Two
"Citizens of Dalaran! Raise your eyes to the sky and observe! It's morning!" a booming voice screamed over the city. The sound bounced off every single building that existed in the magical city. Everywhere the noise rang, the people of the city began to stir getting excited to begin their days. The makeshift sun was just beginning to rise in the sky, but already the streets were bustling with early birds.
At the Legerdemain Lounge, Corette felt anything but happy. She sat up in her bed and threw her pillow across the room. It bounced off the wall and rolled silently to the floor. Hearing Jaina Proudmoore's voice shouting out over the city was the last way she wanted to begin her day. It had been like she had been shaken awake violently and given the worst news she could have possibly be given. The grating words seemed to cause her chest to stab with pain.
Slowly she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and crawled out of bed. Instinctively Corette pulled on her clothes that had apparently been washed overnight. They were free of any dirt or sweat she had accumulated while walking across the barren wasteland that was Azeroth now. Just picturing the faceless aborms, the savage survivors, and the very land itself that made up the once majestic land sent shivers down her spine even though she was wrapping her cloak around her.
As the woman exited her room, she came face to face with her neighbor. He bent down to pick up his morning copy of The Dalaran Daily. When he stood up, she stopped in awe at the man. His salt and pepper hair was still damp from what she assumed was a shower, as the only thing he was wearing was a towel wrapped around his waist. Corette's eyes glued themselves to the chiseled muscle that seemed to jump out at her. The man smiled at her, "I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't realize I had other neighbors other than Maiev. I'm Turalyon,"
The paladin reached out his hand and Corette shook his hand. "I'm Corette Milton," she introduced. Gradually she noticed his towel was beginning to slip and immediately he let go of her hand and grasped his falling cover.
Turalyon's cheeks turned a deep red, and he took a step back into his room. "I suppose I'll see you around then, Corette. I'm kind of like the law enforcement around here with my sister-in-law Vereesa," he stuttered and hastily closed his door. Corette chuckled to herself as she descended the stairs and saw Maiev who had already opened the doors to the bar, and a drunk Kargath was passed out on the floor next to his stool.
"This is a normal occurrence," Maiev assured. "He'll wake up in a couple of hours ready to drink again. He's a good man."
Corette smiled, "Good for business I bet. What was that terrible noise about?"
"Jaina wants everyone to make sure they get up early enough for work and the like. She wants the city running on a schedule almost. I hated it when I first wandered here too. You'll get used to it eventually," Maiev informed.
I don't think I'll ever get used to her annoying voice, Corette thought to herself. "Couldn't they have just hired a rooster like a normal person?"
Both of the women had a good laugh over the joke, but it was cut short by an uninvited visitor. Jaina Proudmoore burst through the doorway, her elegant turquoise gown and braided hair following behind her. Corette glared at her noting how she looked like a character out of a movie that she had seen before the apocalypse. Everything about the woman made her angry.
"Good morning, Maiev! I see-" her words cut short as her eyes scanned the room and rested upon Corette. "Oh. So you're still here. It's funny I haven't received any paperwork on you going by the new visitor center lately. I figured that had meant you just decided to leave."
"Oh no," Corette responded, "I've decided to stay. Not many other places to go, and Teldrassil doesn't seem like my type of residence."
Jaina's eyes burned with anger. Corette could tell she wanted to lash out at her, but somehow retained her composure. A sarcastic smile passed across her face, and she suddenly turned her attention to the bartender. "Listen, Maiev, so the real reason I came by is that I did some soul-searching last night."
Maiev's eyes brightened as the mage spoke and asked, "You've decided to not shut me down? I've got another resident, plus Turalyon and Alleria!"
The mage glanced quickly at Corette clearly disgusted and turned back to the night elf. "Yes, well your clientele isn't exactly what I would call 'business'; however, either way I'm afraid I'm going to have to close the inn part of the bar down."
"What are you talking about? Jaina, you can't do this!" Maiev shouted.
A serene darkness seemed to overcome Jaina as she glared through Maiev's soul. "I can do this. I am the leader of the Kirin Tor making me the leader of this city. If I wanted you executed on the spot I could. I'm simply making a bold business statement. The people you harbor in this inn will clearly drive others away making it even more of a liability than I thought it was. The only reason that I'm leaving the Legerdemain Lounge itself stay open is because this drunken orc," she motioned towards the passed out Bladefist, "spends so much money here each evening that he could light the city."
Corette took a step towards the mage, her eyes baring deep into Jaina's. "Don't do this just because I'm here. I can find somewhere else to stay."
"Honey, not everything is about you. Maiev simply doesn't bring the revenue to the town to keep this place afloat," Jaina retorted. "Shame about you, though. It seems you will have to find somewhere new to stay. Have a great morning you two!"
As Maiev and Corette looked on, Jaina sauntered out of the building a grin the size of Un'Goro Crater upon her face. The woman had struck again, and this time Corette's being around had hurt someone else. Corette was furious and became more infuriated when she saw the shamed look that was upon Maiev's face as she attempted to wipe the same spot off of her bar. Corette walked up to her and placed her hand on her shoulder. "Maiev, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I'll be sure to get far away from you, and maybe she'll rethink about keeping your inn open," she apologized.
Maiev shook her head. "It's fine. Jaina has been gunning for this place long before you came around. Plus I really don't want you to go. I think you should stay. My room is upstairs as well, but it's a two bedroom and Elune knows I don't need both."
"Oh I couldn't possibly-"
The night elf cut her off, "You're staying. I'll move your stuff over later. It's informing Turalyon and Alleria that they have to move that's gonna be the worst. I'm sure they'll manage. Worse things have happened to those two."
Corette smiled, "Thank you. Listen, I need to go wander around a bit and get some supplies I didn't bring with me. Lord knows I need a new change of clothes and other necessities. I'll see you tonight then?"
Maiev nodded just as a new patron entered the bar. Corette was again mesmerized by the tattoos covering his body and the golden light that shone from his eyes. "Good morning, Illidan," the night elf greeted.
"Beautiful as always, Maiev. Who's your friend?" Illidan asked.
"My name is Corette Milton. I'm new to town," she answered.
Illidan smiled, "Well be careful, Corette. There's more to this town than it seems. Between this and my hometown of Teldrassil, it's like a circus practically."
"I'll be sure to keep my chair and whip out to keep things at bay then," Corette laughed as she exited the bar and headed out into the city.
The demon hunter looked around at what remained of his home. The once proud looming world tree had been almost burnt to cinders taking half of each town within it to the grave aside it. Never before had he seen so much destruction not even the numerous times the Burning Legion had tried to claim each World Tree as their own. Even worse was that this time the damage had been done by a mere mortal.
Now the night elf civilization had been left with nothing. They had blocked themselves off from other attacks by using the remainder of their magic to surround the city with an impenetrable force field. After that, magic ceased to exist both here, and in Dalaran after the spell Jaina Proudmoore had cast. The only thing they had going for them was they provided the main lumber export Dalaran relied on. As purveyors of the forest, they were able to gather lumber from the trees without destroying them which was a sacred law of the elves, which led to them being able to provide with others for a profit.
Illidan growled to himself as he realized that his brother Malfurion Stormrage was the one in charge of all of it though. As the leader of the Night Elves, he not only controlled the people, but he also controlled all of the trade of lumber to Dalaran. Illidan had no part in it, and it infuriated him. Just because he had made a few "mistakes" in the past, his brother tried to act like he didn't even exist and that he had no say in the things that went on in the civilization.
In anger, he burst out of his small cottage and into the rest of the small town where he resided. Dolanaar was a tiny town, but the people that lived there were good and the inn was a top notch according to Illidan. As he came down the ramp he waved and smiled at Talonkai, the innkeeper. No matter what, the man seemed to always be in the best spirits and seeing him first thing in the morning made the demon hunter's day all the better.
As he downed the other ramp to drop onto the streets of the town he came face to face with his brother. Malfurion stood above him his antlers and forest green beard that encompassed his face, seemed to want to swallow him whole. He was bare-chested, his lavender skin exposed, and from his arms enormous gray feathered wings sprouted. The druids golden eyes beamed just as bright as Illidan's, but seemed so much more empathetic.
"Ishnu-alah, brother. It pleases me to see you on this morn," Malfurion greeted.
Illidan scoffed, "Don't be coy, brother. What are you really doing here? Checking up on me. Don't worry I don't plan on attacking any deadly citadels from a long lost tomb today. You needn't keep checking up on me."
Malfurion's wings twitched, and the druid shook his head. "I don't understand why you must jump to conclusions so quickly," he responded.
"Isn't that what you've done for twelve thousand years?" Illidan questioned.
"Why are you bringing up old stuff?" Malfurion asked.
Illidan's anger began to boil beneath the surface. His smug brother was always around to judge him and make him feel down on himself. Never had he said he was proud of him. Even after he had decided to sacrifice himself and be the dark Titan's jailer, no one had congratulated him. Most had been just happy that he was gone. Once he had made a deal with the Pantheon to make his way back to Azeroth, no one had regarded him as a hero.
The most painful was that of his dearest love, Tyrande. He had hoped after saving the entire world that she would welcome him with open arms and leave his brother to rot. That hadn't happened at all. A random traveler that had picked up his crystal he left had told him that Tyrande simply didn't believe everything that he had said to her. She thought he was lying and trying to play her again. The priestess figured that he could never change and that he deserved the life he had chosen.
Illidan's lip twitched as he glared at his druid brother. "You're lucky, Malfurion."
Malfurion tilted is head and laughed, "And why is that, Illidan?"
"You're lucky because," Illidan started, "Tyrande chose you. If she hadn't none of this would be yours. The lumber business, the Night Elves, none of it would be yours. It all came with her."
"It's lucky for me you chose the road of a demonic bastard then isn't it?" the brother questioned.
Illidan lunged forward and watched as his fist made contact with Malfurion's cheek. A speck of blood spat forward from the druid, but Illidan cared not. If he still had the power of the demons he would have ripped his brother to pieces right there, but he had left those to guard over Sargeras. Instead he was simply the same Night Elf mage that had been foolish to turn away the druidic teachings long ago.
Malfurion spat into the ground. "Tyrande is my life. She's my love. The Night Elves are my people. You need to get over yourself and understand that."
"No," Illidan breathed, "I am the rightful ruler. I will take my place there someday. What have you truly done? I have sacrificed everything, you've given nothing."
"Given nothing? Have you gone mad? Rebuilding this civilization has been nothing but exhausting," Malfurion proclaimed. He motioned his winged arms around him revealing the half built buildings, the homeless elves, and the devastation that the burning of Teldrassil had wrought.
Illidan felt sadness he hadn't felt in ages welling up inside of him. "If I were the leader, I would have done things differently. Maybe this wouldn't have even happened."
"Oh, so this is my fault?" Malfurion snapped.
Illidan took a few closer steps to his brother as the druid took a couple steps away from his demonic brother. "I never said that, but let's face it. You're nowhere near as strong as I am. I could protect our nation far better than you ever could."
Malfurion steamed, "I should rip you-"
A woman's voice interjected, "Stop this you two!" The woman rode towards them on a white and black striped tiger that everyone know as Ash'alah. Her purple skin radiated in the rising suns light, her sea green hair projecting light as if it were a mirror.
"Tyrande," Illidan breathed.
"For thousands of years, your two's bickering has gotten us nowhere. Even after the destruction of Azeroth you still feel the need to do it. I won't have it! Our people don't need it. The Night Elves and the other races that have taken refuge in our home don't need you two ruining their peace." She referred to the other races that had made their way here whether it was human, orc, draenei, or even undead. In the final hours of the world, all were welcome in the home of the Night Elves.
"Aw, I simply do this for your attention, my priestess," Illidan flirted.
"Illidan Stormrage, I chose your brother long ago. You need to forget any idea of you and I being together and stop the nonsense words in which you speak to me," Tyrande responded.
The demon hunter grew saddened. After all he had done, the priestess still didn't want him. A thought blossomed in his mind as he began to realize what he needed to do to make her want him. As that thought grew, he realized he needed to talk to someone that would listen to him. He needed to be with someone who he knew wanted him. Without speaking another word to his brother or sister-in-law, he headed towards the tram that connected Teldrassil and Dalaran. He needed someone to keep his mind off of things. Maybe then he could think of a way to bring his brother down.
"Good morning, Illidan," Maiev greeted as the demon hunter strolled into the establishment.
"Beautiful as always, Maiev. Who's your friend?" Illidan asked.
"My name is Corette Milton. I'm new to town," Corette answered.
Illidan smiled, "Well be careful, Corette. There's more to this town than it seems. Between this and my hometown of Teldrassil, it's like a circus practically."
"I'll be sure to keep my chair and whip out to keep things at bay then," Corette laughed as she exited the bar and headed out into the city.
Maiev wiped every surface that was available to her in the bar. Even after wiping numerous times she felt like she couldn't scrub all of the dirt and grime from all of her patrons throughout the day. It was annoying to have to wake up so early and get ready, but Jaina's voice rang readily through the entire city, and once she was awake, the Night Elf pretty much couldn't get back to sleep. Now the only man that could distract her was standing before her grinning from ear to ear.
"What can I do for you? We're not exactly quite open yet, so food will have to wait for a bit," Maiev informed.
The male night elf sat himself at the closest stool and continued to watch Maiev clean. He laughed, "It's fine. I don't mind waiting. So long as you don't have a problem with it."
Her heart rate started to spike and beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She knew that she didn't fully open her bar for another hour and Illidan Stormrage wanted to sit and wait with her. The inner child in her seemed to do cartwheels at the idea of being able to actually spend time with the demon hunter. For so long the two's fates had been intertwined, as she was his jailer for centuries until he was released. She had spent many years hunting him down, and when he became Sargeras's jailer she felt nothing but sympathy and sadness for him, and realized that all of her feelings before had been of something more.
She stammered, "S-Sure it's no problem."
"Thanks. You know for years we faced off, but I never noticed how beautiful your eyes are," Illidan complimented.
Maiev instantly blushed and turned around to open up and wipe off the beer taps. Words seemed to fail her as she continued to clean and the room filled with immense tension and silence. The only noise being made was coming from the comatose orc that was lying on the ground. Come on, Maiev, say something. Don't be that person, she thought to herself.
"Thanks they're mine," she sputtered.
Illidan let out a hearty laugh and slapped the bar. Embarrassment flooded through her and the only thing she wanted to do was crawl into a cupboard and lie there. Never before had she been so lost for words that she uttered complete nonsense especially not to a guy that she dearly liked.
The demon hunter sighed, "I sure hope so. I would hate to think that you had hunted someone else and taken theirs."
Maiev shook her head, "I don't hunt anymore."
Illidan smiled, "Good to know I was your last." Extreme silence and tension began to fill the room again as she walked away towards a bookcase and opened it up. Quickly she walked inside where her kitchen was hidden and turned on all the appliances. As she came back out Illidan spoke again, "You know after all the years we have together, you think we'd have more to say to one another."
She ran by him and resumed her spot behind the bar. Fumbling she picked up a glass and started wiping it clean. She apologized, "I'm so sorry. It's just incredibly hectic when I'm trying to open. Really busy."
He smiled at her again and her knees almost gave out. Between his shining teeth, golden eyes, and chiseled body she didn't know what more a person could ask for in a man. "Let's make time then. Go out with me. Tonight, or whenever you're free," he invited.
A shattering crash echoed throughout the Legerdemain Lounge as the glass in her hands slipped and fell barreling towards the ground. The pieces flew everywhere and bounced off of every surface, but she still didn't take her eyes off Illidan. She tried to keep her breathing steady, but it seemed like it was still coming out in short gasps. A dream, this has to be a dream. Wake up, wake up, wake up, she yelled to herself.
Minutes had past where no one said a word or made to pick up the shattered glass from the ground. A look of concern then replaced the dazzling smile on the demon hunter's face. "Unless you don't want to, of course. I'm sorry I-"
"No!" she screamed startling the sleeping orc awake. "I would love to!" Hastily she reached for a napkin and brushed his hand as it sat on the bar. Sparks seemed to sprout from his fingers as she slid by him. Maiev scribbled her number as well as the number to the inn down on it and handed it to him.
"I'll get in touch with you then," Illidan informed as he turned around and headed for the doorway.
Maiev gasped, "Wait! You forgot to order food!"
A soft chuckle escaped the demon hunter as he entered the doorway. Without turning around he responded, "I didn't come for the food." After a slight wave backwards he entered out into the city leaving Maiev standing dumbfounded.
"So he finally asked did he?" Kargath asked snapping her out of her entranced state. "I'll have my usual morning cocktail."
She didn't speak words, but simply found the largest mug she could and filled it with her thunder ale while stirring in melon juice to create the perfect breakfast cocktail for the orc. As she sat it in front of him her mind was still reeling. She never thought this day would come and finally it had. There weren't words made up for how happy she was.
Kargath took a giant swig of the mix and pointed out, "It's odd, though, don't you think? For thousands of years your reigned as his jailer and put both of yourselves in tremendous danger. Why now all of a sudden does he have an interest in you?"
"I don't know, Kargath, but I think I owe it to myself to find out," she responded. He let out a rough noise that she assumed was a laugh as he raised his mug to her and drank.
Corette headed down the road as she exited the inn. Directly in front of her was a blacksmith and that needed to be her first stop. The plate she wore had become severely tarnished and blotted and needed to be shined. She headed towards the building careful to avoid the people and the enormous stone well that was built right in the middle of the road. As she neared it the orange emblazoned axe on the wall and the shields above the doorway let he know she was in the right place.
As she entered the establishment she found herself looking at a wall adorned in many pieces of armor that had clearly been made by the blacksmiths there. Swords, shields, suits of armor all covered the wall and seemed to grow with the staircase behind them.
She took notice of the other people that were present as well. Two of the men appeared to be blacksmiths as they slammed down on their respective anvils, and the other was simply a salesman same as the blood elf woman that stood behind the counter as she walked in. The other man she knew was Anduin Wrynn. He was admiring the shields on the far wall from her, running his hands over them admiring the craftsmanship.
The blood elf at the counter greeted her, "Good morning, I'm Imindril! Is there anything I can do for you?"
Corette motioned to the silver plate on her chest. "Yeah I simply need this shined."
Imindril responded, "If you'd like to just drop it off here, I can make sure we get it done and have it ready for you within the hour."
"I can't remove it," the woman responded.
A look of panic crossed the blacksmithing vendors face as she had no idea how to respond. Finally she worked up a comment, "Well both Vridiel and Alard are kind of messy in their craft. I wouldn't want you to get hurt while they do it. I'm not sure if we'll be what you're looking for."
While they were talking Anduin had sauntered his way over and was intrigued by the conversation. "Hey, what's going on here?" he asked.
"This lady wants her chest plate shined, but I don't think they can do it without removing it, and she can't do that," the vendor replied.
Anduin held out his hand a beaming smile plastered on his face. "I'm Anduin Wrynn. I haven't seen you around before. Are you new to town?" he asked.
She shook his hand and answered, "I'm Corette Milton. Yeah I just came to town yesterday."
"Well, welcome to Dalaran! Imindril, do you have any of that strong flux on you?"
She nodded her head, "Of course!"
The king handed her seventeen silver coins, and she handed him what appeared to be a silver liquid. Without hesitation he squirted the liquid on to her breastplate and started to vigorously rub it into the metal. Afterwards he grabbed a heavy cloth that was sitting on Imindril's counter and rubbed circles into it.
Circle by circle the flux wore off and the shine came back to the plate. Corette thanked him, "I appreciate your help. Had I known that stuff would do that, I would have done it myself."
"Not many people know you can shine things with flux instead of just making items with it. It's something I learned a long time ago," he told.
Out of nowhere a child came bursting into the blacksmith. He was incredibly small, his round face surrounded by golden locks that had streaks of azure blue that ran through them. "Uncle Anduin! Uncle Anduin!" the boy yelled as he jumped into Anduin's open arms.
"What's going on, little man? Where's your mom?" Anduin asked.
"I ran ahead," the little boy sneered.
She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath ever since the child had walked in. Instantly she took a deep breath, and it startled Anduin and the little boy. "Who's that?" the child asked.
"This," Anduin started, "is Corette Milton. She's new to town. Maybe you can tell her your name."
"Arzagos," the words slipped from Corette's lips like a tiny exhale.
Both Anduin and the boy seemed frozen in their tracks at the mention of his name without them telling her. Tension began to build in the blacksmith, so thick not even the hammers around could break it. Anduin sat the boy to the ground and both of them stared at her with wide eyes.
"How do you know my full name," Arza asked.
Corette dropped to her knees so that she could look the boy in the face. She brushed a strand of hair behind his ear and smiled back at him. "Well-"
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" a voice screamed at her.
She quickly stood up as she watched Jaina Proudmoore storm into the blacksmith. A look of pure terror and rage was upon her face, Corette almost feared that the mage would put and end to her at that instant. She brushed it off and smiled at the newcomer, "I was just saying hello to this little boy."
Jaina retorted, "Saying hello to my son? What gives you the right?"
Anduin interjected, "I was introducing the two of them. I told Arza to tell her-"
"I don't care what was happening. Did you really think I would want a complete stranger to know my son?" Jaina snapped.
"Your son? I didn't notice the resemblance at all," Corette sighed.
The mage imposed herself upon Corette walking with in inches of her. "Yes, my son. Some disgusting excuse for a parent left him abandoned, and I found him. I want you nowhere near him ever again. I don't trust you. I don't like you, and until you go to the visitor's center I don't even consider you a citizen of this town. Speaking of which, why are you even still here? Do you plan on sleeping on the streets? Believe me I can shut that down much faster than I did a poor night elf's inn," Jaina explained.
"Actually," Corette began, "I'm staying with Maiev. She has a two room ordeal. It was delightful of you to kick out the other occupants, though. It'll give us much more room and privacy."
She could tell she was getting under the mages skin as her face turned incredibly red. Jaina's fists clenched as she fought to not strike out at the woman. The fact that she had spoken to the child was more infuriating than the idea that she was even still in town. The thought pleased Corette as she watched her fume. She had come to Dalaran for more than one reason, but one of them meant going after Jaina, and so far she had made that very apparent.
Jaina started to wheel her child out of the blacksmith and turned around, "If I ever catch you near Arza again, I will make sure you are out of Dalaran so fast you won't know what hit you. Have a fine day, Miss Milton."
Together both the leader of Dalaran and her son marched out of the building leaving Corette, Anduin, and the vendors alone. The king simply stared at Corette still in disbelief that she had known his "nephew's" name out of the blue. He needed answers.
"How did you know Arza's full name, his dragon name?"