Part 11
Epilogue
Four days later, an exhausted group of adventurers straggled onto the docks at Menethil Harbor.
"Lady MistBlade," Kill said wearily from atop his Mechanostrider as the ship turned with swift grace into the dock. The priestess of Elune smiled gently at the sight of the disheveled Guild Master, Ancasta riding pillion behind him all but asleep on his shoulder.
"Master Mechaswarm," she responded and nodded regally. "It will be a long journey home for FarShine and myself. But at least we are returning home, thanks to your Guild."
Kill nodded. "I was wondering - my apprentice is of your people. His grandmother - "
She smiled again and held up a hand to silence him. "Her opinions are held by the majority of my folk, some more strongly than others. While I myself do not think such a life is wise, I am not so closed-minded as to think it does not happen at all. I think for his sake, and for his peace of mind, that OwlDance should stay away from Teldrassil for the time being. Or if he returns, that he does so quietly and without alerting the Circle to his presence."
Kill cleared his throat and looked away. "That's going to be a problem, considering his cousin brought him a Frostsaber token."
MistBlade looked surprised at that, her fine white eyebrows rising briefly. "I see. In that case, perhaps he should arrive in the company of others. Perhaps the youngster there who leans upon you. Perhaps yourself."
"Owl?" Ancasta murmured at Kill's shoulder, and she stirred enough to look up at the Elven priestess. "Is he here?"
Kill smiled and shrugged lightly to jostle her head. "No. But you need to wake up, it's time to get on the Griffins."
Ancasta yawned and turned her face to hide against his leather-clad shoulder. "*yawn* -just go through Loch Modan, let me sleep some more..."
MistBlade chuckled softly and glided off the ship's gangplank to the dock.
Kill turned his Mechanostrider to survey his weary Guildmates and the two dozen or so former prisoners who had come with them from Northrend. Some had already left them for points north of Menethil to find their own way home. Wasichu and Jevalyn were leaving them here to board the boat to Theremore with Skyamaalu, to warn Lady Jaina to be on the alert for the Ascendant's plans and to escort the younger Shaman home to Azuremyst. But the rest of them were heading to Ironforge and then home to Stormwind.
The Griffins were eager to fly, and within minutes they were ascending the mountainsides into the eternal snows of Dun Morogh, and on their way home.
-O-O-
There seemed to be a party taking place on the Griffin platform on the concourse of Ironforge, so many people crowding the landing platform that Kill was worried they wouldn't have anywhere to land.
The Griffin chuckled at this. "Fear not, Guildmaster. My brethren and I are far too skilled to let a little thing like crowding cause a problem." And with that, the Griffin seemed to turn sideways in the air, drop twenty feet straight down, and landed in a spot Kill was certain was full of people not half a second before.
Kill turned to help Ancasta down from the Griffin's back before sliding down off the muscled, gold-furred shoulders. "Never let anyone tell you you're not skilled," he murmured in thanks to the great beast, who laughed heartily before he launched himself toward the aerial tunnel high in the cavern wall.
"Master!" Owl called out, distinctly visible over the throng of Humans, Dwarves and Draenei. He waved to them and began to weave through the crowd toward his teacher.
Ancasta gave a little shriek of delight as OwlDance reached them and scooped them both up in his arms in an enthusiastic hug. "Master! Anca! You'll never guess what happened! I did it! I killed a Horde! Me! I killed a Death Knight!"
"I sheeped an Orc!" Ancasta countered, "And killed three Wendigos! And made an avalanche, and snuck out of this big black fortress on top of a mountain, and - "
"And you're both a couple of children that need a spanking!" Kill interjected. He reached up and tugged on the nearest long ear and OwlDance winced.
"Put us down, boy," Kill growled softly, then tugged gently on a long lock of the black hair to take the sting out of his words.
"Yes, Master."
"And once we catch up on our sleep, you've got an assignment."
Owl blinked, clearly startled at that. "I do, Master?"
"Yes you do. Your cousin brought you a Frostsaber token. You are going home to Teldrassil to try for a Frostsaber." Kill gave him a steady look as Owl's face fell. "You've just eliminated a Horde, boy. For better or worse, you're a player in this vast game now. There's a world out there that you will conquer, one province at a time. And you will do it far more efficiently with a means of transport faster than your own two feet."
Owl squirmed under the steady regard. "But Master - "
"Ancasta will go with you," Kill went on. "As moral support."
"As moral - " Owl stopped, then turned to look at Ancasta questioningly. "Master?"
"You just killed a Death Knight and you're still afraid of your grandmother?" Kill asked.
"Not afraid, per se, Master," Owl said in a subdued voice.
Kill's frown turned sour. "You seek approval from all the wrong people, boy."
Owl drew himself up and pinned his Master with a raised eyebrow. "Not all the wrong people. Unless you think your opinion is worth nothing, Master."
Kill smirked at that and shook his head. "Too clever. Just not in the right ways. Sometimes you're as big and dumb as an Ogre, and I wonder why I put up with you. I could have some sensible Gnome for an apprentice. Someone who could read and do my paperwork. What I got was you."
"Hey! You got us both!" Ancasta reminded him with a pout. "And I can read! And do your paperwork!"
Kill snorted at that. "You'd read it, and you'd remember it. And you'd go asking awkward questions. You're another one that's too clever. I'm eighty-two years old, girly, and not one gray hair yet. With you two, I'll be white-haired in a year."
The Elf and the Gnome gave him almost identical considering looks.
"I think you'd look good with white hair," Ancasta said.
OwlDance nodded sagely. "Very distinguished."
Kill gaped at them, then spluttered. "Out! Out of my sight!"
The Elf scooped Ancasta up in one arm and fled up the concourse, their giggles sounding from the crowd as Kill followed at a more sedate, weary pace.
It was good to be home.
The End
