There was nothing he could do about that, though. The little faerie dragon wasn't even sure why they were fighting.
Eludian gave Faewing a reassuring glance, but he knew that Faewing wasn't going to be himself until the argument was defused.
He sighed as he glanced at Ebonia. She certainly wasn't going to apologize. So he was going to have to do it.
"I'm sorry about reacting so poorly about your use of fire magic. You did just save my life, after all.", he said.
Ebonia rose an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Eludian continued, "I should've known you would have immediately relied on that, seeing as it's the only thing you know how to use. I'm going to do my best to help you out with trying other things, so no one ends up treating you like they treated my father, and by extension me."
Ebonia said, "I accept your apology. I'm not so prideful as to reject it, especially over something like this."
After a moment, she asked, "So, what exactly happened to your father?"
Eludian sighed. "That is a very long story. I'm assuming you've never heard of Illidan Stormrage?"
Ebonia shook her head. "I know almost nothing about mortals. Who was he?"
Eludian explained, "He was Malfurion's brother, and was very skilled with the arcane arts. But the amount of magic he had did not satisfy him. In his quest to earn more power, he did horrible things. He murdered his own soldiers in order to fuel his magic against the Burning Legion. But that was not enough, so he betrayed his own people and joined the Legion in his pursuit of power. Near the end of the War of the Ancients, he rejoined our side. But, when it became clear we needed to sacrifice the Well of Eternity to stop the demons and break off the elves' addiction to the arcane, he stole some vials of it and created a new well on Mount Hyjal just so he could keep his powers and live forever. Malfurion locked him away deep below the mountain as punishment, and I hope he stays there forever."
Ebonia was silent for a moment. "My father betrayed the Aspects during the War of the Ancients. Looks like we have something in common, after all."
Eludian sighed. "It will take a lot of effort to free ourselves from the corrupting shadow of our fathers. But perhaps we can do so together."
Ebonia nodded. "Definitely."
At that moment, there was a loud cackling, and Ebonia looked up to see an orange goat-man sitting on a dead tree stump, pointing at them.
"Two adventurous lovebirds, ah how sweet! Hey, how about you two give Zenn a hand here?", the goat-man said.
Eludian frowned. "It's a satyr - don't trust him. They never have good intentions."
Zenn feigned injury. "You wound me! All I need are a few ingredients, nothing more, nothing less! You'd refuse to help a poor old man like me?"
"You're not poor nor old.", Eludian replied, "Go find someone else to trick."
"Very well. I will!", yelled Zenn, before running off into the woods cackling.
Once he was gone, Ebonia asked, "What do you think he wanted to do?"
"Nothing good. Twas a satyr that started the Emerald Nightmare.", Eludian answered, "And most satyrs are with him. It's a good thing that one didn't try to do more."
"If he had...", Ebonia replied, "I would've killed him instantly."
Eludian sighed. "Of course. There are few threats to a literal dragon."
Faewing nodded. "Friend is very strong!"
Ebonia smiled at the faerie dragon. "That's very true."
Eludian simply shook his head.
After that, they started walking along the road again. The time passed by without much happening, until finally they spotted Dolanaar up ahead.
It was a cheerful little village, filled with small wooden cottages with purple roofs and vines growing over them. Many night elves were chattering and trading goods, while armored sentinels patrolled the village or stood guard outside it.
Several gave Eludian, Ebonia, and Faewing odd or suspicious glances, but none of them spoke.
Once they were in town, Eludian looked around and pointed to a large tavern, where a merchant sat among carefully piled stores of weapons. "There. We'll probably find a good weapon among his wares."
Ebonia shrugged. "Very well. But I'm choosing."
"Well, of course.", replied Eludian, "Only you know what truly works for you."
The two walked over, and the vendor smiled. "Hello! You look like a fine pair of adventurers. Perhaps you would like a sword, or maybe some daggers? I have a lot of those."
Ebonia replied, "Hmm...I might be a little while. I hope you do not mind."
"Not at all!", the vendor declared, "Most of my business for the day has already passed through. Something about furbolgs, I'm not entirely sure. They normally keep to themselves."
Eludian nodded. "Yes, I'm aware of that as well. It confuses me too."
Meanwhile, Ebonia had strode over to the weapons and was looking through them. Many of them were made of some sort of silvery metal, which was sending Ebonia's draconic hoarding instincts into near overdrive. She just wanted to scoop up all the weapons and fly them to some secret cave somewhere.
She knew instantly that if she took one, she'd never be able to relinquish it. So she forced herself to leave them alone and instead took up a fine-looking wooden staff.
When she took it up, she felt a resonant thrum race up her arms. She wasn't sure what it was, but the staff just felt right.
"This one.", she decided.
"That was quick.", commented the vendor, "Are you sure?"
Ebonia nodded. "It just feels right. This is the weapon I want."
"Very well.", replied the merchant, "That'll be ten gold."
Eludian counted up the required coins, and paid the merchant. Then Ebonia and Eludian walked off, the dragon-in-disguise giving her new weapon some test swings.
"So, you like it?", Eludian asked, seemingly a little uncomfortable.
"Yes, I do.", Ebonia answered, "Thank you."
Faewing declared, "Yay! Friends happy, Faewing happy! Can we get a snack?"
Eludian chuckled. "Fear not, Faewing. We'll find something for that insatiable appetite of yours."
At that moment, an older night elf walked over. He wore silver armor and a bear skin, and was holding a spear with a tall, curved blade. "Hello, young ones.", he greeted, "My name is Athridas Bearmantle. Do you think you could help me with something?"
"Sure.", answered Eludian, "What do you need?"
Athridas explained, "Gaerolas Talvethren serves as Great Warden to the Druids of the Talon sleeping in Starbreeze Village. Normally he sends a report every week or so explaining their condition, but I have not received word from him recently and I grow nervous. Would you be willing to go over there and check on him, so my worries can be put to rest?"
Eludian nodded. "Of course, Bearmantle. I do not wish for my fellow brethren to be put in danger."
Athridas smiled slightly, and gestured to the east. "Starbreeze Village is that way. I pray that you do not run into any danger there."
Eludian replied, "Fear not, we are quite good at defending ourselves."
Ebonia nodded. "Myself especially."
Then they set off out of town, towards the village.
Once they were out of sight of the town, Eludian sighed. "I suspect those furbolfs have something to do with it. Prepare yourself for trouble."
Ebonia rolled her eyes. "Whatever a furbolg is, I doubt it can withstand the wrath of a full-grown dragon."
Eludian chuckled. "No, I suppose it wouldn't. But they are a nasty lot to fight in mortal form. They are large, bear-like humanoids with druidic capabilities. We will have to be careful when we engage them."
Faewing declared, "If bear-man attacks friends, Faewing will bite bear-man's head off! Faewing does love heads..."
Eludian winced, and Ebonia laughed.
The three travelers set off into the woods, ready to see what awaited them in Starbreeze Village...*