Chapter Three

The two children made their way into the trade distract both staying within the shadows; both red heads watched the crowd as they moved until they found a nice hiding place. "Now this is your first time picking a pocket, Solest. Since Father wanted me to take you out for this. I'll do the first one then it's your turn, watch me."

She hid behind the cart as she watched her cousin Lexra approached the Warlock. She could not believe it either Lexra was stupid or brave to pick that pocket. The warlock's Imp was close to them both. She could have sworn that the Imp saw what Lexra was doing and just did not care. In no time at all the pocket was picked and Lexra was back on her way.

"See how easy that was. Now it's your turn," she looked to the crowd to pick their next victim. She pointed as she said; "That one the Mage he looks like he might have a bit of gold on him. Go on, Solest," she said pushing the girl into motion.

As she moved Solest tried to remember what her uncle had told her of what to do. "Stay in the shadows, don't draw attention to yourself." Her small hand reached out to a bag on the Arch-Mage only to be met by his hand.

"I believe that this belongs to me, little one." The fear that clawed its way up to her made her freeze where she stood. She could imagine Lexra moving from her hiding spot laughing her head off. "Well little one what excuse do you have for reaching into my purse?"

She stood there in his grasp not knowing what to do. "What is your name, girl?"

"Solest," she said in a slight whisper.

"Solest, well then you are going to have to earn your own silver come on I could use you to do a few things for me, come along."

As the two made their way out of the Trade Distract, a few feet away a woman watched as Solest followed the mage.

Standing behind the Gnome Mage, Solest was wide eyed after walking the ramp to the portal they now stood before. She was amazed at it what sort of magical properties could make this portal take her from the main entrance chamber to this library. The tour that The Gnome was giving her was interesting especially when she walked though other portals to classrooms and dormitories within the tower. Making the small space that was available to them into something that could meet with any needs that the mages could need now or in the future.

The way to each point within the tower was like a maze if one was not careful they could start right back at the library.

Even if the Gnome had told her that he would not allow her to go around the tower by herself until she could repeat back to him each turn by turn to get to each spot within.

"Now, young one, there is one more thing that we must to, but it will have to wait until tomorrow."

"What is that?"

"You will be going through a series of tests to ascertain your ability to use magic and to see how much you can maintain. Along with basic tests to see how much or how little -as the case maybe to your education. Since I've been told that you have been raised by a merchant I doubt that you will even know how to read."

Solest rolled her eyes not caring to what he said, bring the tests on, she thought, she will become a mage.

"But for now I believe we should go and have something to eat," Talon said as he walked through the portal. Solest stood waiting to see if Talon would return to see what was taking her. Making sure that he was not going to be returning to escort her she made her way to one of the bookcases looking over the titles of the books. When she found the book that interested her she pulled it out hiding it under her shirt, making sure that no one was watching her.

Walking back to the portal she stopped suddenly when she felt like she had just hit a wall.

"Well, young thief, what do you have hidden there."

"I um," she said trying to find the words to say. She placed her hand on her back when she felt the weight of the book disappear.

"Hmm, very interesting subject matter. What is the title of the book, girl, and don't stand there with your mouth open."

" Its called 'The Arcane Arts'," Solest answered back.

"Well at least we know now that you can read. Since you are so eager to learn after your tests and your chores you will receive this book back when you are ready for it. For now though." He threw the book into the air making it disappear the only thing left was sparks of magical energy.

"Hey," she exclaimed loudly.

"Don't worry it is not destroyed just somewhere safe and until I see that you have earned the right to read it you will not see it for sometime. Since also that you did not follow me through the portal you must know the way to the cafeteria so if you would lead the way."

Solest stood there glaring down at the Gnome.

"Well don't be shy, unless of course you don't want dinner."

She couldn't argue with that statement, though she hoped that she had paid attention to what turns the Gnome Mage took in the tour for their current destination.

He sat there in his chair his one useful arm counting the silver pieces that Lexra had brought home. His little girl would be a great thief one day with her skills. Solest on the other hand, he scuffed just thinking of the girl, would not survive the month the way she kept failing his most basic of lessons. Now also finding out from Lexra that she had been caught by one of the mages. He would have to deal with getting the girl back. She was a part of the family and should learn the family trade, not to become another black sheep within the family like her Father. The warrior that his brother had become was shameful to him.

The knock at the door drew him from his thoughts as he reached for the cane at his side, slowly lifting himself with its aid he made his way to the door.

The woman that stood at the door was one that he did not expect to see again.

"Well look what the orc dragged in, Tanania, I never thought that you would come to me willingly."

"By the Light Alexander it is time you paid for your crimes and since no one has taken this task, I will do take it upon myself."

"Tanania, you won't do that, not when I can go ahead and just kill your own child."

"Oh don't worry, Alex, you won't be able to lay your hands on any other. Not when I'm done with you."

Seeing the sword that she held in her hand ready to strike he attempted to close the door, to get away.

"For the Light," she exclaimed as she lifted her sword and striking Alexander Calvera fatally.

Lexra walked along the alley the six year old walking to her home as she got closer to her home she heard the cry, "For the Light." She didn't' know why, but she started to run home. As she ran inside her house she stopped looking to see the scene before her.

"Papa, help! Someone, please help!"

"Paladin," he weakly said.

"No, Papa, don't leave me. Please Papa."

She laid there hugging the corpse of her Father shedding tears her voice hoarse.

"Well I'm going to find whoever killed you, Papa, and I'm going to make them pay. I swear it."

The canals was silent this night, the only thing that Lexra could hear was her own bare feet hitting the cobble street as she ran. She didn't know where she could go, or where she should go. She didn't want to go to the orphanage no she could survive on her own if she had too. She could steal to make a living. After leaving the corpse of her Father she hid in the shadows as the Stormwind Guards came to investigate the noise seeing the guards looking upon the corpse of her Father only made it more of a fact then a nightmare. With that in her head she knew that she was alone she continued running only stopping when she was out of breath. Dropping down onto her knees taking deep breaths she did not notice the green grass beneath her or the tower in front of her. All she wanted to do was just lay down and cry, but she did not want anyone that might pass by to find her crying. Collecting herself she finally noticed where she was at, looking at the Tower she wondered if the Mage that had caught Solest, had her in there. She knelt there thinking of what she should do, when she had finally made up her mind she stealth within the Tower looking to find her cousin.

When they had finally reached the cafeteria she could have bet from they way that her stomach growled that the entire tower could hear it. It had taken as much as fifteen mistakes before she had finally gotten the pattern right. Talon just nodded to himself as if thinking that he had accomplished giving her the first lesson that she would ever have in the tower. As she made her way to cook that was gathering up bowls to return back into the kitchen. The plump woman looked to Solest, whether it was from the hungry look in her eyes or the rumble of her stomach that she noticed her. "Dinner is no longer being served, now scat I have work to do."

"Now come now, Apasia, I'm sure you have something simple like some bread or water to quiet the girls hunger so that we may all sleep well tonight, instead of hearing her stomach growl the entire night."

The woman, Apasia, turned back into the kitchen mumbling about having too much to do. When she came back she had a tall class of milk and a loaf of bread placing it on the counter in front of Solest.

"Thank you," she said taking the glass and the loaf to one of the nearby tables. Though the bread was hard and stale, the milk to warm, and she could have swear that it was rotten. It was a far better meal then she had in the last few months. She didn't try to eat the meal any faster then she could have. She didn't notice that Talon had left.

"Hey, Solest, Solest," a voice said trying to get her attention from her meal.

"Lexra, come out of hiding, and how did you get in here?"

"I followed you after you came out of that strange portal. It took you forever to even find this place."

"Hey at least you don't have to memorize every single turn in this tower."

"Well whatever, let's see how you fail whatever that Mage has planned for you. I can't wait for you to just get yourself hurt or killed," Lexra said casually reaching over for a piece of the bread.

"What are you even doing here, shouldn't you be out in the streets picking pockets? Or are you too bored that you had to come here and bug me," she asked looking over Lexra's face for any sign that she would tire of taunting her and just leave. Looking at Lexra's dirt covered face with trails where tears had fallen down her face, her red shot eyes staring back at her.

"What happened what made you cry?"

"Crying, what are you talking about I wasn't crying," Lexra replied running her hand though her face.

Solest sighed breaking the bread in two giving the other half to Lexra, pointing to the cup of milk.

The younger child seemed to accept the silent peace treaty taking a sip from the milk.

"Geez, I would think that mages had better stuff then this!"

Solest nodded agreeing for once with her cousin.