Chapter 36 – Better Friends, Than Enemies
The subtle whoosh and swirl of a portal opening in her living room reached Sarah's ears as she prepared for her guest. It's rippling vibrant centre reflected on the walls and furniture, momentarily making the room waver and shimmer in hues of azure, violet and jade. Having poured some wine, she turned to face the portal and saw the slender figure of Modera emerge first, followed closely by Illidan. The portal started to shrink, then with a pop, it disappeared.
Sarah took a moment to observe the Archmage. The plain caramel coloured robe, with its black bodice which tapered to the waist was unassuming but beautifully tailored. The Archmage wore her platinum hair back in a low bound ponytail, strands tucked behind her ears exposing the heart-shaped face and it's precise, sharp features. The woman before her was well known for her rigid, unfaltering ego. In possession of a viper's tongue, Modera readily used it to whip those she considered as lesser mortals into speechless, babbling fools. Sarah had been psyching herself up for this battle of wills. Today however, Modera seemed humble, demure; almost representing the actual human side of her species. She approached the woman and offered her a glass of wine. Her visitor stared at the glass as if it was an alien object. "Would you prefer tea?" Sarah asked her as she proceeded to hand a second glass to Illidan.
The Archmage blinked then reached out to accept the wine. "No, this is perfect. Thank you."
Sarah nodded and gestured for Modera to sit, while she returned to the sideboard and poured some wine for herself. The Archmage sat on the edge of the sofa, cupping her glass in both hands. She glanced a little nervously at Illidan who remained standing, watching her with mild amusement; his bewitching amber eyes seeming to flare periodically. She felt the need to clear her throat again. Tearing her gaze from the night elf she took a small sip of wine. She was strangely thankful when Sarah sat in the armchair opposite so she could focus on her hostess instead.
"You must be wondering why I have asked you to come here?" Sarah began, her tone not sharp, but demanding the attention of the female mage nonetheless.
"Indeed. I would firstly however, like to convey my sincere condolences," Modera said. She glanced quickly at Illidan. The elf sipped his wine and turned his head to look at something out of the window. The Archmage was perplexed to discover she was somewhat disappointed he was not looking at her anymore. On hearing Sarah inhale as if to respond, she quickly continued. "I also wish...to apologise." At that, Illidan did look at her. Modera shifted her gaze back to Sarah. Lowering her voice to almost a whisper, she pressed on. "I was very blunt and said some unforgivable things to you when we were in Draenor." She took another sip of wine. "I have no concept of what you and Khadgar felt for each other. I have never been fortunate enough to have shared such feelings with someone." She risked a peek from under her lashes at Illidan, but dropped her gaze to the floor when she saw him still looking at her. "I am sorry to have been so derogatory and unfeeling."
Sarah felt like the wind was taken from her sails. She had believed there would be a verbal battle with this woman. It therefore, left her somewhat at a loss when she had been so pleasant and apologetic. She looked at Illidan. Had he said something to the woman before they arrived? she wondered. Or...She fought a smirk which threatened to betray her. The furtive glance from Modera in Illidan's direction had not went unnoticed. Was it possible the transformation of the former Lord of Demon Hunters had caused certain stirrings to build in the ice queen of an Archmage? Illidan caught her looking at him and his brow furrowed, questioningly. She smiled enigmatically and turned her attention back to Modera. "Apology accepted," she said. She still didn't warm to the woman, but she did feel something close to sympathy that she had never experienced love. Modera nodded, a look of gratitude in her eyes. "And so," Sarah continued. "The reason I have asked you here. I need to know what the Kirin Tor are thinking about as far as their leader is concerned." Modera tilted her head as if not quite understanding the question. Sarah tried another way. "Are you thinking on replacing Khadgar?"
The Archmage shifted uncomfortably and sipped at her wine before answering. "The Kirin Tor needs a leader, Sarah."
"So that's a yes?"
Modera glanced at Illidan. The amber orbs watched her with interest. She felt her skin prickling, like from being in the sun too long. Quickly she took another sip of wine, then regretted it instantly, thinking perhaps it was what contributed to her feeling hot under the collar. She met Sarah's gaze again. "It is. Unfortunately."
Sarah stared. "You do not sound keen."
Modera took a deep breath. "It was not something I thought we would need to do for a very long time. I sincerely wish we did not have to do this. I would have liked for Khadgar to have been leader for many years yet."
With a look towards Illidan for affirmation, Sarah decided it was best not to drag things out. "What if we told you then, your leader was still alive?"
Modera's jaw dropped, her eyes widened. She looked between the elf and Sarah, attempting to determine what kind of trick they were trying to pull. The expressions on their faces suggested this was no skullduggery. They were serious. "How can this be?" she breathed. "I saw with my own eyes, the portal collapsed on him. We all grieved. You grieved!" she pointed to them both. "All of Azeroth..."
"He is alive, Modera. We did not know at first either. Thanks to Illidan we found him."
The elf moved into the centre of the room and placed his wine glass on the table between the sofa and armchairs. "No Sarah, it was Khadgar himself who led us to him." His amber eyes flicked over to Modera, who sat gaping at him. He smirked and the female Archmage instantly closed her mouth.
"How?" she squeaked, her eyes following him as he moved to the side of the armchair Sarah sat in.
"You have heard of the Thalassian Secret?" he asked her.
She nodded, slowly. "I have heard of it yes, but I did not think it was practiced nor indeed taught anymore."
"You are correct, it is not. Khadgar however, believed he may be in need of it and so left the scripts hidden within in a secrecy ward of a book."
"May I see this book?" the Archmage was instantly enthralled.
"No, you may not," Sarah said. Modera was obviously disappointed. She felt the Archmage deserved a little more of an explanation. "The book is also very personal and I do not wish other's eyes to see what was meant for me." Modera nodded that she understood. "But," Sarah sighed heavily, a little unsure that the following suggestion was sensible. "You may see Khadgar if you need proof."
Modera's eyes widened. She took a moment to consider. Looking between Sarah and Illidan she formed her opinion. Finishing her wine she held out her glass for more. "No. I do not need proof. I believe you. You of all people would not lie about such a thing."
Sarah was surprised by the Archmage yet again. This time she was glad to be wrong in her assumptions of the woman. She knew without doubt Modera was in fact delighted that the re-election of a leader would now be unnecessary. The Archmage's voice shook Sarah from her reverie. "The fact he is not here in this room right now suggests he is perhaps recovering?"
Sarah nodded.
"Then may I be so bold as to ask for more wine and we will discuss how best to inform the world that Khadgar has risen from the dead so-to-speak?" A most pleasant smile lit up her face.
Sarah shared a look with Illidan. This had been surprisingly easy. Modera, not one to miss things herself, noted the look between them. "I know I have been less than approachable, curt and basically, horrid, but that is me, I'm afraid. You have however, earned my trust and deep felt respect. I will gladly work with you on this." She raised an eyebrow and shook her glass again.
Slowly, a smile spread across Sarah's face. Taking the glass, she nodded. "I think we will make better friends, than enemies certainly."
Over more wine, Modera explained that the Council were due to meet in three days time to determine their new Leader. Her manner once more became almost coy when she let them know that they had been looking towards herself to take up the role. She admitted there was a time she would have considered it, but not now; not after all that happened at the Dark Portal. Normally a quick decision was made after such a meeting and the result based on the Council members' votes. With Khadgar still recovering, indeed in a comatose state for now, and the uncertainty of how long he would be unconscious for, it would be difficult to postpone the meeting without them knowing why. The Council, she assured Sarah and Illidan, would certainly be sworn to secrecy if they too were drafted in on the miraculous survival of their Leader.
There was also every possibility, she pointed out, that other magical authorities, guilds and affiliations outwith the Kirin Tor would begin to question their uncharacteristic hesitancy to appoint a leader. That in turn would lead to supposition of the Kirin Tor's ability to remain as the head of political affairs in the magical community. They were not after all, exactly held in high esteem by some groups within the field, nor by many others outwith for that matter. The most positive reaction the Kirin Tor had experienced in years, was when they had Khadgar at their helm.
There was no way of knowing how long Khadgar would take to fully recover until he regained consciousness, and that too was an unknown factor. After some deliberation, they decided to inform the other Council members of the situation and together they would be able to derive a feasible excuse for postponing the announcement of a potential new leader.
Modera also suggested moving Khadgar to his chambers in the Violet Citadel to ensure confidentiality until he fully recuperated. Sarah vehemently argued against this, saying she and she alone would look after him. The Archmage duly apologised and retracted the suggestion, seeing the pain in Sarah's eyes at the thought of her beloved being removed from their home.
Time was getting on, and Sarah expected Gwen to return with Ocel soon. Sarah asked Modera if she would kindly return to the Violet Citadel and consider how best to inform the Council. Modera nodded, understanding fully that her presence in the house could start some gossip, attention which none of them needed at this crucial time. The woman thanked Sarah for both her hospitality and her trust in this matter. Then, quietly, she disappeared through a portal to Dalaran.
Timing had indeed been fortuitous, for only moments later Gwen appeared with Ocel. She told Sarah and Illidan that she had taken Ocel out to the cottage, the push up the hill was unexpectedly hard-going, but it had been so worth it. The sun over the waterfall at the top had been breath-taking, and she was positive that Ocel had enjoyed it too. Sarah smiled. Gwen was always so enthusiastic in showing the infant the wondrous views surrounding Stormwind and things of historical interest within the city.
Sarah was returning from putting the pram away when she was momentarily taken aback as Gwen voiced an observation. "Oh, hud visitors huv ye?" She had noted the three wine glasses on the table.
Sarah shot a glance at Illidan then very quickly spun a yarn. "No," she laughed. "I was just tidying up when I came across these. They must have been from the other day when Drew and the others were here. Bad house-keeping on my part." Again she glanced at the night elf. His expression gave nothing away. Gwen's raised brow was also difficult to interpret. Her other eyebrow soon disappeared into her hairline as she heard a deep moan from the direction of the hallway. Sarah's eyes almost popped from their sockets. It had come from her room.
"Would you be so kind as to help me find a special gift for Arcaena, Gwen? Illidan asked out of the blue, drawing the dwarf's attention from the hallway.
Sarah quickly took Ocel from Gwen and mouthed a silent thank you to the night elf, a broad smile spreading across her face. "Ah'd be delighted!" Gwen said. "And in fact, ah ken the very thing. Theresa Denman hus jist sterted displaying the maist exquisite necklaces in hur jewelry shop along the canals and Arcaena wis eyeing up yin in particular, yesterday."
Sarah suppressed a smirk as she saw Illidan's fangs flash in a tight smile. She reckoned his quick thinking had just cost him ... dearly, and he knew it. The dwarf happily moved out first as they headed for the front door. Sarah was still trying not to laugh when Illidan playfully nudged her on his way past. His amber eyes glowed; there was mirth in those orbs. Gwen let Sarah know she would be by in the morning again and then excitedly started describing some of the jewels Arcaena had been admiring to Illidan before the door clicked softly shut behind them.
Another moan from her room had Sarah rushing along the hall. Holding Ocel in one arm, she opened the door and strode in, her heart pounding, half hoping to see Khadgar sitting up. He was still sleeping, though he had moved onto his left side. She frowned; Ocel needed fed and changed and Khadgar needed his wounds tended to. She waited to make sure Khadgar had stilled and settled before she took Ocel through to change him.
Her son chortled as she cleaned him and put on a new nappy. She smiled. How fortunate was she that she had such a happy little boy, she thought. Strange to think only two weeks before, his future was in the balance but now the way was open and clear for him. Furthermore, his father would be part of his life; another miracle. She faltered, suddenly overcome and tears dripped from her eyes onto the soft towel she had Ocel lying upon. The concoction of emotions was at times, crippling still. Joy, although abound, was still competing with remnants of the overwhelming sorrow she had lived with since the Dark Portal. It was hard to completely let it all go; set it free.
It was equally difficult when embracing the fact her son and Khadgar were both with her, to try and not think about what lay even further beyond that. Going through life, not knowing what lay ahead was sometimes exciting, invigorating, perhaps a little unnerving at times, but there was always an expected order of things. Granted it didn't always work out that way, but the fact you didn't know how it would turn out, made life truly beautiful. She knew how things would turn out for her though. Endless. She would never live a lifetime, she would live many, and simply watch those around her fade. She shook her head, trying to erase such morbidity. The two most precious people to her were both in this house here and now, and she would ensure they had lives worth living, worth remembering.
She sat in the armchair in her room, Ocel suckling contentedly as she watched the sleeping figure in her bed. Once her son settled and sank into his afternoon slumber she placed him in his cot then returned to Khadgar once again. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she drew on her power to continue healing him. Still prisoner to the irrational fear that touching him would make him vanish from her life again, she moved back a little every time he moaned or shifted slightly, ensuring they did not touch. The agony of this denial was unbearable, yet she refrained from the temptation to even stroke his cheek or trace his jaw line.
The gossamer threads of her healing light worked again on his shoulder wound and washed over his entire body, some of the bruises and grazes fading before her eyes. She desperately wanted to believe this was her Khadgar. Part of her could not surrender to the possibility yet. The recent grief from his passing was still raw and going through healing of its own. "Please, be you; be real," she whispered. "Hear me. Wake soon. Come to me this time, Khadgar. Come to me..."