A/N: A few follows and favs already? Awesome! I am amazed people are actually reading this! I will not delay, here is chapter two!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Katryn Silverbane. All rights for World of Warcraft belong to Blizzard Entertainment, including places, events, and characters.

Of Blood and Arcana

Chapter Two

Into the Green Wood

There was a stunned silence. None of them spoke. There was only the sound of the citizens of Dalaran waking for the day, and the icy wind of Icecrown whistling through the open windows of the Purple Parlour. Katryn figured that it was so quiet, you could hear a needle hit the stone floor, were it to happen. She finally got the courage to break the heavy silence by asking the one question that, no doubt, all her companions were thinking:

"You want us to what?"

Jaina leaned back in her chair, a small smile on her face. It held no true happiness, however, only old pain, and mild triumph. She had hardened since Theramore; she was colder now, more resolved. Even with Kalec, a dragon of the Blue Dragonflight, loving her with all he had to give, her skin still had a stone-like appearance, and her eyes, now silver from the Mana Bomb that had destroyed her home, no longer shimmered with the desire to gain more knowledge; they only burned with aged revenge and bitterness.

"Do I need to repeat myself, Katryn?" Katryn felt the prick of her words, feeling foolish.

She lowered her gaze to the floor. "No, my Lady, it's just…" She looked back up at Jaina, gathering her wits. "Why would you like us all to go on this mission?"

Jaina's calm resolve seemed to melt for a moment, and for an instant, she actually looked a bit happier. "I am glad you asked that, Katryn." She regarded them each before speaking again. "As you all know, when Theramore was destroyed," A pause, and Jaina took a breath. Katryn could tell this was difficult for her to say, or at least the next part was going to be. Behind her, Vereesa stepped forward and put a hand on the Archmage's shoulder.

Jaina turned and gave the High Elf and somewhat grateful smile, before continuing to speak to the four young mages. "As you all know, when Theramore was destroyed by Garrosh Hellscream and his forces using a Mana Bomb, my apprentice Kinndy," Another pause, and she took another breath. The hand on her shoulder seemed to tighten. "Kinndy was killed. It has been many months, and yet I still feel that pain as though it was yesterday. I feel the pain of all the souls lost in the bombing," Vereesa stared straight ahead, but Katryn could see the tears glistening in those glowing, blue eyes. "Losing my apprentice, losing someone as kind and full of life as Kinndy, was very difficult, and it has been some time that I have even been able to fathom the idea of taking on a new apprentice."

Katryn felt her heart quicken. Was Jaina about to say what she hoped she would say? Would she ever even consider it…?

"However," Jaina continued, "While the pain of this loss is still fresh, I understand that nothing I do, say, or hope, will change any of the events that occurred on that day." Her voice caught, and Katryn felt a stab of pity and sadness for the woman. "This is why," Jaina said slowly, "I have chosen you four, the strongest in your classes, to go on this mission. I believe you are all capable of being great mages, and that one of you will be an excellent apprentice, who will learn to understand and control their magic, and at the same time, be just and strong in the protection of what is right, and what you believe in." Jaina leaned back, a tone of finality in her voice. "This is not only a vital task in shaming a monster like Hellscream, but also a test of your resolve, and abilities as mages of the Kirin Tor. I have faith in every one of you, and in each of your abilities. You will all emerge victorious in the end, no matter if you are an apprentice, or not."

So, that was it. This was not only a means to shame Garrosh Hellscream, but also a means to help Jaina choose a new apprentice. Each of them had unique talents that made them ideal candidates to study under Jaina Proudmoore. Claudia was excellent at retaining any knowledge she learned, able to recall spells and incantations only hours after she first learned them. Aerin was a fierce combatant, something surprising for an elf. His temper made him nigh unbeatable in duels, his will to survive and win making him an excellent fighter. Tormant was gifted in potion making and conjuring, making him a necessity on excursions. He was able to conjure potions stronger than those conjured by the average mage, and his skills in alchemy meant he knew how to brew his own if he or another was low on mana.

Katryn… Katryn was different.

She was of average strength, skill, and knowledge, compared to her companions. She was capable of holding her own in a fight, retaining information, but only have reading it over a few times, and had only made someone vomit twice from her potions. However, she knew what made her strong; ten years ago, a little over a year before Dalaran was invaded by the Lich King, someone had told her what made her special, by comparison to others around her.

Before being slain by the Lich King, before Arthas had even begun to show signs of corruption, before anyone knew what horrors awaited them, Katryn had spoken with Antonidas, Jaina's former master, one day when Katryn has been struggling with her studies, and growing very deterred from continuing. She had only been seventeen at the time.

"Your strength does not come from your physical abilities, or your knowledge, or your skills alone, Katryn." Antonidas' voice was as old as time itself, and as wise as the first sage to walk Azeroth. He sat beside the miserable teenager, whose head was in her hands, and her eyes brimming with tears of frustration.

"Then what?" She asked. "I know what I'm doing, but I'm not improving. I'm strong, but not strong enough. I'm a fast learner, but not fast enough. And, I nearly poisoned Claudia with my Mana Potion last week!" She shook her head, wiping her nose on her robe. "I'm sorry for crying, Master Antonidas. I'm just so frustrated. Claudia has her knowledge, Aerin has his strength, and Tormant has his crafting. What can I do that they can already do better? What do I offer as a mage?"

"Your heart," was Antonidas' simple answer.

There was a stunned silence. "My… What? My heart?" Katryn was confused. "Master, I… I don't know what you mean."

Antonidas smiled down at her, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Katryn," he began, "I have known you since you were very young. You came here as a child, and soon you will be a woman. In that time, I have seen you exhibit strength of not the body, mind, or hands, but of the heart. You view the world in as much as positive sense as the wisest monk or druid would in meditation. You are calm, clear, and kind. You do not judge one based on appearance, and you always see the good in each soul you meet. You believe that hatred is made, not born, and even the most corrupt of souls can be healed, if the fates would allow it to be so. By doing this, you can ease conflict, and avoid the bloodshed and death we as mages are trained to endure from the first day of our training, to the last." He smiled at her again, before rising, in order to allow her to keep practicing, and to return to his duties. Before he left, however, he said one final thing to Katryn that would stay with her forever.

"You are strong because you understand the soul's true nature, Katryn. There will come a time in which your clarity, and strength of heart, will be the means to an end, and in that end, you will understand."

Katryn may have not been the strongest with spells, knowledge, or crafting, but she was strong in her will to see the light in others. Sometimes that light was buried beneath years of regret, betrayal, and uncertainty, but it was still there, blinking, dimming in and out, but still burning, deep down. Her mother had taught her that, Antonidas had seen it, and she now lived by it. A decade had passed since that conversation; agony and joy had come and gone, and Katryn was older now. She knew her mission, and what was expected. But, she also knew that, as Jaina had said, they would learn to fight for what they believed in.

If showing her abilities to hold onto the light in her soul meant that she would have a fighting chance at being Jaina's new apprentice, then by the Light itself, she would follow her heart until the bitter end.

Jaina's voice broke through her haze of thoughts and memories. "You will leave in two days' time, and meet Captain Smithson in Paw'Don Village, in the Jade Forest. He will already have Garrosh in custody, and it is there that you will place him in his cage, and enchant it. If my knowledge is correct, they should be arriving by boat in Pandaria just as you arrive. I will teleport you all there myself."

Katryn was mildly relieved that they would not be traveling to Pandaria on foot, or on boat in this case. It would take weeks to travel to the other side of Azeroth. "From there," Jaina continued, "you will take the path north, and head west into The Valley of the Four Winds, at which point you will ascend The Veiled Stair, and pass into Kun-Lai Summit, venturing through Binan Village. Finally, you will head north, and reach The Temple of the White Tiger." She paused, allowing the four young mages to take in what she had just said, before continuing. "The journey should take you no more than three to five days, depending on weather, and security, though I have not heard of the Mogu or Hozen attacking anyone as of late." She seemed to ponder for a moment, before standing, and the others rose with her.

"I will take my leave now – as should you four. You have much to prepare for, and much to anticipate. I wish you all luck. We will reconvene here at sunrise in two days, and I will send you to Pandaria." Without another word, Jaina then turned away from there, and retreated into her study, which she had had built as an additional wing to the Purple Parlour, upon taking over as Leader of the Kirin Tor.

Katryn caught the eyes of her friends, and they all silently agreed that it was indeed time to leave. They gathered up their things, and made for the portal that would return them to the base of the Violet Citadel. Claudia passed through first, followed by Tormant, and then Aerin. Katryn was just about to set foot in the portal, when someone called to her.

"Katryn, a moment, please." She turned, and saw Jaina had stepped out of her study, and was walking over to her.

She felt nervous. Was Jaina going to scold her for speaking out against her plans earlier? Was she going to be asked not to come on the mission? "Yes, Lady Jaina?" Her voice sounded so damn timid, and she mentally kicked herself. She wasn't in trouble yet; there was no need for a guilty conscious.

Jaina came to stand before her. She was nearly a head taller than Katryn, and her newly silvered eyes peered down at her. "I would like you to know that I am not angry with you for questioning my methods earlier. You've a right to, and I do not want you to think that you are in any sort of trouble." Thank the Light, Katryn thought, what a relief. "However," Jaina added, and Katryn swallowed, her nervousness mounting with each passing moment. "You must understand that Garrosh Hellscream is a monster through and through, and while he did affect you directly, his actions have affected us all. This is a fitting punishment for him; perhaps too small of one, but fitting nonetheless. Do you understand?"

Katryn nodded her head vigorously. "Of course, my Lady, I apologize." Jaina held up a hand, which Katryn took to assume that she needed to stop talking, and she clamped her mouth shut.

"No need, Katryn. You are strong of heart, and that is why I believe you stand as much of a chance of achieving in this mission as your friends. You are as equal as they are in my decision to choose one of you as my new apprentice." She smiled once and, despite there being little warmth in it as per usual, Katryn smiled back.

"Thank you, my Lady," she said, inclining her head once, to which Jaina nodded, her smile still fixed in place, before turning away once more. She was nearly back in her study, when a thought struck Katryn, and she opened her mouth and said: "My Lady, I have a thought. What if, and I assure you this will not happen, but what if Garrosh Hellscream either attempts to escape, or actually does? What should we do?"

Jaina paused, and turned back to look at the young woman thoughtfully, considering her question for a moment. It felt like an age had passed before she finally spoke. "I would have you kill him." It was a simple answer, spoken in a simple tone, but it caused a gasp to escape from Katryn's lungs, her eyes to widen, and a chill to go up her spine. But, before she could utter even the slightest protest, Jaina spoke again, "However, as I said, the August Celestials, and the Pandaren, have requested that Garrosh stand trial. Were it up to me, he would die slowly and painfully at my feet, but," a low, mirthless chuckle, "it is not up to me."

There was a pregnant pause, and Katryn said quietly, albeit gently, "My Lady?"

Jaina raised her pale eyes to Katryn, and she could see the pain in them, see the betrayal, and old hate. "Katryn, see to it that yourself and your companions understand that, no matter how much they may wish to, no matter how much Garrosh may antagonize them, and no matter how much you may want to be the hero you feel Azeroth deserves…" A deep sigh followed, "Garrosh Hellscream must arrive at The Temple of the White Tiger alive, and unharmed. This is the will of the Celestials, and the Pandaren people."

They held gazes for a moment, and Katryn nodded slowly. "I will do well to let them know, Lady Jaina." She gave the Archmage a small bow, before turning on her heel, and walking back to the portal that would bring her back downstairs. As she walked, she could feel Jaina's gaze on her back of her head.

"I can't believe Jaina is going to pick one of us to be her new apprentice! How exciting!" Claudia gushed, as she downed the last of her pint of mead. The four friends were seated around a table within A Hero's Welcome, in the Silver Enclave. It had been a few hours since their meeting with Jaina, and they had all done their work, packing, and training for the day. Now, they were all enjoying each other's company, and discussing the day's events.

"We know, Claudia," Aerin sounded bored, as he twirled his finger above a mug of tea, the spoon magically stirring without touch. He stopped and picked up the mug, taking a sip, before speaking again. "We were present, as well."

Claudia rolled her eyes, and Katryn had to force herself not to smile a little. It was nice to see her friends so excited about this mission, but she herself was the farthest thing from excited. She was worried. She knew how dire this mission was, and if they failed, how catastrophic the consequences could be. Garrosh could escape, or he could be killed by accident, or on purpose, or they could all be killed within the land of Pandaria, where none of them had ever been. They didn't know the landscape, and they didn't know what creatures lay dormant there. She knew that, realistically, they would be just fine, but it didn't stop her from worrying about it. For now, however, she needed to distract herself.

"I think that we all have excellent chances at being taken on as her new apprentice." Katryn said quietly, lifting a spoon filled with steaming stew to her lips, and gingerly tasting it to see how hot it was.

Claudia seemed to brighten again at her comment. "As do I! However, I think I have the best chance." She winked at Aerin, who looked somewhere between irritated and exasperated with the young woman.

"And why, pray tell, is that?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, and Tormant and Katryn exchanged a knowing look. Claudia and Aerin often got into heated debates over the silliest of things. Oftentimes Katryn or Tormant, or some other unlucky soul, would stumble upon them full on screaming at each other over one thing or another. It was both hysterical, and terrifying.

Claudia pursed her lips, giving Aerin that look she always gave him when he was coming perilously close to setting her off. "Well, for starters, I am the most knowledgeable here, no offense." She added, looking to Katryn and Tormant specifically.

Katryn waved a hand, "Oh, don't mind us. We're just here for the show." She threw Tormant a sidelong grin, and the dwarf glared indignantly in to his ale, refusing to be a part of what was transpiring.

Aerin's eyes twitched, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Claudia looked smug that she had managed to get under the High Elf's skin. "It means, dear Aerin, that I am capable of retaining information much more quickly than most. That is why, of course, I am top in all of our classes." She tossed her hair, smiling smugly at him, but it was his turn to look smug. Claudia's smile slid off her face, to be replaced with a look of annoyance. "What?"

Aerin put down his tea, regarding her with amusement. "You may be intelligent, Claudia, but when it comes to actual combat, you are about as threatening as a baby orc."

"I don't know," Katryn mused, playing with her spoon, trying to hide a smile, "even the babies are still pretty scary." This earned her looks from both Claudia and Aerin, and she fell silent, trying not to laugh.

Claudia turned back to Aerin, her eyes steely. "Oh? And you are threatening, are you Aerin?"

The High Elf sat back in his chair, flexing his fingers. "I can hold my own in a physical fight, Claudia, and you know it. If Jaina is going to choose anyone as her next apprentice, it will surely be me. I am good enough with magic, but I am exceptional physically. She will need someone strong at her side."

"You do know she's being courted by a dragon, right?" Katryn asked, and then they both whirled to glare at her again, she practically ducked behind her bowl of stew, snickering to herself.

It was Tormant who spoke next. "Please, if tha' Lady Jaina needs anyone, she will need someone who is capable of crafting. Ah heard a rumor, tha' her old apprentice, Kinndy, was gifted in the craft. My skills will be coming Lady Jaina will commend, as they will mean somethin' to 'er."

"Yes, but if she did, she'd lose sight of you all the time!" Claudia quipped, and they all erupted in laughter. Well, all but Tormant, who was giving Claudia a mildly frustrated look.

"Short jokes? Really, Claudia? I expected more from ya." When Claudia paled, thinking she had really upset the dwarf, it was his turn to throw back his head and laugh, causing them all to laugh together again.

When they had calmed, Claudia turned to Katryn. "What about you, Katryn?" She asked, "What skills do you have that make you an ideal candidate?" Before Katryn could answer, Aerin spoke for her.

"Please, well know what Katryn would do. She would "nice" everyone to death."

While her friends laughed, Katryn gave Aerin a withering look. "You're hilarious, Aerin," and the elf seemed to deflate under her gaze. She turned back to address the table as a whole. "I haven't really thought about it, to be honest," she admitted. "I'm more focused on the task at hand, and that is getting Garrosh to Kun-Lai safely and quickly. Yes, becoming Jaina's new apprentice is very enticing, but I can't really think about it right now. I'll think about it more once this is all over."

Aerin shook his head while Claudia patted Katryn's hand. "Typical Katryn, being so noble. You do know you are making us all look bad, yes?" Katryn responded by sticking her tongue out at him.

Today was the day.

Katryn had dressed, gathered all the belongings she could need to survive during this mission, grabbed her staff, and was now standing in the Violet Citadel, flanked by her companions, and facing Jaina Proudmoore. The Leader of the Kirin Tor had already cast the spell that opened the portal to Pandaria and, if Katryn looked hard enough, she could see the swirling image of green trees, sunlight, and flowers within it.

"I will see you in a few days' time," Jaina was saying to the group. "I have received word that Captain Smithson and his troupes landed on the shores of Pandaria this morning, and should be arriving in Paw'Don Village soon."

She stepped to the side, allowing them proper access to the portal. Behind Jaina, Katryn could see Vereesa Windrunner, watching them, her eyes blank, and her face slack. Katryn knew what she was probably thinking: jump into that portal, and she would be within stabbing distance of the person who had taken her husband from her. Katryn's heart went out to the Windrunner sister.

"Remember your training and, above all else, stay to the mission." Jaina's voice radiated calm, and Katryn took a deep breath in, trying to steady her heart. "Do not act rashly, and do not allow Hellscream to get under your skin. We all despise him, none more so than myself, and Vereesa," She gestured to the High Elf, who nodded mutely. "However, I have chosen the four of you because I believe you will be able to remain clear, calm with this task." A pause, and Katryn knew Jaina was about to say something meaningful. She always paused before doing so. "I showed weakness once, nearly giving into my anger. Had I done so, I would have murdered innocents, and our own fleet, including our King, Varian." Katryn and the others knew of this. They had heard of the time Jaina had nearly wiped out Orgrimmar with a tidal wave, but not before being stopped by Kalec and Thrall. Despite her continued hatred of the orcs, and the Horde as a whole, Jaina was still glad they had stopped her before it was too late.

"Do not make the same mistakes I almost did," Jaina said, her voice strained, as though it was hard for her to be saying this. "Forge your own paths, stay true to this one, and make the Kirin Tor proud." With that, she gestured to the portal, and they took that as their queue. Claudia went first, then Aerin, and then Tormant. Katryn was last, her feet moving as though cemented to the floor.

She had not left Dalaran in twenty-two years. This was going to be the farthest she had ever been from home in years. The only times she had left the city walls was when she had gone to the Argent Tournament grounds, and once to Howling Fjord. She was used to snow, and cool air, and seeing the purple sky above her. She was used to being surrounded by magic and light. She was used to her bed, and her life, and having it stay the same, as it relatively had, despite the city changing locations, and the scourge attack, and the other very obvious things that in that moment, seemed so far away to her.

Katryn steeled herself, willing her body to move. She knew Jaina was watching her, and she knew she had to go. She forced herself forward, and stepped into the portal. In a rush of sound, lightning, and warmth, she turned back, and saw the image of Dalaran, her home, and Jaina and Vereesa, dissolve behind her.

Katryn landed on her feet with a thud, and pain shot up her to her knees. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with a sight that she had never seen before, and no doubt would never see again, in her natural life.

Pandaria was beautiful.

The sky was a deep turquoise, and large, fluffy clouds swirled above her, high in the sky. The trees of the surrounding Jade Forest were bright emerald in colour, and the grey/white mountains jutted into the sky like pillars. Pink blossom trees hugged the outside of the village like a wall, and the buildings, small and pagoda shaped, contrasted the colours of the wood, painted bright blues, reds, and golds. Moss sprouted from the ground, only adding to the ancient feel this place emanated, and Katryn could hear the sounds of a river nearby.

Someone approached her. A Pandaren. Katryn had only met one once, by the name of Chen Stormstout, and he had been… Interesting to say the least. This Pandaren, however, was female, and her fur was white and red, her hair in a long plait down her back, and Katryn could see a tail jutting out of her armour. She bowed as she came to a halt in front of Katryn.

"Katryn Silverbane," her voice was warm, and Katryn smiled, bowing back. "We have been expecting you, your companions only just arrived. They have gone down to the gates to welcome Captain Smithson and his troupes. They await you there."

Katryn opened her mouth to thank the Pandaren woman, but suddenly someone was running up the steps towards them. It was Claudia, and she looked both excited and terrified. She grabbed Katryn by the arm, and dragged her away from the Pandaren, who looked both shocked, and a bit amused. Katryn struggled to call out a thank you back to her, but Claudia was moving too quickly.

"C-Claudia!" Katryn stammered, trying to keep pace with her friend, "What the hell is going on? What's wrong?"

Claudia said nothing, and instead threw Katryn into line next to her at the base of the steps, near the entrance to Paw'Don Village. Katryn glanced passed Claudia, and saw that Aerin and Tormant were there as well, and they had the same expression Claudia did. Katryn, becoming frustrated now, turned and looked at Claudia.

"Claudia," she hissed, "What is going on?"

Claudia turned to look at her, her eyes wide with something Katryn couldn't read. "They're here."

Katryn felt her heart skip a beat, and she turned her gaze to the front, just as the troupes began to enter into Paw'Don.

They were all clad in the armour of the Alliance, silver, with blue and gold trim, and a lion superimposed on the breastplate. Their helmets were those of centurions, and they held shields, swords, lances, and bows. They bored the tabard of the Alliance, and at the front they were being led by someone who Katryn could only assume was Captain Smithson. He wore no helm, and carried a greatsword. However, it wasn't the soldiers marching in that Katryn was entirely focused on. It was who was being dragged behind them.

Garrosh Hellscream.

He was, to put it simply, huge. Katryn had met few orcs over the years as they came in and out of Dalaran, but never had she seen one quite as massive as Garrosh Hellscream. He was easily the size of a Tauren youth, perhaps even slightly larger. He wore simple brown pants, no shoes, and was shackled at the wrists, ankles, and throat, so he could only slightly shuffle behind the small army, though his strides still matched those of an average human with ease.

He had several facial piercings, the most prominent being a septum ring, and a few in his lower lip, and on his ears. Tattoos adorned his body, and Katryn could also see, when she squinted just hard enough, the faint scarring that his infusion with the Sha had left on his body; it had left its marks forever on his skin. Despite his bindings, he walked with surprising determination; almost dignity. His head was held high, and he regarded his surroundings with an air contempt, mixed with what looked like amusement, as though this was all a joke to him. As he passed the four mages, his gaze fell on them, and Katryn lowered her eyes quickly, feeling a small prickle of fear, knowing all he had done. In that moment, she felt Claudia suddenly nudge her, and she turned to her friend.

"What?" She asked when she saw Claudia's expression, but the young woman was looking past her, her expression unreadable. "Claudia, what is it?" Katryn asked, touching her friend's arm. The troupes had come to a halt, but Claudia continued to stare.

"Katryn," she hissed, as she motioned for Katryn to follow her gaze. "He's looking right at you."

Katryn felt a chill run through her, and she turned to follow Claudia's gaze. As she did, she felt her heart speeding up, as her eyes traveled, finally coming to rest on Garrosh, and –

He was looking right at her.

A/N: That took a lot longer than I thought it would. This chapter was long as balls. I hope anyone reading this is enjoying it so far! More to come, soon!