Chapter 29 – Unwanted illusions

She admired the beautiful lady in front of her as mana wyrms floated around her. Mesmerised, she smiled as she studied her golden skin and blonde locks. Her eyes shimmered like a crystal blue lake in the moonlight and her flawlessly shaped, burgundy lips smiled back. The lady's blue attire matched her eyes, and her bow and quiver were crafted to perfection. The truly breath taking sight of this female made her a little weak in her knees, but it felt so right, so safe. The green fields surrounding them offered the kind of peace that settles anyone's fears. The lady reached out and grabbed her hand, and a tingling sensation went through her as she touched her. Infatuated with the reflection of this beauty, she followed her unquestionably.

Suddenly, the lady stopped, and faced her. Mouthing the words "I am sorry". She gave a slight smile and without warning, a sharp sword stabbed her in her back. Blood poured from her wound and mouth as she smiled. The blade became visible through her stomach. The lady's eyes turned red, her hair went grey and the warm glow of her skin instantly faded. Their surroundings drastically changed and the once magical landscape was now covered in ice while corpses began to rise from the ground. She screamed and reached out for the lady in front of her, but the lady fell to the ground, face first.

Frostmourne…

"Jaina, my love, now it's your turn…" The Lich King pulled Frostmourne out of Sylvanas' dead body and lifted it to strike her. "No, Arthas… DON'T!"

"Lady Proudmoore!" Jaina was already sitting when she slammed her eyes open, gasping for air. Mayla Highmountain stood beside her, shaking her by the shoulder. Sweat poured from Jaina's forehead and she shivered.

"I'm sorry…" The young mage blinked trying to come to terms with the fact that it all had only been a dream.

"Pardon if it is not my place, my lady. But was it a nightmare?" Mayla let go of Jaina's shoulder. Jaina simply nodded in response to the question.

"Xavius must have gotten to you. You must be careful, my lady. Do not get caught in those dreams. They feel as if they are real, but you MUST keep conscious. You must be stronger than that! I will have someone fetch you some tea. It will aid your shivers. However, I believe you are fit to walk now. Please, come join us for breakfast when you are ready".

Jaina struggled slightly with moving at first as her body had stiffened up from being laid down for so many days. But, after a few minutes she started to feel strength nourishing her body. She walked downstairs and into the dining chamber of the Thunder Totem, and Orasha greeted her with a wave for her to sit next to her.

"Lady Proudmoore, you look a lot better!" One tauren smiled. She definitely did not feel better, not after that nightmare.

"Yes, thank you I feel it too". Jaina lied as she sat down next to Orasha.

"We were discussing how the Emerald Nightmare is spreading". Orasha said in a concerned tone.

"Oh…" Jaina's thoughts were instantly drawn back into her own nightmare, making her shiver.

"I think myself and the Third Squire are best suited to deal with the Drogbar here. But maybe you could call for some mages that could travel to Val'sharah and aid the people there? I mean it is best dealt with at the source I believe". Orasha looked at Jaina as she chewed.

"Sure…" Jaina mumbled picking up some bread. Her mind was elsewhere, attempting to work out how to locate Sylvanas. She remembered how she had been able to locate her once before whilst in Undercity. However, that was in lands known to her. Would the same method work on the Broken Isles? She wondered.

"Lady Proudmoore, you gonna eat that?" the tauren who had previously smiled at her nodded towards the bread Jaina sat and fiddled with.

"Oh I'm sorry…" She looked up.

"You are miles away, child". Mayla Highmountain looked at her. "You care for our Warchief, am I correct?"

First Jaina froze. Had Orasha told them? Nobody was supposed to know, it would not be accepted. There were so many reasons as to why, Jaina could not even count them all. All she knew was that she did not want to hurt Sylvanas or her reputation. A Warchief that laid with an Alliance…

"It is okay, Lady Proudmoore. It is not our right to know. But however you feel about Warchief Windrunner, it is okay. No matter who that person is, a person who loves our Warchief is always welcome here and we will aid you in finding her". "Yeah, for the Horde!" One tauren said, and the others nodded instinctively.

Never before had Jaina witnessed such unity. The Horde was strong together. The Alliance functioned more as a monarchy where each faction served their purpose. But the Horde stood together as one. Supposedly it had not always been like this, but the Horde was, without a doubt, stronger than it had ever been. Jaina smiled.

"Thank you, that truly means a great deal to me".

That night, Jaina spent time with a tauren druid and a blood elf priest who had been selected to go with Jaina to Stormheim. The druid was a calm, older tauren male who had fought for the Highmountain Tribe for years. He bore the name Dafar Goldhorn and the name told Jaina he was a highly respected member of the tribe. The blood elf was a young and elegant female healer, but Jaina had yet to see her smile. Orasha told her the blood elf had been sent to Highmountain by Lady Liadrin as her healing surges had not been powerful enough for that needed at the battle front in Suramar. The priest, Ayawa Lightsinger, did not look weak exactly, but somewhat damaged, Jaina thought.

"We travel tomorrow then ladies, I will shapeshift and you can saddle me. That way we can ride over the mountains to Stormheim. Any information would be good Jaina. Stormheim is a large area, our Warchief could be anywhere".

Jaina nodded. She had decided to summon the orb in her chamber tonight. She prayed it would display some information regarding Sylvanas' whereabouts. Unfortunately, the vast lands of the Broken Isles were too foreign to her and the orb displayed nothing of value. Certainly not Sylvanas' location.

"Don't worry we will find her". Dafar ensured her the next day before leaving. Ayawa nodded. Jaina gave them both a slight smile, not exactly sure if they believed in their statements or attempting to comfort her.

"Lady Proudmoore…" Orasha walked towards her.

"Please, be careful". The Orc warrior grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"It's Jaina to you, my friend. And same to you Orasha. Lok'tar ogar, my friend". Jaina smiled at Orasha.

"Lok'tar ogar. May the Titans watch over you, friend".

Dafar shapeshifted into a glorious stag and Ayawa laid the saddle on him.

"Lady Proudmoore, it is all ready for you".

Jaina nodded as she took a last look at Orasha and Mayla as they stood to say their farewells.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, lady of the Highmountain. It will not be forgotten".

Jaina climbed onto Dafar and Ayawa jumped on behind her.

"Take care child". Mayla said. "And remember, whenever the nightmares come for you, stay strong".

Jaina nodded again and gave Dafar a nudge. With that, the three of them rode into the mountainous landscape, heading for Stormheim.