Anduin

"So, what do you think? Could it really be father?" I asked Jaina as I paced back and forth across the sitting room in my chambers. Jaina and Kalec sat on the sofa, with Connie taking a chair off to the side. I was too anxious to sit.

Jaina had my mirror in her hands. She'd examined it carefully, both physically and with magic. Nothing seemed off with the object.

"I don't see how it can be. I saw your father die. Gul'dan pushed pure fel energy into him and he was just gone." She replied sadly. I knew she missed my father as much as I did. They had been friends for a very long time. Jaina had been one of the very few people he considered family.

"Well, it sure as hell looked like him." I replied, a bit more forcefully than I intended.

"Isn't it possible the fel energy didn't disintegrate him, but transported him instead? Does fel magic even work like that?" Connie asked.

Jaina still looked sorrowful, but Kalec had a thoughtful expression on his face. He was far older and more knowledgeable about magic, all magic, than anyone else in the room. Blue dragons were all about magic, even if it was not the same type demons used.

"It may be possible." He said quietly, then looked at Jaina. "Fel magic is a bit outside my knowledge base, but from what I do know, it can be used to teleport. It's possible Gul'dan used his magic to make it appear like Varian was killed, but instead sent him...somewhere."

Without pause, Kalec stood in one swift, graceful motion. "With your leave, Your Majesty, I'll head out to speak with a warlock acquaintance of mine. Maybe he'll be able to shed more light on this mystery. I sense this is something more than a simple effort to deceive you."

I nodded. "Please."

Kalec took Jaina's hand for a moment, giving it a squeeze then turned to leave.

"Kalec?"

The blue dragon, in his half human, half elf form, turned back. It was sometimes hard to believe he was indeed a massive dragon. He'd learned to mimic a member of a younger race well and seemed very relaxed in the form.

"Thank you."

He nodded to me. "I'll return when I know more."

Once he was out the door, I sighed and took the empty seat next to Jaina.

"If this wasn't father, who would do something like this? What possible purpose could it hold?"

Jaina took my hand. "To break you down, perhaps? You've been doing such great work since your father died. You've brought something close to peace to this land and that probably scares some people. Sylvanas is still out there somewhere and is definitely not very happy with you. I wouldn't put something like this past her."

"And she does prefer indirect forms of warfare. It would make sense, but forgive me if I choose to believe that this really is my father, trapped somewhere, maybe a prisoner."

"I wish to believe it too, Anduin, but we must not get our hopes up too high." She released my hand and took my place pacing. "Regardless, we need to link this mirror to his, so we can actually talk with this person. I think I know a way to make communication safe and not need to worry about any harmful magic coming from the other side of the mirror. I'll show Connie how to perform the magic, also, so one of us will be ready to make the connection, once he shows himself again. I get the feeling none of us will get much sleep until we know for sure."

"We'll sleep in shifts." I said, standing and walking over to Connie. "You first. You can take my bed or just go back to your chambers, whichever you're more comfortable with."

Constance looked like she wanted to argue with me, but seemed to think better of it and nodded. "I'll stay in your room. I can't leave you to just pace around this room alone. I'll feel better if I stay here."

I smiled down at her, feeling something very close to love when I looked into her eyes. I'd never believed it was possible to love another person so quickly. I kissed her on the cheek. "Sleep well."

"I'll try, but you'd better wake me up when you get too tired. You need to sleep too, Anduin."

I pulled her into a hug. "I promise."

Constance smiled up at me, then headed into my bed chamber and shut the door behind her. I could hear Jaina chuckling slightly from behind me.

"What?"

"I've seen you happy many times in my life, but never like this. You truly are falling in love with her, aren't you?"

"It was bound to happen eventually, thanks to you."

"It wasn't intentional, Anduin. I had no idea you and my apprentice would hit it off so well. You made the first move, remember? I merely introduced you."

"Right."

Jaina laughed. "Believe what you will."


To Be Continued...