I knew mother hoped for the best for her children and her husband. It was obvious. But what if this flight would not be best for the rest of Quel'thalas? My mind began turning over itself. This isn't hopeless. We can fend off these invaders… They expect me to simply run away while all the others risk their lives? I didn't like it. Mother was putting herself at risk simply so we wouldn't be put at risk ourselves. Hardly.
"Mother." She looked back to me. "I will join you in the defense." Brows raised all around me. They could be surprised all they liked. I had trained harder than Tei ever had. I wasn't some fragile little youngling like he was. "This is why I've trained, isn't it? To be of use when times are dire." I straightened my posture as mother looked at me sadly.
"Alli, no. I don't want to lose you boys."
"If you fear losing us, then you fear losing your own life, don't you?" I smiled. I hoped it was reassuring. "You can't tell me what to do if you're worried you won't be around to enforce your rules."
She gave a half-hearted laugh. "My boy…" She shook her head. "No. Go with your father and brother!"
I lowered my brow. "I'll go with my mother instead." I looked at the rest of my family. Tei looked terrified, as per usual. Father wore a thoughtful look, seeming to be weighing my chances. I returned my gaze to my mother. She looked scared as well, but she seemed to understand my sincerity. "I'm not doing this because I think it will make anyone proud. I'm not out to prove myself." The thought of facing the horde of undead crossed my mind. A vision of corpses charging at me. I couldn't let the thought unnerve me. "I want to do what's right. I want to stand alongside those brave enough to fight these invaders."
Mother stepped forward, looking up at me with a torn expression. She didn't want her son to face death. Not on a battlefield, not ever. She closed her eyes, hugging me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her, setting my head against hers. "I must," I whispered. "For you, for ann'da… For everyone. For Quel'thalas." She held me longer, slowly drawing back. Tears had begun to seep into her eyes, giving them a glass-like shine.
"For Quel'thalas."
