of Stormwind and Ironforge had unanimously agreed to King Varian's proposal to restrict access to the Dark Portal only to proven veterans - a veteran Night Elf was much more likely to restrain themselves from killing any Blood Elf allies. But even Kill knew it still happened. Once they disappeared in the vastness of Outland there were far too many opportunities and no accountability at all.

And for all that, he wasn't too keen on pushing Owl to that level of expertise. Because he wasn't that keen on being responsible for a string of bloodbaths and brutality that could go on for hundreds of years.

===O===

The quiet scrape of his lockpicks almost blended with the few twitters of birdsong floating through the flower-scented night air. A few yards away, Kill could see the shadow-shrouded form of his apprentice in a darkened corner.

The door opened under his hand and he carefully nudged it a few more inches, listening intently all the while. He saw Owl nod once and then melt away into invisibility. Trusting his apprentice's ears, he slipped inside the sanctum.

Thick carpets on the floor, the faded scents of incense and candles. At least a dozen tall bookcases filled with books and scrolls, and a large oval table low to the ground with pillows arrayed around for seating. Several rolled scrolls were scattered across the table, and a few hand-sized crystals that glowed faintly with magic. All over the walls between the bookcases were the suggestions of murals made of living greenery - leaves, vines, branches, flowers. Gauzy fabrics bedecked the ceiling, with a few of the small glowing pink crystals sometimes used as light sources.

He carefully climbed on top of the table. Many of the scrolls weren't secured, merely left rolled up. He used his lockpicks to unroll one and dropped a crystal on top of the corners to keep it open as he dug out his little handheld Bright Idea globe. He knew enough Kaldorei to recognize names of people and places, and while most of this would be Cenarion Circle business it may hold some evidence of what Selaya was planning.

He unrolled five such scrolls, but the majority seemed to be about Warsong. One was a Draenei communique from a commander he knew was in charge of the Shattered Sun offensive in Outland.

He carefully slipped out of the room and pulled the door shut silently, and in a moment he and Owl were leaping over the wall of the veranda and into the darkness of the rainy night.

Neither of them saw the ghostly white, four-legged form creeping out of the shadows after them, golden eyes watching OwlDance's every move.

===O===

"I must send Rain and Starshine away. Selaya has six other grandchildren, but they are not here in Teldrassil at the moment," Selandril said as soon as Kill had finished recounting what he'd seen. The elder Druid sat down heavily and rubbed his face with shaking hands. "I cannot believe anyone would ever want to harm the Frostsabers. It is unthinkable."

"Unthinkable to you, Elder, not to your enemies," Kill said flatly. "Your enemies will be looking for what you value most and that is what they will strike at first and hardest."

Selandril nodded slowly. "You are right, Guildmaster. It has been quite some time since I needed to think in such a way. And it is not comfortable." He held up a hand to stop Kill's further remonstrance. "We must think now of countermeasures. Rain and Starshine can be sent to Exodar. They act often enough as messengers for the Circle that it will not seem out of the ordinary. The Frostsabers must be protected, we must alert the Sentinels."

"No," Kill said, shaking his head. "Elder, if you alert them it will be obvious that you know something is amiss. We don't want a bloodbath here in Darnassus. If this enemy of yours can teleport right into your own Temple he could portal in any number of troops. We don't know when all this is set to go down, so we need to act quickly and as quietly as possible to get rid of this 'Divinus' character. And let's not forget we have to protect Selaya, you, and every other Elder in the Circle. Granted, the Sentinels would be useful to have as back-up. But the more people you bring to a party the louder it's going to be, and the more that can go wrong."

Selandril sighed his agreement with that, then stood again and began to pace. The dawn light was shining golden through the stained glass windows of his tree dwelling, illuminating the simple green robe the Elder wore and the hundreds of books and magical artifacts around the room. Then he turned and faced Kill again. "You have said you have many Kaldorei in your Guild."

Kill nodded. "About a dozen. StalkingWolf is already here, there's a Paladin of Elune named GreenStar, and others. Not all of them where I can call them or get them here quickly."

Selandril nodded to that. "Yes. I suppose insularity will not serve here. We are all in danger. Even the Horde."

Kill shrugged a little at that, sensing the Elder was thinking out loud.

"And time is of the essence," the Druid continued. "We must strike very hard, to kill with one blow, and we must be certain of the outcome." He stopped pacing and turned back to Kill. "Guildmaster, I see no other choice in this. There is one who has taken refuge here in Teldrassil. He wishes to remain in solitude and wants no contact with anyone, but I think this situation will speak to him louder than his self-hatred. Once you meet him, you will understand why."