By midday, Thielor returned to the inn, lugging his bulky leather backpack over his shoulder. The sun beat down upon him, causing sweat to drench his face. Patrons came and went, either half dazed from liquor or weary from their travels. Thielor yawned as he climbed the steps and made it back to the suite. He wasn't accustomed to being awake this time of day, being innately nocturnal, but there were days when he compromised.
As he stepped inside, he was surprised to see Leah sitting at the dining table, reading. She had changed from robes to linen pants and blouse. Her long hair was pulled up into a ponytail, revealing her slender porcelain neck. Thielor kept his gaze neutral as he sat the bag on an adjacent chair.
When she looked up, she only regarded him with a quick glance and continued reading. Her crinkled gaze focused on a book filled with symbols and squiggly handwriting. From his vantage point, even he couldn't make sense of it.
"Ugh!" the girl slammed the book shut and sank in the chair, rubbing her eyes. "Davin, what are you trying to do, drive me insane?"
Thielor gripped the back of the chair and leaned over. She groaned, holding her head back.
"Feeling okay?" he asked timidly.
"My head is pounding," Leah replied, then looked at him with a flushed complexion. "I can't tell if it's this book or last night's drink. Which reminds me, what exactly was that anyway?"
Thielor tried to keep from grinning. So much for no hangover effects, "Kaldorei wine," he shrugged. "By sheer luck, the innkeeper had some."
"I suppose it could have been worse."
"Yes, it could have been Southshore Ale," Thielor laughed.
She forced a laugh, then turned her attention to the bag, "So, we have everything?"
"From torches to bedrolls."
Folding her arms, the girl raised a brow, "Bedrolls?"
Thielor faltered at his bad choice of words. He wasn't sure if they implied anything. After all, it was sound advice. Duskwood may not be far to travel, but anything could happen,"W-we have to be ready to make camp should we run into bad weather."
"Well then, let's hope for an uneventful trip," The priestess stood and stuffed her book inside her bag, hurrying past him. "Shall we?"
Thielor grabbed the bag and followed her out the door, suddenly wondering if he had done something wrong.
"Leah, wait. Wait, I want you to have something before we go."
When reaching the steps, she stopped and held a guarded expression, "Thielor, there is no need. You are giving me enough. Your time, your help."
Though he admired her selfless quality, Thielor sighed. His people were once a powerful race, but were greedy and self-serving. It was humbling to see someone from the younger races quickly learn from history and not crave immense wealth or power.
Yet he knew some tools were quite useful, but could mostly be obtained by earning them. And he was sure in his heart that she had earned something.
"Will you at least see what I have to offer?" he asked patiently.
"Fine, fine. What is it?"
Thielor reached in the bag and took out a flanged mace he had retrieved from the guild's vault. He held it across his palm, gold and silver finish glinting in the sunlight. It had a rather light, yet balanced weight. The dense iron grommet at the end allowed it to be hooked to a belt.
The girl picked it up with both hands and gaped in awe. She then gasped as it emanated a faint, pulsing glow that could likely be used as a light source.
"Oh, my!" she hissed in amazement, turning it over, "This is incredible! Where did you find it?"
"Someone in the guild didn't need it, so we saved it just in case. Now it is yours."
"But I'm not a member! How can I accept – ?"
She attempted to return it, but he refused, cutting her off, "Let's just say it was given to you by your recruiter." The girl's jaw dropped. "I discussed your actions with my guild master, and he wishes to have you as a member."
Her mouth clamped shut, brown eyes darkening. Thielor suddenly felt his stomach sink.
"Why on earth would you do that? You should have spoken to me first!"
A hard breath left her as she brushed passed him. Thielor shook his head. She was only a select few humans he had dealt with over the years. Sometimes their brash spirit was too much to bear.
He hurried after her, effortlessly weaving between patrons. Just as she crossed the tavern, he blocked her from the exit. She turned but he gently took her shoulders, keeping her in place.
"Leah," he said with a gentle passion, drawing her intense eyes to his, "Please hear me out. Tenacity and virtue is a part of what my guild stands for, what the Alliance stands for. I am sorry if it wasn't my place, but I cannot imagine this guild being without you."
She scoffed, "You make it sound like I can save the world."
"Many of our members plan on it," he declared. "Whether you would believe that is irrelevant, but. . ."
All hint of annoyance left her face. She clamped her eyes shut, lowering them somberly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. We should go now," She sighed and made her way for the door.
Thielor hardly knew her past but didn't buy her answer. In silence, they walked across the square and hoped her disappointment would be short lived. By the time they passed the bank, she spoke up, "All right. I was told that finding a guild would be helpful, so I accept."
Thielor slipped his arm around her, gently patting her.
"You won't regret it, Leah. I promise."
"I hope you're right," she gave a dismissive chuckle. "I apologize for my outburst, but I would have preferred finding one on my own."
He nodded, "That's understandable."
"So is there anything I need to do?"
"You'll have to sign a charter," he replied. "But that can be done at a later time."
"I'm sorry. Charter?"
"I will explain everything on the way. For now, we must go. Duskwood is nearly a day's journey."
A short while later, they departed Stormwind City, sharing Thielor's swift dawnsaber. Leah sat behind him and kept a firm hold around his waist, watching the forest sail by them. She was more comfortable riding than last week. But at the same time, being near Thielor had her lower lip raw from biting it. Last night had gotten the better of her, and though nothing inappropriate happened, she still didn't know how she ended up in that suite. There was one explanation.
The night elf had helped her. And that was indeed embarrassing.
Much later, she listened as he briefly explained the guild charter. Guilds kept records of current members for organizational purposes. They also logged members' locations. That was comforting, knowing her family could reach her if needed.
After that, she couldn't speak much. They passed Goldshire and continued until sundown, arriving at the lumber camp. Rivulets of sweat poured down their necks, signaling the need to stop. They dismounted at a stream west of the camp where the dawnsaber drank. Leah noted Thielor's discomfort as he looked toward the lumberyard. He wrinkled his nose from the smell of sawdust and freshly cut grass. Exhaustion also settled over his eyelids.
As Leah rustled through her bag, Bayla sprang from a nearby bush, causing her to jump and draw her weapon. She laughed at her edginess and joined the weary hunter for a bite to eat, watching as Bayla curled up beside him.
"Goodness! She has a knack for scaring people!"
"She's keeping you on your toes," Thielor laughed as he fed some jerky to the cat.
Leah could hear purring and smiled. She then cleaned an apple on her sleeve and bit a large chunk before crunching away. Thielor glanced at her with a creased brow before taking in their surroundings. Chirping crickets filled their ears as the darkening sky peeked through the treetops.
"So you've had her for quite some time then."
"Yes," he answered. "Since she was a cub. Ashenvale Forest is – was full of her breed."
"Was? What happened to them?"
"After orcs invaded, the nightsaber population diminished," Thielor said, stroking the cat's head. "Any remaining nightsabers fled north into Darkshore."
Leah frowned and glanced at the animal. Bayla's tufted ears perked briefly but she ignored her, continuing to take part in treats.
"Oh, how awful!"
"They continue to thrive, as my people have," he smiled, but his visage quickly turned grim.
Leah took that and his tone as a cue to say no more for the time being. Besides, she didn't wish to make him feel uncomfortable, yet she still wanted to know more about him.
He stared ahead, almost mindlessly eating strings of jerky. Their joining the Alliance was an even bigger change than anyone had expected. Yet Leah was unaware of any conflict beyond Lordaeron, much less the Eastern Kingdoms. All she had known was the Scourge invasion, and how it nearly cost her family's lives had they not fled.
Still, six years ago, Leah remembered seeing night elves in the city, but never knew why. She only knew that they were Stormwind's guests and were to be treated with respect.
But Leah usually kept her distance, maybe giving a nod or a brief 'hello' when passing.
As they sat in silence, she noticed him glance over her occasionally, his brow pinching. Leah finished the apple before throwing the core near the riverbank.
At dusk, Thielor asked permission to camp within the lumberyard. The foreman granted it on the condition that they would leave at first light. He also warned them of bears and wolves making it difficult to get their work done. Thielor took his advice and built a shelter near the stream, meshing it with vines, limbs, and foliage. It looked more like a domed tent, but being impressed at his skill, Leah hoped it would conceal them.
Leah hadn't camped with anyone for years and felt a hint of awkwardness near him though he maintained some distance. But there was little time to dwell on such matters. As soon as Thielor shucked his jerkin and hit the bedroll, he was asleep, leaving Leah awake to ponder the day ahead. She only had a brief thought and glimpse of a star when she was fast asleep herself.
At dawn, they jerked awake to a rumbling sound outside the shelter. It was more like a growl. Two growls. Then three, following deep, groaning breaths. Leah glanced to a gap in the mesh and saw a palette of brown fur moving outside. A second later, a creature's snout peered between the meshing, sending Leah back with a gasp.
Before she could attempt a scream, she felt movement beside her and a large hand clasp her mouth. She tightened her arms and fought the sudden urge to elbow the night elf's ribs.
"Shhh. It's all right. Just don't make a sound," he said in a hushed tone.
Leah pried his hand off her face. It was a wonder he didn't suffocate her.
"By the Light!" she hissed, pointing frantically. "What is that -?"
Thielor suppressed a laugh, still whispering, "You haven't spent much time in the wild, have you?" she turned, glaring at him. "Relax. It is just a bear wanting a drink of water. If we stay quiet, he'll leave."
"Just a bear?!" she exclaimed quietly, her eyes flaring. "I thought you said this shelter would keep them away!"
Thielor raised an index finger, his hushed tone growing testy.
"Leah, please. Unless you wish him to make a meal of us, you will keep quiet. And I never said it would keep them away, only that it would disguise us."
Leah tightened her jaw and watched as the bear prodded its huge snout into the mesh. She whimpered and kept her breaths steady. Growls became more agitated. The dome swayed as though a storm approached. Leah felt panic swell and inadvertently flung herself into the night elf's chest. She took in his warm skin and flushed, forgetting that he was shirtless. She thought he might enjoy having her huddled against him in such a manner. She could feel beads of sweat and heavy breathing. She begged herself not to look at him and find out. But like a magnet, she met his mysterious gaze. His soft breaths across her skin brought chills. With little warning, she was boneless. Just as she would speak, her throat caught when his fingertip pursed her lips, a hint of intimacy in his touch.
"Stay calm. Stay calm," he whispered. "Take a breath. He will move along."
He froze, like he was mesmerized. Swaying limbs suddenly evaded her senses, all except his star-like eyes. The corner of his mouth pulled briefly. For her, it was enough of an answer.
The shelter abruptly stilled. Leah forced her gaze to the limbs in time to see brown fur move away. Soon after, a hiss was heard nearby, following a low growl. Another creature had approached, raising its dark blue fur.
"Is that -?"
"Yes, it's her."
Leah sighed, giving a smirk as she moved away, "I'd say her timing was quite nice."
A mix of relief and disappointment left Thielor's breath.
"You could say that."
The hunter got to his knees and pried the shelter open until it became nothing more than a splintered shrub. Not a moment sooner did the lumbermen show up, casting a glance in their direction, "Check out time."
