Disclaimer: I own little.

Beyond the Boundaries

Chapter 1

Mysha scowled in disgust as she approached the castle. Human stench. The air was rank with it. Never in all her years as a rogue and assassin did she imagine herself walking out in the open, exposed to the eyes of the world into a lair of humans to negotiate an alliance. She had killed so many of their kind as they had murdered her friends and kinsmen. But such were the sacrifices of war and war sometimes called for extreme sacrifices.

What little light was left from the dying sun guided her from the edge of the forest to the grand castle's steps. Never before had she seen such an imposing structure and was slightly intimidated by its size. The castle grounds dwarfed the magnificent cities of Silvermoon, Ironforge, Stormwind, Shattrath, and Dalaran… All of them were not as grand in size as this single structure. The castles and temples she had known were crawling with specters, demons and creatures of the deep. Within their walls were hidden great treasures. Yet this was a mere school from what she understood. The differences between worlds alone were overwhelming. She could only hope that these humans were not like the others she had met.

Mysha took the steps one at a time. She was surprised to find the entrance doors wide open to the crisp autumn air. There were no guards or traps to greet her. She walked past the threshold and was embraced by the warmth of the school. The flickering flames of torches set off a soft glow about stone walls.

She lowered her hood to take in her surroundings but kept her cloak about her, concealing her vast array of knives and daggers. Their poison blades set quietly in their sheaths, festering in disease and awaiting their next victims. She smiled at the thought but was startled from her reverie as something soft brushed against her trousers. Mysha looked down to find a fluffy, gray cat staring up at her, purring loudly.

"Hello there," she said softly as she reached down to scratch the feline behind her ears.

"Who goes there?" asked a gruff voice from behind her. "Show yourself."

Mysha raised herself and turned. The man was old and haggard, slim as a twig. His thinning hair hung limp around his face and as he raised his lantern to get a better look at her face, she saw how hollowed his cheekbones were and the yellow of his teeth.

Mysha raised her empty hands, palms forward in surrender as he gasped at her appearance. Her kind was not from this world and she had no doubt he was alarmed to find she was not human. The man trembled as she stared into his eyes.

"Relax, human," she said." I mean you no harm."

"What are you?" The old man asked.

"That is of little relevance now," said Mysha. She kept her hands raised and ignored the persistent purring at her feet. "I come in peace. I seek counsel with your master. It is urgent."

"My master?"

"Whomever is the head of this facility," she clarified. "I am told he is a great wizard." The old man nodded then hesitated and looked around the entryway. "I have come alone if you are looking for others," Mysha said. She lowered her hands and reached down again to appease the pet. "Is she yours?" she asked.

"Yes," said the old man. "Come," he said to both of them as he lowered his lantern. "He is in the great Hall with the rest of the school."

"I do not wish to interrupt anything," said Mysha.

"You will not," said the old man as he led her down the wide halls of the castle. "He often dines with the students and staff. I will simply let him know that he has visitor and he will decide what is best from there."

Mysha nodded and followed the old man until they reached two large wooden doors. The doors were closed but the volume of chatter and the smell of a feast told her that the Great Hall was on the other side.

"Wait here," said the old man as he cracked one of the doors. "Your name?" He asked as he slipped through.

"Mysha," she said, raising her hood back over her head so that her face was cloaked in shadow.

"Surname?"

Mysha shrugged. She had none. "Of Silvermoon," she said. "It makes no matter. No name I mentioned will have meaning here."

The old man stared her down with a quizzical look. He stepped back into the hallway and held his lantern back up to her cloaked face. He may have been an old fool but there was no lie in her eyes. Frightful and intense as they were, they were filled with many things but no lies.

He lowered his lantern. "Mysha of Silvermoon it is," he said and entered back into the Great Hall, shutting the door behind him.

"What an idiot," she muttered to herself. That sort of open-mindedness gets people killed. She thought of just how easy would be to kill everyone in this castle. There was no security, no guards, no surveillance. With a great wizard in charge there must be some sort of magical wards, she thought, but none to prevent her entry and she was not even trying to be stealthy. While she waited, Mysha pondered how many students attended school here and what exactly they were being taught. However, it was not long before the old man returned to her after having spoken to the wizard.

The old man entered the hall and shut the door behind him. He was slightly out of breath but turned towards her with a grim look.

"I am sorry. The Headmaster will not see you."

A/N: So I know I need to finish my other big fic before I start a new one but I just couldn't help it. Honestly, I'm just glad to be writing again with my schedule. Desperately need to get back into the swing of things. There will be a slight romance in this one between Snape and Mysha but since it is not one of the main themes I did not put it in that category. Hope you enjoy! –Reja Nuha