After a while of learning swordsmanship on her own, a younger Dark Templar with the purple scales of the Furinax tribe came forward and offered to teach her. She accepted gratefully, and soon was faster and deadlier than she ever was before. She was never able to defeat a Protoss, of course, as they were naturally quicker and more powerful than any well-trained Terran, but her fighting style improved. She was curious as to why he would suddenly come forward, and one day asked him.
I was of the Furinax tribe, he said, unnecessarily. My own family disowned me because I wanted to fight instead of build. I know how it is to stand by and watch without any experience, and want to fight.
She smiled. "Thank you."
He bowed. You're welcome. Shall we begin?
A few days later Azalel was roused out of a sound sleep by a female Khalai worker. Pulling one lead-heavy eye open, she muttered, "Huh? Whattime izzit?"
After midnight, the Protoss said. You must go to the Nexus immediately.
With a groan she pushed herself up on her elbows. "Why?" She stumbled out of bed and pulled on a robe, following the Khalai. Her feet slapped on the cold metal floor.
Someone has appeared from the desert, the same way you did. The Protoss glanced back and added, with a gesture of good humor, Minus the scars and wounds you emerged with.
"Oh, thanks." She rubbed her eyes, still not getting it. "But why do they want me there?"
The newcomer asked to see you.
"Okay." When they reached the Nexus—it would have been pitch-black out if it weren't for the strangely glowing structures and the two moons—she began to wake up. Wait a minute. Someone came through the same warp gate she did?
The Khalai waved her into a large round room before hurrying to do her own business, and Azalel entered. The first thing she saw was a ring of Dark Templar and a few Judicators. Executor Artanis was there too; he had arrived a few days previously.
Judicator Aldaris saw her first, and gestured quietly for her to come closer, to which she obeyed with a questioning look. The others turned to look at her, and as their heads changed direction she saw him through the crowd.
She stopped, her mouth dropping open.
Azalel, her father said, stepping towards her, arms opening.
Suddenly she was running towards him, the other Protoss forgotten—"Father! Fatheeeeeeeeer!"
And then she was safe, safe, safe in his arms as he pulled her close, stroking the small of her back. My daughter, the old High Templar murmured, enveloping her in his cloak so that her smaller frame was lost in the sea of his love.
"FatherIthoughtIwouldbestuckhereforeverandyouweren'thereandIlearnedhowtomakeapsiblade-becauseIhadtofightZergbecausetheyattackedandIusedyourcrystalI'msorryIknowyouhateitwhenItouchyourstuffbutIhadtoandI knew you would come." And she buried her head into his shoulder, happy tears cascading down her face. He held her, and stroked her, so that she relaxed and lay trembling in his grip.
When she looked up they were mostly alone in the chamber; only Zeratul and Aldaris stood there; the rest had gone. I take it you know him, the Prelate said dryly.
Azalel laughed hoarsely, nodding and leaning against Xarral.
Is this your Protoss "friend?"
Xarral glanced down at her, brow arching. She shrugged and went red. "He's my father," she said simply. She looked up at him. "I don't suppose there's any way to get home."
The technicians are working on it, he said. I just didn't want to leave you here alone. Did you meet your family?
She bit her lip and looked away.
Ah. We will speak of that later. He turned to the Judicator and the Prelate. I thank you for reuniting me with my daughter. He bowed low to them, one arm still around Azalel. His aged body creaked slightly as he did so, and his eyes were tired. Azalel suddenly realized that she had never asked him how old he was.
"You should rest," she said worriedly.
Are you playing nursemaid again? Xarral asked, blinking down at her with amusement. She grinned and gently punched him in the ribs.
This is sacrilege, Aldaris muttered.
Xarral pulled himself up to his full height and glared at him, pulling his daughter close. After a moment Aldaris looked away. Zeratul bowed. You are entirely welcome, he said warmly and glanced at Azalel, who gave an apologetic smile. You, he added. Things become clearer now.
"I suppose," she replied. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. There are many things I cannot tell you, still."
I understand.
Azalel turned to Aldaris and tilted her head questioningly. He glared at her, then let out a sigh and nodded. She beamed at him.
Now, Xarral said in a world-weary tone, I believe I will rest. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow, child. His hand traced the bracer over her wrist.
So he'd noticed.
Of course I have. Come.
I hope you know the way back to your sleeping quarters, Zeratul said, to which Azalel nodded. Your father may sleep in the one to the right of yours.
"Thank you." Father and daughter moved away, heading to their waiting beds.
I believe we have found a way to pinpoint their time and location, a technician said, leaning over a softly glowing console. His fingers moved smoothly over the touch-keys, receiving and transmitting information.
Can you send a message? Zeratul asked.
"I think we can," said a Terran. "It's the same principle as if we were sending a message over a normal connection; once we have the time and location it's easy."
But the gate must be open.
"Yes."
When will the gate open in their time?
Three months after High Templar Xarral went through. It will stay open where and when Tolar emerged, and we can keep it open for as long as we want.
Good. Tell Tolar this in the message to him. Also tell him that he will find Azalel almost twenty-four miles to the south in a base camp set upon a plateau. There are many Zerg about as well.
Yes, sir.
"Sir, not to be discourteous, but how do you know?"
Zeratul turned away and gazed off into the distance. I was there.