This story is rated M for some language, some adult themes and violence.))
Through the Hour Glass
A World of Warcraft fanfic
By Heidi Cautrell
Part 1
"Give me that sword!" growled Gelles, her hand held out in the universal sign of demand.
"No. It's my damn sword and you aren't anywhere near old enough to be my mother, so lay off!" snarled Xyra in return.
The two friends glared at one another as they stood in Xyra's apartment. Even though she had to look up to do it, Gelles scowled fiercely at her elven friend, one hand on her armored hip, her own gigantic sword strapped to her back under her shield hanging at an awkard angle because of her stance. Silver fire flared in Xyra's eyes as she returned the glare, her own hands firmly on her slim, black leather clad hips. The sword in question was as wide as Xyra's hand span and as long as her lithe legs, it hung on her back and glowed with a quiet menace.
"You're not in any condition to be going out dressed like that," said Gelles, her anger making her normally pleasant voice taut. Small stress lines around her eyes and lips were a direct result of the argument they were in the middle of. An argument they'd been having for the last week; one that Gelles had slowly been losing ground on.
"Dammit Gelles, enough already. I'll do as I damn well please! You can't keep me cooped up here forever! I'm not a piece of crystal you can put on the shelf!" Xyra's expression was one of anger, but beneath it her restlessness was obvious. After two months of bed rest, she was ready to start her life again and though she knew her human friend meant well, she also knew she had to get back to doing what she did best: be a rogue.
Gelles stiffened at the accusation, her blue eyes suddenly hooded to hide the hurt and perhaps even some guilt. Xyra let out an explosive sigh and turned away from her friend. She hated fighting with her, so at first she'd only given up a token resistance. Gelles would give in eventually, she'd reasoned to herself. But the longer it had gone on, the more she realized that perhaps her friend wouldn't be giving in at all. And that was what had spurred this knock down drag out fight. If it weren't for the fact that the two had so much love and respect for one another, they would have eventually come to blows; Xyra was certain of that.
Her voice taut with several emotions, including hurt, Gelles said, "I know you aren't something fragile to be hidden away. However, you almost died, several times and your body still requires rest to recover. Do you really want to risk yourself so soon after such an ordeal?" An almost pleading tone entered her voice toward the end.
Running pale, thin fingers through her silvery-white hair, Xyra sighed softly as she spoke. "I know you care, Gelles. And you're right, I don't want to risk myself so soon. I owe many people for what they've done for me. You most of all. But I can't stand this anymore. I'm not going anywhere dangerous, I swear it. I just need out of here before I go stir crazy."
Hands held out in a silent plea, Xyra regarded her best friend. A tremor of compassion ran across Gelles' fine boned features. She nodded slowly, then said softly, "Okay. Just... can you please leave the sword"
Xyra's pleading look turned to a scowled, "No. I'm not about to go out unarmed, you know better than that"
"I'm armed, you don't need a sword." Gelles pointed out, her tone subdued as if she were afraid of setting Xyra off.
Xyra snorted. "Screw that, I'm not some damn cowering maiden. If there's a fight to be had you aren't going to fight alone and that's that." She wasn't budging this time. If she had to, she'd pick up the shorter woman and set her aside bodily. The image had Xyra biting the inside of her cheeks to keep a smile from her face.
Gelles grunted, a frown creasing her forehead. "You're so stubborn"
Finally allowing a small smile, Xyra said in a mollified voice, "I know"
A deep sigh from Gelles told Xyra'd she'd won. Her smile grew into a grin and she leaned down to pick up her friend and hug her warmly. Gelles begrudgingly gave a small smile and returned the hug warmly if not exactly enthusiastically. It would do. Xyra put Gelles down, then walked to the door. She said over her shoulder, "Then lets go! First things first!"
Turning toward the door Gelles followed, the slight frown back on her face. Walking out behind Xyra, she shut the door. "What's first?" said Gelles.
Xyra threw a grin over her shoulder. "Booze at the World's End Tavern!" She chuckled, then sprinted toward the exit of the inn.
Gelles sighed, then shook her head, a small smile playing about her lips. She wouldn't admit it to Xyra, not now anyway, but she was glad to see her friend back to her old self again. She wondered, briefly, if Xyra knew how close to home she'd hit with her remarks about Gelles' keeping her on a shelf. She'd come so close to losing her best friend so many times, she honestly didn't know what she would do if it happened for real.
The smile faded as Gelles followed her friend. Once Gelles caught up with Xyra at the lift, they fell in stride as they stepped onto the lift. Just like old times, it seemed. They were quiet on the trek from the Aldor's Rise into the Lower City level of Shattrath. Xyra seemed unaware of Gelles' brooding, a pleasant smile on her face as she glanced around avidly as they passed all different types of people and vendors. As Gelles regarded her friend she realized how little she'd been out herself; mainly only to gather what things she'd need to ensure Xyra continued to recover. Gradually the young paladin realized that it felt good to be out and about once again and even better with her best friend at her side. As they reached the Tavern, Gelles roused herself from her thoughts, her expression almost pleasant.
Hardly inside the door, the pair's eyes were drawn to a pale woman who was standing next to the bar and drinking. On closer inspection, however, they realized that she was not standing, but rather hovering and that her eyes were the brilliant blue of a quel'dorei rather than a sin'dorei. The two friends glanced at one another, then shrugged. Both had observed much stranger things than a floating woman; either together or separately.
Xyra pointed to a nearby table. "That one okay"
Gelles nodded and moved toward it. Xyra said, "I'll get a drink. I don't suppose you want one?" She grinned.
Gelles paused in the act of sitting down. She glanced at Xyra, then nodded as she settled into a chair, shifting her sword and shield off to the side so she could sit. "One will be fine."
Eyebrows raised, Xyra grinned. "Okay, two drinks coming up"
Approaching the bar to the right of the floating woman, Xyra gave her a nod and smile as she waited for the bar mistress to look her way. The floating woman put down her drink, her blue eyes unblinkingly regarded Xyra. A glance from the corner of Xyra's eyes confirmed the high elven woman was staring at her. Turning her head fully, Xyra regarded the woman openly.
"You are Xyra," said the slight woman. It wasn't a question. Xyra wondered idly if this was someone she'd harmed directly or indirectly in the past.
"I am," agreed Xyra. At that moment, the bar mistress approached and Xyra ordered two ales. Looking back at the floating woman, Xyra saw she was now staring openly past Xyra's shoulder. The rogue didn't have to turn to know it was Gelles the woman was staring at. Her eyes narrowed then. It was one thing to be interested in her, but a strange woman interested in her friends set off her warning radar.
"May I ask who you are?" said Xyra, attempting to keep her tone neutral.
Slowly the pale high elf turned her gaze back to Xyra. "Zephyr"
Xyra frowned at the name, knowing it meant wind in some language and wondering if Zephyr's floating had less to do with being a priest and more to do with being something else. She opened her mouth to say more, but the drinks arrived. She paid, including a tip, then picked up the mugs. She gave Zephyr a nod, then turned on her heel and walked back to the table where Gelles sat.
Once the mugs were on the table and Xyra was sitting, Gelles said, "Well?" Xyra smiled at the familiarity they shared that allowed them to know one another's thoughts and simply prompt for more detail.
"Her name is Zephyr. Ring any bells?" Xyra took a drink, letting out a long sigh as she swallowed. "Elune I missed that taste. It's been close to a year since I had anything to drink that wasn't water or berry juice." Xyra made an exaggerated shudder, then grinned at Gelles.
The former paladin, however, was not amused. Nor was she paying attention. Instead she was staring at Zephyr, a thoughtful and slightly disturbed expression on her face. Xyra sobered when she saw that expression. "What is it?" She glanced back at the high elf who was currently staring at them over the rim of her mug as she drank. It made Xyra wonder just what was in the mug that she could continue to drink like that without showing any sign of inebriation.
"I'm not sure, exactly, but she reminds me of... Well, I'm not sure," said Gelles, abruptly picking up her mug and draining half the contents.
"Woah, woah, hold on there," said Xyra, putting her hand on Gelles' wrist and forcing the mug from her mouth. A few drops spilled on Gelles' tabard, which she scowled over and quickly brushed away. Xyra continued, ignoring the spill. "What does she remind you of and don't you dare say you don't know." Xyra frowned at her friend, shooting a sideways glance at Zephyr after a moment.
A long suffering sigh was all Gelles offered for a moment as she glanced at Zephyr as well. Smoothing down her tabard, Gelles finally said, "The Bronze Dragonflight." Xyra glanced back at Gelles, who was regarding her solemnly.
"What? You mean the ones that deal with time, like in the Caverns in Tanaris?" Xyra raised her eyebrows at her friend. Gelles mimicked the expression. Xyra's brows furrowed. She didn't like the idea of meddling with time. "So you're saying you think this Zephyr works for them"
"She is correct, Xyra," said Zephyr. The two friends jerked their heads to the end of the table, then back to the place at the bar where Zephyr had been. It was almost thirty feet away. The friends stared at one another. How had she gotten to that spot without them seeing her walk or float there?
"There are many things that I can do. But what I am truly here to do is to serve Nozdormu's will. While I normally assist by sending would be helpers to the Caverns of Time from here, that is not my purpose with you two." As Zephyr spoke, her blue eyes began to glow brighter.
In unison Xyra and Gelles reached for their swords, but it was too late, a brilliant flash of light surrounded them both. The pair cried out, then grunted as they fell into a pile of sand black as coal. Dust swirled around them and a voice spoke to them as an image was formed by the swirling dust. It was Zephyr's image. "You've been sent back for a reason, but you must find out for yourselves what that reason is, for in the learning you will also discover the means to fix what is about to be unmade."