A/N: Apologies for the long delay in posting. I kept changing my mind on how I wanted this chapter to go. I hope it works. :) Its rather tricky to take something like World of Warcraft and make a storyline for one person out of it. Huge thanks to those that have clicked followed and left reviews. They're better than candy!

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Sparky: Thanks!

Torndar: I can't say how much your reviews mean! :) I'm glad you liked her "uninvolvement" with Outlands; I didn't want her in absolutely everything. Things needed to happen that she didn't see. Her sister will show back up later. Thank you again for all your kind words!

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World of Warcraft and all its NPCs belong to Blizz. My OCs are ... well, mine. :)

It was all so beautiful.

Her usual fear of heights was ignored as she eagerly watched the landscape speeding by underneath her. Endless expanses of evergreen trees, rushing rivers and waterfalls, snow covered mountains. She couldn't turn her head quick enough to take it all in. They began to climb higher and she peered into the clouds, anxious for that first glimpse of Dalaran. After flying over a valley that appeared to be full of shimmering trees she saw it. Floating above the snow capped peaks below the city's spires rose from the clouds. It seemed to glow in the sunlight, various roofs flashing in the light, and Rae could feel her anticipation rising the closer they flew. She could barely contain her excitement as the gryphon circled and came down for its landing. The flight master welcomed her as he undid her harness but she barely heard him.

Shouldering her small bag Rae made her way down the steps from Krasus' Landing ... and stepped into a whole new world. For a moment she just paused right where she was standing - an action that elicited a few annoyed comments from passersby - but she did not care. She had waited so long for this and just wanted a moment to take it all in. The tall spires rose high, glittering, airy over the city. Everything was clean and graceful, the buildings, the clothing, even the mailboxes! She had grown up in awe of the massive walls of Stormwind but Dalaran, though no where near as big, was certainly more refined and beautiful than the capital city. When she'd looked her fill, feeling almost dizzy from having her head tilted back so far, she began to slowly make her way down the street. She tried to peer into all the different establishments as she passed by their open and inviting doors: the Dalaran Visitor's Center, The Militant Mystic, Curiosities and Moore, The Wonderworks, Simply Enchanting, One More Glass, Magical Menagerie. She marveled at the two banks, even pausing to toss one of her few coins into the pretty fountain near the entrance to one of them. The lively chatter and delicious smells coming from the inn A Hero's Welcome and the fabulous looking Legerdemain Lounge were especially enticing; she hadn't eaten a true meal since leaving Stormwind ... however long ago it had been. Rae felt slightly overwhelmed, glad the city only had the main thoroughfare that was nothing more than a large square. It had taken her quite some time to learn to navigate the confusing roads and canals in Stormwind.

That thought had her coming to a halt as she realized she'd walked all the way around the city without looking for the Violet Citadel. With a roll of her eyes Rae stepped into the nearest store and asked the location of the Citadel. Once she had her directions she hurried her steps, keeping her focus on what was in front of her instead of what wonderful things might be found in the shops to either side. There would be plenty of time later (she hoped) to explore more fully. When she was finally standing before the imposing stairs leading up to the Citadel she wondered how she could have missed it in the first place. With a shrug she began her ascent, craning her head back to take in the tall towers above her. Passing through the huge archway it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dimness inside but she was quickly able to see four people waiting in the middle of the chamber. Rhonin she easily recognized and as she wasn't sure which one she was supposed to talk to she turned towards him.

"Raegan, it is good to see you here in Dalaran," he said with a fond smile.

"I am glad to finally be deemed of some use." While she felt a bit of surprise from the other three, Rhonin simply smirked and rolled his eyes.

"Allow me to introduce you." He started with the white haired elf to his right. "Vereesa Windrunner, Ranger-General of the Silver Covenant. Archmage Modera." This time he pointed to the silver haired, slightly stern faced woman to Vereesa's right. "And last but not least, Archmage Aethas Sunreaver." Though his helmet covered his face from his height and greeting Rae guessed he was one of the Sin'dori elves. "Comrades, Raegan Eastcroft."

"It is an honor."

"Mage from Stormwind? Glad to see you made it; we were beginning to wonder when the Academy there would start sending the troops we requested," Aethas said.

"Why have you not joined the Kirin Tor before this?" Modera asked, her voice stern but not unkind.

"I wasn't aware I was joining though I'm quite happy to do so and I wasn't far enough in my training to be sent to you before the city was destroyed."

"You completed your training in Stormwind?"

"Aye," she replied, turning to Vereesa. "I have been teaching some of the younger apprentices for the past several months." She gave Rhonin a cheeky grin and he just rolled his eyes again.

"You fought in Outlands?" Modera questioned.

Rae shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I was injured in the fight against Onxyia and my recovery was not far enough along for me to safely take on such a mission. I am, however, ready to begin this one."

"Go and get yourself situated, Rae. Marc will show you to your new chambers. We will let you know when we have something for you."

"Thank you." She gave a bow of the head to Rhonin, then the others, before following the man pointed out to her. He didn't speak as he hurried up a long spiral staircase, never looking back to make sure she was still behind him. The room he left her in was small though not uncomfortable. It looked very similar to the space she shared with Mila in Stormwind though there was a much appreciated bonus: the single window was on the front of the Citadel thus giving her a spectacular view overlooking Dalaran. Folding her arms on the window sill and resting her head on them she took a deep sigh of contentment. There was no way of knowing what the future held for her, and thus far what it had thrown her way had not been stellar, but looking out over the shining, glowing city Rae felt that perhaps she'd finally had a bit of good luck.


Three months later ...

"Why did I ever think my luck had changed for the better?" Rae grumbled to herself.

"At least we're not freezing."

She looked at Mila with a grimace. "I'm sure that's coming next. There's too much to do in the Storm Peaks for the Kirin Tor to leave us here."

"It's not so bad." Her friend's statement lost its sincerity as she stumbled in the muck and a curse slipped from her lips. Rae couldn't help but giggle. "Well, its not so bad down at River's Heart, anyway."

Sholazar Basin had seemed pretty enough when they'd first arrived - and she'd been thrilled Mila had been sent with them - but in the long weeks they'd been stationed there it had lost most of its charm. After continuous fighting against not only wild animals that wanted to kill them but also the undead in the northern sections she was quite ready to return to Dalaran. On top of that were the annoying bugs that she couldn't get away from no matter what she tried.

"There's the path.'

"Thank the Light," she said in relief. She patted the bag on her shoulder, assuring herself that the crystals they'd spent the better part of three days acquiring from around the Lifeblood Pillar were still there, then hurried down the strip of worn down dirt that was just visible under the overhanging leaves and vines. The rush of water soon reached their ears, a welcome sign that they would soon be able to take a break. Thankfully there were no sign of the naga that had been plaguing this southeastern side of River's Heart and they made their way down the steep slope unimpeded. Their boots sank into the creamy white sand at the bottom, which would have been fine under normal circumstances, but as they were both covered in mud and muck it coated the bottom of their cloaks and pants as well. Crossing the hollowed out footbridge Rae paused to let the spray from the waterfall mist over her, hoping it would take care of some of the dirt.

"Ah! There you are! We were wondering if you'd make it back."

"Thanks for that vote of confidence, Tamara," she called back with a good humored smirk.

"You'll be glad to be back. I heard there's some new orders for both of you."

They glanced at each other. "Please don't let it be a summons to Zul'Drak," Mila whispered.

"Leave that bag here, Raegan, and head on over to the flying machine. Marvin's got your orders I believe."

The brunette gave them a quick nod of the head and then went back to tinkering on whatever it was she was doing to keep the machines operational. The humidity in Sholazar was not kind to anything metal.

"Over here, ladies!" The little green haired gnome waved at them. "Be happy to see me this time, won't ya?"

"We're always happy to see you, Marvin," she replied.

"Sure. Anyway, word arrived from the city not too long ago. The two of you are to report back immediately. I've already sent a messenger to the mages over at Nesingwary's camp as they've been called back to Dalaran, too. Supposedly mages from Zul'Drak and Dragonblight are coming as well."

So this was something major, then. The Kirin Tor wouldn't pull so many back for a trifling issue. They said quick good-byes to the gnome before climbing into one of the flying machines. He wished them a safe trip though the giggle he added to the end didn't make them feel better about their chances of actually making it back to the city in one piece. With a sick sounding chug, a shudder that felt like it would shake loose some vital parts, and a puff of black smoke the machine slowly took to the air.

"I hate these things," Mila yelled over the rumble of the engines.

"They are not preferred mode of transportation, either."

After that they didn't bother trying to talk to each other. It was just too hard to be heard over the sputtering and grumbling of the machine. The flight was not long, they skirted over the northern section of Wintergrasp and the very southern tip of Icecrown but the air turned chilly. She tried not to stare as the Citadel slid by just to their north; the Lich King was there, planning and preparing and they would have to face him sooner or later. Rae hoped that wasn't what this summons was about. They weren't ready and she did not want their forces to suffer as they had in Outlands.

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A few hours later she had been able to wash and change into blessedly clean clothes. With hunger gnawing at them she and Mila headed to the Legerdemain Lounge, desperate for real food. They hadn't gotten far when they heard someone shout her name. Turning they spotted Gaige running in their direction and she was engulfed in a tight embrace before she could even draw a breath.

"Glad you finally made it."

"How are you? I've been worried the entire time you've been here," he asked, ignoring her words.

"I'm fine."

"I hadn't hear from you."

"I've been busy and I highly doubt there is mail service to Howling Fjord."

"What could you have been busy doing here?"

She glared at him, hands on her hips. "I am officially part of the Kirin Tor. Among other things we have been working at preparing the incoming mages for their missions here in Northrend."

"I'm glad to hear you haven't been in any danger. This is what you should be doing, not risking yourself."

Her eyes narrowed. "I am merely doing what is required of me. Mila and I have just returned from Sholazar and will most likely be headed to the Storm Peaks soon."

"I want you to stay here where you will be safe."

"You cannot dicate my actions. You are not my parent or my guardian."

"I should be! I could be if you'd let me."

"But you're not." Her words dropped over the conversation like a bucket of cold water. She rubbed a hand over her face in frustration. Why did he have to do this now? And in the middle of Dalaran? Ever since he'd returned from Outlands Gaige had been showing some irritating inclinations towards possessiveness where she was concerned though it hadn't really manifested so strongly before. She could understand and sympathize with his concerns: he had witnessed some horrible things on his last expedition and surviving something like that was sure to make someone overly cautious. What she was finding she couldn't stomach was his protectiveness towards her.

Someone cleared their throat and her attention was pulled to who was standing to Gaige's left. She hadn't realized he'd had a companion until then.

"I'm afraid we have not been introduced. I am Velred, formerly of the Exodar."

"Sorry about that, Vel. These are my long time friends Raegan and Mila." Gaige pulled himself together enough to finish the introductions. She tried not to stare but wasn't successful in the least. It was the first time she'd seen one of the draenei and just couldn't help herself. Velred was tall, towering even over Gaige. His skin was a pale blue and what looked like two horns protruded from behind the ridges on forehead. His long black hair was pulled back in a tail and a line of bushy hair followed his jaw line down to his lips. Most fascinating of all, though, were the tentacles hanging from his face, two long ones from his chin and two shorter ones from behind his ears. Each of them were adorned with gold bands. His voice was low, soothing, with what she supposed was the accent of his people. It was very comforting and she instantly liked him.

Rae ignored Gaige's penetrating gaze as she and Mila answered Velred's questions and asked some of their own. She was pleased to discover that the draenei was a priest; considering how recklessly he conducted himself these days Gaige needed all the help he could get.

"Where were you ladies headed when we interrupted you?"

"To eat," she said with a grin. "We've only been back in Dalaran for a few hours."

"Then we shall not disrupt your plans any further." Velred gave them a low bow then sauntered off in the direction of The Silver Enclave.

"We'll talk later," Gaige muttered and ran after his friend.

"I'm sorry, Rae," Mila said in a low voice as they finally entered the restaurant.

"What for?" she asked as they found a seat at a table in the back. Mila waited until the serving girl had taken their order before responding.

"Gaige's recent change in attitude."

"There's no point in apologizing for something that you had nothing to do with."

"I just know where his anger is coming from, what is fueling that over-protectiveness you're seeing."

"Mil, I know what you saw and experienced in Outlands was bad."

"Yes, there's all that, but Gaige feels guilty for surviving the battle against Illidan when Rain did not. There was nothing he could have done, that creature's attacks were hard and ruthless, but he still thinks if he'd been quick enough, strong enough that he would have thought of something that would have saved him." Their drinks and food arrived and Rae eagerly took a bite of her shoveltusk steak. Mila merely poked at her grilled sculpin. "He is determined not to let that happen again."

She swallowed, took a sip of her honeymint tea. "I understand, I truly do, but I cannot sequester myself away. I have work to do just like everyone else. If that's hard for him to grasp then I am sorry but he has no control over what I do."

"Just try not to lose your temper with him. He'll eventually come to terms with the fact that you are a solider just like him."

"Raegan Eastcroft? Mila Compton?"

They looked up in surprise and cringed when they saw one of the Kirin Tor's messengers standing by their table.

"Yes?"

"The two of you are to report to the Council immediately."

Her shoulders slumped as she looked at her partially eaten steak. "I wonder if they'll wrap this up so I can take it with me?"

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"This will be our final step before breaching the borders of Icecrown but the beings dwelling in Ulduar must be dealt with before we can do so. The Titans and their creations are nothing to take lightly."

"In order to get into Ulduar we must first neutralize various targets throughout the Storm Peaks." Modera pointed out several different spots on the map, explaining the various reasons why each was important. "You will not be going alone. Members from the armies of Stormwind, Ironforge, and Darnassus, along with those soldiers the draenai send will be in this with you." Rhonin gave the gathered mages an encouraging smile. "Be sure to pack your warmest cloaks and furs. Frosthold lives up to its name."