A/N: Wow! I'm so happy to see the reviews picking up. Keep 'em coming!

Sneaky66: Thanks for letting me know! I've taken that into consideration and kept this chapter pretty low-key because of that.

Mephis85: I'm so glad to see you like the story. I'll keep putting these chapters out every other day, if I can. :)

Forlorne: Hahah, that's why Rowan would sap first. Missed pickpockets can be dangerous. :O Thanks so much for the support, you rock.

DarkDesh: Thanks for reviewing my story, I'm glad you've come to enjoy it!

Truths and Lies

Knocking on doors in Silvermoon City was always considered rude. Delicate chime doorbells were installed on all residential buildings, keeping with the ever-present serenity of the Sin'dorei capital. So, when Priestess Elluine's afternoon tea was disrupted by the sound of savage knocking, her lips curled into an annoyed scowl. The maid stepped forward to open the large door, but Elluine waved her away. She pulled the door open, unsurprised to see the middle-aged jewelcrafter.

"Ah, Mr. Duskblaze. It's such a pleasure to see you this afternoon," she said, forcing herself to smile politely.

"Don't trouble me with your niceties, woman. I've come here for the truth," Duskblaze snapped.

Elluine nodded and stepped back, holding the door open for the angry man. She'd been anticipating his visit for days and had already dreamed up perfectly logical rebuttals to any of the man's accusations. He stepped into the entryway and stood close to the priestess, meaning to intimidate her with his tall stature. Her silk robes swished as she gracefully turned away from him, leading him to the sitting room. The parlor was sumptuously decorated in bright red and gold with plush furniture. She motioned for him to sit on the divan opposite her.

"I am so sorry for the problems this has caused, Mr. Duskblaze. I had no idea that Anasteria meant to fool me into thinking that nonsense about her fleeing to Thousand Needles," she began, wringing her hands theatrically.

He was taken off-guard by this new revelation that the priestess gave. Dorial Duskblaze never suspected his daughter might have purposely thrown everyone off guard. He assumed that her teachers recruited her. Not wanting to completely fold to her explanation, he held onto the only inconsistency he could think of.

"If that's true, then I don't see how you knew about it before we did. I only found out yesterday when my son came home empty-handed!"

She smoothed her robes and addressed his argument, "I was told that she was in Ashenvale by my son, Tasius. The two were good friends when she was a student in Undercity and I had only become aware that she fled there when he wrote me about the attack on the outpost there," she replied, adding, "I really had no idea until very recently."

"So she told you that she was going to Thousand Needles, you believed her, then let her go there? Did it not occur to you to even ask if she had our consent?" he roared.

The priestess straightened at his harsh tone, "Well, it was much too late by then. She left a letter behind explaining where she supposedly went."

She watched the jeweler as he considered her response, trying not to be amused at how slow he was. He reminded her of a toddler trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle.

After what seemed like hours, the man sighed. "Did you send anyone after her?" he asked.

"Thankfully, my son is stationed at the Mor'shan Base Camp. It's right on the border of Ashenvale. He has gone out in search of her and I suspect that we will learn if she's been captured or.." she didn't finish her sentence. Captured or killed. She continued, "I didn't want to inform you until I was sure that he could be excused from his duties to help us."

Elluine was actually quite shocked when she received a letter from the Orc camp, telling her that her son deserted his post. She found his defiant letters entertaining, but didn't expect his rebellion to go this far. Either way, his decision to oppose her will had actually helped when it came time to face the girl's father.

After a few perfunctory exchanges, the man thanked her and left. She returned to her tea, now lukewarm, and smiled.

She was off the hook.

Anasteria woke before Rowan. Instead of getting up and forcing her tired muscles into the sitting position she meditated in, she laid back studied his face. His eyelashes fluttered and he seemed to be dreaming about something pleasant, the corners of his mouth upturned in a faint smile. She was scarcely able to believe the events that took place last night. If he hadn't noticed the bruises on her shoulder, how far would they have gone? The young priestess had never been with a man before, but she knew that she wanted him then. She curled up closer to him and pressed her lips to his, letting them linger there until his eyelids opened. He kissed her hungrily, his hands reaching around her back to crush their bodies together. When they broke away, he spoke.

"I was dreaming about you."

"Well, it looks like your dream came true. Here I am, in your arms..ready to be swept away!" she joked.

"Have you made your decision?" he asked seriously.

She smiled at him, planting another kiss on his soft lips.

"I have. I'd really like to wash though, since we're near a stream. I'll tell you when I get back," she answered. She didn't want to let him know just yet.

Rowan sat up and dug through his rucksack.

"Here," he said, "I packed an extra pair of clothes, but I figure you might need them more."

He was right. The once beautiful silk robe had seen better days. Its sleeve had been ripped from the night in the stables and there was mud caked along the hem. It transformed from a deep crimson to an ugly reddish-brown. She took the bundle gratefully and left.

The water prickled her skin and it took every ounce of willpower for Anasteria to fully submerge herself in the cold stream. She scrubbed at her face with her hands, wishing she at least had a bar of soap. The morning birds had already come out and she closed her eyes, listening to their songs. Finishing up quickly, she waded over to where her new set of clothes sat. They were obviously a bit big for her, but the tunic fit well enough and the short trousers could be held up with her belt. She fingered the embroidery on the collar, a depiction of a raven mid-flight against the backdrop of a crescent moon.

Rowan returned shortly after, carrying the carcass of what looked to be a rabbit. He set the animal down and stood back to look at her.

"It fits you well, but.. we'll buy something a little nicer later," he added quickly, "If you're coming with me, that is."

She couldn't help but be amused that he still thought her decision hung in the balance.

"Of course I'm coming with you, Rowan. I just didn't want to make you think I give in so easily."