That night I slept in the Sunspire building where all the basic training instructors were. As I think about it now it's been a long time since I slept in a bed. I think Moonglade was the last place if my memory serves me right. When I woke up there was a new batch of blood elf recruits ready to be trained in what ever combat related job they had signed up for. I was a bit relieved that this place I had learned the foundation of my childhood education was still being used for the same reason, it's just the age group was a little different.

At morning when the sun came up I think I could have slept for a week. My body remembered some of the cuts and bruises even though I had healed them with my magic. My grandfather used to say that sore muscles were a good thing, it meant you were getting stronger, but I guess my body wanted the recovery process to come naturally, or maybe I was just being lazy. As I heard pitter padder of footsteps and chatter of new recruits receiving instruction, I opened my eyes and felt a little embarrassed that I was sleeping on the ground like a bum. I could have traveled into the night to find some better lodging but Erona told me if I was okay sleeping on the floor, I could stay the night. I knew a little about the Outrunners that they moved supplies here and there and I was hoping for some seemingly normal work like the jobs I did in Shattrath city.

I ran to the bridge and saw the blonde Outrunner with her sword in her right hand. She seemed more like a fighter then a supply runner or merchant, "Are you the one Magistrix Erona sent?" She asked me, and I looked closer and there was blood on her sword and armor.

I looked at the cart that was behind her, "Are those supplies for the new recruits? Need me to run some boxes back and forth?"

She shook her head, "Not exactly, the Wretched have given us no shortage of trouble. I'm the last member of the convoy but at least I can say that we accomplished the mission." She padded her supply truck, "Take my report down south Dawning Lane and check any survivors. Be careful."

She handed me some paper and I wanted to ask her some questions. But she gave me a confused angry look, "What are you standing there for? I said go!"

I nodded and ran off south. I saw the member of the convoy group, brown hair, with ghostly white skin, seeming to be drained of mana. "I can't leave her here." I thought out loud as I saw her lifeless body. As I tried to move her, I saw that she was holding a package address to a Alarion from Magisrix Erona. As I looked around, I could see that there were Wretched within shouting distance. Also, they seemed to be controlling these large magic and stone contraptions. One of them gave a look as if to say, "Who are you?"

I looked down at the slain elf and I knew I wouldn't be able to carry her without drawing attention to myself, but I could deliver whatever this package was. This work was getting more and more grim but I hoped that I could change that. I brought the package to her supply cart, "She's gone." I spoke.

She sighed, "I know, that's the third Outrunner this month."

I didn't like the way she said that, "Was she a slave?" I asked.

She shook her head, "No, she'll be buried as soon as the recruits come by to pick up their supplies. But it's a risk we all must take. Erona needs someone to deliver this package to the inn at Falconwing Square. I'm not going to lie to you, if this work is too grim for you the innkeeper might be able to employ you in her kitchen."

I shook my head, "No, I don't want to go back to that."

She nodded, "Good, now get out of here."

I nodded and ran toward the area I saw the Wretched. It was about a 1000-meter road that was between to areas that looked like they used to be suburban areas, at least for elves that is, but were littered with Wretched looting the abandoned areas. The Wretched were also allied with the yellow stone and metal contraptions that they seem to be using to help them pick out things that were too heavy. The thought scared me, at least a little, about facing off against one of those. I finally made it to the inn and asked where I could find the innkeeper. She was a lovely looking elf with red hair and a white and red dress. "I have your package." I stated.

She took the package, "Thank you, I do appreciate the-"She looked at something that was on top. She took a hard paper card, looked at it, and then looked at me, "Did you want to work in my kitchen?"

"No." I quickly refused, "No, thank you."

She looked at me slightly confused, "Well you don't have to say it like that." She shrugged slightly, "Do you know how to cook, I could teach you the basics for price that is."

I had seen raw meat a few times when I was a kid and every now and then you would catch a fish when you gutted it would actually bleed a lot, but when I was stabbing some of the lynx cats I couldn't help but see the similarities in the meat. But I couldn't really do anything with that, "I only know how to cook fish."

She looked at me surprised, "Oh, so you know how to make a campfire with heat stones at all that?"

I shook my head, "Oh, no."

So, the Innkeeper taught me how to cook and make three different kinds of fire. One with tree bark and sticks, flintstones, and one with two sticks, bow strings, and paper. This took most of my day, but I was glad I was in a kitchen because I got hungry eventually and I didn't just read recipes but practiced and ate too. I kind of wish I had these skills in Tempest Keep, but then again, nothing grew there and I'm pretty sure that anything that could have died was hazardous to eat. I started to think that eventually for whatever reason my people were in Outland for, for what ever reason the Horde and Alliance were there, maybe I would have to go back or choose to go back. I don't remember how I got from those caves to Shattrath City, but I don't think I would have left those other miners behind. I never thought about it much when I was there but I'm thinking about it now.

The materials I worked to find so I could eat and survive were used to keep me and my people oppressed. Those ores were used to build armor and weapons for demons and other magic base combat blood elves. I guess my idle time trying to figure out how to make fire from sticks had given me some time to reflect. Eventually I had to ask the Innkeeper Delaniel, "Is there any place I could learn to forge weapons?"

She shrugged slightly, "Blacksmithing can get expensive as you master it but it's not expensive to learn. Yes, there is someone here who can teach you the basics. It's a bit of a journey though. I suggest you get a better understanding of the land before you trek over there."

I sighed, "I think I'm going to turn in for the night."

She nodded, "Okay, one silver for a bed, 20 silver for a room and bath."

"Just the bed please." I stated.

I'm grateful that today I didn't have to kill anyone or anything, but I have a feeling I'm not going to have many of these days.