Windrose.

Recovery.

"Sorry it's so noisy down there, we've gotten a new arrival today," Koleyna said as she entered her office and walked over to her chair.

"I heard Melusina was pregnant but I didn't expect her to have it the day I arrived," Ankhou murmured, staring into the fireplace. Her eyes hadn't left the flame since she first sat down hours ago and Koleyna was seriously starting to worry about her friend. "A joyous day for everyone. You must congratulate her for me."

The hunter frowned. "You're going to have to talk about it sometime, An."

The black haired priestess across from her narrowed puffy red eyes. "Why should I?! I don't have to say a damn thing!" her voice choked with silenced sobs. "I only came here for peace and quiet. That nether-twisted city won't leave me alone. I'm gossip. Can you believe that? Those nobles who would have died in maimed, festering piles of shit crying for their mommies if it weren't for my skill now have nothing better to do than to giggle amongst each other about how my 'lover' died in my arms."

Koleyna schooled her face, not letting her concern show as she gently pointed out, "Well, it was true-"

"He was my protector! He was my shield-" Ankhou's body shook as the tears took over. "I had one job. To save the lives in front of me, whoever and wherever. But I couldn't even save the one who had always supported me." Silence took over the room. Kole reached for Ankhou's hand but the priestess flinched away with an angry hiss. "And you! All I asked of you was peace and quiet. I dealt with this enough in the city, I've had his name repeatedly thrown in my face. All I asked for was silence and you can't even manage that?!"

An uncomfortable tension wrapped itself around the two women like a wet blanket. Ankhou knew her words were harsh but she was too angry to feel guilty. On the contrary, she was viciously satisfied when the ranger rose stiffly and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

It had been a month since the passing of Athamor, an instant death that no amount of healing could remedy. Pain fades with time. There was nothing Ankhou wanted more than to flay whoever came up with that completely bullshit phrase. After a month of mourning she only felt worse.

Eventually, between all the crying, moping, hiding and fits of rage, she convinced herself that traveling to see Koleyna would be good. She hadn't even gotten to see the new guild yet. And, you know, Melusina. A part of her vaguely remembered the young elf woman who had gotten herself captured at Warsong Gulch and all the buzz she had created in Silvermoon because of it. Not because she got captured but because it provoked her worthless cousin to actually go up against his grandfather who was still a high standing noble. Ugh. Just thinking about that weak little bird made Ankhou want to punch something. So that was one more reason to leave Silvermoon, to punch Melusina Sunveil in the face.

"You mean to see if she escaped the Alliance safely?"

"No, I mean punch her in the face." Oh, had she said that aloud? Oops. Ankhou tensed, realizing she wasn't alone. She sat up from her slouched position and looked behind her. Koleyna leaned against the doorframe with a smile.

Ankhou sniffed haughtily. Well, she tried, but her nose was runny so the sound was embarrassingly gross. "Honestly, what did you expect me to say?" Koleyna sighed and walked up to the sitting elf. "I can see you're not angry with me anymore."

"I've no right to be angry with you. Not with everything you're going through right now." Ankhou felt new tears pricking the corners of her eyes as relief washed over her. She would never admit it, but Koleyna was the only person she could truly call friend and she was happy she hadn't lost her over some careless words. The ranger motioned to the door. "Now come on, the others have broke open the alcohol to celebrate the newborn. I'm sure there's more than enough room for the two of us."

Ankhou paused, debating whether she wanted to be stuck around a bunch of loud, drunk thugs for the sake of some low-grade liquor.

"Fine," she grumbled.

Koleyna chuckled, immediately spotting her faux-reluctance. "Good, I'm glad. Just try not to punch Melu in the face, hmm? She just had a baby, after all. Then again, she probably won't be joining us."

"I'll give her a 24-hour recovery pass. After that, no promises."

Koleyna rolled her eyes. "Well, now that I think about it, you'll probably be too busy with Sho."

"I'm not making friends, if that's what you mean."

"Ooooh no," she laughed, giving Ankhou a bad feeling. "Definitely not."